Gangs of New York (2002)
Great acting, characters and setting, but ultimately I didn't really buy into the story from Vallon/Amsterdam's point of view.
It was interesting to see it all w/in the backdrop of the changing America.
SPOILERS
I guess b/c he got so close w/ Bill that I didn't feel the revenge strong enough to really want him to kill him.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Sunday, August 05, 2007
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) - 4.5/5
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
I might go back and give this a 5/5??? It's hard to say if it was better than the first b/c not only was "The Bourne Identity" great, but also it was new, fresh and original. This being a sequel kinda discounts some of that.
The story was good, but not as good as the first one to me. However, the action was probably better and I'd say in some cases the best. I feel confident in saying that this movie contains the best fight scene... ever.
Some great car chases too.
Very fun. Very cool. Just a great, great spy/action movie.
SPOILERS
The fight scene I'm talking about is the one in Tangier. I love the dimensions of it that it builds from the bombing to the chases to the fight. It really makes it long w/o drawing it out or getting old - just building in intensity.
Another thing that was pretty cool was that the majority of this movie's story takes place btwn the last two scenes of the previous movie.
This movie starts when Bourne leaves the Russian girls apartment. Then you have most of the movie. Then Bourne calls Landy in this movie near the end which is the last scene of the "Supremacy."
Nothing too big, but kinda cool.
I might go back and give this a 5/5??? It's hard to say if it was better than the first b/c not only was "The Bourne Identity" great, but also it was new, fresh and original. This being a sequel kinda discounts some of that.
The story was good, but not as good as the first one to me. However, the action was probably better and I'd say in some cases the best. I feel confident in saying that this movie contains the best fight scene... ever.
Some great car chases too.
Very fun. Very cool. Just a great, great spy/action movie.
SPOILERS
The fight scene I'm talking about is the one in Tangier. I love the dimensions of it that it builds from the bombing to the chases to the fight. It really makes it long w/o drawing it out or getting old - just building in intensity.
Another thing that was pretty cool was that the majority of this movie's story takes place btwn the last two scenes of the previous movie.
This movie starts when Bourne leaves the Russian girls apartment. Then you have most of the movie. Then Bourne calls Landy in this movie near the end which is the last scene of the "Supremacy."
Nothing too big, but kinda cool.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Rescue from Gilligan's Island (1978) (TV) - 1/5
Rescue from Gilligan's Island (1978) (TV)
I thought it wd be funny to watch this after all these years... not so much.
I didn't realize this, but this TV movie was made 11 years after the show went off the air. Also, supposedly it was made as a pilot to another series. Bad idea.
Anyway, it was pretty bad.
I thought it wd be funny to watch this after all these years... not so much.
I didn't realize this, but this TV movie was made 11 years after the show went off the air. Also, supposedly it was made as a pilot to another series. Bad idea.
Anyway, it was pretty bad.
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007) - 1/5
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007)
The first 2/3rds was pretty funny and not really offensive. Then it became the opposite: blatant, not funny and offensive.
The first 2/3rds was pretty funny and not really offensive. Then it became the opposite: blatant, not funny and offensive.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
The Cider House Rules (1999) - 3/5
The Cider House Rules (1999)
Well done and original, but a big heavy handed (not as bad as "Million Dollar Baby" though) about abortion at times.
There's a good story and acting and powerful subjects in here, but it's easy to see what side "they" are on.
SPOILERS
Mr. Rose's speech about the "rules" pretty much gives it all away.
Then he has Homer burn the rules... just like the aborted babies including Mr. Rose's baby from his own daughter. Does burning something make it really "go away"?
Consider the possibility that someone who maybe knows more than you wrote those rules.
Well done and original, but a big heavy handed (not as bad as "Million Dollar Baby" though) about abortion at times.
There's a good story and acting and powerful subjects in here, but it's easy to see what side "they" are on.
SPOILERS
Mr. Rose's speech about the "rules" pretty much gives it all away.
They outrageous, them rules. Who live in this cider house? Who grindin' up those apples, pressin' that cider, cleanin' up all this mess? Who just plain live here, just breathin' in that vinegar? Well, someone who don't live here made those rules. Those rules ain't for us. We are supposed to make our own rules. And we do. Every single day.
