watchhawk Reviews

Cold Light (2004)

A melancholic film about a superstitious Icelander

[5/10 · 13 January 2005]

This is a film that describes a rather common superstition in Iceland. A good portion of the Icelandic people believe in mysterious sort of people that can foresee the future in one way or another. These people get some kind of premonition about harmful events or tragic deaths that are bound to happen. This film is the story of one such individual who is an intelligent loner from childhood and starts to draw odd pictures of people floating out of their houses in their beds. He sees an old woman flying on her broom and later gets acquainted with her since she was just a lonesome grumpy widow that lived close by. The boy grows up and is very peculiar, shown as melancholic and apathetic adult for most parts. He seems to suffer from a "post-traumatic stress syndrome" but still manges to charm his art teacher. The pace of the story is dreadfully slow and affect is gloomy, sometimes totally displaced and mostly boring. For those who believe in such crap as telepathy or mystical gifted persons with pre-disaster premonitions this movie is a godsend. For those skeptics out there who are walking on the earth, and not flying on broomsticks - do not waste your time and money watching this close to intellectually empty film. For those who have not had enough of watching steep Icelandic fjords - take a look and enjoy! Out of respect to some of the fairly good acting and cinematography I give it 5/10.

Oldboy (2003)

An astonishing film!

[10/10 · 13 January 2005]

I went to see this movie to kill some time. The movie ended killing me - well almost. It was so strong that I was dumbfounded by it - utterly paralyzed. Tarantino's Kill Bill is a toddler's movie compared to this one. I am seeing this movie in January 2005 but it was released in 2003! How did this great movie pass me by? How did this great movie pass the Oscar's? This story of hatred, love and revenge is based on a story that is perhaps not very original but still, but still it is. It has lot of twists that are not easily foreseeable and the powerful emotional acting of the main characters is just astounding. Style and artistic tricks and effects are of great variety and amazement. Editing starts like a badly done home made film but gradually gets more refine and delivers the end as a masterpiece. The cinematographic close ups deliver strong emotion but also humor. The film keeps its strong national style and that makes it still more interesting. A must see film for all film lovers but not a movie for those faint at heart. My 10/10.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

A brilliant, perfectly cast, wonderful movie!

[10/10 · 5 May 2004]

This movie is just brilliant. We all have relationships that become victim of every day boredom and our imperfections. What if we could erase the memory of our painful past and failed love affairs? The pain would perhaps go away and we could continue without dragging the past. This is the essence of this movie. It is about choices too, the choices of life. Shooting, characterization, acting, editing, plot and storytelling are all great. Wonderful cast and Jim Carrey played a gloomy ordinary man that had joyful streaks when with his love interest who is played Kate Winslet. He performs greatly and leaves the exaggerated style of his former comic personalities perfectly behind. This movie definitely proves his talent for drama roles. He is stepping up to the platform of the greatest and should be nominated for Oscars next year. Mr. Kaufman's script is just wonderful. I could go on and on about the little pleasurable and intellectually stimulating things this film brings up. Anyone who cares for seeing the best of the crop should see this masterpiece. 10 out of 10 without hesitation from me.

The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

The Whachowski Brothers bring it all together

[10/10 · 8 November 2003]

What a Showdown! What a Finale! A Grand Finale! The Whachowski Brothers bring it all together in the final movie of the Matrix Trilogy. The Oracle, The program Smith, The Machines and real and surreal cyberspace battlefields all come into play in balanced proportions and the solutions of the struggle are convincing and sensible in the end. A far cry from the not-a-scratch middle piece this last episode takes on a real fight that costs lives and limbs. The scenery and fighting scenes are awesome. The movie starts slowly and tension is built up gradually. The dialog is strange like in the first two movies but it makes more sense now and the the main themes, love, hope, sacrifice, believe and struggle are all appropriate for the drama that this last of the trilogy is. Some of the dialog with The Oracle could have been made shorter to keep better tempo. The casting was good although this trilogy will not be remembered for its brilliance in acting. Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity, Mary Alice as The Oracle and Zeke Castelli as Operations Officer Mattis were most impressive. For me this is the best movie I have seen this year and with this brilliant ending this trilogy is the best I have seen. A near perfect 10 from me.

