Despite still not seeing very well, I checked out Moon the other day… Appropriately alone. It’s so refreshing to see smart science fiction on the big screen and Moon was just that. So smart, in fact, that it treated something that would have been the whole reveal of any other movie so matter-of-factly that you just knew the filmmakers didn’t think you were an idiot and that this was your first time in a movie theater.

It’s nice to be treated like you have a brain by movies now and again.

That said, somehow it manages to get an unfortunate Hollywood ending via some totally unnecessary audio that destroys any individual interpretation with specifics.

I need to remember to check out more smart films… $9.99 next?

I could barely care less about the Oscars last night. In fact, I had forgotten that they were even on until some friends over reminded us.

So, we fired up the rabbit ears and checked out Hugh Jackman’s opening number, which was fun (especially the part about not seeing The Reader). Then the awards got under way and I realized that there was only one award that mattered to me: whether they would award a movie with almost no speaking as the animated film of the year. The woman and I had a brief debate about this category being the “animated film of the year” not the “kid’s film of the year”. Then, thankfully, the Academy awarded the Oscar to Wall-E.

I should remember that there are still some places where people are brave enough to get behind unconventional projects.

OK, this happened a while ago, so I don’t remember things super clearly, but I had been dying to catch what should be the final version of my favorite movie of all time: Ridley Scott’s Bladerunner at the amazing Ziegfeld theater.

A couple weeks ago, I did just that… and it was amazing.

First of all there was quite a line to get in, but everyone in the line already had tickets, so getting in wasn’t such a big deal. Luckily, I was able to grab a seat for me and my lady right in the middle of the giant ocean of über-geeks and settle in for the show. By über-geeks, I mean there was a guy there with a replica glowing umbrella straight out of the movie. Additionally, they all cheered or jeered as the opening credits played based on each individuals contribution to Blade Runner’s tumultuous history.

Anyway, the huge picture’s quality was absolutely amazing and all the minor edits and tweaks mostly added to an already impressive movie. There was only one groan-worthy moment which came during the pivotal scene where Rutger Haur’s character confronts his maker late at night in his bedroom. During the original scene, Rutger stalks forward, staring down a man who basically represents his character’s God and says: “I want more life… FUCKER!” Unfortunately, in this “final cut” that “fucker” was changed to “father.” Several of the other changes also made things more plain and straightforward, but not with such hamfistedness. It was sad. I groaned.

Anyway, I should remember to purchase this new version on whatever HD format is the best. It remains my favorite movie ever!

Last Monday, my woman arranged a viewing of the 1974 Charles Bronson classic, Death Wish at Grand Opening‘s latest incarnation: a drive in theater. The movie was expectedly laughable, except for the fairly graphic rape scene starring non other than a young Jeff Goldblum as a violent thug.

I really love what these guys are doing with the space. After the ping pong experience (which my woman also hooked up) and now the drive-in, I need to remember to check out every new incarnation of this place.

So, due to the suggestion of some friends, I checked out the new Stephen King adaptation: 1408. The funny part about this movie is that it’s almost two movies in one. The first half is a great, creepy flick carried by John Cusack’s witty acting… the second half is a ridiculous stream of nonsensical gags that amount to nothing.

When the whole movie ended, some guy in the back of the theater said “Awww, fuck.” And that was basically the general consensus. It was dumb.

I need to remember to stop watching stupid movies for no reason. There have to be better things to do with my time.