Pandorum
Surprisingly good “horror” film about two crew members who awake on a spaceship. Creepy, violent, great sets, and well acted, with an interesting narrative twist. Against my expectations, I enjoyed it. **
Mad Detective
Very interesting Chinese (Hong Kong) murder mystery about a mentally ill former cop who helps with a murder investigation because he can see people’s true personalities. Even a little touching. Enjoyed it. **
A Few Days in September
French spy film with Juliet Binoche and John Turturro about the days leading up to 9/11. Turturro over acts through the whole film, but Binoche is, once again, pitch perfect, and the sub plot with the children falling is love was well written and well-acted. Liked it. **
Wanted
Only saw this because it is directed by the Russian director, Timur Bekmambetov, of Nightwatch and Daywatch, both of which I really liked. Mistake. Even though the cast was very accomplished, there wasn’t much to work with here. Jolie wasn’t really acting, just standing around saying “look at me”, and I never got with bending the trajectory of bullets. Bad. *
The Losers
This comic book adaptation was really bad. Waste of money, even though Jason Patrick was having great fun as the evil genius. Mindless.
Paraiso Travel
Wonderful tale of two Colombian lovers who immigrate illegally to the U.S. and then lose each other. Great depiction, though fancifully optimistic, of immigrant life in New York, and the path to love. Beautiful women. **
Moon
Very interesting science fiction film about a guy manning a harvesting operation on the moon for a large inter-galactic corporation. Extremely well acted by Sam Rockwell as more than one character. Humorous, serious, and sad. Very good. ***
Monday, May 10, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Inglorious Basterds
I keep trying to see what all the fuss is about Tarantino, but I can’t see it. This is another disappointing B-movie pretending to be something other than schlock. Brad Pitt keeps trying to act and failing, the screenplay is slim, and there is, as usual, far too much self-consciousness about each scene. An over-hyped waste of money. *
Rin
Very sexy, very violent, very sad, and very enjoyable anime about inadvertently immortal humans, and the machinations of the one trying to kill them. Even though the graphics are average, and the plot is a bit bizarre, I really liked it. Very disappointed that it ended so quickly. ***
Expired
Odd, offbeat romantic comedy about two emotionally damaged parking meter cops who fall in love. The acting is superb, especially Samantha Morton’s nuanced emotions. Very well done, and often painfully hard to watch. Really liked it. ***
My Neighbor Totoro
Another very sweet Miyazaki anime about young girls and the forest spirits they encounter when they move to the country to be near their mother in the hospital. Really enjoy this vision of Japan. The DVD pretty much completes my Miyazaki collection. **
Alice in Wonderland
Absolutely wonderful Tim Burton version of the books. Really liked it visually, and didn’t even mind the young woman coming to her personhood theme that is generally so sickening. Recommended it to Dave and the girls. Really enjoyed it.**
Angels and Demons
Tom Hanks is still completely unconvincing as an intellectual professor of anything, the plot is transparent, and even though the filming is OK, and Rome and the physicist are beautiful, pretty dumb. At least I didn’t have to suffer Brown’s horrible prose. Glad I didn’t pay for it.**
Repo Men
Even with Jude Law and Forest Whitaker, this science fiction thriller uses gimmicks rather than convincing action. Nothing wrong with it, and everyone works hard, but it seems to pull back from the level of intensity it should have reached because it goes for flash and gimmick, like I said. *
Harvard Beats Yale 29-29
Absolutely fascinating independent documentary about the Harvard Yale football game in 1968 when Harvard came back from 22 points down with just four minutes to play. Great interviews with the players juxtaposed against footage of the game. Really enjoyed it. **
Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist
Kind of nice little love story about soul mates finding each other. Too much like a TV show with a lack of depth and believable characterization. Teenagers might like it. Kat Dennings body was just killing me, otherwise I would have stopped watching it.*
