The Jerk (1979)
Mostly liked by me b/c I saw it so many times as a kid. There were still a few
jokes in there I didn't get as a kid that were fun to see now.
It's createive and original and that goes far.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Goldfinger - 3.5/5
Goldfinger (1964)
Great James Bond movie. It has everything you want in a good, old JB movie.
It's not built around the gadgets and such, but the story and characters. Good stuff.
The exagerated plot is there, which is good too - world domination type stuff. :)
Great James Bond movie. It has everything you want in a good, old JB movie.
It's not built around the gadgets and such, but the story and characters. Good stuff.
The exagerated plot is there, which is good too - world domination type stuff. :)
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Lord of War (2005) - 3/5
Lord of War (2005)
The first 20 mins feel like serious liberal propaganda to me: guns are bad and kill children and people who like them are only into money and don't care, etc.
After that it's a decent unfolding of events, but not the best story. It's nice to watch though in the sense of shots and the international stage, etc.
I liked the feel of it, but it wasn't helped by the rest of it: story, acting, etc. I felt like everyone was just reading lines.
Early on there were some decent symbolic shots w/ the docks making a cross and such, but it all felt too heavy-handed to me. I thought about noting some examples of my point, but soon there were too many.
The first 20 mins feel like serious liberal propaganda to me: guns are bad and kill children and people who like them are only into money and don't care, etc.
After that it's a decent unfolding of events, but not the best story. It's nice to watch though in the sense of shots and the international stage, etc.
I liked the feel of it, but it wasn't helped by the rest of it: story, acting, etc. I felt like everyone was just reading lines.
Early on there were some decent symbolic shots w/ the docks making a cross and such, but it all felt too heavy-handed to me. I thought about noting some examples of my point, but soon there were too many.
Cinderella Man (2005) - 4/5
Cinderella Man (2005)
Great movie. Even better being based on a true story. It was all great.
Great story, drama, action, everything really.
I wdn't say it's the deepest story and not too much underneath the surface, but I don't mean that in any type of negative way - it's just a great story told well.
Great movie. Even better being based on a true story. It was all great.
Great story, drama, action, everything really.
I wdn't say it's the deepest story and not too much underneath the surface, but I don't mean that in any type of negative way - it's just a great story told well.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Big Momma's House (2000) - 3/5
Big Momma's House (2000)
Funny and a decent story.
I noticed a similarity btwn this and "Diary of a Mad, Black Woman" in that it also had a 'silly' character (both heavy black women played by men), dark storyline and significant Christian presences (more cultural than spiritual).
I started thinking about other comedies and if they had similarities. I figured I cd find the silly/comedy , but not the Christian.
The first one I thought of was "Fletch" - silly characters/comedy, but a serious story of drugs/murder.
Then I went extreme: "Dumb and Dumber" - same: silly characters/comedy, but serious story of kidnapping.
Funny and a decent story.
I noticed a similarity btwn this and "Diary of a Mad, Black Woman" in that it also had a 'silly' character (both heavy black women played by men), dark storyline and significant Christian presences (more cultural than spiritual).
I started thinking about other comedies and if they had similarities. I figured I cd find the silly/comedy , but not the Christian.
The first one I thought of was "Fletch" - silly characters/comedy, but a serious story of drugs/murder.
Then I went extreme: "Dumb and Dumber" - same: silly characters/comedy, but serious story of kidnapping.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Blazing Saddles (1974) - 3.5/5
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Very funny, but not as fast paced as I remembered. I think in today's terms it wd be considered a slow movie. There's a musical number that probably killed when it was new and now seemed to drag on too long.
I still found it creative and witty and juvenille and silly at the same time.
I'm not sure Gene Wilder pulled of the 'cool' of the character as he needed to. Also, I can't believe the freedom of the 'N' word they took in this movie.
The DVD has a pilot of a show based on Black Bart - I didn't much as apparently no one did.
Anyway, it's funny and dumb as you wd expect/remember.
Very funny, but not as fast paced as I remembered. I think in today's terms it wd be considered a slow movie. There's a musical number that probably killed when it was new and now seemed to drag on too long.
I still found it creative and witty and juvenille and silly at the same time.
I'm not sure Gene Wilder pulled of the 'cool' of the character as he needed to. Also, I can't believe the freedom of the 'N' word they took in this movie.
The DVD has a pilot of a show based on Black Bart - I didn't much as apparently no one did.
Anyway, it's funny and dumb as you wd expect/remember.
Monday, January 16, 2006
My Date with Drew (2004) - 4/5
My Date with Drew (2004)
This was a good surprise. I heard about this a while back from Mo and was pretty interested. I didn't hear much for a while and kinda forgot about it.
I rented hoping it wd just be somewhat interesting b/c I just assumed it wasn't too goo. W/ low expectations like that, it cdn't help but impress me.
I probably gave it a higher rating that it might deserve as far as full cinema 'quality', but it makes up for all that w/ lots of heart.
I liked it from just about every angle. Brian is authentic and energetic and very likable. He really does represent so many little dreams we've all had and go unfulfilled.
Official Site
Brian's got some great friends to do so much of this w/ him.
SPOILERS
I have to say I thought it was a little strange that he avoided the movie premiere idea so much. A) It was like he assumed he cd go though maybe that's just the way I took it and B) I wd think that wd be the best bet and he wd have spent more of his energy towards that. It was like he wanted a date w/ her, but he didn't want to have to deal w/ her to get it!?!??
Also, I was pretty disappointed that once he got to the movie premiere, he froze up. A) What do you think you'll do on the date? and B) Anyone w/ the heart/guts to do all the things he did, sd have been able to do better???
And just for the record, I didn't really like the camera 'scam' and the fake ID part. No biggie, but I just don't like them taking advantage of things. I guess the camera store will get decent promotion for it... or at least their 30 day policy will.
Drew rocked! She was so real and nice and generous. I read she invited him to the "50 First Dates" premiere later on (I read that from the site above).
UPDATE: I think one of the best parts of this movie is when he gets the call about finally getting the date. It's great b/c he doesn't (get to) say much. You just see his reaction as he soaks up every word from the phone. I think it's great how only the two of them on the phone know what was fully said. It had a cool effect IMO.
This was a good surprise. I heard about this a while back from Mo and was pretty interested. I didn't hear much for a while and kinda forgot about it.
I rented hoping it wd just be somewhat interesting b/c I just assumed it wasn't too goo. W/ low expectations like that, it cdn't help but impress me.
I probably gave it a higher rating that it might deserve as far as full cinema 'quality', but it makes up for all that w/ lots of heart.
I liked it from just about every angle. Brian is authentic and energetic and very likable. He really does represent so many little dreams we've all had and go unfulfilled.
Official Site
Brian's got some great friends to do so much of this w/ him.
SPOILERS
I have to say I thought it was a little strange that he avoided the movie premiere idea so much. A) It was like he assumed he cd go though maybe that's just the way I took it and B) I wd think that wd be the best bet and he wd have spent more of his energy towards that. It was like he wanted a date w/ her, but he didn't want to have to deal w/ her to get it!?!??
Also, I was pretty disappointed that once he got to the movie premiere, he froze up. A) What do you think you'll do on the date? and B) Anyone w/ the heart/guts to do all the things he did, sd have been able to do better???
And just for the record, I didn't really like the camera 'scam' and the fake ID part. No biggie, but I just don't like them taking advantage of things. I guess the camera store will get decent promotion for it... or at least their 30 day policy will.
Drew rocked! She was so real and nice and generous. I read she invited him to the "50 First Dates" premiere later on (I read that from the site above).
UPDATE: I think one of the best parts of this movie is when he gets the call about finally getting the date. It's great b/c he doesn't (get to) say much. You just see his reaction as he soaks up every word from the phone. I think it's great how only the two of them on the phone know what was fully said. It had a cool effect IMO.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) - 3/5
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
I liked this movie, but it's hard to say it's very 'good.' I think it starts well w/ some good setting of premise and characters, but then it seems to stop.
I'm probably guilty of comparing it too much to the first movie which I really liked. I think this movie sets the tone w/ Charlie, but then leaves him for most of the rest of the story and focuses on Wonka.
Also, the first movie didn't have the modern technical abilities which I think made this version focus too much on the setting and not enough on the characters.
SPOILERS:
In the original movie, they had the concept of the 'spy' offering money to tempt the children to bring him an everlasting gobstopper. This movie didn't have that. So this movie didn't have a 'test' really for Charlie to pass. He just lasted longer than the other kids who were clearly intentionally tested by their obvious weakness.
Charlie wasn't tested and therefore lasted the longest. He was tested to leave his family which he passed, but that was after the fact (and Wonka didn't reward the 'passing' so it wasn't a test by him).
Also, as someone else pointed out, the story of this movie was more about the 'saving' of Wonka instead of Charlie. Again, that might be comparing too much to the first, but I really liked the first one.
I liked this movie, but it's hard to say it's very 'good.' I think it starts well w/ some good setting of premise and characters, but then it seems to stop.
I'm probably guilty of comparing it too much to the first movie which I really liked. I think this movie sets the tone w/ Charlie, but then leaves him for most of the rest of the story and focuses on Wonka.
Also, the first movie didn't have the modern technical abilities which I think made this version focus too much on the setting and not enough on the characters.
SPOILERS:
In the original movie, they had the concept of the 'spy' offering money to tempt the children to bring him an everlasting gobstopper. This movie didn't have that. So this movie didn't have a 'test' really for Charlie to pass. He just lasted longer than the other kids who were clearly intentionally tested by their obvious weakness.
Charlie wasn't tested and therefore lasted the longest. He was tested to leave his family which he passed, but that was after the fact (and Wonka didn't reward the 'passing' so it wasn't a test by him).
Also, as someone else pointed out, the story of this movie was more about the 'saving' of Wonka instead of Charlie. Again, that might be comparing too much to the first, but I really liked the first one.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) - 3/5
Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005)
This movie is a weird mix of silly comedy, serious drama and Christian movie themes. I think they did a good job of pulling it off, but it's such a weird mix that it still stood out to me.
Tyler Perry has done several plays based on one of the (silly/comedic) characters, Madea. He plays her and also plays 2 others in the movie: one comedic and one serious.
The basis of the story is one, really two, marriages that are broken for two different fleshly sins. How do people react/handle the situation when they are wronged?
I was left wondering if the Christian influence and presence in the movie was cultural. Many shots of the Bible, church, people talking and referencing Christian things, topics and ideas. It wasn't overt, but it was clearly there (though I wdn't call it a Christian movie).
It was an interesting movie more for those reasons than the story itself.
SPOILERS:
Each of the offending spouses turns to the love of the flesh in one way or another. However, in one marriage, the offending spouse kicks the innocent out and the reverse for the other couple.
When the first needs salvation, the innocent returns to care for him out of Christian duty. In the other case, repeated failings have caused further requests to be rejected.