Then he has Homer burn the rules... just like the aborted babies including Mr. Rose's baby from his own daughter. Does burning something make it really "go away"?
Consider the possibility that someone who maybe knows more than you wrote those rules.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Ratatouille (2007) - 3.5/5
Ratatouille (2007)
Another great movie all around for what it is: clever, cute, well done and respectable in content and form.
The story doesn't rely on cheap humor or pop-culture so it sd stand up to time. The animation is great, but more importantly the story and characters are strong.
Also, it's clean and non-offensive - that's not a given these days for a "kids movie."
It was a breath or fresh air in a genre that's risking becoming somewhat stale at times.
Another great movie all around for what it is: clever, cute, well done and respectable in content and form.
The story doesn't rely on cheap humor or pop-culture so it sd stand up to time. The animation is great, but more importantly the story and characters are strong.
Also, it's clean and non-offensive - that's not a given these days for a "kids movie."
It was a breath or fresh air in a genre that's risking becoming somewhat stale at times.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Out of Africa (1985) - 4/5
Out of Africa (1985)
This is just a good movie. The story is strong, the acting is good (Streep is dead on) and all the extras and minor characters are completely convincing.
Also, it's rather epic: it's a long story that isn't rushed.
I wdn't say it's the most "entertaining" movie, but it's a good story told well.
This is just a good movie. The story is strong, the acting is good (Streep is dead on) and all the extras and minor characters are completely convincing.
Also, it's rather epic: it's a long story that isn't rushed.
I wdn't say it's the most "entertaining" movie, but it's a good story told well.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) - 3.5/5
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
I'm not the biggest fan of the previous Potter movies, so saying this is my favorite isn't saying too much. But I did really like this one. It is a good story, not too complex and complicated by tangent storylines and characters.
Also, it didn't fall in to the same things that bothered me about the previous movies. The two main ones being: introducing major ideas as commonplace that weren't introduced in previous movies but sd have been if they are commonplace and, the main one, the seemingly bad guy is really a good guy. They just did that too much.
Anyway, this one was complicated enough to enjoy, but not overboard and did pretty much everything else well too.
I'm not the biggest fan of the previous Potter movies, so saying this is my favorite isn't saying too much. But I did really like this one. It is a good story, not too complex and complicated by tangent storylines and characters.
Also, it didn't fall in to the same things that bothered me about the previous movies. The two main ones being: introducing major ideas as commonplace that weren't introduced in previous movies but sd have been if they are commonplace and, the main one, the seemingly bad guy is really a good guy. They just did that too much.
Anyway, this one was complicated enough to enjoy, but not overboard and did pretty much everything else well too.
The Great Muppet Caper (1981) - 2/5
The Great Muppet Caper (1981)
An unfortunate disappointment. I guess they only had the one good movie in them. There was a few decent things about this movie, but overall, it's pretty weak.
Charles Grodin is probably the high-light if there is one. His commitment to his part is great. Like Liza Minnelli in "Arrested Development" (she also was in "The Muppets Take Manhattan").
An unfortunate disappointment. I guess they only had the one good movie in them. There was a few decent things about this movie, but overall, it's pretty weak.
Charles Grodin is probably the high-light if there is one. His commitment to his part is great. Like Liza Minnelli in "Arrested Development" (she also was in "The Muppets Take Manhattan").
Postino, Il (1994) - 4/5
Postino, Il (1994)
Great characters and beautiful lives. I want to move to the location of this movie.
Who could watch this and not fall in love w/ Mario?
Great characters and beautiful lives. I want to move to the location of this movie.
Who could watch this and not fall in love w/ Mario?
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
The Verdict (1982) - 3.5/5
The Verdict (1982)
This was a good movie, but just short of great. The story was good, the acting was good and the twists and "revealings" were good. But just not great.
It might have been great in '82, but since then, it's been done too many times in too many ways.
The pace is really good too. It doesn't wear you out, but takes you to the edge and you feel what Frank is going thru.
This was a good movie, but just short of great. The story was good, the acting was good and the twists and "revealings" were good. But just not great.
