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Son Of... (Docscribe)
Studio Mogul
Username: Docscribe
Post Number: 8931
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 24, 2007 - 03:27 pm: | 
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My 2007 viewing is down by nearly half. However, most of what I've seen I have at least liked or admired (Depp's twin bloated pigs being notable exceptions). So it's clear I've been more selective with my time this year, less willing to take a chance on titles that 'could go either way'. And any good ones I did miss were simply because the subject matter/genre didn't appeal to me enough (the Michael Clayton's, Bourne's, Iraq war movies etc.)
"And then his siggy just went *POOF*"
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Nicola_D (Nicola_d)
Key Grip
Username: Nicola_d
Post Number: 763
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 24, 2007 - 03:44 pm: |
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I guess you and Carlo are burnt-out on movies or something. My lifelong love of film remains intact, although admittedly I'd probably benefit from some "MA" meetings... |
Son Of... (Docscribe)
Studio Mogul
Username: Docscribe
Post Number: 8932
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 24, 2007 - 04:29 pm: |
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Can't speak for Carlo, but it's definitely not a case of "burn-out". In fact, just this weekend I watched the following:
- Sweeney Todd - Burton's current Nightmare at Christmas (in Theatres)
- Li'l Abner - 50s Technicolor adaptation of the Broadway musical (on DVD)
- Memoires Affectives/Looking for Alexander - hauntingly beautiful Québeçois cinema (on DVD)
- The Arrow - CBC's fascinating recount of the Avro Arrow story, 'the plane that never was' (on DVD)
- Hamilton Mattress - BBC's one-off animated classic (on DVD)
- Johnny Suede - 80s retro-rocker starring Brad Pitt (on DVD, didn't finish it)
- Treasure of the Sierra Madre - 40s Bogart/Huston classic (on DVD)
You're good at picking up patterns Nicola...now what does that list suggest? Someone who isn't interested/doesn't watch movies? Or someone who just doesn't find much of what he's interested in watching in movie theatres? 
"And then his siggy just went *POOF*"
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Nicola_D (Nicola_d)
Key Grip
Username: Nicola_d
Post Number: 764
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 24, 2007 - 08:21 pm: |
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Hmmm. Looks as if you could benefit from "MA", too.
Oh, and Happy Holidays to one and all on AF... |
AboutFilm host (Carlo)
Moderator
Username: Carlo
Post Number: 7216
Registered: 07-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 - 12:30 am: |
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I am a bit burnt out, I guess. I did enjoy I Am Legend tonight though. I wouldn't say I loved it, but it was a thoroughly well-made and pretty exciting film. All you can ask, really.
AboutFilm President and Sugar Daddy (www.aboutfilm.com); OFCS Member (www.ofcs.org)
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Son Of... (Docscribe)
Studio Mogul
Username: Docscribe
Post Number: 8933
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 - 01:07 am: |
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I watched its superbly conceived, shot, rendered, and edited opening scenes again while waiting for Nightmare at Christmas to start, and that just made me want to see it all over again. In retrospect, I should have bailed on Burton's misconceived mess and done precisely that.
I still say I Am Legend was the 'reel deal'...that rare, well made big studio movie that didn't cop-out on its premise trying to gerry-rig a faux-comfy denouement. Heck, when you think of it, not even much wiggle-room there for a sequel! Maybe a prequel?
Anyway, unlike those who seemed to have a problem pidgeon-holing IAL as this kind or movie or that, the pleasure for me was seeing a big star vehicle that (for a change) wasn't so artificially skewed and limited by the front office pollsters and hit tailoring meddlers. To me, this movie felt 'organic' like Lawrence simply let the story go where it should go given the character and premise, rather than continually angling for commercially proven buttons to push. There weren't even a lot of big action setpieces driving it, just some terrific acting, plus the steady build of tension and urgency.
And I can't stress enough, this was a damn fine piece of speculative fiction...brimming with odd details about how this biological tragedy unfolded and what the response had been (seen mostly via the effects of those futile actions).