Duck, You Sucker! (1971)

Brilliant chemistry

[9/10 · 3 February 2003]

Phewh, what a relief from the Hollywood production in the nineties and now of antagonistic buddies that throw one-liners at each other. Together with Rod Steiger's superb acting as the accidental Mexican revolutionary Juan Miranda and slightly less impressing performance by James Coburn as the IRA revolutionary specialist on the run, director Sergio Leone creates a rugged diamond of film here. Sergio starts the movie with provocative scenes that take the audiences to very fragile ethical grounds (referring to the post coach robbery scene with Juan and the rich woman) setting a serious athmosphere to the movie. It gives you the indication that the characters are complicated and have their own ethical struggles in midst of the greater scheme of on going revolution. Then it continues as a comic driven revolutionary film or so-called Zapata-western where Juan's emotionally rich character carries the movie all the way though. Leone's style of extreme close ups and Ennio's imaginative score that is both humorous and beautiful just make this a very enjoyable film to watch. James Coburn is great as the easy going IRA man and the relationship of the two not so equals develops beautifully. Rod Steiger has become one of my top 5 favorite actors (just amazing in "The heat of the night". In spite of somewhat weak storytelling this movie is going to be one of the most memorable movies I have seen. This is a forgotten jewel of film history and all lovers of insightful creative movies should see this Leone film. 9/10.

Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)

Old fashioned cat and mouse chase with a charm

[8/10 · 16 September 2002]

This movie doesn't tell you any new truth or treat your refined taste with amazing characters. It is just an old-fashioned chase movie of the good and the bad guys. The circumstances and the grand theft of 50 cars over one night is of course out of this world but it doesn't matter because Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie charm us out of it. After watching hundreds of car chase movies in my lifetime I didn't think yet another one would lighten my eyebrow. I was wrong. The smart and humorous execution of the car and car/helicopter chases was a great fun to watch; a good honest adrenalin booster. Perhaps I am little generous but I give it 8/10 for all the fun.

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

humerous but stale

[7/10 · 4 April 2002]

I am surprised by the raving critics this movie has gotten. An estranged father of three tries to come together with his family after 22 years of neglect. Gene Hackman plays the father convincingly and that's it. The rest of the crew except perhaps Anjelica Huston as the mother and Danny Glover as her fiancé do a decent job. Ben Stiller as on of the siblings is energetic as always but his part ends up being very stereotypic and almost boring. There are a lot of good ideas in this movie since the surroundings and expressions tell the story and the jokes as much as the said word but things are predictable and often the cinematography is downright clumsy. Although a comedy this movie has a meaningful undertone and seems to be about forgiveness and family values. There are all kinds of hidden messages, e.g. the kids wear the same childish clothes their whole life (except the daughter who secretly has been smoking for 22 years) that might be a expression of halted maturity since childhood or what ever. Perhaps it was just for fun but got boring. Gene Hickman's character got to change clothes at least and was quite funny in his elevator warden. All kind of characters are introduced to the story in the beginning in a rather lame way although not altogether unfunny. Gwyneth Palthrow as the adopted sister never rises up to be funny, ever in the whole film and puts a depressing face to the whole story. Her kinky love affairs never rise to be funny or giving any meaning to the picture. Gene Hackman carries this movie on his shoulders throughout along with his faithful family servant Pagoda played memorably and intuitively by Kumar Pollana. In a way this movie reminds me of the French movie Emilé but it (this one) pales in the comparison. This movie is too stereotypic and slow to ever rise to the hall of fame in comedy, but if the director keeps trying, something good might come out of it later. 7/10

The Pledge (I) (2001)

Melancholic beauty in a horrifying frame

[9/10 · 8 March 2002]

