The Fountain (2006) - 3.5/5
I liked this movie. It's great to look at and the interwoven storied from different times is great. The emotion is powerful and tone is awesome (it's almost always night).
Ultimately, I'm afraid some of the "film" got in the way of the "story." I didn't find myself attached though I enjoyed watching it.
The jumps from one time (or reality) to another are tough to watch w/o wondering what they're trying to do which took me out of the my suspension of disbelief.
Also, I may have missed the message, but what I think I got out of the message was a little disappointing.
But I did enjoy it and it's VERY well made.
SPOILERS
If the message was, we all live forever b/c we become one w/ the earth, plants, birds, cosmos, etc., then I got the message and it's a little disappointing for such a film imo.
Friday, April 03, 2009
The Graduate (1967) - 5/5
The Graduate (1967) - 5/5
One of the best. Such a great movie. I've seen this movie several times over the last 20+ years and always enjoy it and see new/different things.
Ref: Rumor Has It - fun movie
SPOILERS (but if you haven't seen this movie, shame on you)
Great exchange in the beginning w/ his dad:
Benjamin: I'm just...
Mr. Braddock: Worried?
Benjamin: Well...
Mr. Braddock: About what?
Benjamin: I guess about my future.
Mr. Braddock: What about it?
Benjamin: I don't know... I want it to be...
Mr. Braddock: To be what?
Benjamin: [looks at his father] ... Different.
I've always loved and identified w/ this sentiment - when I was young and now.
However, I do see the film differently now.
Ben is a great picture of the alienated and isolated youth of the sixties (as seen in the scuba/pool scene). He turns to easy, cheap sex and as Solomon found out, it's empty. Eventually, it's not enough to have sex w/o a relationship and laze around all day.
He's forced into taking out Elaine and BAM! a person. A real person w/ real feelings and emotion. It shocks Ben. He's instantly in love. Here's someone alive - unlike him, unlike his parents, unlike anyone he's around.
Unfortunately, he's having an affair w/ her mom who later tells Elaine that Ben raped her.
Ben's drive during school seems to have been "do what's expected" - head of track, debate, etc. scholarship to grad school. Now his drive is for Elaine and he pursues her relentlessly.
She's forced to marry someone else, but turns back to Ben - both of them rebelling against their parents and all that they are.
They run away from everything not knowing where they're going.
The thing that struck me this time was the look on their faces at the end when the bus is driving off. What were they thinking? They're mostly straight faced, staring ahead blankly. Where they scared? At peace? Disappointed? Free?
I think I always felt before that they were at peace and content, but now I'm not sure???
Greatness.
One of the best. Such a great movie. I've seen this movie several times over the last 20+ years and always enjoy it and see new/different things.
Ref: Rumor Has It - fun movie
SPOILERS (but if you haven't seen this movie, shame on you)
Great exchange in the beginning w/ his dad:
Benjamin: I'm just...
Mr. Braddock: Worried?
Benjamin: Well...
Mr. Braddock: About what?
Benjamin: I guess about my future.
Mr. Braddock: What about it?
Benjamin: I don't know... I want it to be...
Mr. Braddock: To be what?
Benjamin: [looks at his father] ... Different.
I've always loved and identified w/ this sentiment - when I was young and now.
However, I do see the film differently now.
Ben is a great picture of the alienated and isolated youth of the sixties (as seen in the scuba/pool scene). He turns to easy, cheap sex and as Solomon found out, it's empty. Eventually, it's not enough to have sex w/o a relationship and laze around all day.
He's forced into taking out Elaine and BAM! a person. A real person w/ real feelings and emotion. It shocks Ben. He's instantly in love. Here's someone alive - unlike him, unlike his parents, unlike anyone he's around.
Unfortunately, he's having an affair w/ her mom who later tells Elaine that Ben raped her.
Ben's drive during school seems to have been "do what's expected" - head of track, debate, etc. scholarship to grad school. Now his drive is for Elaine and he pursues her relentlessly.
She's forced to marry someone else, but turns back to Ben - both of them rebelling against their parents and all that they are.
They run away from everything not knowing where they're going.
The thing that struck me this time was the look on their faces at the end when the bus is driving off. What were they thinking? They're mostly straight faced, staring ahead blankly. Where they scared? At peace? Disappointed? Free?
I think I always felt before that they were at peace and content, but now I'm not sure???
Greatness.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Smultronstället (1957) - 4/5
Smultronstället (1957) - 4/5
Very cool Swedish film about life and relationships. What we choose to give up and regret later. What we pass on to our children in doing so.
