THE HOLIDAY (2006) - Nov. 30, 2006
Well, I think that may qualify as too much of a good thing (there's a reason why 90 minutes is the standard run-time for a romantic comedy -- much more than that is generally just too much, no matter how well-made it is). This was almost two hours and twenty minutes, and given that it contained two completely separate stories, it basically felt like two different romantic comedies crammed together. It was well made, and certainly well acted, and I was never bored (I mean, there was nothing here we haven't seen a million times before, but I guess you have to expect that out of a movie like this), but jeez... Does a cheesy romantic comedy like this really need to be almost as long as the Godfather? I don't think so. **1/2
Short reviews of all the movies I see, rated out of four. Reviews containing spoilers are marked with an (S).
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Apocalypto
APOCALYPTO (2006) - Nov. 29, 2006
I think I need to see this movie again; I had the misfortune of sitting next to a morbidly obese, miserable excuse for a human being who spent the entire duration of the film alternately breathing so loud he sounded like an asthmatic Darth Vader, and talking - not whispering, but talking - to the person next to him. So I basically spent the entire movie in varying degrees of annoyance. Which is really too bad, because the movie seemed pretty good; I've actually been thinking about it quite a bit since I saw it. Well anyway, I'll hopefully see it again and then I'll know for sure what I thought of it. ***
I think I need to see this movie again; I had the misfortune of sitting next to a morbidly obese, miserable excuse for a human being who spent the entire duration of the film alternately breathing so loud he sounded like an asthmatic Darth Vader, and talking - not whispering, but talking - to the person next to him. So I basically spent the entire movie in varying degrees of annoyance. Which is really too bad, because the movie seemed pretty good; I've actually been thinking about it quite a bit since I saw it. Well anyway, I'll hopefully see it again and then I'll know for sure what I thought of it. ***
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Suspicion
SUSPICION (1941) - Nov. 26, 2006
An enjoyable and expectedly well-made film by Alfred Hitchcock about a woman who marries a man and then slowly realizes that he's not who he seems to be. Cary Grant was quite good as the man whose motives may or may not be sinister, as was Joan Fontaine as his wife. Though the original ending clearly would have been better, it was still quite good. ***
An enjoyable and expectedly well-made film by Alfred Hitchcock about a woman who marries a man and then slowly realizes that he's not who he seems to be. Cary Grant was quite good as the man whose motives may or may not be sinister, as was Joan Fontaine as his wife. Though the original ending clearly would have been better, it was still quite good. ***
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Slither
SLITHER (2006) - Nov. 25, 2006
An entertaining horror comedy about a meteor that crash lands in a small town, and the trouble that ensues when an alien infects one of its residents. James Gunn, who wrote and directed this movie, and who also wrote the very mediocre Dawn of the Dead remake, did a much better job here; the movie is silly but enjoyable throughout. The film features some pretty good and very over-the-top gore, and is at times a monster movie and at times a zombie movie of sorts. The performances were good -- Gregg Henry was a scene-stealer as the town's sleazy mayor, and Nathan Fillion was his usual charismatic self as the hapless sheriff. Mark my words: within five years he'll be a big star. ***
An entertaining horror comedy about a meteor that crash lands in a small town, and the trouble that ensues when an alien infects one of its residents. James Gunn, who wrote and directed this movie, and who also wrote the very mediocre Dawn of the Dead remake, did a much better job here; the movie is silly but enjoyable throughout. The film features some pretty good and very over-the-top gore, and is at times a monster movie and at times a zombie movie of sorts. The performances were good -- Gregg Henry was a scene-stealer as the town's sleazy mayor, and Nathan Fillion was his usual charismatic self as the hapless sheriff. Mark my words: within five years he'll be a big star. ***
Monday, November 20, 2006
Deja Vu
DEJA VU (2006) - Nov. 20, 2006
