The Lookout (2007) - 3/5
Movies like this make my new rating system tough. I mean, it's not a 2, but 3 is pushing it.
Matthew Goode was very... good.
This movie was trying just a bit too hard, but I guess you sd aim high at least sometimes.
SPOILERS
Kinda like Memento as far as the lead's affliction after his car crash. That's where the comparison ends unfortunately.
Isla Fisher's character's storyline ended kinda abruptly and weird.
Showing posts sorted by date for query " .5/5". Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query " .5/5". Sort by relevance Show all posts
Monday, September 28, 2009
Fame (2009) - 2/5
Fame (2009) - 2/5
Bad acting, too many storylines/characters to care about any of them, a bit cheesy and far-fetched, over-dramatic... hmmm, that's probably enough.
Bad acting, too many storylines/characters to care about any of them, a bit cheesy and far-fetched, over-dramatic... hmmm, that's probably enough.
Dead Calm (1989) - 3/5
Dead Calm (1989) - 3/5
A bit dated, but still pretty good. I like the isolated feel (only 3 cast members). Billy Zane really does a great job.
A bit dated, but still pretty good. I like the isolated feel (only 3 cast members). Billy Zane really does a great job.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) - 4/5
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) - 4/5
I expected this movie to be great and was NOT let down.
The acting was great, the "western" was right on and the story was very compelling.
This really makes me want to watch more westerns. Feel free to recommend some great ones (though I've seen some like "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly", "High Noon", "Unforgiven", "The Ox-Bow Incident", "Hud", "3:10 to Yuma", The Magnificent Seven", "Stage Coach", "Shane", "Giant", "Once Upon a Time in the West", "Tombstone" and, of course, "Blazing Saddles." :)
I expected this movie to be great and was NOT let down.
The acting was great, the "western" was right on and the story was very compelling.
This really makes me want to watch more westerns. Feel free to recommend some great ones (though I've seen some like "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly", "High Noon", "Unforgiven", "The Ox-Bow Incident", "Hud", "3:10 to Yuma", The Magnificent Seven", "Stage Coach", "Shane", "Giant", "Once Upon a Time in the West", "Tombstone" and, of course, "Blazing Saddles." :)
Monday, September 21, 2009
Das Leben der Anderen (2006) - 4/5
Das Leben der Anderen (2006) - 4/5
Very powerful movie about a very powerful place and time.
The intensity reminds me of the dialog in "Inglorious Basterds" (why is it spelled w/ an 'e'?).
I'm not sure what to take away from this movie, but I guess it's along the lines of being racial or black-and-white judgmental is very difficult when you're face-to-face w/ the people... when it's individuals.
The characters, especially Ulrich Mühe's, were awesome.
Very powerful movie about a very powerful place and time.
The intensity reminds me of the dialog in "Inglorious Basterds" (why is it spelled w/ an 'e'?).
I'm not sure what to take away from this movie, but I guess it's along the lines of being racial or black-and-white judgmental is very difficult when you're face-to-face w/ the people... when it's individuals.
The characters, especially Ulrich Mühe's, were awesome.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
La cit�des enfants perdus (1995) - 3/5
La cit�des enfants perdus (1995) - 3/5
From one foreign film to another. I'd seen this before like 13 years ago - I got more out of it this time.
If the last movie, "Love", was the Hungarian Ingmar Bergman style, this movie is the French Terry Gilliam style.
Ron Perlman was great as was Judith Vittet as the little girl.
From one foreign film to another. I'd seen this before like 13 years ago - I got more out of it this time.
If the last movie, "Love", was the Hungarian Ingmar Bergman style, this movie is the French Terry Gilliam style.
Ron Perlman was great as was Judith Vittet as the little girl.
Szerelem (1971) - 3/5
Szerelem (1971) - 3/5
Not sure how this got on my queue???
Hungarian w/ subtitles. Well made, pretty artsy.
I felt it was fairly straight forward as far as the story goes so I'll leave it at that.
Not sure how this got on my queue???
Hungarian w/ subtitles. Well made, pretty artsy.
I felt it was fairly straight forward as far as the story goes so I'll leave it at that.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Eiger Sanction (1975) - 4/5
The Eiger Sanction (1975) - 4/5
Good, classic 70's spy-thriller complete w/ albino boss-man.
The mountain climbing in this movie made me very nervous - I ready Clint did a 3-day climbing course and practiced for months after that. I assumed he must have spent years perfecting to do some of the things he clearly did himself (I read he did all but 1 of his own stunts).
The actual story isn't the best, but the style makes up for it.
Good, classic 70's spy-thriller complete w/ albino boss-man.
The mountain climbing in this movie made me very nervous - I ready Clint did a 3-day climbing course and practiced for months after that. I assumed he must have spent years perfecting to do some of the things he clearly did himself (I read he did all but 1 of his own stunts).
