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. ****
Short reviews of all the movies I see, rated out of four. Reviews containing spoilers are marked with an (S).
Monday, November 06, 2006
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. **
Sunday, October 29, 2006
The Squid and the Whale
THE SQUID AND THE WHALE (2005) - Oct. 29, 2006
A really well acted film about a couple going through a divorce, and the effect this has on their two kids. The performances were all quite good, though Jeff Daniels was definitely the standout as a pompous writer whose best days are behind him. Written and directed by Noah Baumbach, who collaborated with Wes Anderson on the Life Aquatic, this reminded me of Anderson's films in some ways. Not in the visual style, obviously, but in the way it was written and in the characters (it sort of reminded me of the Royal Tenenbaums). ***
A really well acted film about a couple going through a divorce, and the effect this has on their two kids. The performances were all quite good, though Jeff Daniels was definitely the standout as a pompous writer whose best days are behind him. Written and directed by Noah Baumbach, who collaborated with Wes Anderson on the Life Aquatic, this reminded me of Anderson's films in some ways. Not in the visual style, obviously, but in the way it was written and in the characters (it sort of reminded me of the Royal Tenenbaums). ***
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Double Indemnity
DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944) - Oct. 28, 2006
Fred MacMurray was good as an insurance agent who gets caught up in a scheme involving murder in this film noir by Billy Wilder. Barbara Stanwyck made for a good femme fatale, and Edward G. Robinson stole every scene he was in as MacMurray's surly boss. The film was really well written (not surprising considering it was cowritten by Wilder and Raymond Chandler) and featured expectedly snappy dialogue. it slowed down a bit in parts, but was otherwise quite good. ***
Fred MacMurray was good as an insurance agent who gets caught up in a scheme involving murder in this film noir by Billy Wilder. Barbara Stanwyck made for a good femme fatale, and Edward G. Robinson stole every scene he was in as MacMurray's surly boss. The film was really well written (not surprising considering it was cowritten by Wilder and Raymond Chandler) and featured expectedly snappy dialogue. it slowed down a bit in parts, but was otherwise quite good. ***
Friday, October 27, 2006
Saw III
SAW III - Oct. 27, 2006
A decent conclusion to the Saw trilogy (the first Saw trilogy, at least -- obviously, more will me made, though I'm not sure where they'll go from here). Featuring mediocre direction from Darren Lynn Bousman, whose over-reliance on quick cuts got annoying fast. Jigsaw's traps are getting a bit old at this point, and the film seemed somewhat pointless at first, though it did improve as it progressed. On the plus side it was quite brutal, with the highlight clearly being the scene in which Jigsaw receives brain surgery (the audience reaction when the doctor pulled out the little power saw was worth the price of admission alone). **1/2
A decent conclusion to the Saw trilogy (the first Saw trilogy, at least -- obviously, more will me made, though I'm not sure where they'll go from here). Featuring mediocre direction from Darren Lynn Bousman, whose over-reliance on quick cuts got annoying fast. Jigsaw's traps are getting a bit old at this point, and the film seemed somewhat pointless at first, though it did improve as it progressed. On the plus side it was quite brutal, with the highlight clearly being the scene in which Jigsaw receives brain surgery (the audience reaction when the doctor pulled out the little power saw was worth the price of admission alone). **1/2
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Full Tilt Boogie
FULL TILT BOOGIE (1997) - Oct. 26, 2006
An enjoyable and in-depth documentary about the production of From Dusk Till Dawn. Looks at pretty much every aspect of the production of the film, though it doesn't go into pre or post-production, which would have been interesting (though I suppose it would have had to have been much longer at that point). The film unfortunately dwells quite a bit on all the union troubles the production had, at which point the movie slows down considerably. **1/2
An enjoyable and in-depth documentary about the production of From Dusk Till Dawn. Looks at pretty much every aspect of the production of the film, though it doesn't go into pre or post-production, which would have been interesting (though I suppose it would have had to have been much longer at that point). The film unfortunately dwells quite a bit on all the union troubles the production had, at which point the movie slows down considerably. **1/2
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG (1964) - Oct. 24, 2006
An interesting musical about a young couple in love. It was quite different from the usual musical in that there wasn't a single spoken line of dialogue -- everything is sung (though there aren't really any songs in the movie, more like sung dialogue). It sounds strange, but it actually does work. Featuring some very colourful direction from Jaques Demy, and good performances all around. ***
An interesting musical about a young couple in love. It was quite different from the usual musical in that there wasn't a single spoken line of dialogue -- everything is sung (though there aren't really any songs in the movie, more like sung dialogue). It sounds strange, but it actually does work. Featuring some very colourful direction from Jaques Demy, and good performances all around. ***
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Stray Dog
STRAY DOG (1949) - Oct. 22, 2006
About a cop whose gun is stolen, and who then becomes determined to catch the man who is using it to perpetrate a series of crimes, this was really well directed by Akira Kurosawa, though it was somewhat slow paced. Toshiro Mifune gave an excellent performance as the cop, and though the movie felt slightly overlong, it was really well made (though the quality of the transfer on the Criterion DVD was surprisingly bad). ***
About a cop whose gun is stolen, and who then becomes determined to catch the man who is using it to perpetrate a series of crimes, this was really well directed by Akira Kurosawa, though it was somewhat slow paced. Toshiro Mifune gave an excellent performance as the cop, and though the movie felt slightly overlong, it was really well made (though the quality of the transfer on the Criterion DVD was surprisingly bad). ***
Friday, October 20, 2006
The Prestige
THE PRESTIGE (2006) - Oct. 20, 2006
Another winner from Christopher Nolan. About a couple of rival magicians who obsess over out-doing each other, this was a really twisty, well made film. Christopher Nolan's direction was quite good, and of course the film was told in a non-linear fashion (which worked really well). Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale were both perfect in their roles, and the film was very entertaining throughout despite a run-time of over two hours. ***1/2
Another winner from Christopher Nolan. About a couple of rival magicians who obsess over out-doing each other, this was a really twisty, well made film. Christopher Nolan's direction was quite good, and of course the film was told in a non-linear fashion (which worked really well). Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale were both perfect in their roles, and the film was very entertaining throughout despite a run-time of over two hours. ***1/2
Breathless
BREATHLESS (1960) - Oct. 20, 2006
I'm not sure if this is my first or second viewing of this film. I know I've seen the first 10 minutes, but after that it stopped being familiar. Anyway, this was a good, surprisingly straight-forward film from Jean-Luc Godard about a man on the run after shooting a cop. ***
I'm not sure if this is my first or second viewing of this film. I know I've seen the first 10 minutes, but after that it stopped being familiar. Anyway, this was a good, surprisingly straight-forward film from Jean-Luc Godard about a man on the run after shooting a cop. ***
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Flags of our Fathers
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (2006) - Oct. 18, 2006
A really well made but somewhat overlong film about the men who raised the flag at Iwo Jima, focusing on the three men who survived the battle and who were forced to tour the country hawking war bonds. Featuring uniformly excellent performances, particularly Ryan Phillippe and Adam Beach, and expectedly stellar direction from Clint Eastwood. The film managed to strike a good balance between visceral combat scenes, and more dramatic scenes with the three men dealing with their memories of the war back home. ***
A really well made but somewhat overlong film about the men who raised the flag at Iwo Jima, focusing on the three men who survived the battle and who were forced to tour the country hawking war bonds. Featuring uniformly excellent performances, particularly Ryan Phillippe and Adam Beach, and expectedly stellar direction from Clint Eastwood. The film managed to strike a good balance between visceral combat scenes, and more dramatic scenes with the three men dealing with their memories of the war back home. ***
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Weird Science
WEIRD SCIENCE (1985) - Oct. 15, 2006
Well, that was definitely one of John Hughes' weaker films, and a bit of a let-down considering that it has attained somewhat of a cult status over the years. About a couple of social outcasts who somehow manage to make a woman with their computer, the sort of fairy tale premise wears thin after a while, and the whole thing is a bit too silly to ever really get into. It was well acted and well made, but it just didn't really work (for me, at least). **
Well, that was definitely one of John Hughes' weaker films, and a bit of a let-down considering that it has attained somewhat of a cult status over the years. About a couple of social outcasts who somehow manage to make a woman with their computer, the sort of fairy tale premise wears thin after a while, and the whole thing is a bit too silly to ever really get into. It was well acted and well made, but it just didn't really work (for me, at least). **
Saturday, October 14, 2006
The Grudge 2
THE GRUDGE 2 (2006) - Oct. 14, 2006
This was a decent sequel, but it's hard for me to completely judge this film as I saw it with a really terrible audience. Featuring three different storylines about people who are affected by that crazy grudge house, the film was, like the first one, basically just a series of scary set-pieces. Some of these sequences were more effective than others, which made the film feel somewhat uneven. And though the whole concept of a long-haired ghost stalking people has lost a bit of its freshness (putting it mildly) the film actually does manage to be pretty creepy in parts, if not very original. I thought this was okay, but who knows, maybe I would have liked it more if I hadn't seen it with such a crappy audience. **1/2
This was a decent sequel, but it's hard for me to completely judge this film as I saw it with a really terrible audience. Featuring three different storylines about people who are affected by that crazy grudge house, the film was, like the first one, basically just a series of scary set-pieces. Some of these sequences were more effective than others, which made the film feel somewhat uneven. And though the whole concept of a long-haired ghost stalking people has lost a bit of its freshness (putting it mildly) the film actually does manage to be pretty creepy in parts, if not very original. I thought this was okay, but who knows, maybe I would have liked it more if I hadn't seen it with such a crappy audience. **1/2
Friday, October 13, 2006
Eyes Without a Face
EYES WITHOUT A FACE (1959) - Oct. 13, 2006
An eerie film about a surgeon whose goal is to replace his daughter's face after she is disfigured in a car accident. The film is well made and a bit unsettling in parts, but it's too slow-paced to ever really get into. **1/2
An eerie film about a surgeon whose goal is to replace his daughter's face after she is disfigured in a car accident. The film is well made and a bit unsettling in parts, but it's too slow-paced to ever really get into. **1/2
Forgotten Silver
FORGOTTEN SILVER (1995) - Oct. 13, 2006
An enjoyable and well made mockumentary about a fictional unknown New Zealand director who discovered sound and colour before anyone else. The film was entertaining and reasonably convincing (I can see people being fooled by it, though I did find it a bit sad that a classroom full of film students were pretty much all fooled). ***
An enjoyable and well made mockumentary about a fictional unknown New Zealand director who discovered sound and colour before anyone else. The film was entertaining and reasonably convincing (I can see people being fooled by it, though I did find it a bit sad that a classroom full of film students were pretty much all fooled). ***
Kiss me Deadly
KISS ME DEADLY (1955) - Oct. 13, 2006
About a private eye who finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy after he begins to investigate the death of a hitchhiker he picked up, this was a well made film noir. The direction was good (I particularly liked the scene in the boxing ring), as was the acting, though the film was probably a bit overlong. Then there is the bizarre ending, which clearly inspired the glowing suitcase from Pulp Fiction, and which really has to be seen to be believed. ***