In the end, both relationships are restored in different ways. The first still winds up in divorce (all the Christian influence, but the divorce still continues) to stay w/ a man she has since fallen in love with. The first husband is redeemed by a change in ways and receiving salvation, but the wife no longer loves him and only helped him out of a sense of right.
The second marriage is reconciled when the offending spouse, the wife, goes thru rehab and returns to the church.
This movie is a weird mix of silly comedy, serious drama and Christian movie themes. I think they did a good job of pulling it off, but it's such a weird mix that it still stood out to me.
Tyler Perry has done several plays based on one of the (silly/comedic) characters, Madea. He plays her and also plays 2 others in the movie: one comedic and one serious.
The basis of the story is one, really two, marriages that are broken for two different fleshly sins. How do people react/handle the situation when they are wronged?
I was left wondering if the Christian influence and presence in the movie was cultural. Many shots of the Bible, church, people talking and referencing Christian things, topics and ideas. It wasn't overt, but it was clearly there (though I wdn't call it a Christian movie).
It was an interesting movie more for those reasons than the story itself.
SPOILERS:
Each of the offending spouses turns to the love of the flesh in one way or another. However, in one marriage, the offending spouse kicks the innocent out and the reverse for the other couple.
When the first needs salvation, the innocent returns to care for him out of Christian duty. In the other case, repeated failings have caused further requests to be rejected.
In the end, both relationships are restored in different ways. The first still winds up in divorce (all the Christian influence, but the divorce still continues) to stay w/ a man she has since fallen in love with. The first husband is redeemed by a change in ways and receiving salvation, but the wife no longer loves him and only helped him out of a sense of right.
The second marriage is reconciled when the offending spouse, the wife, goes thru rehab and returns to the church.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
King Kong (2005) - 4.5/5
King Kong (2005)
Great action and a good story too. The characters were deep, varied and interesting - it wasn't just about a big monkey.
There's certainly some deeper thoughts behind it. Very intense and action, action, action.
Great action and a good story too. The characters were deep, varied and interesting - it wasn't just about a big monkey.
There's certainly some deeper thoughts behind it. Very intense and action, action, action.
And lo, the beast looked upon the face of beauty. And it stayed its hand from killing. And from that day, it was as one dead.
The Hustler (1961) - 4/5
The Hustler (1961)
Great story and cool acting. A lot of subtext w/ her being 'lame' in one way and him another; dependence on various things; living in various senses.
"Twisted, Perverted, Cripple"
Great story and cool acting. A lot of subtext w/ her being 'lame' in one way and him another; dependence on various things; living in various senses.
"Twisted, Perverted, Cripple"
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Ed Wood (1994) - 3.5/5
Ed Wood (1994)
An interesting look at an interesting life. Who knows how accurate it is, but that just seems fitting. Depp and Landau give 2 great performances and others are good too... or at least fitting.
It didn't have too much trouble 'adapting' and sometimes it was compromise, but he loved making movies. He didn't care too muchfor details - he just seemed to love making movies.
There's a good bit of a touching story here btwn him and Bela. Set in this movie, I think it might lose something, but it's there.
"Pull the string! Pull the string!"
An interesting look at an interesting life. Who knows how accurate it is, but that just seems fitting. Depp and Landau give 2 great performances and others are good too... or at least fitting.
It didn't have too much trouble 'adapting' and sometimes it was compromise, but he loved making movies. He didn't care too muchfor details - he just seemed to love making movies.
There's a good bit of a touching story here btwn him and Bela. Set in this movie, I think it might lose something, but it's there.
"Pull the string! Pull the string!"
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning (2005) - 3.5/5
Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning (2005) (V)
A homemade movie by 5 friends in Finland that has gotten a good bit of attention. You can down load it at starwreck.com.
It's an impressive effort w/ amazing CGI - hard to believe it's homemade. I can't say enough about how impressed I am w/ it. The story is pretty good, a bit campy in humor, but good and they use it to their strength. The plot is good too.
The acting is lacking, but better than I'd expect.
But the CGI is great.
Very impressed all over really.
A homemade movie by 5 friends in Finland that has gotten a good bit of attention. You can down load it at starwreck.com.
It's an impressive effort w/ amazing CGI - hard to believe it's homemade. I can't say enough about how impressed I am w/ it. The story is pretty good, a bit campy in humor, but good and they use it to their strength. The plot is good too.
The acting is lacking, but better than I'd expect.
But the CGI is great.
Very impressed all over really.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) - 4/5
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
I had high expectations of this mainly b/c of similarities btwn it and Lord of the Rings in both underlying subject matter and production.
Anyway, I thought it was really good. I think they did a good job of balancing the seriousness w/ a children's story. The CGI was really good, but in a couple places lacked just a little. Though that may have been intentional to keep things from looking 'too real'???
I felt they got to tell a lot of the story in the time they had. I don't know the story in enough detail to know all the places they made changes or how important they all are. I know of a few which I didn't think dramatically changed anything in the story.
I think it was well cast also.
SPOILERS:
I liked that Aslan told Peter to clean off his sword after killing the captain of the police. They didn't say why, but I liked that they didn't just take it all out.
I wish they wd have had Santa Claus tell Susan and Lucy that battle isn't proper for girls.
I liked how the White Witch wore a 'mane' at the last battle - like she was the new king.
I thought Aslan sd have been bigger and had a better, deeper and somewhat more expressive voice.
I had high expectations of this mainly b/c of similarities btwn it and Lord of the Rings in both underlying subject matter and production.
Anyway, I thought it was really good. I think they did a good job of balancing the seriousness w/ a children's story. The CGI was really good, but in a couple places lacked just a little. Though that may have been intentional to keep things from looking 'too real'???
I felt they got to tell a lot of the story in the time they had. I don't know the story in enough detail to know all the places they made changes or how important they all are. I know of a few which I didn't think dramatically changed anything in the story.
I think it was well cast also.
SPOILERS:
I liked that Aslan told Peter to clean off his sword after killing the captain of the police. They didn't say why, but I liked that they didn't just take it all out.
I wish they wd have had Santa Claus tell Susan and Lucy that battle isn't proper for girls.
I liked how the White Witch wore a 'mane' at the last battle - like she was the new king.
I thought Aslan sd have been bigger and had a better, deeper and somewhat more expressive voice.
The Goonies (1985) - 3/5
The Goonies (1985)
Good kids movie - I wish I had seen this when it came out, but I didn't. I guess I was 15 so maybe it was too late for me???
I think it's a good, classic kids movie though there is a little bit of cussing in it which surprised me.
The slapstickness and general silliness sd appeal to most kids.
All in all, a good movie. I probably wd have given it a higher rating if I were younger.
Good kids movie - I wish I had seen this when it came out, but I didn't. I guess I was 15 so maybe it was too late for me???
I think it's a good, classic kids movie though there is a little bit of cussing in it which surprised me.
The slapstickness and general silliness sd appeal to most kids.
All in all, a good movie. I probably wd have given it a higher rating if I were younger.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Solaris (2002) - 3.5/5
Solaris (2002)
I may give this movie a different rating in time - it's tough to digest this one. I'm not sure it can be???
Definitely worth seeing. Slow, quiet, strange, confusing, intriguing and quite a journey to watch. The whole sci-fi aspect is just out of necessity.
"And death will have no dominion"
SPOILERS:
A possibly telling line in the movie is from Rheya when we wonders about Solaris saying "it made me, but I have no way to communicate with it." Is Solaris God? Is it Heaven? Hell?
It gives you what you sd want, but incompletely.
Why is it raining all the time on Earth?
I think Kelvin stays b/c he knows that no matter how artificial and empty (and short) live may be at Solaris, it's better than going back to Earth having been there. The boy welcomes him to stay... in Heaven?
Why don't the dead people from the station coming back?
Gibarian: "And you're not? Or maybe you're my puppet. But like all puppets you think you're actually human. It's the puppets dream, being normal. "
Gibarian: "There are no answers, only choices."
I may give this movie a different rating in time - it's tough to digest this one. I'm not sure it can be???
Definitely worth seeing. Slow, quiet, strange, confusing, intriguing and quite a journey to watch. The whole sci-fi aspect is just out of necessity.
"And death will have no dominion"
SPOILERS:
A possibly telling line in the movie is from Rheya when we wonders about Solaris saying "it made me, but I have no way to communicate with it." Is Solaris God? Is it Heaven? Hell?
It gives you what you sd want, but incompletely.
Why is it raining all the time on Earth?
I think Kelvin stays b/c he knows that no matter how artificial and empty (and short) live may be at Solaris, it's better than going back to Earth having been there. The boy welcomes him to stay... in Heaven?
Why don't the dead people from the station coming back?
Gibarian: "And you're not? Or maybe you're my puppet. But like all puppets you think you're actually human. It's the puppets dream, being normal. "
Gibarian: "There are no answers, only choices."
And death shall have no dominion.
Dead men naked they shall be
one with the man in the wind and the west moon.
When their bones are picked clean
and the clean bones gone
they shall have stars at elbow and foot.
Though they go mad they shall be sane.
Though they sink through the sea
they shall rise again.
Though lovers be lost love shall not.
And death shall have no dominion.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
The Ox-Bow Incident (1943) - 4.5/5
The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)
Great movie. A powerful story about justice being blind in the wrong way. Mob justice.
It shows both sides of guilty-until-proven innocent. Not only the devastating effects on the victim, but those having to live w/ their actions.
What is this film saying about how things 'ought to be?' How can this change? Are we to listen to the elders, the wise, the religious? Are we to change in ourselves to be better? If so, how?
I think the movie tells us it's from a conscience from God.
SPOILERS:
The movie starts off and the first line remarks about how 'dead' the town is. The drifters come in to a barren town w/ the first member being a dog crossing the road.
They go in the saloon and stare at a picture above the bar of a woman seductively posed and a man half-way in the room behind her. One drifter comments about how the man is a bit slow to be leaving. He's somewhat jealous and protective in a way. He's probably already thinking of 'his girl' Rose in the town.
The barkeeper sees it from a different angle - the man is always close to her, but can't do a thing about it.
The drifter winds up in a fight w/ someone and his friend comments about how he sometimes needs to fight. It doesn't matter if he wins or losers - he feels better afterwards.
They learn about the robbery and start forming a mob posse. The older man, Davies, is the voice of reason and few side w/ him. A mocked paster, Sparks, and soon the judge. The Sheriff's Deputy, clearly immoral, joins the mob and 'deputizes' them all.
They head out and it's dark soon. They stop to rest and we learn that Sparks' brother had been lynched when he was young. No one knows for what or if he even did it, but it's close to him and he knows it can easily be done w/o good reason.
A coach goes by and thinks they're going to be robbed so they speed up and shot at the mob. Croft, the main drifter's friend, is shot. The coach has Rose in it newly married. It's pretty clear she still has feelings for one or more of the men and has married for money. It's a strange sub-plot that I'm not sure what to make of.
Later the mob makes it to the ox-bow and the shot is of them just under the tree they later hang the men from. A clear picture of them being guilty.
