bunch of quick 2004 movie reviews
I've got a vanilla scented candle, and a strange urge to (try to) quickly review (most) every movie I've seen in the past few months. Let's see how far I get....
(part 1 of 2)
School of Rock
--Let's begin with Mr Linklauter's Opus de Commerciality. Solid direction, yes; quirky and insightful result, no. Sure, I don't think he would qualify for the 'sold out' award (which I'm am soley underqualified to give out), and he certainly made a funny movie. I'll let this one slide, Richard, because I still have to see Before Sunset. And, you still have one of the best records of the past few years (Tape, Waking Life, Before Sunrise), so I'll just plop this dvd into the 'funny, if forgetable' bin next to my copy of Shallow Hal.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
--This movie lives up to my own personal hype. After seeing Being John Malkovich and Adaptation, I give Kaufman no breaks. The man has talent, and I was willing to jump on any fault I perceived. I was perturbed at the lack of Charlie-ness of Confessions of A Dangerous Mind, but now I understand that it was a Clooney movie rather than a Kaufman movie. Anyway, the moral of this aside: I had high expectations for this movie. First off, some reviews give too much away, so don't read them. But, even though part of it was spoiled for me, I still love the movie. I hasten to compare it to the Hulk, because that movie conjures a sour taste in many mouths, but it certainly had a similar effect on me. By the 3/4ths mark, the movie had slowed down, and was beginning to bore me. Then, something just clicked. Near the end of the movie there's this scene... oh boy, it just bowled me over (the goodbye house scene, for those who have seen it). It was fairly simplistic, and logically sound, but it still just knocked me for a loop. Ok, so the overall ending doesn't disappoint, either. It wraps up the movie in a lovely without seeming trite and insulting to the audience. The only flaw I found with the movie was Kirsten Dunst's character. She's a bit too... boring. Other than that, the movie is great. I recommend this movie for anyone who's looking for good movie about love. It's just an investigation of what makes us keep getting together. If you want all happy smiles and wrapped up endings, rent Love Actually (well, close enough). If you want to think and feel, see Eternal Sunshine. Rating: 3.5/4
Hellboy
--Uneven... That's what Hellboy is. Comedy it is, sometimes. Drama it is, sometimes. Action occurs often. Cats, occur often. Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie, but it didn't full satisfy it's premise. The ending was too abreviated. Oh, confront your fears, big red guy. I was expecting a lot more from this movie. It was supposed to be about nature vs nurture. Instead it turned into comic book characters vs evil-doers. Perhaps the saving grace of the movie was the main actor, Ron Perlman. He was perfectly cast as the slightly childish demon in the center of the mailstrom. I wish the script would have done his character more justice, though. It truly spent more time on his cat fetish than his internal struggle. Oh well, it's not a bad movie. Rent it, see it at a mantinee, it's up to you. It's still better than Timeline. Rating: 2.5/4
Girl Next Door
--Did I call Hellboy uneven? I forgot I was going to review Girl Next Door today. This movie, is three movies. Three uneven movies. Let me show you an example. The central relationship worked, in no small part to the two actors playing the sides (Hirsch and Cuthbert). I liked the music choices (though my moviegoing associates vehemently disagree). I liked exactly half the script. The other half made me want to die. Really, whenever anyone starts talking about 'juice', I want to die. Even Timothy Olyphant's Kelly, the most interesting character in the movie, can't pull off the 'catchprase' without sounding like Al Sharpton. The writer who thought of that line should have been fired a long time before this movie was made. He should have been banned to the crappy room along with the guys who wrote Bad Boys II. It's really that bad. It almost ruined the movie for me. And, some of the events that unfurl are just preposterous... Ok, so the main actors save the movie... And, the director didn't do too crappy a job. I'll just say that this movie would have actually been great if I hadn't wanted to die several times. Rating: 2.5/4
Madadayo
--This movie is a change of pace for me. The plot is very simple: A Teacher retires, and moves into a house. His students decide to throw him a yearly party on his birthday, and call it 'madadayo' (which translates to "Not Yet?"). The movie just revels in the love between this man and his students. The title alone is bittersweet. It reminds me of that excessively quoted line from Dylan Thomas (rage, rage). Really, this movie is just an old man's observations of life. I don't know what else to say. I put it into the same category as "The Shootist", because Madayayo was Kurosawa's last film. Even though he is known for his bloody samurai films, Kurosawa decided to make a quiet movie about old age. And, though it's not one of his best films, it's still better than most tripe put out these days. Here's my favorite exchange from the script. It occurs at the professor's house, as he converses with several of his students over dinner:
Professor: I've been afraid of the dark since I was a child.