Well it's pretty hard to go wrong with a movie involving time travel, and this is no exception. About an ATF agent who, while investigating a ferry explosion, is given access to technology that enables him to see four days into the past, and to even travel there himself. Tony Scott has wisely chosen to tone down the way over-the-top style he adopted for his last couple of films, which makes this movie far more enjoyable than it would have been otherwise (as much as I liked Man on Fire, it could have been so much better if it weren't for Scott's overbearing and overwhelmingly distracting visual style). As for the performances, there are few actors out there more charismatic than Denzel Washington, who is at his best here (and who needs to act more). The film is maybe slightly overlong, but aside from that it was quite enjoyable. ***
Well it's pretty hard to go wrong with a movie involving time travel, and this is no exception. About an ATF agent who, while investigating a ferry explosion, is given access to technology that enables him to see four days into the past, and to even travel there himself. Tony Scott has wisely chosen to tone down the way over-the-top style he adopted for his last couple of films, which makes this movie far more enjoyable than it would have been otherwise (as much as I liked Man on Fire, it could have been so much better if it weren't for Scott's overbearing and overwhelmingly distracting visual style). As for the performances, there are few actors out there more charismatic than Denzel Washington, who is at his best here (and who needs to act more). The film is maybe slightly overlong, but aside from that it was quite enjoyable. ***
Saturday, November 18, 2006
The Black Dahlia
THE BLACK DAHLIA (2006) - Nov. 18, 2006
A somewhat mediocre film by Brian De Palma. De Palma's direction was probably the highlight, as the film was filled with his usual stylistic quirks. At the same time it almost felt like he was on autopilot, like De Palma-by-numbers. The film's plot was ridiculously convoluted, featuring so many subplots and twists that when the credits rolled I was left scratching my head, wondering what I had just seen. The performances were mostly okay; Aaron Eckhart was good, but Josh Hartnett was blander than usual, if that's even possible. Hilary Swank gave a good performance, and seemed to be the only one trying to affect a '40s accent, though I can't say I buy her as any sort of seductress (she looks as mannish as ever in the film). The film was very long, and while I was basically entertained the whole time, a shorter, less convoluted movie would have been nice. **1/2
A somewhat mediocre film by Brian De Palma. De Palma's direction was probably the highlight, as the film was filled with his usual stylistic quirks. At the same time it almost felt like he was on autopilot, like De Palma-by-numbers. The film's plot was ridiculously convoluted, featuring so many subplots and twists that when the credits rolled I was left scratching my head, wondering what I had just seen. The performances were mostly okay; Aaron Eckhart was good, but Josh Hartnett was blander than usual, if that's even possible. Hilary Swank gave a good performance, and seemed to be the only one trying to affect a '40s accent, though I can't say I buy her as any sort of seductress (she looks as mannish as ever in the film). The film was very long, and while I was basically entertained the whole time, a shorter, less convoluted movie would have been nice. **1/2
Friday, November 17, 2006
I was a Male War Bride
I WAS A MALE WAR BRIDE (1949) - Nov. 17, 2006
A mostly entertaining though somewhat disappointing film starring Cary Grant about a couple of Army officers, one American and one French, who go on a mission and fall in love in the process. They decide to get married, but the only way they can move to America together is if Grant registers as a war bride. Wackiness sort of ensues, but not as much as you'd think. For one thing, all the war bride stuff doesn't even happen until the last twenty minutes or so, and Grant isn't forced to pretend he's a woman until the last five. It's almost like two movies in one: there's the first hour or so, in which the bickering couple slowly fall in love and finally decide to get married. This is the point where the usual romantic comedy would end. Then there's all the stuff with the couple trying to figure out how they can be together, and trying to get their paperwork in order (much of this section deals with the couple trying to overcome bureaucratic hurdles; it's not as wacky as it sounds). The whole thing felt overlong at an hour and forty minutes, particularly the latter half (one example of this is the sequence in which Grant tries to find a place to sleep in an army base, getting rejected everywhere he goes. It's almost ten minutes long and probably didn't need to be longer than two). It's not all bad, though. Cary Grant isn't capable of not being charming or giving a bad performance, so he was obviously quite good. Ann Sheridan was good as well. The film had quite a few funny moments, and was generally entertaining. It's just, all things considered, I was expecting more. **1/2
