|
Post by Mike Sullivan on May 14, 2006 19:45:27 GMT
|
|
Omar
Global Moderator
Professione: reporter
Posts: 2,770
|
Post by Omar on May 15, 2006 1:39:18 GMT
The Lost City (2006) First Viewing Directed by: Andy Garcia Rating: [/i] Film that is appealing to the eye and has it's moments but when it comes to the acting department, it just loses it and really hits the score. Garcia's direction is great though, amazingly. [/quote] This is bad news for me, considering I was probably looking forward to this film more than other coming out this year. Oh well... The Conversation(1974/Francis Ford Coppola) [Nth Viewing] A surveillance expert has a crisis of conscience when he feels his next job will cause murder.A film I've seen many times, but one that never loses it's subtle power and brilliance. The little elements dedicated to the development of Harry Caul make this the first rate character-study of a decade that submitted the best. After watching it this time around, I'm convinced that David Shire's score has got to be the best of all time. That soft but haunting piano evokes a mood so unnerving, that the film might actually not work without it. Professione: reporter The Passenger(1975/Michelangelo Antonioni) [Second Viewing] A down-and-out journalist switches identities with a dead man in his hotel.Watching this film again reminded me of a quote I once read: "There is no road to life; life is the road". That is something that the main character here seems to forget. A man can switch identities and go to exotic places and try new things, but no matter where you look, there you are. It's interesting to note that this was re-released the same year that "A History of Violence" came out, a film dealing with similar themes of identity. I noticed this time around how Antonioni lets the camera linger for a long time on background characters, revealing how they are all passengers in the main character's life, and how Nicholson's Locke is but a passenger in someone else's life looking for his own; an impossible task.
|
|
|
Post by Vercetti on May 15, 2006 18:37:28 GMT
Glory - (Edward Zwick;1989;USA) Col. Robert Shaw is put in charge of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first to be made up of black men.While this tends to be a good film, this film suffers from the overplayed musical score which has been used endlessly since this came out. This was my first viewing and at times it felt corny due to the overplayed music, which is otherwise very beautiful. The performances are very good in supporting the film, but I need to see this again on Widescreen so I can really soak it in.
|
|
Capo
Administrator
Posts: 7,847
|
Post by Capo on May 16, 2006 11:45:31 GMT
Manderlay Lars von Trier 2005 Denmark / Sweden / Netherlands / France / Germany / UK 1st time; big screen Grace and her father arrive in Manderlay, which, 70 years after the abolishment of slavery, blacks are still kept as slaves… The novelty of Dogville's minimalistic sets has worn off, it would seem, though von Trier is still able to accumulate and emotional and dramatic undercurrent as the film goes on. America is still his easy target, but this is a complex film, full of effortless shots and edits which evoke the rarest of emotions. It is at its best when confronting the complexities of its characters, such as when Grace masturbates over the black men we can see but she can only desire, or when she finally gives into her sexual urges and finds it as painful as it is pleasurable.
|
|
|
Post by Mike Sullivan on May 16, 2006 23:52:01 GMT
The Lost City (2006) First Viewing Directed by: Andy Garcia Rating: [/i] Film that is appealing to the eye and has it's moments but when it comes to the acting department, it just loses it and really hits the score. Garcia's direction is great though, amazingly. [/quote] Well, Ebert gave it 3 stars, so perhaps my review could be wrong or you may like it yourself. I wrote a review for it for AndersonVision that I'll link you to so you can read my qualms about it.
|
|
Capo
Administrator
Posts: 7,847
|
Post by Capo on May 17, 2006 21:01:10 GMT
Paradise Now Hany Abu-Assad 2005 Netherlands/Israel/Germany/France 1st time; big screen Two Palestinian male friends are chosen for a suicide mission in Israel the following day… A rather lyrical and often tense film devoid of music, so it is presented rather coolly, and ultimately, to striking effect; the kind of film one could imagine Alain Delon in at his prime, though here, Kais Nashef, in the would-be Delon role, holds a complex, underplayed presence as the imprisoned male driven by his own determination to accept Fate. Its most poetic moments are when the camera lingers in silence on ambiguous faces, and tracks from a car a landscape scarred by politics and globalisation.
|
|
Capo
Administrator
Posts: 7,847
|
Post by Capo on May 18, 2006 20:13:46 GMT
Brick Rian Johnson 2005 US 1st time; big screen A teenager in a world full of hardboiled slang infiltrates a drug ring to find out who killed his ex-girlfriend. Is this as original as has been suggested? Perhaps, but it has all the markings of a directorial debut even so: energetic, confident, ambitious, and full of wasted potential. Its rejuvination of noir in a fresh mise-en-scene makes for an erratically thrilling film, full of interesting names but ultimately cardboard characters; it is as stylish as it is emotionally empty--a success, perhaps, were it not for its attempt at some deeper core, wrapped too heavily in its own street jargon to be appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by Vercetti on May 20, 2006 17:42:44 GMT
High Fidelity - (Stephen Frears;2000;UK/USA) A record store owner reevaluates past relationships after his current one fails.Unlike most Romantic Comedies, we forget that this film is one. It doesn't use the formula we see at least twice a year. Instead we are treated with characters that feel real. Cusack's character while being the hero of the film is not striped of negative qualities and a sense of selfishness to satisfy the audiences. And it feels real without the expense of losing the comedy. The soundtrack is one of the main highlights and should make any music buff happy, as well as the dialogue throughout the film.
