SINS OF OMISSION - Entry #55: 4 luni, 3 saptamani si 2 zile/4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)

Running Time: 113 minutes
Directed By: Cristian Mungiu
Written By: Cristian Mungiu
Main Cast: Anamaria Marinca, Laura Vasiliu, Vlad Ivanov, Alexandru Potocean, Luminita Gheorghiu
Click here to view the trailer

POWERFUL

Great movie. One that actually grew on me after I watched it. I think I initially rated it a '7' and I'd probably go around an '8.5' or so now. Just a really great movie that keeps you hooked, both story wise and emotionally.

RATING: 8.5/10

SINS OF OMISSION - Entry #54: SCARECROW (1973)

Running Time: 112 minutes
Directed By: Jerry Schatzberg
Written By: Garry Michael White
Main Cast: Gene Hackman, Al Pacino, Dorothy Tristan, Ann Wedgeworth, Richard Lynch
Click here to view the trailer

NEW PACINO ENTRIES: 2 of 3

Have I mentioned I love Al Pacino? This is the sixth Al Pacino film to be added to my list, with a seventh on the way in the next few days. It's also worth noting that I've considered and declined the following Pacino offerings: The Panic in Needle Park, Glengarry Glen Ross, Insomnia, The Insider, Donnie Brasco and Serpico. Just a fun fact. This one is a hidden gem and it's great. This wasn't the first time I'd seen it.

RATING: 8/10

SINS OF OMISSION - Entry #53: Garden State (2004)

Running Time: 102 minutes
Directed By: Zach Braff
Written By: Zach Braff
Main Cast: Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Ian Holm, Ron Leibman
Click here to view the trailer

ANOTHER FIND

I like to call the movies that I discovered on my own, without anyone else's recommendation or without hearing a word about it beforehand, "my discoveries". This is one of those movies. I rented it from the video store I worked at when it was released on DVD in 2004 and fell in love with it at first viewing. My opinion on it's quality has lessened a little through the years, but I still find it to be one of those movies that I'll be able to watch and enjoy ANYTIME. Still need to see that other movie that Braff directed,,,

Oh Garden State has a kick ass soundtrack, to boot...

RATING: 7.5/10

SINS OF OMISSION - Entry #52: The Social Network (2010)

Running Time: 120 minutes

Directed By: David Fincher
Written By: Aaron Sorkin, based on the book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich

Main Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Josh Pence

Click here to view the trailer

YOU DON'T GET TO 500 MILLION FRIENDS WITHOUT MAKING A FEW ENEMIES

Not a lot to say here. A few months ago, I got the urge to see The Social Network once again - somehow just knowing I'd like it better this go around. I'd only seen it one other time and liked it well enough that first time. I was right - I definitely dug it quite a bit this time; enough to make it an entry to my personal list. The only comment I'll make regarding the film itself is that I'm baffled by how dark Fincher is able to make a movie about Facebook. I think the score from Trent Reznor helped a lot to dampen the atmosphere and give the film a real feeling of gloom. 

RATING: 8/10

SINS OF OMISSION - Entry #51: Child's Play 2 (1990)

Running Time: 84 minutes
Directed By: John Lafia
Written By: Don Mancini
Main Cast: Alex Vincent, Jenny Agutter, Gerrit Graham, Christine Elise, Brad Dourif (voice)
Click here to view the trailer

BETTER THAN THE FIRST

Yep, I enjoyed Child's Play 2 better than the original Child's Play. Both were big parts of my childhood and it was the original that lead to many sleepless night for a young me.

But why do I think part 2 is better than part 1? A few reasons: For starters, everything is already explained. In the original, we don't get into the blood and gore for at least thirty minutes, as we meet Andy Barclay, his mother, learn how Charles Lee Ray got transformed into a doll and build a little suspense before he goes full ape shit on the unsuspecting humans. In part 2, we already know Andy, we already know how he became a doll and the script does a good job of being succinct with how his charred remains get recreated. Part 2 is really just a continuation of the first movie and it's really great, with some old school horror blood & guts.

Not to mention the AMAZING climax at the toy factory, which has got to be one of the all time great horror finales in all of horror. No question - I prefer Child's Play 2 to the original.

RATING: 7.5/10

SINS OF OMISSION - Entry #50: Up in the Air (2009)

Running Time: 109 minutes
Directed By: Jason Reitman
Written By: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner, based on the novel by Walter Kirn
Main Cast: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Amy Morton
Click here to view the trailer

LAST CHOICE

When compiling these selections, it actually came down between this and the original Child's Play for the fifteenth spot and I ultimately went with this. This particular viewing was only the second time I'd seen Up in the Air and I liked it much better this go around. Film snobs tend to overlook Clooney as a quality actor and Farmiga is also fine onscreen. Happy to invite this one into my fold.

RATING: 8/10