It's been a while since Matt and I stepped foot into Blockbuster—probably because the last time I was there I allowed myself to be bullied into getting a Rewards card. I told them we don't rent enough movies to make it worthwhile, but after being harangued about it the last 13 times I've been in, I finally gave in just so I could rent movies in peace and quiet. (There are many problems with this strategy, so no need to point them out to me. I already know). I will try very hard to make good use of my monthly free-movie-when-you-rent-another-movie coupon. I'm a little snobby about the middle ground in Blockbuster, though: I either like my movies to be New! Just Arrived! or classics from 50 years ago. (Again, no need to point out the irrationality of this line of thinking. I already know).
We kicked off the New Year by renting a couple of movies. We were the last people in the world, I'm convinced, to rent The 40 Year Old Virgin (I have very sound proof as to why I believe WE were the last people in the world to see this, and the proof leads me to believe that hell has indeed begun to freeze over) and Millions. I will let you decide for yourself if you want to see the former (I have a policy against recommending super-inappropriate movies even if I do find them hilarious). Here is where I will whole-heartedly urge you to go rent the latter. Now. Hurry, go.
Simply put, this is one of the coolest cinematography jobs I've seen in a long, long time. I kept making comments to the effect of "this is one of the coolest cinematography jobs I've seen in a long, long time!!" to Matt as we watched, risking movie banishment for talking throughout the film. Danny Boyle directed it—until I talked to Katherine this morning, I didn't know that he is also responsible for Trainspotting and a few other Movies I Have Little Desire To See. I might need to give him another look, though, because the angles and special effects he used throughout the movie are exciting. Despite my love for all things creative, I sometimes fall into a Negative Nellie attitude and think to myself that everything has been done already; how can anyone think of a new idea? I love it when I'm proven wrong, whether by a movie, an album, a new idea in scrapbooking... whatever. This movie had that effect on me.
And then there is the story. Without giving away anything that the DVD case doesn't already tell you, it's about a little boy in England who finds a big bag of money. He and his brother need to decide what to do with it, and decide fast because the clock is ticking for Brits to change from pounds/sterlings to Euros and before too long, the money will be useless. Throw in the fact that the little boy talks to saints and you have a very creative movie. It's full of suspense, humor, and just enough reality to make it believable.
So. Now you know what to put atop your Netflix list : )
