Mr. Freedom (link to amazon)
Directed by William Klein
Viewed 7-22-2014
I had no idea what to expect. A super hero satire? More like a political satire. It turned out to be a cold war battle between metaphorical empirical powers. The red white and blue dude. Maybe he's France, maybe he's America, who cares. The communist antagonists came as a Russian dude and a red China dragon inflatable.
Still with me? At times the genre flipped... it was horror, comedy, drama, on-stage musical, sexually presented, propaganda, mixed with some actual footage at regular intervals... I call it a time capsule of television of the late 60s. It could be a documentary, but it's not.
I enjoyed it, even though it is a little dated with its political messages. I'm sure I missed some of the content because, let's face it, this film was made before I was born. Barely.
For originality, the film's age and circumstance of being shot by an ex-patriot, big idea film, and because it was so many things all at the same time... I give it a range from B to C-. It is what it is.
Age: 60+ to get all the jokes. It's a little forced and in your face and without excessive confusion and explanation, maybe someone as young as 20 would enjoy it. For pure entertainment, 15+ seems adequate. If a teenager would even want to sit still long enough to watch it, I'd be shocked.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Sunday, April 11, 2010
2012 (2009)
2012 (link to amazon)
Directed by Roland Emmerich
Viewed 4-10-10
I expected a War of the Worlds sort of story and that's what I got. There is grave danger beyond the characters' control, there are stumble upon opportunities, lots of conflict to overcome, a family reunion... all the stuff I was looking for. What surprised me was the amount of wall to wall destruction and unrelenting pace of action.
Lots of people died. Lots of the Earth was destroyed. Actual plot was scattered throughout in small doses. It was kind of predictable, most apocalypse movies tend to be a certain way. Especially when weaving a romance or family storyline within the OMG of the world coming to an end. Always a nice juxtaposition.
Most of the action sequences were visually pleasing and amazing. I assume a whole bunch of CGI made this movie possible. Actual actors on camera seemed sparse in comparison.
I give this 2012 a B- and it could have gone higher or lower real easily.
Age: 10+ perhaps. Some pretty intense catastrophe scenes and a memorable obscene gesture.
Directed by Roland Emmerich
Viewed 4-10-10
I expected a War of the Worlds sort of story and that's what I got. There is grave danger beyond the characters' control, there are stumble upon opportunities, lots of conflict to overcome, a family reunion... all the stuff I was looking for. What surprised me was the amount of wall to wall destruction and unrelenting pace of action.
Lots of people died. Lots of the Earth was destroyed. Actual plot was scattered throughout in small doses. It was kind of predictable, most apocalypse movies tend to be a certain way. Especially when weaving a romance or family storyline within the OMG of the world coming to an end. Always a nice juxtaposition.
Most of the action sequences were visually pleasing and amazing. I assume a whole bunch of CGI made this movie possible. Actual actors on camera seemed sparse in comparison.
I give this 2012 a B- and it could have gone higher or lower real easily.
Age: 10+ perhaps. Some pretty intense catastrophe scenes and a memorable obscene gesture.
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Wackness (2008)
The Wackness (link to amazon)
Directed by Jonathan Levine
Viewed on 4-4-10
Oh No! I didn't just watch a movie set in NYC. I hate that. I try to avoid films set in either NYC or LA, as well as movies about filmmaker or screenwriter. Just a rule of thumb I have.
I almost turned off the movie after about 30 minutes. I kept waiting for something to happen. Then I was taken by surprise as I realized that all of a sudden, amazingly (ok I'll stop)... the movie went places. From first love to shrinking the therepist, the movie did a nice job wrapping up all the well written and well played characters. Ben Kingsley was brilliant as usual. The evolution of the main character was supurb as a coming of age film. Turned out all right.
It took most of the movie to reveal what the heck "wackness" even means. Here's a comparison: The theory of Dopeness vs. Wackness. Dope people are loose, layed back, abuse substances, and tend to be stuck in a routine. Wack people are high-strung, stress riding, self esteem doubting, and optimistic about change.
This film is set in 1994. The soundtrack is loaded down with period music, primarily driven by hip hop (or rap... depending on how old you are) but augmented with some classic gems. I'm not a fan of hip hop, but it wasn't a problem for me to still enjoy the movie. The themes of tagging, partying, drugging, and "hip hop" language seemed a litte forced at times, but really captured the ninties.
For a slow start and minimal sub plots with any significant conflict, I'll give it a B-.
Rated R for pervasive drug use, language and some sexuality.
Directed by Jonathan Levine
Viewed on 4-4-10
Oh No! I didn't just watch a movie set in NYC. I hate that. I try to avoid films set in either NYC or LA, as well as movies about filmmaker or screenwriter. Just a rule of thumb I have.
I almost turned off the movie after about 30 minutes. I kept waiting for something to happen. Then I was taken by surprise as I realized that all of a sudden, amazingly (ok I'll stop)... the movie went places. From first love to shrinking the therepist, the movie did a nice job wrapping up all the well written and well played characters. Ben Kingsley was brilliant as usual. The evolution of the main character was supurb as a coming of age film. Turned out all right.
