Tron, True Grit, and The Tourist

Happy New Year! OK, I know… I’m a little late. I was traveling for for the second half of December, and I got a little swamped when I got back home.

I did manage to see a few movies over the holidays…

Tron Legacy

Tron Legacy

I saw Tron Legacy in 3D IMAX, and it was awesome! I personally thought it was a worthy sequel to the 1982 classic (which I loved). They did a great job maintaining the overall feel of the original film (including long sequences of electronic music), while updating it with all the latest and greatest eye-candy. The story wasn’t half bad either. I enjoyed it enough that I may even see it again.

True Grit

True Grit

The Coen brothers did a really excellent job with this remake of the 1969 film starring John Wayne. I like the original movie, but I personally thought this version was way better. Although the two versions have a lot of similarities, the new one has a much greater sense of realism. Plus, I’m a big Jeff Bridges fan… who does a great job in this role.

The Tourist

The Tourist

Out of the movies I saw over the holidays, The Tourist was my least favorite. It stars Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie… and that’s really the only thing this film had going for it. I didn’t hate it, but I did find it very predictable and a little slow. I like both of these actors, but I thought their performances were merely adequate. I could have easily skipped this one in the theater and waited for it to come on TV.

Now Playing: Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Opening today is a new documentary about the life of Hunter S. Thompson…

“From Oscar-wining director Alex Gibney and producer Graydon Carter comes a probing look into the uncanny life of national treasure and gonzo journalism inventor Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. A fast moving, wildly entertaining documentary with an iconic soundtrack, the film addresses the major touchstones in Thompson’s life-his intense and ill fated relationship with the Hell’s Angels, his near-successful bid for the office of sheriff in Aspen in 1970, the notorious story behind the landmark Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, his deep involvement in Senator George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign, and much more. Narrated by Johnny Depp.”

Here in San francisco it’s playing at the Embarcadero.

Gonzo: Official Site