past four months
man did i take a long break, somehow after july I became so lazy that I skipped the monthly update of august, september, october, november, december... I had to go all the way back in my posting history on joblo to count up everything i've seen since the last update and create this big list of films here before you. Just 13 days left until 2008 - hopefully I'm able to fulfill the promise I made for myself and that is to knock out Kurosawa's filmography..wish me luck, cos I aint even started on it!
ok here we go.
August 1
a decent detective/sci-fi. While it's plot is a tad far-fetched and unrealistic, it makes up for the entertainment it offers although some of it cliche and predictable. Ray Liotta plays it kool in this, and Linda Fiorentino is...same as in any other movie.
6/10
August 2
August 4
August 6
I'm a FAN of Linklater's Sunrise/Sunset movies, so I sorta knew what to expect in this clastrophobic, dialogue-driven piece of drama...and, I also like movies about 2 people or in this case 3. This plays out like a stage play (because it is, adapted) shot on low-budget, with digital cam, which works for this movie very well, and acted decently by everyone. I was engaged as a viewer and had a lot of fun listening, and reminiscing a few times on the topic of high school myself - which I'm glad is in the past.
7/10
August 9
August 10
as effective as it was back when I first saw it in the 90's as a boy. and the commentary is very informative and entertaining.
10/10 - one of the best sci-fi horror films there is, and ever will be.
Psycho-inspired Hammer production, with a great act from the late Oliver Reed (Proximo in Gladiator) with twists and turns, good for a horror night showing.
6/10
August 11
I regret not seeing this when it was out. Despite the fact that it's essentially a Rear Window "ripoff" for a lack of a better word. It's quite entertaining, and it delivers exactly what it sets out to do. Entertain. I actually find Shia to be more and more appealing of an actor in roles like this. More power to him. Thought it had a great combination of teen romance, drama, suspense. all in PG-13.
7/10
August 12
a so-so spaghetti western that uses the same formula of the badass hero that has a trademark attached to him, in this case, he kills with an axe (blade) whatever u call it. It sports some stylish and interesting shots, but overall not really interesting I thought. cheesy/laughable scenarios.
5/10
August 16
7/10 - in general, a good classic sci-fi, with practical effects. anticlimactic ending though.
August 17
August 18
August 20
has that Cool Hand Luke vibe, but with two leads and racial tensions. Thought the two leads were great and the overall film was easy to watch. Nice ending
8/10
August 21
eastern Dirty Dozen.
starts off fast and keeps the flow going, with an exception to maybe a 1 or 2 slow scenes; it's energetic and entertaining. Fulfilling ending too, with a nice fight sequence that had me at HELLO.
8/10
August 22
quite an informative look into the history of the gangs in LA, and the whole beginning of Bloods & the Crips, spans 5 decades with informative insight into each. Does the job well for someone who doesn't have a clue about the history, so I was pleased.
8/10
August 24
August 25
August 30
a waste of time. plain and simple, never thought I'd say that.
looked like fun, but in the end boring bullshit, the only good thing is weta workshop's special effects, and somewhat decent performance from Peter Feeney (Angus), everyone else sucks, and so does the humor. Retarded.
4/10
sleazy exploitation revenge flick that hits the exploitation revenge cliche pretty well, the most obvious one being They Call Her One Eye (a mute). Story about a good girl, a mute, who's been raped and finally has had it - she goes through a radical transformation on a killing spree! If this sounds like you then by all means check it out.
6/10
one of sly's other silly attacks on the good ol' cccp (first being rocky 4)
as an action film, it has it's "fun" moments despite the believability factor (which is pretty freakin UNBELIEVABLE), but hey Commando is like that too, yet it rocks. This one is merely ok.
as the whole premise, characters, moral - it's pretty stupid, cliche, and untrue. even after you watch the film you can understand what our american friends think about us, oh russians are evil, cold-blooded brutes!! go gallant people of afghanistan!
especially, it sounds quite offensive when the character of richard crenna blames us for starting the war and whiping out a peaceful population, but forgetting the fact when american planes dropped napalm on vietnamese villages. nothing else to say.
mediocre and silly.
September 4
i won't deny that this film is highly philosophical and to my knowledge - original, but it certainly is long, drawn out, and boring. You're watching it, and you're thinking to yourself "Man, Depp is good!" and that's what saves this film, in my eyes. I thought it began well, and had potential to be a highly 'great' film, but it's definitely not for everyone, and more aimed at a certain audience. And Neil Young's score really was a bit too much, it got in the way with that electric guitar too many times and just became redundant.
5/10
September 5
I don't usually watch anime, and for a long time I had some kind of prejudice against this genre. I guess mostly it's because not a lot of what I saw of it really appealed to me. I remember watching Princess Mononoke at one time back in the 2002, and remembering it being quite the cinematic endeavour in my eyes, in the anime department. It had a sort of melancholic atmosphere about it, and what do you know it's from the same director as Spirited Away. Last night, an anime bug bit me and I've decided to watch Spirited Away. Little did I know that this would actually be an amazing, and an emotional piece. I shed tears about 2-3 times, sometimes it was overwhelming with the beautiful sight and music combined to not let emotions break out. This well deserved its' Oscar, and the rating on IMDb.
I think it's wonderful.
9/10
September 6
Being a player, and a huge fan of the game since a boy, I enjoyed this. But when you know the game inside out, you begin to spot many errors (for an average filmgoer this doesn't matter) but some things stuck out (like improper form when taking a shot, etc) but I can let all that go. Since this is an "underdog" story, the archetypes and cliches are to be expected. It didn't really have a great effect on me because stories like these have been run into the ground for too long with a few of them actually being EFFECTIVE. So this was JUST entertaining to me. Maybe it's because I'm a fan of the sport? Could be a factor, I don't know.
This has some nice visuals which I dug, and an overall entertaining flow to it, but I've seen this story too many times and that's why it gets a low grade from me. There's nothing really NEW here to be added in the "underdog" genre.
6/10 - can't bee too harsh, afterall.
i actually thought it wasn't that bad of an adaptation, like Zombie initially set out to do, he added a tad more of a backstory in the first half, which isn't completely good or bad; it's more in the middle. When it gets down to Haddonfield scenes, it begins to feel more like the original Carpenter version, but only modernized. The use of original and new music is also effective I thought. There's the usual Zombie trademark white trash, characters, dialogue, content - but it's to be expected.
a 7/10 from me.
September 8
Director's Cut/International version
I still think that there's too much yapping and not a whole lot of action up until the last 20 mins or so. That's just how 'Tino intended.
7/10
September 9
September 12
There's movies like "Super Size Me" which show you the aftereffects of fast food quite EFFECTIVELY, and NOW, there is a movie that shows you everything that's going on in the politics AND factories of the meatpacking industry. A very, very, effective exposé on what REALLY goes on before you see that "hamburger" on your table.
Linklater, has truly become one of my favorite filmmakers in the contemporary cinema - but with this movie he has shown that he can also make an effective political statement without being preachy, shoving-it-down-your-throat. I thought he handled all the multiple storylines really well, raising highly moral questions that make you really think for a while - and with that - what I think is - one of the most chilling endings in recent memory; you're left pondering and thinking.
9/10
I know this was Miike's take on the "creepy-girl-with-black-hair-meets-cell-phones-meets-spirit-horror" but I couldn't understand what was going on. I can't tell whether Miike was just screwin around with the genre, or was actually serious. If he was serious, then it's a letdown, if not - he suceeded in teasing it, but still a letdown.