A mostly entertaining though somewhat disappointing film starring Cary Grant about a couple of Army officers, one American and one French, who go on a mission and fall in love in the process. They decide to get married, but the only way they can move to America together is if Grant registers as a war bride. Wackiness sort of ensues, but not as much as you'd think. For one thing, all the war bride stuff doesn't even happen until the last twenty minutes or so, and Grant isn't forced to pretend he's a woman until the last five. It's almost like two movies in one: there's the first hour or so, in which the bickering couple slowly fall in love and finally decide to get married. This is the point where the usual romantic comedy would end. Then there's all the stuff with the couple trying to figure out how they can be together, and trying to get their paperwork in order (much of this section deals with the couple trying to overcome bureaucratic hurdles; it's not as wacky as it sounds). The whole thing felt overlong at an hour and forty minutes, particularly the latter half (one example of this is the sequence in which Grant tries to find a place to sleep in an army base, getting rejected everywhere he goes. It's almost ten minutes long and probably didn't need to be longer than two). It's not all bad, though. Cary Grant isn't capable of not being charming or giving a bad performance, so he was obviously quite good. Ann Sheridan was good as well. The film had quite a few funny moments, and was generally entertaining. It's just, all things considered, I was expecting more. **1/2
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
The Fountain
THE FOUNTAIN (2006) - Nov. 15, 2006
Well, that was surprising. After the unpleasant and over-the-top Requiem for a Dream, I didn't think Darren Aronofsky had a movie this good in him, but, well, here it is. Featuring a complex narrative which interweaves three stories in three different time periods, all starring Hugh Jackman. The bulk of the film stars Jackman as a doctor struggling to find a cure for his wife's cancer, but then there is also a story about Jackman as a Spanish Conquistador, and one about Jackman in the future, flying through space in a strange, snow-globe-esque spaceship. The three stories are all linked, though it is not immediately clear how (other than the fact that they all star Jackman and Rachel Weisz); the film is a bit puzzling, particularly the first half, but never in a bad way. It all comes together by the end in a way that is satisfying, if not entirely clear (this is a movie which makes you think, which is not a bad thing). It's all anchored by a really phenomenal performance by Jackman, which is particularly impressive seeing that he plays three characters who are all very different and yet the same. The film is really well directed by Aronofsky, who deftly weaves the three stories together, and features some really stunning cinematography by Matthew Libatique. The ending goes on for maybe a tad longer than it should, but that's a really minor complaint for an otherwise really intriguing, well-made film. ***1/2
Well, that was surprising. After the unpleasant and over-the-top Requiem for a Dream, I didn't think Darren Aronofsky had a movie this good in him, but, well, here it is. Featuring a complex narrative which interweaves three stories in three different time periods, all starring Hugh Jackman. The bulk of the film stars Jackman as a doctor struggling to find a cure for his wife's cancer, but then there is also a story about Jackman as a Spanish Conquistador, and one about Jackman in the future, flying through space in a strange, snow-globe-esque spaceship. The three stories are all linked, though it is not immediately clear how (other than the fact that they all star Jackman and Rachel Weisz); the film is a bit puzzling, particularly the first half, but never in a bad way. It all comes together by the end in a way that is satisfying, if not entirely clear (this is a movie which makes you think, which is not a bad thing). It's all anchored by a really phenomenal performance by Jackman, which is particularly impressive seeing that he plays three characters who are all very different and yet the same. The film is really well directed by Aronofsky, who deftly weaves the three stories together, and features some really stunning cinematography by Matthew Libatique. The ending goes on for maybe a tad longer than it should, but that's a really minor complaint for an otherwise really intriguing, well-made film. ***1/2
Monday, November 13, 2006
Casino Royale
CASINO ROYALE (2006) - Nov. 13, 2006