Thru the discussions of the situation some interesting comments are made:
Carter: "Hangin' is any man's business that's around." - no one is innocent
Deputy: "first he won't talk, now he talks too much" - the accused is guilty and can do no right.
The decide to wait until morning to hang them and move back to the fire. The accused men are on the left of the picture w/ the accusers on the right across from them. Straight ahead is Sparks, the man of God, between the two groups separated by fire.
The main accused man gets to write a letter to his wife. He entrusts Davies to delivery it. Davies reads it and shows it to 'the Major' who it seems has read it and realizes it's implications. He either thinks it trash from a guilty man or total rebuke from an innocent one and wants no part of either.
The mob calls for majority rules for hanging them. A complete mock of true justice, they turn to mob rules. Might is right. They call for those opposed to stand to the side. It starts w/ Sparks, a black man, and then Davies. The shot clearly showing the matter is black and white. Others join them including 'the Major's son. Sparks/religion/God again is the center of the shot. The group however is in minority.
Carter starts a bit of a fight. He loses, but maybe he feels better???
'The Major' forces his son to be one of the ones whipping the horses to hang the men. The father gives the son the whip in one last attempt to make him like himself. The son can't do it and the father clubs him unconscious. He'll have no female sons bearing his name.
After the lynching, the Sheriff shows up and explains Kincade isn't dead, but only shot and they caught the men who shot him. He snatches the star from the Deputy and calls on Davies for the truth (turning TO the wise for truth as opposed to running from it). The Sheriff hopes God will have mercy on them b/c he, the tool of justice, won't.
Carter asks for the letter to read from Davies.
'The Major' goes home w/ his son. He locks his son out of the house and the son, w/ a veil btwn them, tells off the father. He accuses his father of loving only power and cruelty and the son claims he wd have shot him if not for his own cowardness.
Carter reads the letter to his friend. You can't see his eyes as he reads. This may be an image of truly blind justice. The truth coming not from a man, but a higher source.
The letter:
In the end, the drifters leave to deliver the letter to the widow. They leave the way they came and things look the same. Even the dog crosses back to the other side of the street. Is this a message saying the despite all this, things don't change? Or is it a call to go back to the way things used to be?
Great movie. A powerful story about justice being blind in the wrong way. Mob justice.
It shows both sides of guilty-until-proven innocent. Not only the devastating effects on the victim, but those having to live w/ their actions.
What is this film saying about how things 'ought to be?' How can this change? Are we to listen to the elders, the wise, the religious? Are we to change in ourselves to be better? If so, how?
I think the movie tells us it's from a conscience from God.
SPOILERS:
The movie starts off and the first line remarks about how 'dead' the town is. The drifters come in to a barren town w/ the first member being a dog crossing the road.
They go in the saloon and stare at a picture above the bar of a woman seductively posed and a man half-way in the room behind her. One drifter comments about how the man is a bit slow to be leaving. He's somewhat jealous and protective in a way. He's probably already thinking of 'his girl' Rose in the town.
The barkeeper sees it from a different angle - the man is always close to her, but can't do a thing about it.
The drifter winds up in a fight w/ someone and his friend comments about how he sometimes needs to fight. It doesn't matter if he wins or losers - he feels better afterwards.
They learn about the robbery and start forming a mob posse. The older man, Davies, is the voice of reason and few side w/ him. A mocked paster, Sparks, and soon the judge. The Sheriff's Deputy, clearly immoral, joins the mob and 'deputizes' them all.
They head out and it's dark soon. They stop to rest and we learn that Sparks' brother had been lynched when he was young. No one knows for what or if he even did it, but it's close to him and he knows it can easily be done w/o good reason.
A coach goes by and thinks they're going to be robbed so they speed up and shot at the mob. Croft, the main drifter's friend, is shot. The coach has Rose in it newly married. It's pretty clear she still has feelings for one or more of the men and has married for money. It's a strange sub-plot that I'm not sure what to make of.
Later the mob makes it to the ox-bow and the shot is of them just under the tree they later hang the men from. A clear picture of them being guilty.
Thru the discussions of the situation some interesting comments are made:
Carter: "Hangin' is any man's business that's around." - no one is innocent
Deputy: "first he won't talk, now he talks too much" - the accused is guilty and can do no right.
The decide to wait until morning to hang them and move back to the fire. The accused men are on the left of the picture w/ the accusers on the right across from them. Straight ahead is Sparks, the man of God, between the two groups separated by fire.
The main accused man gets to write a letter to his wife. He entrusts Davies to delivery it. Davies reads it and shows it to 'the Major' who it seems has read it and realizes it's implications. He either thinks it trash from a guilty man or total rebuke from an innocent one and wants no part of either.
The mob calls for majority rules for hanging them. A complete mock of true justice, they turn to mob rules. Might is right. They call for those opposed to stand to the side. It starts w/ Sparks, a black man, and then Davies. The shot clearly showing the matter is black and white. Others join them including 'the Major's son. Sparks/religion/God again is the center of the shot. The group however is in minority.
Carter starts a bit of a fight. He loses, but maybe he feels better???
'The Major' forces his son to be one of the ones whipping the horses to hang the men. The father gives the son the whip in one last attempt to make him like himself. The son can't do it and the father clubs him unconscious. He'll have no female sons bearing his name.
After the lynching, the Sheriff shows up and explains Kincade isn't dead, but only shot and they caught the men who shot him. He snatches the star from the Deputy and calls on Davies for the truth (turning TO the wise for truth as opposed to running from it). The Sheriff hopes God will have mercy on them b/c he, the tool of justice, won't.
Carter asks for the letter to read from Davies.
'The Major' goes home w/ his son. He locks his son out of the house and the son, w/ a veil btwn them, tells off the father. He accuses his father of loving only power and cruelty and the son claims he wd have shot him if not for his own cowardness.
Carter reads the letter to his friend. You can't see his eyes as he reads. This may be an image of truly blind justice. The truth coming not from a man, but a higher source.
The letter:
A man just naturally can't take the law into his own hands and hang people without hurtin' everybody in the world, 'cause then he's just not breaking one law but all laws. Law is a lot more than words you put in a book, or judges or lawyers or sheriffs you hire to carry it out. It's everything people ever have found out about justice and what's right and wrong. It's the very conscience of humanity. There can't be any such thing as civilization unless people have a conscience, because if people touch God anywhere, where is it except through their conscience? And what is anybody's conscience except a little piece of the conscience of all men that ever lived?
In the end, the drifters leave to deliver the letter to the widow. They leave the way they came and things look the same. Even the dog crosses back to the other side of the street. Is this a message saying the despite all this, things don't change? Or is it a call to go back to the way things used to be?
Monday, December 05, 2005
Insomnia (2002) - 3/5
Insomnia (2002)
Remake of the Norwegian Insomnia (1997).
A pretty good movie, but seems to fall short in convincing and communicating the complete exhaustion of the main character. I think this falls on Pacino.
Certainly some imagery w/ the constanct sunlight ("There are two kinds of people in Alaska: those who were born here and those who come here to escape something.") - you can't hide from it. It's haunting and relentless. Like the truth.
The cinematography was good - constantly gloomy, gray, dank, damp, dull, etc. Every day is the same, they bleed into each other - one big day.
SPOILERS:
I have a hard time believing the main characters innocence in a sense. He's the 'great detective', but pretty quickly switches the guns to hide his accident. That, to me, says he's a 'bad guy' from the get-go.
"It's all about small stuff. You know, small lies, small mistakes. People give themselves away, same in misdemeanors as they do on murder cases. It's just human nature." He gave himself away. It makes it hard to be sympathetic.
He somewhat redeems himself in the end w/ Det. Burr. "A good cop can't sleep b/c he's missing a piece of the puzzle. And a bad cop can't sleep b/c his conscience won't let him." He sleeps at the end.
He confesses everything to the hotel lady - she's able to sleep.
Remake of the Norwegian Insomnia (1997).
A pretty good movie, but seems to fall short in convincing and communicating the complete exhaustion of the main character. I think this falls on Pacino.
Certainly some imagery w/ the constanct sunlight ("There are two kinds of people in Alaska: those who were born here and those who come here to escape something.") - you can't hide from it. It's haunting and relentless. Like the truth.
The cinematography was good - constantly gloomy, gray, dank, damp, dull, etc. Every day is the same, they bleed into each other - one big day.
SPOILERS:
I have a hard time believing the main characters innocence in a sense. He's the 'great detective', but pretty quickly switches the guns to hide his accident. That, to me, says he's a 'bad guy' from the get-go.
"It's all about small stuff. You know, small lies, small mistakes. People give themselves away, same in misdemeanors as they do on murder cases. It's just human nature." He gave himself away. It makes it hard to be sympathetic.
He somewhat redeems himself in the end w/ Det. Burr. "A good cop can't sleep b/c he's missing a piece of the puzzle. And a bad cop can't sleep b/c his conscience won't let him." He sleeps at the end.
He confesses everything to the hotel lady - she's able to sleep.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Training Day (2001) - 3.5/5
Training Day (2001)
Good movie - intense.
To protect the sheep from wolves, you have to become a wolf yourself.
Spoilers:
Hoyt seems a little too 'green' coming into his position, but that works for the most part.
His 'do good' perspective early on helps save a girl which later comes back to save himself. Probably a larger message w/in the story - doing good saves you.
In the end, Hoyt does seem to lose a little when he leaves w/ the money Harris needed knowing what wd happen to him. It works in the film though.
Good movie - intense.
To protect the sheep from wolves, you have to become a wolf yourself.
Spoilers:
Hoyt seems a little too 'green' coming into his position, but that works for the most part.
His 'do good' perspective early on helps save a girl which later comes back to save himself. Probably a larger message w/in the story - doing good saves you.
In the end, Hoyt does seem to lose a little when he leaves w/ the money Harris needed knowing what wd happen to him. It works in the film though.
Amadeus (1984) - 4/5
Amadeus (1984): "Amadeus (1984)"
Well made and powerful though made in the '80's w/ modern speech that now is actually a distraction.
The story is told from the point of view of Salieri who dispises Mozart and comes to dispise God for giving to Mozart the gift he wants for himself.
Amadeus: In Latin it means "Loved by God."
I like the point he made about God gave him enough talent only to recognize what He had given Mozart.
Well made and powerful though made in the '80's w/ modern speech that now is actually a distraction.
The story is told from the point of view of Salieri who dispises Mozart and comes to dispise God for giving to Mozart the gift he wants for himself.
Amadeus: In Latin it means "Loved by God."
I like the point he made about God gave him enough talent only to recognize what He had given Mozart.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
The X Files (1998) - 3.5/5
The X Files (1998)
It's been too long since I was watching the XFiles to remember how well this fit in w/ the plot of the show. At the time I probably was very close to the show and figured this was too. They tried to market this as being 'stand alone' so anyone cd enjoy it, but I still can't see that too much.
I remember being disappointed at the time, but now I liked the movie. It's not great, but it's a good sci-fi movie, but not just 'sci fi' all over the place all the time - good story and characters.