There's a neato scene at the abandoned hospital that's semi-creepy. And the scene at the TV show when one of the victims is brutally whacked, but that's about all that is memorable. The ending was anticlimactic too and confusing, and made me scoff. However, on the atmosphere level it's dark, decent enough to pass - visuals are also alright in my book.
5/10
September 15
September 16
September 17
interesting reversal, even metaphorical. But of course, ya can't ignore the fact that this is an american film, they who love to make themselves out to be great heroes. All that aside, this was a decent 2 hours. Propagandistic, yep, entertaining, yep. Some cool compositions, and GREAT score.
almost reminded me of the time the germans invaded us too
long live the partisans!!1
7/10
September 18
a horrifying film. Difficult to watch it at certain times. It's a psychological thriller in the most extreme of the genre. The events take the time over a course of one night during which two young males hold hostage a family that has come to a beach house. Without giving anything away, this SHOULD NOT be missed - and I believe should be seen before the remake. It left me with a very..uneasy feeling in the stomach because it really hit hard. You think that there will be enormous bloodshed, but there hardly any. It's got the atmosphere and vibe of Panic Room (by the way, you would THINK Fincher would remake this one - this is SO up his sleeve.. I remember back when Hostel came up someone brought up the same thing, that Fincher would be a good director for THAT movie too). The acting is so legit that you begin to forget that this is a movie, and you become involved and feel like it's happening to a real family for real. Applause on that department. Direction is extremely tight, without any subplots or excess scenes, and very, very suspensful.
Within each frame, the intensity grow more and more. This evidenly happens towards a vital part in the film, about halfway or more through the film (beginning with a very long one take) the level of inhumanity in this is so grandiose that you have to just stop and think just WHAT was wrong with those people. I saw it coming, but the very last scene before the ending had left me shocked and in stupor.
I could go on writing a huge review, it seems, but the best way is for YOU to just WATCH IT.
9/10
September 19
September 20
i can't even choose the words to describe this, afterall how do you come up with something do describe surrealist cinema? exactly - it's just surreal. There is no plot, it's just dreams within dreams within dreams.
7/10
September 21
an average thriller, and actually predictable. I knew - on the basis of the setting of the film and my own experience living in eastern europe - who were the "bad guys"
unfortunately it's common to find idiots like "them" - but hey, this movie is sort of like a social commentary on exactly this topic. (im not revealing a lot here, so it's okay for those who haven't seen this to go "wtf is he talking about")
5/10 - apart from some tense scenes, this was just average thriller to me.
September 23
September 26
September 27
very minimal, calm, but hard-hitting drama from Bergman, with very beautiful B&W cinematography that amazes. My favorite was the latter half of the film, where intensity plays a large role. Bergman handles silent moments with extreme expertise and knows how to keep your attention alert at all times.
9/10
September 28
i think only japanese can make something so calm, but have such a brutal emotional impact. There's no overacting, or overly dramatic scenes to get a point across. You see it on the actor's and actress's faces. Images speak for themselves, the rest takes care of itself.
this is one of those 'multiple characters' studies, so if you liked Babel, or 21 Grams you definitely will like, if not love, this film.
9/10
September 30
disappointing.. from the preview it looked like at least decent. Large part of this movie is so meh, the characters, especially the main girl was just a ridiculous character. Am I supposed to believe that at the end of the movie she starts 'hearing' him ? At least the soundtrack is good, good tunes play throughout and music is nice. The scenery is very nice and makes me wanna visit Vancouver =D but this movie is unbelievable, but what do you expect?
4/10
Hold's up, and still the superior of the double feature, even though I like DP too PT is just much more entertaining and shows what grindhouse genre is about. A fun time overall. The return of Biehn was one of the things I was looking forward to seeing.
"You have to come with us Wray, we need to talk"
Doc Block: He has to sign her up
Biehn, with that look: "Do what now?"
Fahey did steal the show I thought, and many of the cliches of the genre were a great treat, and I applaud Rodriguez for his attention to detail in that department, jokes did work for me as well. On a purely atmospheric level it succeeds too.
I only wish that this was a franchise, but unfortunately it won't be due to the public's un-interest in it. Too bad. I'd want to see "Don't" and all the other faux trailers (Machete which will happen)
8/10
October 5
October 11
There is a reason why I stray away from giving every movie I like in one way or another that perfect rating. That 10, that by looking at that number, which is just a number, signifies that THAT film had made an impact, a grand impact.
When I look back at most movies I've seen and compare them to what I have just NOW seen, I know, that this perfect 10 is deserving. To really grasp what I'm talking about one has to really see for themselves the beauty this film carries with it. To describe this, I could write a whole essay - but I'll leave it to the Criterion essayists if one is interested. There's also a reason why the Palme D'Or was awarded for this in 1997 - it deserved it. I can't give any film that moves me in one way or another anything lower than a 10. This does not mean one will enjoy it as much as I did, but every film speaks to individuals in different way. As for me, I was moved. From the very beginning - I was gripped by images on screen, by that minimal, simple, everyday feeling that was portrayed on screen. I could go on, but the less words, the better.
I hope somebody reads this and find this film because I can guarantee it, you will love it.
10/10
October 12
BEST FOREIGN FILM 2007 NOMINEE - mark my words.
Russian remake of 12 Angry Men by a famed Nikita Mihalkov (Burnt By The Sun oscar winner). Mihalkov proves here, why, he is at the top of the game as a Russian contemporary filmmaker, and as a filmmaker in general. To take an american version and completely make it his own film takes genius. It is longer than the original film, running at 2 hours and 30 minutes - a mesmerizing play where time blurs and you become immersed in what goes on. Of course I'm speaking about it this way because Russian is my native tongue, I can't speak for everyone because there is a big cultural difference between the east and the west and many things westerners will not understand - it takes a russian to understand "russian soul". Judging it on the basis of general filmmaking, it was a pleasure to watch. Cinematographically, I can only do nothing but applaud the DP, acting wise - everyone has their "scenes" to show for, each and every actor captures your attention when they deliver their monologues and points of views about the case.
I can't wait for others to see this, I'd like to raise awareness of this film NOW, even though there's no doubt in my mind this will be pushed for Best Foreign Film this year. Mihalkov himself said that he would like americans to see his version.
10/10 - what can I say, I'm on a roll for two nights straight with two amazing films.
this is without a doubt one of the most influential political films in history about people's struggle against an occupying force. Even though this is a struggle against colonialism, when you look at it with an open mind it can be applied to any kind of struggle against ANY occupying force; colonial or invading. This is the kind of movie that should be shown to idiots who support the war in Iraq and yet ask the question "why so many suicide bombs??? these people are terrorists GO USA!"
Ennio Morricone's music never seizes to impress.
9/10, very minor nitpicks with some technical aspects. otherwise, an important film gets a 10 from me.
October 17
An eye-opening look into a life of the Eskimo. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know is revealed. It’s the first film of its’ breed and shows and tells a great number about the life of a single family in the harshest conditions on earth. The kind of lifestyle they lead, that was shown before my eyes really amazed me in that how closely-knit they are and mentally strong. You put a single “modern” family in their place, and it will disintegrate into little pieces – but these people, are special. Also, if you ever wondered how Igloos were built – it’s all there. It has its’ faults in the filmmaking department, but essentially the point is brought across. Interesting account of life far from civilization.