"And then his siggy just went *POOF*"
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Dominic (Dominic)
Production Assistant
Username: Dominic
Post Number: 149
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 - 06:04 am: |
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Watched Munich for second time (first on DVD)... was kinda disappointed. Nearly a very good film, let down by screenplay I thought. More thoughts anon, right now I have to go open presents with my godchildren. Happy holidays, one and all!
D
na na na nanana 1969 baby
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Monterey Jack (Monty)
Movie Star
Username: Monty
Post Number: 4157
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 - 10:36 pm: |
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Is that D Munich's grade?! 
Save me, Leela! And yourself, I guess! And my banjo! And Fry!
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AboutFilm host (Carlo)
Moderator
Username: Carlo
Post Number: 7217
Registered: 07-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 12:49 am: |
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No Country for Old Men... Despite some critics saying that a lot of people won't understand the ending, I feel like I got it. That didn't make me like it any more. Frankly, the whole last half hour was rather unnecessary... felt like the Coens driving home points that had already been made by the actual story. Somewhere around a B.
AboutFilm President and Sugar Daddy (www.aboutfilm.com); OFCS Member (www.ofcs.org)
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Dominic (Dominic)
Production Assistant
Username: Dominic
Post Number: 150
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 09:42 am: |
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Monty - no, that's my initial
The film comes in at a B/B- territory.
na na na nanana 1969 baby
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fishstick (Fishstick)
Cinematographer
Username: Fishstick
Post Number: 1494
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 09:48 am: |
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"it's like watching a kid, yet hearing a menopausal dwarf...like she's 15 going on 55 or something."
Bahahha, just wait for Lovely Bones for more meno-dwarfness. Or just plain skip it.
Classic quote, BTW. So true, too.
Life`s a bitch and so am I!
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Kathy (Kk1024)
Cinematographer
Username: Kk1024
Post Number: 1918
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 11:17 am: |
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I saw Sweeny Todd last night. I've noted through the years that I am a broadway fan. I like the big overwrought song and dance numbers. I never saw Todd on broadway, because I hated it's story and I'm not a fan of Sondheim.
I'm sick of dark films. I know that I have There Will Be Blood to go yet, but yuck.
Depp's singing is better than the Chicago crowd, so that's not the problem. My problem with the whole brutal mess storyline.
I have hope for Atonement and Juno. |
Nicola_D (Nicola_d)
Key Grip
Username: Nicola_d
Post Number: 765
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 11:31 am: |
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kathy:
I recently saw on stage the new, minimalist revival of Sweeney Todd and it was excellent, albeit not for everyone's taste.
Although it's not perfect, I loved Juno. And although doc's dislike of the film was utterly predictable (er, well, should I say his dislike of the subject-matter, inasmuch as he has not actually seen it!), I was truly shocked that fishstick is recommending a "skip-it". I would never have guessed her reaction. Obviously my prognostication skills are no better than chance!
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fishstick (Fishstick)
Cinematographer
Username: Fishstick
Post Number: 1495
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 04:31 pm: |
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I meant skip Lovely Bones once that meno-dwarf-fest hits the screens, not Juno, lol! I`m actually a huge fan of Juno`s rise over Atonement at the boxoffice and awards-wise. Talk about the little movie that coud.
Life`s a bitch and so am I!
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Alex Dr_Evil (Drevil)
Cinematographer
Username: Drevil
Post Number: 1799
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 05:19 pm: |
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Saw some recent films, don't feel like going into a lot of detail but...
Loved Juno. Too intentionally quirky and cute, yeah, maybe. But what a great cast, and what clever dialogue. Call me easy to please; I guess with this type of film I'm no snob.
