421) Margaret (2011)

421) Margaret (2011) Dir: Kenneth Lonergan Date Released: September 30, 2011 Date Seen: October 13, 2011 Rating: 4.5/5

I haven't been this totally immersed in such a complex contempoary drama in what seems like a while. I'm at a bit of a loss. I fucking LOVE the pace of the film and really do not understand how people could find it ungainly. I was totally absorbed the whole and never felt its plotting was distractingly arhythmic. Lonergan's sense of how to film New York is incredible. I think the only complaint I have is that the bus crash is a bit hokey (until the event is over and we're dealing with its aftermath, that is). Beyond that, great, great stuff.

419) Noriko's Dinner Table (2005)

419) Noriko's Dinner Table (2005) Dir: Sion Sono Date Released: June 13, 2007 Date Seen: October 12, 2011 Rating: 3.75/5

Not as good as Suicide Club but once it gets going, it's a pretty compelling feature-length coda in its own right. See my piece for Capital New York.

413) Footloose (2011) and 416) The Thing (2011)

413) Footloose (2011) Dir: Craig Brewer Date Released: October 14, 2011 Date Seen: October 10, 2011 Rating: 2/5

416) The Thing (2011) Dir: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. Date Released: October 14, 2011 Date Seen: October 11, 2011 Rating: 3.5/5

The '80s respectively re-imagined by the dude that made Black Snake Moan and a guy that actually understands and really loves Scott's Alien and Carpenter's The Thing. Check out my reviews for Nomad Wide Screen.

RV!: I'm a Cyborg, But That's Ok (2006)

RV!: I'm a Cyborg, But That's Ok (2006) Dir: Chan-wook Park Date Released: October 8, 2011 Date Seen: October 8, 2011 Rating: 4/5

A small step down after the first viewing. But perhaps that's because I loved it so much the first go-around and it just didn't live up to my unfairly high expectations? Dunno, will figure it out when I rewatch it next, I guess. See my review for Slant Magazine.

408) Shame (2011)

408) Shame (2011) Dir: Steve McQueen Date Rubbed Out: December 2, 2011 Date Seen: October 6, 2011 Rating: 1.5/5

Oh, puhlease. See my review for Press Play.

406) The Blue Lamp (1950) and 407) The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)

406) The Blue Lamp (1960) Dir: Basil Dearden Date Released: June 1, 1950 Date Seen: October 5, 2011 Rating: 4/5

407) The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) Dir: Charles Crichton Date Released: October 15, 1951 Date Seen: October 5, 2011 Rating: 4.25/5

Ealing Studios! See my piece for Capital New York.

RV!: The Skin I Live In (2011) and 411) Real Steel (2011)

RV!: The Skin I Live In (2011) Dir: Pedro Almodovar Date Released: October 14, 2011 Date Seen: October 4, 2011 Rating: 4.25/5

411) Real Steel (2011) Dir: Shawn Levy Date Released: October 14, 2011 Date Seen: October 16, 2011 Rating: 1.75/5

This is pretty much my 2011 in a nutshell: veddy high highs, periously low lows. See my reviews for Nomad Wide Screen.