What I watched from 1/1/09-/6/30/09
66 movies so far this year. Average 11 per month (~3/week).
I might change my rating to be more like Netflix. It's a simpler system:
1/5 - hated id
2/5 - didn't like it
3/5 - liked it
4/5 - really liked it
5/5 - loved it
Top Rated:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) - 5/5
Synecdoche, New York (2008) - 5/5
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) - 5/5
Adaptation. (2002) - 5/5 (seen bef0re)
The Graduate (1967) - 5/5 (seen before)
Bottom Rated:
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009) - 1/5
Cobra (1986) - 1/5
All movies (66):
Revolutionary Road (2008) - 4/5
Doubt (2008/I) - 4.5/5
Land of the Lost (2009) - 3.5/5
Taking Chance (2009) - 3.5/5
Away We Go (2009) - 4.5/5
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009) - 1/5
The Love Guru (2008) - 3.5/5
The Tale of Despereaux (2008) - 3/5
Terminator Salvation (2009) - 3/5
The Dam Busters (1955) - 3.5/5
Lost in La Mancha (2002) - 3/5 documentary
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) - 5/5
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (20...
My Name Is Bruce (2007) - 3/5
The Incredible Hulk (2008) - 2.5/5
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) - 2.5/5
Speed Racer (2008) - 2.5/5
Star Trek (2009) - 4/5
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Definitely, Maybe (2008) - 4/5
"Caprica" (2009) - 3.5/5
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009) - 3.5/5
The Wrestler (2008) - 4.5/5
"Spaced" (1999) - 2.5/5 tv series
Adventureland (2009) - 4/5
Adaptation. (2002) - 5/5
Henry Poole Is Here (2008) - 3/5
High Fidelity (2000) - 3.5/5
The Foot Fist Way (2006) - 3/5
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - 4.5/5
Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001) - 4/5 documentary
Son of Rambow (2007) - 3/5
Deconstructing Harry (1997) - 2.5/5
The Fountain (2006) - 3.5/5
The Graduate (1967) - 5/5
Smultronstället (1957) - 4/5 subtitles
Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008) - 4/5 documentary
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008) - 4/5 documentary
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - 4.5...
Duplicity (2009) - 3/5
Hud (1963) - 3/5
Haine, La (1995) - 2.5/5
Synecdoche, New York (2008) - 5/5
Apocalypto (2006) - 3.5/5
Bolt (2008) - 3.5/5
Helvetica (2007) - 3/5 documentary
Young at Heart (2007) - 4/5 documentary
Man on Wire (2008) - 4.5/5 documentary
frontline: is wal-mart good for america? - 4/5 documentary
Sunshine (2007) - 3.5/5
Cop Land (1997) - 3/5
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) - 4.5/5
Death Proof (2007) - 4/5
Taken (2008/I) - 3.5/5
He's Just Not That Into You (2009) - 4/5
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008) - 4/5
Planet Terror (2007) - 3/5
28 Weeks Later (2007) - 3/5
28 Days Later... (2002) - 3.5/5
What Happens in Vegas (2008) - 1.5/5
Hitman (2007) - 3/5
Yes Man (2008) - 3.5/5
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) - 5/5
Cobra (1986) - 1/5
The Queen (2006) - 3.5/5
Marley & Me (2008) - 4/5
From Netflix (43 - avg ~7/month):
Revolutionary Road
The Return of Captain Invincible
Doubt
Taking Chance
The Dam Busters
Lost in La Mancha
My Name Is Bruce
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Incredible Hulk
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Speed Racer
Definitely, Maybe
Battlestar Galactica: Caprica
The Wrestler
Spaced: The Complete Series: Disc 2
Spaced: The Complete Series: Disc 1
The Foot Fist Way
Dogtown and Z-Boys
Son of Rambow
Slumdog Millionaire
The Fountain
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
Hud
La Haine
Apocalypto
Helvetica
Young @ Heart
Breach
Man on Wire
Is Wal-Mart Good for America?: Frontline
Sunshine
Cop Land
The Last Sin Eater
The Bourne Ultimatum
Grindhouse: Death Proof
Grindhouse: Planet Terror
28 Weeks Later
28 Days Later
Ali
Hitman
Battlestar Galactica: Season 4: Disc 4
Battlestar Galactica: Season 4: Disc 3
Battlestar Galactica: Season 4: Disc 2
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query (2004). Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query (2004). Sort by date Show all posts
Saturday, July 25, 2009
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, December 10, 2007
The Polar Express (2004) - 4/5
The Polar Express (2004)
I didn't expect to like this movie too much. I didn't hear too many good things about it and given the animation and Tom Hanks, I felt I sd have been hearing a lot more.