Professor: I can't sleep in the dark, either.
Student (suprised): Even now, sir?
Professor: Aren't you afraid of the dark?
Student: (aback) Of course not.
Student: We're grownups.
Student: What's so scary about darkness?
Professor: You gentlemen are impossible.
Student: Why is that?
Professor: Anyone unafraid of darkness, has a vital defect as a human being...
Professor: You lack imagination.
Rating: 3/4
Chasing Liberty
--Simple movie, simple execution. I wish it had some better themes than "let me live my life", or "rebellion is the road to hell". The acting is all pretty good. Even the new guy, Matthew Goode, doesn't seem out of place. Other than the normal 'twists', nothing interesting happens. Some moody music plays, people are sad. Some happy music plays, people dance. Some sappy music plays, the hero does his thing. Nothing worth mentioning. Anyone seeing this movie knows exactly what they are in for: a light romantic comedy. Rating: 2/4
Arsenic and Old Lace
--Old movies don't suck!! This movie is rippingly funny, even today. Sure, Capra can do sap, but this movie shows he can do wit. Besides, Cary Grant does a wonderful job playing the exasperated nephew. I never knew he could do physical comedy so well. Here's a really good quote from the movie. It's Cary Grant (Mortimer) talking to his new wife:
Elaine Harper: But Mortimer, you're going to love me for my mind, too.
Mortimer Brewster: One thing at a time!
and:
Mortimer Brewster: Insanity runs in my family... It practically gallops.
I've never seen Capra so darkly funny. It's a great movie, well worth the rental. Don't be afraid folks. It's in black and white, yes, but its wit is more focused and sharp than any sitcom you'll see today. Beside, how can psychotic grandmas not be funny. Rating: 3.5/4
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
--Nothing extraordinary worth mentioning. It's a solid sailing movie with a really good cast. Don't expect Pirates of the Caribbean. It's got its action, but it's more about life and character than swashbuckling. Rating: 3/4
Timeline
--I liked the book. That's the kindest thing I can say about this movie. Contrived, and stupid, it takes a couple elements from a fairly cohesive book, and turns them into a bumbling movie that relies on stupid coincidences. When the climax of a movie sounds like this: "Too bad this rock is there.... Yay, the rock is magically gone!", then you know you've got a keeper. Oh, and someone needs to teach the makers of this movie the concept of "motivation". People will do stupid crap if they have the right motivation. Too bad they spent more time running than actually fleshing out the characters. Oh, and this movie gives me no love for Paul Walker. He's on par with Keanu with his stupid-line-delivery rating. Rating: 1/4
Buffalo Soldiers
--This movie made a little splash with the media when it came out because it showed soldiers as drug-dealing delinquents. Perhaps that is why it got overlooked. It's got a good cast (Joaquin Phoenix, Ed Harris, Anna Paquin), and a solid script. It's well-shot, and well-directed. I don't have anything too dramatic to say about it, but it's worth a watch. Every now and then the scent of fight club comes out (in the visuals and music and apathy of the main character), but it's not so obvious that it seems stolen. Rating: 3/4
Open Range
--A fine western, from Kevin Costner. I didn't think Kevin had a decent film bone left in him after The Postman, but I guess I was mistaken. strange.. Watching Open Range, and HBO's Deadwood, I have come to the conclusion that we are done with John Wayne. The slow-talking western hero has been replaced with a quieter, more reflective personality. And, I personally have no illness about that shift. Sergio Leone and John Ford exhausted those characters a long time before I was born. I didn't see it in the theater, but I'm glad I gave it a rental. It's a moderately paced exploration of the changing west. Heck, and there's a big shootout in the end if you get bored by all the character stuff. Rating: 3/4
still to come....
Veronica Guerin
Somethings Gotta Give
In America
The Passion of the Christ
Starsky and Hutch
The Ladykillers
The Butterfly Effect
Club Dread |