7/10
October 19
Journey Beyond Three Seas (1957)
first ever co-production between India and Russia. Based on the real-life merchant Afanasiy Nikitin who opened up a trading path from Europe to India in the years 1466 - 1472. That's a bit of history for you. As for the film itself I can't speak ill of it. I loved it, and that's mainly because it IS a great piece of cinema. Beautifully shot in the widescreen format the film runs at 2 hours and 23 minutes telling us the story of this one merchant who has a strong desire to go to India and discover new people. The scale of this film is masterpiece material. Great art-design, production value, lavish landscapes of both countries, costumes, photography and how about that beautiful SOUL this film carries with it. It's not just about a man making his way to some country. Along the journey he meets evil as well as great people and as cliche that might sound it's done with utmost knowledge and experience of life by the filmmakers (a Hindi and a Russian respectively) Such collaborations are to be cherished, you get to see both lands and cultures from an unbiased perspective. This should be released on Criterion!
great, and touching film I thought.
9/10
October 20
This is by far the biggest disappointment, for me personally. After having seen Hard Candy and being impressed and knowing that this is Slade's next film, I was greatly looking forward to this. I even got the graphic novel and read it in an hour (it's short). Instead, this was so disappointing. I can't begin to describe. It started off good and was setting up the tension pretty well but something happened..and it all went downhill. Things were taken out from the film that explained a bit of a background in the graphic novel -- but nothing major, still it bothered. Then there were also changes done to the "boss" of the pack which to me were bothersome a bit because I liked how it played out in the novel. Slade impressed with Hard Candy, but disappointed (me) with 30 Days of Night. Not much going on, predictable at certain moments. Shaky cam was getting on my nerves. Not scary at all, but then again, it's rare to get scared in modern horror. This ain't no The Thing.
Some 'wow' moments, but few of them, I actually rarely do this -- but during the film I was just quietly crackin jokes with a friend...yeah.
4/10
October 25
Nightmare on Elm Street has an oddly similar concept, the difference is that Elm is a horror film and this is sci-fi. Both released in the same year. I've always thought Max Von Sydow and Christopher Plummer looked similar, and here they are together. Plummer is good at being a villain, he carries an evil presence everytime he's in the scene. Other than that, average 80's sci-fi, but it does have some decent production sets during dream sequences, like the post-nuke setting, some good make-up effects as well as vfx when the dream state is initiated. Everything else is pretty average and unrealistic but hey, it's sci-fi...still when it comes down to entering someone else's dream state without any equipment it becomes laughable.
5/10
a little sci-fi that was ahead of it's time in certain instances. Also the first to begin straying away from the cliche that plagued so many other sci-fi films set on "different planets" as this has absolutely no interplanetary monsters or killer vegetables.
7/10
October 30
got to soak it all in before fully analyzing it. A definite recommendation if one hasn't seen it. Very true and realistic portrayal of what it means to fall on hard times and what determination one posesses to change it all. We see just how badly you must want something that nothing or noone will stop you. To me, it's the epitome of films about determination. Timeless and universal, with an ending that you do not see coming.
9/10
November 2
Not GREAT, but very good. It's refreshing to see the gangster formula that Scorsese perfected taken to the streets of Harlem. At 2:40 mins this runs very smoothly, just like Zodiac did. Despite many talkative scenes the viewer is kept involved (at least I was). Interesting contrast of Danzel & Russel's characters as well. It doesn't hit you right away but it comes to you later when you think about how similar yet different they both are. Great, great, GREAT "infiltration" sequence towards the very end of the film. No words, just action - so intense.
That ending entered my list of favorite endings of all time.
8/10
November 3
November 7
lot's of talking, slow beginning but around the 40'sh mark it gets a bit interesting. Maybe just me but I found this to be a depressing film. I guess it's because this deals with something that's real and it hits on a personal level.
6/10
November 10
second film from Andrei Zvyagintsev, a contemporary Russian filmmaker of philosophical standard. I highly liked "The Return" which was his first AND a winner of the Venice festival. Now he returns with a new film that competed at Cannes this year and won the lead actor the best actor award. It's got a certain level of abstractism as none of what you see really rings a bell. No country is mentioned, no city, or anything to identify the location of it. It only adds to the film's concentration on showcasing the family, not knowing where it all takes place makes the viewer unbiased to the situation. Simply put, this film is about a single family, specifically about a man and woman, husband and wife and how it all falls apart. You won't find any over the top yelling or screaming that normally is present to showcase how it all breaks down, none of it is in here. Everyone is just so calm. It's a very poetic type of film, beautiful cinematography only adds to the already established poetry of it. It's lengthy but because of the expertise of the director and the DP you are glued. Very interesting art-house film.
8/10
P.S. I just want to add that this film has a very very big Tarkovsky influence, both visually and conceptually. I think Zvyagintsev is becoming the NEW Tarkovsky.
November 13
November 14
November 17
I haven't seen anything else from Kaufman or Jonze, but I know that I have to see the rest now. I thought this was fresh, and Nic Cage isn't the bad actor that everybody seems to think he is. It's got it's themes, maybe even metaphors so I'll have to check this out again because it's hard to understand the Kaufman world. I liked how the film itself played out like the screenplay Kaufman was writing and when you see stars from past movies in this, or flashbacks, you begin to appreciate its' complexity.
8/10
Despite the excruciating seizure that I got from looking at the screen trying to put 2 and 2 together and find out WHAT was going on, this movie had kept me interested just like its' two predecessors did. I am hopefully not alone in this when I say that the Bourne series are some of the best, most realistic action movies ever produced. And that goes for just overall attention to small details in how the real world works. This one had me talking back at the TV for more than 1 instance, as well as having the "o" face on me. Some pretty hardcore chase scenes, especially these two (Supremacy, Ultimatum) that made me go "whoa". Having said all of that, biggest nit pick with this is that Greengrass should cut down on the hectic camerawork. I am NOT against it, the handycam stuff actually adds on to the REALISM, but when it comes down to some action it just goes WAY too A.D.D. for me.
I'd like someone else take on the fourth film, just out of curiosity and a little bit of "change" in the filming style.
8/10
November 18
I was completely unaware of the fact that Rain Man won Academy awards for Best Actor, Director, Screenplay, and Best Picture. Hoffman of course did an awfully convincing job playing a "rain man" and Tom Cruise plays his usual self, but plays it great as always. I couldn't really get into the movie in the first act, but when it got rollin with Cruise and Hoffman on the road it became interesting. A film about humanly relationship towards one another and how we need to be a little bit more patient with each other. The transformation of Cruise at the end was felt by me especially in the ending scene when everyone gets together to decide rain man's fate. To me, that was the best scene because it had my full attention. For that, Barry Levinson convinced me that he deserved the award. One other thing, Hans Zimmer's earlier scores are really touching and innocent, reminded me of True Romance cue because of how similar the music was.
8/10
November 20
first of an acclaimed trilogy. Fairly short, and the pacing is very good here, same with the structure. Technicolor is so nice, and the overall imagery was easy on the eyes. I thought the story progressed quite well, showing us a transformation of one deluded and cocky samurai into a wise one by the end of the film. Can't wait to watch the rest.
9/10
November 21
November 22
So Soderbergh decided to go back to the Casino heist formula again, and while it's better than the Ocean's 12, this still lacks something. I think Ocean's 11 is the best, and can't be outdone. The vibrant colors were cool and nice to look at. I don't know if it was just me, but it dragged until the finale, which was really short and disappointing. The suspense of the first cannot be matched.
