I love cheap DVDs more than cheap men....

I've recently discovered a video rental store very close to my apartment that rents new DVDs for like 3 dollars and old ones for like 1.50. So that can only mean you can expect a ridiculous amounts of new movie posts. Keep an eye out and find your local mom-and-pop video store they are much nicer and affordable then the money whores at Blockbuster.

This weekend for a mere 3.95 I was able to cozy up to two Oscar nominated films. One I can't believe it got nominated it was snore fest 2007 (no wonder it was the 0.99cent movie of the month) and the other I can't believe it didn't get more hype. Lets get the boring one out of the way.

Away From Her.
While I admire the ambition to take something that is becoming unfortunately prevalent in Western society, Alzheimer's, and making a movie about it.....you would figure it would be a little more interesting. On the one hand I certainly see where they were coming from tyring to make this disjointed, slow, unevenly paced picture much characteristic of the disease itself. Julie Christie was up for this piece and I don't' know. I greatly respect her as an actress being able to stay so strong and prominent in an industry that loves to devalue its more mature and talented actors. Yet I didn't think this was a particularly strong performance on her behalf. I just felt like she didn't really take you there all the way. As much as her husband in the film wasn't necessarily a likable character I felt he took us to that place of desperation and isolation where Christie just was skirting the edges at the end. Overall I think its worth a look but it can certainly be improved on for the next picture someone tries to makes to try and touch all people.

Gone Baby Gone
Now this one blew my mind. First off I think Ben Affleck is not a good actor. The only reason I enjoy him is because he is a good husband and father in the tabloids, but as an actor he has been on the decline since his Good Will Hunting days. Now he is behind the camera writing and directing this piece which was just wonderful. Going back to his roots and setting this chilling piece in Boston you find the Afflecks (brother Casey stars) in their element, which is fabulously entertaining. Sure the story line about child abduction and corrupt cops isn't necessarily new or fun to watch. Yet Affleck took a story that could have been incredibly cliche and turned it into a graphic, cringe worthy, honest look at crime and greed. Casey Affleck is an actor after my cinematic heart. Normally in his brothers shadow I have never paid him much mind in his previous role but after GBG he has my attention. He is the actor of the family and was just absolutely phenomenal in this role. It will be interesting to continue to see if he can keep that talent and momentum up in his upcoming pieces. The cast is to die for. Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman just drive me mad with how talented they are....Ed Harris is one of the best character actors ever in my opinion and he did not disappoint. Morgan Freeman is just raw talent and this was really one of his defining performances. They take you there...which at times isn't a place the faint of heart want to be.
Affleck's story is gritty, his actors deliver in every scene, his cinematography is just amazing. I sincerely hope that the dynamic Affleck duo sticks together (in these respective roles) because I will keep giving them money to see their product. Absolutely must check this movie out!!!!!

I have a stack of movies at home (all totaling to the low-low-price of 5 dollars to rent them all for a week) so until we view together again....

miss cinematic <3