The ending is a bit abrupt in a sense and maybe a little over dramatic too. But overall I liked it.
It's been too long since I was watching the XFiles to remember how well this fit in w/ the plot of the show. At the time I probably was very close to the show and figured this was too. They tried to market this as being 'stand alone' so anyone cd enjoy it, but I still can't see that too much.
I remember being disappointed at the time, but now I liked the movie. It's not great, but it's a good sci-fi movie, but not just 'sci fi' all over the place all the time - good story and characters.
The ending is a bit abrupt in a sense and maybe a little over dramatic too. But overall I liked it.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Mad Max 2 (1981) - 2.5/5
Mad Max 2 (1981)
Better than the prequel, but only in production value: better sound, stunts, cinematography, etc. But still a weak story... if there is one really.
But again, loved it as a kid. Nostalgia.
Better than the prequel, but only in production value: better sound, stunts, cinematography, etc. But still a weak story... if there is one really.
But again, loved it as a kid. Nostalgia.
Mad Max (1979) - 2/5
Mad Max (1979)
I wd give this movie a 1, but having seen and loved it as a kid, I can't help but give it a mercy point.
More of a horror style movie than action or anything else. The worst soundtrack imaginable... maybe.
This is a typical '70's movie style movie. It was 1979, but it was Australia.
It's bad all around, but I like it b/c of my experience w/ it as a kid.
I wd give this movie a 1, but having seen and loved it as a kid, I can't help but give it a mercy point.
More of a horror style movie than action or anything else. The worst soundtrack imaginable... maybe.
This is a typical '70's movie style movie. It was 1979, but it was Australia.
It's bad all around, but I like it b/c of my experience w/ it as a kid.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001) - 4/5
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001)
Good, clean fun. Good story w/ plenty of action to move it along. The personalities and characters are great and it really goes how you'd like it to. Extremely creative w/ great animation.
Some people may not like it so much b/c it's so much of a 'kids' movie, but I liked that aspect too.
Good, clean fun. Good story w/ plenty of action to move it along. The personalities and characters are great and it really goes how you'd like it to. Extremely creative w/ great animation.
Some people may not like it so much b/c it's so much of a 'kids' movie, but I liked that aspect too.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Made (2001) - 2/5
Made (2001)
Slightly entertaining, but quite disappointing given the past success of this duo in "Swingers."
Vince Vaughn spouts his usual excess which is normal art, but this time annoying (though it's clearly suppose to be).
The movie feels like a series of events that the viewer, and characters, doesn't know the goal of. Also, the ending feels forced and a bit trite.
Slightly entertaining, but quite disappointing given the past success of this duo in "Swingers."
Vince Vaughn spouts his usual excess which is normal art, but this time annoying (though it's clearly suppose to be).
The movie feels like a series of events that the viewer, and characters, doesn't know the goal of. Also, the ending feels forced and a bit trite.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Proof (2005) - 3.5/5
Proof (2005)
We saw this play in New York several years ago and really liked it. It's a good story told well.
Somehow I'm not sure it transitioned to the screen as well as the play??? It cd just be whatever you see first is better. Also, the first actors you see do it, seem to be better.
Either way, it was good, but not ground breaking.
What does 'the proof' prove?
SPOILERS:
Her dad's proof proved his insanity and her's her sanity. They both completed at the same time.
We saw this play in New York several years ago and really liked it. It's a good story told well.
Somehow I'm not sure it transitioned to the screen as well as the play??? It cd just be whatever you see first is better. Also, the first actors you see do it, seem to be better.
Either way, it was good, but not ground breaking.
What does 'the proof' prove?
SPOILERS:
Her dad's proof proved his insanity and her's her sanity. They both completed at the same time.
Jing wu men (1972) - 3.5/5
Jing wu men (1972)
Good fighting, comical over-dubbing.
What I was most impressed w/ was the story. The complexity of the 'spy' aspect w/in the school was interesting to me - he kills the spies, but if the other school is mad, they admit they had spies. However, if Chen's school doesn't blame them, they look guilty. He forces their had.
The disguises were good, but a bit goofy, but I assume that was the intent.
The ending was a bit sudden and lacking, but that may be the style???
Bottom line, for 1972 in Hong Kong, it was good and w/ Bruce, it was even better.
Good fighting, comical over-dubbing.
What I was most impressed w/ was the story. The complexity of the 'spy' aspect w/in the school was interesting to me - he kills the spies, but if the other school is mad, they admit they had spies. However, if Chen's school doesn't blame them, they look guilty. He forces their had.
The disguises were good, but a bit goofy, but I assume that was the intent.
The ending was a bit sudden and lacking, but that may be the style???
Bottom line, for 1972 in Hong Kong, it was good and w/ Bruce, it was even better.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Starship Troopers (1997) - 1.5/5
Starship Troopers (1997)
Looking for a way to waste $95M on a bad scifi movie w/ worse acting and a slurry of plot holes? TOO LATE! They beat you too it w/ "Starship Troopers."
Just don't see it.
WARNING: Nudity. (Fortunately) it's not much of a 'lust' temptation.
SPOILERS:
Why don't they nuke the planets? Why don't they have tanks? Why can they master interstellar travel, but still use regular bullets that they have proves 100 times over only kill them slower? Why no tanks? Why not more fly-over bombings? Why did 3 people sign-up at the same time end up in such completely different levels of rank so quickly? Why did I watch this?
Looking for a way to waste $95M on a bad scifi movie w/ worse acting and a slurry of plot holes? TOO LATE! They beat you too it w/ "Starship Troopers."
Just don't see it.
WARNING: Nudity. (Fortunately) it's not much of a 'lust' temptation.
SPOILERS:
Why don't they nuke the planets? Why don't they have tanks? Why can they master interstellar travel, but still use regular bullets that they have proves 100 times over only kill them slower? Why no tanks? Why not more fly-over bombings? Why did 3 people sign-up at the same time end up in such completely different levels of rank so quickly? Why did I watch this?
Friday, September 23, 2005
Closer (2004) - 1.5/5
Closer (2004)
While I feel I can say this movie was 'well done', there's not much here worth seeing.
The time device they use is interesting and the characters and dialogue are very intense.
It seems most of the characters are bent on being honest w/ each other which ironically gets them in more trouble most of the time.
Very vulgar.
SPOILERS:
The time device - it seems they mostly only show scenes revolving around the start or end or both of relationships w/ little signs (sometimes comments) about how much time has past.
Did "Alice Ayres" 'die' to save someone's life? Did Jane Jones give up her life to save Dan or someone else?
Her line was great near the end when she was telling Dan she didn't love him anymore. Something like "I can't lie to you and I can't love you anymore." She cd love him as long as he her lie to him. When he forced the all-important honesty, it was over.
They don't know what they want, they want what they can't have, they want what people tell them they want - no committment, no change, nothing learned. We're animals.
While I feel I can say this movie was 'well done', there's not much here worth seeing.
The time device they use is interesting and the characters and dialogue are very intense.
It seems most of the characters are bent on being honest w/ each other which ironically gets them in more trouble most of the time.
Very vulgar.
SPOILERS:
The time device - it seems they mostly only show scenes revolving around the start or end or both of relationships w/ little signs (sometimes comments) about how much time has past.
Did "Alice Ayres" 'die' to save someone's life? Did Jane Jones give up her life to save Dan or someone else?
Her line was great near the end when she was telling Dan she didn't love him anymore. Something like "I can't lie to you and I can't love you anymore." She cd love him as long as he her lie to him. When he forced the all-important honesty, it was over.
They don't know what they want, they want what they can't have, they want what people tell them they want - no committment, no change, nothing learned. We're animals.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Shaun of the Dead (2004) - 3.5/5
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Good zombie movie. Probably my fav zombie movie. Funny and 'light-hearted' and well made.
Cleverly wrapped drama, love story w/in a zombie story. Shaun is dealing w/ issues w/ his roommates, girlfriend, parents and job all while fighting those returning from the dead.
Good zombie movie. Probably my fav zombie movie. Funny and 'light-hearted' and well made.
Cleverly wrapped drama, love story w/in a zombie story. Shaun is dealing w/ issues w/ his roommates, girlfriend, parents and job all while fighting those returning from the dead.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001) - 2/5
The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001)
Woody Allen movies are generally ok, but he isn't a good actor to me. And putting any type of love story in his movies is laughable if not insulting.
I thought the acting was fairly weak all around.
The story was pretty good and fairly classic in the "film noir" style.
The ending felt very forced and rushed. Amateur even. The one-liners felt so setup that you really cd tell they went out of their way for a line or two to get them in.
It all comes together in a decent movie, but nothing great.
Woody Allen movies are generally ok, but he isn't a good actor to me. And putting any type of love story in his movies is laughable if not insulting.
I thought the acting was fairly weak all around.
The story was pretty good and fairly classic in the "film noir" style.
The ending felt very forced and rushed. Amateur even. The one-liners felt so setup that you really cd tell they went out of their way for a line or two to get them in.
It all comes together in a decent movie, but nothing great.
Batman Begins (2005) - 3.5/5
Batman Begins (2005) Good action, good characters and mostly good acting.
Lots of big names.
Mainly I think they did themselves (and us) a favor by not making it a typical "superhero movie."
SPOILERS:
I think the only thing they didn't do well was establish the villian. First it was Chill, then Falcone, then Crane, then Earle, then Ghul.
And I don't mean to get technical, but a microwave emitter strong enough to vaporize the city's water supply wd boil people alive at the same time.
So I guess Dr. Crane was also "The Scarecrow" - maybe that was another Batman villian like The Joker, etc. Not sure??? However, they did a decent job of making *that* villian not too comic-book which fit the movie well. However, it was a bit goofy w/ him and the mask and all. At first, I thought it was a gas-mask of sorts b/c of the drug he sprayed, but I think it was just a sack. The bad part is how he was handled by the female lead. Weak.
Lots of big names.
Mainly I think they did themselves (and us) a favor by not making it a typical "superhero movie."
SPOILERS:
I think the only thing they didn't do well was establish the villian. First it was Chill, then Falcone, then Crane, then Earle, then Ghul.
And I don't mean to get technical, but a microwave emitter strong enough to vaporize the city's water supply wd boil people alive at the same time.
So I guess Dr. Crane was also "The Scarecrow" - maybe that was another Batman villian like The Joker, etc. Not sure??? However, they did a decent job of making *that* villian not too comic-book which fit the movie well. However, it was a bit goofy w/ him and the mask and all. At first, I thought it was a gas-mask of sorts b/c of the drug he sprayed, but I think it was just a sack. The bad part is how he was handled by the female lead. Weak.
Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) - 1/5
Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
Some interesting evidence and views, but all circumstantial. He condemns some (Bush, Republicans, etc.) by association, but doesn't do the same to others (or even the convicted).
Bottom line, it's a video essay - far from a documentary.