5/10
November 24
I really liked this one. With the unique minds like Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry combined this could be called a surreal mindfuck masterpiece with a romantic spin on it. If one looked at it as a "who would YOU erase" after seeing the film, then you totally missed the point of the film. A great story about real life, about how it all goes starts and goes downhill when you meet your love. It certainly requires a few rewatched and many analyzations to fully "catch on" to what's happening, but the core message is there, amidst the surreal wizardry of Gondry.
8/10
November 25
November 26
November 28
Alone (2007)
second film from the makers of Shutter, which by the way, kicked my ass. I didn't think it was better than Shutter, but as far as the suspense and the scares go, it had some effective scenes. I lost count how many times those "boo" scares actually gave me goosebumps. Directing is tight, good pacing, and the film itself is short - under 90 minutes. Unpredictable to where it was going and caught me off guard. Unfortunately after "the twist" it became very generic - oh well what can you do? Still, an overall nice addition to an already awesome asian horror collection, and to these guys' resume. What's next? I'm down. BTW, the lead is B-E-A-Yootiful, man I found myself a new hottie.
7/10
November 29
Supposed inside look into the lives of skins. I think the only good thing about this is the young Crowe, besides that, everything else is pretty much average. Some cool shots in the beginning and the blue tint added a cold vibe to this but there's not much substance here nor even plot.
4/10
not bad at all, aside from some of the more distracting "shaky cam" during hectic action scenes. This one had me intrigued from the beginning. Very much enjoyed the cast here, they carry it all well. The film itself carries a dynamic therefore always remaining interesting, no stale moments I thought. Another thing to mention here is the location, glad to finally see a film about middle east actually taking place in the real thing so I dug the authenticity here. I guess they're learning from the Bourne series. Berg is looking like a capable action director if he decides to make more of these type of films. Also, I was surprised at Danny Elfman's score, pretty high-tech stuff, a definite change from the usual orchestraic cues.
8/10
November 30
December 1
So I'm liking Cronenberg's direction now after his horror pieces. Is this a newfound collaboration of director/actor? Cos it's working. Overall well made film, I dug this to bits and most of it due to Viggo. You da man knockin off that character like nobody's bidnezz. Mortensen along with Gary Oldman (circa Air Force One) have pretty much nailed the Russian in them, and I would know except when Oldman spoke Russian all I could hear was mumbling, whereas Mortensen's dialogue is very clear to a native listener. He also got down some of the mannerisms as well. The film itself had me by the bawllz and kept me intrigued and entertained all the way through, until - the last 10 minutes or so. The little twist didn't really make me go "good shit" because it just felt, in one word - anticlimactic. Perhaps it was just me, perhaps I was expecting something else, but unfortunately it didn't do it for me and that's what kept this movie, at least for me, from being near perfect. Other than this little nitpick, this was a good addition to the crime family, no pun there
8/10
December 3
December 5
Another very informative and eye-opening doc. from Greenwald about how Iraq war has become a ground for profit and exploitation of american people who work for private corporations. This one is also more technically improved and crafted than his previous works which are great but look 'cheap'. Greenwald is moving up there - new Michael Moore minus screen persona?
8/10
December 6
up there with Saving Private Ryan and other greats of war films. Brutal realistic portrayal of the war, and a story about brotherly love during its' harsh nature. I thought the pacing was well done for a two hour and 20 minutes. There's a perfect balance of story and war scenes so it's not just full on action film. It's got a story to tell and a lesson to teach along the way and I think it does it well. Very well made on a technical level; Kang must have learned from Spielberg's SPR, as I've spotted certain scenes and effects reminiscent of (circa.) SPR. For the most part of the film I was kept intrigued and glued to the screen, but I did however lost a little bit of it during the third act but that's all a minor nitpick; you're bound to get those in any movie.
8/10
December 7
50 minute short documentary shot exclusively on location in Pyongyang following one family, hence the title. To fully know whether this is propaganda orchestrated by the govt itself, instructing Fleury all the way through we'll never know - but it could be very well plausible judging by the state the country is under (Stalinism, in this case Kim Jong-Ilism ) so I'll refrain from bluntly labeling it as such. What is seen here is a happy society, and it's hard to determine whether they're really happy, or not. Unfortunately, the real truth is that these poor people have been brainwashed to such an extent that it becomes hard to 'just watch' it knowing that truth. All that aside, this was captivating to watch as it's one of the very few modern inside looks into this isolated utopia. It could have ran a little longer and Fleury could also have provided at least some kind of narration to go with it such as own views. Technologically; well shot.
7/10
December 11
a 1934 propaganda film by Leni Riefenstahl depicting a six-day 'review' by Hitler of the National Socialist Party. I actually didn't notice until the end that it was close to two hours long - 1;50 to be exact. This film includes many of the speeches given by Hitler which were filmed by Riefenstahl in an interesting way - such as dollying the camera sideways while pointed upward at the tribune at which Hitler was giving his speech. So, innovative for that time. However some of it is a bit tedious where I drifted off but in general it's an interesting experiment. I'd do something like that for sure.
7/10.
Welcome To North Korea
informative and short exposé on North Korea and its' totalitarian state. I find this country absolutely fascinating and scary at the same time. Straight out of 1984, the monuments, the control, loudspeakers that wake everyone up in the mornings.
7/10
December 14
December 15
I have seen Vincent Price's version of this adaptation - The Last Man on Earth, and dug it. There's one thing that I would have liked to see, and actually thought Last Man on Earth did better than this one - use of narration worked well in Price's version and I thought it'd be nice to have at least some of it in this.
Obviously the whole empty streets scenes were done very well and were captivating to watch. For the most part I really liked the first half and the inside look into what it's like to be living alone (or with a dog) and knowing you're most likely all alone. The scene with the mannequin out on the street, which felt like a silly scene at first but became clear later why Smith acted the way he did was intense during the twilight half of it. The dark basement scene as well, had a sort of Silent Hill vibe to it. Smith's good overall, but the silly scenes didn't do it for me. Some of the camera shots and visuals overall were impressive and I applaud Lawrence and his DP for that.
Cons, I don't like the use of CGI for something that could have easily been achieved by real humans and great make-up. Sorry, organic works better for me and it carries a sense of real dread with it than something which you know is constructed by artists on computers, which is why I love traditional make up effects so much. I understand that such things as rhythm and speed of these 'creatures' could not be accomplished by real people, but maybe they could have compromised somehow.
I have not read the novel so I can't say if my next point holds any value, but I would have liked to know more backstory on what exactly happened - what went wrong, this key is not developed well here and if it's not in the novel I guess it's okay here, but does not mean it should be excused like that.
The last half of it was...okay. I did like the building up of the first half but it sort of just became very "cliche" but then again I didn't know what to expect, maybe I was looking for something to blow me away.
The backstory scenes of the evacuation didn't add on to anything in my views, building up some real story to the character so we could care what happens to him - but it just felt like it stopped - like just a cut out of a scene chopped up in three different places.
I'll watch this one again for sure, but it didn't really "wow" me or leave me talking for a long period of time after having seen it. I didn't feel sense of "damn, that was some good post-apocalyptic shit right there" For the most part, I agree with Arrow's review.
6/10 sounds about right. Not a bad movie by any means, just didn't quite get there.
