THE FISHER KING (1991) - Jan. 31, 2005
Just when I had forgotten how good of a director Terry Gilliam is, this movie comes along. Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams are both quite excellent in this film about a radio DJ whose life is changed forever when something he says on air leads to tragedy. The movie is really well directed; Gilliam's style is in full-force here, but he also knows exactly when to tone it down and let the performances speak for themselves. The movie is well over two hours but doesn't feel long at all (in fact I was a bit shocked when I looked at my watch after it was done and saw how long it was). Easily among Gilliam's best. ***1/2
Short reviews of all the movies I see, rated out of four. Reviews containing spoilers are marked with an (S).
Monday, January 31, 2005
Thursday, January 27, 2005
The Polar Express
THE POLAR EXPRESS (2004) - Jan. 27, 2005
On one hand, much about this movie is very impressive, visually. I saw this in 3D, on an Imax screen, and it was quite an experience. But I was never really able to get into the movie, because all of the characters were so poorly done. I haven't seen animation this bad since Rocket Robin Hood. All the characters had a creepy, corpse-like expression on their face throughout the entire movie. There were times when I literally got chills because the characters looked human, and yet so eerily wrong. The lack of expression on all of their faces was quite amazing, especially since Zemeckis and Hanks keep touting this technology as the next big thing for animation -- it certainly is not, at least not at this stage. Even Fred Flintstone was more expressive than these characters (and certainly more appealing to look at). And I have to wonder: if the whole goal with this type of character animation was simply to emulate human beings as closely as possible, why even use animation? What's the point, other than to arouse morbid curiousity? Anyway, aside from that the film was basically entertaining, though overlong by at least twenty minutes. But I definitely think Zemeckis should leave animation to real animators, and go back to live action where he clearly belongs. **1/2
On one hand, much about this movie is very impressive, visually. I saw this in 3D, on an Imax screen, and it was quite an experience. But I was never really able to get into the movie, because all of the characters were so poorly done. I haven't seen animation this bad since Rocket Robin Hood. All the characters had a creepy, corpse-like expression on their face throughout the entire movie. There were times when I literally got chills because the characters looked human, and yet so eerily wrong. The lack of expression on all of their faces was quite amazing, especially since Zemeckis and Hanks keep touting this technology as the next big thing for animation -- it certainly is not, at least not at this stage. Even Fred Flintstone was more expressive than these characters (and certainly more appealing to look at). And I have to wonder: if the whole goal with this type of character animation was simply to emulate human beings as closely as possible, why even use animation? What's the point, other than to arouse morbid curiousity? Anyway, aside from that the film was basically entertaining, though overlong by at least twenty minutes. But I definitely think Zemeckis should leave animation to real animators, and go back to live action where he clearly belongs. **1/2
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
The Incredibles
THE INCREDIBLES (2004) - Jan. 25, 2005 (Fourth Viewing)
Presenting, an Incredibles Haiku:
Brad Bird: genius
The Incredibles: awesome
Animated bliss
****
Presenting, an Incredibles Haiku:
Brad Bird: genius
The Incredibles: awesome
Animated bliss
****
Monday, January 24, 2005
Jesus of Montreal
JESUS OF MONTREAL (1989) - Jan. 24, 2005
Though the film starts out well enough, with a group of actors working to put together a somewhat radical passion play, it quickly loses steam. At around the mid-way point, the actors perform their play, which seems to be performed almost in its entirety in the film. The movie never quite regains its footing after that, and towards the end goes way way over-the-top with the religious symbolism (absolutely no subtlety here -- by the time the protagonist is in a hospital bed at the end of the film in Christ pose, it's like, enough! We get it). At a running time of two hours, the film is at least forty minutes too long and it feels it. **1/2
Though the film starts out well enough, with a group of actors working to put together a somewhat radical passion play, it quickly loses steam. At around the mid-way point, the actors perform their play, which seems to be performed almost in its entirety in the film. The movie never quite regains its footing after that, and towards the end goes way way over-the-top with the religious symbolism (absolutely no subtlety here -- by the time the protagonist is in a hospital bed at the end of the film in Christ pose, it's like, enough! We get it). At a running time of two hours, the film is at least forty minutes too long and it feels it. **1/2
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Port of Shadows