The actual story isn't the best, but the style makes up for it.
Julie & Julia (2009) - 3/5
Julie & Julia (2009) - 3/5
I liked this movie mainly for a couple reason: big goal and the parallel time-line type storytelling.
They actual story was pretty good - Julia's story was much more interesting than Julie's.
I'm blogging about a movie based on a blog.
It was also pretty inspiring. It made me want to take on a new goal to do daily and blog about... but I really already have too much.
SPOILERS
Mo looked up Julie Powell online after the movie and found out she had an affair not long after the events of the movie... she wrote a book about it. :|
Her blog is still up.
I liked this movie mainly for a couple reason: big goal and the parallel time-line type storytelling.
They actual story was pretty good - Julia's story was much more interesting than Julie's.
I'm blogging about a movie based on a blog.
It was also pretty inspiring. It made me want to take on a new goal to do daily and blog about... but I really already have too much.
SPOILERS
Mo looked up Julie Powell online after the movie and found out she had an affair not long after the events of the movie... she wrote a book about it. :|
Her blog is still up.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Ice Station Zebra (1968) - 3/5
Ice Station Zebra (1968) - 3/5
I think I saw this like 15 years ago. I didn't remember it, but remembered some as the movie went on.
Good, classic spy stuff: U.S. vs. Russia.
What more can I saw than these names from the movie:
Rock Hudson
Ernest Borgnine
Patrick McGoohan
Jim Brown
I think I saw this like 15 years ago. I didn't remember it, but remembered some as the movie went on.
Good, classic spy stuff: U.S. vs. Russia.
What more can I saw than these names from the movie:
Rock Hudson
Ernest Borgnine
Patrick McGoohan
Jim Brown
Friday, September 04, 2009
Fiddler on the Roof (1971) - 4/5
Fiddler on the Roof (1971) - 4/5
Humorous and sad and everything in btwn.
Besides the historical view (which a Jewish friend of mine said is fairly accurate), this is just a great story done well.
One thread I focused on was the idea of being flexible versus breaking. Tevye flexed w/ his oldest daughter wanting to marry for love. He flexed w/ the dancing at the wedding. He even flexed a lot w/ the marriage of his second daughter. However, he knew where to draw the line.
Not that I agree w/ it or disagree w/ it, but he knew where the line was and wasn't going to cross it. (SPOILER) What I mean is, he wasn't going to bless their marriage. He ultimately opened up to communicate w/ his youngest daughter, but didn't bless it.
I felt there was a some comparison to the "exiling" of daughter and the exiling of the Jews from their village. Are they both right? wrong? different?
Great stuff.
Humorous and sad and everything in btwn.
Besides the historical view (which a Jewish friend of mine said is fairly accurate), this is just a great story done well.
One thread I focused on was the idea of being flexible versus breaking. Tevye flexed w/ his oldest daughter wanting to marry for love. He flexed w/ the dancing at the wedding. He even flexed a lot w/ the marriage of his second daughter. However, he knew where to draw the line.
Not that I agree w/ it or disagree w/ it, but he knew where the line was and wasn't going to cross it. (SPOILER) What I mean is, he wasn't going to bless their marriage. He ultimately opened up to communicate w/ his youngest daughter, but didn't bless it.
I felt there was a some comparison to the "exiling" of daughter and the exiling of the Jews from their village. Are they both right? wrong? different?
Great stuff.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
District 9 (2009) - 4/5
District 9 (2009) - 4/5
Fairly disturbing for the first half, but well done. Biological stuff messes w/ me.
The second half is mostly action and focuses a bit more on the main characters (which are at the heart of the big story so it's kinda both).
SPOILERS
I kinda expected/hoped this wd be a broader scoped movie possibly taking place over time and larger field. Not that it wd have been better, but it mostly focuses on the core people over a few days.
I think they way they did it was probably better, but I kept waiting for the "big fight" and such. The more I think about it, the happier I am they did NOT do that. If they had, it wd have been ID4, GIJoe or Transformers w/ the 'over the top' action that you can't even tell what's going on or invest yourself into.
Fairly disturbing for the first half, but well done. Biological stuff messes w/ me.
The second half is mostly action and focuses a bit more on the main characters (which are at the heart of the big story so it's kinda both).
SPOILERS
I kinda expected/hoped this wd be a broader scoped movie possibly taking place over time and larger field. Not that it wd have been better, but it mostly focuses on the core people over a few days.
I think they way they did it was probably better, but I kept waiting for the "big fight" and such. The more I think about it, the happier I am they did NOT do that. If they had, it wd have been ID4, GIJoe or Transformers w/ the 'over the top' action that you can't even tell what's going on or invest yourself into.
Inglourious Basterds (2009) - 4/5
Inglourious Basterds (2009) - 4/5
Tarantino is proving his abilities and skills can not only last, but grow.
