WHISTLING IN THE DARK (1941) - July 30, 2008
An entertaining film about a host of a murder-mystery radio show who gets kidnapped and blackmailed into coming up with the perfect murder. It's never really laugh-out-loud funny, but it's enjoyable throughout and features an affable lead performance from Red Skelton. ***
Short reviews of all the movies I see, rated out of four. Reviews containing spoilers are marked with an (S).
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Resident Evil: Extinction
RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION (2007) - July 29, 2008
Though this is a huge step up from the abysmal Apocalypse, it's still pretty mediocre. There's nothing overtly bad about it (the direction is fine, as are the special effects and the performances), there's nothing very good about it either. The film establishes a lot of characters, but never really goes anywhere with any of them. The whole thing feels kind of truncated, like they took out everything but what they needed for the action, leaving the film somewhat hollow. **
Though this is a huge step up from the abysmal Apocalypse, it's still pretty mediocre. There's nothing overtly bad about it (the direction is fine, as are the special effects and the performances), there's nothing very good about it either. The film establishes a lot of characters, but never really goes anywhere with any of them. The whole thing feels kind of truncated, like they took out everything but what they needed for the action, leaving the film somewhat hollow. **
Monday, July 28, 2008
Pretty Woman
PRETTY WOMAN (1990) - July 28, 2008
Another film about prostitutes, though that's about where the similarities end -- this was pretty much the complete opposite of My Own Private Idaho. It was sort of a relief to watch a movie with no pretensions other than to entertain; though at over two hours this film was clearly too long, it was well acted and entertaining all the way through. It's cheesy, and pretty much exactly what you'd think it would be, but it's quite enjoyable. ***
Another film about prostitutes, though that's about where the similarities end -- this was pretty much the complete opposite of My Own Private Idaho. It was sort of a relief to watch a movie with no pretensions other than to entertain; though at over two hours this film was clearly too long, it was well acted and entertaining all the way through. It's cheesy, and pretty much exactly what you'd think it would be, but it's quite enjoyable. ***
Sunday, July 27, 2008
My Own Private Idaho
MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO (1991) - July 27, 2008
About the exploits of a couple of male prostitutes, this was a really well directed film, but ultimately it was too strange and obtuse to ever really get into. Featuring dialogue that shifts jarringly from Shakespearean to naturalistic, and a freewheeling plot that never really goes anywhere, this feels more like a failed experiment than anything else (and makes Gus Van Sant's last few films seem almost conventional in comparison). I was never bored per se, but the film kept me at an arm's length with its constant oddness. **
About the exploits of a couple of male prostitutes, this was a really well directed film, but ultimately it was too strange and obtuse to ever really get into. Featuring dialogue that shifts jarringly from Shakespearean to naturalistic, and a freewheeling plot that never really goes anywhere, this feels more like a failed experiment than anything else (and makes Gus Van Sant's last few films seem almost conventional in comparison). I was never bored per se, but the film kept me at an arm's length with its constant oddness. **
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Step Brothers
STEP BROTHERS (2008) - July 26, 2008
About a couple of dim-witted 40-year-olds who find themselves living together after both of their single parents get married, this was a sort of mediocre but enjoyable comedy. It's the third Will Ferrell / Adam McKay collaboration, and like the other two it is clearly too long -- someone needs to explain to Ferrell and McKay that 90 minutes is the sweet spot for a silly comedy like this, and that anything much longer than that tends to overstay its welcome. The other major problem with the film (and this isn't necessarily the film's fault) is that the trailer gives away pretty much every major joke/scene from the first hour or so of the movie, making it feel somewhat superfluous to sit through. The film is redeemed by a few surprisingly funny moments, mostly thanks to John C. Reilly. **1/2
About a couple of dim-witted 40-year-olds who find themselves living together after both of their single parents get married, this was a sort of mediocre but enjoyable comedy. It's the third Will Ferrell / Adam McKay collaboration, and like the other two it is clearly too long -- someone needs to explain to Ferrell and McKay that 90 minutes is the sweet spot for a silly comedy like this, and that anything much longer than that tends to overstay its welcome. The other major problem with the film (and this isn't necessarily the film's fault) is that the trailer gives away pretty much every major joke/scene from the first hour or so of the movie, making it feel somewhat superfluous to sit through. The film is redeemed by a few surprisingly funny moments, mostly thanks to John C. Reilly. **1/2
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The Pineapple Express