The Ghost Writer
Very well made and acted thriller about a writer hired to ghost the memoirs of a former British prime minister. Of course, he uncovers some things that put his life in danger. Another excellent Polanski effort. Really enjoyed it. First film I saw at the Century Century theatres. **
Boondock Saints
Kind of fun, though pretentious violent indie? Movie about brothers called by god to kill bad people. The raw filming, though probably unintentional, helps it, and the actors playing the brothers are believable dopes. I guess I’m glad I saw it, though I can’t see why it got a cult following. Maybe the content? *
Green Zone
Matt Damon plays an American soldier assigned to find the WMD in Iraq. Political intrigue, action, some tension (though come on, do you really think Matt will get killed?), and one great Iraqi character. Those unfamiliar with the now-well-documented history, or unwilling to hear anything bad about the W. administration, find it troublesome. Good. As good as the Bourne movies. Enjoyed it. **
Kabei
Sentimental Japanese film about a family struggling during WWII when the father is imprisoned for his writings. Very well acted and interesting, though the sufferings of the father, who dies in jail, are pretty much ignored in favor of the mother’s difficulties. Very well done, and I really enjoyed it. Ending isn’t as sentimental as the rest of the film. **
Departures
Deeply moving Japanese film about a man who becomes an undertaker because it’s the only job he can find. Though the profession is socially despised in the small town, the rituals of dressing the body, and the precision, decorum, and care of the process reunite families and help resolve family issues. Sad and deeply moving. Very good. ***
Quarantine
Incredibly well acted and well filmed horror film about a TV crew doing a documentary about a day at a fire station. They get a call for an apartment building and everything goes horribly, horribly wrong. Use of the camera and the editing are amazing. Very hard to watch, but very good, for that reason. Creepiest ending since The Blair Witch Project. ***
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Even though I expected this to be dumb, it was even stupider than I thought it would be. Kevin James is pretty charming, but this was really bad. There is absolutely nothing here. Waste of time.
The Visitor
Understated and sad indie film about the unlikely friendship between a college professor and some illegal aliens. Well acted, but the whole drumming thing for the professor was kind of unconvincing. But at least it doesn’t try for the dopey happy ending. Pretty good. **
Hancock
Surprisingly interesting film about a disgruntled super hero and the idealistic marketing manager who works to change his image. Nice plot twists, good action, and even moving hospital sequence. Against all expectations, and my better judgment, I liked it. **
The Forbidden Kingdom
Enjoyable, though targeted for kids, kung fu movie about a contemporary American teenager who is the chosen helper of the Monkey King. Loved watching Jackie Chan and Jet Li spar. Nicely done, though predictable and a little dopey, and beautiful Chinese women. Fun. **
The International
Very enjoyable and well-done film about an Interpol agent and New York DA trying to break an international banking conspiracy. Two of my favorite actors are in it, it has a timely, convincing theme, plenty of action, though nicely understated, and beautiful European locations. Really liked it. **
The Baader-Meinhoff Complex
Accurate, though sensationalized, film about the German leftist terrorists. Interesting, well-acted, and since the Author of the book by the same name was the primary consultant, I don’t have to work through the whole book that I own. Well worth seeing. **
Fear Me Not
Swedish film about a man who takes an experimental psycho-pharmaceutical and begins to notice changes in his behavior. Raw and intense emotionally, especially with his wife and daughter. Good twist at the end. Very well acted by Ulrich Thomsen, as always.**
Days of Darkness
Comedic but sad French-Canadian film about a man who uses his imagination to escape from his depressed and ordinary life. Well written and acted. Some of the fantasies are amusing, but mostly it is a sad path of self understanding. Liked it a lot. **
The Last Picture Show