|
|
|
Post by Vercetti on May 21, 2006 19:05:50 GMT
Saw - (James Wan;2004;USA) Two men awake in a bathroom with a corpse to find they must play a psychopath's game to survive.While there are some things I liked about this movie, there were many I didn't like. It's slightly different then the average horror/thriller film, but not without it's cliches. Almost everything in this film has been done before. Hell, some of the sets looked recycled from Seven. It's somewhat entertaining, but ridiculously overrated. Not to mention I hated some of the editing, specifically when Glover and the other man are driving in their cars.
|
|
Omar
Global Moderator
Professione: reporter
Posts: 2,770
|
Post by Omar on May 22, 2006 2:03:01 GMT
Match Point(2005/Woody Allen) [Second Viewing] An up and coming social climber struggles with infidelity in upper class Britain.A film unlike anything Allen has done before. Combining the themes of F. Scott Fitzgerald (wealth) and Alfred Hitchcock (obsession), Allen is able to conduct an amazing film that questions deeper meanings of morality and luck, and thanks to a capable cast and a fresh new setting, it works as a great change of pace for Allen. Also, this is probably his best writing in years.
|
|
Omar
Global Moderator
Professione: reporter
Posts: 2,770
|
Post by Omar on May 23, 2006 2:41:33 GMT
Closer(2004/Mike Nichols) [Third Viewing] Two couples experience ups and downs over the course of four years in London.I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this film, and how it has an underlying power to shock. Filled with twisted humor along with dark and morbid characterizations, the script is one of the best in years, full of memorable dialogue and recurring themes. Thanks to Nichols' skilled direction, the film escapes it's stage-play roots and becomes a fascinating look at infidelity and human relations. The cast is excellent, especially Clive Owen and Julia Roberts. The former possessing a fiery power, and the latter playing with an angle of subtly for the first time in her career.
|
|
|
Post by Vercetti on May 26, 2006 21:06:40 GMT
Johnny Got His Gun - (Dalton Trumbo;1971;USA) In WW1 after a shell burst leaves a soldier armless, legless, faceless, and without sight, hearing, or smell he is mentally trapped in memories, fantasies, and nightmares.One of the most neglected war films I've seen and it's a shame because this may be one of the best. It's not about the war at all as it is about the character, in ultimate isolation. Some of the memories show a very humane portrait of life while the film turns around with fantasies and nightmares that have some subtle black humor, but more often become disturbing and depressing. Consider one where he discussing his current state with Jesus Christ, played by Donald Sutherland or one where he imagines himself in a freak show run by his father. I also liked the film didn't go beyond his immediate area, only showing nurses, doctors, and military officers. A haunting film. Inside me I'm screaming and yelling and howling like a trapped animal, and nobody pays any attention. If I had arms, I could kill myself. If I had legs, I could run away. If I had a voice, I could talk and be some kind of company for myself. I could yell for help, but nobody would help me.
|
|
Omar
Global Moderator
Professione: reporter
Posts: 2,770
|
Post by Omar on May 27, 2006 16:35:07 GMT
Something Wild(1986/Jonathon Demme) [First Viewing] A free-spirited woman kidnaps a young New York city executive.What happens when a film built on spontaneity runs out of steam and settles for a plot? That's what happens here. The first half is comfortably odd, but the second half is much darker and nearly a completely different film. The performances are very good though.
|
|
Omar
Global Moderator
Professione: reporter
Posts: 2,770
|
Post by Omar on May 29, 2006 5:09:26 GMT
Down in the Valley(2005/David Jacobson) [First Viewing] A "cowboy" living in Los Angeles starts a relationship with a teenage girl.It starts as a cross between "Midnight Cowboy" and "Valley Girl", then ventures into "Taxi Driver" territory in the second half. But it is pointless to compare this with other films, it is absorbing and fascinating on it's own right. It is such a thrill to see Edward Norton back on the big screen, turning in a convincing and extremely likable performance as the naive rancher, but the whole cast is equally great. The final fifteen minutes or so are incredibly intense, reinforcing the film's amazing ability to constantly surprise the viewer. I went in knowing nothing about the picture, and walked out in awe.
|
|
|
Post by Vercetti on May 29, 2006 5:45:28 GMT
I knew of the film, but after seeing the trailer I really want to see this now. It does look somewhat like a cowboy spin on Taxi Driver with the way he aims the guns in the hotel room and line where he holds the bullet.