December 18
Acts I & II - Spike Lee's doc. on the New Orleans disaster is worthy of a Peabody award it received. Delving into the event deeper than media has allowed people to see/know.
ok here we go.
August 1
a decent detective/sci-fi. While it's plot is a tad far-fetched and unrealistic, it makes up for the entertainment it offers although some of it cliche and predictable. Ray Liotta plays it kool in this, and Linda Fiorentino is...same as in any other movie.
6/10
August 2
August 4
August 6
I'm a FAN of Linklater's Sunrise/Sunset movies, so I sorta knew what to expect in this clastrophobic, dialogue-driven piece of drama...and, I also like movies about 2 people or in this case 3. This plays out like a stage play (because it is, adapted) shot on low-budget, with digital cam, which works for this movie very well, and acted decently by everyone. I was engaged as a viewer and had a lot of fun listening, and reminiscing a few times on the topic of high school myself - which I'm glad is in the past.
7/10
August 9
August 10
as effective as it was back when I first saw it in the 90's as a boy. and the commentary is very informative and entertaining.
10/10 - one of the best sci-fi horror films there is, and ever will be.
Psycho-inspired Hammer production, with a great act from the late Oliver Reed (Proximo in Gladiator) with twists and turns, good for a horror night showing.
6/10
August 11
I regret not seeing this when it was out. Despite the fact that it's essentially a Rear Window "ripoff" for a lack of a better word. It's quite entertaining, and it delivers exactly what it sets out to do. Entertain. I actually find Shia to be more and more appealing of an actor in roles like this. More power to him. Thought it had a great combination of teen romance, drama, suspense. all in PG-13.
7/10
August 12
a so-so spaghetti western that uses the same formula of the badass hero that has a trademark attached to him, in this case, he kills with an axe (blade) whatever u call it. It sports some stylish and interesting shots, but overall not really interesting I thought. cheesy/laughable scenarios.
5/10
August 16
7/10 - in general, a good classic sci-fi, with practical effects. anticlimactic ending though.
August 17
August 18
August 20
has that Cool Hand Luke vibe, but with two leads and racial tensions. Thought the two leads were great and the overall film was easy to watch. Nice ending
8/10
August 21
eastern Dirty Dozen.
starts off fast and keeps the flow going, with an exception to maybe a 1 or 2 slow scenes; it's energetic and entertaining. Fulfilling ending too, with a nice fight sequence that had me at HELLO.
8/10
August 22
quite an informative look into the history of the gangs in LA, and the whole beginning of Bloods & the Crips, spans 5 decades with informative insight into each. Does the job well for someone who doesn't have a clue about the history, so I was pleased.
8/10
August 24
August 25
August 30
a waste of time. plain and simple, never thought I'd say that.
looked like fun, but in the end boring bullshit, the only good thing is weta workshop's special effects, and somewhat decent performance from Peter Feeney (Angus), everyone else sucks, and so does the humor. Retarded.
4/10
sleazy exploitation revenge flick that hits the exploitation revenge cliche pretty well, the most obvious one being They Call Her One Eye (a mute). Story about a good girl, a mute, who's been raped and finally has had it - she goes through a radical transformation on a killing spree! If this sounds like you then by all means check it out.
6/10
one of sly's other silly attacks on the good ol' cccp (first being rocky 4)
as an action film, it has it's "fun" moments despite the believability factor (which is pretty freakin UNBELIEVABLE), but hey Commando is like that too, yet it rocks. This one is merely ok.
as the whole premise, characters, moral - it's pretty stupid, cliche, and untrue. even after you watch the film you can understand what our american friends think about us, oh russians are evil, cold-blooded brutes!! go gallant people of afghanistan!
especially, it sounds quite offensive when the character of richard crenna blames us for starting the war and whiping out a peaceful population, but forgetting the fact when american planes dropped napalm on vietnamese villages. nothing else to say.
mediocre and silly.
September 4
i won't deny that this film is highly philosophical and to my knowledge - original, but it certainly is long, drawn out, and boring. You're watching it, and you're thinking to yourself "Man, Depp is good!" and that's what saves this film, in my eyes. I thought it began well, and had potential to be a highly 'great' film, but it's definitely not for everyone, and more aimed at a certain audience. And Neil Young's score really was a bit too much, it got in the way with that electric guitar too many times and just became redundant.
5/10
September 5
I don't usually watch anime, and for a long time I had some kind of prejudice against this genre. I guess mostly it's because not a lot of what I saw of it really appealed to me. I remember watching Princess Mononoke at one time back in the 2002, and remembering it being quite the cinematic endeavour in my eyes, in the anime department. It had a sort of melancholic atmosphere about it, and what do you know it's from the same director as Spirited Away. Last night, an anime bug bit me and I've decided to watch Spirited Away. Little did I know that this would actually be an amazing, and an emotional piece. I shed tears about 2-3 times, sometimes it was overwhelming with the beautiful sight and music combined to not let emotions break out. This well deserved its' Oscar, and the rating on IMDb.
I think it's wonderful.
9/10
September 6
Being a player, and a huge fan of the game since a boy, I enjoyed this. But when you know the game inside out, you begin to spot many errors (for an average filmgoer this doesn't matter) but some things stuck out (like improper form when taking a shot, etc) but I can let all that go. Since this is an "underdog" story, the archetypes and cliches are to be expected. It didn't really have a great effect on me because stories like these have been run into the ground for too long with a few of them actually being EFFECTIVE. So this was JUST entertaining to me. Maybe it's because I'm a fan of the sport? Could be a factor, I don't know.
This has some nice visuals which I dug, and an overall entertaining flow to it, but I've seen this story too many times and that's why it gets a low grade from me. There's nothing really NEW here to be added in the "underdog" genre.
6/10 - can't bee too harsh, afterall.
i actually thought it wasn't that bad of an adaptation, like Zombie initially set out to do, he added a tad more of a backstory in the first half, which isn't completely good or bad; it's more in the middle. When it gets down to Haddonfield scenes, it begins to feel more like the original Carpenter version, but only modernized. The use of original and new music is also effective I thought. There's the usual Zombie trademark white trash, characters, dialogue, content - but it's to be expected.
a 7/10 from me.
September 8
Director's Cut/International version
I still think that there's too much yapping and not a whole lot of action up until the last 20 mins or so. That's just how 'Tino intended.
7/10
September 9
September 12
There's movies like "Super Size Me" which show you the aftereffects of fast food quite EFFECTIVELY, and NOW, there is a movie that shows you everything that's going on in the politics AND factories of the meatpacking industry. A very, very, effective exposé on what REALLY goes on before you see that "hamburger" on your table.
Linklater, has truly become one of my favorite filmmakers in the contemporary cinema - but with this movie he has shown that he can also make an effective political statement without being preachy, shoving-it-down-your-throat. I thought he handled all the multiple storylines really well, raising highly moral questions that make you really think for a while - and with that - what I think is - one of the most chilling endings in recent memory; you're left pondering and thinking.
9/10
I know this was Miike's take on the "creepy-girl-with-black-hair-meets-cell-phones-meets-spirit-horror" but I couldn't understand what was going on. I can't tell whether Miike was just screwin around with the genre, or was actually serious. If he was serious, then it's a letdown, if not - he suceeded in teasing it, but still a letdown.