PORT OF SHADOWS (1938) - Jan. 23, 2005
Jean Gabin is excellent in this film directed by Marcel Carne and written by Jacques Prevert (the same team that did the masterpiece, Children of Paradise). It's not quite as good as that movie, but then again not much is. Though essentially plotless, it remains entertaining because it's so well made. ***1/2
Jean Gabin is excellent in this film directed by Marcel Carne and written by Jacques Prevert (the same team that did the masterpiece, Children of Paradise). It's not quite as good as that movie, but then again not much is. Though essentially plotless, it remains entertaining because it's so well made. ***1/2
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
The Incredibles
THE INCREDIBLES (2004) - Jan. 18, 2005 (Third Viewing)
What can I say about this movie that I haven't already said? I love it. It's a masterpiece. Everything about it is perfect. I've seen it three times now and I am not even remotely close to being sick of it; it just gets better every time I watch it. I'd watch it again right now! ****
What can I say about this movie that I haven't already said? I love it. It's a masterpiece. Everything about it is perfect. I've seen it three times now and I am not even remotely close to being sick of it; it just gets better every time I watch it. I'd watch it again right now! ****
Sunday, January 16, 2005
This Man Must Die
THIS MAN MUST DIE (1969) - Jan. 16, 2005
A well-made film by Claude Chabrol. About a man whose son is killed by a speeding car, and who vows revenge. While it's not quite the thriller the title and description would suggest, the film was still good. It sort of pales in comparison to Chabrol's The Butcher, but I guess that's not really a fair comparison as they are quite different. ***
A well-made film by Claude Chabrol. About a man whose son is killed by a speeding car, and who vows revenge. While it's not quite the thriller the title and description would suggest, the film was still good. It sort of pales in comparison to Chabrol's The Butcher, but I guess that's not really a fair comparison as they are quite different. ***
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Paparazzi
PAPARAZZI (2004) - Jan. 15, 2005
A stupid movie. As a thriller it fails horribly -- there are very few thrills to be found here. The "characters" are all ultra-underdeveloped, and the four paparazzi who stalk Cole Hauser are essentially cartoons. I haven't seen such outright evil characters since Donald Sutherland killed a cat by headbutting it in 1900. Tom Sizemore, in particular, is ridiculously over-the-top as the leader of the gang, making some of his other performances seem subtle in comparison. Though the movie is essentially terrible, it moves along at a reasonably fast pace and is never really boring. But the movie is so incredibly cheesy, I find it hard to believe that anyone involved actually believed they were making a good movie. I suspect that it may one day become something of a cult classic, under the "it's so bad it's good" category. **
A stupid movie. As a thriller it fails horribly -- there are very few thrills to be found here. The "characters" are all ultra-underdeveloped, and the four paparazzi who stalk Cole Hauser are essentially cartoons. I haven't seen such outright evil characters since Donald Sutherland killed a cat by headbutting it in 1900. Tom Sizemore, in particular, is ridiculously over-the-top as the leader of the gang, making some of his other performances seem subtle in comparison. Though the movie is essentially terrible, it moves along at a reasonably fast pace and is never really boring. But the movie is so incredibly cheesy, I find it hard to believe that anyone involved actually believed they were making a good movie. I suspect that it may one day become something of a cult classic, under the "it's so bad it's good" category. **
Sideways
SIDEWAYS (2004) - Jan. 15, 2005
Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor do it again. While perhaps a smidgeon on the long side, this was still a very good movie. Payne seems to have an uncanny knack for picking excellent actors and coaxing the best possible performances out of them; Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church (Lowell!) and Virginia Madsen are all quite excellent. Paul Giamatti, in particular, gives an impressive performance as a struggling writer who is in the middle of reevaluating his life. The dialogue was really good (obviously) and the movie was really well directed (also obviously). ***1/2
Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor do it again. While perhaps a smidgeon on the long side, this was still a very good movie. Payne seems to have an uncanny knack for picking excellent actors and coaxing the best possible performances out of them; Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church (Lowell!) and Virginia Madsen are all quite excellent. Paul Giamatti, in particular, gives an impressive performance as a struggling writer who is in the middle of reevaluating his life. The dialogue was really good (obviously) and the movie was really well directed (also obviously). ***1/2
Friday, January 14, 2005
Hard Eight
HARD EIGHT (1996) - Jan. 14, 2005 (Ninth Viewing? Tenth?)