Sean Penn the director of this film has grown a lot in my eyes from the days I first saw him as an actor. It turns out that he has a sharp sense for the humanistic factor. This movie is about a melancholic lonely detective at a turning point in his life that is retirement when a horrifying child murder occurs in his jurisdiction. He is the only one who can muster the courage to deliver the news to the parents and from then on he is fixated to this case in spite of retirement. The mother and the granny have deep emotional effect on him and the former one, in a state of grief, dares him to make a pledge to find the murderer, which he does, like in a trance. This is somewhat unusual and perhaps unlikely in reality from a experienced detective but it underscored the unusual horror of the case even in the eyes of "seen it all" professionals. The weakest performance was perhaps from the mother, since it could have been more dramatic, given the circumstances and the importance of that scene in the movie. Jack Nicholson's performance in this movie is nothing less than spectacular and he is very convincing as this melancholic, altruistic detective who doesn't have any clear purpose of life after retirement other than to try to fulfill his pledge. He never uses his famous "grin" and reveals only a miniature of his joyful side with a subtle wave of a eyebrow in one scene. His connection to the daughter of Robin Wright Penn's character is very convincing and makes the key "relationship" in the movie. The end is simply brilliant although ironic, but sorry, this is how many of real life's mysteries end. No Hollywood ending here. Like with so many movies that have a slow humanistic pace this one did not get its proper chance at the box office and it was out of theaters before I could take a turn. I was disappointed in seeing it as a DVD edition because the Wisconsin scenery is very beautiful. Hans Zimmer's musical score and the great trail of supporting actors made this film even a greater one. I give it 8.5-9.0/10.

Get Carter (2000)

Pleasantly surprised

[8/10 · 10 February 2002]

I didn't see this film in a movie theater since I thought it would be a waste of my time and money. After "First Blood" I have felt that Mr. Stallone's movies were awful with the noticeable exception of "Cliffhanger" that gave a decent suspension. Now I saw this one on DVD to kill time but was pleasantly surprised. The script was good, the music hip, editing classy, directing great and the acting... well surprisingly good. Sly kept his cool and focus on the role for except the scene where he starts to cry hearing his niece's story that he already knew. Understandably he cared for her but it got too emotional since he had only known her for 48 hours. Somehow it was not convincing but not bad either. Even Rourke was good as the bad guy. The action scenes were promising but somehow lacked convincing details to tell you how "A" got to be "C" since "B" was never shown, if you catch my drift. Overall it was a fairly strong movie with slow, realistic progression and turnouts. This is the best acting I have seen from Sylvester Stallone and I hope he will continue on this streak. He is maturing as an actor and given a good script he is starting to prove himself in a new way. Congratulations - 7.5/10

Red Team (1999)

I guess sometimes you need a setpoint that is close to zero

[3/10 · 21 January 2002]

The acting of Patrick Muldoon and Cathy Moriarty as runners up for the police squad named the "Red Team" that so effectively took care of the serial killers was perhaps admirable considering the lines and characters the script makers gave them. This movie is a total copycat movie of all the lousy serial killer movies you have seen in your lifetime. It is a long time since I have seen such a badly written piece of film write. It had all the stereotypes; the computer geek (that wasn't even a true geek here), the rotten cops, the seductive woman cop that gets the good cop in bed (utterly distasteful and not fitting in the movie), the clever serial killer and yatta yatta yatta... The music is horribly added to the scenes and the editing is just horrendous. I feel sorry for the producers of this film. The director... I am speechless. Since still could imagine two stages of making a still worse film I give it an undeserved 3/10. Better luck next time "Team Red".

American Pie 2 (2001)

A twisted sequel takes the buck

[5/10 · 6 September 2001]

From the fresh Am Pie 1 comes a lame rebirth that had some of the niceness of the first film but sagging in ideas or characters. The only fresh awkwardness was Stifler. He kept the film floating with his hilarious shameless "go-n-get-it" attitude. Jason Biggs character was the other half of the movie but again "gluing it" and the typical "getting sex lessons" is a total wash out. The other characters were mostly a bore. Sorry but this "get together again" all-smiles flick was hardly worth while doing (except for the big buck, of course).