About a private eye who finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy after he begins to investigate the death of a hitchhiker he picked up, this was a well made film noir. The direction was good (I particularly liked the scene in the boxing ring), as was the acting, though the film was probably a bit overlong. Then there is the bizarre ending, which clearly inspired the glowing suitcase from Pulp Fiction, and which really has to be seen to be believed. ***
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Man of the Year
MAN OF THE YEAR (2006) - Oct. 11, 2006
A decent but sort of mediocre film by Barry Levinson about a Jon Stewart-esque comedian who decides to run for president (and wins). The performances were good, and the whole thing was affable enough for the first hour or so, if nothing too great, but things went downhill in the second half. It was definitely too long by at least half an hour; it really starts to drag towards the end. Plus there's a bunch of time spent with Laura Linney's character, a lot of which seems superfluous (the stuff towards the end where the film suddenly turns into a political thriller was out of place and unnecessary). The movie would have probably been better off focusing more on the stuff with Robin Williams, and less on the whole vote-count conspiracy thing (or not at all on the vote-count conspiracy thing, it was pretty stupid). **1/2
A decent but sort of mediocre film by Barry Levinson about a Jon Stewart-esque comedian who decides to run for president (and wins). The performances were good, and the whole thing was affable enough for the first hour or so, if nothing too great, but things went downhill in the second half. It was definitely too long by at least half an hour; it really starts to drag towards the end. Plus there's a bunch of time spent with Laura Linney's character, a lot of which seems superfluous (the stuff towards the end where the film suddenly turns into a political thriller was out of place and unnecessary). The movie would have probably been better off focusing more on the stuff with Robin Williams, and less on the whole vote-count conspiracy thing (or not at all on the vote-count conspiracy thing, it was pretty stupid). **1/2
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Crimes and Misdemeanors
CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS (1989) - Oct. 8, 2006 (Fourth or Fifth Viewing)
I think I needed to watch a really good movie to get the stink of Texas Chainsaw off me. And they don't come much better than this; this is a great film and almost certainly Woody Allen's best. Featuring excellent performances from Anjelica Huston, Alan Alda, Mia Farrow and Sam Waterston. And then of course there's Martin Landau, who gives what has to be one of the best performances of all time as an opthamologist who has to deal with the guilt after having his mistress killed. Woody Allen is in peak form here: his writing and direction are pretty much perfect, and he gives one of his better performances as a struggling documentarian. Good stuff. ****
I think I needed to watch a really good movie to get the stink of Texas Chainsaw off me. And they don't come much better than this; this is a great film and almost certainly Woody Allen's best. Featuring excellent performances from Anjelica Huston, Alan Alda, Mia Farrow and Sam Waterston. And then of course there's Martin Landau, who gives what has to be one of the best performances of all time as an opthamologist who has to deal with the guilt after having his mistress killed. Woody Allen is in peak form here: his writing and direction are pretty much perfect, and he gives one of his better performances as a struggling documentarian. Good stuff. ****
Saturday, October 07, 2006
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING (2006) - Oct. 7, 2006
Hate is not a strong enough word to describe my feelings for this film. I loathed this movie. I despised it. I thought that there was nowhere to go but up after the last one, but I could not have been more wrong. This was an unpleasant, boring, repugnant and ugly little film. The characters were flat and underdeveloped, even by horror movie standards; the same goes for the plot. The film simply lurched from one scene of sadistic gore to the next - it's neither scary nor suspenseful - with nothing propelling the movie forward other than a desire to be as gross and unpleasant as possible. This was essentially a snuff film, but then I'm sure that even some snuff films are made with more intelligence and artistry than this festering, putrid pile of rat vomit. ZERO STARS
Hate is not a strong enough word to describe my feelings for this film. I loathed this movie. I despised it. I thought that there was nowhere to go but up after the last one, but I could not have been more wrong. This was an unpleasant, boring, repugnant and ugly little film. The characters were flat and underdeveloped, even by horror movie standards; the same goes for the plot. The film simply lurched from one scene of sadistic gore to the next - it's neither scary nor suspenseful - with nothing propelling the movie forward other than a desire to be as gross and unpleasant as possible. This was essentially a snuff film, but then I'm sure that even some snuff films are made with more intelligence and artistry than this festering, putrid pile of rat vomit. ZERO STARS
Thursday, October 05, 2006
The Passion of Joan of Arc
THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC (1928) - Oct. 5, 2006
About Joan of Arc's last days before being burned at the stake, this was an interesting film. It was definitely well made, though the abundant use of close-ups did get a bit tiresome after a while (the protagonist is seen almost exclusively through close-ups -- I think it must be some kind of record). **1/2
About Joan of Arc's last days before being burned at the stake, this was an interesting film. It was definitely well made, though the abundant use of close-ups did get a bit tiresome after a while (the protagonist is seen almost exclusively through close-ups -- I think it must be some kind of record). **1/2
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
The Departed
THE DEPARTED (2006) - Oct. 4, 2006
A really well-made film by Martin Scorsese about a violent mobster, the undercover cop trying to take him down, and the corrupt cop helping him out. The film was exceptionally well acted, and unsurprisingly, very well directed. It was probably a tad overlong, but that's a minor complaint. ***1/2
A really well-made film by Martin Scorsese about a violent mobster, the undercover cop trying to take him down, and the corrupt cop helping him out. The film was exceptionally well acted, and unsurprisingly, very well directed. It was probably a tad overlong, but that's a minor complaint. ***1/2
Lost in La Mancha
LOST IN LA MANCHA (2002) - Oct. 4, 2006 (Second Viewing)
A documentary about the disastrous and ill-fated production of Terry Gilliam's Don Quixote. This was an interesting film, if only to see all the things that can go wrong over the course of making a movie. This wasn't particularly something I needed to see twice, but it was entertaining. ***
A documentary about the disastrous and ill-fated production of Terry Gilliam's Don Quixote. This was an interesting film, if only to see all the things that can go wrong over the course of making a movie. This wasn't particularly something I needed to see twice, but it was entertaining. ***
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Goodfellas
GOODFELLAS (2006) - Oct. 1, 2006 (Third or Fourth Viewing)
A classic. What can I say about this movie? It was perfectly directed by Martin Scorsese (who always seems to find the perfect musical accompaniment to every scene), and features really excellent performances from Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci and Lorraine Bracco, and an electrifying lead performance from Ray Liotta. It was really long but doesn't feel it at all. I have no complaints about this movie. ****
A classic. What can I say about this movie? It was perfectly directed by Martin Scorsese (who always seems to find the perfect musical accompaniment to every scene), and features really excellent performances from Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci and Lorraine Bracco, and an electrifying lead performance from Ray Liotta. It was really long but doesn't feel it at all. I have no complaints about this movie. ****
Saturday, September 30, 2006
It Came from Beneath the Sea
IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA (1955) - Sept. 30, 2006
A dated and surprisingly dull film about giant killer octopus who eventually attacks San Francisco. A big problem with this film was that the octopus itself barely got any screentime; the majority of the film consists of a couple of scientists and a naval officer's attempts to figure out what the creature is, and how to kill it (and a pointless love triangle between the three). Robert Gordon's dull direction doesn't help matters. Ray Harryhousen's special effects, though obviously far from realistic, are pretty much the only interesting thing about the movie. It's also pretty obvious that Gore Verbinski was inspired by this movie, as the scene in Dead Man's Chest where a boat gets attacked by the octopus was pretty much identical to a scene in this film. *1/2
A dated and surprisingly dull film about giant killer octopus who eventually attacks San Francisco. A big problem with this film was that the octopus itself barely got any screentime; the majority of the film consists of a couple of scientists and a naval officer's attempts to figure out what the creature is, and how to kill it (and a pointless love triangle between the three). Robert Gordon's dull direction doesn't help matters. Ray Harryhousen's special effects, though obviously far from realistic, are pretty much the only interesting thing about the movie. It's also pretty obvious that Gore Verbinski was inspired by this movie, as the scene in Dead Man's Chest where a boat gets attacked by the octopus was pretty much identical to a scene in this film. *1/2
Friday, September 29, 2006
Witness to Murder
WITNESS TO MURDER (1954) - Sept. 29, 2006
A mostly entertaining but fairly routine film noir about a woman who witnesses a murder and then struggles to prove what she saw. It was decently directed by Roy Rowland, and featured expectedly shadowy cinematography (I particularly liked the sequence set in the mental facility). The performances were all fine, though George Sanders was definitely the highlight as the killer, giving an enjoyably sinister performance. **1/2
A mostly entertaining but fairly routine film noir about a woman who witnesses a murder and then struggles to prove what she saw. It was decently directed by Roy Rowland, and featured expectedly shadowy cinematography (I particularly liked the sequence set in the mental facility). The performances were all fine, though George Sanders was definitely the highlight as the killer, giving an enjoyably sinister performance. **1/2
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (1920) - Sept. 29, 2006 (Second Viewing)
Though this wasn't quite as bad as I remember it being, it still isn't quite the classic a lot of people make it out to be. It's sort of interesting, mostly from a historical standpoint, but it isn't very entertaining. The artificial looking sets and stagey direction make this little more than a curiosity. **
Though this wasn't quite as bad as I remember it being, it still isn't quite the classic a lot of people make it out to be. It's sort of interesting, mostly from a historical standpoint, but it isn't very entertaining. The artificial looking sets and stagey direction make this little more than a curiosity. **
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles
RIDING ALONE FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES (2005) - Sept. 28, 2006
The Zhangster strikes again! This was a really moving film about a Japanese father, estranged from his dying son, who journeys to China in order to film a Chinese Opera in the hopes of reconnecting with his son. This was a really good looking film. I was just mentioning how John Huston is right up there with Kubrick in terms of his visuals; Yimou is even better (than Huston, not Kubrick, though he's close). Though the version I saw, infuriatingly, was partially out of focus. Along with Yimou's stellar direction was a really remarkable performance by Ken Takakura, who is pretty much perfect as the father who has a hard time expressing his emotions. It was a really really good performance, at a level you don't see too often. And man, towards the end... I don't think a movie has so thoroughly moved me to tears since Titanic. ***1/2
The Zhangster strikes again! This was a really moving film about a Japanese father, estranged from his dying son, who journeys to China in order to film a Chinese Opera in the hopes of reconnecting with his son. This was a really good looking film. I was just mentioning how John Huston is right up there with Kubrick in terms of his visuals; Yimou is even better (than Huston, not Kubrick, though he's close). Though the version I saw, infuriatingly, was partially out of focus. Along with Yimou's stellar direction was a really remarkable performance by Ken Takakura, who is pretty much perfect as the father who has a hard time expressing his emotions. It was a really really good performance, at a level you don't see too often. And man, towards the end... I don't think a movie has so thoroughly moved me to tears since Titanic. ***1/2
