three films i watched on jan. 18

#1---the first and best of the films i watched on the eighteenth of january was "nightwatch".

not the russian special effects laden sci-fi action movie, but the 1997 remake of the 1994 danish film by ole bornedal, who also directs the english language remake produced and co-rewriten/translated by stephen soderbergh.
starring-ewen mcgregor, nick nolte, patricia arquette, josh brolin, and featuring lauren graham.

i was really surprised that this film held up so well. i first watched it on vhs back in 1998 and thought it was pretty good. it has aged well, with a fresh faced ewen in a starring role as a law student whose friend, brolin, starts pushing his own limits in order to feel something again. mcgegor gets a 'night' job as a 'watch'man in a creepy hospital(?) of sorts. during the opening credits, nolte's detective character is introduced through the tv news as he investigates the latest victim of a serial killer. he reapears when that latest victim is brought to the morgue where mcgregor just began working.

it's difficult to share more story without giving to much away.
long story short, you should watch this.
the dvd could use a remastering. i'd love to see a criterion double of both versions.

#2----the second movie, "the vampire's kiss."

starring a young nicolas cage when he was going through his nasal voice phase; moonstruck, peggy sue got married, ....i'm sure there's another one.
directed by robert bierman.

cage is a big time 80's book.....something, he works in the publishing industry.  it's unclear what pushes him over the edge, is it the pressure he's under at work? is he unhappy with his 'different girl every night' lifestyle?
maybe that he wacthes "nosferatu" the night after a bat flies into his appartment? i suppose it's the combination of all of the above.

he begins acting erratically; eating roaches, chasing secretaries into the ladies room, and of course coming to the realization that he is, in fact, a vampire.

there are some really neat, interesting scenes in this film, especially towards the end. however, if you don't like "art" films, stay away from this. though, this is one of the movies i point to when i (rarely) defend nic cage as a good actor.

#3----third movie, "the good thief".


starring nick nolte, some french people, and a ukranian[?] girl.
written and directed by neil jordan.  [yes, the great neil jordan]

i first heard of this movie when i was trying to find out if jordan's "the butcher boy" was on dvd. i then sought it out, watched it, and enjoyed it. that was about 7 years ago. upon rewatching it, it is another film that holds up. it's not amazing, but it's very good with very good performances by everyone.

nolte is a heroine addicted "retired" thief living in france. well, i can't really give to much away. it's a fun little caper film with a fun little group of associates. nolte plans the ultimate hiest, or two, or three, or none at all? it's easily a better film than any of the "ocean's #" films, maybe not as ambitous as they are, but better.

i guess that's about it for tonight.
i apologize for my format of writing, but i've never did too good in english class.