This was a decent Bond film marred by extreme overlength (two and a half hours!). It's at least an hour too long. It's also much grittier than the last few Bond films, but at the same time the producers seem to want to have it both ways -- the film contains quite a few big action setpieces which were clearly shoehorned into the film's plot (the over-the-top conclusion set in a sinking building is a prime example of this). A direct adaptation of the book would have definitely been preferable. As for Daniel Craig, there's no doubt that he's a really good actor, but whether or not he's a good Bond is still a bit of a question mark. He doesn't quite seem to have the necessary charisma, but that may or may not be his fault. The guy playing Le Chiffre was appropriately sinister but somewhat bland (certainly not the most memorable bad guy, aside from the whole blood-tears thing). And did I mention how long it was? Sweet Jesus. **1/2
This was a decent Bond film marred by extreme overlength (two and a half hours!). It's at least an hour too long. It's also much grittier than the last few Bond films, but at the same time the producers seem to want to have it both ways -- the film contains quite a few big action setpieces which were clearly shoehorned into the film's plot (the over-the-top conclusion set in a sinking building is a prime example of this). A direct adaptation of the book would have definitely been preferable. As for Daniel Craig, there's no doubt that he's a really good actor, but whether or not he's a good Bond is still a bit of a question mark. He doesn't quite seem to have the necessary charisma, but that may or may not be his fault. The guy playing Le Chiffre was appropriately sinister but somewhat bland (certainly not the most memorable bad guy, aside from the whole blood-tears thing). And did I mention how long it was? Sweet Jesus. **1/2
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Saboteur
SABOTEUR (1942) - Nov. 12, 2006
About a man who has to go on the run after being wrongly accused of sabotage at the factory in which he works, this was classic Hitchcock. Robert Cummings was good as the man on the run, as was Pricilla Lane as his love interest. The film was, of course, really well directed by Hitchcock, and featured some classic set pieces, including one in a movie theatre (in which gunshots on the screen mask real gunshots) and one in the Statue of Liberty. There were also some pretty good instances of dark comedy, such as the billboards which seem to taunt the main character. ***1/2
About a man who has to go on the run after being wrongly accused of sabotage at the factory in which he works, this was classic Hitchcock. Robert Cummings was good as the man on the run, as was Pricilla Lane as his love interest. The film was, of course, really well directed by Hitchcock, and featured some classic set pieces, including one in a movie theatre (in which gunshots on the screen mask real gunshots) and one in the Statue of Liberty. There were also some pretty good instances of dark comedy, such as the billboards which seem to taunt the main character. ***1/2
Saturday, November 11, 2006
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT (2006) - Nov. 11, 2006
A lousy movie about a troubled teen who is sent off to Japan after destroying his car in a drag race (in an enjoyable sequence featuring a cameo from Home Improvement's Zachery Ty Bryan) and then finds his way into the drift-racing scene. That's pretty much it as far as the plot goes -- there's a subplot involving the Yakuza, and another about the main character's troubled relationship with his dad, but neither really go anywhere. The movie is basically just an excuse to get to the racing scenes, which are competently directed but not all that exciting. As far as this series goes this was slightly better than 2 Fast 2 Furious, but that's not saying much. **
A lousy movie about a troubled teen who is sent off to Japan after destroying his car in a drag race (in an enjoyable sequence featuring a cameo from Home Improvement's Zachery Ty Bryan) and then finds his way into the drift-racing scene. That's pretty much it as far as the plot goes -- there's a subplot involving the Yakuza, and another about the main character's troubled relationship with his dad, but neither really go anywhere. The movie is basically just an excuse to get to the racing scenes, which are competently directed but not all that exciting. As far as this series goes this was slightly better than 2 Fast 2 Furious, but that's not saying much. **
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Visions of Light
VISIONS OF LIGHT (1992) - Nov. 7, 2006
This worked pretty well as a companion piece to the Cutting Edge, as it was basically the same idea: clips and interviews with well-known cinematographers. Like that film, it was quite interesting and quite entertaining. ***
This worked pretty well as a companion piece to the Cutting Edge, as it was basically the same idea: clips and interviews with well-known cinematographers. Like that film, it was quite interesting and quite entertaining. ***
The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing
THE CUTTING EDGE: THE MAGIC OF MOVIE EDITING (2004) - Nov. 7, 2006
