I made it through the whole movie (with only a few short fast- forwards) but it just left me feeling like there was literally no plot whatsoever. Just this eternal couple hanging out together, ruminating about music and plants and the pitiful state of modern society. Hey, i can get get behind a slow understated love story, (Linklater's "Before" trilogy is a personal favorite of mine but in those films the dialogue was sparkling, the chemistry was palpable, the scenery was gorgeous, and although the films had no real plot there is clear progression in the relationship and in their lives) but this film is like a slow meandering haze of boredom. With only sporadic conversations to keep the audience awake and we see no character progression. Which I suppose is fitting considering the age of these vampires and how set in their ways they would become over time- its just not something that makes for entertaining or thought provoking viewing. 6/10 stars just for the moody vibe and the always watchable Hiddleston & Swinton who's talents were wasted here. I cant help but think they must've been as bored making the film as I was watching it.
Reviews
9 Reviews
The Expendables
(2010)
Awesome cast, mediocre action, and surprisingly little fun.
31 August 2013
Given the amount of 80's action movie geek enthusiasm I had in anticipation of this movie, i was surprised at how little amount of fun i had watching it. It seems Stallone wasn't quite up to the admittedly Hurculean task of writing/directing/starring in The Expendables. There were too few great moments of interaction between the characters, not enough witty banter, not enough chemistry between the characters. Having seen the making of and behind the scenes footage of the expendables, it seems like Sly relied too heavily upon ad-libbing and improvisational dialogue due to his guerrilla style film-making approach. The action scenes were pretty forgettable, with the notable exception of the dual 50 cal/ flare gun dock explosion scene. Stallone and Statham get top billing and screen time, but Mickey Rourke steals the show with his dialogue on salvation and damnation. Dolph Lundgren upstages everyone else with his sheer presence alone. Jet Li's character gets some good screen time and one of the films best fight sequences, but again his dialogue is awkwardly written. Eric Roberts does an adequate job in the villain role, but couldn't they have found a better actor to go up against this dream team of Hollywood titans? The rest of the cast is generally pushed aside and given only brief screen time which fails to leave much of an impression. Sadly the entire thing manages to underwhelm and seems to underline the fact that most of these guys best days are behind them. Which is a shame when so many of us fans were hoping for a glorious return to form. Still, The Expendables is worth watching, just keep your expectations realistic. 6/10.
Source Code
(2011)
Excellent little sci-fi thriller which will reward those viewers who can discern the logic.
31 August 2013
Maybe there aren't any truly original ideas left in Hollywood, but occasionally a movie comes along and shows you something you have seen before in a unique and unexpected way. Think 12 Monkeys meets Groundhog Day with a twist ending. Top notch acting all around, Gyllenhall especially. The way the story unfolds and particularly the ending may be confusing and unacceptable to some viewers, but I am of the opinion that it all makes perfect sense. The viewer has to take into account that what the scientists are doing is experimental, and that the process they are using works differently than expected. Overall source Code is one of the most entertaining and well thought out sci-fi thrillers in recent memory. 8/10
Paul
(2011)
Paul is enjoyable and even fun at times , but also unoriginal, uninspired, and full of missed opportunities.
31 August 2013
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are back, this time around they are simultaneously spoofing and celebrating comic-con , alien movies, and American culture in the movie "Paul". They play a pair of British comic-con nerds and aspiring writer/artists named Graeme and Clive, who are attending comic-con and then touring the famous alien/ UFO sites of the American southwest in a Winnebago. Along the way we meet Paul, (voiced perfectly by Seth Rogen) a stranded E.T.-like alien who is on the run from some shady government types played by Jason Bateman, and his 2 bumbling cohorts Bill Hader and Joe Lo Truglio. Bateman's trademark smarm is unfortunately not on display here as he plays his character rather straight. Hader and lo Trugliodon't get a lot of laughs either. However the character Ruth(played by SNL's Kristen Wig)gets plenty of laughs as the formerly oppressed one-eyed daughter of a fundamentalist Christian father. Sigourney Weaver shows up as well, but her character is pretty unmemorable and another missed opportunity. The plot seems pretty straight forward, and there aren't any real surprises along the way, but there are enough laughs, tongue in cheek references, and sly genre winks to keep the viewer thoroughly entertained.