It might have been great in '82, but since then, it's been done too many times in too many ways.
The pace is really good too. It doesn't wear you out, but takes you to the edge and you feel what Frank is going thru.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Fay Grim (2006) - 3.5/5
Fay Grim (2006)
When I started watching this, I wasn't impressed and almost decided not to finish the movie. I'm glad I did. A certain bad actor had a smaller role the rest of the movie and Parker's style no longer suffered from it. Also, as her character grew, she got more and more interesting.
Apparently, this movie is a sequel to "Henry Fool" which I need to see now, but the wait list online is "very long."
My next thought in watching was "this story is wonderfully complex, it wd be great in the hands of a more established director." In some senses that might still be true, but the same cd be said about a bigger budget.
However, both of those ideas cd ruin some of the great things as they were. Who knows?
I believe there's going to be a third so I look forward to that.
When I started watching this, I wasn't impressed and almost decided not to finish the movie. I'm glad I did. A certain bad actor had a smaller role the rest of the movie and Parker's style no longer suffered from it. Also, as her character grew, she got more and more interesting.
Apparently, this movie is a sequel to "Henry Fool" which I need to see now, but the wait list online is "very long."
My next thought in watching was "this story is wonderfully complex, it wd be great in the hands of a more established director." In some senses that might still be true, but the same cd be said about a bigger budget.
However, both of those ideas cd ruin some of the great things as they were. Who knows?
I believe there's going to be a third so I look forward to that.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Un condamné à mort s'est échappé ou Le vent souffle où il veut (A Man Escaped) (1956) - 4/5
Un condamné à mort s'est échappé ou Le vent souffle où il veut (A Man Escaped) (1956)
I have a feeling if I knew my stuff better, this movie wd get a 4.5 or 5 form me. Ideally, I'd read some more about it, but... time.
Great shots and imagery and the tone is consistently great. The use of the Priests/Bible is great.
There's so much behind the story that I know I missed, but what I caught, I liked and what I missed, I knew it was good even if I wasn't sure what it was. :)
The off-camera action was perfect.
SPOILERS:
...like how the first guy had to fail so that Fontaine cd succeed and how Fontaine wasn't content to escape alone - he had to find someone else to save when he was so confident it wd work.
I have a feeling if I knew my stuff better, this movie wd get a 4.5 or 5 form me. Ideally, I'd read some more about it, but... time.
Great shots and imagery and the tone is consistently great. The use of the Priests/Bible is great.
There's so much behind the story that I know I missed, but what I caught, I liked and what I missed, I knew it was good even if I wasn't sure what it was. :)
The off-camera action was perfect.
SPOILERS:
...like how the first guy had to fail so that Fontaine cd succeed and how Fontaine wasn't content to escape alone - he had to find someone else to save when he was so confident it wd work.
Monday, June 25, 2007
The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) - 2.5/5
The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
This was a pretty big disappointment. I hadn't seen it before and I guess now I know why. Compared to "The Muppet Movie" it just doesn't compare... er...
It's like a bad rehash of the first movie: same basic plot of "going to the big city to get a big break in the big time."
One highlight is the rat song-dance scene in the kitchen. That's pretty good.
This was a pretty big disappointment. I hadn't seen it before and I guess now I know why. Compared to "The Muppet Movie" it just doesn't compare... er...
It's like a bad rehash of the first movie: same basic plot of "going to the big city to get a big break in the big time."
One highlight is the rat song-dance scene in the kitchen. That's pretty good.
Monday, June 18, 2007
The Muppet Movie (1979) - 3.5/5
The Muppet Movie (1979)
Very fun, funny and clever at times. It's corny and beautiful in that.
The cameos were great and the one-liners the best. I think this is a good case of parents probably being just as entertained.
Very fun, funny and clever at times. It's corny and beautiful in that.
The cameos were great and the one-liners the best. I think this is a good case of parents probably being just as entertained.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
The Departed (2006) - 4/5
The Departed (2006)
Incredible acting and characters. So many great performances.
I like the complicated "who's good? who's bad?", but they might have taken it a little too far. Still great.
