Hell's Angels (1930) - 4/5
Very cool to see this having heard a lot about it from Howard Hughes documentaries. The pacing was a bit slow and the acting was... 1930.
The story was a bit cliche too, but the air battles were amazing. Also, it get's a lot of slack b/c of the date.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Fearless (1993) - 4/5
Fearless (1993) - 4/5
I really like this movie, but it's hard to say exactly why. Well done, but I'm left just a little confused - like I missed a really powerful message. Maybe I did or maybe I didn't, but think there's more to it.
SPOILERS:
My basic take on it is that Max faces his fear of death and overcomes it. Then he has no fear and lives life as he wants... most of the time. A couple times he has to face it again and overcome again.
He feels like a "ghost" and that he's already faced death and won. But I think he eventually realizes he wants to live again and tells his wife he wants her to save him.
He then eats a strawberry which he used to be very allergic to and either has a reaction or chokes. I think he chokes. She saves him and then "he's alive."
So did that restore his love of life or...???
I really like this movie, but it's hard to say exactly why. Well done, but I'm left just a little confused - like I missed a really powerful message. Maybe I did or maybe I didn't, but think there's more to it.
SPOILERS:
My basic take on it is that Max faces his fear of death and overcomes it. Then he has no fear and lives life as he wants... most of the time. A couple times he has to face it again and overcome again.
He feels like a "ghost" and that he's already faced death and won. But I think he eventually realizes he wants to live again and tells his wife he wants her to save him.
He then eats a strawberry which he used to be very allergic to and either has a reaction or chokes. I think he chokes. She saves him and then "he's alive."
So did that restore his love of life or...???
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Equilibrium (2002) - 1.5/5
Equilibrium (2002) - 1.5/5
I started this yesterday and almost decided not to finish it. I read someone's excited review about it online and decided to finish it out. Regret.
If I hadn't seen a clip w/ the writer/director, I wd have been sure this was written, directed and the fights choreographed all by 14 year old boys.
Bad on most levels.
I started this yesterday and almost decided not to finish it. I read someone's excited review about it online and decided to finish it out. Regret.
If I hadn't seen a clip w/ the writer/director, I wd have been sure this was written, directed and the fights choreographed all by 14 year old boys.
Bad on most levels.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Battlestar Galactica: Razor (2007) (TV) - 5/5
Battlestar Galactica: Razor (2007) (TV) - 5/5
As a stand alone movie at the theater, I'd give this a much lower rating, but as an extended episode of the series which is really what it is, it's great and I'll rate it as part of the series.
So see my previous post on the series for anything more.
As a stand alone movie at the theater, I'd give this a much lower rating, but as an extended episode of the series which is really what it is, it's great and I'll rate it as part of the series.
So see my previous post on the series for anything more.
"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.
Four Christmases (2008) - 3/5
Four Christmases (2008) - 3.5/5
Cute story. Not trying to be too much - just a holiday, romantic comedy. Some pretty funny scenes.
Cute story. Not trying to be too much - just a holiday, romantic comedy. Some pretty funny scenes.
Quantum of Solace (2008) - 3.5/5
Quantum of Solace (2008) - 3.5/5
Unfortunately, this was a let down. I felt "Casino Royale" was a good first Bond movie for Craig and this one sd have had a bigger scope.
Most things were ok, but the story was a bit small. Also, some things felt "cheap" like M going to the hotel to get Bond, etc. Not likely.
Unfortunately, this was a let down. I felt "Casino Royale" was a good first Bond movie for Craig and this one sd have had a bigger scope.
Most things were ok, but the story was a bit small. Also, some things felt "cheap" like M going to the hotel to get Bond, etc. Not likely.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) - 2.5/5
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) - 2.5/5
Not great, but low expectations from everyone else.
I felt the story was shallow and the characters too. Nothing great, but still alright.
Not great, but low expectations from everyone else.
I felt the story was shallow and the characters too. Nothing great, but still alright.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Run Fatboy Run (2007) - 3/5
"Run Fatboy Run" (2007) - 3/5
Decent. Kinda funny and a little touching, but nothing great.
Decent. Kinda funny and a little touching, but nothing great.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Burn After Reading (2008) - 3.5/5
Burn After Reading (2008)
A good little movie. I like how the Coen brothers kinda seem to have fun here, taking turns that are unexpected and doing things you don't normally do w/ movies. It's almost as if they said "We need a break after 'No Country' and just be light w/ the plot for this one."
A good little movie. I like how the Coen brothers kinda seem to have fun here, taking turns that are unexpected and doing things you don't normally do w/ movies. It's almost as if they said "We need a break after 'No Country' and just be light w/ the plot for this one."
Saturday, August 30, 2008
In Bruges (2008) - 4.5/5
In Bruges (2008)
Very good stuff.
SPOILERS:
Interesting Christ story w/ Ken sacrificing his life to save Ray, the mother and child, Harry is "God" (requires justice), etc.
Very good stuff.