I do love how they take advantage of the animation w/ the "camera" angles and light and perspectives. It's really fun what they were able to do and did do.
So maybe low expectations helped. I'm still not sure it's a 4/5, but...
SPOILERS
The basis of the story is that the (possibly) imaginary Polar Express is taking children who seemingly have lost belief in Santa (or maybe other reasons) to the North Pole.
The three main child characters all seem to learn/gain something in the journey. The girl learns to believe in her confidence (LEAD), the shy kid learns that not everything turns out bad when you open up (and gain friends) (DEPEND ON, RELY ON, COUNT ON) and the main kid learns to believe (BELIEVE). There's a 'know it all kid' too (LEARN), but I don't consider him a main character.
The conductor is their guide and there's a hobo which is a confusing character b/c he seems rather harsh. He seems to help mostly, but I'm not really sure of his role.
From what I read, the story is greatly expanded over the book which probably explains some of the various scenes that seem to be fantastical and unsure about their place in the movie (e.g., the lost ticket - great, but...???). There's also a few scenes of everything moving really fast, out of control, falling down (e.g., the train and the present funnel). I'm not sure of the purpose, but the scenes are pretty fun.
The hobo's big line is "seeing is believing" which makes me think it's the counter to the conductor or Santa in the regard that it's mostly a matter of belief. As the conductor says: "Seeing Santa is not required." and "Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."
I also have a little problem w/ the ending. The robe tells us it was just a dream. The bell tells us it must have been real. It's unfortunate b/c ultimately his simple belief is in question b/c he has physical proof.
Maybe they sd have ended it w/ a series of shots of him hearing the bell throughout his life (continued belief) and late in life receiving the bell (proof it was real).
But since it's a kids movie, I guess I'm being too harsh on that point. I'm sure kids go nuts when he opens the box w/ the bell in it. IT'S REAL!!! I wonder if that's in the book???
Haiku Summary
Boy doubts Santa. Train
takes him to North Pole, Santa.
Bell tells us it's real.
I didn't expect to like this movie too much. I didn't hear too many good things about it and given the animation and Tom Hanks, I felt I sd have been hearing a lot more.
I do love how they take advantage of the animation w/ the "camera" angles and light and perspectives. It's really fun what they were able to do and did do.
So maybe low expectations helped. I'm still not sure it's a 4/5, but...
SPOILERS
The basis of the story is that the (possibly) imaginary Polar Express is taking children who seemingly have lost belief in Santa (or maybe other reasons) to the North Pole.
The three main child characters all seem to learn/gain something in the journey. The girl learns to believe in her confidence (LEAD), the shy kid learns that not everything turns out bad when you open up (and gain friends) (DEPEND ON, RELY ON, COUNT ON) and the main kid learns to believe (BELIEVE). There's a 'know it all kid' too (LEARN), but I don't consider him a main character.
The conductor is their guide and there's a hobo which is a confusing character b/c he seems rather harsh. He seems to help mostly, but I'm not really sure of his role.
From what I read, the story is greatly expanded over the book which probably explains some of the various scenes that seem to be fantastical and unsure about their place in the movie (e.g., the lost ticket - great, but...???). There's also a few scenes of everything moving really fast, out of control, falling down (e.g., the train and the present funnel). I'm not sure of the purpose, but the scenes are pretty fun.