Some interesting evidence and views, but all circumstantial. He condemns some (Bush, Republicans, etc.) by association, but doesn't do the same to others (or even the convicted).
Bottom line, it's a video essay - far from a documentary.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Vernon, Florida (1981) - 3/5
Vernon, Florida (1981)
They certainly did their job of making a documentary. They stayed out of the way as far as you can tell. However, if you look hard (maybe too hard), they might be doing something...
They basically establish the town's residents as ignorant and backwards for the most part. I'm not saying they manipulated it, these people are what they are.
But then well into it, they have a pretty long segment on them sharing their religious beliefs - I can't help but think that it is saying "dumb, backwards people are religious." Again, I may be looking too hard.
Either way, I have to say their religious thoughts are pretty good. I especially liked the sermon which I was happy they showed so much of.
It has some comical points, but at the same time you feel guilty thinking it's funny.
SPOILERS:
The "balls of brain" (writing "cat sh**" and "dog sh**" w/ each hand) and the "gopher" were two of the best parts.
They certainly did their job of making a documentary. They stayed out of the way as far as you can tell. However, if you look hard (maybe too hard), they might be doing something...
They basically establish the town's residents as ignorant and backwards for the most part. I'm not saying they manipulated it, these people are what they are.
But then well into it, they have a pretty long segment on them sharing their religious beliefs - I can't help but think that it is saying "dumb, backwards people are religious." Again, I may be looking too hard.
Either way, I have to say their religious thoughts are pretty good. I especially liked the sermon which I was happy they showed so much of.
It has some comical points, but at the same time you feel guilty thinking it's funny.
SPOILERS:
The "balls of brain" (writing "cat sh**" and "dog sh**" w/ each hand) and the "gopher" were two of the best parts.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004) - 5/5
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
I think this movie is great b/c they didn't have a budget. W/ money, they probably wd have ruined it.
I think this movie is great b/c they didn't have a budget. W/ money, they probably wd have ruined it.
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) - 3.5/5
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
Fairy tale. Good imagery. Creative and original. Jim Carrey is spot-on as all characters.
Fairy tale. Good imagery. Creative and original. Jim Carrey is spot-on as all characters.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Lola rennt (Run, Lola, Run) (1998) - 3.5/5
Lola rennt (Run, Lola, Run) (1998)
Cool concept and idea. Is there more to it than there seems? I think so.
How wd you get 100,000 Deutschmarks ($65,000) in 20 minutes?
Notice the use of the color red: her hair, the phone, ambulance the money bag, etc.
"and then..."
SPOILERS:
The first attempt is pleading (mercy) w/ her dad which fails - Manni robs and she helps out of love, but they are caught and Lola gets shot. The father doesn't love her and stops pretending he does.
The first "pause" after failure Lola asks Manni if he loves her and then questions every way possible if it's true. How can you know? Then you just feel? etc.
The second attempt start similarly, but gets forceful and she succeeds, but then Manni is hit by an ambulance.
The "pause" is then about Manni asking what she wd do if he died. She's confident she cd stop it from happening or un-do it somehow if it did happen.
The third try is faith. The means, the happenings, etc. She gets the money and meanwhile Manni "happens" to see (via the blind woman) the man who has his money. He gets it back and hands over his gun to the man.
Lola saves a man's life in the middle of it all by her touch.
Cool concept and idea. Is there more to it than there seems? I think so.
How wd you get 100,000 Deutschmarks ($65,000) in 20 minutes?
Notice the use of the color red: her hair, the phone, ambulance the money bag, etc.
"and then..."
SPOILERS:
The first attempt is pleading (mercy) w/ her dad which fails - Manni robs and she helps out of love, but they are caught and Lola gets shot. The father doesn't love her and stops pretending he does.
The first "pause" after failure Lola asks Manni if he loves her and then questions every way possible if it's true. How can you know? Then you just feel? etc.
The second attempt start similarly, but gets forceful and she succeeds, but then Manni is hit by an ambulance.
The "pause" is then about Manni asking what she wd do if he died. She's confident she cd stop it from happening or un-do it somehow if it did happen.
The third try is faith. The means, the happenings, etc. She gets the money and meanwhile Manni "happens" to see (via the blind woman) the man who has his money. He gets it back and hands over his gun to the man.
Lola saves a man's life in the middle of it all by her touch.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Minority Report (2002) - 3/5
Minority Report (2002)
I like the 'feel' of this movie and the visual 'tone.' The story is a big forced to me: destiny, fate, etc. But the action is pretty good and they do well at setting the mood.
I really like the idea of the story and they do a decent job at it, but it's hard to mix action and philosophy. Something like "Gattaca" does a better job though I don't mean to compare them in too many ways.
Also, they need to settle on the story - what are they trying to say?
SPOILERS:
Was the story about a guy who can't escape his fate? The forced slavery of people w/ special powers? The power to change your fate when you know what it is?
Also, did they ever resolve his son's abduction? Or was that just a side-line issue?
I don't mean to be picky, but, was he a cop before his son was abducted? If so, he wasn't very good in which case he probably wdn't have been the Precrime head guy. If he wasn't a cop, he also probably wdn't have been the Precrime head guy.
I like the 'feel' of this movie and the visual 'tone.' The story is a big forced to me: destiny, fate, etc. But the action is pretty good and they do well at setting the mood.
I really like the idea of the story and they do a decent job at it, but it's hard to mix action and philosophy. Something like "Gattaca" does a better job though I don't mean to compare them in too many ways.
Also, they need to settle on the story - what are they trying to say?
SPOILERS:
Was the story about a guy who can't escape his fate? The forced slavery of people w/ special powers? The power to change your fate when you know what it is?
Also, did they ever resolve his son's abduction? Or was that just a side-line issue?
I don't mean to be picky, but, was he a cop before his son was abducted? If so, he wasn't very good in which case he probably wdn't have been the Precrime head guy. If he wasn't a cop, he also probably wdn't have been the Precrime head guy.
Monday, August 29, 2005
The Hours (2002) - 5/5
The Hours (2002)
This movie broke my heart into a million pieces. I bawled for a while at the end.
This movie was not only clever and original, but truly powerful emotionally. I completely bought into it and went along all the way. It was painful to watch, but so good.
Mo was asking me what it was about and there's no way I cd describe it. I think it might be able 3 women who chose life over death, but only a life they cd bear - not a true life, just not death.
If nothing else, this movie tells a very sad story (or stories) and does it amazingly well which is amazingly hard to do.
SPOILERS:
Showing the son's life and his adult life simultaneously had an incredible effect. Finding out who he was later allowed me to see him for the lost child he was.
This movie broke my heart into a million pieces. I bawled for a while at the end.
This movie was not only clever and original, but truly powerful emotionally. I completely bought into it and went along all the way. It was painful to watch, but so good.
Mo was asking me what it was about and there's no way I cd describe it. I think it might be able 3 women who chose life over death, but only a life they cd bear - not a true life, just not death.
If nothing else, this movie tells a very sad story (or stories) and does it amazingly well which is amazingly hard to do.
SPOILERS:
Showing the son's life and his adult life simultaneously had an incredible effect. Finding out who he was later allowed me to see him for the lost child he was.
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.
I, Robot (2004) - 3/5
I, Robot (2004)
Good action. Interesting issues. It's not great, but I didn't expect too much given what people said.
I think it falls short of what it tried to do and I'm guessing disappointed a lot of people who were fans of Asimov, the book, etc.
Good action. Interesting issues. It's not great, but I didn't expect too much given what people said.
I think it falls short of what it tried to do and I'm guessing disappointed a lot of people who were fans of Asimov, the book, etc.
Alfie (2004) - 3.5/5
Alfie (2004) Rarely does a movie turn out to be more than I think it tried to be. Several "devices" used in the movie may have been out of place or just hard to nail down, but still interesting.
Good job acting and handling sensitive situations in a mature way though appearing to be immature... if that makes sense.
Most people expecting what it seemed to be were probably disappointed and people hoping for more probably stayed away. It was a bit of both, but the ending showed how the resolution to this life isn't so clean and easy.
Good job acting and handling sensitive situations in a mature way though appearing to be immature... if that makes sense.
Most people expecting what it seemed to be were probably disappointed and people hoping for more probably stayed away. It was a bit of both, but the ending showed how the resolution to this life isn't so clean and easy.
Rob Roy (1995) - 3.5/5
Rob Roy (1995) Probably better drama than Braveheart, but I wd say a lesser performance in other areas: politics, love and action.
Still, very good.
I had a hard time "buying" Tim Roth's performance. Not sure why - he did a great job. I just cdn't help but see Tim Roth playing a part. I think I just had a hard time w/ him in a period piece???
Jessica Lange was outstanding. She stole every scene she was in.
Still, very good.
I had a hard time "buying" Tim Roth's performance. Not sure why - he did a great job. I just cdn't help but see Tim Roth playing a part. I think I just had a hard time w/ him in a period piece???
Jessica Lange was outstanding. She stole every scene she was in.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Boys Don't Cry (1999) - 2.5/5
Boys Don't Cry (1999)
It's a "true story" though I'm not sure who the source is???
I had a hard time w/ this movie given it's subject matter and my beliefs. Not only that, but I genuinely didn't like nor respect the characters much.
I will say they handle it generally in an honest and non-glamorizing way. Also, they don't over do too much to sway the audience's opinion. On the other hand, that left me wondering what they were trying to communicate???
SPOILERS:
Given the only people in the movie were either dead or part of the murders, I'm not sure who told this story. I think one person was left, but I'm not sure there's much reason to trust her.
A truly sad story on all sides: a sexually confused girl, clearly confused two men (given they rape their friend when they find out she's a girl), confused girls in love w/ a she-male??? It's messed up.
Trying to make a sympathetic character out of someone who is running from the law and everything else (nature!), is a tough sell. Granted, some can pity her confusion, which I do, but it doesn't make me identify w/ her any more.
I'm afraid it may have simply left me thinking that ignorant people do ignorant things w/ other ignorant people in an ignorant way that only leads to ruin.
It's a "true story" though I'm not sure who the source is???
I had a hard time w/ this movie given it's subject matter and my beliefs. Not only that, but I genuinely didn't like nor respect the characters much.
I will say they handle it generally in an honest and non-glamorizing way. Also, they don't over do too much to sway the audience's opinion. On the other hand, that left me wondering what they were trying to communicate???
SPOILERS:
Given the only people in the movie were either dead or part of the murders, I'm not sure who told this story. I think one person was left, but I'm not sure there's much reason to trust her.
A truly sad story on all sides: a sexually confused girl, clearly confused two men (given they rape their friend when they find out she's a girl), confused girls in love w/ a she-male??? It's messed up.
Trying to make a sympathetic character out of someone who is running from the law and everything else (nature!), is a tough sell. Granted, some can pity her confusion, which I do, but it doesn't make me identify w/ her any more.
I'm afraid it may have simply left me thinking that ignorant people do ignorant things w/ other ignorant people in an ignorant way that only leads to ruin.
