Being John Malkovich (1999)

[Movie 207 / Day 219]


One of those bizarre films that should be a bit rubbish but somehow seems to work. Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) is a failed puppeteer who is forced to get a job as a filing clerk in order to make some money. The company he goes to work for is based on the 7.5th floor of a local building. One day, he finds a mysterious doorway behind a filing cabinet. When he crawls through it, into a wierd tunnel, he finds himself transported into John Malkovich's head for 15 minutes before being spat out onto the side of the New Jersey turnpike.

He teams up with a woman that works on the same floor (Maxine - a woman he's trying desperately to have an affair with) in order to turn the discovery into a business proposition by selling tickets to be John Malkovich for 15 minutes. Enter his wife, Lotte (played by an extremely dowdy looking Cameron Diaz), who enters Malkovich's mind and decides that a) she should have been born a man, and b) she is also in love with Maxine. Maxine decides that she quite fancies Lotte, but only when she's inside Malkovich. Cue a bizarre love triangle. Unfortunately, Craig can't cope with that so he locks his wife in a cage and tricks Maxine into meeting Malkovich - but he's inside his head instead of Lotte. He then discovers he can control Malkovich by harnessing his puppeteering skills.

There is an explanation for the portal, and yes, it is odd.

Somehow it works though and is quite enjoyable.

My rating: 7.5 / 10
IMDB rating: 7.9 / 10
Running time: 112 mins
IMDB link

Charlie's Angels (2000)

[Movie 191 / Day 207]


Another big screen treatment of an old TV series, Charlie's Angels is based around the premise of three secret agent type girls that work for a reclusive millionaire. Has an impressive number of recognisable faces in it, but for all that, it's a bit rubbish. It almost seems more soft porn than action at times, especially with Drew Barrymore who seems to revel in letting her tits swing in the breeze in some scenes. Slightly made up for by Cameron Diaz dancing in her underpants (Spiderman underpants, no less) and wearing a tight, white cat-suit.

My rating: 5.0 / 10
IMDB rating: 5.5 / 10
Running time: 98 mins
IMDB link

Shrek (2001)

[Movie 52 / Day 32]


When Shrek was first released it was a revelation. An all-CGI animated movie, it was the first that really gave adults just as many laughs as it gave the kids - OK, Toy Story was enjoyed by adults, but it didn't have any tongue-in-cheek jokes that only adults would get. It's essentially a fairy tale, but manages to pack in tons of little in-jokes and references to classic Disney cartoons, as well as references to mainstream movies.

I love it, it's better than the Shrek 2 (which was pretty good, to be fair) and much, much better than Shrek the Third (which was one too many I think).

The character Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy) is especially amusing.

My rating: 8.0 / 10
IMDB rating: 8.0 / 10
Running time: 90 mins
IMDB link

What Happens In Vegas (2008)

[Movie 37 / Day 22]

Rom-com featuring Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher. It's mediocre at best, with a predictable plot and few genuine laughs.

Cameron Diaz is starting to look her age now, although still hot, she should maybe think of hanging up the spangly dresses. Ashton Kutcher is a bit of a nob, but actually quite amusing in places.

My rating: 5.2 / 10
IMDB rating: 5.9 / 10
Running time: 99 mins
IMDB link