I think the imagery is good and powerful and not too difficult to follow as a lot of people think.
I really liked hearing Swedish and recognizing words.
The devices of choice were good too w/ choosing btwn people, futures, loves, vocations, etc. Good stuff.
Very cool Swedish film about life and relationships. What we choose to give up and regret later. What we pass on to our children in doing so.
I think the imagery is good and powerful and not too difficult to follow as a lot of people think.
I really liked hearing Swedish and recognizing words.
The devices of choice were good too w/ choosing btwn people, futures, loves, vocations, etc. Good stuff.
Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008) - 4/5
Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008) - 4/5
Another great documentary that examines a lot of "why"s.
Are steroids bad? The numbers don't seem to say so. And is it really cheating? Where do you draw the line?
I've always thought it was strange that they are illegal and congress has made such a fuss about it all. I think we all think it's cheating and wrong b/c it's not "natural", but again, where do you draw the line?
It does a great job of calling out past steroid users too.
Really well done imo.
Another great documentary that examines a lot of "why"s.
Are steroids bad? The numbers don't seem to say so. And is it really cheating? Where do you draw the line?
I've always thought it was strange that they are illegal and congress has made such a fuss about it all. I think we all think it's cheating and wrong b/c it's not "natural", but again, where do you draw the line?
It does a great job of calling out past steroid users too.
Really well done imo.
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008) - 4/5
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008) - 4/5
I think this is a good and well made documentary about the denial of any alternate theory to the origin of life besides Darwinism.
They take a great approach across the board imo. They talk about the freedom of speech, cases of people being ostracized or disciplined for discussing/publishing/etc. Intellectual Design, talk to experts on all sides, etc.
I feel that any non-liberal documentary has a really hard job to not seem biased b/c they'll get attacked (as opposed to Michael Moore movies). The great thing about this documentary is that it doesn't promote ID (though it might seem to), it just questions why it can't be considered.
Unfortunately, I have a feeling this movie is mostly "preaching to the choir" b/c anyone against ID (or just set on Darwinism w/o question) won't see it.
SPOILERS
Even Richard Hawkins seems to agree that it's possible and he's the lead guy against it. But that it can't be God, etc. Illogical. Or that it has to be from an alien life-form (uh, then where did they come from?).
I think this is a good and well made documentary about the denial of any alternate theory to the origin of life besides Darwinism.
They take a great approach across the board imo. They talk about the freedom of speech, cases of people being ostracized or disciplined for discussing/publishing/etc. Intellectual Design, talk to experts on all sides, etc.
I feel that any non-liberal documentary has a really hard job to not seem biased b/c they'll get attacked (as opposed to Michael Moore movies). The great thing about this documentary is that it doesn't promote ID (though it might seem to), it just questions why it can't be considered.
Unfortunately, I have a feeling this movie is mostly "preaching to the choir" b/c anyone against ID (or just set on Darwinism w/o question) won't see it.
SPOILERS
Even Richard Hawkins seems to agree that it's possible and he's the lead guy against it. But that it can't be God, etc. Illogical. Or that it has to be from an alien life-form (uh, then where did they come from?).
Monday, March 30, 2009
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - 4.5/5
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - 4.5/5
Great movie. I think this is only the second time I've seen this movie (the first being in the theater in '04). I almost gave this a 4 but I think the end is too great.
I think this is a great movie w/ maybe only one drawback: I felt that watching it having seen it before made is less of a thrill ride. The first time thru I was constantly like "what's going on? what's real?" and such. But this time, I felt very little of that. So I cd appreciate the writing and crafting of it, but didn't the excitement of being lost in the story so much.
Maybe I'm being too harsh. But 4.5/5 is pretty rare for me: "Raiders...", "In Bruges", "Primer", etc. 4.5/5 movies
Of course Kaufman's hand and the overall style are just amazing.
SPOILERS
The ending really packs a punch either way. When they decide to get (back) together despite knowing what pain is to come, it's really powerful.
Great movie. I think this is only the second time I've seen this movie (the first being in the theater in '04). I almost gave this a 4 but I think the end is too great.
I think this is a great movie w/ maybe only one drawback: I felt that watching it having seen it before made is less of a thrill ride. The first time thru I was constantly like "what's going on? what's real?" and such. But this time, I felt very little of that. So I cd appreciate the writing and crafting of it, but didn't the excitement of being lost in the story so much.