The hobo's big line is "seeing is believing" which makes me think it's the counter to the conductor or Santa in the regard that it's mostly a matter of belief. As the conductor says: "Seeing Santa is not required." and "Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."
I also have a little problem w/ the ending. The robe tells us it was just a dream. The bell tells us it must have been real. It's unfortunate b/c ultimately his simple belief is in question b/c he has physical proof.
Maybe they sd have ended it w/ a series of shots of him hearing the bell throughout his life (continued belief) and late in life receiving the bell (proof it was real).
But since it's a kids movie, I guess I'm being too harsh on that point. I'm sure kids go nuts when he opens the box w/ the bell in it. IT'S REAL!!! I wonder if that's in the book???
Haiku Summary
Boy doubts Santa. Train
takes him to North Pole, Santa.
Bell tells us it's real.
Monday, August 20, 2007
The Butterfly Effect (2004) - 2.5/5
The Butterfly Effect (2004)
This movie is tough to get a handle on. I watched the director's cut which was recommended to me.
I really liked the idea and story, but it wasn't put together very well. A lot of the directing and writing seemed to come from the mind of a junior high student: pretty cliche, unbelievable and unjustifiable.
SPOILERS
Anything w/ a "time travel" type idea is cool to me so that helps, but that's about all this had: change something in the past and everything changes. Like "Sliding Doors" and other movies that show different possible timelines.
I usually rather a movie not explain the technical stuff b/c that just gives you a chance to disagree. However, in this case: how did reliving thoughts allow him to time travel?
There were so many shots that were just cliche like walking thru the halls of the institution w/ "crazy people" walking around and the different punk/goth students and frat boys, etc. It was just distracting.
This movie is tough to get a handle on. I watched the director's cut which was recommended to me.
I really liked the idea and story, but it wasn't put together very well. A lot of the directing and writing seemed to come from the mind of a junior high student: pretty cliche, unbelievable and unjustifiable.
SPOILERS
Anything w/ a "time travel" type idea is cool to me so that helps, but that's about all this had: change something in the past and everything changes. Like "Sliding Doors" and other movies that show different possible timelines.
I usually rather a movie not explain the technical stuff b/c that just gives you a chance to disagree. However, in this case: how did reliving thoughts allow him to time travel?
There were so many shots that were just cliche like walking thru the halls of the institution w/ "crazy people" walking around and the different punk/goth students and frat boys, etc. It was just distracting.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Hellboy (2004) - 3/5
Hellboy (2004)
This movie was fine. There were some good aspects and some weaker ones. The characters were pretty good, but it was just a little too campy. The action was fine, but never really believable b/c I felt like I was watching a video game to a degree.
NEXT: "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" (2002)
Haiku Summary
Good verses evil.
Hellboy wants girl, but it'll
never work. Big fits.
This movie was fine. There were some good aspects and some weaker ones. The characters were pretty good, but it was just a little too campy. The action was fine, but never really believable b/c I felt like I was watching a video game to a degree.
NEXT: "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" (2002)
Haiku Summary
Good verses evil.
Hellboy wants girl, but it'll
never work. Big fits.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? (2004) - 3.5/5
What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? (2004)
Thought provoking, but a pretty dangerous movie. They certainly take a lot of leaps in their arguments to try to make their points. A good bit of slight-of-hand.
They also hit a lot of topics, concepts, scientific area/theories/ideas, use a cute story, animation, etc. It's hard to focus on one thing and when you try they're already on another point and you've only had time to understand their argument (and not examine it) before they've moved on.
Unfortunately, this probably had the opposite effect on me than what might be intended - I believed it less than they probably wanted. While their spiritual conclusions might be whacko, I'd like to know if their neurology had any merit b/c that cd be pretty interesting.
I wd love to see/read a response to this movie from someone I knew I cd trust. :)
The credentials of the interviewees (which you don't see until the end) are impressive, but these days it's hard to trust college professors and Ph.D.s and such w/o knowing more about them.
The reviews on IMDB are pretty negative, but well worded and intelligent.