Philip Baker Hall gives what is probably one of the best performances of all time in this masterpiece by PT Anderson. The fact that this isn't even Anderson's best film shows what an amazing director he is. John C. Reilly and Gywneth Paltrow are also quite excellent. Really, what's to say about this movie? It's superbly written, directed and acted, and creates some very memorable characters. This is Anderson's first film, and it established him as one of the best directors working today. ****
Philip Baker Hall gives what is probably one of the best performances of all time in this masterpiece by PT Anderson. The fact that this isn't even Anderson's best film shows what an amazing director he is. John C. Reilly and Gywneth Paltrow are also quite excellent. Really, what's to say about this movie? It's superbly written, directed and acted, and creates some very memorable characters. This is Anderson's first film, and it established him as one of the best directors working today. ****
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
La Strada
LA STRADA (1954) - Jan. 12, 2005
A slow-paced film about a girl from a small village who is recruited by a performer to be his assistant. Anthony Quinn is good as the grizzled performer whose act is limited to one rather unimpressive trick. And Giulietta Masina is really good as the girl who doesn't talk much -- in fact her character reminded me quite a bit of the Samantha Morton character from Sweet and Lowdown, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if Woody Allen was inspired by this movie when he created that character. However while the movie was certainly well-acted and well-made, the interminably slow pace makes it impossible to ever really get into. **
A slow-paced film about a girl from a small village who is recruited by a performer to be his assistant. Anthony Quinn is good as the grizzled performer whose act is limited to one rather unimpressive trick. And Giulietta Masina is really good as the girl who doesn't talk much -- in fact her character reminded me quite a bit of the Samantha Morton character from Sweet and Lowdown, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if Woody Allen was inspired by this movie when he created that character. However while the movie was certainly well-acted and well-made, the interminably slow pace makes it impossible to ever really get into. **
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Frenzy
FRENZY (1972) - Jan. 11, 2005
This is one of Hitchcock's last films, and it features a familiar Hitchcock plot: a man is falsely accused of a crime and has to prove his innocence. However unlike Hitchcock's other movies this one is quite graphic. It's a little bizarre to be watching an R rated Hitchcock movie but this one certainly earns its rating -- it has quite a bit of nudity and a surprisingly brutal rape scene (probably the most disturbing one I've seen since Irreversible). Certainly a far cry from the mostly implied violence of Hitchcock's other films. There's also a fair amount of humour in the film, some of which works (the inspector's disgust at his wife's cooking) and some of which does not (the killer fumbling around in the potato truck). While this wasn't exactly one of Hitchcock's best films, it was certainly well-directed and overall an effective thriller. ***
This is one of Hitchcock's last films, and it features a familiar Hitchcock plot: a man is falsely accused of a crime and has to prove his innocence. However unlike Hitchcock's other movies this one is quite graphic. It's a little bizarre to be watching an R rated Hitchcock movie but this one certainly earns its rating -- it has quite a bit of nudity and a surprisingly brutal rape scene (probably the most disturbing one I've seen since Irreversible). Certainly a far cry from the mostly implied violence of Hitchcock's other films. There's also a fair amount of humour in the film, some of which works (the inspector's disgust at his wife's cooking) and some of which does not (the killer fumbling around in the potato truck). While this wasn't exactly one of Hitchcock's best films, it was certainly well-directed and overall an effective thriller. ***
Monday, January 10, 2005
The Incredibles
THE INCREDIBLES (2004) - Jan. 10, 2005 (Second Viewing)
I love this movie. I love it! I love everything about it. I love the animation, and how good everything looks. I love the acting, and the emotions all of the characters convey, the subtle facial gestures and everything else. I love how well developed all the characters are -- most dramas don't have characters this good, let alone action movies. I love all the performances -- Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter couldn't possibly be better in their roles. I love how funny the movie is, how exciting it is, how touching it is. I love the direction, and the writing. I love the score. I love every second of this movie. It's easily Pixar's best movie and probably one of the best movies I've ever seen. ****
