The Official Review Thread of 2009

Big Magilla
Site Admin
Posts: 19317
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2003 3:22 pm
Location: Jersey Shore

Post by Big Magilla »

IN THE ELECTRIC MIST
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, John Goodman, Peter Saarsgard, Mary Steenburgen, Kelly Macdonald, Ned Beatty, John Sayles, Levon Helm, Pruitt Taylor Vance.
Dir: Bertrand Tavernier

Set in post-Katrina Louisiana bayou country, legendary French director Tavernier’s first American film went straight to DVD in the U.S. Such a fate would tend to make one think the film wasn’t any good when in fact it’s a nicely plotted, and effectively acted thriller about a string of grizzly murders taking place in and around a movie shoot.

Tommy Lee Jones just keeps getting better but without a theatrical release in the U.S. there won't be any awards for this one.

Oscar Prospects: None

Grade: B
anonymous1980
Laureate
Posts: 6377
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2003 10:03 pm
Location: Manila
Contact:

Post by anonymous1980 »

TAKEN
Cast: Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace, Gerard Watkins, Olivier Rabourdin, Leland Orser, Jon Gries, David Warshofsky, Xander Berkeley, Holly Valance, Katie Cassidy.
Dir: Pierre Morel

This movie is pure formula but it's pure formula done very well. It pretty much delivers what it promises: Liam Neeson kicking ass. But the film MAKES you wanna see Liam Neeson kick some ass and that's why this film is enjoyable. He really makes you root for him and care about him.

Oscar Prospects: None.

Grade: B
anonymous1980
Laureate
Posts: 6377
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2003 10:03 pm
Location: Manila
Contact:

Post by anonymous1980 »

WATCHMEN
Cast: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, Matt Frewer, Stephen McHattie, Laura Mennell.
Dir: Zac Snyder.

I'm a relative newcomer to Watchmen having read and loved the highly acclaimed graphic novel just a few months ago. Having said that, though this film adaptation is quite faithful to the page, Snyder sacrificed a good portion of the spirit and the substance of the novel for the sake of visual eye candy. Haley and Wilson are the most successful in capturing the essences of ther characters from the original material.

Oscar Prospects: Visual Effects, Makeup, Sound, Sound Editing, Art Direction and Costume Design. I wouldn't begrudge a Supporting Actor nom for Haley.

Grade: C+
Post Reply

Return to “2009”