It looks good although who knows, considering it's from the director of Dahmer, which is supposedly a B-movie biopic.
|
|
Omar
Global Moderator
Professione: reporter
Posts: 2,770
|
Post by Omar on May 29, 2006 22:08:52 GMT
The Proposition(2005/John Hillcoat) [First Viewing] A captured criminal is given the chance to live if he can bring in his renegade brother in the Australian outback of the 1880's.For such a brutal and barbaric film, it is extremely well made, with beautiful cinematography and score, and great attention paid to period detail. The direction is very haunting, giving the film a hypnotic balance of it's themes. The whole cast is excellent, but John Hurt stands out as a mysterious Irish-hating Englishmen.
|
|
RNL
Global Moderator
Posts: 6,624
|
Post by RNL on May 29, 2006 22:27:59 GMT
Since I'm unlikely to watch any more films this month I'll get this out of the way now. MAY 37 films. 28 first viewings. 2 on the big screen. Christine John Carpenter 1983, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Manhattan Woody Allen 1979, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Prince of Darkness John Carpenter 1987, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Superman Superman: The Mad Scientist Dave Fleischer 1941, USA[/color] Nth viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: The Mechanical Monsters Dave Fleischer 1941, USA[/color] Nth viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: Billion Dollar Limited Dave Fleischer 1941, USA[/color] 2nd viewing; DVD[/size] The Atrocity Exhibition Jonathan Weiss 1997, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: The Arctic Giant Dave Fleischer 1942, USA[/color] 2nd viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: The Bulleteers Dave Fleischer 1942, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: The Magnetic Telescope Dave Fleischer 1942, USA[/color] 2nd viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: Electric Earthquake Dave Fleischer 1942, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: Volcano Dave Fleischer 1942, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: Terror on the Midway Dave Fleischer 1942, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: Japoteurs Seymour Kneitel 1942, USA[/color] 2nd viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: Showdown Izzy Sparber 1942, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: Eleventh Hour Dan Gordon 1942, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: Destruction Inc. Izzy Sparber 1942, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: The Mummy Strikes Izzy Sparber 1943, USA[/color] Nth viewing; DVD[/size] Dressed to Kill Brian De Palma 1980, USA[/color] 1st viewing; download[/size] Superman: Jungle Drums Dan Gordon 1943, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: The Underground World Seymour Kneitel 1943, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Superman: Secret Agent Seymour Kneitel 1943, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Procès de Jeanne d'Arc The Trial of Joan of Arc Robert Bresson 1962, France[/color] 1st viewing; TV[/size] Body Snatchers Abel Ferrara 1993, USA[/color] 1st viewing; TV[/size] Obsession Brian De Palma 1975, USA[/color] 1st viewing; download[/size] Body Bags John Carpenter / Tobe Hooper 1993, USA[/color] 1st viewing; TV[/size] Body Double Brian De Palma 1984, USA[/color] 1st viewing; download[/size] The Da Vinci Code Ron Howard 2005, USA[/color] 1st viewing; big screen[/size] The Lost Tape: Andy's Terrifying Last Days Revealed
2004, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Special Report: We Interrupt This Program
2004, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] Carlito's Way Brian De Palma 1993, USA[/color] 1st viewing; DVD[/size] A History of Violence David Cronenberg 2005, USA[/color] 3rd viewing; DVD[/size] Aftermath Nacho Cerdà 1994, Spain[/color] 1st viewing; download[/size] Cutting Moments Douglas Buck 1997, USA[/color] 1st viewing; download[/size] Raising Cain Brian De Palma 1992, USA[/color] 1st viewing; download[/size] Requiem for a Dream Darren Aronofsky 1999, USA[/color] 4th viewing; DVD[/size] X-Men: The Last Stand Brett Ratner 2006, USA[/color] 1st viewing; big screen[/size]
|
|
Capo
Administrator
Posts: 7,847
|
Post by Capo on May 30, 2006 16:29:06 GMT
Your opinions on A History of Violence are bit up-and-down...dependent on current mood?
|
|
RNL
Global Moderator
Posts: 6,624
|
Post by RNL on May 30, 2006 18:21:07 GMT
It's very good. I think it's extremely entertaining, but it's by far his most mainstream film yet, and his least complicated, his least inventive, least ambitious - which I guess is part of the package. It's a step towards something I hope he doesn't follow through on: a "mainstream director with integrity" position, in line with the likes of Ridley Scott. He's too unique for that. I'm glad Eastern Promises is his next film, instead of Maps to the Stars, as sex-trafficking is considerably closer to home than Hollywood drug-abuse.
As much as I like it, if I'm not giving The Dead Zone four stars, then A History of Violence doesn't deserve it either.
|
|
Capo
Administrator
Posts: 7,847
|
Post by Capo on May 30, 2006 18:48:56 GMT
While "least inventive" is certainly a valid criticism, I'm dubious as regards your other criticisms. Mainstream isn't necessarily a bad thing to shun away from; if anything, somebody with Cronenberg's reputation and talent has to be ambitious to actually take on Hollywood at its own game, no? He could just as easily have made a film he knew would water the mouths of his already-converted fans. I've not seen much of his work at all, really, especially compared to an aficianado like you, but I find in A History of Violence a complicated subtext of onscreen violence being questioned; narrative-speaking, yes, it is very simple.
But don't think I'm trying to get you to change your star-rating for the film; it's just I find criticisms like "most mainstream", "least complicated," "least ambitious" a bit tough on a film which is, if nothing else, a change in direction for a filmmaker widely accepted as non-mainstream.
|
|