Really liked Gone Baby Gone. I feel like Affleck should stick to directing, and this is from someone who doesn't actually mind him as an actor. But I think his directorial debut shows a lot of promise. |
AboutFilm host (Carlo)
Moderator
Username: Carlo
Post Number: 7218
Registered: 07-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 12:53 am: |
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I'm so over intentionally quirky. Make unusual characters. That gets you organically quirky. But I will dutifully see Juno this week.
AboutFilm President and Sugar Daddy (www.aboutfilm.com); OFCS Member (www.ofcs.org)
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Cosmic Voyager (Taocat)
Cinematographer
Username: Taocat
Post Number: 1608
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 10:08 am: |
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oops I'll try again
*note* tried to do a spoiler for NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN and screwed it up...hence the "oops."
---------------
And....... I thought I AM LEGEND stunk to high heavens. The CGI was way too much like I AM ROBOT and didn't fit I.A.L. at all! No vampires either.
I definitely want to go see JUNO. I like quirky little films too. |
Cosmic Voyager (Taocat)
Cinematographer
Username: Taocat
Post Number: 1609
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 10:14 am: |
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NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN is my favorite holiday film so far. I'm a fan of Cormac McCarthy's writing and was pleased to see the Coen Brothers give it the kind of twist C.M.'s books usually have. (The last book of his I read was THE ROAD...exellent!)
I got the end of the movie too...or at least felt like I did, Carlo. Maybe that's all that counts. |
C.J. (Thief)
Movie Star
Username: Thief
Post Number: 3517
Registered: 07-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 01:28 pm: |
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Last night we saw The Believer, with Ryan Gosling. It was good, but it had the potential to be way better. Gosling was amazing, but as the movie reached its climax, it kinda lost its focus. Also, the script left too many threads unattended, while picking up other uninteresting ones. Grade: B
JUST MARRIED! -- If you see me posting, my wife must be working.
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C.J. (Thief)
Movie Star
Username: Thief
Post Number: 3518
Registered: 07-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 09:28 pm: |
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...and tonight we saw A History of Violence with Viggo Mortensene. Very, very good film with great performances from all the cast. Probably write more about it later. Grade: A-
JUST MARRIED! -- If you see me posting, my wife must be working.
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Monterey Jack (Monty)
Movie Star
Username: Monty
Post Number: 4160
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 10:45 pm: |
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-Juno: For the hiccupy first half-hour, I cringed at the anticipation of yet another Wes Anderson-style snark-fest, replete with smart-aleck sound bites which play like gangbusters in TV spots and trailers but just lie there in context, but Juno eventually does settle down into a more or less charming (if ludicrously sanitized) comedy, with Ellen Page's delightful performance helping to smooth over the film's rough patches. However, the film's best performance is probably delivered by a touching Jennifer Garner, who plays the story's only truly credible human being. Garner's playing for keeps, while writer Diablo Cody and director Jason Reitman are playing for a little Little Miss Sunshine Oscar osmosis. Still, it's tough to grumble too much about this clever, sweet film, and Reitman continues to impress. B+
-Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street: Hey Doc, who sh!t in your Christmas stocking? Tim Burton's latest is a gorgeous gothic musical melodrama...and I don't even like musicals! Depp's singing is more than adequate...it's pretty damn good. And that applies for the film as a whole, with exciting staging, memorable tunes, spectacular technical credits that will get much of my AFFA love, and excellent performances by Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. An eye-popping, throat-gushing extravaganza. A-
Save me, Leela! And yourself, I guess! And my banjo! And Fry!
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Son Of... (Docscribe)
Studio Mogul
Username: Docscribe
Post Number: 8936
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 02:45 am: |
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"Who sh*t in my Christmas stocking?"
Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, that's who! Okay, so with this one they were merely incontinent, but precisely because they are both such dependable talents, this was one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year, thus one of my biggest disappointments.