THE PINEAPPLE EXPRESS (2008) - July 24, 2008
Though not quite the film of the summer I had once expected it to be, that was probably an unfair prediction; this was a really enjoyable film (if a tad overlong) and more proof that you can't go wrong with a film about lots of stuff happening in a short amount of time. About a couple of pot-heads who go on the run after one of them witnesses a murder, this was a fun movie which was also surprisingly violent (it's clearly meant as a homage to some of the buddy films of the '80s). Much of the reason it works so well is thanks to Seth Rogen and James Franco, who are both very good and have great chemistry together. ***
Though not quite the film of the summer I had once expected it to be, that was probably an unfair prediction; this was a really enjoyable film (if a tad overlong) and more proof that you can't go wrong with a film about lots of stuff happening in a short amount of time. About a couple of pot-heads who go on the run after one of them witnesses a murder, this was a fun movie which was also surprisingly violent (it's clearly meant as a homage to some of the buddy films of the '80s). Much of the reason it works so well is thanks to Seth Rogen and James Franco, who are both very good and have great chemistry together. ***
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
An American Crime
AN AMERICAN CRIME (2007) - July 22, 2008
A boring, pointless and unpleasant film about a couple of young girls who are left with a complete stranger by their parents; this turns out not to have been the wisest choice on their part. The movie features some above average performances -- both Katherine Keener and Ellen Page are quite good -- but little else to speak of. The direction by Tommy O'Haver is bland, and combined with the murky cinematography, creates a film that is as boring to look at as it is to have to actually watch. The movie is mostly plotless, and features long stretches in which nothing much happens, which you would think would lead to some really well developed characters. Not so. This makes it tough to care too much when the bad stuff starts to go down in the latter half; it also makes it tough to see these scenes as anything other than pointless unpleasantness. Boo-urns. *1/2
A boring, pointless and unpleasant film about a couple of young girls who are left with a complete stranger by their parents; this turns out not to have been the wisest choice on their part. The movie features some above average performances -- both Katherine Keener and Ellen Page are quite good -- but little else to speak of. The direction by Tommy O'Haver is bland, and combined with the murky cinematography, creates a film that is as boring to look at as it is to have to actually watch. The movie is mostly plotless, and features long stretches in which nothing much happens, which you would think would lead to some really well developed characters. Not so. This makes it tough to care too much when the bad stuff starts to go down in the latter half; it also makes it tough to see these scenes as anything other than pointless unpleasantness. Boo-urns. *1/2
Sunday, July 20, 2008
The Shawshank Redemption
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994) - July 20, 2008
Well, I guess now I know what all the fuss is about. I can't believe I waited so long. This is a great film, perfectly directed by Frank Darabont and filled with memorable characters and excellent performances. Morgan Freeman gives one of his best performances ever, and Tim Robbins is equally good. In fact, all the performances are well above average, making many of the side-characters more interesting than the protagonists from lesser films. This is also one of those rare movies that has an unusually long running time (about two hours and twenty minutes) but doesn't feel long in the slightest. It's pure gold all the way through, from the opening frames right to the ridiculously moving finale. ****
Well, I guess now I know what all the fuss is about. I can't believe I waited so long. This is a great film, perfectly directed by Frank Darabont and filled with memorable characters and excellent performances. Morgan Freeman gives one of his best performances ever, and Tim Robbins is equally good. In fact, all the performances are well above average, making many of the side-characters more interesting than the protagonists from lesser films. This is also one of those rare movies that has an unusually long running time (about two hours and twenty minutes) but doesn't feel long in the slightest. It's pure gold all the way through, from the opening frames right to the ridiculously moving finale. ****
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Harsh Times
HARSH TIMES (2005) - July 19, 2008
Mostly plotless, about the exploits of a couple of friends in a tough part of LA, this film was essentially a showcase for a stunning performance by Christian Bale (playing a character who couldn't be more different from Bruce Wayne). Its rambling, unfocused vibe hurts it a bit, and it goes of the deep end towards the end, but it is redeemed by the above-average performances. **1/2
Mostly plotless, about the exploits of a couple of friends in a tough part of LA, this film was essentially a showcase for a stunning performance by Christian Bale (playing a character who couldn't be more different from Bruce Wayne). Its rambling, unfocused vibe hurts it a bit, and it goes of the deep end towards the end, but it is redeemed by the above-average performances. **1/2