I wd have given it a higher rating b/c it's interesting, but it's dangerous.
Thought provoking, but a pretty dangerous movie. They certainly take a lot of leaps in their arguments to try to make their points. A good bit of slight-of-hand.
They also hit a lot of topics, concepts, scientific area/theories/ideas, use a cute story, animation, etc. It's hard to focus on one thing and when you try they're already on another point and you've only had time to understand their argument (and not examine it) before they've moved on.
Unfortunately, this probably had the opposite effect on me than what might be intended - I believed it less than they probably wanted. While their spiritual conclusions might be whacko, I'd like to know if their neurology had any merit b/c that cd be pretty interesting.
I wd love to see/read a response to this movie from someone I knew I cd trust. :)
The credentials of the interviewees (which you don't see until the end) are impressive, but these days it's hard to trust college professors and Ph.D.s and such w/o knowing more about them.
The reviews on IMDB are pretty negative, but well worded and intelligent.
I wd have given it a higher rating b/c it's interesting, but it's dangerous.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004) (V) 3.5/5
Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004) (V)
This was a real surprise. I can't remember why we recorded this for our son, but he liked it and after a few times of him watching it, I had seen the whole thing too. The best part of this movie was that it surprised me so well. It's really funny!
It has a good combination of silly, funny stuff w/ just a bit of more advanced (I don't want to say mature or adult) humor.
There's one part where the 3 'bad guys' (I love how they keep calling them 'bad guys' - today's shows have lost that) are going to dropped into 'the pit.' The door in the ground opens, they fall down, the obligatory fading yell is heard... then one of them pops up his head from the 3 foot deep 'pit.'
That's pretty funny, but then later we see them again and they're still in there wasting away the time... like they're really trapped and can't get out. Not so funny when written out here, but funny in the show.
Another great part is when a 'bad guy' is sword fighting w/ Mickey on top of the moving coach. The 'bad guy's sword cuts away Mickey's Musketeer uniform and his has his trademark Mickey shorts on and he immediate strikes the 'Mickey pose.' It just feels like their poking fun at themselves a bit.
Don't get me wrong: this is no "Cars" or anything, but it's a clever, cute, funny little show that really surprised me.
Great stuff for our son!
Haiku Summary
Mickey, Goofy and
Donald want to be in the
Muskateers... and are!
NEXT: "300 (2006)"
This was a real surprise. I can't remember why we recorded this for our son, but he liked it and after a few times of him watching it, I had seen the whole thing too. The best part of this movie was that it surprised me so well. It's really funny!
It has a good combination of silly, funny stuff w/ just a bit of more advanced (I don't want to say mature or adult) humor.
There's one part where the 3 'bad guys' (I love how they keep calling them 'bad guys' - today's shows have lost that) are going to dropped into 'the pit.' The door in the ground opens, they fall down, the obligatory fading yell is heard... then one of them pops up his head from the 3 foot deep 'pit.'
That's pretty funny, but then later we see them again and they're still in there wasting away the time... like they're really trapped and can't get out. Not so funny when written out here, but funny in the show.
Another great part is when a 'bad guy' is sword fighting w/ Mickey on top of the moving coach. The 'bad guy's sword cuts away Mickey's Musketeer uniform and his has his trademark Mickey shorts on and he immediate strikes the 'Mickey pose.' It just feels like their poking fun at themselves a bit.Don't get me wrong: this is no "Cars" or anything, but it's a clever, cute, funny little show that really surprised me.
Great stuff for our son!
Haiku Summary
Mickey, Goofy and
Donald want to be in the
Muskateers... and are!
NEXT: "300 (2006)"
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) - 5/5
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) - 5/5
I finished the first part of season 4 on DVD (and watched the first new episode) so I'm caught up. I feel like going from DVD to TV is lame, but I don't want to wait.
Anyway, it continues to be greatness. :)
I finished the first part of season 4 on DVD (and watched the first new episode) so I'm caught up. I feel like going from DVD to TV is lame, but I don't want to wait.
