Who else is happy to see April? This may be my favorite month of the year (and not just because it has my birthday). March was a pretty good month for me, too, as I saw many more films than in February. Unfortunately, there were also more duds than usual.
In order of viewing: (now including my ratings)
1) Rosetta [1999] – 8/10
![Rosetta [1999]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/rosetta-1999.png)
2) My Neighbor Totoro [1988] – 9/10
![My Neighbor Totoro [1988]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/my-neighbor-totoro-catbus.jpg)
3) Porco Rosso [1992] – 8/10
![Porco Rosso [1992]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/porco-rosso.jpg)
4) Kiki’s Delivery Service [1989] – 8/10
![Kiki's Delivery Service [1989]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/kikis-delivery-service.jpg)
5) Somebody Up There Likes Me [2012] – 5/10
![Somebody Up There Likes Me [2012]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/somebody-up-there-likes-me-nick-offerman.jpg)
6) Leaving Las Vegas [1995] – 8/10
![Leaving Las Vegas [1995]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/leaving-las-vegas-1995.png)
7) 2010 [1984] – 5/10
![2010 [1984]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/2010-the-year-we-make-contact.jpg)
8) Undefeated [2011] – 9/10
![Undefeated [2011]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/undefeated-movie.jpg)
9) Ruby Sparks [2012] – 6/10
![Ruby Sparks [2012]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/ruby-sparks.jpg)
10) Celeste and Jesse Forever [2012] – 6/10
![Celeste and Jesse Forever [2012]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/celeste-and-jesse-forever.jpeg)
11) Searching for Sugar Man [2012] – 8/10
![Searching for Sugar Man [2012]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/searching-for-sugar-man.jpg)
12) Do the Right Thing [1989] – 9/10
![Do the Right Thing [1989]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/do-the-right-thing-1989.jpg)
13) Smashed [2012] – 8/10
![Smashed [2012]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/smashed-2012.jpg)
14) Showgirls [1995] – 3/10
![Showgirls [1995]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/showgirls-movie-1995.jpg)
15) The Dark Knight Returns: Part 1 [2012] – 8/10
![The Dark Knight Returns: Part 1 [2012]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/the-dark-knight-returns-part-1.jpeg)
16) Nobody Walks [2012] – 3/10
![Nobody Walks [2012]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/nobody-walks-2012.jpg)
17) Holy Motors [2012] – 8/10
![Holy Motors [2012]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/holy-motors.jpg)
18) Oz the Great and Powerful [2013] – 6/10
![Oz: The Great and Powerful [2013]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/oz-the-great-and-powerful.jpg)
19) Belle de Jour [1967] – 9/10
![Belle de Jour [1967]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/belle-de-jour.jpg)
20) A Bronx Tale [1993] – 7/10
![A Bronx Tale [1993]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/a-bronx-tale.jpg)
21) The Warriors [1979] – 8/10
![The Warriors [1979]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/the-warriors-movie.jpg)
22) Bad Boys [1983] – 6/10
![Bad Boys [1983]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/bad-boys-1983.jpg)
23) Alice [1988] – 6/10
![Alice [1988]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/alice-white-rabbit-1988.jpg)
24) Stoker [2013] – 8/10
![Stoker [2013]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/stoker-2013.jpg)
25) Spider-Man 2 [2004] – 6/10
![Spider-Man 2 [2004]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/spider-man-2-doc.jpg)
Video Games Completed:
1) Dead Space 3 [Xbox 360, 2013] – 7/10
![Dead Space 3 [Xbox 360, 2013]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/dead-space-3-snow.jpeg)
2) Fallout: New Vegas: Dead Money DLC [Xbox 360, 2010] – 5/10
![Fallout: New Vegas: Dead Money DLC [Xbox 360, 2010]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/dead-money-dean-domino.jpg)
3) Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD [PS Vita, 2012] – 8/10
![Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD [PS Vita, 2012]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/oddworld-strangers-wrath-hd-vita.jpg)
4) Virtua Tennis 4 [PS Vita, 2012] – 8/10
![Virtua Tennis 4 [PS Vita, 2012]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/virtua-tennis-4-vita.jpg)
Movie of the Month: This is tough. Three of the five movies I watched for my project were all phenomenal, but I think My Neighbor Totoro is still my favorite of the bunch. I cannot recommend that enough, even for those who don’t normally enjoy animated films.
Dud of the Month: I had to experience Showgirls for myself, and yeah, it was just as bad as everyone says. Poor Elizabeth Berkley. It wins by default, though Nobody Walks sure gave it a run for its money.