I love this movie. I love it! I love everything about it. I love the animation, and how good everything looks. I love the acting, and the emotions all of the characters convey, the subtle facial gestures and everything else. I love how well developed all the characters are -- most dramas don't have characters this good, let alone action movies. I love all the performances -- Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter couldn't possibly be better in their roles. I love how funny the movie is, how exciting it is, how touching it is. I love the direction, and the writing. I love the score. I love every second of this movie. It's easily Pixar's best movie and probably one of the best movies I've ever seen. ****
Friday, January 07, 2005
The Spongebob Squarepants Movie
THE SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE (2004) - Jan. 7, 2005
Though not quite as good as the best episodes of the TV show, this film is still quite enjoyable. About Spongebob Squarepants, the ever-likeable and child-like sponge, who embarks on a journey to save his boss and, without realizing it, the whole town. The animation and design of the film is quite colourful, and the whole movie is just fun to watch. It never reaches the level of something like the Incredibles, nor is it really meant to. As a fun adventure which can be enjoyed by both kids and adults, it succeeds quite admirably. ***
Though not quite as good as the best episodes of the TV show, this film is still quite enjoyable. About Spongebob Squarepants, the ever-likeable and child-like sponge, who embarks on a journey to save his boss and, without realizing it, the whole town. The animation and design of the film is quite colourful, and the whole movie is just fun to watch. It never reaches the level of something like the Incredibles, nor is it really meant to. As a fun adventure which can be enjoyed by both kids and adults, it succeeds quite admirably. ***
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
To Catch a Thief
TO CATCH A THIEF (1955) - Jan. 5, 2005
Cary Grant is his usual charming self in this movie about a retired jewel thief who needs to clear his name when he's falsely accused of a string of robberies. It is, unfortunately, not a heist movie -- I guess a heist movie by Alfred Hitchcock would be too good to be true. And while it's entertaining throughout, it's definitely a lesser Hitchcock movie -- there's just nothing all that special about it (unlike pretty much every other Hitchcock movie I've seen so far). ***
Cary Grant is his usual charming self in this movie about a retired jewel thief who needs to clear his name when he's falsely accused of a string of robberies. It is, unfortunately, not a heist movie -- I guess a heist movie by Alfred Hitchcock would be too good to be true. And while it's entertaining throughout, it's definitely a lesser Hitchcock movie -- there's just nothing all that special about it (unlike pretty much every other Hitchcock movie I've seen so far). ***
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
His Girl Friday
HIS GIRL FRIDAY (1940) - Jan. 4, 2005
They don't make 'em like this anymore. And it's a shame, too. Featuring the type of snappy dialogue lamentably only found in movies of this era, His Girl Friday is extremely entertaining from start to finish. This type of dialogue could seem contrived under lesser actors, but Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell are both excellent, and certainly make it work. The movie is exceptionally talky (it's based on a play, and it shows) but it's never boring for a second. ***1/2
They don't make 'em like this anymore. And it's a shame, too. Featuring the type of snappy dialogue lamentably only found in movies of this era, His Girl Friday is extremely entertaining from start to finish. This type of dialogue could seem contrived under lesser actors, but Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell are both excellent, and certainly make it work. The movie is exceptionally talky (it's based on a play, and it shows) but it's never boring for a second. ***1/2
Monday, January 03, 2005
The Machinist
THE MACHINIST (2004) - Jan. 3, 2005
A bizarre movie about a man who seems to be losing his mind. Christian Bale, who clearly put a lot of work into playing this role, was pretty much the best thing about the movie. Between Bale's performance, and the unique look of the film, the movie manages to remain entertaining for a while. However, as the film progresses it becomes increasingly quirky and bizarre, which essentially ruins everything it had going for it. What could have been an excellent character study is undermined by the strange and obtuse second half. **
A bizarre movie about a man who seems to be losing his mind. Christian Bale, who clearly put a lot of work into playing this role, was pretty much the best thing about the movie. Between Bale's performance, and the unique look of the film, the movie manages to remain entertaining for a while. However, as the film progresses it becomes increasingly quirky and bizarre, which essentially ruins everything it had going for it. What could have been an excellent character study is undermined by the strange and obtuse second half. **
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