Anyway, it continues to be greatness. :)
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Crash (2004/I) - 3/5
Crash (2004/I)
I think my expectations were too high for this. So many people said it was great.
I think I see what they're doing here, but maybe it's my cynacism getting in the way. It seems like they are saying "good people can do bad things (Ryan Phillipe and others) and bad people can do good things (Matt Dillon and others)... and everyone's racist."
I'm not sure if that's the message or if there's a bigger message. I'm not saying I disagree w/ the message as it is, but I'm not blown away by it.
It was well done and compelling. It's a good film as a film. But as far as what I got out of it: 3.
I think my expectations were too high for this. So many people said it was great.
I think I see what they're doing here, but maybe it's my cynacism getting in the way. It seems like they are saying "good people can do bad things (Ryan Phillipe and others) and bad people can do good things (Matt Dillon and others)... and everyone's racist."
I'm not sure if that's the message or if there's a bigger message. I'm not saying I disagree w/ the message as it is, but I'm not blown away by it.
It was well done and compelling. It's a good film as a film. But as far as what I got out of it: 3.
Monday, February 05, 2007
The Aviator (2004) - 4/5
The Aviator (2004)
Great acting. Blanchett, Alda and DiCaprio are at their best in my opinion. Unfortunately, it's hard for me to see DiCaprio as anything other than a babyface, but he came close and everything else was very impressive: his expressions, stance and mannerisms, voice (though maybe a little thin), etc. He was as good as he cd be and much better than most.
I loved the way Scorsese modeled the filming of the periods as they wd have looked during those years. Some scenes have the 'off' coloring as it wd have been filmed back then. Great device.
I wdn't say this movie is very 'informative' or gives a lot of answers yet it isn't close to a documentary either. It's a great blend of truth and artistic interpretation/storytelling as a biopic probably sd be.
I'm intrigued by Hughes so I enjoyed it on that level too.
And while I'd love to learn more about what happened after the movies timeline, I've seen enough on it to know that we don't really know it all clearly. So I'm glad they didn't even get into it.
Great acting. Blanchett, Alda and DiCaprio are at their best in my opinion. Unfortunately, it's hard for me to see DiCaprio as anything other than a babyface, but he came close and everything else was very impressive: his expressions, stance and mannerisms, voice (though maybe a little thin), etc. He was as good as he cd be and much better than most.
I loved the way Scorsese modeled the filming of the periods as they wd have looked during those years. Some scenes have the 'off' coloring as it wd have been filmed back then. Great device.
I wdn't say this movie is very 'informative' or gives a lot of answers yet it isn't close to a documentary either. It's a great blend of truth and artistic interpretation/storytelling as a biopic probably sd be.
I'm intrigued by Hughes so I enjoyed it on that level too.
And while I'd love to learn more about what happened after the movies timeline, I've seen enough on it to know that we don't really know it all clearly. So I'm glad they didn't even get into it.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - 4.5/5
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - 4.5/5
Great movie. I think this is only the second time I've seen this movie (the first being in the theater in '04). I almost gave this a 4 but I think the end is too great.
I think this is a great movie w/ maybe only one drawback: I felt that watching it having seen it before made is less of a thrill ride. The first time thru I was constantly like "what's going on? what's real?" and such. But this time, I felt very little of that. So I cd appreciate the writing and crafting of it, but didn't the excitement of being lost in the story so much.
Maybe I'm being too harsh. But 4.5/5 is pretty rare for me: "Raiders...", "In Bruges", "Primer", etc. 4.5/5 movies
Of course Kaufman's hand and the overall style are just amazing.
SPOILERS
The ending really packs a punch either way. When they decide to get (back) together despite knowing what pain is to come, it's really powerful.
Great movie. I think this is only the second time I've seen this movie (the first being in the theater in '04). I almost gave this a 4 but I think the end is too great.
I think this is a great movie w/ maybe only one drawback: I felt that watching it having seen it before made is less of a thrill ride. The first time thru I was constantly like "what's going on? what's real?" and such. But this time, I felt very little of that. So I cd appreciate the writing and crafting of it, but didn't the excitement of being lost in the story so much.
