Sunshine Cleaning (2008)

Yes, we still have no second senator. Some might say that's a good thing. Here's some quickies of the past few weeks.

Sunshine Cleaning (2008)

We finally saw this on video after Tish recommended it. We liked it. Very sweet. Not as much gratuitous sex as Amy Adams had in Enchanted (2007) with P. Dempy and and a bath towel. Remember the father in Breaking Away (1979)? The same actor has the same role in this movie. And he doesn't look any older.  His work in Breaking Away was heartbreaking especially when he tries to sell the car. Also, Alan Arkin is always good.

Le voyage du ballon rouge (2007) or the Flight of the Red Balloon for those who forgot.

It's French so there's smoking. It's also 79 minutes longer than Le ballon rouge (1956) (or the red balloon, nevermind). This new one is not a sequel or a remake but "inspired" by the original. It's also extreeeeeeemly slow. If you like Franz Lizt then it should be easier to stay awake. Bear in mind that the movie is not about anything happening but more about what goes on in people's lives. The balloon acts as a support figure for one of those people. It's a must-see if you love the Red Balloon or if you love super-indie Chinese directors.

For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story (2000)

Andy Garcia does a great job as does the rest of the cast especially Mia Maestro, who looks like a young Katherine Hepburn, and Charles Dutton as Dizzy Gillespie  with the  amazing chops and cheeks. Great music, great propaganda film depending on who you ask or just a good movie (originally for HBO TV). Good line about how worthless free education is if you can't read what you want.

Mad Max 2 (1981)
 aka "The Road Warrior"

I saw this in the theatre when it first came out in downtown Chicago during a late-morning layover on a cross-country Greyhound bus ride. Walking out of the theatre into the streets of Chicago at noon on a weekday! If only I'd known about Joseph Campbell back then what I still don't know now. I bet  Mel's wishing he'd known about  pre-nups back then.

Fast & Furious (2009)

A newspaper reviewer said that in honor of Earth Day Vin Diesel is changing his name to Vin Biodiesel. That would help. This is a movie only for teenage boys and their fathers who love the drive-in. It's manipulation of the rating system is shameless. But only one f-word to listen to isn't so bad except Diesel uses the "aint" word in every sentence. Shameless.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)

Also a drive-in theatre movie and surprisingly good. Funny, sweet. Clever jokes about weight issues (wait, I mean heavy jokes). Best use of a shopping mall since Woody Allen did Scenes From a Mall. Beautiful choreography of the robbers inside the mall. Any movie where the name in the title is one letter away from being a famous name can't be all bad. That's why you gotta love Yahoo. The CEO is named Bartz.

Tuya (Tuya de hun shi (2006) or Tuya's Marriage

Beautiful Mongolian film. Tammy Wynette and Johnny Cash could have gotten several albums from the themes in this film.

Transporter 3 (2008)

Jason Statham does his own stunts! And allows himself to be objectified at the hands of a beautiful woman! And can't act any better than the Biodiesel guy! Who cares!