And sure, Depp's feather-light baritone was fine enough if passing for a party trick or surrounded by other method actors singing more in character than classically. But here, everyone around Depp was singing high-style with precision vocal training (especially Bonham Carter, and even Rickman). Depp just didn't blend...or the others weren't able to blend with him...take your pick, but that's something a musical director is supposed to have an ear for, and carefully modulate. Every time Depp trilled a note he was playing alone on his very own stage...which only made his obtuse, impenetrable, one-note character even harder to deal with. It's not like I didn't admire his effort; I just had little use for the result. Technically, I suppose his singing wasn't even that bad; in this context though, it was frequently unharmonious and jarring.
As for the "exciting staging", do you just buy such trite phrases by the pound or something Monty? Well, here's a fact: over 75% of the scenes in this film showed only two characters simultaneously within the same scene/shot. Once you noticed this unrealistic, extremely "limited staging" - pure vignette theatrical convention at its worst on screen - the shapeless, inert nature of this drama became blatantly apparent. Apart from the parade of Sondheim greatest hits, the drama had no organic life of its own...simply because Burton never translated this rickety string of 2 character, stage-bound scenes into more persuasive cinematic terms. Was he terrified of Sondheim's creative clout on this project? Seems a bit out of character, but perhaps. Whatever the cause, the result was unmistakably stilted thoughout: someone enters, has a scene with Todd, exits, someone else enters, does their bit, then exits...or in a variation on this staging style, someone remains hidden on the set somewhere (in artificially convenient total silence) then emerges on cue 'when the coast is clear' to have their very own two shot with the lead, then exits...enter another, and another, ad nauseum. In a film that seemed unduly repetitive from the post-credits opening number, this lame 2 character per scene quota just went on and on in increasingly predictable and boring cycles.
As for the technical credits, yes, they certainly were competent, but considering Burton's canon of work, any competent designer, lighting director, or cameraman could toss off such stuff practically from memory. And yet, after awhie even these handsome craft contributions couldn't disguise the 'deadness' at the core of this character and narrative...it starts out on a single, strained note and just riffs on that in increasingly lame arrangements for nearly two damn hours, while the glumly overproduced musical numbers along the way provide some periodically convenient pee breaks.
Was it the worst made film of the year? Of course not - too much talent here trying their damndest to make it work - but despite its joylessly bloody excesses, Burton just never quite devised a compelling enough character/story thread to engage, or clever enough set pieces to disguise the pit of utter rot at the centre of this studiously stage bound project.
Yes, it sucked! A Tim Burton/Johnny Depp film actually SUCKED!
"And then his siggy just went *POOF*"
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Nicola_D (Nicola_d)
Key Grip
Username: Nicola_d
Post Number: 766
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 11:34 am: |
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Of course, now I feel compelled to see it for myself. Admittedly, I've never been a big Burton fan. I still think his best film is Pee-wee's Big Adventure. |
Son Of... (Docscribe)
Studio Mogul
Username: Docscribe
Post Number: 8937
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 01:04 pm: |
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Although we've certainly had our share of disagreements over movies Nicola - not as many or as deep as our banter would sometimes suggest - I wouldn't wish Burton's Nightmare at Christmas on anyone...even out of spite.
And as already conceded, superficially it was not a badly produced movie, yet it still managed to stink up the joint pretty bad. So I sincerely hope you do find more to enjoy in it than I did, or Kathy seemed to, albeit with her own set of reservations. Maybe this lovingly cut and arranged bouquet of feces simply worked better on stage, and for those who encountered Todd first in that form, it was just a dandy wallow. But as both art and entertainment I'm back to my opening comment, "hideous".
"And then his siggy just went *POOF*"
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Jeff Vorndam (Jeff)
Cinematographer
Username: Jeff
Post Number: 1071
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 02:40 pm: |
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I didn't think it was bad, but it definitely wasn't on my wavelength. I found bits and pieces that I liked (the shot of Depp and Bonham-Carter at the beach, which poked fun at the unremitting darkness of every other scene, not just in this movie but in much of Burton's output), but basically they art-directed the hell out of a not terribly interesting story. It was like From Hell with singing.
You want to be fooled.
