The Crappy Critic

The Denver Film Fest was in town last week and we were lucky enough to get tickets to see a couple of movies. Here's the rundown:

Monday - Duane Hopwood is played by David Schwimmer, a man struggling with alcolohism, the end of his marriage (to Janeane Garofalo), and the relationship with his two daughters that he loves so much. I left this movie enjoying it overall, though as a lot of indie films, it had a few faults. However, the film had some amazingly intense moments that were very raw and made you feel something (embarrassment, shame, pity to name a few). I even got teary eyed out of nowhere in the middle of the film which is unheard of since I haven't cried since sobfest 1996 at the end of The English Patient. There were 3 of us, no tissues, using Cyn's scarf, blowing our noses when the lights came on. Ok this moment was not like that at all, but I love it when a movie makes you feel something.

Wednesday - We had tickets to something, but crap we forgot to go.

Thursday - I am a Sex Addict. Wow. Gross. Wow. Giggle, Gufaw, Snicker Snicker, HAHAHA. The audience laughed more during this movie than I have heard an audience laugh ever. One wierdly odd dude gets a lot of tail and still wants to have sex with French prostitutes. It's a film/documentary of this guys real life obsessions with sex, done in a very sweet and comedic way.

Saturday - Brokeback Mountain - There are no good endings for Gay Cowboys. Or Gay Cowboys are Sexxxy. Or Yee Haw. Or pass me the can of beans. Or I don't know, these jokes write themselves. We saw this film in the same venue that we saw Carmen up on the 3rd level. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal play cowboys in Wyoming who discover their sexuality during the summer of '63, and continue to have an affair over 20 years while they both continue living lies. Great boy on boy love scenes if you're into that, if not v. awkward. Ang Lee the director and the screen writers were there to answer q&a afterwards, but we didn't stay. *Yawn, a girl needs her beauty sleep*

Sunday - Jeff and I went to see a collection of 5 short films in 90 minutes. They ranged from 10 minute no budget, to French and bizarre, to 15 minute Hank Azaria, starring, producing and directing.
Artistic License - A a comedic look at a young artist, whose job it is to take all the photos at the DMV.
Fetch - Based on a true story about a Colorado Dad and Son who go out to do some ice fishing. When the Dad realizes he's forgotten the auger to break through the, he gets the brilliant idea to use some dynamite he has in the car. To be safe, he throws it far away only have the family dog run to fetch it and bring it back to them.
I'm Not Gay - Two friends get mistaken for lovers, much to the dismay of their girlfriends and dates, and no one will believe them that they are straight.
Photograbbers - Odd French film about a toy maker who acquires a camera that captures images so well, it pulls people out of life and onto film. The one beautiful quality about this movie were the colors and way it was filmed. V. Amelie like.
Popcorn People - The movie theater concession people are more than just Soda serving schlepps. They are like Dear Abby!
Nobody's Perfect - Hank Azaria's version of a love story, complete with magic glasses, product placement, and star power.

For just picking out movies randomly in a magazine, we were not disappointed with one thing we saw. There's something about an indie film and how they are made so fast, no time for read throughs, no Kraft service, no 9 months of shooting, all in and out, and how they turn out more emotional than the big calculated block busters that Hollywood crams down our throats. Hmmm, what will I see next?