Monday, August 22, 2005
50 First Dates (2004) - 3.5/5
50 First Dates (2004)
Very sweet and funny. Great 'Sandler' comedy, but w/ a very good love story about serious sacrifice.
This is one of the few love stories that while it's unrealistic and too 'fairy tale' I have to like it.
Very sweet and funny. Great 'Sandler' comedy, but w/ a very good love story about serious sacrifice.
This is one of the few love stories that while it's unrealistic and too 'fairy tale' I have to like it.
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?
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) - 3/5
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Well told. Good twists. I think the character and environmental feel was about as good as it cd be.
It's a fairly long movie and they take full advantage of that. They take their time setting the scene.
Tom wd rather be a fake somebody, then a real nobody. He's willing to go as far as he has to to meet that.
SPOILERS:
As bad as he was, I somehow wanted him to 'get away' w/ it all. I don't know if it was b/c I felt sorry for him and maybe identified w/ him as far as wanting what other people take for granted or if it is b/c I just don't want to see the climax of the tale which I know won't be pretty.
I'm not sure why he killed Peter at the end??? I assume he was planning on killing Meredith when they met later on the boat since she was the last person that cd id him as Dickie. But why kill Peter?
Well told. Good twists. I think the character and environmental feel was about as good as it cd be.
It's a fairly long movie and they take full advantage of that. They take their time setting the scene.
Tom wd rather be a fake somebody, then a real nobody. He's willing to go as far as he has to to meet that.
SPOILERS:
As bad as he was, I somehow wanted him to 'get away' w/ it all. I don't know if it was b/c I felt sorry for him and maybe identified w/ him as far as wanting what other people take for granted or if it is b/c I just don't want to see the climax of the tale which I know won't be pretty.
I'm not sure why he killed Peter at the end??? I assume he was planning on killing Meredith when they met later on the boat since she was the last person that cd id him as Dickie. But why kill Peter?
Man on Fire (2004) - 3/5
Man on Fire (2004)
Powerful and intense.
A man keeping to himself as much as possible is won over by the person he is protecting - a little girl.
SPOILERS:
While remaining merciless in his vengence against her kidnappers, he maintains his value of her.
He's brutal and cold in his actions and discovers the true motives behind her kidnapping. He's able to accept in his reality the price he must pay for her life and reconciles his love for her w/in his loveless life/professional/reality.
Powerful and intense.
A man keeping to himself as much as possible is won over by the person he is protecting - a little girl.
SPOILERS:
While remaining merciless in his vengence against her kidnappers, he maintains his value of her.
He's brutal and cold in his actions and discovers the true motives behind her kidnapping. He's able to accept in his reality the price he must pay for her life and reconciles his love for her w/in his loveless life/professional/reality.
About Schmidt (2002) - 3/5
About Schmidt (2002)
A little thin for what I think they were trying to do, but still fairly original in some aspects: Ndugu's relationship was good.
A man who realizes his life was/is fairly empty and is winding down to even less. He doesn't know how unhappy he really is until he's faced w/ it.
He has made no difference in his life and no one values him or what he's leaving behind.
He shares his life w/ an "off-screen" character and in his honesty makes the only meaningful connection in his (current) life.
It was well told and not too ambitious, but they took a long, slow road to get there.
Side note: Second movie in a row w/ Hope Davis ("American Splendor").
A little thin for what I think they were trying to do, but still fairly original in some aspects: Ndugu's relationship was good.
A man who realizes his life was/is fairly empty and is winding down to even less. He doesn't know how unhappy he really is until he's faced w/ it.
He has made no difference in his life and no one values him or what he's leaving behind.
He shares his life w/ an "off-screen" character and in his honesty makes the only meaningful connection in his (current) life.
It was well told and not too ambitious, but they took a long, slow road to get there.
Side note: Second movie in a row w/ Hope Davis ("American Splendor").
Monday, August 15, 2005
Wedding Crashers (2005) - 3/5
Wedding Crashers (2005) Funny first half. Somewhat clever story w/ two guys and equally important, to me, love stories.
Somewhat slow second half, long time w/ no real dialogue. Somewhat cliché in the end, but it had to be for what it was.
WARNING: Unnecessary nudity and F-bombs galore.
Somewhat slow second half, long time w/ no real dialogue. Somewhat cliché in the end, but it had to be for what it was.
WARNING: Unnecessary nudity and F-bombs galore.
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."
Ali (2001) - 3.5/5
Ali (2001) Powerful and well done. Not a "boxing movie."
I was surprised to find that this movie glorifies nothing and no one: not Ali, not boxing, not Islam, not really anything. It all looks pretty bad.
The opening scene sets the tone of Ali working out w/ flashes to his background in confusion of identity and Sam Cooke's performance w/ all the ladies.
Ali starts w/a relationship w/ him and soon turns strongly to Malcolm X and Islam. W/ all these relationships and more including the U.S. government, his wives, Don King, etc. he "fights" his own fight in his own way. And usually he loses.
I saw a man who despite all his claims of who he is, he has no idea who he is. He only sees himself as the Champ and is fighting to make it true.
I was surprised to find that this movie glorifies nothing and no one: not Ali, not boxing, not Islam, not really anything. It all looks pretty bad.
The opening scene sets the tone of Ali working out w/ flashes to his background in confusion of identity and Sam Cooke's performance w/ all the ladies.
Ali starts w/a relationship w/ him and soon turns strongly to Malcolm X and Islam. W/ all these relationships and more including the U.S. government, his wives, Don King, etc. he "fights" his own fight in his own way. And usually he loses.
I saw a man who despite all his claims of who he is, he has no idea who he is. He only sees himself as the Champ and is fighting to make it true.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Shi mian mai fu (2004) - House of Flying Daggers - 4/5
Shi mian mai fu (2004): "Shi mian mai fu (2004)" - House of Flying Daggers
Very artistic w/o being artsy. Powerful story that gains over time. Great fighting w/ intention and precision and meaning.
Nice use of colors and contrasts in the environments.
SPOILERS:
She starts as flower not in the wilderness. She's taken away by the wind and soon finds more of her kind in the wild. She is blind, but he is the one who we find out wasn't seeing correctly.
She needs to know all along if he's true, but he's not and in a sense tells her that. Unfortunately for him, he's right.
However, he has a change of heart toward her and keeps coming back when it matters.
Ultimately the flower dies under the harshness of winter only to come back and save him finally.
Very artistic w/o being artsy. Powerful story that gains over time. Great fighting w/ intention and precision and meaning.
Nice use of colors and contrasts in the environments.
SPOILERS:
She starts as flower not in the wilderness. She's taken away by the wind and soon finds more of her kind in the wild. She is blind, but he is the one who we find out wasn't seeing correctly.
She needs to know all along if he's true, but he's not and in a sense tells her that. Unfortunately for him, he's right.
However, he has a change of heart toward her and keeps coming back when it matters.
Ultimately the flower dies under the harshness of winter only to come back and save him finally.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Million Dollar Baby (2004) - 3/5
Million Dollar Baby (2004): Powerful all around. Motivating for the most part. Her family was played perfectly by the others - I cdn't have hated them more.
At times it was hard to believe how (seemingly) quickly these boxers rose up thru the ranks.
It was interesting to see the contrasts in the marriage-like relationship btwn Clint and Morgan: arguing about the bleach and Morgan's "sleeping socks." Clints b/w view of things "bleach is bleach" was challenged by Hilary's characters ability to see "what cd be." Things are not always what they seem nor must they stay how they seem.
SPOILERS BELOW:
Depressing ending. Also, morally difficult w/ what Frankie did and her perspective. Which is a more supportable fight: to die or to live w/ adversity?
Also, IMO, she won her fight given her opponent was given the warning that one more thing and she wd be disqualified.
The true triumph wdn't be that the doesn't make the same mistake twice in "throwing in the towel", but to realize that forgiveness is available and not giving up have their value. Also, giving that to someone else is a great gift.
At times it was hard to believe how (seemingly) quickly these boxers rose up thru the ranks.
It was interesting to see the contrasts in the marriage-like relationship btwn Clint and Morgan: arguing about the bleach and Morgan's "sleeping socks." Clints b/w view of things "bleach is bleach" was challenged by Hilary's characters ability to see "what cd be." Things are not always what they seem nor must they stay how they seem.
SPOILERS BELOW:
Depressing ending. Also, morally difficult w/ what Frankie did and her perspective. Which is a more supportable fight: to die or to live w/ adversity?
Also, IMO, she won her fight given her opponent was given the warning that one more thing and she wd be disqualified.
The true triumph wdn't be that the doesn't make the same mistake twice in "throwing in the towel", but to realize that forgiveness is available and not giving up have their value. Also, giving that to someone else is a great gift.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Hoop Dreams (1994) - 4/5
Hoop Dreams (1994) Powerful and somewhat sad. I suppose they did better than most in some ways. Sad for the kids and families. Rob sent me these numbers...
SPORT / #players (as of 5 years ago) PER (1) High School, (2) College and make it to (3) Pro
Football 952k, 48k, => 1,300
Basketball 515k, 12k, => 324
Baseball 413k, 20k, => 650
Tennis 267k, 15k, => 500
Golf 175k, 8k, => 350
SPORT / #players (as of 5 years ago) PER (1) High School, (2) College and make it to (3) Pro
Football 952k, 48k, => 1,300
Basketball 515k, 12k, => 324
Baseball 413k, 20k, => 650
Tennis 267k, 15k, => 500
Golf 175k, 8k, => 350
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Bubba Ho-tep (2002) - 3.5/5
Bubba Ho-tep (2002): Funny, interesting, original. Bruce!
It gets a high rating for not trying to be more than it's trying to be.
It gets a high rating for not trying to be more than it's trying to be.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Dazed and Confused (1993) - 3/5
Dazed and Confused (1993): Every cliche you cd want in a high school movie. Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, Matthew McConaughey's best performance. It's got it all.
Great for what it's shooting for.
Great for what it's shooting for.
Mother (1996) - 3/5
Mother (1996): Interesting film. The story sets out to acheive something and does it. Nothing spectacular, but an interesting story.
The Bourne Supremacy (2004) - 3.5/5
The Bourne Supremacy (2004) Good, of course. Not as good as the original, but hey.
Les Miserables (1998) - 4/5
Les Miserables (1998) Powerful movie. Spans many years and lives. The movie cd have played up the hatred, resentment part of Javert for Valjean based on Valjean and Fantine representing his parents. It was used, but not as it cd be in my opinion (but what do I know?).
The end may have been a bit too poetic for the rest of the movie.
All in all, a very good movie.
The end may have been a bit too poetic for the rest of the movie.
All in all, a very good movie.
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.
Friday, July 08, 2005
War of the Worlds (2005) - 2.5/5
War of the Worlds (2005) - terrifying. Extremely intense. Well told action w/ good characters and story.
WARNING Spoilers below:
I felt pretty cheated that the son was really alive. I assume they filmed that or added that based on audience reaction b/c they seemed to go out of their way earlier to show that he was certainly dead.