The Woman
(I) (2011)
Standard low-budget torture/horror with good performances but nothing special.
30 August 2013
I would disagree with reviews that describe this movie as misogynistic and pornographic. The movies narrative does not come from a male sexual point of view. On the contrary, while "The Woman" does show a lot of scenes featuring themes such as male degradation and humiliation of women, the ultimate overriding theme of "The Woman" is the power of the primal woman. She is an enigma to the father in this movie, he must sneak up on her in the forest and trap her first, (he would never dare to approach her openly) he attempts to use her in the same way as he would use all other women, and so long as she is literally shackled by his restraints she is controlled and bent to his will. Once she is freed near the end of the film, her rage and power is undeniable. She abhors the weakness of other women, embraces other strong women, and remorselessly eats the hearts of men who do not respect her power. Does this film have its flaws? Certainly. Is it exploitative? Surely, but thats just par for the course. The low-budget filming style lacks a visual mood, and does not effectively elevate the material by adding a darker more visceral tone to what is an undoubtedly dark movie. The grungy/indie soundtrack was a poor choice, and although the ending is interesting it leaves us with some questions. I appreciated the generous gore at the end of the film, however it seemed a little over the top and out of place in a movie that was mostly psychological in its horror. Also, i understand that "the Woman" is a feral human, and would therefore be much stronger than an average woman, but there are a few scenes at the end where she exhibits a supernatural strength. This could be attributed to her being the literal embodiment of primal feminine power, but the films narrative doesn't support that idea. The acting was very well done for something of this budget, The father mother and son especially. The father with his leave it to beaver facade, slowly being peeled away to expose the creepy, violently perverse, slime-ball lurking beneath. The mother, suffering so many years of abuse living in fear of her monstrous husband that she is virtually catatonic. The creepy,creepy dead-eyed son who has learned all of the wrong things from his father. The daughters do a fine job as well, but their performances lacked the more complex nuance of the other 3 main characters. Of course the woman is a force of nature herself, but her role required little acting, mostly just snarling and rage-filled stares. Worth a watch for those who enjoy torture/horror thrillers, but certainly nothing groundbreaking.
The rare American remake that beats the original.
30 August 2013
Having watched and thoroughly enjoyed the Swedish language versions of the millennium trilogy, (the girl with the dragon tattoo, the girl who played with fire, & the girl who kicked the hornets nest) I was very interested in seeing what the amazing David Fincher would bring to the table with his American version. I was not disappointed. This movie is better in almost every aspect. Fincher's trademark flare for creating dark ominous visual mood succeeds in adding a level of tension that is sorely lacking in the original. Having loved the character Lisbeth Salander played by Noomi Rapace in the original and by Rooney Mara in this remake, i must admit both actresses are strong and fierce in their individual portrayals. However, I give a slight edge to Mara due to the fact that her performance is just as ferocious and powerful as Rapace's but simultaneously Mara gives the character an undercurrent of wounded/fragile vulnerability that is mostly absent from Rapace's more cold, emotionless, and cyborglike portrayal. Also Mara's Lisbeth has a more bizarre appearance which enhances Lisbeth's disaffected sociopathic qualities.
I would also point out that the soundtrack work of frequent Fincher collaborator (the incomparable) Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, adds a further layer of industrial gloom to the mood of this version. Daniel Craig isn't much of an actor in my opinion, but his presence adds a level of credibility to the courage displayed by his character. The original actor seemed a bit unbelievable in the role. All in all an excellent film that trumps the original in almost every way. There are a few flaws which are carried over from the original, such as a long slow and confusing expository stage wherein the enormous complexity and the long sordid history of the Vanger family is revealed. Yet even in this part, Fincher is able to succeed in surpassing the original by creating an almost quasi-montage of researching scenes that speeds the pacing of this section along and is more enjoyable to watch than the same portion of the original film. Here is hoping Fincher returns to continue the trilogy, and that American audiences are more receptive to the 2nd and 3rd movies.