Finally watched this all the way through. Very good, as its reputation asserts, and incredibly bleak, with outstanding acting from everyone. Glad to get the foundation for McMurtry’s series of books, one of which I have already read. ***
Edge of Darkness
Shallow Mel Gibson vehicle about a Boston detective tracking down the murderers of his daughter. Writing was very bad. Predictable, even to the evil corporate CEO. The government agents were particularly cartoonish and inept. No menace or expertise. Waste of time and money. *
Silk
A Taiwanese ghost story about a scientist trying to capture the energy of a ghost. Not really creepy, it’s about finding a reason to live your life, and how love is the silk threat that binds people even across death. Kind of beautiful and sad. Really liked it.***
The Book of Eli
I expected this movie to be bad, but I really wanted to get out and see something. It was really bad in exactly the ways I thought it would be. Very mixed up narrative that never decides what it’s about, a reprehensible main motif, shallow, lame characters, plot lacunae and a dopey twist, and a really stupid ending. Real waste of an excellent cast. *
Ikki Tousen
A very teen-oriented anime series about high school kids who embody the fates of ancient kung fu fighters. Lots of sexual innuendo, struggling to understand who one is, one’s fate, and political maneuvering. Only 13 episodes. Seemed really silly at first, but got a little better. Not that good, but OK. *
Up in the Air
Not the comedy it is advertised to be, but that’s fine. A series of encounters with women, a business traveler like himself, the new hotshot who is trying to change his job, and his sisters lead Clooney’s character to re-engage with people. Everything is very well done. Luckily, it’s realistic and not really heartwarming. Glad I saw it. **
Avatar
Stunningly beautiful film about commercial interests trying to displace the indigenous population of the planet Pandora. Plot and characters are unoriginal, though it is a good message, but it is so compelling visually that it was well worth seeing. Really enjoyed it. **
Hell Girl
26-episode first season of the OVA (Original video animation オリジナル・ビデオ・アニメーション). First few episodes were cookie cutter, but it got more interesting with the introduction of the girl who had visions of what Hell Girl was doing. Got very grown up as it progressed, dealing with a lot of the horrible things people do to each other and the grief and regret we have. Graphics were average, but overall it was pretty good. *
Gigantic
Offbeat, affecting, beautifully written and acted film about a mattress salesman who meets a woman while he’s also trying to adopt a baby from China. See what I mean. Great cast, great characters. Wonderful. ***
Sherlock Holmes
Very entertaining remake of the legend with lots of action and 21st-century fight sequences. Downey Jr. and Jude Law are always good on the screen. Went to the latest show on a bitterly cold Tuesday and had the theatre to myself. Turns out Holmes was as much an action hero as thinker. Who knew. Enjoyed it, even with the plentiful anachronisms. **
Cavite
Brilliant, raw independent film about an American of Pilipino descent who gets caught up in terrorism when he goes home for his father’s funeral. Great use of the camera, excellent acting, very well executed. Glad I saw it. ***
The Last Mistress
Hate these films (novels) of manners. Don’t see the point. Saw this because it was Catherine Breillat. Glad I didn’t pay for it. Didn’t even like Asia Argento’s augmented breasts and rigorously liposuctioned body. *
Haunted
Good cast, but a lame film about a haunted house and a professor brought there to disprove the existence of ghosts. Kate Beckinsale’s body double for the nude scenes looked good. Otherwise useless. *
I keep trying to see what all the fuss is about Tarantino, but I can’t see it. This is another disappointing B-movie pretending to be something other than schlock. Brad Pitt keeps trying to act and failing, the screenplay is slim, and there is, as usual, far too much self-consciousness about each scene. An over-hyped waste of money. *
Rin
Very sexy, very violent, very sad, and very enjoyable anime about inadvertently immortal humans, and the machinations of the one trying to kill them. Even though the graphics are average, and the plot is a bit bizarre, I really liked it. Very disappointed that it ended so quickly. ***
