Camille (2007, U.S.)

Possibly the most bizarre movie I have ever, ever seen.

Silas is a thief who marries his parole officer's niece Camille. He's not allowed out of the state, but he uses his future wife's uncle's sympathies in the hope that he can use his honeymoon to escape to Canada. Camille has always dreamed of honeymooning at Niagara Falls, and she cheerfully deludes herself into thinking that the honeymoon will change her scummy man for the better.

What follows is the strangest road trip movie of all time. Because Silas and Camille get in a fatal motorcycle accident. That's right, fatal. Camille dies, but she keeps on with her honeymoon. And it's her death that finally pushes Silas in the right direction.

They have all sorts of adventures, running from the police, hanging out with carnies, visiting the falls... Franco and Miller give just the right touch of humor and seriousness to this macabre love story, creating a strangely enjoyable movie experience.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009, U.S,)

And I cannot believe I'm saying this, but I really liked this movie. Really. I like a good action movie when it's done well, and this was. It actually had a plot (*gasp*), cool technology that seemed feasible, awesome action sequences (military/gun type and martial arts/hand to hand style), decent acting, funny one-liners... and major eye candy. Channing Tatum has never really been my type of guy, but every time I see him in a military movie, I forget all about that! Ha ha.

The concept of an evil genius taking over the world by creating armies of men whose brains he controlled with nanotechnology and by using nanos to create weapons of mass destruction... wow. It sounds ridiculous when I type it, but the fact that the movie was so convincing on such ridiculous ideas is what made it good.

Seriously, I never thought I'd say it, but if you want a good mindless (and yet somehow thoughtful) action movie, look no further than G.I. Joe. From the ending, I'd say they intended to have a sequel. I hope they do!

Rating: 4.0