I would also point out that the soundtrack work of frequent Fincher collaborator (the incomparable) Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, adds a further layer of industrial gloom to the mood of this version. Daniel Craig isn't much of an actor in my opinion, but his presence adds a level of credibility to the courage displayed by his character. The original actor seemed a bit unbelievable in the role. All in all an excellent film that trumps the original in almost every way. There are a few flaws which are carried over from the original, such as a long slow and confusing expository stage wherein the enormous complexity and the long sordid history of the Vanger family is revealed. Yet even in this part, Fincher is able to succeed in surpassing the original by creating an almost quasi-montage of researching scenes that speeds the pacing of this section along and is more enjoyable to watch than the same portion of the original film. Here is hoping Fincher returns to continue the trilogy, and that American audiences are more receptive to the 2nd and 3rd movies.
Irreversible
(2002)
Dark, grim, disorienting, and unflinching filmmaking. Will surely scare away most, but will reward the brave with a challenging experience.
30 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Brutal, realistic, and disorienting. "Irreversible" is told via the effective reverse expository method of Memento. When the viewer finally figures out exactly what is going on, he/she will feel a sense of vertigo as the previous events fall into place, and the brutality committed at the films beginning/end becomes something that the viewer can sympathize with. The film does not shy away from showing just how inhuman and terrifying the act of rape can be. The extraordinarily beautiful Monica Bellucci is the ideal actress to portray a woman who is unfortunately caught in the wrong place at the wrong time and falls victim to a depraved pervert who lacks empathy and morality. Her character makes a poor decision, and unfortunately thats all it takes in this world.
Director Gaspar Noe has a brave unflinching artistic yet realistic directorial style, and this movie is his best since "Mysterious Skin". He creates effective visual tension and mood. The acting is all top notch. This film is a low-budget french film, so don't go in expecting glossy Hollywood style filmmaking. Rape is a subject that is usually shied away from as the central idea for a movie, and for good reason. Nobody likes to see such a terrible thing being done to women(aside from rapists themselves), so don't expect to enjoy this film. What the film does offer is a journey into the very heart of those whose lives are destroyed by this kind of horror. The films ending/beginning is as brutal and unflinching as the rape itself, so be prepared for lots of explicit violence, language, and nudity. Watch this film, and allow yourself to feel the rage of Cassells character, as his whole world is destroyed. His character is quickly overcome by his desire for revenge and becomes more and more unhinged as the film progresses/regresses so too does the camera-work and visual style of the film. All in all "Irreversible" is a dark and grim film of love, terror, tragedy and revenge. Not for the faint of heart, but rewarding for viewers looking for something challenging.
Director Gaspar Noe has a brave unflinching artistic yet realistic directorial style, and this movie is his best since "Mysterious Skin". He creates effective visual tension and mood. The acting is all top notch. This film is a low-budget french film, so don't go in expecting glossy Hollywood style filmmaking. Rape is a subject that is usually shied away from as the central idea for a movie, and for good reason. Nobody likes to see such a terrible thing being done to women(aside from rapists themselves), so don't expect to enjoy this film. What the film does offer is a journey into the very heart of those whose lives are destroyed by this kind of horror. The films ending/beginning is as brutal and unflinching as the rape itself, so be prepared for lots of explicit violence, language, and nudity. Watch this film, and allow yourself to feel the rage of Cassells character, as his whole world is destroyed. His character is quickly overcome by his desire for revenge and becomes more and more unhinged as the film progresses/regresses so too does the camera-work and visual style of the film. All in all "Irreversible" is a dark and grim film of love, terror, tragedy and revenge. Not for the faint of heart, but rewarding for viewers looking for something challenging.
The Tree of Life
(2011)
Tree of Life has quiet beauty to spare, but storytelling takes a backseat to cinematography,
30 August 2013
Beautifully shot with gorgeous cinematography and top notch acting from the underused Chastain and Pitt. "The tree of life" is a grand/small scale rumination on the existential struggle. I appreciate the films refusal to cater to the traditional model of storytelling, and the way Malick uses visuals instead of dialogue to communicate the films main theme. The story is very very simple, but Malick is trying to equate the struggles of this family (and the relationship between its parents and children) to some grand evolutionary design. Slow,quiet, and lyrical filmmaking is all well and good, but as this movie tries to be profound and artistic it somehow ends up seeming forced, shallow, and even worse pretentious and frankly boring in its execution.
The beautiful story of Joel and Clementine. Two lovers who's relationship may have ended and been erased, but who's love will not be denied.
