Piglet's Big Movie (2003)
Next: "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981)
Simple, cute, non-offensive, sweet kids movie. Simple ideas and concepts combined w/ good friendships and wanting to help such.
Haiku Summary:
Piglet overlooked.
Hurt, wanders. Friends miss him. They
look, find and value.
Showing posts sorted by date for query (2003). Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query (2003). Sort by relevance Show all posts
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Transformers (2007) - 4/5
Transformers (2007)
Next: "Piglet's Big Movie" (2003)
Very fun. Great CGI though the transformations were a bit unnecessarily complicated. No biggie.
It was cool, fun action that didn't take itself too seriously.
Haiku Summary:
Robots against bad
robots for big power. Kid
has key. With cool cars!
Next: "Piglet's Big Movie" (2003)
Very fun. Great CGI though the transformations were a bit unnecessarily complicated. No biggie.
It was cool, fun action that didn't take itself too seriously.
Haiku Summary:
Robots against bad
robots for big power. Kid
has key. With cool cars!
Friday, September 14, 2007
21 Grams (2003) - 4/5
21 Grams (2003)
Very good movie. Great directing, incredible acting, great camera work, awesome story, well done complex editing. It has almost everything.
As soon as it was over, I started watching it again. I may not watch the whole thing, but I think it lends itself to a couple viewings - preferably soon after the first one when the elements are fresh in your memory.
SPOILERS
I'm not 100% sure what the message is if there is one. It seems there was a lot of trading of lives: he dies so he can live, she has an abortion which leads to him going w/ her to kill this guy that killed this guy so that he cd live, etc. I don't know if there's a statement there or just a powerful connection.
Also, there's a strong image of guilt. Jack warns the 'punk kid' about crimes and how the 'guilt will suck you to the bone.' Then Jack winds up killing and the guilt really did just that. So much so that he a) wanted Paul to kill him and b) did the right thing the second time (he didn't leave a dying person to die). Both times he takes the blame though the second time was a bit strange. I guess he was still trying to pay for it all.
Anyway, it's a very powerful movie. They don't spoon feed you a message so maybe it's not really there or left up to us to write our own. I will say that, as is the case often in movies these days, none of these people are really 'good.' The only ones that are close, die.
So if nothing else, we can conclude, bad people get what's due. I doubt that's the point. :)
Very good movie. Great directing, incredible acting, great camera work, awesome story, well done complex editing. It has almost everything.
As soon as it was over, I started watching it again. I may not watch the whole thing, but I think it lends itself to a couple viewings - preferably soon after the first one when the elements are fresh in your memory.
SPOILERS
I'm not 100% sure what the message is if there is one. It seems there was a lot of trading of lives: he dies so he can live, she has an abortion which leads to him going w/ her to kill this guy that killed this guy so that he cd live, etc. I don't know if there's a statement there or just a powerful connection.
Also, there's a strong image of guilt. Jack warns the 'punk kid' about crimes and how the 'guilt will suck you to the bone.' Then Jack winds up killing and the guilt really did just that. So much so that he a) wanted Paul to kill him and b) did the right thing the second time (he didn't leave a dying person to die). Both times he takes the blame though the second time was a bit strange. I guess he was still trying to pay for it all.
Anyway, it's a very powerful movie. They don't spoon feed you a message so maybe it's not really there or left up to us to write our own. I will say that, as is the case often in movies these days, none of these people are really 'good.' The only ones that are close, die.
So if nothing else, we can conclude, bad people get what's due. I doubt that's the point. :)
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Cold Mountain (2003) - 3/5
Cold Mountain (2003)
Well made and lots of good imagery and scenery. I watched some of the commentary and I think that wd be as interesting as the movie, but that's not quite enough to get me to watch the whole thing. :)
I thought the story, especially the first 1/3rd, was over-dramatic and sappy. It was also a bit cliche and over acted. Unfortunately, I also mostly saw the actors as actors playing parts instead of the characters themselves.
The rest of the movie got better, but never really turned the corner for me.
It's a decent movie, but just didn't fire on all cylinders.
SPOILERS
It was far from a happy ending, but I think it was a good one. Inman came back and b/c he did, he was able to save Ada and Ruby and therefore pretty much everyone else and their children. It was noble and worthwhile, but ultimately, not that great.
Well made and lots of good imagery and scenery. I watched some of the commentary and I think that wd be as interesting as the movie, but that's not quite enough to get me to watch the whole thing. :)
I thought the story, especially the first 1/3rd, was over-dramatic and sappy. It was also a bit cliche and over acted. Unfortunately, I also mostly saw the actors as actors playing parts instead of the characters themselves.
The rest of the movie got better, but never really turned the corner for me.
It's a decent movie, but just didn't fire on all cylinders.