Great all around from the acting to the scope, but also amazing dialog as usual (my heart was beating so hard for some of those conversations and he maintained that intensity for SO long - awesome!).
SPOILERS
The only thing that I thought he cd have left out was the "Chatper 1" titles. No biggie.
Tarantino is proving his abilities and skills can not only last, but grow.
Great all around from the acting to the scope, but also amazing dialog as usual (my heart was beating so hard for some of those conversations and he maintained that intensity for SO long - awesome!).
SPOILERS
The only thing that I thought he cd have left out was the "Chatper 1" titles. No biggie.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Little Children (2006) - 3/5
Little Children (2006) - 3/5
I thought this movie was going to be more like a 4 or 5, but it fell short at the end. I felt like they got to the last 20 mins and were like "Man, we gotta wrap this up quick!"
There was so much tension and drama building and building - maybe they built it up too much for them to handle.
They characters are all pretty unhappy and disillusioned in one way or another and escape into their various weaknesses most of the time. While some seem excusable others are "evil." I'm not sure if we're suppose to see them as similar or what... unfortunately, I'm not super motivated to analyze this movie b/c of the weak ending.
Well acted and a decent movie (though disturbing at times) but falls short late in the game.
I thought this movie was going to be more like a 4 or 5, but it fell short at the end. I felt like they got to the last 20 mins and were like "Man, we gotta wrap this up quick!"
There was so much tension and drama building and building - maybe they built it up too much for them to handle.
They characters are all pretty unhappy and disillusioned in one way or another and escape into their various weaknesses most of the time. While some seem excusable others are "evil." I'm not sure if we're suppose to see them as similar or what... unfortunately, I'm not super motivated to analyze this movie b/c of the weak ending.
Well acted and a decent movie (though disturbing at times) but falls short late in the game.
(500) Days of Summer (2009) - 3/5
(500) Days of Summer (2009) - 3/5
Good movie, not a love story.
For the most part this was good. Zooey Deschanel is great, but didn't really shine here as much as usual.
I liked the format of the story telling, but in some cases they didn't pull it off.
Good movie, not a love story.
For the most part this was good. Zooey Deschanel is great, but didn't really shine here as much as usual.
I liked the format of the story telling, but in some cases they didn't pull it off.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) - 2/5
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) - 2/5
The action was too "big" - way over the top to the point where I was just like "whatever, did we win?" I guess I'm showing my age b/c kids are probably loving it.
Also, when an action scene w/ "people" is pure CGI, I just don't really care how big the "stunts" are b/c it's a "cartoon." I started thinking this from the Spiderman movies - "Who cares he can swing from a building and do 10 flips? It's a cartoon. Why not 20 flips?"
The story was ok, but I never bought into the mix of unrealistic and reality. How did this girl in a few years become a dominant evil force on world-wide levels? Granted, it's not meant to be realistic, but I didn't buy into their mix.
The action was too "big" - way over the top to the point where I was just like "whatever, did we win?" I guess I'm showing my age b/c kids are probably loving it.
Also, when an action scene w/ "people" is pure CGI, I just don't really care how big the "stunts" are b/c it's a "cartoon." I started thinking this from the Spiderman movies - "Who cares he can swing from a building and do 10 flips? It's a cartoon. Why not 20 flips?"
The story was ok, but I never bought into the mix of unrealistic and reality. How did this girl in a few years become a dominant evil force on world-wide levels? Granted, it's not meant to be realistic, but I didn't buy into their mix.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Dark Blue (2002) - 3.5/5
Dark Blue (2002) - 3.5/5
I liked this movie - good tension, action, characters, etc.
I like when movies parallel other events (and/or real events like the Rodney King officers' trial in this one).
I liked this movie - good tension, action, characters, etc.
I like when movies parallel other events (and/or real events like the Rodney King officers' trial in this one).
Friday, August 07, 2009
Pineapple Express (2008) - 4/5
Pineapple Express (2008) - 4/5
While I don't think this is a great movie, I think it was good enough for a 4. The comedy style of these guys is pretty solid in this movie - Danny McBride and Seth Rogen are doing what you expect.
The story is..., who cares.
The situations they get in and what they do, how they get in and out, etc. - it's done well, funny and keep coming!
While I don't think this is a great movie, I think it was good enough for a 4. The comedy style of these guys is pretty solid in this movie - Danny McBride and Seth Rogen are doing what you expect.
The story is..., who cares.
The situations they get in and what they do, how they get in and out, etc. - it's done well, funny and keep coming!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Breaking Away (1979) - 3/5
Breaking Away (1979) - 3/5
Good but dated/cheesey. Fun to watch and riff on it and see Jackie Earle Haley before/after to "Watchmen."
Cutters!
Good but dated/cheesey. Fun to watch and riff on it and see Jackie Earle Haley before/after to "Watchmen."
Cutters!
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