Up in the Air

I wonder if the character in this movie was based on George Clooney or if it just seems that way. The main character is a loaner who spends his days going city to city. He's not looking for lasting relationships or to start a family which seems to be similar to the real life bachelor Clooney.

This movie is actually very depressing. The man built his life around accruing frequent flier miles. He has no real attachment to people and seemingly no desire for relationships. And then he meets a woman. Well he actually meets one woman but doesn't realize what he's been missing until a spunky young professional opens his eyes with her views.

It's a bit confusing to me whether I really enjoyed this movie or not. The story was actually entertaining although it is a mainly a romance movie it is also a coming of age type story where you watch the main character grow as a person. My biggest complaint is that the movie is just really depressing. That doesn't make it a bad movie just hurts it from a strictly entertaining aspect.

Overall a well done movie, Clooney was excellent, but a depressing movie.

Labels: Movies

- posted by Doug @ 10:13:00 PM

 

Inglourious Basterds

I don't think I am a Quentin Tarantino fan. I never saw the Kill Bill movies because they looked over the top and, quite frankly, stupid looking. Inglourious Basterds looked funny and amusing. It was 153 minutes which was just flat out too long for this movie as it is for most movies. You really need to be able to wrap up your story in 2 hours or less. There are few reasons to go much longer.

Overall the movie was entertaining and pretty good. The plot isn't too difficult to understand, it is a bit straight forward and is really only 2 stories coming together at the end. Don't get me wrong, I don't fully understand why this movie was made since it is all fantasy because I'm pretty sure Hitler didn't really die in a movie theater in France.

there was a couple of scenes that were cartoony and completely cheap which is one reason I'm not a Tarantino fan.

I'm a little surprised it was an Oscar Nominee. Then again I haven't seen the other movies yet so maybe it deserved to be in the nomination list.

Labels: Movies

- posted by Doug @ 11:18:00 PM

 

Four Dead Batteries

Ok, I only watched this movie because Alison Becker was in it and it was up for some award. The movie itself was incredibly amateur and quite boring. There are four characters and each had their own story line and the acting was terrible (save Alison) by the four leads. This movie was really a waste of time. It wasn't even all that funny which surprised me. Oh well.

Labels: Movies

- posted by Doug @ 12:10:00 AM

 

Good Dick

Wow. I really hate netflix for recommending this movie to me. Just a god awful movie that wasted my time.
You have to make many assumptions about the characters and the plot as the movie never actually tells you many things. Most movies expect you to discover some things on your own but this movie just throws in some random points.

There is a scene where the main character, "Man" is asked by his boss if he is using drugs again. What the heck? Where did that come from and why is it really relevant?

Oh ya the other lead "Woman" is obsessed with watching soft-core porn because she was molested by her father. Huh? I guess the movie is about the two leads finding peace or something? I'm not real sure. Don't watch this movie.

Labels: Movies

- posted by Doug @ 2:49:00 PM

 

Beer Wars

This documentary gives a view on the American beer industry. We get lessons on how the industry works and also insights on how tough it is for companies at different stages. We follow Moonshot which is (was at the time) a caffeinated beer that was slowly trying to break into the market in the New England area. Dogfish Head is a more established brand of beer but is still a minor player behind the big three (now big two after a merger of coors and miller).

The biggest things I learned from this movie is that there is an outdated 3 tier system for beer suppliers, distributors and consumers. The system is controlled by the breweries who own the distributors so the checks and balances are not working and no one is there to regulate the breweries as was intended.

Also, Anheuser-Busch comes off as a douchebag company in this movie. They seem bent only on dominating the market and making money. You really end up rooting for Dogfish Head over these larger breweries.

I guess the point is try micro-brews whenever you get the chance. There are many varieties of beer besides Bud and Bud Light. Get adventurous at bars.

Labels: Movies

- posted by Doug @ 7:28:00 PM