What’s your favorite of this group? Anything catch your eye?
Nice round-up. When I first saw 2010, I was really disappointed as well. It pales vastly in comparison to 2001, though to be fair most movies do.
Yeah, I tried not to compare it to 2001, but it’s still an average sci-fi at best. I was shocked that it received five Oscar nominations!
Can’t wait for The Warriors!
Spoiler: I loved it.
Excellent!!!
I love the Ghibli films, although I cannot watch the Disney release of My Neighbor Totoro in the English track.
I watched it with a different English dub, I think, and it worked quite well. The Disney release has one (or both?) of the Fannings, right?
Yeah, the Disney release has both of the Fannings. You probably watched the Fox dubbed version, I have a copy of that as well although I tend to watch the Japanese track on the Disney release since it is the complete film unedited.
Great variety of films Eric (and happy birthday). Anxious to get your thoughts on Stoker and The Warriors. I recently saw The Warriors again for the first time in years.
Thanks man. Can’t believe it took me so long to watch The Warriors!
Hi, Eric:
Excellent selections!
Pleasantly surprised to note the animation and ‘Belle de Jour’. Also ‘2010’. A very decent sequel to the story and mystery behind ‘2001″ A Space Odyssey’. A daunting task, considering that Kubrick had all his models and sets destroyed after completing his epic.
Gotta thank My Neighbor Totoro for putting me on that animated kick. 🙂 I still have a few more Studio Ghibli films at home that I need to see. Also just watched part 2 of The Dark Knight Returns, which was even better than the first, I think.
Hi, Eric:
The Dark Knight Returns: Pt. 2 is much closer to the raw edge of Miller’s original graphic novel. With all the major money shots and most of the lines left intact.
“Isn’t this a school night, young lady?”
Michael Emerson’s voice of an older, more serene, though just as psychotic Joker is inspired!
Oh yeah, loved the Joker in that one. Really top notch voice acting all around — I’m really enjoying Peter Weller’s take as Batman, too.
Oh, can’t wait for your review of Stoker! It’s one of my most anticipated of the year.
I’ll just say I’m glad that I caught Stoker before it left the theater. 🙂
Great month of movie watching Eric, glad to hear you appreciate Holy Motors, too, I know it turned a lot of people off. Curious to hear your view on Stoker too. Very curious about My Neighbor Totoro now 😀
Yeah, Holy Motors was nuts! I still plan on writing a little bit about it, but wow, it’s just as weird as everyone says.
You would love My Neighbor Totoro, Ruth! I can’t recommend that one enough. 🙂
Good month, Eric !! You went on bit of Ghibli binge. Out of the three, Kiki is probably my favourite but Totoro is too adorable. Hope you liked Belle De Jour, Catherine Denevue is really great in this. And Holy Motors. That’s as crazy as it gets. 🙂
I need to see Leaving Las Vegas. I’ve heard a lot about it.
Hey SDG! Leaving Las Vegas is great — a bit hard to watch, but well worth it in the end. I loved Belle de Jour! In fact, my post on it will probably go up today. 🙂
I struggle to get into animation, but since you praise My Neighbor Totoro, maybe I should give it a go.
My favorites of these are Leaving Las Vegas, Undefeated, and Searching for Sugarman.
Curious about your Stoker review! I’m still undecided if I want to see it.
This month, I hope to watch a few new films: Places Beyond the Pines, Room 237, and a screening of Stories we Tell.
I used to struggle with animated films, too, but Studio Ghibli has really opened my eyes. At the very least, I would recommend checking out Grave of the Fireflies and My Neighbor Totoro. Two fantastic films right there.
I’m looking forward to seeing all three of those films you mentioned as well, though it looks like Stories We Tell doesn’t open until next month here.
Very busy month Eric. Impressive collection of films. I recently watched Holy Motors and would love to exchange thoughts on it. I was also planning to watch Showgirls (for some reason that is inexplicable to me) but your review, along with some others, have pushed me far far away from it.
I’m also about to post a bunch of entries into my blog since I have a few days off coming up. I also look forward to catching up on some of your posts I may have missed.
Heh, were you planning on catching Showgirls at the Music Box? I forgot to update my Netflix queue and ended up getting the DVD sent to me — I watched it the same weekend it played there. A brutal watch, though I imagine it would be a lot of fun if turned into a drinking game.
Looking forward to your batch of posts. Hope you do a monthly wrapup — always enjoy reading those!