Maybe I'm being too harsh. But 4.5/5 is pretty rare for me: "Raiders...", "In Bruges", "Primer", etc. 4.5/5 movies
Of course Kaufman's hand and the overall style are just amazing.
SPOILERS
The ending really packs a punch either way. When they decide to get (back) together despite knowing what pain is to come, it's really powerful.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) - 5/5
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) - 5/5
My new all-time favorite sci-fi show. Yep, more than ST, ST:TNG, Quantum Leap, etc. Amazing. Hard to believe it myself. So great.
Maybe it's just the freshness of it, but this show beats them all.
I've been watching these for a few months now so I haven't posted much. I've watched seasons 1,2,2.5 and 3 and also the movie btwn seasons 3 and 4 "Razor" and they're all great.
The writing is awesome - best ever. They succeeded where XFiles and so many others have failed: they've held it together and avoided the cheap tricks and gimmicks other shows have to rely on after writing themselves into a corner.
The action, drama, sci-fi, everything is so on! This thing fires on all cylinders and doesn't back down on anything. Great in every way!
The first part of season 4 comes out on DVD next month and I hope to TiVo the new (last 10) episodes this Spring to finish it out.
I'm excited to see where it lands, but bummed to see it end. I heard of a spin-off they're going to do when it's over, but I can't imagine it will be good unless they use the same team... which I can't imagine they will.
My new all-time favorite sci-fi show. Yep, more than ST, ST:TNG, Quantum Leap, etc. Amazing. Hard to believe it myself. So great.
Maybe it's just the freshness of it, but this show beats them all.
I've been watching these for a few months now so I haven't posted much. I've watched seasons 1,2,2.5 and 3 and also the movie btwn seasons 3 and 4 "Razor" and they're all great.
The writing is awesome - best ever. They succeeded where XFiles and so many others have failed: they've held it together and avoided the cheap tricks and gimmicks other shows have to rely on after writing themselves into a corner.
The action, drama, sci-fi, everything is so on! This thing fires on all cylinders and doesn't back down on anything. Great in every way!
The first part of season 4 comes out on DVD next month and I hope to TiVo the new (last 10) episodes this Spring to finish it out.
I'm excited to see where it lands, but bummed to see it end. I heard of a spin-off they're going to do when it's over, but I can't imagine it will be good unless they use the same team... which I can't imagine they will.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Maquinista, El (2004) - 3.5/5
Maquinista, El (2004)
I really liked the bulk of this movie except for the end. I cdn't believe Christian Bale's weight. I read he lost a record 80lbs for this movie. It hurts to look at him.
This movie built a lot of promise for most of it and then didn't deliver.
SPOILERS
The felt the "reveal" was a let down. All of the mystery was just him being psycho. I know that's a bit belittling, but I was hoping for something more sensational. They really did it well, but it just didn't have it IMO.
Haiku Summary
Crazy man doesn't
sleep. Who is after him? Is
it Ivan? No, himself.
I really liked the bulk of this movie except for the end. I cdn't believe Christian Bale's weight. I read he lost a record 80lbs for this movie. It hurts to look at him.
This movie built a lot of promise for most of it and then didn't deliver.
SPOILERS
The felt the "reveal" was a let down. All of the mystery was just him being psycho. I know that's a bit belittling, but I was hoping for something more sensational. They really did it well, but it just didn't have it IMO.
Haiku Summary
Crazy man doesn't
sleep. Who is after him? Is
it Ivan? No, himself.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Kung fu Hustle (2004) - 4/5
Kung fu Hustle (2004)
Very original, creative and funny. Abandon all holds on reality and enjoy the ride.
The characters are clear, strong and funny. The fighting is very entertaining too and there's LOTS of it. However, it's more like orchestrated dance fighting. Very cool.
The only problem I have w/ this movie is there's very little story and what is there isn't compelling. Which means you wind up w/ the 14 year old's dream: a movie that's almost completely filled w/ fight scenes. :)
Haiku Summary
Kid wants to fight but
is not good. Grows up and is
the One. Fights REAL good.
