Greenie123 Reviews

Growing Op (2008)

Very enjoyable

[8/10 · 12 September 2008]

Saw this tonight at the film's premiere at the Atlantic Film Festival. The crowd was great, and we were laughing our heads off all the way through.

As a recently-graduated homeschooler myself, it was amusing to see an outsider's (highly inaccurate in my case, but hilarious) take on the practice. Some of the questions raised in the film are questions I ask myself often.

Kudos to the excellent cast, especially Steven Yaffee as the main character, and Wallace Langham as his father, who both really get into their characters and make us feel their emotions.

There's a plot twist near the end that seems a bit ridiculous and unnecessary at first, but may make more sense once you think it over.

All in all, a great film, and it's always nice to see films from Atlantic Canada that are just good fun to watch.

Vantage Point (2008)

Surprisingly good from my vantage point

[8/10 · 22 February 2008]

I must admit I went into the theatre interested, but skeptical. Slowly, I got drawn into things, and by the time the we were at the fourth vantage point, I was fascinated by how all the stories interrelated with each other, and wondering the story would end up.

The acting is uniformly excellent, especially that of Dennis Quaid, who I had previously considered a mostly comic actor, but is very convincing here as a Secret Service agent.

The direction and script are also excellent, especially when you consider both are first-timers in the world of feature films. The script was not without its clichés, but I didn't see most of the plot twists coming, which I can usually spot coming a mile away in a film like this. There was one real groaner of a plot twist that you'd have to be an idiot not to see, but it goes by so fast that it doesn't really matter.

A lot of the audience in the screening I was at got frustrated by the repeated sections, obviously having no attention span. But once the third act of the film kicks into gear, everybody stopped complaining.

Speaking of which, the third act is the payoff which we've all been waiting for. Seeing all the plot threads converge in such a convincing matter was nice, as was the final action scene, which seems like it was plucked right out of one of the Bourne films. This comes as little surprise, since director Pete Travis and Bourne series director Paul Greengrass have worked together in the past.

As skeptical as I had gone in, I came out impressed. Not since The Bourne Ultimatum have I seen such a convincing, engrossing action thriller.

Northfork (2003)

Brilliant

[10/10 · 6 February 2007]

I rented this movie solely on the basis of Roger Ebert's four star review. Upon watching the movie, I felt that I had seen one of the most brilliant films ever made. Looking through a few other reviews (Leonard Maltin, etc.), it appears that most critics hated it, for reasons I cannot understand. Yes, this is a slow, deliberate movie, but I found the pace just about right, and parts of the film quite amusing (the ark, Jigger, etc). One of the most striking things is M. David Mullen's cinematography, which is one of the most important characters in the movie. Excellent performances all around from all of the actors.

Although the film is not for everyone, I'm sure (Joe Six-Pack run for the hills), if you have patience, take the time to watch this and let it work its way into your mind. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Burnt Toast (2005 TV Movie)

Definitely worth watching

[10/10 · 9 February 2006]

Absolutely incredible would be the only way to describe this masterful dramatic opera with music by Alexina Louie and lyrics by Dan Redican. I just saw it on CBC's "Opening Night" program tonight, and, having never seen an opera before, might be checking out a few more after seeing this one.

"Burnt Toast" is essentially a series of eight short films about different stages of love and romance. Each part is anchored by a famous Canadian star or two (for example, Paul Gross in part one or Colin Mochrie in part six). To clarify, these are not filmed stage performances, rather, these are actually on location, filmed for the camera films. The cinematography and direction are to die for, as well as the seamless dubbing job done by professional opera singers, which I wasn't even aware of until someone mentioned it to me.

My favourite segment of the film was probably part two, featuring Colm Feore and Leah Pinsent as two frustrated commuters whose cars just happen to be next to one another in a traffic jam. However, none of the segments have any particular weak spots and all will hold your attention right up to the last frame.

If you don't happen to like opera, I would still give "Burnt Toast" a try. You might like it. I sure did...

Kundun (1997)

Amazing film!

[9/10 · 22 October 2005]

This has to be one of the best movies I have ever seen. I haven't seen any other Scorsese films except "The Aviator", but that can't hold a candle to this one.

The two points that really make Kundun shine are the drop-dead gorgeous cinematography by Roger Deakins, which really adds a whole dimension to the film, but that's peanuts compared to the brilliant score by Philip Glass. If anyone other than Glass had done the score to the film, it wouldn't be half the film it is in my opinion. Certainly, this is one of Glass's stronger scores, right up there with Koyaanisqatsi. The dramatic work the movie has done to build up to a climax are realized with the ending, which is amazingly poignant and really serves for a wonderful sense of closure (or not). (I've been saying a lot about how "wonderful" and "brilliant" the film is, haven't I?)

And yes, something must be said about the acting. There have been complaints that the acting is stiff and unmemorable and that's true for a few cast members, but Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong as the adult Dali Lama shines.

So, for my final score, I'll make it a ten, but knock one point off for some of the stiff acting, for a grand total of nine points. This is a film that truly deserves it.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

Well worth the money

[9/10 · 30 April 2005]

After going to see the movie at the cinema, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the filmmakers were able to maintain the humour and sarcasm of the book, and, while changing or removing certain plot points and shuffling things around, the movie generally comes out unscathed. The theatre I was in was absolutely packed to the brim with people, some of whom were even carrying towels! After the lights dimmed and the movie started, I was happy to see that the Douglas Adams-ish humour was retained, and that the rest of the audience, judging by the level of laughter, "got it".

As there are synopses of the movie floating around all over the place, I won't go into detail here. The movie is well casted, and pretty well directed, especially for a first-time director. The only thing I disliked about the movie is that Sam Rockwell as Zaphod slightly overplayed his performance. Apart from that little thing, the movie was excellent. My closing words are: Go and see this movie, if not just to see dolphins singing! : )