rather than watching the movie, it would be more valuable to watch the audience

This post includes what may be the best (overall) movie I've ever seen, as well as some goofy crap and a few surprises. The steady jog through cinema continues....

Funny Face (1957) - "An impromptu fashion shoot at a book store brings about a new fashion model discovery in the shop clerk."
I watched it because: it was in my recommendation list on Amazon Prime, when I was looking for something light to watch while doing chores.
story: 2/5--the gist of this movie is that Audrey Hepburn has a funny face, and is too goofy looking to be a model. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
visuals: 3/5--there are some gorgeous dresses during the modeling scenes, and Hepburn's outfit during the speakeasy dance number is notoriously cool.
acting: 2.5/5--I've just got to remember that my attitude about Hepburn and Fred Astaire is hot or cold. Each of them star in one of my favorite films (Roman Holiday and Holiday Inn respectively) but are also in movies that I absolutely cannot stand (e.g. Breakfast at Tiffany's).
intangibles: 3/5--Paris is Paris.
Academy Award nominee:
• Best Writing
• Best Cinematography
• Best Art Direction--Set Decoration
• Best Costume Design
overall: 2.625/5

The Lake House (2006) - "A lonely doctor, who once occupied an unusual lakeside house, begins exchanging love letters with its former resident, a frustrated architect. They must try to unravel the mystery behind their extraordinary romance before it's too late."
I watched it because: it was included in a box-set of Sandra Bullock films, I've never seen it, and (as you know) I've got a soft spot for Keanu Reeves.
story: 2/5--dumb as dirt
visuals: 4/5--oh, Chicago. How I've missed you. (That lake's not bad, either.)
acting: 3/5--standout: Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Henry Wyler) was a revelation. I thought he was extraordinary.
intangibles: 3.5/5--I don't know what it is, but there's something about this movie.
overall: 3.125/5

Lucky # Slevin (2006) - "A case of mistaken identity lands Slevin into the middle of a war being plotted by two of the city's most rival crime bosses: The Rabbi and The Boss. Slevin is under constant surveillance by relentless Detective Brikowski as well as the infamous assassin Goodkat and finds himself having to hatch his own ingenious plot to get them before they get him."
I watched it because: I found this through my longtime love for Peter Outerbridge (Dumbrowski).
story: 2.5/5--super weird.
visuals: 3.5/5--what is the deal with all the sandwiches??
acting: 3.5/5--standout: Stanley Tucci (Brikowski)
intangibles: 4/5--this cast is phenomenal, and the script is well done even if the story is bizarre and the lead actor isn't worth a crap.
overall: 3.375/5

The Lives of Others (2006) - "In 1984 East Berlin, an agent of the secret police, conducting surveillance on a writer and his lover, finds himself becoming increasingly absorbed by their lives."
I watched it because: it was on Sebastian Koch's filmography. I knew absolutely nothing about it until I pressed Play.
story: 5/5
visuals: 4/5
acting: 5/5--standout: Ulrich Mühe was a genius. Anyone with pretensions to acting ought to watch this, as a study in how not to say too much, or "act," but to be a character. (It's also one of Koch's best roles.)
intangibles: 5/5--How can a movie about East Germany in the 1980s be legitimately funny and incredibly sexy? How can a movie that hinges around two suicides (among other events) be sweet and hopeful? How can a movie in German with English subtitles keep me riveted for 137 minutes? I cried when it was over because it was over, and there was not more to go on watching.
Academy Award winner: Best Foreign Language Film
overall: 4.75/5

This is Where I Leave You (2014) - "When their father passes away, four grown siblings are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens."
I watched it because: I've seen it before, but it's been a while and some things have changed since then. I wanted something funny but not silly, and this was just the thing.
story: 4/5
visuals: 4/5--great camera work here. Interesting shots.
acting: 4.5/5--As with the first time that I saw it, I enjoyed the obvious choices well enough, but thought that the real standouts were Corey Stoll as Paul, the anti-hero older brother (who is, when you really look, amazingly handsome) and Timothy Olyphant as Horry, the neighbor with a curse and a blessing.
intangibles: 3.5/5
overall: 4/5

Pursuit of Happiness (2001) - "An advertising executive fails to realize that the woman of his dreams is his best friend since first grade, now married to his cheating co-worker."
I watched it because: it was on my recommendations list on Amazon Prime, and fit the "something light while doing chores" need.
story: 2/5--utterly predictable
visuals: 2/5--completely unmemorable
acting: 2.5/5--there were two very bright lights in a sea of mediocrity: Cress Williams as Ace and Liz Vassey as his girlfriend, Renee
intangibles: 1.5/5--at 93 minutes, it seemed VERY long. Frank Whaley is a dreadful, boring actor (who in the world decided this guy could carry a film? Was the casting director dropped on their head?!). The script was plodding and went in 10 different directions, and the slutty best (guy) friend was thoroughly implausible.
overall: 2/5

Becket (1964) - "King Henry II of England comes to terms with his affection for his close friend and confidant Thomas Becket, who finds his true honor by observing God's divine will rather than the King's."
I watched it because: it's been on my list for ages, and I finally had an evening free with sufficient time (and mood) to dive into history.
story: 4/5--somewhat complex by comparison to modern film, it is nonetheless engrossing and well done
visuals: 3/5--sadly dated overall, though Peter O'Toole (King Henry II) is particularly well-shot throughout. He appears, much like Jonathan Rhys Meyers in The Tudors, to be simultaneously regal and insane (if those are not synonymous anyway).
acting: 5/5--standouts: O'Toole is better than I've ever seen him--a frenetic, sexy lunatic--and Richard Burton (as Thomas Becket) is heartbreakingly, thoughtfully wonderful.
intangibles: 3.5/5--there's a whole lot to absorb here. It's not a movie for the faint of heart.
Academy Award winner: Best Writing, Screenplay based on material from another medium
Academy Award nominee:
• Best Picture
• Best Actor in a Leading Role--Richard Burton
• Best Actor in a Leading Role--Peter O'Toole
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role--John Gielgud
• Best Director
• Best Cinematography
• Best Art Direction: Set Decoration (Color)
• Best Costume Design (Color)
• Best Sound
• Best Film Editing (Color)
• Best Music: Substantially Original Score
overall: 3.875/5

[the title quotation is by Osho, from The Search]