Very original, creative and funny. Abandon all holds on reality and enjoy the ride.
The characters are clear, strong and funny. The fighting is very entertaining too and there's LOTS of it. However, it's more like orchestrated dance fighting. Very cool.
The only problem I have w/ this movie is there's very little story and what is there isn't compelling. Which means you wind up w/ the 14 year old's dream: a movie that's almost completely filled w/ fight scenes. :)
Haiku Summary
Kid wants to fight but
is not good. Grows up and is
the One. Fights REAL good.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Primer (2004) - 4.5/5
Primer (2004)
I really liked this movie.
(UPDATE: I went back and up'ed my rating of this movie so the next couple of sentences were made when I had it lower)
I wanted to give it a 4/5 or higher, but it's tough to rationalize w/ the many problems...
Given the circumstances around making the movie, it sd get a 5/5 or something.
The film focuses too much on the science of the situation and leaves too little to the meat of the story. I felt confused by the story, not the science. What happened? Why?
UPDATE:
The reason I up'ed the rating was b/c after thinking about it and I want my ratings to be how much I "like" the movie. Not just technically or artistically or whatever, but what I think about it and all that that entails: fun, clever, etc. How much it appeals to me. I've been thinking and talking about this movie ever since I saw it. I immediately started the director's commentary after watching the movie and immediately started the cast/crew commentary after that (though I didn't finish it).
SPOILERS
What happened to Thomas Granger? The just left that.
UPDATE:
Later in the director commentary he explains they don't know. Their present selves don't know how he found out about the box and what he did exactly, etc. So we don't either.
Why was Aaron leaving?
UPDATE:
Too many doubles and complications. The wiki page explains a lot, but it took me a while to agree w/the whole 'doubles' part.
Wikipedia.org has a great page on it here. I'm not sure I cd get all that from the movie???
I really liked this movie.
(UPDATE: I went back and up'ed my rating of this movie so the next couple of sentences were made when I had it lower)
I wanted to give it a 4/5 or higher, but it's tough to rationalize w/ the many problems...
Given the circumstances around making the movie, it sd get a 5/5 or something.
The film focuses too much on the science of the situation and leaves too little to the meat of the story. I felt confused by the story, not the science. What happened? Why?
UPDATE:
The reason I up'ed the rating was b/c after thinking about it and I want my ratings to be how much I "like" the movie. Not just technically or artistically or whatever, but what I think about it and all that that entails: fun, clever, etc. How much it appeals to me. I've been thinking and talking about this movie ever since I saw it. I immediately started the director's commentary after watching the movie and immediately started the cast/crew commentary after that (though I didn't finish it).
SPOILERS
What happened to Thomas Granger? The just left that.
UPDATE:
Later in the director commentary he explains they don't know. Their present selves don't know how he found out about the box and what he did exactly, etc. So we don't either.
Why was Aaron leaving?
UPDATE:
Too many doubles and complications. The wiki page explains a lot, but it took me a while to agree w/the whole 'doubles' part.
Wikipedia.org has a great page on it here. I'm not sure I cd get all that from the movie???
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Garden State (2004) - 4.5/5
Garden State (2004)
I really like this movie. It's extremely powerful and full of rich, emotional images.
I'm suspicious that some of the images are just that - images that are powerful even if you don't know what they mean. Even they don't really mean too much w/in the story.
I read that Zach Braff wrote most of it in college which explains a lot to me. Also, that he wrote it over time which tells me about the imagery - it makes me think he wrote down some powerful image ideas which he fit into the movie.
It's a genius story of a guy realizing his life is passing him by. He's waiting for something and realizes life is happening in the meantime.
SPOILERS:
I so wished, wanted, hoped for and expected a scene w/ Zach Braff at the mother's grave w/ him somewhat mimicing the speech Natalie Portman's character gave to her dead hamster, Jelly.