An enjoyable and informative documentary on the history and craft of movie editing. Featuring a lot of clips, and a bunch of interviews with some of the most well-known and well-regarded editors, it was really interesting and entertaining throughout. ***
An enjoyable and informative documentary on the history and craft of movie editing. Featuring a lot of clips, and a bunch of interviews with some of the most well-known and well-regarded editors, it was really interesting and entertaining throughout. ***
Monday, November 06, 2006
Stranger than Fiction
STRANGER THAN FICTION (2006) - Nov. 6, 2006
A well-acted film featuring a pretty strange premise (a man suddenly starts hearing a woman's voice narrating his life, and tries to track her down after she announces he is to die), this was good if a bit overlong. Will Ferrell was surprisingly good in the main role, making Harold Crick someone we really cared about. Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah and Emma Thompson (she needs to act more) were also expectedly good. The film was well-made but a tad on the long side. I'm between two and a half and three on this one, but it was good so I guess I'll give it a three. ***
A well-acted film featuring a pretty strange premise (a man suddenly starts hearing a woman's voice narrating his life, and tries to track her down after she announces he is to die), this was good if a bit overlong. Will Ferrell was surprisingly good in the main role, making Harold Crick someone we really cared about. Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah and Emma Thompson (she needs to act more) were also expectedly good. The film was well-made but a tad on the long side. I'm between two and a half and three on this one, but it was good so I guess I'll give it a three. ***
Marie Antoinette
MARIE ANTOINETTE (2006) - Nov. 6, 2006
Wow. I loved this film. It was phenomenal. Just on a visual level it was pretty much perfect -- I liked Sophia Coppola before but as far as I'm concerned this has raised her to a whole new level. Kirsten Dunst was surprisingly good in the title role, and made Antoinette someone we actually came to care about. Coppola's choice to contemporize the way everyone acted, Antoinette in particular, probably helped (at the start of the film, she seems as bemused at the pompousness of Versailles as the audience). This choice -- as well as the sporadic use of contemporary music -- could have been disastrous, but it absolutely works, making the characters much more relatable, if not entirely accurate (the brief inclusion of a sneaker seems to be Coppola's way of acknowledging to the audience that while this is a historical tale, it is still her film). The movie features a slower, more leisurely pace, but I was never bored for a second. The pacing suited the film perfectly, really drawing the viewer in and setting the perfect mood and tone. This was a great, great film, and I have to say that I'm a bit shocked it was received so negatively. ****
Wow. I loved this film. It was phenomenal. Just on a visual level it was pretty much perfect -- I liked Sophia Coppola before but as far as I'm concerned this has raised her to a whole new level. Kirsten Dunst was surprisingly good in the title role, and made Antoinette someone we actually came to care about. Coppola's choice to contemporize the way everyone acted, Antoinette in particular, probably helped (at the start of the film, she seems as bemused at the pompousness of Versailles as the audience). This choice -- as well as the sporadic use of contemporary music -- could have been disastrous, but it absolutely works, making the characters much more relatable, if not entirely accurate (the brief inclusion of a sneaker seems to be Coppola's way of acknowledging to the audience that while this is a historical tale, it is still her film). The movie features a slower, more leisurely pace, but I was never bored for a second. The pacing suited the film perfectly, really drawing the viewer in and setting the perfect mood and tone. This was a great, great film, and I have to say that I'm a bit shocked it was received so negatively. ****
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN (2006) - Nov. 4, 2006
An enjoyable if somewhat uneven film about Borat Sagdiyev and his wacky exploits as he travels across America with the ultimate goal of marrying Pamela Anderson. The film was amusing and essentially entertaining throughout, though some sections worked better than others. **1/2
An enjoyable if somewhat uneven film about Borat Sagdiyev and his wacky exploits as he travels across America with the ultimate goal of marrying Pamela Anderson. The film was amusing and essentially entertaining throughout, though some sections worked better than others. **1/2
Friday, November 03, 2006
My Favorite Wife
MY FAVORITE WIFE (1940) - Nov. 3, 2006
