have you got an aspirin? / No, but I got a headache

Average rating: 8.25 - including a new 10!

Chaos (2006) - "A veteran detective is teamed with a rookie cop when they are sent to negotiate with a bunch of criminals holding a bank hostage. It transpires that a master thief has planted a computer virus that will drain funds from the bank's accounts. The detective faces a race against time to catch the thief and stop the randomly evolving computer virus, which models its behavior on the bewildering principles of chaos theory."
length: 1 hour, 46 minutes

source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: it's been a while since I've seen it (never reviewed)
IMDB: 6.4/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A% Audience: 57%
my IMDB: 7/10

notable quote: "[puts business card into his pocket] ...a list of things you can put in my mouth."

MPAA rating: R

directed by: Tony Giglio

my notes: ridiculously twisty, filled with excessive action and stylized violence, now and then overtly sexual but not quite achieving sexy, and surprisingly smart. Statham is as delicious as ever—and, as always, his character's home is filled with books and light and open space. I wonder if that's in his contract? Ryan Phillippe is an unexpected and very smart choice as the partner. Snipes is not to my taste (that hat, Jesus H. Christ.) but carries it off. My favorites: Justine Waddell (Teddy) and Nicholas Lea (Vincent).

overall:  recommended

Scarface: The Shame of a Nation (1932) - "Key lieutenant of South Side Chicago crime boss Johnny Lovo, Tony Camonte is an ambitious and reckless gangster who ignores warnings not to mess with Irish gangs on the North Side. When the North Side retaliates, Tony essentially massacres them, leaving him on top of the world. Worried about Tony's overconfidence, however, Johnny orders him killed, but this also backfires, and Tony finds himself even closer to becoming king of the city."

length: 1 hour, 33 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD through the public library
I watched it because: I'd seen the 1983 "loose remake" (reviewed here) and was curious to compare this more critically-acclaimed original
IMDB: 7.7/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 98% Audience: 86%
my IMDB: 7/10

AFI: 100 Years … 100 Heroes and Villains (2003) Villain #47

    10 Top 10 (2008) Gangster #6

MPAA rating:  Passed

notable quote: "...expensive, huh?"

directed by: Howard Hawks, Richard Rosson

my notes: distressing. The story is all right, the direction is good. For 1932, the camera-work is terrific. Some of the acting—particularly George Raft as Guino Rinaldo and Ann Dvorak as Cesca Camonte—is outstanding. I also liked Osgood Perkins, an odd choice for mob boss Johnny Lovo. The lead character, though, is just a stereotypical mess of anger and violence, as played by the wooden Paul Muni.

overall: reluctantly recommended

The More the Merrier (1943) - "Due to a housing shortage in Washington, D.C., during World War II, Connie Milligan (Jean Arthur) agrees to rent part of her apartment to wealthy retiree Benjamin Dingle (Charles Coburn) and soldier Joe Carter (Joel McCrea). Although Connie is engaged to the unexciting Charles Pendergast (Richard Gaines), she becomes fond of Joe. When Dingle notices their interests in each other, he attempts to play matchmaker—but instead causes problems for the entire apartment."
length: 1 hour, 44 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD through the public library
I watched it because: I wanted to see more of Joel McCrea
IMDB: 7.6/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 100% Audience: 82%
my IMDB: 10/10

notable quote: "She thinks you're dumb, but cute."

MPAA rating: Approved

directed by: George Stevens

my notes: the best romantic film I've ever seen. Before it was through, I bought a copy for myself. Funny, adorable, and heart-rending. It has the joyous, ridiculous matchmaking of The Palm Beach Story (1942, reviewed here), the intense wartime romance of The Clock (1945, reviewed here), the fast-paced deadpan humor (and underlying tension) of Sullivan's Travels (1941, reviewed here), and the unsubconscious masculinity of Four Faces West (1948, reviewed here).... I love it.

Academy Award winner: Best Supporting Actor—Charles Coburn
Academy Award nominee:
• Best Picture

• Best Actress—Jean Arthur

• Best Director—Stevens

• Best Writing, Original Story—Frank Ross, Robert Russell

• Best Writing, Screenplay—Richard Flournoy, Lewis R. Foster, Frank Ross, Robert Russell
overall: most highly recommended

Greg Davies—The Back of my Mum’s Head (2013) - "Inspired by his mother's insistence that he's 'not normal', comedian Greg Davies puts everyone under a comedic microscope during this live comedy performance."
length: 1 hour, 23 minutes

source: streamed on Peacock
I watched it because: I adore Greg Davies
IMDB: 7.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: N/A%
my IMDB: 910

notable quote: "You will not remember Dave. You will only remember Darren. You will not use Twitter."

MPAA rating: NR

directed by: Greg Davies, Tim Kirkby, Paul Wheeler

my notes: there's something incredibly charming about a comedian who can't help but laugh at his own jokes. I varied between hysterical laughter and smiling until my cheeks hurt.

overall: highly recommended

 

[the title quotation is from The More the Merrier]