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Broken Blossoms or the Yellow Man and the Girl
BROKEN BLOSSOMS OR THE YELLOW MAN AND THE GIRL (1919) - Sept. 27, 2006
This was actually quite a bit better than I thought it would be, considering how much I disliked the two other D.W. Griffith films that I've seen (Birth of a Nation and Intolerance). It's short (90 minutes) unlike those two, which helps. About a romance between a British girl and a Chinese immigrant, I'm sure Griffith had good intentions while making it, but it still comes off as pretty racist (the Chinese character is played by a white guy, and he's constantly being referred to as a chink -- even his girlfriend calls him "chinky" at one point). But as far as silent films go it was well made and reasonably entertaining. **1/2
This was actually quite a bit better than I thought it would be, considering how much I disliked the two other D.W. Griffith films that I've seen (Birth of a Nation and Intolerance). It's short (90 minutes) unlike those two, which helps. About a romance between a British girl and a Chinese immigrant, I'm sure Griffith had good intentions while making it, but it still comes off as pretty racist (the Chinese character is played by a white guy, and he's constantly being referred to as a chink -- even his girlfriend calls him "chinky" at one point). But as far as silent films go it was well made and reasonably entertaining. **1/2
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Living in Oblivion
LIVING IN OBLIVION (1995) - Sept. 26, 2006
An enjoyable film about a day in the life of the production of a low-budget film. All the performances were quite good, but Steve Buscemi was definitely the highlight as the frazzled director (though Dermot Mulroney also deserves mention as an eye-patch wearing cinematographer). ***
An enjoyable film about a day in the life of the production of a low-budget film. All the performances were quite good, but Steve Buscemi was definitely the highlight as the frazzled director (though Dermot Mulroney also deserves mention as an eye-patch wearing cinematographer). ***
Sunday, September 24, 2006
The Asphalt Jungle
THE ASPHALT JUNGLE (1950) - Sept. 24, 2006
Superbly directed by John Huston, this was a really good heist film about a criminal who gets involved in a big heist, and all the things that go wrong. It sort of reminded me of Rififi, though obviously it's hard to top that film. Sterling Hayden is excellent in the main role, as are all the other performances. The dialogue was really good, and then of course there was Huston's direction. In terms of the composition of his shots I think he's right up there with Kubrick. I particularly liked the final shot of the film. ***1/2
Superbly directed by John Huston, this was a really good heist film about a criminal who gets involved in a big heist, and all the things that go wrong. It sort of reminded me of Rififi, though obviously it's hard to top that film. Sterling Hayden is excellent in the main role, as are all the other performances. The dialogue was really good, and then of course there was Huston's direction. In terms of the composition of his shots I think he's right up there with Kubrick. I particularly liked the final shot of the film. ***1/2
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Jackass Number Two
JACKASS NUMBER TWO (2006) - Sept. 23, 2006
This was exactly what you'd think it would be. Featuring Johnny Knoxville and his wacky band of misfits as they perform outrageous stunts and prank each other. A lot of the stuff they did seemed really dangerous, and it's a wonder that no one got seriously injured. But a lot of it was actually pretty funny in a sick kind of way, and it was essentially entertaining (though it did begin to get a bit monotonous by the end). **1/2
This was exactly what you'd think it would be. Featuring Johnny Knoxville and his wacky band of misfits as they perform outrageous stunts and prank each other. A lot of the stuff they did seemed really dangerous, and it's a wonder that no one got seriously injured. But a lot of it was actually pretty funny in a sick kind of way, and it was essentially entertaining (though it did begin to get a bit monotonous by the end). **1/2
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
The Protector
THE PROTECTOR (2005) - Sept. 19, 2006
I think this might have once been a good film. It's hard to say; half an hour has been cut out of this version leaving it almost completely incomprehensible. Whoever did the cutting did a terrible job -- many scenes seem to begin or end arbitrarily, and the whole film has a choppy, outright confusing feel to it. The film is also, confusingly, dubbed in some parts, and subtitled in others. The action was really good though, with the highlights being the part where Jaa fights his way to the top of a building in one continuous shot, and the part where Jaa takes on a room full of guys, and proceeds to break more arms than Steven Seagal has in his entire career. I really do need to see the original, because this version was clearly butchered. **
I think this might have once been a good film. It's hard to say; half an hour has been cut out of this version leaving it almost completely incomprehensible. Whoever did the cutting did a terrible job -- many scenes seem to begin or end arbitrarily, and the whole film has a choppy, outright confusing feel to it. The film is also, confusingly, dubbed in some parts, and subtitled in others. The action was really good though, with the highlights being the part where Jaa fights his way to the top of a building in one continuous shot, and the part where Jaa takes on a room full of guys, and proceeds to break more arms than Steven Seagal has in his entire career. I really do need to see the original, because this version was clearly butchered. **
Monday, September 18, 2006
The Player
THE PLAYER (1992) - Sept. 18, 2006
This movie starts out with an impressively long tracking shot, which soon reveals itself to be the highlight of the film. Not that there was anything particularly wrong with the movie, it just wasn't all that great. Tim Robbins was good as a sleazy movie executive who finds himself being stalked by a disgruntled screenwriter, as were the rest of the performances, but... Meh. **1/2
This movie starts out with an impressively long tracking shot, which soon reveals itself to be the highlight of the film. Not that there was anything particularly wrong with the movie, it just wasn't all that great. Tim Robbins was good as a sleazy movie executive who finds himself being stalked by a disgruntled screenwriter, as were the rest of the performances, but... Meh. **1/2
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Outsourced
OUTSOURCED (2006) - Sept. 16, 2006
An enjoyable romantic comedy that is undone by a severe case of overlength. About a guy whose job is outsourced, and who has to go to India to train his replacements, the film is initially delightful, but has definitely worn out its welcome by the time the end credits roll. Which is too bad, because it definitely had a lot of promise. **1/2
An enjoyable romantic comedy that is undone by a severe case of overlength. About a guy whose job is outsourced, and who has to go to India to train his replacements, the film is initially delightful, but has definitely worn out its welcome by the time the end credits roll. Which is too bad, because it definitely had a lot of promise. **1/2
The Missing Star
THE MISSING STAR (2006) - Sept. 16, 2006
A well made but outrageously slow-paced film about an Italian mechanic who travels to China in order to fix a machine sold to a Chinese company by his employers. He doesn't know what company actually bought the machine, so pretty much the entire film consists of him and his interpreter wandering around China searching for the right factory. The movie was well directed and the performances were fine, but jeez. It was just so slow, it was difficult to ever really get into it. **
A well made but outrageously slow-paced film about an Italian mechanic who travels to China in order to fix a machine sold to a Chinese company by his employers. He doesn't know what company actually bought the machine, so pretty much the entire film consists of him and his interpreter wandering around China searching for the right factory. The movie was well directed and the performances were fine, but jeez. It was just so slow, it was difficult to ever really get into it. **
The Caiman
THE CAIMAN (2006) - Sept. 16, 2006
A disappointing film from Nanni Moretti. About a washed-up film producer, and his attempt to mount a comeback with a film criticizing Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Moretti clearly doesn't care for Berlusconi; a big chunk of the film is footage from the movie within the movie in which Berlusconi is essentially portrayed as an incompetent criminal. The rest of the film was okay, but it didn't really amount to much. **1/2
A disappointing film from Nanni Moretti. About a washed-up film producer, and his attempt to mount a comeback with a film criticizing Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Moretti clearly doesn't care for Berlusconi; a big chunk of the film is footage from the movie within the movie in which Berlusconi is essentially portrayed as an incompetent criminal. The rest of the film was okay, but it didn't really amount to much. **1/2
The Dog Problem
THE DOG PROBLEM (2006) - Sept. 16, 2006
A really enjoyable and surprisingly well-made film (surprising considering it is written and directed by Scott Caan, from whom you wouldn't really expect much). But it was quite well made, and featured a really good performance from Giovanni Ribisi. The other performances were equally good, and the writing and direction were both top-notch. ***1/2
A really enjoyable and surprisingly well-made film (surprising considering it is written and directed by Scott Caan, from whom you wouldn't really expect much). But it was quite well made, and featured a really good performance from Giovanni Ribisi. The other performances were equally good, and the writing and direction were both top-notch. ***1/2
Friday, September 15, 2006
Seraphim Falls
SERAPHIM FALLS (2006) - Sept. 15, 2006
Featuring a couple of very grizzled performances from Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson, this was a really well made western. The plot was simple: one man (with the help of four hired hands) hunts down another. Much of the movie is without dialogue, focusing on Brosnan's character as he attempts to elude his hunters. It definitely worked, though the ending dragged on a bit longer than it really should have. If nothing else, it's worth it for the scene in which Brosnan removes a bullet from his arm, then cleans and cauterizes the wound with nothing but some whiskey, a large knife and a campfire. ***
Featuring a couple of very grizzled performances from Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson, this was a really well made western. The plot was simple: one man (with the help of four hired hands) hunts down another. Much of the movie is without dialogue, focusing on Brosnan's character as he attempts to elude his hunters. It definitely worked, though the ending dragged on a bit longer than it really should have. If nothing else, it's worth it for the scene in which Brosnan removes a bullet from his arm, then cleans and cauterizes the wound with nothing but some whiskey, a large knife and a campfire. ***
Golden Door
GOLDEN DOOR (2006) - Sept. 15, 2006
About a family of Italians who decide to immigrate to America in the early 20th century (the exact year is never mentioned). The film, directed by Emanuele Crialese, who also directed the excellent Respiro, is certainly well made, but very very slow. It's never actually boring, but it's about as slow-paced as a movie can get without crossing the line into boring territory. It helps that it's really well acted and directed (plus it's Italian, so you pretty much know what you're getting into in terms of pace -- but even for an Italian movie this was slow). **1/2
About a family of Italians who decide to immigrate to America in the early 20th century (the exact year is never mentioned). The film, directed by Emanuele Crialese, who also directed the excellent Respiro, is certainly well made, but very very slow. It's never actually boring, but it's about as slow-paced as a movie can get without crossing the line into boring territory. It helps that it's really well acted and directed (plus it's Italian, so you pretty much know what you're getting into in terms of pace -- but even for an Italian movie this was slow). **1/2
Thursday, September 14, 2006
The Half Life of Timofey Berezin
THE HALF LIFE OF TIMOFEY BEREZIN (2006) - Sept. 14, 2006
This was odd. For the first half or so, it almost feels like two different films: there's the stuff with the father who, in an accident at work, gets a lethal case of radiation poisoning, and then there's the Guy Ritchie-esque stuff with three bumbling gangsters trying to raise six thousand dollars for their boss. The plots do eventually converge, and it isn't quite as jarring as you'd think it would be (the gangster story becomes a bit more serious to match the tone of the radiation story). It was interesting, but I'm not entirely sure it worked; I think I'd rather have one story or the other (preferably the serious one, because the gangster stuff wasn't exactly fresh). Paddy Constantine, as the man with radiation poisoning, was almost certainly the highlight, as he gave a really excellent performance. **1/2
