Don't Look Now (1973) Nicolas Roeg 8/10
This film is psychological horror at its absolute finest. I'm not sure why it took me so long to see it or why it's not mentioned more on this board (especially by those purportedly so in love with Mulholland Drive, you should probably see a film that Lynch has obviously seen and studied), but I'm really glad that I finally checked it out. The foreboding waters of the canals of Venice, the menacing gargoyle-studded walls of the churches, those deliciously creepy sisters -- there was really so much to love/digest/fear about this film. Sutherland and Christie very realistically portray a couple whose relationship has been damaged by tragedy, yet still care deeply for one another (and has Christie ever looked more gorgeous?) The success of this film comes from the withholding of knowledge from the viewer without sacrificing the infusion of bleakness and horror from the proceedings on the screen. What a fantastic film with a killer ending. Just thinking about that final image gives me the chills.
The Blind Side (2009) John Lee Hancock 6.5/10
I was actually at the infamous 1985 Redskins game when Lawrence Taylor sacked Joe Theisman from behind and the crunch of the broken tibia/fibula was heard all around the world, so I enjoyed the fact that the movie opened with a deconstruction of that play. It's too bad, as Tee said, that this kind of thoroughness was almost immediately dropped. I'm not going to get into the obvious "benevolent white woman saves hulking black boy from the ghetto" criticisms. Obviously, they are there, but it was tempered for me by the fact that this was essentially a true story and Michael's uplift did result in such an incredible outcome. Sandra Bullock was great her "Erin Brokovitch" moment and the role was not as obvious as I thought it would be from the trailer. It's a feel-good holiday smaltz-fest, but Bullock adds something admirable to the proceedings (she adds the extra .5). It's a performance that elevates the film. I don't begrudge her a career nomination for this, especially in such a weak year for female leading performances.
Whoever mentioned before that the best performance in this comes from Tony-winner Adriane Lenox as Michael's mother was right. She was spot-on. It was funny watching Kathy Bates become Annie Wilkes for a couple minutes again. Someone should bar that little brat who played SJ from ever appearing again in a film.
Edited By flipp525 on 1262107434
Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
-
Precious Doll
- Emeritus
- Posts: 4453
- Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2003 2:20 am
- Location: Sydney
- Contact:
Gate of Flesh (1964) Seijun Suzuki 7/10
Gorgeous looking color coded film (each female cast member wears a different color costume) set in post war Japan about a group of prostitutes trying to survive in Tokyo. One of Suzuki's best films, though he lacks the humanity of Mizoguchi who made numerous similar themed films during the late 1940s and 1950s.
French Kissers (2009) Riad Sattouf 4/10
I must confess that I went to this without knowing anything about it and was taken aback that it was just a rather simple minded teen flick not much different from the standard fare. I really need to start becoming far more discriminating about the French cinema that I see.
The Adventures of Werner Holt (1964) Joachim Kunert 6/10
East German WW2 drama about two friends that are drafted to the Russian front. Some very powerful moments however the major problem with the film it that it's mainly a series of flashbacks in which it is difficult to determine when these are actually set. It's a film that may have worked better if told in chronological order. Some of the film is clearly influenced by Soviet cinema melded with German efficiency. One remarkable sequence is set at a party but only the male lead and his lover are shown with the 'extras' appearing as shadows on the walls as the lovers dance.
Story of a Prostitute (1965) Seijun Suzuki 7/10
Another Suzuki drama, this one set during WW2 in China shot in striking black and white.
Gorgeous looking color coded film (each female cast member wears a different color costume) set in post war Japan about a group of prostitutes trying to survive in Tokyo. One of Suzuki's best films, though he lacks the humanity of Mizoguchi who made numerous similar themed films during the late 1940s and 1950s.
French Kissers (2009) Riad Sattouf 4/10
I must confess that I went to this without knowing anything about it and was taken aback that it was just a rather simple minded teen flick not much different from the standard fare. I really need to start becoming far more discriminating about the French cinema that I see.
The Adventures of Werner Holt (1964) Joachim Kunert 6/10
East German WW2 drama about two friends that are drafted to the Russian front. Some very powerful moments however the major problem with the film it that it's mainly a series of flashbacks in which it is difficult to determine when these are actually set. It's a film that may have worked better if told in chronological order. Some of the film is clearly influenced by Soviet cinema melded with German efficiency. One remarkable sequence is set at a party but only the male lead and his lover are shown with the 'extras' appearing as shadows on the walls as the lovers dance.
Story of a Prostitute (1965) Seijun Suzuki 7/10
Another Suzuki drama, this one set during WW2 in China shot in striking black and white.