Friday, July 18, 2008
The Dark Knight
THE DARK KNIGHT (2008) - July 18, 2008
Though this film has been hyped up to an almost ludicrous degree, I think it actually manages to live up to the hype; this is a really good film, maybe even a great one, and one I think I'll have to see at least once more to fully appreciate. The film does a phenomenal job of capturing what makes the character of Batman -- and the world he lives in -- great. It helps that everyone involved is pretty much at the top of their game: Christopher Nolan's direction is just as good as it has ever been (including the action, a notable weak spot in the original) and his screenplay is complex and real without ever losing sight of the fact that this is a summer action movie, and a Batman movie. The performances are all superb, including, of course, the much-ballyhooed Heath Ledger, who gives a pitch-perfect rendering of the Joker. The film is exciting, featuring a perfect balance between action and plot; it's long but it doesn't feel it at all. It essentially takes everything that was good about Batman Begins and makes it better, removing all the less-effective stuff in the process. ****
Though this film has been hyped up to an almost ludicrous degree, I think it actually manages to live up to the hype; this is a really good film, maybe even a great one, and one I think I'll have to see at least once more to fully appreciate. The film does a phenomenal job of capturing what makes the character of Batman -- and the world he lives in -- great. It helps that everyone involved is pretty much at the top of their game: Christopher Nolan's direction is just as good as it has ever been (including the action, a notable weak spot in the original) and his screenplay is complex and real without ever losing sight of the fact that this is a summer action movie, and a Batman movie. The performances are all superb, including, of course, the much-ballyhooed Heath Ledger, who gives a pitch-perfect rendering of the Joker. The film is exciting, featuring a perfect balance between action and plot; it's long but it doesn't feel it at all. It essentially takes everything that was good about Batman Begins and makes it better, removing all the less-effective stuff in the process. ****
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Batman Begins
BATMAN BEGINS (2005) - July 17, 2008 (Third Viewing)
This held up a lot better the third time than the second (the close proximity between the first and second viewings probably didn't help) -- this is definitely a well above average summer blockbuster. My only major complaint this time around is the action; it's not the worst action ever, but it's definitely mediocre. Thankfully, there's not all that much of it. Above all, this is just a really good drama. Christian Bale is perfect as Batman / Bruce Wayne, and he's surrounded by equally talented actors. And Christopher Nolan's direction, excluding the action, is expectedly stellar. ***1/2
This held up a lot better the third time than the second (the close proximity between the first and second viewings probably didn't help) -- this is definitely a well above average summer blockbuster. My only major complaint this time around is the action; it's not the worst action ever, but it's definitely mediocre. Thankfully, there's not all that much of it. Above all, this is just a really good drama. Christian Bale is perfect as Batman / Bruce Wayne, and he's surrounded by equally talented actors. And Christopher Nolan's direction, excluding the action, is expectedly stellar. ***1/2
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Wanted
WANTED (2008) - July 16, 2008
That wasn't so good. Loosely based on Mark Millar's ultra-violent comic about a world taken over by supervillians, this was about a young man who finds out that his father was a member of a fraternity of assassins, and that he's inherited skills from his father that make him a killing machine. It's entertaining for a while, in a really over-the-top sort of way, but after a while it starts getting tiresome and seriously wears out its welcome. There are a couple of decent action sequences here, but for the most part they're bogged down by the director's relentless flashiness. **
That wasn't so good. Loosely based on Mark Millar's ultra-violent comic about a world taken over by supervillians, this was about a young man who finds out that his father was a member of a fraternity of assassins, and that he's inherited skills from his father that make him a killing machine. It's entertaining for a while, in a really over-the-top sort of way, but after a while it starts getting tiresome and seriously wears out its welcome. There are a couple of decent action sequences here, but for the most part they're bogged down by the director's relentless flashiness. **
Monday, July 14, 2008
Hellboy
HELLBOY (2004) - July 14, 2008 (Second Viewing)
A really enjoyable film about a demon, escaped from hell, who helps the U.S. government fight various monsters. Featuring the type of inventive visuals Guillermo del Toro has become known for, this is just a really fun movie. ***1/2
A really enjoyable film about a demon, escaped from hell, who helps the U.S. government fight various monsters. Featuring the type of inventive visuals Guillermo del Toro has become known for, this is just a really fun movie. ***1/2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)