This was odd. For the first half or so, it almost feels like two different films: there's the stuff with the father who, in an accident at work, gets a lethal case of radiation poisoning, and then there's the Guy Ritchie-esque stuff with three bumbling gangsters trying to raise six thousand dollars for their boss. The plots do eventually converge, and it isn't quite as jarring as you'd think it would be (the gangster story becomes a bit more serious to match the tone of the radiation story). It was interesting, but I'm not entirely sure it worked; I think I'd rather have one story or the other (preferably the serious one, because the gangster stuff wasn't exactly fresh). Paddy Constantine, as the man with radiation poisoning, was almost certainly the highlight, as he gave a really excellent performance. **1/2
Black Book
BLACK BOOK (2006) - Sept. 14, 2006
A really well made, entertaining film about a Polish Jew in Germany, and her struggles to survive during World War II, eventually joining the resistance. She infiltrates Nazi headquarters by wooing a high-ranking German officer, and finds herself falling in love with him. The film was almost two and a half hours long but doesn't feel long at all -- my interest didn't wane for a second, which is rare for a movie of this length. The film was really well directed by Paul Verhoeven, and is a good companion piece for the equally excellent Soldier of Orange. It also features an outstanding lead performance from Carice van Houten (and in fact all the performances were really good). This is Verhoeven's first film in six years; I hope it isn't another six for the next one. ****
A really well made, entertaining film about a Polish Jew in Germany, and her struggles to survive during World War II, eventually joining the resistance. She infiltrates Nazi headquarters by wooing a high-ranking German officer, and finds herself falling in love with him. The film was almost two and a half hours long but doesn't feel long at all -- my interest didn't wane for a second, which is rare for a movie of this length. The film was really well directed by Paul Verhoeven, and is a good companion piece for the equally excellent Soldier of Orange. It also features an outstanding lead performance from Carice van Houten (and in fact all the performances were really good). This is Verhoeven's first film in six years; I hope it isn't another six for the next one. ****
A Few Days in September
A FEW DAYS IN SEPTEMBER (2006) - Sept. 14, 2006
Here's another one I'll have to watch again. About three people waiting for a reunion with a spy of some sort, this movie seemed pretty good (though the intentionally out-of-focus cinematography got a bit annoying after a while) but I was asleep during a lot of it (and that's not a condemnation of the movie, I was just really really tired). So yeah, hopefully it'll get a release at some point because I really should watch it again. NO RATING
Here's another one I'll have to watch again. About three people waiting for a reunion with a spy of some sort, this movie seemed pretty good (though the intentionally out-of-focus cinematography got a bit annoying after a while) but I was asleep during a lot of it (and that's not a condemnation of the movie, I was just really really tired). So yeah, hopefully it'll get a release at some point because I really should watch it again. NO RATING
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
The Last Winter
THE LAST WINTER (2006) - Sept. 13, 2006 (S)
Jeez, talk about wasted potential. About a team of workers out in the Alaskan tundra who are supposed to build a new oil pipeline, and the weird stuff that starts happening once they get there. Though the film is very well acted (Ron Perlman and James LeGros were particularly good) and generally well made, it's ultimately undone by its overt preachiness (we GET it, global warming is bad) and some really stupid stuff towards the end that may have seemed good on paper... actually no, I can't imagine that it would seem like a good idea anywhere (murderous caribou ghosts? WTF?). There were some moments here and there that I thought were really effective (the scene where the team watches the final video of one of its members, the scene towards the end where Abby and James attempt to communicate via walkie talkie) and the film's look, with its bleakly white, Fargo-esque landscapes, effectively set the proper mood, but... I dunno, it all seemed to be building up to something really creepy, and what it did build up to was just silly (murderous caribou ghosts!). It sucks, because this could have been a great film and it wasn't even a good one. After the film, I overheard a guy calling it a "middling failure." That sounds about right. **
Jeez, talk about wasted potential. About a team of workers out in the Alaskan tundra who are supposed to build a new oil pipeline, and the weird stuff that starts happening once they get there. Though the film is very well acted (Ron Perlman and James LeGros were particularly good) and generally well made, it's ultimately undone by its overt preachiness (we GET it, global warming is bad) and some really stupid stuff towards the end that may have seemed good on paper... actually no, I can't imagine that it would seem like a good idea anywhere (murderous caribou ghosts? WTF?). There were some moments here and there that I thought were really effective (the scene where the team watches the final video of one of its members, the scene towards the end where Abby and James attempt to communicate via walkie talkie) and the film's look, with its bleakly white, Fargo-esque landscapes, effectively set the proper mood, but... I dunno, it all seemed to be building up to something really creepy, and what it did build up to was just silly (murderous caribou ghosts!). It sucks, because this could have been a great film and it wasn't even a good one. After the film, I overheard a guy calling it a "middling failure." That sounds about right. **
My Best Friend
MY BEST FRIEND (2006) - Sept. 13, 2006
An enjoyable comedy about a man who comes to the realization that he has no real friends, and who proceeds to try to find his best friend within a few days thanks to a bet. He eventually finds a friend in an outgoing but oddly friendless cab driver. The film essentially plays out like a romantic comedy without the romance, complete with a fake breakup between the friends. But it was entertaining, and Daniel Auteuil was quite good in the main role. ***
An enjoyable comedy about a man who comes to the realization that he has no real friends, and who proceeds to try to find his best friend within a few days thanks to a bet. He eventually finds a friend in an outgoing but oddly friendless cab driver. The film essentially plays out like a romantic comedy without the romance, complete with a fake breakup between the friends. But it was entertaining, and Daniel Auteuil was quite good in the main role. ***
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Black Sheep
BLACK SHEEP (2006) - Sept. 12, 2006
About a bunch of sheep who are driven bloodthirsty and mad thanks to some sort of genetic engineering gone wrong, this was expectedly silly but essentially entertaining. Nothing about it stood out as anything too memorable, though there were some pretty good parts (the part where hundreds of angry sheep descend upon a crowd of people was a highlight). This isn't quite in the same league as something like Shaun of the Dead, but it was a diverting enough time-waster. **1/2
About a bunch of sheep who are driven bloodthirsty and mad thanks to some sort of genetic engineering gone wrong, this was expectedly silly but essentially entertaining. Nothing about it stood out as anything too memorable, though there were some pretty good parts (the part where hundreds of angry sheep descend upon a crowd of people was a highlight). This isn't quite in the same league as something like Shaun of the Dead, but it was a diverting enough time-waster. **1/2
Everything's Gone Green
EVERYTHING'S GONE GREEN (2006) - Sept. 12, 2006
A really well made and enjoyable film about a guy who works the lottery office in Vancouver, and who finds himself involved in a scam of sorts. That doesn't really describe the movie too well, but I guess you can't really describe this movie in one sentence. Written by Douglas Coupland, the film features all the hallmarks of Coupland's novels: the quirky characters, the humour, the thoughtful dialogue. You wouldn't think he'd be able to do it, but he really does effectively translate the experience of reading one of his books to the screen. The film is also really well directed by Paul Fox, and features a really excellent central performance from Paulo Costanzo. ***1/2
A really well made and enjoyable film about a guy who works the lottery office in Vancouver, and who finds himself involved in a scam of sorts. That doesn't really describe the movie too well, but I guess you can't really describe this movie in one sentence. Written by Douglas Coupland, the film features all the hallmarks of Coupland's novels: the quirky characters, the humour, the thoughtful dialogue. You wouldn't think he'd be able to do it, but he really does effectively translate the experience of reading one of his books to the screen. The film is also really well directed by Paul Fox, and features a really excellent central performance from Paulo Costanzo. ***1/2
Beauty in Trouble
BEAUTY IN TROUBLE (2006) - Sept. 12, 2006
A well made but slow and sort of overlong film about a married woman who befriends a kindhearted rich man while her husband is in jail (for stealing the rich man's car). The film doesn't have much of a plot, and at times feels a bit pointless, but it was okay. Not the best movie I've seen at the film festival, and not the worst. **1/2
A well made but slow and sort of overlong film about a married woman who befriends a kindhearted rich man while her husband is in jail (for stealing the rich man's car). The film doesn't have much of a plot, and at times feels a bit pointless, but it was okay. Not the best movie I've seen at the film festival, and not the worst. **1/2
Monday, September 11, 2006
10 Items or Less
10 ITEMS OR LESS (2006) - Sept. 11, 2006
Morgan Freeman, essentially playing a variation on himself, gives a phenomenal performance in this film about a past-his-prime actor who strikes up a friendship with a young supermarket clerk (played by Paz Vega, who actually manages to hold her own against Freeman). The film basically just consists of Freeman and Vega talking, but it's really entertaining throughout, mostly thanks to Freeman's charismatic performance and the quality of the dialogue. Good stuff. ***1/2
Morgan Freeman, essentially playing a variation on himself, gives a phenomenal performance in this film about a past-his-prime actor who strikes up a friendship with a young supermarket clerk (played by Paz Vega, who actually manages to hold her own against Freeman). The film basically just consists of Freeman and Vega talking, but it's really entertaining throughout, mostly thanks to Freeman's charismatic performance and the quality of the dialogue. Good stuff. ***1/2
Diggers
DIGGERS (2006) - Sept. 11, 2006
A really well made and well acted film about a group of friends, all clam diggers, who find their livelihood at stake when a large corporation moves in and starts to make things more difficult. Though Ron Eldard, Paul Rudd and Maura Tierney were expectedly excellent (though Eldard didn't have nearly enough to do), Ken Marino was definitely the standout, stealing pretty much every scene he was in. ***
A really well made and well acted film about a group of friends, all clam diggers, who find their livelihood at stake when a large corporation moves in and starts to make things more difficult. Though Ron Eldard, Paul Rudd and Maura Tierney were expectedly excellent (though Eldard didn't have nearly enough to do), Ken Marino was definitely the standout, stealing pretty much every scene he was in. ***
Love and Other Disasters
LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS (2006) - Sept. 11, 2006
An enjoyable but cliched and inconsequential romantic comedy (and just because they acknowledge that they're using cliches, that doesn't make them any less cliched). Brittany Murphy stars as Jacks, who along with her group of quirky friends in London, is on a search for true love. There were no surprises here - this is a movie that features both the fake breakup and the mad dash to the airport - but the film was still well made and an enjoyable enough way to spend an hour and a half. **1/2
An enjoyable but cliched and inconsequential romantic comedy (and just because they acknowledge that they're using cliches, that doesn't make them any less cliched). Brittany Murphy stars as Jacks, who along with her group of quirky friends in London, is on a search for true love. There were no surprises here - this is a movie that features both the fake breakup and the mad dash to the airport - but the film was still well made and an enjoyable enough way to spend an hour and a half. **1/2
Sunday, September 10, 2006
The Host
THE HOST (2006) - Sept. 10, 2006