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Kathy (Kk1024)
Cinematographer
Username: Kk1024
Post Number: 1919
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 03:21 pm: |
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Well doc and I disliked the film for very different reasons. I don't care for the uber-violent gorefest horror genre, and he doesn't seem to care for the musical genre. Musicals are staged differently than nonnmusicals and that is to be expected in my book. Also it's a little difficult for faulting Depp for playing a one-note character devoid of life when that was exactly what the character of Sweeney had become at the onset of the film. |
Amy (Amyqazz)
Production Assistant
Username: Amyqazz
Post Number: 186
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 04:43 pm: |
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I Am Legend
I got dragged to this one (it was either this or Alvin and the Chipmunks...oy) and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It was entertaining, safe and predictable. It didn't add anything new to the genre. Will Smith is always enjoyable to watch. I think it takes a truly gifted actor/movie star to pull off being basically the only human actor in a two-hour movie. The last segment of the movie is weak and tacked-on. I wouldn't strongly recommend it, but it works as an entertaining afternoon diversion.
Grade: B |
Nicola_D (Nicola_d)
Key Grip
Username: Nicola_d
Post Number: 767
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 08:05 pm: |
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doc: I sat through AVP:R recently, so if I can survive that, I can survive Sweeney! |
Son Of... (Docscribe)
Studio Mogul
Username: Docscribe
Post Number: 8938
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 09:17 pm: |
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Kathy re:
quote:I don't care for the uber-violent gorefest horror genre, and [doc] doesn't seem to care for the musical genre. Musicals are staged differently than nonnmusicals and that is to be expected in my book.
Would agree with that Kathy, but only in the most general sense. I've actually warmed to musicals considerably during this mid-later phase of my life. And not to put too fine a point on it, but during the same week I saw Burton's Nightmare at Christmas, I also watched one the most unapologetically 'stagey' Broadway musical adaptations ever taken to the screen, Li'l Abner. With its Technicolor blue trees and orange bushes continually hammering away at my retinae, I can't imagine getting much further away from reality or closer to 100% stylized stage trappings...and yet, I didn't really dislike the garish, goofy thing. It wasn't particularly good either, but at least it was interesting and amusing in all its cornpone-camp trappings. So it's not a given that that I dislike screen musincals as a genre; although it would be fair to say that my range of enjoyment with the form is probably more limited.
quote:Also it's a little difficult for faulting Depp for playing a one-note character devoid of life when that was exactly what the character of Sweeney had become at the onset of the film.
Then why bother even doing it? Seems to me sheer arrogance (and/or creative folly) to trust that what is lacking in a thinly written character/storyine can be morphed, through sheer force of will, into something more substantive. Seriously, what were they thinking? Maybe there was a reason why nobody else was compelled to adapt this grim, no arc, stage-centric oddity to the big screen.
Actually, Jeff might be on to something that never occurred to me: this whole bloody mess could have been some kind of 'fin de ciecle' work for both talents. In other words, Burton and Depp were taking the whole 'Burton and Depp thing' to the max...right over the top and off the scale into the realm of parody...not only of self but genre/sub-genres. If so, then I don't think they went far enough, because for much of its running time, it really wasn't clear that this might be the cheeky satifical game they were playing...gobs of it just seemed too deadly, drearily, unredeemingly serious.
"And then his siggy just went *POOF*"
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Son Of... (Docscribe)
Studio Mogul
Username: Docscribe
Post Number: 8939
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 09:20 pm: |
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Ack, someone actually paid to see AVP: R!.
Okay, you win Nicola; I can't beat that in terms of "movie addiction."
"And then his siggy just went *POOF*"
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Monterey Jack (Monty)
Movie Star
Username: Monty
Post Number: 4162
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 10:30 pm: |
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I shamefully want to see Alien vs. Predator: Requiem, if only for the fact that it has the R-rating the original film should have had, and that the beautiful Reiko Aylesworth (late of Fox's 24) is in the cast.