There's a neato scene at the abandoned hospital that's semi-creepy. And the scene at the TV show when one of the victims is brutally whacked, but that's about all that is memorable. The ending was anticlimactic too and confusing, and made me scoff. However, on the atmosphere level it's dark, decent enough to pass - visuals are also alright in my book.
5/10
September 15
September 16
September 17
interesting reversal, even metaphorical. But of course, ya can't ignore the fact that this is an american film, they who love to make themselves out to be great heroes. All that aside, this was a decent 2 hours. Propagandistic, yep, entertaining, yep. Some cool compositions, and GREAT score.
almost reminded me of the time the germans invaded us too
long live the partisans!!1
7/10
September 18
a horrifying film. Difficult to watch it at certain times. It's a psychological thriller in the most extreme of the genre. The events take the time over a course of one night during which two young males hold hostage a family that has come to a beach house. Without giving anything away, this SHOULD NOT be missed - and I believe should be seen before the remake. It left me with a very..uneasy feeling in the stomach because it really hit hard. You think that there will be enormous bloodshed, but there hardly any. It's got the atmosphere and vibe of Panic Room (by the way, you would THINK Fincher would remake this one - this is SO up his sleeve.. I remember back when Hostel came up someone brought up the same thing, that Fincher would be a good director for THAT movie too). The acting is so legit that you begin to forget that this is a movie, and you become involved and feel like it's happening to a real family for real. Applause on that department. Direction is extremely tight, without any subplots or excess scenes, and very, very suspensful.
Within each frame, the intensity grow more and more. This evidenly happens towards a vital part in the film, about halfway or more through the film (beginning with a very long one take) the level of inhumanity in this is so grandiose that you have to just stop and think just WHAT was wrong with those people. I saw it coming, but the very last scene before the ending had left me shocked and in stupor.
I could go on writing a huge review, it seems, but the best way is for YOU to just WATCH IT.
9/10
September 19
September 20
i can't even choose the words to describe this, afterall how do you come up with something do describe surrealist cinema? exactly - it's just surreal. There is no plot, it's just dreams within dreams within dreams.
7/10
September 21
an average thriller, and actually predictable. I knew - on the basis of the setting of the film and my own experience living in eastern europe - who were the "bad guys"
unfortunately it's common to find idiots like "them" - but hey, this movie is sort of like a social commentary on exactly this topic. (im not revealing a lot here, so it's okay for those who haven't seen this to go "wtf is he talking about")
5/10 - apart from some tense scenes, this was just average thriller to me.
September 23
September 26
September 27
very minimal, calm, but hard-hitting drama from Bergman, with very beautiful B&W cinematography that amazes. My favorite was the latter half of the film, where intensity plays a large role. Bergman handles silent moments with extreme expertise and knows how to keep your attention alert at all times.
9/10
September 28
i think only japanese can make something so calm, but have such a brutal emotional impact. There's no overacting, or overly dramatic scenes to get a point across. You see it on the actor's and actress's faces. Images speak for themselves, the rest takes care of itself.
this is one of those 'multiple characters' studies, so if you liked Babel, or 21 Grams you definitely will like, if not love, this film.
9/10
September 30
disappointing.. from the preview it looked like at least decent. Large part of this movie is so meh, the characters, especially the main girl was just a ridiculous character. Am I supposed to believe that at the end of the movie she starts 'hearing' him ? At least the soundtrack is good, good tunes play throughout and music is nice. The scenery is very nice and makes me wanna visit Vancouver =D but this movie is unbelievable, but what do you expect?
4/10
Hold's up, and still the superior of the double feature, even though I like DP too PT is just much more entertaining and shows what grindhouse genre is about. A fun time overall. The return of Biehn was one of the things I was looking forward to seeing.
"You have to come with us Wray, we need to talk"
Doc Block: He has to sign her up
Biehn, with that look: "Do what now?"
Fahey did steal the show I thought, and many of the cliches of the genre were a great treat, and I applaud Rodriguez for his attention to detail in that department, jokes did work for me as well. On a purely atmospheric level it succeeds too.
I only wish that this was a franchise, but unfortunately it won't be due to the public's un-interest in it. Too bad. I'd want to see "Don't" and all the other faux trailers (Machete which will happen)
8/10
October 5
October 11
There is a reason why I stray away from giving every movie I like in one way or another that perfect rating. That 10, that by looking at that number, which is just a number, signifies that THAT film had made an impact, a grand impact.
When I look back at most movies I've seen and compare them to what I have just NOW seen, I know, that this perfect 10 is deserving. To really grasp what I'm talking about one has to really see for themselves the beauty this film carries with it. To describe this, I could write a whole essay - but I'll leave it to the Criterion essayists if one is interested. There's also a reason why the Palme D'Or was awarded for this in 1997 - it deserved it. I can't give any film that moves me in one way or another anything lower than a 10. This does not mean one will enjoy it as much as I did, but every film speaks to individuals in different way. As for me, I was moved. From the very beginning - I was gripped by images on screen, by that minimal, simple, everyday feeling that was portrayed on screen. I could go on, but the less words, the better.
I hope somebody reads this and find this film because I can guarantee it, you will love it.
10/10
October 12
BEST FOREIGN FILM 2007 NOMINEE - mark my words.
Russian remake of 12 Angry Men by a famed Nikita Mihalkov (Burnt By The Sun oscar winner). Mihalkov proves here, why, he is at the top of the game as a Russian contemporary filmmaker, and as a filmmaker in general. To take an american version and completely make it his own film takes genius. It is longer than the original film, running at 2 hours and 30 minutes - a mesmerizing play where time blurs and you become immersed in what goes on. Of course I'm speaking about it this way because Russian is my native tongue, I can't speak for everyone because there is a big cultural difference between the east and the west and many things westerners will not understand - it takes a russian to understand "russian soul". Judging it on the basis of general filmmaking, it was a pleasure to watch. Cinematographically, I can only do nothing but applaud the DP, acting wise - everyone has their "scenes" to show for, each and every actor captures your attention when they deliver their monologues and points of views about the case.
I can't wait for others to see this, I'd like to raise awareness of this film NOW, even though there's no doubt in my mind this will be pushed for Best Foreign Film this year. Mihalkov himself said that he would like americans to see his version.
10/10 - what can I say, I'm on a roll for two nights straight with two amazing films.
this is without a doubt one of the most influential political films in history about people's struggle against an occupying force. Even though this is a struggle against colonialism, when you look at it with an open mind it can be applied to any kind of struggle against ANY occupying force; colonial or invading. This is the kind of movie that should be shown to idiots who support the war in Iraq and yet ask the question "why so many suicide bombs??? these people are terrorists GO USA!"
Ennio Morricone's music never seizes to impress.
9/10, very minor nitpicks with some technical aspects. otherwise, an important film gets a 10 from me.
October 17
An eye-opening look into a life of the Eskimo. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know is revealed. It’s the first film of its’ breed and shows and tells a great number about the life of a single family in the harshest conditions on earth. The kind of lifestyle they lead, that was shown before my eyes really amazed me in that how closely-knit they are and mentally strong. You put a single “modern” family in their place, and it will disintegrate into little pieces – but these people, are special. Also, if you ever wondered how Igloos were built – it’s all there. It has its’ faults in the filmmaking department, but essentially the point is brought across. Interesting account of life far from civilization.