It took most of the movie to reveal what the heck "wackness" even means. Here's a comparison: The theory of Dopeness vs. Wackness. Dope people are loose, layed back, abuse substances, and tend to be stuck in a routine. Wack people are high-strung, stress riding, self esteem doubting, and optimistic about change.
This film is set in 1994. The soundtrack is loaded down with period music, primarily driven by hip hop (or rap... depending on how old you are) but augmented with some classic gems. I'm not a fan of hip hop, but it wasn't a problem for me to still enjoy the movie. The themes of tagging, partying, drugging, and "hip hop" language seemed a litte forced at times, but really captured the ninties.
For a slow start and minimal sub plots with any significant conflict, I'll give it a B-.
Rated R for pervasive drug use, language and some sexuality.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Choke (2009)
Choke (link to amazon)
Directed by Clark Gregg
Viewed on 3-28-10
One of the weirdest movies I could have picked to watch. I didn't know much about this movie going in... turns out it's about sex addiction, mother and jesus. Victor, the main character played by Sam Rockwell, works by day as a historical reenactor at a colonial Williamsburg theme park, and his hobbies include hitting on the milk lady, having meaningless sex (preferably with strangers) and choking on food as a way to augment his income. His best friend Denny is also a sex addict.
Let me explain... Victor's mother, played by Anjelica Huston, is a con-artist with a terminal illness. Denny falls in love with a stripper who recites biblical theory, Victor repeatedly fails at having sex with a willing, ovulating, would-be doctor... okay... there is too much to explain, allow me sum up... This movie is a zany trip through the universe of sex, family ties, therapy and growth, unexpected love, and learning the truth about one's self.
I found the movie to be funny, but usually not in a cute way. Deep, adult oriented themes and humor at least kept me from turning it off. However, when I strictly compare it to the previous movies I have just reviewed, Brothers and Hurt Locker, Choke should earn a B+. But this is not the case. As far as being a great "American Movie" it is not. Choke is so bizarre that I really don't know what to make of it. It may be worth your time for the adventure of it.
Grade: a solid C for entertainment value.
Age: adults only
Directed by Clark Gregg
Viewed on 3-28-10
One of the weirdest movies I could have picked to watch. I didn't know much about this movie going in... turns out it's about sex addiction, mother and jesus. Victor, the main character played by Sam Rockwell, works by day as a historical reenactor at a colonial Williamsburg theme park, and his hobbies include hitting on the milk lady, having meaningless sex (preferably with strangers) and choking on food as a way to augment his income. His best friend Denny is also a sex addict.
Let me explain... Victor's mother, played by Anjelica Huston, is a con-artist with a terminal illness. Denny falls in love with a stripper who recites biblical theory, Victor repeatedly fails at having sex with a willing, ovulating, would-be doctor... okay... there is too much to explain, allow me sum up... This movie is a zany trip through the universe of sex, family ties, therapy and growth, unexpected love, and learning the truth about one's self.
I found the movie to be funny, but usually not in a cute way. Deep, adult oriented themes and humor at least kept me from turning it off. However, when I strictly compare it to the previous movies I have just reviewed, Brothers and Hurt Locker, Choke should earn a B+. But this is not the case. As far as being a great "American Movie" it is not. Choke is so bizarre that I really don't know what to make of it. It may be worth your time for the adventure of it.
Grade: a solid C for entertainment value.
Age: adults only
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The Hurt Locker (2009)
The Hurt Locker (link to amazon)
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
Viewed 3-27-10
What can I say? I'm disappointed. After all the awards hoopla, I was ready for a great movie. I could have been just as thrilled watching a pizza guy making deliveries, waiting and knowing that he might get mugged at any moment. I mean it's neat to see "Iraq" in a "realistic" portrayal, and I really got into the documentary style way this movie was shot. BUT, I think I missed the point of it all. This movie was a series of missions strung together, a countdown to the end of deployment, so much expectation...
Was there a plot? I never felt a connection to any of the characters. Some of the people I watched the movie with got lost in the details, and we had to pause it several times to explain. Most of the confusion was the military jargon. This movie is not for everyone. I'm sure someone out there thinks this movie is the best ever and it was made with them in mind, but I'm not that person.
Between Avatar and Hurt Locker, I think Precious was the best movie by far. I get more action and thrill watching my 11 year old play Modern Warfare 2.
Grade: I give this a D-.
Age: no nudity or sexual content, but everything else is well represented... R for a reason.
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
Viewed 3-27-10
What can I say? I'm disappointed. After all the awards hoopla, I was ready for a great movie. I could have been just as thrilled watching a pizza guy making deliveries, waiting and knowing that he might get mugged at any moment. I mean it's neat to see "Iraq" in a "realistic" portrayal, and I really got into the documentary style way this movie was shot. BUT, I think I missed the point of it all. This movie was a series of missions strung together, a countdown to the end of deployment, so much expectation...