Expired
Odd, offbeat romantic comedy about two emotionally damaged parking meter cops who fall in love. The acting is superb, especially Samantha Morton’s nuanced emotions. Very well done, and often painfully hard to watch. Really liked it. ***
My Neighbor Totoro
Another very sweet Miyazaki anime about young girls and the forest spirits they encounter when they move to the country to be near their mother in the hospital. Really enjoy this vision of Japan. The DVD pretty much completes my Miyazaki collection. **
Alice in Wonderland
Absolutely wonderful Tim Burton version of the books. Really liked it visually, and didn’t even mind the young woman coming to her personhood theme that is generally so sickening. Recommended it to Dave and the girls. Really enjoyed it.**
Angels and Demons
Tom Hanks is still completely unconvincing as an intellectual professor of anything, the plot is transparent, and even though the filming is OK, and Rome and the physicist are beautiful, pretty dumb. At least I didn’t have to suffer Brown’s horrible prose. Glad I didn’t pay for it.**
Repo Men
Even with Jude Law and Forest Whitaker, this science fiction thriller uses gimmicks rather than convincing action. Nothing wrong with it, and everyone works hard, but it seems to pull back from the level of intensity it should have reached because it goes for flash and gimmick, like I said. *
Harvard Beats Yale 29-29
Absolutely fascinating independent documentary about the Harvard Yale football game in 1968 when Harvard came back from 22 points down with just four minutes to play. Great interviews with the players juxtaposed against footage of the game. Really enjoyed it. **
Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist
Kind of nice little love story about soul mates finding each other. Too much like a TV show with a lack of depth and believable characterization. Teenagers might like it. Kat Dennings body was just killing me, otherwise I would have stopped watching it.*
The Ghost Writer
Very well made and acted thriller about a writer hired to ghost the memoirs of a former British prime minister. Of course, he uncovers some things that put his life in danger. Another excellent Polanski effort. Really enjoyed it. First film I saw at the Century Century theatres. **
Boondock Saints
Kind of fun, though pretentious violent indie? Movie about brothers called by god to kill bad people. The raw filming, though probably unintentional, helps it, and the actors playing the brothers are believable dopes. I guess I’m glad I saw it, though I can’t see why it got a cult following. Maybe the content? *
Green Zone
Matt Damon plays an American soldier assigned to find the WMD in Iraq. Political intrigue, action, some tension (though come on, do you really think Matt will get killed?), and one great Iraqi character. Those unfamiliar with the now-well-documented history, or unwilling to hear anything bad about the W. administration, find it troublesome. Good. As good as the Bourne movies. Enjoyed it. **
Kabei
Sentimental Japanese film about a family struggling during WWII when the father is imprisoned for his writings. Very well acted and interesting, though the sufferings of the father, who dies in jail, are pretty much ignored in favor of the mother’s difficulties. Very well done, and I really enjoyed it. Ending isn’t as sentimental as the rest of the film. **
Departures
Deeply moving Japanese film about a man who becomes an undertaker because it’s the only job he can find. Though the profession is socially despised in the small town, the rituals of dressing the body, and the precision, decorum, and care of the process reunite families and help resolve family issues. Sad and deeply moving. Very good. ***
Quarantine
Incredibly well acted and well filmed horror film about a TV crew doing a documentary about a day at a fire station. They get a call for an apartment building and everything goes horribly, horribly wrong. Use of the camera and the editing are amazing. Very hard to watch, but very good, for that reason. Creepiest ending since The Blair Witch Project. ***
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Even though I expected this to be dumb, it was even stupider than I thought it would be. Kevin James is pretty charming, but this was really bad. There is absolutely nothing here. Waste of time.
