Here are several short reviews of movies/shows I’ve recently been watching:

There Will Be Blood – Best movie I’ve seen in years.  I saw this in the theaters just before the Oscars.  I can’t believe it didn’t win.  Years to come, film scholars will look back on this film as a classic.  If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor and add it to your Netflix queue… or better yet your DVD collection.  One complaint: The single disc dvd case is just a cheap cardboard sleeve.  What’s up with that?

No Country For Old Men – What started as an engrossing crime drama turned into a “look at me.  I’m important” Oscar grab from the Coen Brothers.  Kudos to them.  It worked.  Just wasn’t my cup of tea.

The Red Shoes (1948) – A ballet movie based on a Hans Christian Anderson story.  I saw a preview for this on TCM and thought it looked interesting.  It was.  One of the most visually interesting movies I’ve ever seen.  Especially for the time.  It was a major inspiration for An American In Paris, but I thought it was much better.  Compelling story with stunning visuals.  I highly recommend.

Battlestar Gallactica – I’m late to the game on this one.  I just recently got into it.  I’m starting the third season.  Great show.  Second season dragged in the middle, but that last couple of episodes really shook things up.  I initially watched the mini-series when it first came on, but wasn’t impressed.  All the critical acclaim convinced me to give it another chance.  I’m glad I did.

30 Rock – What a wonderful show.  With the writer’s strike leaving prime time television a barren wasteland, I decided to go back and check out some shows that I had never gotten into.  30 Rock is the best of the bunch.  Tina Fey’s self deprecating humor works wonderfully with Alec Baldwin’s ego.  Throw in crazy Tracy Morgan and it’s a recipe for laughs.  If you don’t like this one, then you need to go see Dr. Spaceman.

Sweeney Todd – Oh my gosh.  How have I lived this long without knowing this musical.  It took Tim Burton and Johnny Depp to pull me into the Stephen Sondheim masterpiece.  I love musicals, but Sondheim has always been a bit of a mystery to me.  Someone once told me he was an acquired taste.  I think I’ve acquired it.  Thank you, Mr. Burton.  As for the film, it was Burton’s best in years.

I Am Legend – Great first half, but the last half ruined it.  So disappointing.  I love Will Smith though.