Save me, Leela! And yourself, I guess! And my banjo! And Fry!
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Nicola_D (Nicola_d)
Key Grip
Username: Nicola_d
Post Number: 768
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 04:01 am: |
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For some reason I've always been drawn to the story of Sweeney Todd as a hapless anti-hero driven to madness and self-destruction by an obsessive need for vengeance. His motivations do garner some sympathy, inasmuch his pain stems from his unjust, lengthy incarceration and loss of innocence and beauty as represented by his wife and daughter. And it's underlying criticism of the cannibalistic values of industrialized, 19th century British society does resonate. Well, that's how I see the legend of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
In addition, I've always liked Sondheim's adaptation, both musically and lyrically, of the story's dark, tragic themes. And dark humor is definitely a key element of his interpretation.
But in Burton's take of the story, as doc has stated, the dark humor is diluted to such an extent that it's almost non-existent. Sweeney Todd is a difficult character to capture, and I think it requires a more broad, theatrical rendition than that given by Depp. As a consequence, the emotional resonance of the play has been lost, if not abandoned. I was only moved by the "Not While I'm Around" scene between young Mrs. Lovett and young Tobias (who is featured more prominently as the moral center of the recent revival). As usual the production was luscious, albeit set-bound, and the singing is adequate. It's the lack of emotional power that handicaps this film. Nice attempt. Two and one-half stars.
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James (James)
Production Assistant
Username: James
Post Number: 318
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 10:35 am: |
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Sorry fellas Sweeny Todd worked for me, I thought it was throat-slitting fun. I have seen the musical and seen the movie. I thought it had plenty of emotional power and Johnny Depp knocked this bitch out of the park, yes Helena Bonham-Carter's voice was kinda thin but I still enjoyed it.
Yes the character of Sweeny may have been deemed one-note but that was how it was in the production also. I almost felt this movie should have been titled There Will Be Blood also.
I felt this was the film that Tim Burton has always dreamed about doing and I felt he hit this one out of the park.
Grade: A |
Nicola_D (Nicola_d)
Key Grip
Username: Nicola_d
Post Number: 769
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 12:55 pm: |
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James: Wow, an "A". That is truly impressive. Seriously. I wished it worked for me in that way.
The recent theatrical version stuck with me for days afterward. This morning I've barely thought about the movie. It just didn't hit me nearly as hard.
Obviously, most critics appear to agree with your assessment, however. As doc is wont to say, I guess he and I just "didn't get it." :-) Of course, I didn't hate it as he does. I see it as typically Burtonesque: more style over substance.
Oh, regarding There Will be Blood, I've not been more eager to see a movie since Pan's Labyrinth. Fortunately that one lived up to all the hype. It doesn't open here 'til 1/11.
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Son Of... (Docscribe)
Studio Mogul
Username: Docscribe
Post Number: 8940
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 01:57 pm: |
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...or here, same date. They must be trying to work all the year end 'best list' plaudits into the ads.
What's frustrating, is that I didn't get to enjoy a really good year end theatrical experience on Christmas evening this year. There just wasn't a damn thing playing that I really wanted to see, so I stayed in and watched a Bogie double bill of The Harder They Fall and Sirocco, plus John Waters' Serial Mom, which, believe it or not I'd never seen.
"And then his siggy just went *POOF*"
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Nicola_D (Nicola_d)
Key Grip
Username: Nicola_d
Post Number: 770
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 02:20 pm: |
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For the record, I'm going to reduce my Kite Runner assessment to three stars. Admittedly, sometimes I review movies too soon afterwards. |
Nicola_D (Nicola_d)
Key Grip
Username: Nicola_d
Post Number: 771
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 02:46 pm: |
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Very quick mini-reviews:
Charlie Wilson's War: Competent movie-making by Nichols, the darling of the East Coast critical establishment. Another stand-out supporting performance by Julia "Charlotte's Web" Roberts. She was smart and sexy; two terms I've never applied to her before. Adams is not given enough to do and her part seems edited. Too bad. Oh, and has Tom Hanks forgotten how to act? About three stars.