Mo picked up a good 'goof' - why when they are looking at that first hole did a man have a working camcorder? Everything wasn't working at that point.
WARNING Spoilers below:
I felt pretty cheated that the son was really alive. I assume they filmed that or added that based on audience reaction b/c they seemed to go out of their way earlier to show that he was certainly dead.
Mo picked up a good 'goof' - why when they are looking at that first hole did a man have a working camcorder? Everything wasn't working at that point.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) - 2/5
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) better than I expected. A difficult task to translate this book to a movie, but I believe it was originally a radio drama so using those techniques might help. My expectations were pretty low so I wasn't disappointed. Based on that, I liked it.
State and Main (2000) - 4/5
State and Main (2000) - well done. Well written and clever. I wonder just how clever it really is.
Like when the director makes the girl take her shirt off and you don't see anything except his (lack of) reaction. Also, the name "State and Main" how it relates to the movie w/in the movie.
It's about purity. The characters seem to be personifications of character traits almost.
Strong dialogue. Great characters. Excellent story.
Like when the director makes the girl take her shirt off and you don't see anything except his (lack of) reaction. Also, the name "State and Main" how it relates to the movie w/in the movie.
It's about purity. The characters seem to be personifications of character traits almost.
Strong dialogue. Great characters. Excellent story.
Finding Neverland (2004) - 3.5/5
Finding Neverland
(2004) - great movie. Imagination required. Quite sad at times, but w hope.
(2004) - great movie. Imagination required. Quite sad at times, but w hope.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Doppelganger (1993) - 0/5
Doppelganger (1993) - there's a reason you haven't heard of this. It's not good. Don't see it.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (book)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis - re-read after 13 years. Great! Very good read all around. Can't wait for the movie!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (book)
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
by Douglas Adams - re-read after 8 years. Very entertaining and witty. Well written w/ good 'tangents.' Reminds me of Vonnegut's style in particular "Sirens of Titan."
by Douglas Adams - re-read after 8 years. Very entertaining and witty. Well written w/ good 'tangents.' Reminds me of Vonnegut's style in particular "Sirens of Titan."
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Monday, June 20, 2005
Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) - .5/5
Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) - doesn't hold up well over time
In Good Company (2004) - 2/5
In Good Company (2004) - cute and good parallels, unnecessary relationship bit w/ the daughter (don't want to give too much away here)
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Dolce vita, La (1960) - 3.5/5
Dolce vita, La (1960) - I certainly can't do this movie justice in just about anything I say, but it does seem to be filled w/ great examples of how to live an empty life. Very powerful and poetic.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Matthew 3:1-5
Matthew 3:1-5
3"But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Powerful stuff. Two points:
1. Beware practicing your righteousness before men. If you do, you have your reward. That's so powerful.
2. Verse 3 (above) - thoughts? I have some, but they are the obvious ones.
3"But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Powerful stuff. Two points:
1. Beware practicing your righteousness before men. If you do, you have your reward. That's so powerful.
2. Verse 3 (above) - thoughts? I have some, but they are the obvious ones.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Matthew 5:44-45
verses
44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
I'm not sure I understand the relationship btwn 44-45a and 45b.
Maybe the point is, He's going to allow the good and evil ones to prosper
so only the ones that do good only b/c it's doing good will be sons of God???
44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
I'm not sure I understand the relationship btwn 44-45a and 45b.
Maybe the point is, He's going to allow the good and evil ones to prosper
so only the ones that do good only b/c it's doing good will be sons of God???
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) - 3.5/5
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) - met my expectations and maybe exceeded them a bit. It was a tough job for Lucas to get everything done that needed to be btwn 2 and 4 and he did it well and interestingly. Not much in the area of annoying things like Ewoks or Jar-Jar. Pretty dark as it sd be.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
American Movie: The Making of Northwestern (1999) - 4/5
American Movie: The Making of
Northwestern (1999) - funny and sad at times, you admire and pity him at the same time. One of the best parts is when he's thinking/talking about trying to get ahead and thinks that it's not a very Christian thing to do - to try to get ahead of others, but instead all be equal. Then he remembers, "I'm not a Christian."
Northwestern (1999) - funny and sad at times, you admire and pity him at the same time. One of the best parts is when he's thinking/talking about trying to get ahead and thinks that it's not a very Christian thing to do - to try to get ahead of others, but instead all be equal. Then he remembers, "I'm not a Christian."
Monday, May 23, 2005
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace - 3/5
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace - More complex and dark compared to ep I.
Friday, May 20, 2005
To Have and Have Not (1944)
To Have and Have Not (1944) - great dialogue - Wm Faulkner, the chemistry is there, but I wasn't 'sold' on the story - just not as deep into the characters, I guess. Eddie was great (Pastor from Sgt. York).
Friday, May 13, 2005
Running Time (1997)
Running Time (1997)
real-time (seemingly) one continuous shot (in the vein of "Rope" - they even thank Alfred Hitchcock in the credits), b/w, heist, 70 mins, Bruce Campbell ("Groovy").
real-time (seemingly) one continuous shot (in the vein of "Rope" - they even thank Alfred Hitchcock in the credits), b/w, heist, 70 mins, Bruce Campbell ("Groovy").
Metropolis (Fritz Lang, 1926)
Metropolis (Fritz Lang, 1926) "H.G. Wells called this German silent 'quite the silliest film'; Hitler was so impressed by the conception that many years later he tried (unsuccessfully) to persuade its director, Fritz Lang, to make Nazi movies ... One of the last examples of the imaginative—but often monstrous—grandeur of the Golden Period of the German film, Metropolis is a spectacular example of Expressionist design (grouped human beings are used architecturally), with moments of almost incredible beauty and power (the visionary sequence about the Tower of Babel), absurd ineptitudes (the lovesick hero in his preposterous knickerbockers), and oddities that defy analysis (the robot vamp's bizarre, lewd wink). It's a wonderful, stupefying folly." — Pauline Kael
"One of the great achievements in the silent era, a work so audacious in its vision and so angry in its message that it is, if anything, more powerful today than when it was made." — Roger Ebert
-----------
Amazing - every bit of every scene is meaningful. Had I watched it w/o the (text) commentary, I wd not only have missed just about everything meaningful, but wd have probably been bored not realizing how much of it was over my head. W/ the commentary, it becomes so detailed and intricate that it's a poem.
I highly recommend this movie and highly recommend the commentary. This film, for me, needs someone explaining it to me. W/ it, amazing. W/o it, I'd be lost.
The mediator btwn the head and the hands must be the heart.
"One of the great achievements in the silent era, a work so audacious in its vision and so angry in its message that it is, if anything, more powerful today than when it was made." — Roger Ebert
-----------
Amazing - every bit of every scene is meaningful. Had I watched it w/o the (text) commentary, I wd not only have missed just about everything meaningful, but wd have probably been bored not realizing how much of it was over my head. W/ the commentary, it becomes so detailed and intricate that it's a poem.
I highly recommend this movie and highly recommend the commentary. This film, for me, needs someone explaining it to me. W/ it, amazing. W/o it, I'd be lost.
The mediator btwn the head and the hands must be the heart.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Matthew 2:12-15
Why does God tell Joseph to take his family to Egypt? I mean, for them to escape Herod, God cd have just hidden them locally or something. But the prophesy had to be fulfilled that "He called His son out of Egypt."
So was sending them to Egypt just to fulfill the prophesy? But that makes it sound like they are serving the prophesy. Or is it that the prophesy is in place so that when it is done (w/ good reason) by them, it is a sign that He is the Messiah???
So was sending them to Egypt just to fulfill the prophesy? But that makes it sound like they are serving the prophesy. Or is it that the prophesy is in place so that when it is done (w/ good reason) by them, it is a sign that He is the Messiah???
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
La Strada (Federico Fellini, 1954) - 5/5
La Strada (Federico Fellini, 1954) "The theme of Federico Fellini's spiritual fable is that everyone has a purpose in the universe ... Even if one rejects the concepts of this movie, its mood and the details of scenes stay with one; a year or two later, a gesture or a situation suddenly brings it all back." — Pauline Kael
b/w, Gelsomina is great to just watch, a female Charlie Chaplan, tough road of life they are on, Gelsomina's joy of life is destroyed by Zampano's violence only when he destroys someone else (not when he hurts her). She loves him and he cd love her, but destroys them both.
b/w, Gelsomina is great to just watch, a female Charlie Chaplan, tough road of life they are on, Gelsomina's joy of life is destroyed by Zampano's violence only when he destroys someone else (not when he hurts her). She loves him and he cd love her, but destroys them both.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Ink-Stained Wretch Movie List
Movie List
Stuff we've watched lately that you should see. Because I would never steer you wrong, would I?
(Everything here is available at my favorite video store, Videotheque. Support them, please.)
Northfork - The Polish Brothers are these twin brothers from Montana who make atmospheric indy films. I missed Twin Falls Idaho, but this one is pretty cool. Moves slowly and has all kinds of odd religious overtones, but Nick Nolte and James Woods are as good as I've seen either of them in a long time. And it's beautiful on a wide-screen TV. It nearly put June to sleep, though.
Whale Rider - I normally avoid anything where the word "inspirational" is used in the reviews featured in the ads, but this one got to me. A world you won't normally see--a Maori village in New Zealand--and an unlikely girl-heroine. Beautifully acted and nicely written, if slightly simplistic. I'm going to sit down and watch it with my 8 year-old girl soon.
I Capture the Castle - I'm a sucker for coming of age stories about writers, probably why I dug Thomas Wolfe so much in college. I just wish I had read this book back then (it was written in the late 40s). The movie is great. Good performances all around, nice writing, a great setting in an old castle (natch), and if you've ever struggled with the written word, this one will get your number. Along with Adaptation, last year was a good one for movies about writers (and I didn't even see The Hours).
The Man Without a Past - The funniest Finnish movie I've ever seen. I don't believe that the Finns are known for being funny, and the humor is dry and brittle like the landscape, but I dug it. A welder is mugged getting off a train in a strange city and wakes up with no memory of who he is. He falls in with an encampment of down-and-outers who live in converted shipping containers near a Harbor and gets a job working at the Salvation Army, where he turns the SA band into a blues band and falls in love with a stern matron of the Army. Don't know why I thought it was so funny, but sometimes it's like that. Again, June went to bed before it was over.
Beware of a Holy Whore - Fassbinder always cracks me up, and this is one of my faves, recently out on video. A depraved look at filmmaking, the way it really is on the set, with Eddie Constantine floating through this thing like a ghost and Lou Castel doing a great Fassbinder impression as the tyranic director.
Tunes of Glory - As a huge fan of The Horse's Mouth, I was really excited to see Criterion release this subsequent collaboration between Alec Guiness and director Ronald Neame. And what a strange, wonderful film this is, a battle of wills between a rough-and-tumble Scottish officer (played by Guiness against type) and an upper-crusty career officer (John Mills) for the hearts and minds of a battalion of old soldiers trying to make sense of the post-WWII world. The movie feels very modern, with two less-than-appealing lead characters and an extremely downbeat ending. Kind of like The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp meets Look Back in Anger.
