Mac Net Journal

Over the years I have seen most films that John Cusack has been in, but somehow I missed seeing this tale or New York corruption from 1996. City Hall is not a great movie, but it was OK for a winter afternoon.

8 Women
Saturday, January 5, 2008, 8:53 PM

A French film, 8 femmes, is an entertaining interlude, if a little odd - especially when the women spontaneously burst into song. Two odd films in a row. This one also came from NetFlix.

Human Nature
Thursday, January 3, 2008, 8:53 PM

This odd movie from 2001, Human Nature features Patricia Arquette, Tim Robbins and Rhys Ifans in a wierd love triangle - a woman with inordinate body hair, a man who thinks he is an ape, and another man who teaches the ape-man how to be civilized. Quirky is the best word to describe this flick, but we stuck with it and found it kind of funny. From NetFlix...

Capote
Wednesday, January 2, 2008, 10:04 PM

We had Capote recorded for a while on the DVR and finally took the time to watch it tonight. Phillip Seymour Hoffman does a great job, and the movie creates a less-than-flattering picture of Truman Capote. But he got what he was after in his quest to be the best-known writer in America. Reprehensible, but success on his own terms.

Inspirations
Tuesday, January 1, 2008, 1:32 PM

Inspirations is a 1997 documentary that takes a look at the creative process for a number of artists - David Bowie, Dale Chihuly, Roy Lichenstein and more. This was a worthwhile way to kick off the new year, exploring how others are motivated and how they create their special art. This was another Netflix selection - the first time in many months that we have watched all four movies from Netflix in such a short time period, leaving us with no new movies to watch on this day off today.

Dear Frankie
Sunday, December 16, 2007, 9:20 PM

Dear Frankie is a touching little film, if a little predictable on the bittersweet scale. It was well worth the time to watch it while I made Christmas cookies... Rented via Netflix.

Princess Mononoke
Sunday, December 16, 2007, 9:20 PM

Another of Hayao Miyazaki's anime films about the environment and war - pro-environment, anti-war. Each one of these animated films is a joy to watch, if you're in the right mindset. I would recommend them for people with kids... Rented via Netflix

Touch the Sound
Sunday, December 9, 2007, 5:06 PM

A documentary about percussionist Evelyn Glennie and how she interprets and plays music even though she is deaf. This is an interesting visual and audio approach to music. Very Zen and very contemplative, which fit it well with watching this on the last full day of a vacation in a Sequim, Washington cabin... This was a film from Netflix.

Saint Ralph
Friday, December 7, 2007, 6:09 PM

Borrowed this one from Jana and Jason. Fun story, if a little simple. Of course I like it since it focuses on running and the Boston Marathon...

Manhattan
Friday, December 7, 2007, 6:09 PM

Classic Woody Allen film that opens like a love note to New York City. I had fogotten that I had already seen this film from beginning to end, but it is a good film to revisit. Got this one from Netflix.

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Friday, December 7, 2007, 6:09 PM

What an odd and fun film. Who can't like the films that Bill Murray has done in the last couple of years? And this is a true oddball pick, with out-of-the-ordinary roles for Willem Dafoe, Angelika Huston and Cate Blanchett. From Netflix.