I suppose there's no reason we have to rely on Brian for EVERYTHING here...! :)
Friday, August 8, 2008
Recent Watches: August 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Followers
Contributors
Labels
Essential Links
- A.O. Scott
- All Movie Guide
- Brian's Richmond.com Articles
- Brian's Temple News Articles
- Bright Lights Film Journal
- Dark Horizons
- Film Reference
- Filmspotting
- Greatest Films
- Hollywood Elsewhere
- The Hot Blog
- The House Next Door
- Internet Movie Database
- Mean Dawg Movie Reviews
- Metacritic
- The New York Times - Movie Section
- Pinewood Dialogues
- Roger Ebert
- Rotten Tomatoes
- Sean Burns
- Senses of Cinema
- They Shoot Pictures, Don't They?
- Turner Classic Movie Database
- Watching the Directors
The Most Popular Film Script Posts
Widget by Blogger Buster
The Film Script E-Mail
Lists of Bests
5 comments:
Aaaaand I'll start us off.
Billy Madison: I finally watched this one because I was tired of the looks of disdain I received every time I said I hadn't seen it. As I suspected, this is one of those movies that I should have seen back when it was relatively new. Much like any 80s film you missed as a child (GOONIES. BRIAN.), this one had lost much of it's magic before I even turned it on. I can't say I'm a huge Sandler fan anyway (although I did enjoy Happy Gilmore and some of his more recent stuff) but I can see how this movie would have appealed to the youth of the 90s. I'm also not real big on slap sticky/fart joke/low brow? comedy (of the Dumb and Dumber variety--although D&D did it best) and this is pretty much nothing but. There were a few parts I chuckled at but for the most part I wanted to punch Sandler in the face every time he used that voice. You know the one.
30 Days of Night: Actually much better than I thought it would be. They made a good choice of skipping through the days instead of trying to do a count down. Although there were a few holes in the logic of the story (even after accepting the assumption that vampire-ish things exist in the first place) I thought it was overall well directed and acted. In the scope of scary movies, it ranks as one of the less truly scary movies for me but still one of the more enjoyable ones out there.
Laurel Canyon: Quite a surprising cast line up in this one with Beckinsale, Bale and McDormand in the title roles. Great supporting role from Alessandro Nivola. I didn't care so much for this one. I found the characters to be void in some way that made it less interesting than it could have been. I also didn't really buy Beckinsale's character's attraction to the free spirited lifestyle of the mother...and then instant retraction from it once she got caught. I mean, I get it what the movie was trying to do but it just felt like a waste of time. Which is a shame when you manage to get great actors together (I'm not including Beckinsale in that group).
The TV Set: David Duchovny is a writer who has the opportunity to make his tv pilot a full series. The trade off is that he must sacrifice the "spirit" of the story in order to get it on the air. It asks the ultimate question of any artist--do I refuse and express myself or do I sell out and support myself/family?
This film kind of takes an interesting look at what you can only imagine goes on in the real tv world. The interesting part being that in an industry that is based on creativity and artistry, the business side of it often clashes. The TV Set leaves you asking what you would do in the same situation. Also, Sigourney Weaver nails the caricature of the network executive.
Wall-E: Finding Nemo still reigns on its Pixar pedestal for me but Wall-E was still better than Madagascar. There were certainly a lot of "awwww" melt your heart moments and some truly humorous ones as well (anytime I saw a human jiggling around, it made me giggle). It was a bit slow and there's not much actual dialogue and if you don't like Hello Dolly, you're not gonna make it through the film haha. I'd say worth a rental, but not worth seeing in the theater.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being: Slowly but surely, I'm racking up my Daniel Day-Lewis film count. Aside from being pretty damn sexy in this movie he's also very intriguing. His accent slips here and there but he's so enigmatic you instantly forget about it. I don't know how old Juliet Binoche was when she did this but she looks like she could be 12...which considering the different circumstances she finds herself in is a little disturbing. The only other thing I'd ever seen Lena Olin in was as Sydney's mother in Alias haha! She actually did a great job playing Sabina.