A really uneven film. About a giant mutated monster terrorizing Korea, this movie had some really good moments, but was otherwise so-so. The first scene with the monster, in which it runs amuck in park full of people was CLEARLY the highlight, and was probably one of the best scenes of its type that I've ever seen. It was awesome, but it was all downhill from there. There were a few other good scenes with the monster, but none of them could come close to the first one. The movie was otherwise way overlong; the family at the centre of the film was probably too large -- the movie could have been trimmed down quite a bit if there weren't so many central characters. **1/2
A really uneven film. About a giant mutated monster terrorizing Korea, this movie had some really good moments, but was otherwise so-so. The first scene with the monster, in which it runs amuck in park full of people was CLEARLY the highlight, and was probably one of the best scenes of its type that I've ever seen. It was awesome, but it was all downhill from there. There were a few other good scenes with the monster, but none of them could come close to the first one. The movie was otherwise way overlong; the family at the centre of the film was probably too large -- the movie could have been trimmed down quite a bit if there weren't so many central characters. **1/2
Shot in the Dark
SHOT IN THE DARK (2006) - Sept. 10, 2006
A really engaging documentary about Adrian Grenier and his efforts to forge a relationship with his long-absent father, and to figure out what being a father really means in the process. The documentary was really well made and entertaining, and Grenier's efforts to reconnect with his dad proved to be surprisingly compelling. The film was at times touching, and at times funny (such as the part where Grenier has to explain the title to his confused psychiatrist). Good stuff. ***1/2
A really engaging documentary about Adrian Grenier and his efforts to forge a relationship with his long-absent father, and to figure out what being a father really means in the process. The documentary was really well made and entertaining, and Grenier's efforts to reconnect with his dad proved to be surprisingly compelling. The film was at times touching, and at times funny (such as the part where Grenier has to explain the title to his confused psychiatrist). Good stuff. ***1/2
Palimpsest
PALIMPSEST (2006) - Sept. 10, 2006
An interesting but really slow-paced drama about a gritty cop trying to solve a murder, and seemingly going crazy in the process. The over-the-top score seemed like it would be more at home in a horror movie, though I suppose it did help set the mood and tone. I really can't say much more about the movie; I was really tired during the screening and was very close to falling asleep on several occasions (and in fact I think I may have actually drifted off at least once). So yeah, another viewing would be a good thing, particularly after the whopper of an ending, which is the type that makes you see the movie in a whole different light. NO RATING
An interesting but really slow-paced drama about a gritty cop trying to solve a murder, and seemingly going crazy in the process. The over-the-top score seemed like it would be more at home in a horror movie, though I suppose it did help set the mood and tone. I really can't say much more about the movie; I was really tired during the screening and was very close to falling asleep on several occasions (and in fact I think I may have actually drifted off at least once). So yeah, another viewing would be a good thing, particularly after the whopper of an ending, which is the type that makes you see the movie in a whole different light. NO RATING
Saturday, September 09, 2006
The Fall
THE FALL (2006)
Another self-indulgent, pretentious stinkpile from Tarsem. I really don't know what to say about this movie. It featured some impressive visuals; they obviously filmed in some interesting places. But the "story" is just pointless, and seems like an excuse to go from one interesting looking place to the next. I'm not sure why Tarsem didn't just make a Baraka type of movie, as the backgrounds seemed to be what he really cared about. Blech. I did like the ending though, with a series of clips of stunts from silent films set to a piece from Beethoven's seventh symphony. *1/2
Another self-indulgent, pretentious stinkpile from Tarsem. I really don't know what to say about this movie. It featured some impressive visuals; they obviously filmed in some interesting places. But the "story" is just pointless, and seems like an excuse to go from one interesting looking place to the next. I'm not sure why Tarsem didn't just make a Baraka type of movie, as the backgrounds seemed to be what he really cared about. Blech. I did like the ending though, with a series of clips of stunts from silent films set to a piece from Beethoven's seventh symphony. *1/2
The Wind that Shakes the Barley
THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY (2006) - Sept. 9, 2006
A disappointment. Though Cillian Murphy gave an expectedly electrifying performance, this film is just not up to his level. For one thing, Ken Loach's direction is bland almost to the point of non-existence. Even more problematic, the film just isn't all that interesting; it probably didn't help that I knew nothing about the whole conflict, and I think the film assumes you have at least a little knowledge of the situation (a little bit of text at the beginning would have really helped). Aside from Cillian Murphy and a couple of other people, all the characters were pretty much interchangable. And there's a point where I thought the movie would end, but it keeps going for at least half an hour. Plus the strong Irish accents didn't help matters (I missed a good chunk of the dialogue). And then there's the little things, like why weren't there any squibs in this movie? It's a really minor complaint, but it kind of takes you out of the movie when a guy gets shot and just falls over, especially in a film that's otherwise so gritty. **
A disappointment. Though Cillian Murphy gave an expectedly electrifying performance, this film is just not up to his level. For one thing, Ken Loach's direction is bland almost to the point of non-existence. Even more problematic, the film just isn't all that interesting; it probably didn't help that I knew nothing about the whole conflict, and I think the film assumes you have at least a little knowledge of the situation (a little bit of text at the beginning would have really helped). Aside from Cillian Murphy and a couple of other people, all the characters were pretty much interchangable. And there's a point where I thought the movie would end, but it keeps going for at least half an hour. Plus the strong Irish accents didn't help matters (I missed a good chunk of the dialogue). And then there's the little things, like why weren't there any squibs in this movie? It's a really minor complaint, but it kind of takes you out of the movie when a guy gets shot and just falls over, especially in a film that's otherwise so gritty. **
Hana
HANA (2006) - Sept. 9, 2006
An overlong but otherwise delightful film about a samurai who moves to a small village hoping to find leads in order to get vengeance against the man who killed his father. It sounds serious (and that's what I thought it was going to be) but it was actually a light-hearted comedy about the samurai and the quirky residents of the small, ramshackle village in which he resides. A lot of time is also spent on the blossoming relationship between the samurai and a single mother (though not quite enough to classify this as a romantic comedy). The residents of the town are endearing and became people I really came to care about, and the film was actually quite funny. My only real problem with this movie (though it's a big one) is that, at 127 minutes, it's just way too long. It overstays its welcome a little bit, and that's too bad because otherwise it's really good. ***
An overlong but otherwise delightful film about a samurai who moves to a small village hoping to find leads in order to get vengeance against the man who killed his father. It sounds serious (and that's what I thought it was going to be) but it was actually a light-hearted comedy about the samurai and the quirky residents of the small, ramshackle village in which he resides. A lot of time is also spent on the blossoming relationship between the samurai and a single mother (though not quite enough to classify this as a romantic comedy). The residents of the town are endearing and became people I really came to care about, and the film was actually quite funny. My only real problem with this movie (though it's a big one) is that, at 127 minutes, it's just way too long. It overstays its welcome a little bit, and that's too bad because otherwise it's really good. ***
Friday, September 08, 2006
2:37
2:37 (2006) - Sept. 8, 2006
I don't think the word homage even applies here -- more like outright theft. This movie was very heavily "inspired" by Gus Van Sant's Elephant, and it shows. Like Elephant, the movie takes place in a high school over the course of one day leading up to a tragedy. And like Elephant, the movie follows a few different kids, and shows how their lives overlap. And like that film, this movie features a lot of long steadicam shots (though not nearly as many as Elephant, which was pretty much nothing but steadicam shots). It was good though, if not quite as compelling or well made as Van Sant's film. (An addendum: I can't help but be a little bitter that the director of this film is two years younger than me. What's up with that?) ***
I don't think the word homage even applies here -- more like outright theft. This movie was very heavily "inspired" by Gus Van Sant's Elephant, and it shows. Like Elephant, the movie takes place in a high school over the course of one day leading up to a tragedy. And like Elephant, the movie follows a few different kids, and shows how their lives overlap. And like that film, this movie features a lot of long steadicam shots (though not nearly as many as Elephant, which was pretty much nothing but steadicam shots). It was good though, if not quite as compelling or well made as Van Sant's film. (An addendum: I can't help but be a little bitter that the director of this film is two years younger than me. What's up with that?) ***
Lights in the Dusk
LIGHTS IN THE DUSK (2006) - Sept. 8, 2006
I can't help but feel a bit disappointed by this, Aki Kaurismaki's first film since the excellent The Man without a Past. About a sad-sack security guard who aims for something higher, the main problem is that the film, and all the characters within it, are deadpan to a ridiculous degree. No one in the film seems to have any reaction other than a sort of curious disdain. When, towards the end of the film, the protagonist cracks a big smile, it seems weird and out of place. That's not to say that the film was bad; it was really well directed, and the performances were actually quite good, particularly the main guy (and that's no small feat, considering the narrow range of emotions he had to work with). **1/2
I can't help but feel a bit disappointed by this, Aki Kaurismaki's first film since the excellent The Man without a Past. About a sad-sack security guard who aims for something higher, the main problem is that the film, and all the characters within it, are deadpan to a ridiculous degree. No one in the film seems to have any reaction other than a sort of curious disdain. When, towards the end of the film, the protagonist cracks a big smile, it seems weird and out of place. That's not to say that the film was bad; it was really well directed, and the performances were actually quite good, particularly the main guy (and that's no small feat, considering the narrow range of emotions he had to work with). **1/2
Big Bang Love: Juvenile A
BIG BANG LOVE: JUVENILE A (2006) - Sept. 8, 2006
A strange, strange movie. Starting off with a long, nonsensical speech and followed by a really bizarre dance number, this film initially seemed like it was going to be quite the ordeal. This turned out to be somewhat untrue, as the movie did improve as it progressed. A sort of murder-mystery set inside a very strange jail, the movie got better once the plot started to unfold. But the whole thing was just strange, and slow-paced, and pretty much pointless. *1/2
A strange, strange movie. Starting off with a long, nonsensical speech and followed by a really bizarre dance number, this film initially seemed like it was going to be quite the ordeal. This turned out to be somewhat untrue, as the movie did improve as it progressed. A sort of murder-mystery set inside a very strange jail, the movie got better once the plot started to unfold. But the whole thing was just strange, and slow-paced, and pretty much pointless. *1/2
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Syriana
SYRIANA (2005) - Sept. 6, 2006
Meh. This movie was well made but I felt oddly disconnected from it. It probably didn't help that it featured so many characters that I felt like I didn't really get a chance to get to know any of them. It also would have been nice if the movie had spent slightly longer chunks of time with each character; the movie kept zipping from subplot to subplot. I guess the problem was that they didn't feel like characters as much as devices to set the many many wheels of the plot in motion. It wasn't so bad though; it was well made and well acted. But did I really need a two hour movie to tell me that big oil companies are bad? **1/2
