The Invention of Lying

Louis: ***, Angela: ***

A cute story which takes place in a world where everyone tells the truth. The main character comes up with the notion of "telling things not as they are" and everyone perceives his lies as reality.

We thought the description of the world (where people say everything they're thinking) was very funny. For example when the main character visits his mother in the old folks home, the sign on the building reads "A Sad Place For Hopeless Old People".

Revolutionary Road

Louis: *** 1/2, Angela: *** 1/2
Netflix

Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio are together again, this time directed by Sam Mendes (Winslet's husband). A story of a young couple living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s struggling to come to terms with their personal problems while trying to raise their two children. Based on a novel by Richard Yates.

Great acting, dialog, and art direction / costume design, but ultimately a tragic story.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Larry ****

I finally bought my own copy. Just love this movie. Great music, great drag.

Six Feet Under

Louis: **** Angela:****

We've continued to focus our Netflix on television series rather than movies (with the two little ones, it easier for us to find 50 minutes at the end of the day for a TV show rather than two + hours for a movie). We first started watching this series on DVD back in March of this year. The series originally aired on HBO (which we still don't have) from January 2001 to September 2004, spanning five seasons and 63 episodes.

The series was created, written and directed by Alan Ball, best known for the film American Beauty, which he also wrote and directed. Six Feet Under takes a darkly comical look at the members of a dysfunctional Pasadena family that happens to run an independent funeral home. Focusing primarily on the lives and relationships of the the five main characters (a husband and wife and their three adult children) the episodes are at times happy, sad, shocking, absurd, scary, funny, hopeful, and hopeless.

This is by far the most thought-provoking television series we've ever experienced. Time and again, it inspired us to reflect on our own lives, relationships and struggles, to recognize the fragility of life and our ultimate mortality.

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Leighton: *** 1/2

I think I still prefer Ang Lee's Hulk from 2003 to this one. I think technically this isn't a sequel since they even change how Banner became the Hulk, but it's done in flashback so this isn't quite an "origin" story either. Edward Norton (Rounders, Illusionist, Fight Club) plays Bruce Banner, the alter ego to the rampaging Hulk. William Hurt (Altered States, Lost in Space, The Village) plays General "Thunderbolt" Ross who wants to capture the Hulk and exploit him. This new Hulk and the recent Ironman are the first two movies setting up the future Avengers movie.

Iron Man (2008)

Theater

Leighton: ****, Sabine: ***

Another great comic book movie. I'll be adding it to my DVD collection when it comes out. Robert Downey Jr. (Chaplin, Chances Are, and many more) plays billionaire industrialist Tony Stark, who builds a suit of powered armor when kidnapped by terrorists. Lots of action and top-notch special effects. With Gwyneth Paltrow (Shallow Hal, Shakespeare in Love), Jeff Bridges (Starman, The Big Lebowski), and directed by Jon Favreau (Elf). If you go see it, be sure to wait until the credits end for the bonus ending.