Was there a plot? I never felt a connection to any of the characters. Some of the people I watched the movie with got lost in the details, and we had to pause it several times to explain. Most of the confusion was the military jargon. This movie is not for everyone. I'm sure someone out there thinks this movie is the best ever and it was made with them in mind, but I'm not that person.
Between Avatar and Hurt Locker, I think Precious was the best movie by far. I get more action and thrill watching my 11 year old play Modern Warfare 2.
Grade: I give this a D-.
Age: no nudity or sexual content, but everything else is well represented... R for a reason.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Brothers (2008)
Brothers (link to amazon)
Directed by Jim Sheridan
Viewed 3-25-10
Brothers has a nice set up, good secrets and a homefront dynamic. The characters seemed a bit dry and average... only Tobey Maguire's character, Captain Sam, really seems to evolve. The kids were excellent, and Natalie Portman is almost a believable mom. It was too bad the audience seemed to know everything and the characters knew nothing. This movie created great suspense, but left a lot of drama on the table. I feel so empty and unfulfilled.
This movie is called a thriller by IMDB.. I don't see it. I wanted there to be secrets from the homefrount... but no. I would have rather seen a horrific, bloody ending... but no. This film is basically safe and sterile in it's portrayal of PTSD, and how war can change a person. I had high expectations and this movie proved to be a huge waste of my time. Portman sure has a freaking awesome sad face=). With the exception of a couple of scenes, Gyllenhaal and Maguire once again proved to me that they are at best average actors. The kids stole this show, and the actors are Taylor Geare and Bailee Madison. I look for lots of good things from Bailee.
Grade: I give this a D+. It was disappointing, predictable, and lame. The pacing was nice. The amount of times that stuff that went unspoken, and I could easily fill in the blank... the screenwriter's rule of thumb "get out early"... kept this film from being an F. Did I mentions the kids?
Age: adult content, hardcore violence, and heavy language... R for a reason.
Directed by Jim Sheridan
Viewed 3-25-10
Brothers has a nice set up, good secrets and a homefront dynamic. The characters seemed a bit dry and average... only Tobey Maguire's character, Captain Sam, really seems to evolve. The kids were excellent, and Natalie Portman is almost a believable mom. It was too bad the audience seemed to know everything and the characters knew nothing. This movie created great suspense, but left a lot of drama on the table. I feel so empty and unfulfilled.
This movie is called a thriller by IMDB.. I don't see it. I wanted there to be secrets from the homefrount... but no. I would have rather seen a horrific, bloody ending... but no. This film is basically safe and sterile in it's portrayal of PTSD, and how war can change a person. I had high expectations and this movie proved to be a huge waste of my time. Portman sure has a freaking awesome sad face=). With the exception of a couple of scenes, Gyllenhaal and Maguire once again proved to me that they are at best average actors. The kids stole this show, and the actors are Taylor Geare and Bailee Madison. I look for lots of good things from Bailee.
Grade: I give this a D+. It was disappointing, predictable, and lame. The pacing was nice. The amount of times that stuff that went unspoken, and I could easily fill in the blank... the screenwriter's rule of thumb "get out early"... kept this film from being an F. Did I mentions the kids?
Age: adult content, hardcore violence, and heavy language... R for a reason.
You Kill Me (2007)
You Kill Me (link to amazon)
Directed by John Dahl
Viewed 3-25-10
Frank Falenczyk, played by Oscar-winning British actor Ben Kingsley, is a hit man in Buffalo and an alcoholic. His drinking interferes with his work, so he is sent by his family-run business to San Fransisco to dry up. He takes a part time job in a morgue preparing bodies, and goes to AA meetings. Téa Leoni's character becomes Frank's romantic interest after meeting her at a funeral. Luke Wilson's character becomes Frank's AA sponsor.
This off beat film is clever, funny, and a nice progression and transformation for the characters. The creative ending was interesting to me, and I enjoyed the movie a whole lot better than watching Brothers.
Grade: I give this a B. It wasn't amazing, but it didn't disappoint.
Age: Aside from the language, some mild adult content and violence... really a pretty tame movie. 13+
Directed by John Dahl
Viewed 3-25-10
Frank Falenczyk, played by Oscar-winning British actor Ben Kingsley, is a hit man in Buffalo and an alcoholic. His drinking interferes with his work, so he is sent by his family-run business to San Fransisco to dry up. He takes a part time job in a morgue preparing bodies, and goes to AA meetings. Téa Leoni's character becomes Frank's romantic interest after meeting her at a funeral. Luke Wilson's character becomes Frank's AA sponsor.
This off beat film is clever, funny, and a nice progression and transformation for the characters. The creative ending was interesting to me, and I enjoyed the movie a whole lot better than watching Brothers.
Grade: I give this a B. It wasn't amazing, but it didn't disappoint.
Age: Aside from the language, some mild adult content and violence... really a pretty tame movie. 13+
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