She says something like "Jelly, you were a good pet. I'm sorry I forgot to take the wheel out. Good bye. I hope you liked me."
So he wd say something like "Mom, you were a good mother. I'm sorry I pushed you. Good bye. I hope you liked me."
I really like this movie. It's extremely powerful and full of rich, emotional images.
I'm suspicious that some of the images are just that - images that are powerful even if you don't know what they mean. Even they don't really mean too much w/in the story.
I read that Zach Braff wrote most of it in college which explains a lot to me. Also, that he wrote it over time which tells me about the imagery - it makes me think he wrote down some powerful image ideas which he fit into the movie.
It's a genius story of a guy realizing his life is passing him by. He's waiting for something and realizes life is happening in the meantime.
SPOILERS:
I so wished, wanted, hoped for and expected a scene w/ Zach Braff at the mother's grave w/ him somewhat mimicing the speech Natalie Portman's character gave to her dead hamster, Jelly.
She says something like "Jelly, you were a good pet. I'm sorry I forgot to take the wheel out. Good bye. I hope you liked me."
So he wd say something like "Mom, you were a good mother. I'm sorry I pushed you. Good bye. I hope you liked me."
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Secret Window (2004) - 2.5/5
Secret Window (2004) Better acting by Johnny Depp than "The Ninth Gate", but weak near the end still. The story started out good as far as the directing; cool opening scene.
The relationships are strong, but not used to the fullest. The 'thriller' aspect is like all Stephen King adaptations and are slightly insulting.
The mystery factor is good and the twists reveal some good ideas, but they've been done before and much better.
Timothy Hutton is a shining star of acting in this movie and that's a shame in a sense.
Again, like "The Ninth Gate", it feels like a bad adapatation.
SPOILERS:
The Shooter character is lame, but makes sense when you find out who he really is.
The relationships are strong, but not used to the fullest. The 'thriller' aspect is like all Stephen King adaptations and are slightly insulting.
The mystery factor is good and the twists reveal some good ideas, but they've been done before and much better.
Timothy Hutton is a shining star of acting in this movie and that's a shame in a sense.
Again, like "The Ninth Gate", it feels like a bad adapatation.
SPOILERS:
The Shooter character is lame, but makes sense when you find out who he really is.
Friday, July 14, 2006
The Village (2004) - 4/5
The Village (2004) - 3.5/5
Very good and suspenseful. Good acting, setting, editing and directing.
There's not much you can say w/o spoiling things. Joaquin Phoenix as Lucius Hunt was great as was Bryce Dallas Howard as Ivy Walker. M. Night is great at this as in all of his others that I've seen.
SPOILERS
There's a few questions about this movie that I have which can probably best be answered w/ "Well, it made the movie work." like why pick those years and language to emulate? Why use monsters to scare them? Why red or any color at all?
The basis of it all is: Can you hide from tragedy? No. Pain finds you.
Very good and suspenseful. Good acting, setting, editing and directing.
There's not much you can say w/o spoiling things. Joaquin Phoenix as Lucius Hunt was great as was Bryce Dallas Howard as Ivy Walker. M. Night is great at this as in all of his others that I've seen.
SPOILERS
There's a few questions about this movie that I have which can probably best be answered w/ "Well, it made the movie work." like why pick those years and language to emulate? Why use monsters to scare them? Why red or any color at all?
The basis of it all is: Can you hide from tragedy? No. Pain finds you.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
The Year of the Yao (2004) 2.5/5
The Year of the Yao (2004) - interesting, but nothing great.
I can't say this is a very good documentary, but it is an interesting subject. For someone that didn't really know anything about him/his career, it was interesting.
I can't say this is a very good documentary, but it is an interesting subject. For someone that didn't really know anything about him/his career, it was interesting.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Meet the Fockers (2004) - 3.5/5
Meet the Fockers (2004)
Funny and well acted. The interaction of everyone makes this movie. The levels are all good: silliness, love, affection, mystery, etc.
Funny and well acted. The interaction of everyone makes this movie. The levels are all good: silliness, love, affection, mystery, etc.
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