3 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This is perhaps my favorite movie of the last decade. It is certainly in my top 5. Written by Charlie Kaufman, and directed with by the wildly imaginative Michel Gondry, I was lucky enough to see this movie at the theater during the summer of 04'. The timing couldn't have been any better for me personally, as i had gone through a horrific divorce 2 years prior, and had just moved to California to be with my new girlfriend.
This is the kind of romantic movie that even guys will hold very near and dear to their hearts. The movie presents us with 2 flawed characters who have broken up, Clementine gets her memories of the relationship erased, and when Joel finds out about this, he opts to undergo the same treatment. The movie presents the memories of their relationship in reverse order starting with their bitter and angry break-up,(during which both of them say things that the audience can tell they don't mean) and ending with their initial meeting on the beach. The memory scenes inside Joel's head are all shot with beautiful cinematography, the images are haunting & iconic. Gondry uses his signature camera tricks to great effect, and manages to create a fully realized world of disappearing memories.
The movies main storyline runs along simultaneously with the story of married Dr. Mierzwiak(Wilkinson)& his inappropriate relationship with his secretary(Dunst) which takes place in the real world during the events taking place inside Joel's mind. The movies only flaws are in this secondary plot line, which attempts to point out ( rather heavy handedly) how unethical such a procedure is, and how it would only leave the recipient with a sense of being raped and robbed of a piece of ones identity. It all seems forced and obvious, as if all of the writer and directors efforts went into telling the story of Joel and Clementine, and the rest of the story was just kind of thrown together halfheartedly.Or maybe its just that we, as the viewer are so drawn to the story of the main characters, that we just fail to care at all about the extraneous story.
Dunst and Wilkinson, (to their credit)play their parts with skill and nuance, she is so obviously in love with him, and wants desperately to gain his affection. While he wants to avoid her, and keep from possibly doing more damage to his marriage. Dunst and Wilkinson's relationship only serves to underline the same points that are made by the main storyline of Carey and Winslet's characters. That being that a person may remove their memories, but the soul that has been touched by those memories, cannot be changed. Love cannot be forgotten or erased, because it is fated, because it is too precious to us, it becomes an indelible part of the fabric of our selves. we are forever changed by it, and without those memories, as beautiful and horrible as they may be, our soul's will know that something big is missing.
This is the kind of romantic movie that even guys will hold very near and dear to their hearts. The movie presents us with 2 flawed characters who have broken up, Clementine gets her memories of the relationship erased, and when Joel finds out about this, he opts to undergo the same treatment. The movie presents the memories of their relationship in reverse order starting with their bitter and angry break-up,(during which both of them say things that the audience can tell they don't mean) and ending with their initial meeting on the beach. The memory scenes inside Joel's head are all shot with beautiful cinematography, the images are haunting & iconic. Gondry uses his signature camera tricks to great effect, and manages to create a fully realized world of disappearing memories.
The movies main storyline runs along simultaneously with the story of married Dr. Mierzwiak(Wilkinson)& his inappropriate relationship with his secretary(Dunst) which takes place in the real world during the events taking place inside Joel's mind. The movies only flaws are in this secondary plot line, which attempts to point out ( rather heavy handedly) how unethical such a procedure is, and how it would only leave the recipient with a sense of being raped and robbed of a piece of ones identity. It all seems forced and obvious, as if all of the writer and directors efforts went into telling the story of Joel and Clementine, and the rest of the story was just kind of thrown together halfheartedly.Or maybe its just that we, as the viewer are so drawn to the story of the main characters, that we just fail to care at all about the extraneous story.
Dunst and Wilkinson, (to their credit)play their parts with skill and nuance, she is so obviously in love with him, and wants desperately to gain his affection. While he wants to avoid her, and keep from possibly doing more damage to his marriage. Dunst and Wilkinson's relationship only serves to underline the same points that are made by the main storyline of Carey and Winslet's characters. That being that a person may remove their memories, but the soul that has been touched by those memories, cannot be changed. Love cannot be forgotten or erased, because it is fated, because it is too precious to us, it becomes an indelible part of the fabric of our selves. we are forever changed by it, and without those memories, as beautiful and horrible as they may be, our soul's will know that something big is missing.
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