I had no idea what to expect from this film and it was so freaking long I had to split it up to get through it. I felt that there were a lot of moments that strayed too far from the focus of the film and thus made me lose interest to a certain degree. There were also many times that I thought the movie could have ended and the moment it did end (finally) seemed to be chosen a bit arbitrarily. Can't say I'd ever watch it again, and I can't say I'd necessarily recommend it.
Okay, I'm back after a lovely honeymoon and I should be able to rededicate myself to the site in the coming months. I've got a new job that will hopefully allow for more "Film Script"-ing time, plus a new 61" HDTV on the way, which I will undoubtedly spend large portions of my nights praying to.
In the meantime, I've only seen 3 movies in the last couple weeks (although I am seeing Pineapple Express tonight). None of the three warrant all that much enthusiasm or discussion, but I'll get into them briefly and then throw up the long, overly delayed Dark Knight reaction thread. I feel reassured that it's not too outdated though because Knight is on its way to its 4th straight week at #1.
For now --
Kung Fu Panda. Cute. Without the presence of Jack Black this film would have been entirely worthless though. His joyful exuberance and ultimate Kung Fu geek attitude remind you that Black is always at his best when he's over-the-top dedicated to the cause, usually rock music (School of Rock, High Fidelity). Large waste of vocal talent though. What were Jackie Chan, David Cross and Seth Rogen doing in this film (and is there a voice job that Rogen won't take these days)?. Can't get past Dustin Hoffman as a Kung Fu master either. B-
Made of Honor. Every bit the My Best Friend's Wedding knockoff you would expect, but minus any of the charms of Julia Roberts. Michelle Monaghan plays the platonic friend/object of Patrick Dempsey's desire, but is terribly bland and lifeless. Meanwhile, Dempsey somehow manages to make the entire film about himself and its his selfish attitude that ultimately stains the film. It can't even get the ending right. D-
The Spiderwick Chronicles. Along the Harry Potter, kids-based fantasy adventure mold. Not innovative by any means, but worth the time and with enough peculiar, entertaining ideas to warrant a watch. Freddie Highmore does a good job in a split role playing twins (one troubled kid/one goody two-shoes obviously). Also, another Rogen vocal showcase, by far better than his Horton and Kung Fu Panda roles here as Hogsqueal. B-
Okay so I'm going to have to do this in installments cuz I have over 50 films to talk about. it has been that long since I posted I guess.
Filmspotting Classic Heist Marathon
If I haven't reiterated it enough, I highly recommend joining Filmspotting.net's Marathons. This was certainly one of my favs.
The Lavender Hill Mob- this was a fantastic surprise. Great goofy comedy with Alec Guiness who oversees transfer of gold bars from bank to bank and decides he finally has a great opportunity to steal them. It was so well paced and actually very well shot too. There is a great vertigo-esque sequence on the Eiffel Tower. I could watch this anytime.
The Killing- Stanley Kubrick's first critical notices came from this deftly paced heist film featuring Sterling Hayden playing a similar role to his other heist film Asphalt Jungle. Here he plays the mastermind behind a group who decides to rob a Horse Racing Bookie station by creating a terrible diversion. Naturally things don't go as planned. Very well paced and constructed, by playing with time and our perspective. Not the best we will see from Kubrick, but certainly a great beginning for him.
Rififi-everything Filmspotting said was spot on. This is the granddaddy of heist films and is immaculate. It is filled with grimy heinous characters who no nothing else that how to survive in that world. The heist is among the best scenes I have ever seen. Perfectly void of dialogue and score, only the minute sound effects echo as the perform it. It is so damn suspenseful that I kept quiet for fear of spoiling their attempt. The ending though really clinches it as more than great heist scene as once again everything falls apart. Great conclusion to a masterpiece of the genre.