Walk Hard: Typical Hollywood parody of a Hollywood movie, but I like Reilly. Two and one-half stars.
AVP:R: Well, it was better than the first AVP. For diehard fans only. Lame B movie script with A quality creature effects. The "predator" character is a magnificent movie creation, and the alien a classic movie monster. They both deserve a better film. Oh, and Monty, Aylesworth has a smaller role with little to do. Two Stars.
National Treasure: Book of Secrets: It's dumb, illogical, preposterous, with likeable characters and some nice set-pieces that doesn't pretend to being anything else. Perhaps that's it's saving grace, because I still found it an entertaining enough time filler. And Greenwood was typically exceptional in a smaller part. When is this guy going to get his star-making role? I'll give it an entirely indefensible "about three stars."
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Yeah! (Sanboy)
Cinematographer
Username: Sanboy
Post Number: 3052
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 02:50 pm: |
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Doc, Serial Mom was a blast, huh?
Why is “abbreviation” such a long word?
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Yeah! (Sanboy)
Cinematographer
Username: Sanboy
Post Number: 3053
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 02:54 pm: |
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Nicola, There Will Be Blood is one of the few moments that virtually guarantees being worthy of the time & ticket prices... I mean, how many time do we see a film, and it's like "well, there's three hours and $20 gone forever..."
Why is “abbreviation” such a long word?
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Nicola_D (Nicola_d)
Key Grip
Username: Nicola_d
Post Number: 772
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 03:17 pm: |
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Sanboy: I've always thought the price of a movie ticket is one the best bargains around, so I rarely feel I'm ripped-off, even when sitting through pretentious crap like I'm Not There. I not only genuinely love movies, but also the movie-going experience, despite the all too frequent mediocrity on the screen and incivility in the audience. |
Yeah! (Sanboy)
Cinematographer
Username: Sanboy
Post Number: 3055
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 03:25 pm: |
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Yeah, no argument. Sometimes it's absolutely transformative and satisfying down the line, but the other side is the reality that it might be worth waiting to rent a mere three months later, which affects the equation. But as for the incivility in the audience, that's another factor that's gotten even more prevalent. Some folks literally don't seem to realize that they're in public, not in their homes!
Why is “abbreviation” such a long word?
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C.J. (Thief)
Movie Star
Username: Thief
Post Number: 3519
Registered: 07-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 04:00 pm: |
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No Country For Old Men was as interesting as a film can get. As it's basically the norm with the Coen Bros. I'd like to see it again, but the film is nonetheless equal part entertaining and shocking. Great directing and good performances from almost everyone. Bardem and Brolin were great, although their performances weren't particularly demanding much range. I will reserve my grade in case I see it again, but it must definitely be on the A-scale.
JUST MARRIED! -- If you see me posting, my wife must be working.
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Nicola_D (Nicola_d)
Key Grip
Username: Nicola_d
Post Number: 773
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 04:02 pm: |
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The ending wasn't a letdown for you thief? Personally, I hated it (the ending). |
C.J. (Thief)
Movie Star
Username: Thief
Post Number: 3520
Registered: 07-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 04:08 pm: |
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I went back and read some of the comments about No Country... and want to reply to some. SPOILERS will follow.
quote:Nicola: The problem is that much of the film was devoted to the P.O.V. of Brolin, and to present his demise in so dispassionate a manner by providing us with merely a glimpse of his lifeless body cheats the audience and doesn't pay the character his due respect which he had earned throughout the course of the movie.
quote:Kathy: I thought it was a fatal flaw. I was invested in Josh Brolin and when he died that was it for the film. The stuff after that was almost burdensome. Tommy Lee went on his visit and talked to his wife about his dream. I didn't care much about Tommy Lee at that point and thought that his ending was cumbersome.