SPOILERS
It was far from a happy ending, but I think it was a good one. Inman came back and b/c he did, he was able to save Ada and Ruby and therefore pretty much everyone else and their children. It was noble and worthwhile, but ultimately, not that great.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Mystic River (2003) - 3.5/5
Mystic River (2003)
This movie had a lot going for it and it went pretty well for the most part.
If kinda felt like a good attempt to copy a Scorsese movie... almost there, but never got 'big' enough.
The premise was good and the acting was very good. A well made movie that kinda got a little loose at times.
SPOILERS
The twist was cool, but I expected it too much. Laura Linney's speech about "you cd rule this town" - a lot of people seem disappointed w/ this, but I thought it was good.
The shunning of Celeste at the end was out of place to me.
Sean's reconciliation w/ his wife felt a bit forced and fast. I did like, however, the mirrored aspects of his wife's silence and Brendan's brother's silence. Kinda like each of their counterparts had to figure something out to get them to communicate... or something. Not sure it worked, but...???
This movie had a lot going for it and it went pretty well for the most part.
If kinda felt like a good attempt to copy a Scorsese movie... almost there, but never got 'big' enough.
The premise was good and the acting was very good. A well made movie that kinda got a little loose at times.
SPOILERS
The twist was cool, but I expected it too much. Laura Linney's speech about "you cd rule this town" - a lot of people seem disappointed w/ this, but I thought it was good.
The shunning of Celeste at the end was out of place to me.
Sean's reconciliation w/ his wife felt a bit forced and fast. I did like, however, the mirrored aspects of his wife's silence and Brendan's brother's silence. Kinda like each of their counterparts had to figure something out to get them to communicate... or something. Not sure it worked, but...???
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) - 3.5/5
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
We've seen this one a few times, but apparently it's not in this blog. We actually watched both prequels this weekend and enjoy them both. I think seeing them close in time to each other, I prefer the first one b/c it has more of the magic of the Black Pearl and newness of pirates and mystery, etc.
I have to give credit still to the second one as it's only the first in a two-parter. I think it just took itself down a notch when I saw the sails on the Pearl patched up. The tattered sails in the first movie were just too good. :)
We've seen this one a few times, but apparently it's not in this blog. We actually watched both prequels this weekend and enjoy them both. I think seeing them close in time to each other, I prefer the first one b/c it has more of the magic of the Black Pearl and newness of pirates and mystery, etc.
I have to give credit still to the second one as it's only the first in a two-parter. I think it just took itself down a notch when I saw the sails on the Pearl patched up. The tattered sails in the first movie were just too good. :)
Monday, February 12, 2007
The Station Agent (2003) - 4/5
The Station Agent (2003)
Some semi-spoilers mixed in...
There's a lot of imagery in this movie especially revolving around trains which is an easy tie in. Fin is very much like a train: he dresses 'old fashion' and in black, he smokes, walks train tracks, doesn't speak hardly at all, very isolated, alone, no emotion or desire for interaction, etc.
He's content to live in solitude and even desires it. However, Joe, by his nature, insists on becoming his friend. His life is marked by service and human contact: he works a hot dog/ice cream/coffee stand and does that to serve his father (he's serving to serve). He forces his way into Fin's life and forces Olivia to come along to.
Olivia creates and nurtures but her life is a (train) wreck. She wants to help and it seems to provide for Fin in a way she can't for her son who died a couple years before. She sees Fin as someone to fill this role in her life as her son.
Joe's excitement and Olivia's motherliness eventually brings Fin out of his shell and converts him from a 'train watcher' to a 'people watcher.' He starts wearing clothes w/ some color, being interested in others and eventually smiles and cracks a joke.
He opens up only to find he gets hurt like he always feared. The resolution is not overwhelming or overly sappy, but well done and simple.
The acting is spot-on and the characters come thru instantly even if you don't know it at the time.
Some semi-spoilers mixed in...
There's a lot of imagery in this movie especially revolving around trains which is an easy tie in. Fin is very much like a train: he dresses 'old fashion' and in black, he smokes, walks train tracks, doesn't speak hardly at all, very isolated, alone, no emotion or desire for interaction, etc.
He's content to live in solitude and even desires it. However, Joe, by his nature, insists on becoming his friend. His life is marked by service and human contact: he works a hot dog/ice cream/coffee stand and does that to serve his father (he's serving to serve). He forces his way into Fin's life and forces Olivia to come along to.
Olivia creates and nurtures but her life is a (train) wreck. She wants to help and it seems to provide for Fin in a way she can't for her son who died a couple years before. She sees Fin as someone to fill this role in her life as her son.
Joe's excitement and Olivia's motherliness eventually brings Fin out of his shell and converts him from a 'train watcher' to a 'people watcher.' He starts wearing clothes w/ some color, being interested in others and eventually smiles and cracks a joke.