7/10
October 19
Journey Beyond Three Seas (1957)
first ever co-production between India and Russia. Based on the real-life merchant Afanasiy Nikitin who opened up a trading path from Europe to India in the years 1466 - 1472. That's a bit of history for you. As for the film itself I can't speak ill of it. I loved it, and that's mainly because it IS a great piece of cinema. Beautifully shot in the widescreen format the film runs at 2 hours and 23 minutes telling us the story of this one merchant who has a strong desire to go to India and discover new people. The scale of this film is masterpiece material. Great art-design, production value, lavish landscapes of both countries, costumes, photography and how about that beautiful SOUL this film carries with it. It's not just about a man making his way to some country. Along the journey he meets evil as well as great people and as cliche that might sound it's done with utmost knowledge and experience of life by the filmmakers (a Hindi and a Russian respectively) Such collaborations are to be cherished, you get to see both lands and cultures from an unbiased perspective. This should be released on Criterion!
great, and touching film I thought.
9/10
October 20
This is by far the biggest disappointment, for me personally. After having seen Hard Candy and being impressed and knowing that this is Slade's next film, I was greatly looking forward to this. I even got the graphic novel and read it in an hour (it's short). Instead, this was so disappointing. I can't begin to describe. It started off good and was setting up the tension pretty well but something happened..and it all went downhill. Things were taken out from the film that explained a bit of a background in the graphic novel -- but nothing major, still it bothered. Then there were also changes done to the "boss" of the pack which to me were bothersome a bit because I liked how it played out in the novel. Slade impressed with Hard Candy, but disappointed (me) with 30 Days of Night. Not much going on, predictable at certain moments. Shaky cam was getting on my nerves. Not scary at all, but then again, it's rare to get scared in modern horror. This ain't no The Thing.
Some 'wow' moments, but few of them, I actually rarely do this -- but during the film I was just quietly crackin jokes with a friend...yeah.
4/10
October 25
Nightmare on Elm Street has an oddly similar concept, the difference is that Elm is a horror film and this is sci-fi. Both released in the same year. I've always thought Max Von Sydow and Christopher Plummer looked similar, and here they are together. Plummer is good at being a villain, he carries an evil presence everytime he's in the scene. Other than that, average 80's sci-fi, but it does have some decent production sets during dream sequences, like the post-nuke setting, some good make-up effects as well as vfx when the dream state is initiated. Everything else is pretty average and unrealistic but hey, it's sci-fi...still when it comes down to entering someone else's dream state without any equipment it becomes laughable.
5/10
a little sci-fi that was ahead of it's time in certain instances. Also the first to begin straying away from the cliche that plagued so many other sci-fi films set on "different planets" as this has absolutely no interplanetary monsters or killer vegetables.
7/10
October 30
got to soak it all in before fully analyzing it. A definite recommendation if one hasn't seen it. Very true and realistic portrayal of what it means to fall on hard times and what determination one posesses to change it all. We see just how badly you must want something that nothing or noone will stop you. To me, it's the epitome of films about determination. Timeless and universal, with an ending that you do not see coming.
9/10
November 2
Not GREAT, but very good. It's refreshing to see the gangster formula that Scorsese perfected taken to the streets of Harlem. At 2:40 mins this runs very smoothly, just like Zodiac did. Despite many talkative scenes the viewer is kept involved (at least I was). Interesting contrast of Danzel & Russel's characters as well. It doesn't hit you right away but it comes to you later when you think about how similar yet different they both are. Great, great, GREAT "infiltration" sequence towards the very end of the film. No words, just action - so intense.
That ending entered my list of favorite endings of all time.
8/10
November 3
November 7
lot's of talking, slow beginning but around the 40'sh mark it gets a bit interesting. Maybe just me but I found this to be a depressing film. I guess it's because this deals with something that's real and it hits on a personal level.
6/10
November 10
second film from Andrei Zvyagintsev, a contemporary Russian filmmaker of philosophical standard. I highly liked "The Return" which was his first AND a winner of the Venice festival. Now he returns with a new film that competed at Cannes this year and won the lead actor the best actor award. It's got a certain level of abstractism as none of what you see really rings a bell. No country is mentioned, no city, or anything to identify the location of it. It only adds to the film's concentration on showcasing the family, not knowing where it all takes place makes the viewer unbiased to the situation. Simply put, this film is about a single family, specifically about a man and woman, husband and wife and how it all falls apart. You won't find any over the top yelling or screaming that normally is present to showcase how it all breaks down, none of it is in here. Everyone is just so calm. It's a very poetic type of film, beautiful cinematography only adds to the already established poetry of it. It's lengthy but because of the expertise of the director and the DP you are glued. Very interesting art-house film.
8/10
P.S. I just want to add that this film has a very very big Tarkovsky influence, both visually and conceptually. I think Zvyagintsev is becoming the NEW Tarkovsky.
November 13
November 14
November 17
I haven't seen anything else from Kaufman or Jonze, but I know that I have to see the rest now. I thought this was fresh, and Nic Cage isn't the bad actor that everybody seems to think he is. It's got it's themes, maybe even metaphors so I'll have to check this out again because it's hard to understand the Kaufman world. I liked how the film itself played out like the screenplay Kaufman was writing and when you see stars from past movies in this, or flashbacks, you begin to appreciate its' complexity.
8/10
Despite the excruciating seizure that I got from looking at the screen trying to put 2 and 2 together and find out WHAT was going on, this movie had kept me interested just like its' two predecessors did. I am hopefully not alone in this when I say that the Bourne series are some of the best, most realistic action movies ever produced. And that goes for just overall attention to small details in how the real world works. This one had me talking back at the TV for more than 1 instance, as well as having the "o" face on me. Some pretty hardcore chase scenes, especially these two (Supremacy, Ultimatum) that made me go "whoa". Having said all of that, biggest nit pick with this is that Greengrass should cut down on the hectic camerawork. I am NOT against it, the handycam stuff actually adds on to the REALISM, but when it comes down to some action it just goes WAY too A.D.D. for me.
I'd like someone else take on the fourth film, just out of curiosity and a little bit of "change" in the filming style.
8/10
November 18
I was completely unaware of the fact that Rain Man won Academy awards for Best Actor, Director, Screenplay, and Best Picture. Hoffman of course did an awfully convincing job playing a "rain man" and Tom Cruise plays his usual self, but plays it great as always. I couldn't really get into the movie in the first act, but when it got rollin with Cruise and Hoffman on the road it became interesting. A film about humanly relationship towards one another and how we need to be a little bit more patient with each other. The transformation of Cruise at the end was felt by me especially in the ending scene when everyone gets together to decide rain man's fate. To me, that was the best scene because it had my full attention. For that, Barry Levinson convinced me that he deserved the award. One other thing, Hans Zimmer's earlier scores are really touching and innocent, reminded me of True Romance cue because of how similar the music was.
8/10
November 20
first of an acclaimed trilogy. Fairly short, and the pacing is very good here, same with the structure. Technicolor is so nice, and the overall imagery was easy on the eyes. I thought the story progressed quite well, showing us a transformation of one deluded and cocky samurai into a wise one by the end of the film. Can't wait to watch the rest.
9/10
November 21
November 22
So Soderbergh decided to go back to the Casino heist formula again, and while it's better than the Ocean's 12, this still lacks something. I think Ocean's 11 is the best, and can't be outdone. The vibrant colors were cool and nice to look at. I don't know if it was just me, but it dragged until the finale, which was really short and disappointing. The suspense of the first cannot be matched.