People Will Talk - Get this one: Cary Grant as a pro-abortion gynecologist and medical school professor with a secret past and Hume Cronyn as the bitter fellow prof who tries to get Cary bounced from the school. And Walter Slezak and Jeanne Crain as his pal and love interest respectively. But the best part is Dr. Praetorius' (yes, that's Cary's name) assistant/pal/bodyguard named Shunderson, played by a Scottish actor named Finlay Currie. The guy has an amazing near-Tor Johnson vibe and gets to single-handedly thwart Hume's attempted HUAC-style investigation. And actually, after all the rest, that's what the movie really is, a reaction to the Hollywood blacklist, and a good one, at that. Joe Mankiewicz was a fricking genius.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Once Upon a Time in the West - 5/5
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) - too classic!, great theme music for the leads, water & smoke themes
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Movies I've Seen Lately
I'll try to do this from memory. It won't be complete or detailed, but I'll hope to keep it up to date as I go from here.
These are ones I've watched while working out.
In no particular order...
Nosferatu (1922) - 4/5 - silent, (F.W. Murnau, 1922) "To watch F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu is to see the vampire movie before it had really seen itself. Here is the story of Dracula before it was buried alive in cliches, jokes, TV skits, cartoons and more than 30 other films. The film is in awe of its material. It seems to really believe in vampires." — Roger Ebert
"The original, superbly loathsome German version of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula is a concentrated essay in horror fantasy, full of weird, macabre camera effects. Though ludicrous at times (every horror film seems to become absurd after the passage of years, and many before—yet the horror remains), this first important film of the vampire genre has more spectral atmosphere, more ingenuity, and more imaginative ghoulish ghastliness than any of its successors. The movie often seems more closely related to demonic painting than to the later, rather rigid vampire-movie genre." — Pauline Kael
Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes (1972) - 4/5 - Aguirre, The Wrath of God
Nosferatu (1979) - 5/5 - German/English, Herzog, Kinski
Stage Coach (1939) - 3.5/5 - b/w, classic, (John Ford, 1939) "Perhaps the most likable of all Westerns, and a Grand Hotel-on-wheels movie that has just about everything—adventure, romance, chivalry—and all of it very simple and traditional." — Pauline Kael
Third Man, The - 3.5/5 - Welles, b/w, spy-thriller, Russia
Seventh Seal, The - 3/5 - Swedish, b/w, (Ingmar Bergman, 1957) "The images and the omens are medieval, but the modern erotic and psychological insights add tension, and in some cases, as in the burning of the child—witch (Maud Hansson), excruciation. The actors' faces, the aura of magic, the ambiguities, and the riddle at the heart of the film all contribute to its stature." — Pauline Kael
Magnificent Seven, The - 3.5/5 - western, b/w, based on The Seven Samarai
Seven Samarai, The - 3.5/5 - classic, b/w
Sergeant York - 3.5/5 - Gary Cooper, WWI, b/w
The Big Sleep (1946) - 3.5/5 - Bogie and Bacall, interested release info: some filmed in 1944 and some (refilmed) later in '46, Wm Faulkner on the screenplay - dialogue!
Not while working out:
Ray - 4/5
Spanglish - 3.5/5
Shark Tale - 2.5/5
After the Sunset - 1/5
Incredibles, The - 4.5/5
These are ones I've watched while working out.
In no particular order...
Nosferatu (1922) - 4/5 - silent, (F.W. Murnau, 1922) "To watch F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu is to see the vampire movie before it had really seen itself. Here is the story of Dracula before it was buried alive in cliches, jokes, TV skits, cartoons and more than 30 other films. The film is in awe of its material. It seems to really believe in vampires." — Roger Ebert
"The original, superbly loathsome German version of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula is a concentrated essay in horror fantasy, full of weird, macabre camera effects. Though ludicrous at times (every horror film seems to become absurd after the passage of years, and many before—yet the horror remains), this first important film of the vampire genre has more spectral atmosphere, more ingenuity, and more imaginative ghoulish ghastliness than any of its successors. The movie often seems more closely related to demonic painting than to the later, rather rigid vampire-movie genre." — Pauline Kael
Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes (1972) - 4/5 - Aguirre, The Wrath of God
Nosferatu (1979) - 5/5 - German/English, Herzog, Kinski
Stage Coach (1939) - 3.5/5 - b/w, classic, (John Ford, 1939) "Perhaps the most likable of all Westerns, and a Grand Hotel-on-wheels movie that has just about everything—adventure, romance, chivalry—and all of it very simple and traditional." — Pauline Kael
Third Man, The - 3.5/5 - Welles, b/w, spy-thriller, Russia
Seventh Seal, The - 3/5 - Swedish, b/w, (Ingmar Bergman, 1957) "The images and the omens are medieval, but the modern erotic and psychological insights add tension, and in some cases, as in the burning of the child—witch (Maud Hansson), excruciation. The actors' faces, the aura of magic, the ambiguities, and the riddle at the heart of the film all contribute to its stature." — Pauline Kael
Magnificent Seven, The - 3.5/5 - western, b/w, based on The Seven Samarai
Seven Samarai, The - 3.5/5 - classic, b/w
Sergeant York - 3.5/5 - Gary Cooper, WWI, b/w
The Big Sleep (1946) - 3.5/5 - Bogie and Bacall, interested release info: some filmed in 1944 and some (refilmed) later in '46, Wm Faulkner on the screenplay - dialogue!
Not while working out:
Ray - 4/5
Spanglish - 3.5/5
Shark Tale - 2.5/5
After the Sunset - 1/5
Incredibles, The - 4.5/5
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
John 11:17
17 Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father;
What is the relationship btwn clinging and whether or not He has ascended?
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
John 11:13,14
13 And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."
Pretty amazing that Mary sees 2 angels and just goes on?
Monday, March 21, 2005
John 19:17-18
17 They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.
What must it have been like to have heard Jesus talking about taking up your cross and then to see Him taking up, essentially, ours... if they realized it at the time.
18 There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between.
Why was He btwn them? I mean, what's the symbolizm/meaning?
Saturday, March 19, 2005
John 19:11
Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."
Why is that sin greater? Greater than what?
Friday, March 18, 2005
John 19:4-5
4 Pilate came out again and said to them, "Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him."
5 Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold, the Man!"
Two questions:
1. Why didn't Pilate take off the crown and robe when he brought Jesus out?
It seems weird that he wd let Him be brought out like that while saying he finds no guilt in Him. Wdn't some say "This is how he treats people w/o guilt?"
2. Why does he say "Behold, the Man!"?
Matthew Henry says:
...intimating that though his having been so popular might have given them some cause to fear that his interest in the country would lessen theirs...
Thursday, March 17, 2005
John 18:37-38
Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, "I find no guilt in Him."
He asks Jesus "What is truth?", but then walks away.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
John 18:34
Why does Jesus ask Pilate this:
Jesus answered, "Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?"
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
John 18:28
Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.
That's when you've really lost sight of what's right and important.
Monday, March 14, 2005
John 18:20
No major revelations today, but I did noticed one thing...
In John 18:20 Jesus explains:
I believe He's making the point that everything He's done
has been in the open and available to be known by all; He's
got nothing to hide.
But it might also be a little jab at their tactics of plotting,
arresting Him and holding trial at night, etc. - in secret.
From Matthew Henry:
In John 18:20 Jesus explains:
20 Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world;
I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all
the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret."
I believe He's making the point that everything He's done
has been in the open and available to be known by all; He's
got nothing to hide.
But it might also be a little jab at their tactics of plotting,
arresting Him and holding trial at night, etc. - in secret.
From Matthew Henry:
He said nothing in secret contrary to what he said in public, but only by way of repetition and explication: In secret have I said nothing; as if he had been either suspicious of the truth of it, or conscious of any ill design in it. He sought no corners, for he feared no colours, nor said any thing that he needed to be ashamed of; what he did speak in private to his disciples he ordered them to proclaim on the house-tops, Mt. 10:27. God saith of himself (Isa. 45:19), I have not spoken in secret; his commandment is not hidden, Deu. 30:11. And the righteousness of faith speaks in like manner, Rom. 10:6. Veritas nihil metuit nisi abscondi—truth fears nothing but concealment.—Tertullian.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
John 18:14 - Reading Slowly
If nothing else, reading in the Greek forces me to read slower and consider the words more cafefully. I tend to see things in the text I hadn't before. For example...
Caiaphas, in John 11:47-50 and then again it's mentioned in John 18, talks/teaches about one man dying for the nation. Of course, he's talking about Jesus dying to for the nation in protection from the Romans; not sin.
John 18
14 Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.
(see John 11:47-50)
I never saw the irony before. Especially coming from such a man that sd know the scripture and know how He really came to die for the people.
Caiaphas, in John 11:47-50 and then again it's mentioned in John 18, talks/teaches about one man dying for the nation. Of course, he's talking about Jesus dying to for the nation in protection from the Romans; not sin.
John 18
14 Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.
(see John 11:47-50)
I never saw the irony before. Especially coming from such a man that sd know the scripture and know how He really came to die for the people.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
John 18:5-6
This is not a full translation - just the parts to make my point...
4Ἰησοῦς οὖν εἰδὼς πάντα τὰ ἐρχόμενα ἐπ' αὐτὸν ἐξῆλθεν καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς, Τίνα ζητεῖτε;
Jesus asks the cohort "Whom do you seek?"
5ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ, Ἰησοῦν τὸν Ναζωραῖον.
They say Jesus the Nazarene.
λέγει αὐτοῖς, Ἐγώ εἰμι. εἱστήκει δὲ καὶ Ἰούδας ὁ παραδιδοὺς αὐτὸν μετ' αὐτῶν.
Jesus says "I am."
6ὡς οὖν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, Ἐγώ εἰμι, ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω καὶ ἔπεσαν χαμαί.
They drew back and fell down.
My main point really is that Jesus doesn't say "I am He" as it is often translated, but "I am."
Thougts?
4Ἰησοῦς οὖν εἰδὼς πάντα τὰ ἐρχόμενα ἐπ' αὐτὸν ἐξῆλθεν καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς, Τίνα ζητεῖτε;
Jesus asks the cohort "Whom do you seek?"
5ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ, Ἰησοῦν τὸν Ναζωραῖον.
They say Jesus the Nazarene.
λέγει αὐτοῖς, Ἐγώ εἰμι. εἱστήκει δὲ καὶ Ἰούδας ὁ παραδιδοὺς αὐτὸν μετ' αὐτῶν.
Jesus says "I am."
6ὡς οὖν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, Ἐγώ εἰμι, ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω καὶ ἔπεσαν χαμαί.
They drew back and fell down.
My main point really is that Jesus doesn't say "I am He" as it is often translated, but "I am."
Thougts?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