A delightful and surprisingly funny romantic comedy about a man whose wife, missing and presumed dead after six years lost at sea, returns home the day he remarries another woman; wackiness ensues. Cary Grant was... well, do I even need to say it? He was perfect as the befuddled husband of two wives, and Irene Dunne was also really good as his first wife (they previously teamed up in the Awful Truth, and I think this was just as good if not better, though I seem to be in the minority on that one). ***1/2
A delightful and surprisingly funny romantic comedy about a man whose wife, missing and presumed dead after six years lost at sea, returns home the day he remarries another woman; wackiness ensues. Cary Grant was... well, do I even need to say it? He was perfect as the befuddled husband of two wives, and Irene Dunne was also really good as his first wife (they previously teamed up in the Awful Truth, and I think this was just as good if not better, though I seem to be in the minority on that one). ***1/2
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
BRING ME THE HEAD OF ALFREDO GARCIA (1974) - Nov. 2, 2006
featuring a really good opening in which the titular line is uttered, the movie sort of goes downhill from there. About a man who travels across Mexico in order to retrieve the head of Alfredo Garcia, this was a decent film, though it was essentially plotless and I found myself losing interest as the film progressed. It did pick up towards the end, and the last 20 minutes or so were pretty good (and quite violent). **1/2
featuring a really good opening in which the titular line is uttered, the movie sort of goes downhill from there. About a man who travels across Mexico in order to retrieve the head of Alfredo Garcia, this was a decent film, though it was essentially plotless and I found myself losing interest as the film progressed. It did pick up towards the end, and the last 20 minutes or so were pretty good (and quite violent). **1/2
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Flushed Away
FLUSHED AWAY (2006) - Nov. 1, 2006
About a rat who discovers a whole rat city in the sewer after being flushed down the toilet, this was a cute and enjoyable film, though definitely not as good as the previous Aardman effort, the Wallace and Gromit movie. Visually the film was quite impressive, managing to retain the Aardman charm while making the leap into computer animation (in fact the characters are designed as though they're made of clay). But while it was enjoyable enough, there wasn't anything all that special about it. ***
About a rat who discovers a whole rat city in the sewer after being flushed down the toilet, this was a cute and enjoyable film, though definitely not as good as the previous Aardman effort, the Wallace and Gromit movie. Visually the film was quite impressive, managing to retain the Aardman charm while making the leap into computer animation (in fact the characters are designed as though they're made of clay). But while it was enjoyable enough, there wasn't anything all that special about it. ***
Overnight
OVERNIGHT (2003) - Nov. 1, 2006
An interesting documentary about Troy Duffy, a bartender and filmmaker who got a huge deal from Miramax to make the Boondock Saints, and how it all went wrong. The problem with this film is that Duffy is not really an ideal subject for a movie; he comes off as a pretty big jerk, and while there's a perverse pleasure at first of seeing what the buffoon will do next, eventually I got sick of him. **1/2
An interesting documentary about Troy Duffy, a bartender and filmmaker who got a huge deal from Miramax to make the Boondock Saints, and how it all went wrong. The problem with this film is that Duffy is not really an ideal subject for a movie; he comes off as a pretty big jerk, and while there's a perverse pleasure at first of seeing what the buffoon will do next, eventually I got sick of him. **1/2
Throne of Blood
THRONE OF BLOOD (1957) - Nov. 1, 2006
A well-made but super-duper slow movie about a couple of soldiers who run into a spirit who predicts their future, and how that essentially screws them over (adapted from Macbeth). Akira Kurosawa's direction was quite good, and Toshiro Mifune gave an expectedly excellent performance, but the movie was so... very... slow. I dunno, it seems like it might improve on repeat viewings, so maybe I'll watch it again some day, but I'm not in all that big of a hurry. **
A well-made but super-duper slow movie about a couple of soldiers who run into a spirit who predicts their future, and how that essentially screws them over (adapted from Macbeth). Akira Kurosawa's direction was quite good, and Toshiro Mifune gave an expectedly excellent performance, but the movie was so... very... slow. I dunno, it seems like it might improve on repeat viewings, so maybe I'll watch it again some day, but I'm not in all that big of a hurry. **
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)