Meh. This movie was well made but I felt oddly disconnected from it. It probably didn't help that it featured so many characters that I felt like I didn't really get a chance to get to know any of them. It also would have been nice if the movie had spent slightly longer chunks of time with each character; the movie kept zipping from subplot to subplot. I guess the problem was that they didn't feel like characters as much as devices to set the many many wheels of the plot in motion. It wasn't so bad though; it was well made and well acted. But did I really need a two hour movie to tell me that big oil companies are bad? **1/2
Friday, September 01, 2006
Crank
CRANK (2006)
Featuring a perfectly-cast Jason Statham as a hitman who gets injected with a bizarre poison that requires him to keep his adrenaline up to survive, this was a ridiculously over-the-top but really entertaining film. Though the two directors were clearly inspired by Tony Scott in their kinetic sense of style, they actually put it to better use here than Scott ever has (the style actually seemed to fit the movie, unlike in something like Man on Fire, where it felt shoehorned in and only served to distract the audience). Everything about this movie was insanely over the top, but it worked and I quite enjoyed it. ***
Featuring a perfectly-cast Jason Statham as a hitman who gets injected with a bizarre poison that requires him to keep his adrenaline up to survive, this was a ridiculously over-the-top but really entertaining film. Though the two directors were clearly inspired by Tony Scott in their kinetic sense of style, they actually put it to better use here than Scott ever has (the style actually seemed to fit the movie, unlike in something like Man on Fire, where it felt shoehorned in and only served to distract the audience). Everything about this movie was insanely over the top, but it worked and I quite enjoyed it. ***
Idiocracy
IDIOCRACY (2006) - Sept. 1, 2006
A silly but enjoyable film about a man and a prostitute who, in an experiment gone wrong, are cryogenically frozen for over 500 years. When they wake up, they find that evolution has favoured the stupid, and that America has been dumbed down to a ridiculous degree. Though not as good as Mike Judge's last film, the cult classic Office Space, this was pretty entertaining and had its moments. It's a bit perplexing that it was shelved so long, but with the numerous digs at American culture, maybe it hit a bit close to home. **1/2
A silly but enjoyable film about a man and a prostitute who, in an experiment gone wrong, are cryogenically frozen for over 500 years. When they wake up, they find that evolution has favoured the stupid, and that America has been dumbed down to a ridiculous degree. Though not as good as Mike Judge's last film, the cult classic Office Space, this was pretty entertaining and had its moments. It's a bit perplexing that it was shelved so long, but with the numerous digs at American culture, maybe it hit a bit close to home. **1/2
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Invincible
INVINCIBLE (2006) - Aug. 31, 2006
An entertaining but seriously by-the-numbers film about a regular guy who winds up playing pro football. It was definitely well acted, it was entertaining enough, and it was well made, but it was just... I don't think there was a single moment in this movie that felt fresh. It was such a routine "feel good" type of movie, and it did absolutely nothing new. There was nothing in this film I haven't seen a dozen times before. It was redundant. I was thinking I'd give it two-and-a-half, because I was never bored and it was certainly a well put-together film, but the more I think about this movie the more it makes me mad. Was this movie written by a person? Or by the Feel-Good-Sports-Movie-Bot? **
An entertaining but seriously by-the-numbers film about a regular guy who winds up playing pro football. It was definitely well acted, it was entertaining enough, and it was well made, but it was just... I don't think there was a single moment in this movie that felt fresh. It was such a routine "feel good" type of movie, and it did absolutely nothing new. There was nothing in this film I haven't seen a dozen times before. It was redundant. I was thinking I'd give it two-and-a-half, because I was never bored and it was certainly a well put-together film, but the more I think about this movie the more it makes me mad. Was this movie written by a person? Or by the Feel-Good-Sports-Movie-Bot? **
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Shutter
SHUTTER (2004) - Aug. 26, 2006
A seriously creepy movie about a photographer and his girlfriend who run over a girl on the street and then drive off. Strange things start happening, including a ghostly figure popping up in the photographer's photos. This was a really effective horror film; it wastes no time getting things started, and manages to maintain a fairly tense atmosphere for pretty much the entire movie. If I had one complaint about the film it is that, sort of like the Grudge, it's fairly light on plot, and basically just consists of one scary set-piece after another. But it's well directed and quite scary, so that's a minor complaint. ***1/2
A seriously creepy movie about a photographer and his girlfriend who run over a girl on the street and then drive off. Strange things start happening, including a ghostly figure popping up in the photographer's photos. This was a really effective horror film; it wastes no time getting things started, and manages to maintain a fairly tense atmosphere for pretty much the entire movie. If I had one complaint about the film it is that, sort of like the Grudge, it's fairly light on plot, and basically just consists of one scary set-piece after another. But it's well directed and quite scary, so that's a minor complaint. ***1/2
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Accepted
ACCEPTED (2006) - Aug. 19, 2006
An enjoyable comedy about a guy who, after being rejected by all the colleges he applies to, decides make up his own. Wackiness ensues. This actually kind of reminded me of a wacky '80s comedy (it seems like the type of movie that, say, Corey Feldman might have made). Justin Long is good as the Ferris Bueller-esque character who comes up with the plan to make the fake school, but without a doubt it's Jonah Hill who steals the show as Long's wacky best friend. He doesn't have all that big of a part, but he steals pretty much every scene he's in. ***
An enjoyable comedy about a guy who, after being rejected by all the colleges he applies to, decides make up his own. Wackiness ensues. This actually kind of reminded me of a wacky '80s comedy (it seems like the type of movie that, say, Corey Feldman might have made). Justin Long is good as the Ferris Bueller-esque character who comes up with the plan to make the fake school, but without a doubt it's Jonah Hill who steals the show as Long's wacky best friend. He doesn't have all that big of a part, but he steals pretty much every scene he's in. ***
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Snakes on a Plane
SNAKES ON A PLANE (2006) - Aug. 17, 2006
This movie gives you pretty much exactly what you'd expect from a movie called Snakes on a Plane. Its main problem is a severe case of overlength, exacerbated by a useless subplot on the ground which begs the question: if it doesn't have snakes, and it isn't on plane, why is it in Snakes on a Plane? It was useless and should have been cut out, along with a lot of other stuff, as this movie really had no right to be any longer than 80 minutes or so. Other than that it was pretty entertaining, and Samuel L. Jackson was really good, particularly in his delivery of the now infamous line involving motherfucking snakes. **1/2
This movie gives you pretty much exactly what you'd expect from a movie called Snakes on a Plane. Its main problem is a severe case of overlength, exacerbated by a useless subplot on the ground which begs the question: if it doesn't have snakes, and it isn't on plane, why is it in Snakes on a Plane? It was useless and should have been cut out, along with a lot of other stuff, as this movie really had no right to be any longer than 80 minutes or so. Other than that it was pretty entertaining, and Samuel L. Jackson was really good, particularly in his delivery of the now infamous line involving motherfucking snakes. **1/2
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Serenity
SERENITY (2005) - Aug. 15, 2006 (Fourth Viewing)
Serenity! I loves me this movie. I'd marry it if I could. What do I like about this movie? Everything! What do I not like about this movie? Nothing! Nathan Fillion is awesome in it, of course, as is everyone else. But I have to give a special mention to Chiwetel Ejiofor, whose brilliantly sinister performance turns the Operative into one of the most memorable movie villains in recent memory. Then there's the direction, the dialogue, the special effects... PURE GOLD. ****
Serenity! I loves me this movie. I'd marry it if I could. What do I like about this movie? Everything! What do I not like about this movie? Nothing! Nathan Fillion is awesome in it, of course, as is everyone else. But I have to give a special mention to Chiwetel Ejiofor, whose brilliantly sinister performance turns the Operative into one of the most memorable movie villains in recent memory. Then there's the direction, the dialogue, the special effects... PURE GOLD. ****
Saturday, August 12, 2006
The Eye 2
THE EYE 2 (2004) - Aug. 12, 2006
Quite a bit different from the first, this definitely isn't simply a rehash that movie (in fact this didn't really even have to be called a sequel, it had almost nothing to do with the original). About a pregnant woman who suspects a ghost is trying to do something sinister with her baby, this isn't nearly as creepy as the original, and in fact almost plays out like a drama for the most part. It was interesting, but definitely an inferior sequel. **1/2
Quite a bit different from the first, this definitely isn't simply a rehash that movie (in fact this didn't really even have to be called a sequel, it had almost nothing to do with the original). About a pregnant woman who suspects a ghost is trying to do something sinister with her baby, this isn't nearly as creepy as the original, and in fact almost plays out like a drama for the most part. It was interesting, but definitely an inferior sequel. **1/2
The Eye
THE EYE (2002) - Aug. 12, 2006
A eerie horror movie about a woman who gets some kind of eye transplant, and then finds that she has the ability to see ghosts. The ghosts she sees don't have any makeup to make them look creepier; they just look like normal people, so at first I was thinking "this isn't scary!" But the movie does actually have a few tricks up its sleeve, and I have found myself a bit creeped out by it since seeing it. ***
A eerie horror movie about a woman who gets some kind of eye transplant, and then finds that she has the ability to see ghosts. The ghosts she sees don't have any makeup to make them look creepier; they just look like normal people, so at first I was thinking "this isn't scary!" But the movie does actually have a few tricks up its sleeve, and I have found myself a bit creeped out by it since seeing it. ***
Friday, August 11, 2006
Pulse
PULSE (2006) - Aug. 11, 2006
A cheesy but sporadically effective horror film about ghosts coming through the internet (which is just as silly as it sounds). Featuring some really mediocre dialogue, and subpar performances to match. It had its moments, but it was repetitive and, though suspenseful at times, not quite as scary as it tries to be. It doesn't help that this type of Ring knockoff is getting a bit tired at this point. **1/2
A cheesy but sporadically effective horror film about ghosts coming through the internet (which is just as silly as it sounds). Featuring some really mediocre dialogue, and subpar performances to match. It had its moments, but it was repetitive and, though suspenseful at times, not quite as scary as it tries to be. It doesn't help that this type of Ring knockoff is getting a bit tired at this point. **1/2
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
The Pink Panther
THE PINK PANTHER (2006) - Aug. 9, 2006
A really silly but entertaining movie starring Steve Martin as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau. I'm not really sure why this film got such a bum rap; it probably helps that I have no memory of the original and thus nothing to compare this to and get angry about. The only really laugh-out-loud funny part was the whole "I would like to buy a hamburger" scene, but it was still quite enjoyable throughout. ***
A really silly but entertaining movie starring Steve Martin as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau. I'm not really sure why this film got such a bum rap; it probably helps that I have no memory of the original and thus nothing to compare this to and get angry about. The only really laugh-out-loud funny part was the whole "I would like to buy a hamburger" scene, but it was still quite enjoyable throughout. ***
Monday, August 07, 2006
World Trade Center
WORLD TRADE CENTER (2006) - Aug. 7, 2006
A powerful film about two cops stuck in the rubble in the World Trade Center, and the impact it has on their families. The movie is really well acted, and Oliver Stone wisely avoids the type of over-the-type over-direction he is known for, though the film's slow pace hurts it a bit around the middle. It was good, though, and actually got me pretty choked up towards the end there. ***
