Yesterday I watched Rumor Has It on mute since my airplane seatmate was watching it on her laptop. Jennifer Aniston looked brittle but I continue to think she's underrated as a comedic actress; she has a very expressive face. Watched Ocean's 11 yesterday also and I'm neutral on Julia Roberts in general but thought she stuck out really poorly in that movie, and wasn't helped by some truly unflattering wardrobe/styling choices. There's a scene with her and George that's just painful in its nonsparkle.

I think I would automatically start to like Jennifer Aniston more if she shaved her head. The hair gets in the way of my seeing her face.

I like Renee Zellweger a lot more when I cannot use her collarbones as handlebars on a bicycle. And when her eyes are open.

I like Julia Roberts mostly only when she is grinning like a maniac, since her Serious Face makes her look like she just sat down on the business end of a hairbrush.

Yes, there's a lot of politics thrown in without being explored, and yes, the back half is basically a chase movie. However, I don't agree those are real criticisms.

Er, they sound like real criticisms to me! A really gorgeous movie that makes no sense may be praised for its beauty but still criticized for its incoherence. (Wong Kar-Wai, I am talking to YOU.)

Speaking of looking good, we saw Curse of the Golden Flower last night. It is lush and opulent and melodramatic and over-the-top in every way. I think the overwhelming visual experience in a way IS the film. There is a tragic tale, but it isn't very involving--the way htings look is much more important. Of the five of us at the film, two liked it, one was bored and one LOATHED it.

Me, I liked it, although aside from the visuals and the sound, it is pretty empty.

I watched part of a Barbie and Pegasus movie today. With really creepy CGI and, allegedly, 3-d effects. This is what happens when you let 3 and 4 year old girls choose the movie.

So last night we were watching a little It's A Wonderful Life, and we were wondering out loud why no one has ever remade it. (I know there's been tons of similar stories, but no one seems to have done a direct re-make.) My theory was that no one thinks they can do justice to the original.

Then we wondered who we thought could be cast in a remake, and decided on Kevin Spacey (though I thought he would need to be younger) and Kristin Davis. There's gotta be someone else, though.

Kevin Spacey as George Bailey?

Maybe if George were an opium fiend.

My theory is that since every sitcom in television history has made an It's a Wonderful Life episode, filmmakers are so sick of seeing the plot that they can't bear the thought of helming a remake.

Oh, not just sitcoms. It seems to be a requirement for shows with enough whimsy, even if they're hour-longs. Grey's Anatomy is about due, I swear.

If GA did it, who would be George Bailey?

oops