Trevin's "What I've Been Watching"!

The American (2010) - Since its release, this movie has been oddly divisive in regards to its response, meaning people either love it or hate it when they see it. After seeing the film, I can see why it received such a reaction. I have previously described the movie as "intentionally tedious" to my friends. That means the film is slow at times, but in an intentional way. It is a character study of an assassin who is forced into hiding, and in order to convey his anxiousness of being stuck in a small town, the film feels slow so the audience can get the same feeling as well. I thought Clooney did an excellent job with the role, he was very subtle and subdued,  which is a very tough thing to pull off well. I can't say I recommend this film to everybody, but if you like what you have read here, I would check it out. If this doesn't appeal to you, you might want to skip this one.
Rating: 8 out of 10

I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With (2006) - This is one I liked better the more I thought about it, and I think that has to do with being mislead by the trailer. From the trailer, you get the idea that this is a fun, indie-style romantic comedy, which this film is absolutely not. It's a very interesting comedy, and it is rather depressing throughout. The best thing I can think of to compare this to is the TV show "Louie" on FX starring Louis C.K.. Both have extremely depressing looks on life that they play for humor, and they both have this episodic sense of narrative, meaning it seems like the main character just goes around and has strange interactions with interesting people. It does work as a remake of sorts of a classic film called Marty, which is referenced throughout the movie, because it is being remade throughout the narrative. At the very least, this film is interesting, and if you like Jeff Garlin, you might want to see if this one is right for you.
Rating: 6 out of 10

Wall Street (1987) - This film does not age as well as Oliver Stone had likely originally intended. While it is an interesting take on the sudden rise and fall of a character, it is very cliched and very '80s. Unfortunately, Charlie Sheen was cast in the main role and, while I do like his comedic work, he is a poor actor when it comes to drama. The redeeming quality of this film, and the reason they are making a sequel, is Michael Douglas' portrayal of Gordon Gecko. That is one of the iconic film characters and acting performances of the '80s, and I am now semi-interested to see what Stone has to say about the current economic crisis through Gecko in his upcoming sequel.
Rating: 6 out of 10

Prodigal Sons (2008) - The less you know about this documentary going in, the more likely you are going to enjoy it. If I were you, I would absolutely avoid seeing the trailer (it gives away the two big reveals in the film) or even reading the IMDb plot summary. All you need to know going in is its about Kimberly Reed, the filmmaker, who is going to her 20 year high school reunion in her hometown where she hasn't been for years, and she is reuniting with her older brother, who she hasn't seen or heard from in years. This movie is much more effective if that is all you know. Overall, it is a very interesting character study of the older brother, and a good film overall.
Rating: 7 out of 10

"Weeds": Season 6, Episode 4 - Finally, we have some potential at the end of this episode! For the first time this season, I felt like there were some stakes revealed in the last shot. Is it just me, or has Mary-Louise Parker's acting been underwhelming this season? It seems like she's just floating around this season aloof, and not really committing to anything. I'm still skeptical, but we'll see what happens in episode 5.