A powerful film about two cops stuck in the rubble in the World Trade Center, and the impact it has on their families. The movie is really well acted, and Oliver Stone wisely avoids the type of over-the-type over-direction he is known for, though the film's slow pace hurts it a bit around the middle. It was good, though, and actually got me pretty choked up towards the end there. ***
Sunday, August 06, 2006
The Matador
THE MATADOR (2005) - Aug. 6, 2006
An enjoyable film about the unlikely friendship between a hitman and a business man. Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear were both really good as the hitman and his friend, and the movie was well written and directed. My only real complaint would be that I wasn't too keen on the cinematography, what with all the colors and such. I guess they do it with computers, and I've seen it in other movies, and I don't think it's ever been used well. ***
An enjoyable film about the unlikely friendship between a hitman and a business man. Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear were both really good as the hitman and his friend, and the movie was well written and directed. My only real complaint would be that I wasn't too keen on the cinematography, what with all the colors and such. I guess they do it with computers, and I've seen it in other movies, and I don't think it's ever been used well. ***
Friday, August 04, 2006
The Benchwarmers
THE BENCHWARMERS (2006) - Aug. 4, 2006
A lame, boring and very much unfunny "comedy". This was pretty much a disaster from minute one; usually with a bad comedy like this, it's at least a little bit entertaining for a while. Not here. Jon Heder proves to be a one-trick pony, playing a somewhat less bizarre version of Napoleon Dynamite, David Spade is David Spade, and Rob Schneider was miscast as an Adam Sandler-esque straight-man. Poop. *1/2
A lame, boring and very much unfunny "comedy". This was pretty much a disaster from minute one; usually with a bad comedy like this, it's at least a little bit entertaining for a while. Not here. Jon Heder proves to be a one-trick pony, playing a somewhat less bizarre version of Napoleon Dynamite, David Spade is David Spade, and Rob Schneider was miscast as an Adam Sandler-esque straight-man. Poop. *1/2
Monday, July 31, 2006
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY (2006) - July 31, 2006
Though it wasn't quite the laugh riot I was hoping it would be, this was still an enjoyable film about the wacky misadventures of a Nascar driver. The performances were all good, particularly John C. Reilly as Will Ferrell's slow-witted best friend. The movie was entertaining, though probably a tad on the long side. But then there was the part involving Michael Clarke Duncan getting really really angry, which was one of the funniest things I've seen in a while, and worth the price of admission alone. ***
Though it wasn't quite the laugh riot I was hoping it would be, this was still an enjoyable film about the wacky misadventures of a Nascar driver. The performances were all good, particularly John C. Reilly as Will Ferrell's slow-witted best friend. The movie was entertaining, though probably a tad on the long side. But then there was the part involving Michael Clarke Duncan getting really really angry, which was one of the funniest things I've seen in a while, and worth the price of admission alone. ***
Friday, July 28, 2006
Miami Vice
MIAMI VICE (2006) - July 28, 2006
Well, that was a bit of a let-down. A surprisingly dull movie about... I don't know, drug busts? It wasn't really about anything, nor were there any characters worth caring about. The performances were all fine, with the exception of the usually excellent Gong Li, whose accent made Jackie Chan look like Michael Caine, and who gave a surprisingly wooden performance. The problem with this movie was that it was too long, but even worse, it just wasn't all that interesting. The best part of this movie was the trailers. I don't think I've ever seen that many good trailers before one movie (Black Dahlia, Children of Men, the Departed, and Borat). **
Well, that was a bit of a let-down. A surprisingly dull movie about... I don't know, drug busts? It wasn't really about anything, nor were there any characters worth caring about. The performances were all fine, with the exception of the usually excellent Gong Li, whose accent made Jackie Chan look like Michael Caine, and who gave a surprisingly wooden performance. The problem with this movie was that it was too long, but even worse, it just wasn't all that interesting. The best part of this movie was the trailers. I don't think I've ever seen that many good trailers before one movie (Black Dahlia, Children of Men, the Departed, and Borat). **
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
My Super Ex-Girlfriend
MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND (2006) - July 26, 2006
This movie is pretty much the definition of mediocre. It wasn't really bad, but it wasn't good either. I wasn't outright bored, nor was I fully entertained. The direction was bland, and the script was chock-full of cliches. The performances were good though, and the movie had an affable vibe that kept it from being all-out boring. Meh. **1/2
This movie is pretty much the definition of mediocre. It wasn't really bad, but it wasn't good either. I wasn't outright bored, nor was I fully entertained. The direction was bland, and the script was chock-full of cliches. The performances were good though, and the movie had an affable vibe that kept it from being all-out boring. Meh. **1/2
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Find me Guilty
FIND ME GUILTY (2006) - July 23, 2006
After movies like xXx and the Fast and the Furious, Vin Diesel reminds us that yes, he really can act. Diesel, wearing a fat suit and a wig, gives a really engaging performance, his best since Boiler Room. About a mobster who chose to defend himself, entertaining the courtroom in the process with his wacky antics, this was well made and entertaining throughout, despite a longish running time of around two hours. Though on paper it seems as though Diesel's character might be a bit one-dimensional, Diesel's performance goes a long way in making sure that this isn't the case. I'm puzzled as to why this didn't get a wider release. ***1/2
After movies like xXx and the Fast and the Furious, Vin Diesel reminds us that yes, he really can act. Diesel, wearing a fat suit and a wig, gives a really engaging performance, his best since Boiler Room. About a mobster who chose to defend himself, entertaining the courtroom in the process with his wacky antics, this was well made and entertaining throughout, despite a longish running time of around two hours. Though on paper it seems as though Diesel's character might be a bit one-dimensional, Diesel's performance goes a long way in making sure that this isn't the case. I'm puzzled as to why this didn't get a wider release. ***1/2
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Clerks II
CLERKS II (2006) - July 22, 2006
Kevin Smith redeems himself after the less than stellar Jersey Girl. Featuring the type of clever dialogue Smith became known for, the movie is actually quite funny at times, and enjoyable all the way through. Smith's only downfall is that he clearly sucks at plotting, and falls back on cliches way too often, which is why his movies are at their best when people are just talking. I remember the original being a bit better than this (I should probably watch it again), but it was still good. ***
Kevin Smith redeems himself after the less than stellar Jersey Girl. Featuring the type of clever dialogue Smith became known for, the movie is actually quite funny at times, and enjoyable all the way through. Smith's only downfall is that he clearly sucks at plotting, and falls back on cliches way too often, which is why his movies are at their best when people are just talking. I remember the original being a bit better than this (I should probably watch it again), but it was still good. ***
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Lady in the Water
LADY IN THE WATER (2006) - July 19, 2006
Well, you've got to hand it to Shyamalan, he's definitely trying something different. Whether or not he succeeded, I'm not so sure. A fairy tale-like film about a mythical being who somehow ends up in an apartment building, and needs help from the residents to get home. The performances were uniformly excellent, and the visual look of the movie was as superb as you'd expect from Shyamalan. But Night's trademark super-slow pace hurt the film, as did the somewhat underdeveloped characters and the ill-advised attempts at humour (though there were a few chuckle-worthy moments, on the whole I think Shyamalan should stick to drama). I'm glad the Shamster is trying something different, but on the whole this didn't really work. **1/2
Well, you've got to hand it to Shyamalan, he's definitely trying something different. Whether or not he succeeded, I'm not so sure. A fairy tale-like film about a mythical being who somehow ends up in an apartment building, and needs help from the residents to get home. The performances were uniformly excellent, and the visual look of the movie was as superb as you'd expect from Shyamalan. But Night's trademark super-slow pace hurt the film, as did the somewhat underdeveloped characters and the ill-advised attempts at humour (though there were a few chuckle-worthy moments, on the whole I think Shyamalan should stick to drama). I'm glad the Shamster is trying something different, but on the whole this didn't really work. **1/2
X-Men: The Last Stand
X-MEN: THE LAST STAND (2006) - July 19, 2006
A decent but essentially mediocre superhero film, though it definitely could have been worse. I was enjoying it up until about half-way through, after which I was still basically entertained, but I was just getting a bit sick of it. It wasn't all that compelling. It was certainly well acted, and competently directed by Brett Ratner, but... I don't know. There was a lot of stuff happening, and I don't know if it all tied together as well as it should have (if that makes sense). **1/2
A decent but essentially mediocre superhero film, though it definitely could have been worse. I was enjoying it up until about half-way through, after which I was still basically entertained, but I was just getting a bit sick of it. It wasn't all that compelling. It was certainly well acted, and competently directed by Brett Ratner, but... I don't know. There was a lot of stuff happening, and I don't know if it all tied together as well as it should have (if that makes sense). **1/2
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Jason and the Argonauts
JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963) - July 16, 2006
Though cheesy and badly dated, this was essentially entertaining. About Jason, and his quest to travel to the other side of the Earth to procure a magical artifact. I don't think there's a single element of this film that has aged well. Ray Harryhausen's special effects, though obviously not even a little bit realistic, were a highlight. **1/2
Though cheesy and badly dated, this was essentially entertaining. About Jason, and his quest to travel to the other side of the Earth to procure a magical artifact. I don't think there's a single element of this film that has aged well. Ray Harryhausen's special effects, though obviously not even a little bit realistic, were a highlight. **1/2
Saturday, July 15, 2006
District 13
DISTRICT 13 (2004) - July 15, 2006
This movie starts with an elaborate chase scene which, even if the rest of the movie had sucked, would have been worth the price of admission alone. It then follows it up with a bunch of action scenes that are just as good, if not better than the first one. Good stuff. The plot, involving a walled-up slum in France, is interesting enough to keep things moving during the down-times (which are long enough to keep the action from becoming overwhelming, and short enough to ensure the film maintains a brisk pace throughout). The movie was really well directed, particularly the action (it's always nice when a director realizes that you don't need to have a million cuts a second to make an action scene exciting). ***1/2
This movie starts with an elaborate chase scene which, even if the rest of the movie had sucked, would have been worth the price of admission alone. It then follows it up with a bunch of action scenes that are just as good, if not better than the first one. Good stuff. The plot, involving a walled-up slum in France, is interesting enough to keep things moving during the down-times (which are long enough to keep the action from becoming overwhelming, and short enough to ensure the film maintains a brisk pace throughout). The movie was really well directed, particularly the action (it's always nice when a director realizes that you don't need to have a million cuts a second to make an action scene exciting). ***1/2
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
You, Me and Dupree
YOU, ME AND DUPREE (2006) - July 12, 2006
First off, I should say that I just don't buy Matt Dillon as a romantic lead. I've got nothing against him, I think he's a good actor, but he's just wrong for this type of part. He just doesn't have the kind of charisma to pull it off (plus he's got kind of a sleazy vibe going). As for the other performances, Kate Hudson was fine, and Owen Wilson was Owen Wilson. The movie itself was a predictable, unfunny, overlong bore. It wasn't good. It was flatly directed, and filled with cliches. Of course, it's hard not to wallow in cliches in a genre as well-worn as the romantic comedy; the trick is to make it feel fresh even when it's not. This did not feel fresh. *1/2