He opens up only to find he gets hurt like he always feared. The resolution is not overwhelming or overly sappy, but well done and simple.
The acting is spot-on and the characters come thru instantly even if you don't know it at the time.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Elf (2003) - 4.5/5
Elf (2003) As far as Christmas movies go, this one is a modern classic imo. It's irreverent and such which takes it out of a league of "It's a Wonderful Life", but it marries modern humor and style w/ a good, warm fuzzy making movie.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Out of Time (2003/I) - 3/5
Out of Time (2003/I)
Very good suspence w/o being "don't go in there!" kinda stuff. Intense and fairly crafty. It was a good nail-biter nearly the whole time.
SPOILERS:
I suspected what was happening pretty early on which was kind of a bummer though it was also cool to see it from that side. There were still a couple surprises, but mostly it was just fun to watch "Matt" get himself deeper and deeper and get in and out of trouble.
I know I probably sdn't do this, but it's hard not to... he was still a bad cop. He still sdn't have done he did for her no matter what.
Not only that, but I guess he really was a bad (poor) cop if he didn't see it coming somehow. The doctor visit on Saturday, her whole insurance thing: the company wdn't buy it, it had to be changed in only a couple days, etc.
The ending also was a bummer: he wasn't going to take the money that he really cd take! and his wife was coming back - why? Although it was nice to see that it wasn't all hot and passionate "hollywood" love getting them back together - real problems.
Very good suspence w/o being "don't go in there!" kinda stuff. Intense and fairly crafty. It was a good nail-biter nearly the whole time.
SPOILERS:
I suspected what was happening pretty early on which was kind of a bummer though it was also cool to see it from that side. There were still a couple surprises, but mostly it was just fun to watch "Matt" get himself deeper and deeper and get in and out of trouble.
I know I probably sdn't do this, but it's hard not to... he was still a bad cop. He still sdn't have done he did for her no matter what.
Not only that, but I guess he really was a bad (poor) cop if he didn't see it coming somehow. The doctor visit on Saturday, her whole insurance thing: the company wdn't buy it, it had to be changed in only a couple days, etc.
The ending also was a bummer: he wasn't going to take the money that he really cd take! and his wife was coming back - why? Although it was nice to see that it wasn't all hot and passionate "hollywood" love getting them back together - real problems.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Intolerable Cruelty (2003) - 2.5/5
Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
Clever. Not a typical "Coen Brothers" movie to me.
Two cynics each capitalizing in loveless marriages find each other and something unexpected in each other.
Good twists and changes make this movie worthwhile. The characters and acting is good.
SPOILERS:
They both see their future selves in people they know and seem to not want it. Meanwhile the seemingly true cynic changes his ways even to the point of addressing his colleagues on the topic of 'love.'
How can these two ever trust each other?
Clever. Not a typical "Coen Brothers" movie to me.
Two cynics each capitalizing in loveless marriages find each other and something unexpected in each other.
Good twists and changes make this movie worthwhile. The characters and acting is good.
SPOILERS:
They both see their future selves in people they know and seem to not want it. Meanwhile the seemingly true cynic changes his ways even to the point of addressing his colleagues on the topic of 'love.'
How can these two ever trust each other?
Monday, August 15, 2005
American Splendor (2003) - 3.5/5
American Splendor (2003)
Very creative and original. The movie becomes more real as time goes on.
Harvey is first presented as specifically NOT a superhero - the typical comic book basis. If anything, he's a villian - he brings everyone down. The second event in the movie is his second wife leaving.
His friends move on to better things and he refuses to let go of his collection of records. He is self-proclaimed "doom and gloom" and he's right.
It's not that he sees the negative in things, he just doesn't really care.
Paul Giamatti was spot-on as Harvey. Incredible performance.
It's like reality comic books of a life that is real and a little identifiable. Sometimes a regular life is quite interesting. Actually, the tag line says it "Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff."
Very creative and original. The movie becomes more real as time goes on.
Harvey is first presented as specifically NOT a superhero - the typical comic book basis. If anything, he's a villian - he brings everyone down. The second event in the movie is his second wife leaving.
His friends move on to better things and he refuses to let go of his collection of records. He is self-proclaimed "doom and gloom" and he's right.
It's not that he sees the negative in things, he just doesn't really care.
Paul Giamatti was spot-on as Harvey. Incredible performance.
It's like reality comic books of a life that is real and a little identifiable. Sometimes a regular life is quite interesting. Actually, the tag line says it "Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff."
Monday, July 11, 2005
The Motorcycle Diaries (2003) - 4/5
The Motorcycle Diaries (2003): Inspiring and interesting. Not sure of the politics, but that's my limitation.
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