5/10
November 24
I really liked this one. With the unique minds like Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry combined this could be called a surreal mindfuck masterpiece with a romantic spin on it. If one looked at it as a "who would YOU erase" after seeing the film, then you totally missed the point of the film. A great story about real life, about how it all goes starts and goes downhill when you meet your love. It certainly requires a few rewatched and many analyzations to fully "catch on" to what's happening, but the core message is there, amidst the surreal wizardry of Gondry.
8/10
November 25
November 26
November 28
Alone (2007)
second film from the makers of Shutter, which by the way, kicked my ass. I didn't think it was better than Shutter, but as far as the suspense and the scares go, it had some effective scenes. I lost count how many times those "boo" scares actually gave me goosebumps. Directing is tight, good pacing, and the film itself is short - under 90 minutes. Unpredictable to where it was going and caught me off guard. Unfortunately after "the twist" it became very generic - oh well what can you do? Still, an overall nice addition to an already awesome asian horror collection, and to these guys' resume. What's next? I'm down. BTW, the lead is B-E-A-Yootiful, man I found myself a new hottie.
7/10
November 29
Supposed inside look into the lives of skins. I think the only good thing about this is the young Crowe, besides that, everything else is pretty much average. Some cool shots in the beginning and the blue tint added a cold vibe to this but there's not much substance here nor even plot.
4/10
not bad at all, aside from some of the more distracting "shaky cam" during hectic action scenes. This one had me intrigued from the beginning. Very much enjoyed the cast here, they carry it all well. The film itself carries a dynamic therefore always remaining interesting, no stale moments I thought. Another thing to mention here is the location, glad to finally see a film about middle east actually taking place in the real thing so I dug the authenticity here. I guess they're learning from the Bourne series. Berg is looking like a capable action director if he decides to make more of these type of films. Also, I was surprised at Danny Elfman's score, pretty high-tech stuff, a definite change from the usual orchestraic cues.
8/10
November 30
December 1
So I'm liking Cronenberg's direction now after his horror pieces. Is this a newfound collaboration of director/actor? Cos it's working. Overall well made film, I dug this to bits and most of it due to Viggo. You da man knockin off that character like nobody's bidnezz. Mortensen along with Gary Oldman (circa Air Force One) have pretty much nailed the Russian in them, and I would know except when Oldman spoke Russian all I could hear was mumbling, whereas Mortensen's dialogue is very clear to a native listener. He also got down some of the mannerisms as well. The film itself had me by the bawllz and kept me intrigued and entertained all the way through, until - the last 10 minutes or so. The little twist didn't really make me go "good shit" because it just felt, in one word - anticlimactic. Perhaps it was just me, perhaps I was expecting something else, but unfortunately it didn't do it for me and that's what kept this movie, at least for me, from being near perfect. Other than this little nitpick, this was a good addition to the crime family, no pun there
8/10
December 3
December 5
Another very informative and eye-opening doc. from Greenwald about how Iraq war has become a ground for profit and exploitation of american people who work for private corporations. This one is also more technically improved and crafted than his previous works which are great but look 'cheap'. Greenwald is moving up there - new Michael Moore minus screen persona?
8/10
December 6
up there with Saving Private Ryan and other greats of war films. Brutal realistic portrayal of the war, and a story about brotherly love during its' harsh nature. I thought the pacing was well done for a two hour and 20 minutes. There's a perfect balance of story and war scenes so it's not just full on action film. It's got a story to tell and a lesson to teach along the way and I think it does it well. Very well made on a technical level; Kang must have learned from Spielberg's SPR, as I've spotted certain scenes and effects reminiscent of (circa.) SPR. For the most part of the film I was kept intrigued and glued to the screen, but I did however lost a little bit of it during the third act but that's all a minor nitpick; you're bound to get those in any movie.
8/10
December 7
50 minute short documentary shot exclusively on location in Pyongyang following one family, hence the title. To fully know whether this is propaganda orchestrated by the govt itself, instructing Fleury all the way through we'll never know - but it could be very well plausible judging by the state the country is under (Stalinism, in this case Kim Jong-Ilism ) so I'll refrain from bluntly labeling it as such. What is seen here is a happy society, and it's hard to determine whether they're really happy, or not. Unfortunately, the real truth is that these poor people have been brainwashed to such an extent that it becomes hard to 'just watch' it knowing that truth. All that aside, this was captivating to watch as it's one of the very few modern inside looks into this isolated utopia. It could have ran a little longer and Fleury could also have provided at least some kind of narration to go with it such as own views. Technologically; well shot.
7/10
December 11
a 1934 propaganda film by Leni Riefenstahl depicting a six-day 'review' by Hitler of the National Socialist Party. I actually didn't notice until the end that it was close to two hours long - 1;50 to be exact. This film includes many of the speeches given by Hitler which were filmed by Riefenstahl in an interesting way - such as dollying the camera sideways while pointed upward at the tribune at which Hitler was giving his speech. So, innovative for that time. However some of it is a bit tedious where I drifted off but in general it's an interesting experiment. I'd do something like that for sure.
7/10.
Welcome To North Korea
informative and short exposé on North Korea and its' totalitarian state. I find this country absolutely fascinating and scary at the same time. Straight out of 1984, the monuments, the control, loudspeakers that wake everyone up in the mornings.
7/10
December 14
December 15
I have seen Vincent Price's version of this adaptation - The Last Man on Earth, and dug it. There's one thing that I would have liked to see, and actually thought Last Man on Earth did better than this one - use of narration worked well in Price's version and I thought it'd be nice to have at least some of it in this.
Obviously the whole empty streets scenes were done very well and were captivating to watch. For the most part I really liked the first half and the inside look into what it's like to be living alone (or with a dog) and knowing you're most likely all alone. The scene with the mannequin out on the street, which felt like a silly scene at first but became clear later why Smith acted the way he did was intense during the twilight half of it. The dark basement scene as well, had a sort of Silent Hill vibe to it. Smith's good overall, but the silly scenes didn't do it for me. Some of the camera shots and visuals overall were impressive and I applaud Lawrence and his DP for that.
Cons, I don't like the use of CGI for something that could have easily been achieved by real humans and great make-up. Sorry, organic works better for me and it carries a sense of real dread with it than something which you know is constructed by artists on computers, which is why I love traditional make up effects so much. I understand that such things as rhythm and speed of these 'creatures' could not be accomplished by real people, but maybe they could have compromised somehow.
I have not read the novel so I can't say if my next point holds any value, but I would have liked to know more backstory on what exactly happened - what went wrong, this key is not developed well here and if it's not in the novel I guess it's okay here, but does not mean it should be excused like that.
The last half of it was...okay. I did like the building up of the first half but it sort of just became very "cliche" but then again I didn't know what to expect, maybe I was looking for something to blow me away.
The backstory scenes of the evacuation didn't add on to anything in my views, building up some real story to the character so we could care what happens to him - but it just felt like it stopped - like just a cut out of a scene chopped up in three different places.
I'll watch this one again for sure, but it didn't really "wow" me or leave me talking for a long period of time after having seen it. I didn't feel sense of "damn, that was some good post-apocalyptic shit right there" For the most part, I agree with Arrow's review.
6/10 sounds about right. Not a bad movie by any means, just didn't quite get there.
December 18
Acts I & II - Spike Lee's doc. on the New Orleans disaster is worthy of a Peabody award it received. Delving into the event deeper than media has allowed people to see/know.
