It ended up being a video filled weekend. Whee! I rented three films and really liked one out of the three. Grrrr. I gotta start getting better odds.

“Monster” (2003)
Yeah. Charlize Theron is good in the movie and (deservedly) got the Oscar. But, past that, this movie did absolutely nothing for me. Maybe my expectations were in a different place. I really wasn’t prepared for a love story and that’s what “Monster” is. A love story … not a serial killer story. It does get some points for having the fine looking Lee Tergesen in it.

“Bubba Ho-tep” (2002)
Bruce Campell … great! Ossie Davis … great! Probably the most original movie story line I have seen in quite a while and worth checking out if your a Bruce Campbell fan. Past that, this one didn’t quite click with me either. Though I liked it way better than “Monster.”

“Elephant” (2003)
Now this was the movie I really liked for a lot of reasons. The languid pacing of the movie (even when violence erupts). The “no real explanation” approach to the killers. The cool visual style. The very abrupt ending that jerks away the movie safety net of the ending coming complete with a bow. Gus Van Sant proves that he can still make a good movie.~