Milk (2008)

[Movie 189 / Day 206]


Harvey Milk was America's first openly gay elected official. This is his story, how he came to lead the gay rights movement in 70s America, and how he came to be assassinated while in office.

It's a good film, well acted and written. However, it only really gets going halfway through when he finally gets elected on his fifth attempt. It also features far more of Sean Penn kissing other men than I ever wanted to see. I mean, the film is all about the gay movement; did the point need that much emphasis?

My rating: 7.0 / 10
IMDB rating: 8.0 / 10
Running time: 128 mins
IMDB link

The Game (1997)

[Movie 45 / Day 27]


Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) is a millionaire financier who receives an unusual birthday present from his wayward brother Conrad (Sean Penn) - a game that has life-changing consequences.

Apparently the point of the game is to discover what the point of the game is and soon, Van Orton is playing for his life. His millions are stripped away and he's left for dead in Mexico. Eventually he does discover the point of the game and with it, a likelihood that he won't be such an egocentric asshole in future.

Many twists and much smoke and magic go into The Game, meaning you're never quite sure exactly what is going on, much like Van Orton himself. There are some plot points that leave big questions over whether they'd be possible, but overall, it's a cracking story - even when you know what's going to happen, it's fun to rewatch. I love the scene towards the end when all of the 'actors' that make up the Game are revealed.

Interestingly, the movie is apparently loosely based on a real life 'The Game' - one that costs $25,000 to enter and, presumably, isn't nearly as encompassing as the movie version. Not sure I believe that this movie is based on it, but I guess it could be.

My rating: 7.8 / 10
IMDB rating: 7.7 / 10
Running time: 128 mins
IMDB link