Thomas Crown Affair (the original)-they technically didn't do this one, but the discussed watching it, so I decided to include for my own viewing. It is certainly filled with palpable sexual tension with both McQueen and Dunaway. McQueen plays Thomas Crown, a man who pulls off a heist by hiring the right goons or it. Dunaway is the insurance investigator who is trying to catch him in the act, but naturally they get too close to one another. It was fun and has a particularly erotic chess scene later spoofed in Austin Powers, but otherwise it was very much a product of its time. It is a quintessential late 60s film, but nothing really more than that.
Italian Job (the original)- my god, this had to be the among the goofiest silliest films ever. I wasn't engaged until the final act with Michael Caine and crew stealing Italian gold bullion at the most popular traffic intersection in the world. Then the film really kicks off and the chase in the Mini Coopers was great. The ending is a "cliffhanger" and a great one at that. Nothing more than really silly British comedy, but worthwhile for that last act.
Le Cercle Rouge- the french should did show up everyone else in this marathon. I don't think it was as amazing as Matty and Adam make it out to be, but it was certainly great. More moody and ominous than any of the others, it tells the story of an escaped murderer and a newly released thief as they come together to perform a jewel heist. To me, it seemed to be too influenced by Rififi for me to give it as much credit as that film. It wasn't its own monster, but more of a rehash than I hoped. Still terrific and much better than the French deserve. JK
The Getaway- Peckinpah film with McQueen and Ali McGraw as Bonnie and Clyde wannabes who rob a bank and try to well...getaway. Not about the heist, as much as the speed bumps afterwards. Stylized and violent like only Peckinpah can do, it oddly tries to become more about the romance between but isn't wholly successful. Still a ride to watch and McQueen is in fine form here.
In Theaters Now
Hulk- I guess this is a comic destined to never take off in film form. How do you make a successful TV show out of it, but not find the right rhythm for the film. Derivative and kinda boring. Decent opening and army fight, but the final fight was all CGI and no heart or suspense. Ang Lee may not have been successful in his attempt, but it was at least different. This was lacking anything to make it stand out from the summer pack.
Happening- maybe the worst film I have ever seen. I am done with M. Night. I hated Lady in the Water, but that was fraking Godfather compared to this film. Utterly ridiculous in everything it does. They have a slasher horror scene where they are running away from the...WIND. How preposterous. I'm in awe of how terrible this supposed film is. Now I see why Ebert and Roeper is over, they both gave a thumbs up to this abomination.
Sex and the City- this was just not for me. I just didn't care about anyone or anything. Too long and too contrived. Nothing happens. It ends as it began. No consequences or anything. They spend like 15 minutes showing off fashion for no reason, just plug-ins. But as I said, I'm not the audience. Kristen Davis was fun though.
Get Smart-liked it a lot the first time, did not hold up on second viewing. Still funny at times, but I'm a Carell apologist. Hathaway was good too, but the plot is really inept at times and has some big plot holes. Terrence Stamp must have needed a paycheck. Rent it, but you'll forget it.
Hancock- great concept, terrible execution. This clearly was a film tampered with by the studios. Still the first half is solid and Smith and Bateman are great together. The "surprise" was obvious and shouldn't have happened. The stakes at the end got to me, but the villain was a nobody that shouldn't have even had a shot o winning. So much potential that it really upsets me that it fell apart in the end.
Wanted- If you liked Shoot em Up, you will like this too. Otherwise you probably won't like it. Luckily, I loved Shoot em Up, so I loved this one too. Just a hell of a lot of style and fun. An absolute blast with inventive visuals and moments. Great sense of humor too.
Hellboy 2- I loved it. I laughed so damn hard at one line of dialogue that I was heard only by dogs. Such a imagination that I challenge anyone to find something as fantastical as the mind of del Toro. Funny, action packed, and some truly great romantic moments too. I think it juggled everything beautifully and dramatically. And I never thought I could have even thought Seth MacFarlane was a genius, but he really is here as a...well German air. The difference between this one and the first is comparable to the first two Spider-Mans. The second was just that much of an improvement.
Journey to the Center of the Earth- better than I ever dreamed of, but still pretty stupid. But Frasier never condescends the material. It is a family film with goofy 3D coming at ya and that was what they wanted to make and they succeeded.