I basically agree with you both on the abruptness of Brolin's death. However, even though it is true that most of the film "follows" him, the true character arc lies on Tommy Lee Jones character, who ultimately ends up being the one affected AND changed by the events of the film.
JUST MARRIED! -- If you see me posting, my wife must be working.
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C.J. (Thief)
Movie Star
Username: Thief
Post Number: 3521
Registered: 07-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 04:12 pm: |
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You beat me to it, Nicola, hehehe. Anyway, I sure was shocked and kinda like "Oh, man" when IT happened. But I took it as part of the story and I think that in that abruptness lies a certain morale to the story.
JUST MARRIED! -- If you see me posting, my wife must be working.
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Nicola_D (Nicola_d)
Key Grip
Username: Nicola_d
Post Number: 774
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 04:20 pm: |
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I can't disagree that the arc was intended to lay with Jones, but IMO the film was not properly constructed to reflect that. I felt cheated and could care less about the rambling, sermonizing epilogue of the Jones character. Perhaps they followed the book too closely and/or literally. Whatever, that ending seriously irritates me just thinking about it! |
Son Of... (Docscribe)
Studio Mogul
Username: Docscribe
Post Number: 8941
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 10:20 pm: |
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rantboy re:
quote:"Serial Mom was a blast, huh?"
For me, more "Huh?" than "blast" And it begged the question: "Has John Waters ever made a consistently good movie?" I mean, "one that really hung together end-to-end in terms of script, direction, and performance?" I can't think of one.
Like so much of Waters' work, this one seemed to be just a bunch of high-concept-clever 'trailer' moments stitched together in crazy quilt fashion...nevermind the careful development necessary for those stray bright spots to at least make some kind of minimal internal sense. With broad comedy, I don't expect ironclad logic, but with satire I sure do (especially if it's of a socio-politico bent), which is what he seemed to be aiming for here. Unfortunately, the amateurishness of all those half-thought-through, lazily staged 'feeder' scenes just took the edge off Waters' handful of viciously brilliant moments. I was actually more amused by the various trailers for the movie, since they were at least edited for maximum comedic effect.
Although I didn't hate this movie, I sure wasn't engaged consistently by it...just too much random, esoteric garbage tossed in along the way for whatever indulgent impulse seemed funny to Waters late one night between tokes. Or maybe, he just has these great ideas, but is too Ed Wood-ish a talent to bring them off. In any case, too undisciplined a filmmaker for my tastes.
"And then his siggy just went *POOF*"
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Yeah! (Sanboy)
Cinematographer
Username: Sanboy
Post Number: 3057
Registered: 05-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 10:52 pm: |
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Dude, dig the POV, but found that one to be such a satisfying little little exercise in observance, a heightened commentary, like a fast food, Brady Bunch-type culture getting stabbed to death by a character in The Shining. That moment when Ms. Sutphin slipped on the kid's kidney was such a twisted, macabre-hilarious take on a gore-craving TV-based society, and stylistically, maybe it was a variation on Natural Born Killers, when at the end there was that series of actual television clips that paralleled the blood-thirsty nature of the main characters, y'know?
Why is “abbreviation” such a long word?
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Kathy (Kk1024)
Cinematographer
Username: Kk1024
Post Number: 1920
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 11:09 pm: |
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L'il Abner was the first musical I was in (high school). I remember it being my least favorite of the four; Bye Bye Birdie, Guys and Dolls and Mame followed.
I have to wait until January 18 for There Will Be Blood!!!!
Ditto with nicola on No Country's ending. |
C.J. (Thief)
Movie Star
Username: Thief
Post Number: 3522
Registered: 07-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 11:25 pm: |
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There Will Be Blood has one of the most teasingly interesting trailers I've seen in a while. I want to see that one badly. Also, the treat of Daniel Day-Lewis is too irresistible. Will he ever give us a bad performance?
JUST MARRIED! -- If you see me posting, my wife must be working.
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