The Forsaken (2001)

Spend the $10 on charity

[3/10 · 6 May 2001]

Pretty awkward film with poor characterization and over used cliches.

It does not fit vampires to be on the road. Somehow I did not get totally bored but it was close and I had to restrain myself from walking out of the theater the first 45 minutes of the film. Movies like this were done frequently in the 1970's but now????? Film-makers, please jump into the new millennium. Avoid this film if possible, like all vampires that happen to fall in your way. Give the $10 to charity, I should have.

Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

RZW's Wictory

[8/10 · 6 May 2001]

My admiration goes to the script and Renée Zellweger. She surprised me in this role of insecure British "gal" that so many of us can identify themselves in. Renée is our next Julia Robins and she is possibly even more talented (sorry Ms Robins). Again the straight-to-your-face British humor has charmed the world. This film is a top notch comedy but lacked little suspension and the end was too predictable. Bridget's friends were also a bit of a failure, but hey! who is perfect? A very enjoyable movie.

Dancer in the Dark (2000)

A truly memorable film

[9/10 · 8 October 2000]

This is undoubtedly one of the most unique films I have ever seen. Director Lars Von Trier is pounding strongly on ethical and political issues such as the death sentence and the American juror system. Not surprisingly not all Americans like it. It is a cold gush in the face. The film begins awkwardly but picks up nice as one gets use to the "Blair Witch Program" like camera work. Up front and very personal, so to speak. This magnifies the emotional power. You start to feel like you know Selma (Björk) personally and at the end most people are deeply struck by her fate. The musical numbers are nicely intertwined and there Björk's singing talents explode. A truly memorable film that besides few acting setbacks (non-chemistry between Selma and her son) is one of the greatest made.

Under Suspicion (2000)

A film that touches on human frailty

[9/10 · 6 October 2000]

This film that really is more of a playwright than a movie, hit my strings. The script is brilliant and touches deep into human frailty. The acting is terrific. Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman were at their best. Shooting, cutting and music editing were done in a novel, smooth and enjoyable manner. The film has a very slow build up and might upset the impatient audience but this film caught me in a nice surprise. I give it a well-deserved 9. Adíos.This film that really is more of a playwright than a movie, hit my strings. The script is brilliant and touches deep into human frailty. The acting is terrific. Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman were at their best. Shooting, cutting and music editing were done in a novel, smooth and enjoyable manner. The film has a very slow build up and might upset the impatient audience but this film caught me in a nice surprise. I give it a well-deserved 9. Adíos.

What Lies Beneath (2000)

A good hardcore horror movie

[9/10 · 24 July 2000]

Finally a real horror movie. I found this movie full of suspension and good horror. The acting was brilliant and the way the details of the story slowly unravelled was neat. This movie was filmed in a powerful way and should get full credit for it. A 9 from me.

Mission: Impossible II (2000)

Misserable Mission mimicking Matrix

[6/10 · 1 June 2000]

The MI-2 is a sorry version of a typical Bond story, clumsy love story and adopted overcooked fighting choreography from the Matrix. Only the cliffhanging and occasional exploding cars cheer the eye. Most things are repeated stuff like entering a building hanging on a cable. Face/Off mask tricks, used by both the good and the bad guys are also far from being original. The assistant figures have a minimal input and could as well been played by robots. The pictures of a dying man from a viral disease were pathetic and how many blows in the head does a villain need to be knocked out? This went into violence for the sake of violence. Sorry, but only disappointing 6 from me.

Restaurant (1998)

An obnoxious movie

[2/10 · 18 March 2000]

There is not much to say about this except to warn other people not to waste their money on it. The story-telling and the directing was so obnoxious. It was a total no-brainer. A duh..movie that only hit my vagal nerve and made me nauseous. There is a long time since I have walked out of a movie but this one made it. Better luck to the actors and producers next time.