Step Brothers- Funny film that doesn't have anything else to do other than let those two riff. They just doesn't have enough momentum to keep it going and you just end up bored. Funny, but needed more to make it a solid film.
Mummy 3- god this was such a stupid film. I didn't really think I would ever have missed Stephen Sommers, but the other two films are amazing compared to this inept film. How do you make a fight between Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh not exciting. That is a talent. And yetis, why?
Pineapple Express- another film that suffered on second viewing, but still Franco is gold here. Rogen is good too, but sticks to what he has done before. Danny McBride finally impressed me after hearing how great he was supposed to have been. But everyone else, Gary Cole, Rosie Perez, Craig Robinson, Ed Begley Jr, they just don't have much to do and aren't given their moments to shine like everyone in Sarah Marshall, Superbad or Knocked Up had. Still another win for Apatow though.
Thats enough for now. More to come.
All right...Round 2
Recently I've gone through a barrage of films either featuring Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, or Clint Eastwood. I've tried to catch up with all of their classics, as well as revisit those I haven't seen in years. I usually can't get my parents to watch any of the films I rent (Solaris, Bergman, Almodovar), but they loved watching these films.
Paul Newman's films
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid- well this is clearly a classic film of not just the genre, but structure, chemistry, pacing, dialogue, etc. William Goldman's impeccable script and the leads acting make this so much better than any of the imitations that tried to capitalize on its success. If you don't like this film, your dead inside.
Cool Hand Luke- now one of my favorite films of all time. Paul Newman is now perhaps my favorite actor of all time. This is just a hell of a fun time and manages to get in legitimate moments of tension, humor, morality, etc. Luke Jackson is such an iconic rebel and George Kennedy makes it difficult on Paul to steal this film. Their camaraderie is something that really spoke to me and my relationship with my friends. Masterpiece.
Hustler- my god this guy picked fantastic films. What a dark almost nihilistic tale about ambition and how it clouds our judgment and "cool." Piper Laurie's role is not wholly fleshed out, but her story is really the heart of the film. Jackie Gleason is so cool as Minnesota Fats, and naturally Paul has enough charisma all. Great shots and great atmosphere. Another classic.
Slap Shot- maybe my personal favorite of the bunch because it is so damn funny and hearing Paul utter those lines gets me every time. The Hanson are fantastic. Animal House on ice. I can watch it endlessly.
Color of Money- decent, but doesn't match Hustler on nearly anything even Newman's Oscar winning performance isn't as good as originally. But getting to see fast Eddie again is always a pleasure, but an unnecessary sequel. Scorsese did it simply to get funding for Last Temptation of Christ. It shows. Also Tom Cruise just can't match Newman here no matter how hard he tries.
Verdict- civil action suit drama that fall apart due to some big missteps. Newman is gold as usual, as is Jack Warden and James Mason, but this whole case comes down to a discrepancy that should have been addressed long before it finally shows up here. Any good lawyer would have tackled that speed bump before they even go into court. Also Charlotte Rampling's role is pointless except to suit a plot surprise and we just don't care for her and Paul's relationship. Also this is more ridiculous judge ever. My Cousin Vinny was more believable.
Sting- re-teaming of Newman and Redford. Its a hell of alot of fun, and its great to see Redford playing the goofier of the two, but I just don't think it is Best Picture material. In that respect I do think it may be a little overrated, but still a lot of fun to watch. Third George Roy Hill for Paul with Butch Cassidy, and Slap Shot in tow too.
Towering Inferno- stars both Newman, as the tower's architect, and McQueen, as the firefighter chief. Epic for its time, now just over indulgent and bombastic. Some decent moments, but they pack this thing with so many characters that it can't juggle their plights effectively, even in 3 hours. Miniature were good though and hold up somewhat even today. What the hell was James Cagney doing here?
Still got Hud, Hombre, Harper, Absence of Malice, and Nobody's Fool to check out.