SPOILERS:
Interesting Christ story w/ Ken sacrificing his life to save Ray, the mother and child, Harry is "God" (requires justice), etc.
The Getaway (1972) - 3/5
The Getaway (1972)
Pretty good but a bit slow and lacks direction. The relationships are great, but, man, she screws things up!
I liked a lot of little things, but can't give it too big of a pass for that.
Pretty good but a bit slow and lacks direction. The relationships are great, but, man, she screws things up!
I liked a lot of little things, but can't give it too big of a pass for that.
Cercle rouge, Le (1970) - 3.5/5
Cercle rouge, Le (1970)
Good but drags at times. Probably me. I think I watched this over too many days and lost some continuity.
Great characters!
Good but drags at times. Probably me. I think I watched this over too many days and lost some continuity.
Great characters!
Tropic Thunder (2008) - 3.5/5
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Like "Step Brothers" - funny first half. Robert Downey Jr. is great.
Well done in most respects: 'big' action, clever/spoof, funny.
Like "Step Brothers" - funny first half. Robert Downey Jr. is great.
Well done in most respects: 'big' action, clever/spoof, funny.
Step Brothers (2008) - 3/5
Step Brothers (2008)
Funny first half, second half has too much 'story' which is a weak point for this movie.
May have broke the f-bomb record.
Funny first half, second half has too much 'story' which is a weak point for this movie.
May have broke the f-bomb record.
Monday, August 04, 2008
The Italian Job (1969) - 3.5/5
The Italian Job (1969)
Changing things up: no more NEXT, Haiku or timed releases. It takes too much time to organize all that. I intend now to just review'em as I can.
I enjoyed "The Italian Job" - it's a fun story w/ fun characters and a great, extended car chase w/ a lot of variety which was a bunch of fun too.
It's pretty light and pretty fun.
Like w/ "The Killing" the end was kinda thin, but the tone of this movie held that up better.
Changing things up: no more NEXT, Haiku or timed releases. It takes too much time to organize all that. I intend now to just review'em as I can.
I enjoyed "The Italian Job" - it's a fun story w/ fun characters and a great, extended car chase w/ a lot of variety which was a bunch of fun too.
It's pretty light and pretty fun.
Like w/ "The Killing" the end was kinda thin, but the tone of this movie held that up better.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Jumper (2008) - 3.5/5
Jumper (2008)
Don't expect to be blown away by all the aspects of this movie, but if you can buy into the premise and have fun w/ it, it's a pretty fun movie.
Hayden Christiansen and Sam Jackson together again and still a bit at odds.
I think you can over analyze this movie and break it down pretty bad, but just as far as fun goes, I like it.
It's certainly a good movie in the vein of "Man, I've always thought that wd be the coolest!"
Don't expect to be blown away by all the aspects of this movie, but if you can buy into the premise and have fun w/ it, it's a pretty fun movie.
Hayden Christiansen and Sam Jackson together again and still a bit at odds.
I think you can over analyze this movie and break it down pretty bad, but just as far as fun goes, I like it.
It's certainly a good movie in the vein of "Man, I've always thought that wd be the coolest!"
Mamma Mia! (2008) - 3.5/5
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Cute, fun and good music. Meryl Streep is very impressive w/ her dancing and general jumping around having just turned 59!
It's very well done and fun.
Cute, fun and good music. Meryl Streep is very impressive w/ her dancing and general jumping around having just turned 59!
It's very well done and fun.
The Dark Knight (2008) - 5/5
The Dark Knight (2008)
AWESOME! If anything, almost too dark.
Great story lines, great characters. Btwn those things and the action, tone, suspense, etc., I can hardly imagine any movie putting all of these things together better.
Here's a great article on the movie.
AWESOME! If anything, almost too dark.
Great story lines, great characters. Btwn those things and the action, tone, suspense, etc., I can hardly imagine any movie putting all of these things together better.
Here's a great article on the movie.
Hancock (2008) - 4/5
Hancock (2008)
NEXT: The Killing (1956)
I'm not sure why people are saying this movie isn't good. I thought it was great. Maybe low expectations???
I thought the action was good, acting was good and the characters were good. I thought it was original, creative and I love how it jumped right into the story w/o a bunch of background. We'll catch up.
There's a few little plot holes and "why wd he do that" kinda things, but hey, it's a super hero movie - why don't they recognize Superman w/ glasses? Besides, I often rather little or no explanation rather than a faulty one.
Haiku Summary
Hancock is a jerk.
PR helps, wife's hero too.
Weaken each other.
NEXT: The Killing (1956)
I'm not sure why people are saying this movie isn't good. I thought it was great. Maybe low expectations???
I thought the action was good, acting was good and the characters were good. I thought it was original, creative and I love how it jumped right into the story w/o a bunch of background. We'll catch up.
There's a few little plot holes and "why wd he do that" kinda things, but hey, it's a super hero movie - why don't they recognize Superman w/ glasses? Besides, I often rather little or no explanation rather than a faulty one.
Haiku Summary
Hancock is a jerk.
PR helps, wife's hero too.
Weaken each other.
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