The Cider House Rules (1999)

A candid film that touches your heart

[9/10 · 23 January 2000]

The Cider House Rules is a fascinating film. A stellar acting by Michael Caine and a strong story make this film a very memorable one. The directing is straight forward and captures the atmosphere of the story. The moral of the story and the way Dr. Wilbur has to cope with cruel reality has many resemblance to an another beautiful movie, "Life is beautiful". A must for everyone who enjoy meaningful films.

Magnolia (1999)

Honest film but goes over the sentimental edge

[7/10 · 22 January 2000]

This over-driven film of broken dreams and desperation has it's moments but the "valley of tears" gets too deep to be fully

appreciated. Rain of frogs! Why not? But that gun coming along with it? Too surreal for me and it is too queasy to be enjoyed. This psychodrama has interesting characters that each give an example of abuse and tragedy but the main stories get washed out in the end. Maybe it was this rain of frogs that did it? Not for a trip to the movies. See it in your video on a rainy night.

This Is My Father (1998)

Honest story with a message to everybody

[8/10 · 11 May 1999]

This Is My Father is a very honest film that touches the heart. The acting is flawless and the side-kick of a modern day love story compares different times in a nice way. James Caan plays this middle aged teacher that never had sought his origin in Ireland, but in doing so he discovers a new understanding to his mother's apparent depression after a stroke. Beneath there I sense a message to the ways of the Catholic Church and authority figures which unfortunately still applies today, in a way. This movie is a gem that deserves attention. - 8/10.

The Matrix (1999)

Dirty looking high tech kung fu future spin

[7/10 · 25 April 1999]

The Matrix is an awesome fighting experience with a dull story and is almost devoid of any charm. Humans are supposed to be fighting with superbrainy machines but I get to wonder who is human in this whole affair. It is feast of the eye but not the mind since there isn't any mental punch to it. The matrix is nowhere and anywhere and that is exactly the way I felt after seeing this film. There is no message and nearing the end when love of a woman gave the final edge needed to out-stunt the bad guys, the film became unbearably ridiculous. Still this film is not a bad film to see, unless you want to do something meaningful with your time......,but who wants that anyhow.

Cookie's Fortune (1999)

The little things

[9/10 · 6 April 1999]

In "Cookie's Fortune", Robert Altman and co-workers have created a wonderful, neat little story that treats kindly and humorously the frailty of the human spirit. With the appreciation of the little things and peculiar details that make a person's character unique, not mention the "small-town soul", Altman has managed to make this film one of the most memorable character descriptions that I have enjoyed in a film. For some reason aunt Camille, the character that Glenn Close plays gets a little bit out of control but lends the film a considerable humor. This is by far the best film by Altman that I have seen. A good job! - 9.

Shakespeare in Love (1998)

Brilliant mix of love story, comedy and pleasant excitement

[9/10 · 22 March 1999]

This brilliant film, Shakespeare in Love, is loaded with wittiness and comic circumstances. With an excellent script this excellent cast of actors gives us a great entertainment, ..as good as it gets, for a movie. Gwyneth Paltrow is simply wonderful, so enthusiastic and honest in her interpretation of a theater lover who has little control over her destiny and who wouldn't be impressed by Joseph Fiennes fervor as the young Shakespeare, falling hopelessly in love at a time when his flow of writing is blocked. Geoffrey Rush (as the theater director) and Judi Dench (as Queen Elizabeth) are simply unforgettable. A must to see. My score is 9.0

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

A powerful, deeply touching film

[10/10 · 22 March 1999]

Saving Private Ryan is in itself a simple story and the mission of saving private Ryan not a major event in this terrible war. Yet it points out that it was still about human values and our fight to preserve them. The terror facing those brave soldiers and the agony that they lived in, could not have been visualized better than in this Spielberg's masterpiece. These eye to eye, life to death moments of this film are icy cold realistic and closer to experiencing the WWII we can hardly get. It is an long awaited ovation to the bravehearts and the victims of this war. The lessons from WWII should never be forgotten. As in Schindler's list, Spielberg and associates have again given us the vital lesson of realizing how precious piece and life are. This powerful film is one of the greatest ever - my score is 10.