The Visitor
Understated and sad indie film about the unlikely friendship between a college professor and some illegal aliens. Well acted, but the whole drumming thing for the professor was kind of unconvincing. But at least it doesn’t try for the dopey happy ending. Pretty good. **
Hancock
Surprisingly interesting film about a disgruntled super hero and the idealistic marketing manager who works to change his image. Nice plot twists, good action, and even moving hospital sequence. Against all expectations, and my better judgment, I liked it. **
The Forbidden Kingdom
Enjoyable, though targeted for kids, kung fu movie about a contemporary American teenager who is the chosen helper of the Monkey King. Loved watching Jackie Chan and Jet Li spar. Nicely done, though predictable and a little dopey, and beautiful Chinese women. Fun. **
The International
Very enjoyable and well-done film about an Interpol agent and New York DA trying to break an international banking conspiracy. Two of my favorite actors are in it, it has a timely, convincing theme, plenty of action, though nicely understated, and beautiful European locations. Really liked it. **
The Baader-Meinhoff Complex
Accurate, though sensationalized, film about the German leftist terrorists. Interesting, well-acted, and since the Author of the book by the same name was the primary consultant, I don’t have to work through the whole book that I own. Well worth seeing. **
Fear Me Not
Swedish film about a man who takes an experimental psycho-pharmaceutical and begins to notice changes in his behavior. Raw and intense emotionally, especially with his wife and daughter. Good twist at the end. Very well acted by Ulrich Thomsen, as always.**
Days of Darkness
Comedic but sad French-Canadian film about a man who uses his imagination to escape from his depressed and ordinary life. Well written and acted. Some of the fantasies are amusing, but mostly it is a sad path of self understanding. Liked it a lot. **
The Last Picture Show
Finally watched this all the way through. Very good, as its reputation asserts, and incredibly bleak, with outstanding acting from everyone. Glad to get the foundation for McMurtry’s series of books, one of which I have already read. ***
Edge of Darkness
Shallow Mel Gibson vehicle about a Boston detective tracking down the murderers of his daughter. Writing was very bad. Predictable, even to the evil corporate CEO. The government agents were particularly cartoonish and inept. No menace or expertise. Waste of time and money. *
Silk
A Taiwanese ghost story about a scientist trying to capture the energy of a ghost. Not really creepy, it’s about finding a reason to live your life, and how love is the silk threat that binds people even across death. Kind of beautiful and sad. Really liked it.***
The Book of Eli
I expected this movie to be bad, but I really wanted to get out and see something. It was really bad in exactly the ways I thought it would be. Very mixed up narrative that never decides what it’s about, a reprehensible main motif, shallow, lame characters, plot lacunae and a dopey twist, and a really stupid ending. Real waste of an excellent cast. *
Ikki Tousen
A very teen-oriented anime series about high school kids who embody the fates of ancient kung fu fighters. Lots of sexual innuendo, struggling to understand who one is, one’s fate, and political maneuvering. Only 13 episodes. Seemed really silly at first, but got a little better. Not that good, but OK. *
Up in the Air
Not the comedy it is advertised to be, but that’s fine. A series of encounters with women, a business traveler like himself, the new hotshot who is trying to change his job, and his sisters lead Clooney’s character to re-engage with people. Everything is very well done. Luckily, it’s realistic and not really heartwarming. Glad I saw it. **
Avatar
Stunningly beautiful film about commercial interests trying to displace the indigenous population of the planet Pandora. Plot and characters are unoriginal, though it is a good message, but it is so compelling visually that it was well worth seeing. Really enjoyed it. **
Hell Girl
26-episode first season of the OVA (Original video animation オリジナル・ビデオ・アニメーション). First few episodes were cookie cutter, but it got more interesting with the introduction of the girl who had visions of what Hell Girl was doing. Got very grown up as it progressed, dealing with a lot of the horrible things people do to each other and the grief and regret we have. Graphics were average, but overall it was pretty good. *
Gigantic
Offbeat, affecting, beautifully written and acted film about a mattress salesman who meets a woman while he’s also trying to adopt a baby from China. See what I mean. Great cast, great characters. Wonderful. ***
Sherlock Holmes
Very entertaining remake of the legend with lots of action and 21st-century fight sequences. Downey Jr. and Jude Law are always good on the screen. Went to the latest show on a bitterly cold Tuesday and had the theatre to myself. Turns out Holmes was as much an action hero as thinker. Who knew. Enjoyed it, even with the plentiful anachronisms. **
Cavite
Brilliant, raw independent film about an American of Pilipino descent who gets caught up in terrorism when he goes home for his father’s funeral. Great use of the camera, excellent acting, very well executed. Glad I saw it. ***
The Last Mistress
Hate these films (novels) of manners. Don’t see the point. Saw this because it was Catherine Breillat. Glad I didn’t pay for it. Didn’t even like Asia Argento’s augmented breasts and rigorously liposuctioned body. *
Haunted
Good cast, but a lame film about a haunted house and a professor brought there to disprove the existence of ghosts. Kate Beckinsale’s body double for the nude scenes looked good. Otherwise useless. *
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