When it gets Hot and Humid!

Summer is beginning in Cincinnati and before you know it the temperature will be 90 degrees and the humidity 80%. While driving to work today I thought of 10 memorable movies that I would recommend for those who want to rent a movie and crank up the air:

1) Fargo (1996): One of the best movies of the past 25 years; Fargo, ND is cooler than Cincy in the summer too dontchaknow.
2) 25th Hour (2002). Monty (Edward Norton Jr.) enjoys his last day of freedom before serving a 7 year prison term. Two friends and he celebrate this day by visiting the HOTtest spots in town. It also has a memorable ending.
3) True Romance (1993): Because Alabama is hotter than Cincy in the summer. Besides, stealing, cheating, and killing are always good fodder for movies.
4) Amores Perros (2000): Because Mexico City is also hotter than Cincy in the summer. In addition, it is one of the best international films ever made.
5) Stranger than Paradise (1984): Want to take a vacation? Three characters in this movie show you how.
6) The Good Night (2007): Because it's nice to dream in the summer.
7) Black Snake Moan (2007): You talk about hot....
8) Juno (2007): What shenanigans can you get into if you are watching a movie?
9) Six Degrees of Separation (1993): Because six degrees is cooler than 90 degrees. Also because Will Smith acts tremendously and the art in this movie is outstanding!
10) Once (2007): Great music goes with a nice summer. This film contains great music. It also has a great story, tremendous acting, and one of the most reflective last scenes I have seen (pun intended).

Joe's Top Movies of 2007

This is subject to change but pretty well complete...

1) Atonement
2) No Country for Old Men
3) Juno
4) Once
5) There Will Be Blood
6) The Kite Runner
7) Lars and the Real Girl
8) Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
9) Paranoid Park
10) 3:10 to Yuma tied with Michael Clayton

Honorable Mention: Into the Wild; The Good Night; Knocked Up; Eastern Promises; Death Proof (Grindhouse); Black Snake Moan; Gone Baby Gone; Zodiac; American Gangster; Hairspray; Waitress; La Vie en Rose; We Own the Night; Hot Fuzz; Two Days In Paris; Superbad; Mr. Brooks; Hoax; Planet Terror (Grindhouse); Away From Her

Interview

This is a clever movie that was originally made by Theo Van Gogh, who was tragically murdered in 2004. Steve Buscemi plays a political correspondent. Sienne Miller plays a Sarah Jessica Parker type actress. Buscemi is forced to interview her. I watched it last night and am still thinking about it today. Really nice plot that will get you to thinking. Ladies will like the "chick flick" quality. Guys love Buscemi and will not be disappointed with him in this film that he also directed. 4 of 5. JP

The Good Night

Not everyone will like this movie as much as I. But, I liked it so much, I watched it two times in a row. Gwenyth Paltrow plays Dora, an art gallery manager. Martin Freeman plays Gary, a musician who is a "One Hit Wonder". Now, he writes jingles. Dora and he are married and go through some rocky times. Gary dreams of Penelope Lopez (what a beautiful woman!) at night. Danny DeVito plays a dream consultant. See where I am heading with this? Odd but good! And an awesome piano piece at the end. 5 of 5 in my book. Realistically a 4 of 5 JP

The Kite Runner

Dont give up on this. I left it half way. Kalin, my daughter, kept watching. She came afterwards and said "YOU MUST FINISH IT!" I finished it the next night and it turned out to be both touching and educational. You will learn more about the Taliban watching this movie than by watching CNN and FOX news combined. 4.5 of 5. JP

Lars and the Real Girl

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Very quirky plot where Ryan Gosling is going through a delusional episode due to intense grief. Part of the delusion has to do with an inflatable doll. Smartly funny film. 4.5 of 5. JP

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

I love Philip Seymour Hoffman. I LOVE Marisa Tomei. This was an excellent, if twisted, movie. Be prepared for EVERYONE in the movie being morally flawed. 4 of 5. JP