Steve McQueen films
Papillon- this is what started me on this marathon. I had no idea McQueen could be this good of an actor. He is fantastic here as Papillon, a real life prisoner trying to escape Devil's Island in French Guiana. Dustin Hoffman joins him as he friend who has off island connections to get them to safety. The scenes in solitude are brutal and really make this film stand out. Fascinating tale and it doesn't appear that Hollywood completely dreamed up all the drama that actually happened.
Bullitt- really great detective flick with a marvelous car chase through San Francisco. McQueen exudes so much cool here that its hard not to see why he was so popular. Really great twist too that had me rethinking the set up. Very cool flick.
Blob- first starring role and it shows. He does has his charming moments, but this is a cheesy sci fi flick through and through. Fun at the drive through, but doesn't have enough that really makes it stand out from other B flicks.
I already mentioned Thomas Crown Affair and Getaway on previous comment. Still have a few to see including Sand Pebbles, Cincinnati Kid, Magnificent Seven, Hell is for Heroes, and I must watch my annual viewing of Great Escape.
Clint Eastwood
First up, all the Dirty Harry's
Dirty Harry- iconic character that inspired so many ripoffs. I don't think the Scorpio is brilliant casting, but he ends up being the best villain of the series. I don't think Harry has met a villain that can go toe to toe with him. Great formula that unfortunately they never faltered from since.
Magnum Force- much more violent sequel and it doesn't need to be. There is no real suspense as to who the culprits are, but Clint is always good to watch. Odd seeing Hal Holbrook here after seeing his tender performance in Into the Wild.
Enforcer- short and sweet. Faster paced even if the villains are lame, but the dynamic between Clint and a young Tyne Daly is enough of a fresh spin of the formula to make it interesting.
Sudden Impact- probably the next best after the original, here Dirty Harry tries to solve murders involving a woman taking vengeance on her attackers years earlier that left her sister comatose. Nothing spectacular, but the most entertaining after the first.
Dead Pool- my god they need to do another Dirty Harry so it doesn't end with this clunker. This thing is just inept as anything I've seen. Featuring roles for both Jim Carrey and Liam Neeson, at everyone in here went on to do much better things. I'm sure they all wish they could erase this from their filmography.
Kelly's Heroes- no Harry Callahan, but this time he plays a Army Sergeant who gets a ragtag group of misfits to help him rob some German gold. Fun film but nothing really more than that. Goofy performances from Donald Sutherland and Don Rickles made this perhaps more of a comedy than Clint initially was looking for.
Still to come, Escape from Alcatraz, Hang Em High, Outlaw Josey Wales, Every which way but loose, In the line of Fire, and the dreaded Bridges of Madison County.
Almost done, but I'll leave the rest for Round 3.
Pineapple Express: I've wanted to see this since the trailer first came out and I was not disappointed! So funny...I think the last time I laughed that much was Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Apatow scores big yet AGAIN! It really is a must see. And despite moments where it drags, it makes up for it in just ridiculously funny moments...a lot of them.
Billy Elliot: Oh man. This instantly became a favorite of mine. You just can't help but love that little kid. It's such a touching little film and that kid can DANCE! For an actor with such potential it's a shame that the only other things I've seen him in are a Green Day music video and Jumper.
Soylent Green: I'll admit the only exposure I'd had of this film was from Drop Dead Gorgeous, and it kinda basically spoiled the twist for me. I don't know what it is but I just can't take Heston as a serious actor (*gasp!* Blasphemy!...whatever). He annoys me a little. I'll admit the story is pretty good and they did a good job of making you feel like you were sweating when you really aren't but this movie somehow dragged on for me.
Transformers: I finally cracked. And saw it for free last night. Pretty much everything I expected it would be. This movie would have been terrible had it not been for Shia. He somehow makes the worst dialogue work. I'll admit that I can see how it would have been pretty sweet from a nostalgia stand point but I didn't get into Transformers or the cartoon as a kid so there wasn't really any anchor there for me.
Dances With Wolves: Wow, great film. Totally up there in the Last of the Mohicans/Legends of the Fall category. I can't believe I've waited this long to see it.
Post a Comment