First off, I should say that I just don't buy Matt Dillon as a romantic lead. I've got nothing against him, I think he's a good actor, but he's just wrong for this type of part. He just doesn't have the kind of charisma to pull it off (plus he's got kind of a sleazy vibe going). As for the other performances, Kate Hudson was fine, and Owen Wilson was Owen Wilson. The movie itself was a predictable, unfunny, overlong bore. It wasn't good. It was flatly directed, and filled with cliches. Of course, it's hard not to wallow in cliches in a genre as well-worn as the romantic comedy; the trick is to make it feel fresh even when it's not. This did not feel fresh. *1/2
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Foreign Correspondent
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT (1940) - July 11, 2006
Joel McCrea stars as an American reporter who goes to England and finds himself embroiled in a sinister conspiracy. It was entertaining throughout, featuring typically stellar direction by Hitchcock, and an engaging performance from McCrea. ***
Joel McCrea stars as an American reporter who goes to England and finds himself embroiled in a sinister conspiracy. It was entertaining throughout, featuring typically stellar direction by Hitchcock, and an engaging performance from McCrea. ***
Friday, July 07, 2006
High Sierra
HIGH SIERRA (1941) - July 7, 2006
While it wasn't really a bad film, considering that this was basically a heist movie starring Humphrey Bogart, this wasn't quite as electrifying as one might hope. Bogart is quite good (no surprise there) as a man who is released from jail and immediately recruited for a heist. The movie isn't really about the heist, though. A big chunk of the screen-time is devoted to Bogart's attempt to woo a girl, a subplot that's almost entirely pointless and doesn't really go anywhere. The movie is never entirely boring, mostly thanks to Bogey's performance, but aside from that it was pretty underwhelming. **1/2
While it wasn't really a bad film, considering that this was basically a heist movie starring Humphrey Bogart, this wasn't quite as electrifying as one might hope. Bogart is quite good (no surprise there) as a man who is released from jail and immediately recruited for a heist. The movie isn't really about the heist, though. A big chunk of the screen-time is devoted to Bogart's attempt to woo a girl, a subplot that's almost entirely pointless and doesn't really go anywhere. The movie is never entirely boring, mostly thanks to Bogey's performance, but aside from that it was pretty underwhelming. **1/2
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Little Miss Sunshine
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (2006) - July 6, 2006
A delightful, entertaining and surprisingly funny film about a family and their journey to get to a beauty pageant. The film featured one of the best ensemble casts I've seen in a while; every role was played to perfection (Alan Arkin was a scene-stealer as the surly grandpa, and Steve Carell proved he can do drama as well as he does comedy). The movie was really well written, and the characters became people we really cared about. It was also one of the funniest films I've seen in a while (who knew a car horn could be so funny?), and did a really good job balancing the hilarity and the poignancy. This was one of the best movies I've seen in a while. ****
A delightful, entertaining and surprisingly funny film about a family and their journey to get to a beauty pageant. The film featured one of the best ensemble casts I've seen in a while; every role was played to perfection (Alan Arkin was a scene-stealer as the surly grandpa, and Steve Carell proved he can do drama as well as he does comedy). The movie was really well written, and the characters became people we really cared about. It was also one of the funniest films I've seen in a while (who knew a car horn could be so funny?), and did a really good job balancing the hilarity and the poignancy. This was one of the best movies I've seen in a while. ****
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Superman II
SUPERMAN II (1980) - July 2, 2006
Another enjoyable Superman movie, though this was probably the weakest of the three. Zod, with his obsession with making people kneel before him, made a good villain, and Christopher Reeve was as good as ever as Superman. Though I have to say, Superman's apparent ability to give a person a mini-lobotomy by kissing them is a little bit disturbing. What's the deal with that? ***
Another enjoyable Superman movie, though this was probably the weakest of the three. Zod, with his obsession with making people kneel before him, made a good villain, and Christopher Reeve was as good as ever as Superman. Though I have to say, Superman's apparent ability to give a person a mini-lobotomy by kissing them is a little bit disturbing. What's the deal with that? ***
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Superman
SUPERMAN (1978) - July 1, 2006
Like Superman Returns, this was quite good, but quite long. Though this film's run-time seemed a bit more justified, given the fact that it covered everything from Krypton's explosion, to Clark Kent landing and growing up in Smallville, to his eventual move to Metropolis and emergence as Superman. It was hard not to compare it to Superman Returns; while Christopher Reeve was just as good if not better than Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey is clearly the superior Lex Luthor. Also, the special effects in this one seem pretty hokey, particularly when compared to Superman Returns. I think Superman Returns is the superior film, but this was still pretty good. ***
Like Superman Returns, this was quite good, but quite long. Though this film's run-time seemed a bit more justified, given the fact that it covered everything from Krypton's explosion, to Clark Kent landing and growing up in Smallville, to his eventual move to Metropolis and emergence as Superman. It was hard not to compare it to Superman Returns; while Christopher Reeve was just as good if not better than Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey is clearly the superior Lex Luthor. Also, the special effects in this one seem pretty hokey, particularly when compared to Superman Returns. I think Superman Returns is the superior film, but this was still pretty good. ***
Friday, June 30, 2006
Superman Returns
SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006) - June 30, 2006
A good, if somewhat overlong superhero movie. Brandon Routh was pretty much perfect as Superman/Clark Kent, as was Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor (I liked that he had an evil scheme befitting a supervillain of his stature). And Bryan Singer's direction was quite good, but... it was so long. At two and a half hours, there was so much movie crammed in there it seems like they could have split it up into two movies. Oh well. It was still a better than average superhero film. ***
A good, if somewhat overlong superhero movie. Brandon Routh was pretty much perfect as Superman/Clark Kent, as was Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor (I liked that he had an evil scheme befitting a supervillain of his stature). And Bryan Singer's direction was quite good, but... it was so long. At two and a half hours, there was so much movie crammed in there it seems like they could have split it up into two movies. Oh well. It was still a better than average superhero film. ***
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST (2006) - June 28, 2006
Wha happened? This was definitely a disappointment. Not that it was really terrible, but it pales in comparison to the first one. There were a few scenes here and there, glimmers of what made the first one so good, but for the most part it's missing the spark of that film. It didn't help that it was significantly darker than COTBP (both figuratively and literally), and unlike that movie, felt seriously overlong at around two and a half hours. It also didn't help that all the stuff with Davy Jones was dark and unpleasant. Bleh. Let's hope the next one is better. **1/2
Wha happened? This was definitely a disappointment. Not that it was really terrible, but it pales in comparison to the first one. There were a few scenes here and there, glimmers of what made the first one so good, but for the most part it's missing the spark of that film. It didn't help that it was significantly darker than COTBP (both figuratively and literally), and unlike that movie, felt seriously overlong at around two and a half hours. It also didn't help that all the stuff with Davy Jones was dark and unpleasant. Bleh. Let's hope the next one is better. **1/2
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (2003) - June 27, 2006 (Second Viewing)
A rollicking adventure, and a superb film. Perhaps a bit on the long side, but that's a minor complaint, considering how enjoyable it is. Perfectly directed by Gore Verbinski, and featuring good performances all around (even Orlando Bloom). And then there's Johnny Depp, whose performance is as brilliant as it is bizarre, and who steals every scene he's in. Even if the movie sucked, it'd be worth it for that crazy performance. It didn't suck. ***1/2
A rollicking adventure, and a superb film. Perhaps a bit on the long side, but that's a minor complaint, considering how enjoyable it is. Perfectly directed by Gore Verbinski, and featuring good performances all around (even Orlando Bloom). And then there's Johnny Depp, whose performance is as brilliant as it is bizarre, and who steals every scene he's in. Even if the movie sucked, it'd be worth it for that crazy performance. It didn't suck. ***1/2
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Click
CLICK (2006) - June 21, 2006
About a man who finds himself in possession of a "universal" remote that can pause, fastforward and even skip time, this was a decent movie. The big problem was that the first half wasn't all that great; though the concept sounds pretty foolproof on paper, it just wasn't all that interesting (for the first half at least). But then at some point, a bit more than half-way through the movie, the tone changes pretty drastically, from silly comedy to something quite a bit more serious. Though it got somewhat melodramatic, this section of the movie was pretty good (a lot more Twilight Zone-y and a lot less silly). Plus, Adam Sandler gave a surprisingly good performance (though I guess I shouldn't be too surprised considering how good he was in PDL). It was essentially entertaining throughout, but yeah. A bit uneven. Plus, the absence of the two Sandler regulars was definitely felt. Where were they? **1/2
About a man who finds himself in possession of a "universal" remote that can pause, fastforward and even skip time, this was a decent movie. The big problem was that the first half wasn't all that great; though the concept sounds pretty foolproof on paper, it just wasn't all that interesting (for the first half at least). But then at some point, a bit more than half-way through the movie, the tone changes pretty drastically, from silly comedy to something quite a bit more serious. Though it got somewhat melodramatic, this section of the movie was pretty good (a lot more Twilight Zone-y and a lot less silly). Plus, Adam Sandler gave a surprisingly good performance (though I guess I shouldn't be too surprised considering how good he was in PDL). It was essentially entertaining throughout, but yeah. A bit uneven. Plus, the absence of the two Sandler regulars was definitely felt. Where were they? **1/2
Monday, June 19, 2006
The Big Sleep
THE BIG SLEEP (1946) - June 19, 2006
An faithful adaptation of the book by Raymond Chandler. I was a bit confused while reading the book, and equally confused while watching the movie. I didn't mind so much while reading the book, because it was exceptionally well written. I minded a bit more here; flatly directed by Howard Hawks, the movie didn't exactly move at a brisk pace. Not that it was bad (Humphrey Bogart was pretty much perfect as Philip Marlowe), but perhaps a bit overrated. **1/2
An faithful adaptation of the book by Raymond Chandler. I was a bit confused while reading the book, and equally confused while watching the movie. I didn't mind so much while reading the book, because it was exceptionally well written. I minded a bit more here; flatly directed by Howard Hawks, the movie didn't exactly move at a brisk pace. Not that it was bad (Humphrey Bogart was pretty much perfect as Philip Marlowe), but perhaps a bit overrated. **1/2
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Paradise Now
PARADISE NOW (2005) - June 18, 2006
A powerful movie about a couple of suicide bombers. Very well directed, well acted, and generally well made. The movie did a good job presenting both sides of the issue. And... I have nothing else to say about this film. Doritos are delicious. ***
A powerful movie about a couple of suicide bombers. Very well directed, well acted, and generally well made. The movie did a good job presenting both sides of the issue. And... I have nothing else to say about this film. Doritos are delicious. ***
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