Maybe I'm being too harsh. But 4.5/5 is pretty rare for me: "Raiders...", "In Bruges", "Primer", etc. 4.5/5 movies
Of course Kaufman's hand and the overall style are just amazing.
SPOILERS
The ending really packs a punch either way. When they decide to get (back) together despite knowing what pain is to come, it's really powerful.
Duplicity (2009) - 3/5
Duplicity (2009) - 3/5
As opposed to "Hud", I'm not sure this movie deserves a 3, but I'm not going to over analyze the rating.
I thought this movie was creative, original and I liked the flashbacks about their relationship. It had some clever comedy and intricate storyline, but ultimately I think it's missing something. I'm not sure what. Maybe something to make me care about the outcome.
SPOILERS
I was never sure if one of the spies was going to screw the other one over, but I didn't really care either. I think I cared more about "what is the product" than the relationship. And w/ the twist at the end, I was still like, "Oh, ok."
One thing that I did like was the speech about "corporate evolution." Here we have two people that can somewhat represent people in general: we all want to be loved, accepted and believe we can trust the one we love. These two continually test each other in this.
But the corporation has evolved to the next level in not only trying to win or beat the competition, but to entice them to cheat and get a false prize. It has evolved beyond the human relationship.
But in the end, I just didn't care that much about what happened so...
As opposed to "Hud", I'm not sure this movie deserves a 3, but I'm not going to over analyze the rating.
I thought this movie was creative, original and I liked the flashbacks about their relationship. It had some clever comedy and intricate storyline, but ultimately I think it's missing something. I'm not sure what. Maybe something to make me care about the outcome.
SPOILERS
I was never sure if one of the spies was going to screw the other one over, but I didn't really care either. I think I cared more about "what is the product" than the relationship. And w/ the twist at the end, I was still like, "Oh, ok."
One thing that I did like was the speech about "corporate evolution." Here we have two people that can somewhat represent people in general: we all want to be loved, accepted and believe we can trust the one we love. These two continually test each other in this.
But the corporation has evolved to the next level in not only trying to win or beat the competition, but to entice them to cheat and get a false prize. It has evolved beyond the human relationship.
But in the end, I just didn't care that much about what happened so...
Hud (1963) - 3/5
Hud (1963) - 3/5
I feel like this movie sd get a higher rating than that, but I can't really justify it. It's just a feeling probably b/c Paul Newman is so great or that it's a classic.
This is an interesting movie to see after "La Haine" b/c I see some similarities in the alienated youth.
SPOILERS
Hud is pretty much against anything that isn't drinking and sleeping w/ married women. His wreckless (life) driving killed his brother and he's never forgiven himself and thinks he father hatest him for it.
I see a lot of modern attitude in Hud as far as selfishness. When his father's cattle become sick and there's a threat to all of his stock, Hud wants to sell them quick to make some money and push the problem on someone (everyone) else. "This country is run on epidemics!"
The ethical father can't do it and pays a high price for it. However, it wasn't the death of his son that put the wedge btwn him and Hud, it was that Hud "doesn't give a damn" about anything.
Eventually Hud drives everyone off one way or another and is left alone... w/ what he wants: the ranch.
I really like the way the father refuses to allow oil drilling on his land - another point of contention and difference btwn him and Hud. Hud wants it for money.
It's somewhat of a backwards Prodigal Son story w/ the son staying around, but still wanting his cut of the heritance now.
I feel like this movie sd get a higher rating than that, but I can't really justify it. It's just a feeling probably b/c Paul Newman is so great or that it's a classic.
This is an interesting movie to see after "La Haine" b/c I see some similarities in the alienated youth.
SPOILERS
Hud is pretty much against anything that isn't drinking and sleeping w/ married women. His wreckless (life) driving killed his brother and he's never forgiven himself and thinks he father hatest him for it.
I see a lot of modern attitude in Hud as far as selfishness. When his father's cattle become sick and there's a threat to all of his stock, Hud wants to sell them quick to make some money and push the problem on someone (everyone) else. "This country is run on epidemics!"
The ethical father can't do it and pays a high price for it. However, it wasn't the death of his son that put the wedge btwn him and Hud, it was that Hud "doesn't give a damn" about anything.
Eventually Hud drives everyone off one way or another and is left alone... w/ what he wants: the ranch.
I really like the way the father refuses to allow oil drilling on his land - another point of contention and difference btwn him and Hud. Hud wants it for money.
It's somewhat of a backwards Prodigal Son story w/ the son staying around, but still wanting his cut of the heritance now.
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