SPOILERS:
As Costello said, "when you're facing a loaded gun, what's the difference?", so by the end the question of "good and bad" might not be worth trying to answer.
One quick shot still has me wondering about something. When Madolyn moves in w/ Colin, he goes to put a box away. There's a quick shot of what appears to be a TV screen of a hand going to pick up a phone receiver. Right after that, Costello calls Colin. I don't think it was ever explained???
Incredible acting and characters. So many great performances.
I like the complicated "who's good? who's bad?", but they might have taken it a little too far. Still great.
SPOILERS:
As Costello said, "when you're facing a loaded gun, what's the difference?", so by the end the question of "good and bad" might not be worth trying to answer.
One quick shot still has me wondering about something. When Madolyn moves in w/ Colin, he goes to put a box away. There's a quick shot of what appears to be a TV screen of a hand going to pick up a phone receiver. Right after that, Costello calls Colin. I don't think it was ever explained???
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Hope and Glory (1987) - 3.5/5
Hope and Glory (1987)
A very good, dramatic movie focusing on a WWII experience that we haven't really seen before. It's not a war movie, but more a drama set during the war - a great angle for a story.
The characters are great (except maybe the sister, but she grew on me too) and the imagery is strong.
A very good, dramatic movie focusing on a WWII experience that we haven't really seen before. It's not a war movie, but more a drama set during the war - a great angle for a story.
The characters are great (except maybe the sister, but she grew on me too) and the imagery is strong.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Ocean's Thirteen (2007) - 3.5/5
Ocean's Thirteen (2007)
This was good in most ways with good levels of intensity, spyishness, humor and action. Basically no love story which I didn't see as a lack - there was so much else going on, I didn't miss it. The relationships btwn the main characters more than make up for it.
In some ways I think this is a modern "spy" movie w/ no political motives. There's a lot of the same elements, but a more light-hearted motive and payoff.
Also, this movie doesn't make me feel guilty for pulling for criminals to "win."
SPOILERS:
A few drawbacks: the motivation for the whole operation was a little thin. Fortunately, they didn't spend too much time on it. Pacino was good as a bad guy, I didn't need any more reason to want to see him lose.
I wasn't sure really why Bernie Mac's character had to go w/ the domino thing and the scam to get him in was weak.
The underground drill was WAY too much to buy. How cd they pull that off AND buy, get, install, etc. a new whatever-$36million-part-that-broke and so-on.
There's lots of stuff that can be overlooked, but the above was a bit much.
This was good in most ways with good levels of intensity, spyishness, humor and action. Basically no love story which I didn't see as a lack - there was so much else going on, I didn't miss it. The relationships btwn the main characters more than make up for it.
In some ways I think this is a modern "spy" movie w/ no political motives. There's a lot of the same elements, but a more light-hearted motive and payoff.
Also, this movie doesn't make me feel guilty for pulling for criminals to "win."
SPOILERS:
A few drawbacks: the motivation for the whole operation was a little thin. Fortunately, they didn't spend too much time on it. Pacino was good as a bad guy, I didn't need any more reason to want to see him lose.
I wasn't sure really why Bernie Mac's character had to go w/ the domino thing and the scam to get him in was weak.
The underground drill was WAY too much to buy. How cd they pull that off AND buy, get, install, etc. a new whatever-$36million-part-that-broke and so-on.
There's lots of stuff that can be overlooked, but the above was a bit much.
Shrek the Third (2007) - 3/5
Shrek the Third (2007)
It was pretty good w/ some funny parts, but the story was a bit thin and overall I just wasn't that drawn in or made to care.
They have a lot working against them in that the originality of the anti-fairy tale is gone and they're trying to walk a fine line to attract adult and child audiences.
SPOILERS:
The best part, imo, is when the Gingerbread man's life flashes before his eyes.
It was pretty good w/ some funny parts, but the story was a bit thin and overall I just wasn't that drawn in or made to care.
They have a lot working against them in that the originality of the anti-fairy tale is gone and they're trying to walk a fine line to attract adult and child audiences.
SPOILERS:
The best part, imo, is when the Gingerbread man's life flashes before his eyes.
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