HOME THEATER

Snapshots of movies I've watched recently, when I have some spare time, thank you Netflix:

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
I was really looking forward to this since I missed it at the theater. Of course I like most Japanese themed movies. Classic love story-girl loves guy, guy loves girl, guy can't have girl, girl can't have guy. Do they end up together? Watch the movie :) Wonderfully sumptuous visuals and cinematography, beautiful locales. I can see how it won Oscars for cinematography and costume design. Some of the recognizable scenes were shot at local Bay Area Japanese Gardens but you would swear you were in 1930's Japan. Ahh, the magic of movies.

KING KONG
Watched the big screen version in the summer with my brother. King Kong deserves the best actor Oscar, (half)-seriously. I thought I was watching a 'real' 30-foot giant gorilla. Peter Jackson is brilliant. The computer graphics work for Gollum (Lord of the Rings) was first-rate, King Kong is stellar. Another 'love story' but stay for the T-Rex fight and Empire State Building Battle. A great summer popcorn movie now at my fingertips. Yes. Haven't even gone through the special features yet, love the 'behind-the-scenes' and 'making of' stuff. I should have been a director.

ROLL BOUNCE
If you lived your teenage years in the late 70's (like me), WATCH this movie. Surprisingly sweet, hilarious and nostalgic flick on the passages of youth. Reminds me of all the times me and the boys would cruise our Vallejo neighborhood during the summer on our bikes (ten speeds, not Harleys :), exploring, goofing off, just being kids, not a care in the world. The old school music takes me back to an innocent, memorable time. Makes you want to groove and put on those funky rollerskates that you know you owned but won't admit, and take one last skate around the rink. Retro is in. Time to get out my old Member's Only jacket and Angel Flight suit.

(pic: hehe, I couldn't resist :)

In the queue: John Legend Live at the House of Blues, Chris Rock: Never Scared, 24: Season 4.