The big, the small, the frivolous

Sitting in my apartment, recovering from blackout Friday, gives me time to consider the spat of films I've enjoyed over the past two weeks. This trifecta runs the gamut from the largest, most lucrative blockbuster series in the history of cinema to a movie playing at one theatre in one city starring/written/directed by a 24 year old girl. And Christina Aguilera's Oscar contender for Best Actress. Range.

First up, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1. All I can say is FINALLY. I felt this film was the reward for sitting through the first, painful, slow, and piss poor adaptations of the first six books (to be fair: I didn't hate the 3rd movie directed by Alfonso Cuaron). It felt like a movie, a fully-realized, thoughtful, visually-stunning story expressed through camera work, acting, narrative arc. I was captivated and enthralled. I found myself marveling at what nuanced performers the Hogwarts trio has become over the ten years of this franchise. I was obsessed with the animation sequence (the tale of the Hallows) and delighted by the art direction and execution of the Ministry of Magic vignette. It looked like a throwback to the film, Brazil, layered with enchantment. The audience at the midnight screening (yes, I still do that) was completely on board, even deep into the second hour. We were all watching the lid being closed on our childhood adventures and we didn't want it to end. Thankfully, we have a six month grace period. Until July. Part two. Can't wait.

Tiny Furniture was a movie I would probably dismiss as self-indulgent, pretentious, and a little too indie for its own good. However, given the press for writer/director/star Lena Dunham, it seemed too topical for me to avoid. I am glad I checked it out. It turned out to be an incredibly honest, sweet, funny, and fresh perspective on the post-grad life. Granted, peppered with privilege and perhaps permissive parenting. But there's no thought in my mind that the children of TriBeCa do engage in that manner. So however annoying it might be from a class standpoint, it is her reality. And the irony is, she's not slacking away her post-liberal arts years, she's writing, directing and starring in movies. No small feat, even with all materials in her favor. I have encouraged many of my contemporaries to see this little movie, but have been met with sneers. My young, creative pals are threatened by the idea of Lena as competitor and don't want to support her vanity project. Surely this population will not affect the overall reception, as I really look forward to her next more adult effort.

Burlesque. Well, that happened. This Xtina/Cher/Tucci spectacle was exactly what I anticipated. Shlock of the silliest variety. Sequins. Nine "Eleventh Hour" numbers. There is no reason to see this movie. Unless you are its target demographic, which is me. In which case, you are delighted and comforted by its predictability and glitzy escapism.

Drink it down with a soy latte from Teany on the Lower East Side, Moby's vegan contribution to the strip of Ludlow bars. The holidays are here.

Cleaning my plate for Oscar season

When you were little, your parents instructed, "Eat your vegetables or no dessert." The fall season is littered with annoying radishes and seemingly inedible cabbage, leading up to the sweet sweet Oscar contenders. If you are lucky, you get a savory brussel sprout. Some of the ruffage included:

Howl -- Sometimes I wonder if James Franco is actually a corporation. How on earth does he have time to make so many films, get multiple degrees (or at least take classes) from Ivy League graduate programs, create bizarre performance art and attend premieres? Well apparently because he is involved in projects like Howl, which maybe was filmed in two takes. Director: Jimmy, sit here, smoke a cigarette, wax poetic. Great, you are beautiful, we are done. Then someone added Jon Hamm and Mary-Louise Parker and called it a day. From the trailer, the courtroom scenes promised the Social Network meets Milk. But instead, it became this sort of draggy Pixar-inspired adaptation of the epic poem with a lot of cheesy monologuing. By the end, I didn't feel all that great about Ginsberg or his poem, and started to wonder if Jon Hamm only exists within the 60s. Seeing it at the Angelika gave it a certain cache, as everyone in the audience (read: geriatric left) seemed to be reminiscing about their free-spirited former lives. Doubtful that same experience would be matched on Netflix. Avoid.

Red -- A better Mary-Louise Parker performance can be found in Red, or Retired: Extremely Dangerous, a silly action picture about a group of olds who were former assassins and agents, and even in their AARP age can't put their killer instincts to bed. Malkovich, Willis, Freeman, Mirren...you certainly can bring together a more random hodge podge. I sort of enjoyed it. I got the impression everyone was having a good time making the movie and that shows. I felt for these people, this dying breed of not only secret ops, but of old school movie actors. What roles do we force them into now? Can you imagine casting Willis as the grandfather? He's DIEHARD! And then you have Mirren who is about the best looking 60+ woman in America, who should essentially be an eternal Bond girl with better acting chops, but now will have to play Blake Lively's great-aunt. Interesting.

Megamind- Why did I see this? Because I'm a sucker for Ferrell, Fey, Hill, Pitt. When I saw the trailer promising futuristic hijinks with this hilarious cast, I was giddy. I need to restrain myself, because Dreamworks animation is not the same snarkiness/adult-themed sensibility of the Pixar flicks, and as a post-teen/tween, this film would not resonate with me. These are things I know. I was bored. I thought the jokes were lame and the characters undeveloped.

Waiting for Superman - This doc about the failing public education system seemed to be right up my alley -- I love a good freakonomics perspective about social issues. However, the anecdotes never got my goat. I found myself critiquing the filmmaking (sort of the laziness of the limited perspective, the selected interviews, the missing content, and the absolute condemnation of the teachers unions without substantive support) more than the national situation. I also fell asleep.

Revolucion - This was a NYFF selection. Several vignettes about Mexican independence directed by prominent contemporary Mexican directors. Some interesting pieces. Mostly for their camera work, more than their content. Always difficult to assemble something like this with any overarching themes. A nice thought. More for cultural studies academics than filmgoers more keen on plot and character development.

Have you been to Eataly? You need an espresso stat. And their buffalo mozzarella caprese salad with a side of carbs.