"I want cement covering every blade of grass in this nation! Don't we taxpayers have a voice anymore?" Peggy Gravel (Mink Stole) in John Waters' Desperate Living (1977)
-
Precious Doll
- Emeritus
- Posts: 4453
- Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2003 2:20 am
- Location: Sydney
- Contact:
Wow! We´re talking about an Eastwood film!Reza wrote:Invictus (Clint Eastwood, 2009) 2/10
I hate sports films although I surprisingly managed to enjoy the rugby scenes. It is the rest of the film that totally bored me. It has to be a really bad year at the movies if the Academy ends up nominating this film, Freeman, Damon and Eastwood.
The Blind Side (John Lee Hancock, 2009) 3/10
Extremely sentimental crap with a good performance by Bullock, although she looks hideous in that blonde hairdo. Sad state of affairs to see that she and Streep are frontrunners at the Oscars this year.
Invictus (Clint Eastwood, 2009) 2/10
I hate sports films although I surprisingly managed to enjoy the rugby scenes. It is the rest of the film that totally bored me. It has to be a really bad year at the movies if the Academy ends up nominating this film, Freeman, Damon and Eastwood.
Extremely sentimental crap with a good performance by Bullock, although she looks hideous in that blonde hairdo. Sad state of affairs to see that she and Streep are frontrunners at the Oscars this year.
Invictus (Clint Eastwood, 2009) 2/10
I hate sports films although I surprisingly managed to enjoy the rugby scenes. It is the rest of the film that totally bored me. It has to be a really bad year at the movies if the Academy ends up nominating this film, Freeman, Damon and Eastwood.
-
anonymous1980
- Laureate
- Posts: 6387
- Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2003 10:03 pm
- Location: Manila
- Contact:
-
Big Magilla
- Site Admin
- Posts: 19342
- Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2003 3:22 pm
- Location: Jersey Shore
District 9 (2009) Neill Blomkamp 9/10
Sin Nombre (2009) Cary Fukunaga 9/10
Sugar (2009) Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck 8/10
Dreamchild (1985) Gavin Millar 8/10
Reviews of these four films in this coming Tuesday's DVD report.
Up in the Air (2009) Jason Reitman 8/10
Lots of reservations about the plot (see details in the Up in the Air thread) but overall one of the year's most mature, intelligent films with three excellent lead performances.
Nine (2009) Rob Marshall 5/10
A real disappointment (see details in the Nine thread) though I would not be unhappy with supporting Oscar nominations for either Marion Cotillard or Penelope Cruz, both of whom do wonders with the little they're given.
The Killings at Badger's Drift (1997) Jeremy Silbertston 9/10
Written in Blood (1998) Jeremy Silbertson 9/10
Death of a Hollow Man (1998) Jeremy Silbertson 9/10
Death's Shadow (1999) Jeremy Silberstein 9/10
These were four of the first two hour films of the so far 72 of the still running British murder mystery series, Midsomer Murders, presented along with twelve more in the DVD package of Midsomer Murders - The Early Cases featuring John Nettles as the intrepid D.C.I. Barnaby and Daniel Casey as the not always quick on the uptake Sergeant Troy.
I am thrilled to have discovered these brilliant concoctions at long last. While I've always loved mysteries, I long ago became resigned to the fact that I could solve most of them long before the author explained it all. Not so, with these in which the twists keep coming but the clues turn out to have been in plain sight all along.
In the first, an old lady (Renee Asherson) sees something she shouldn't and is murdered for it. I was all over the place guessing who, what and why but never suspected the truth. Emily Mortimer, Jonathan Firth and Rosalie Crutchley are among the suspects.
In the second, a literary society meeting conceals several deadly secrets. I guessed some of the secrets, but not all and certainly not the killer. Anna Massey guest stars.
The third includes an on-stage murder in full view of the audience at a local theatre production of Amadeus. I could figure out the who, but not the why.
The fourth involves the beheading of the first victim, the burning alive of a second and an arrow shot in the back of a third. I could figure out the why, but not the who.
Sin Nombre (2009) Cary Fukunaga 9/10
Sugar (2009) Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck 8/10
Dreamchild (1985) Gavin Millar 8/10
Reviews of these four films in this coming Tuesday's DVD report.
Up in the Air (2009) Jason Reitman 8/10
Lots of reservations about the plot (see details in the Up in the Air thread) but overall one of the year's most mature, intelligent films with three excellent lead performances.
Nine (2009) Rob Marshall 5/10
A real disappointment (see details in the Nine thread) though I would not be unhappy with supporting Oscar nominations for either Marion Cotillard or Penelope Cruz, both of whom do wonders with the little they're given.
The Killings at Badger's Drift (1997) Jeremy Silbertston 9/10
Written in Blood (1998) Jeremy Silbertson 9/10
Death of a Hollow Man (1998) Jeremy Silbertson 9/10
Death's Shadow (1999) Jeremy Silberstein 9/10
These were four of the first two hour films of the so far 72 of the still running British murder mystery series, Midsomer Murders, presented along with twelve more in the DVD package of Midsomer Murders - The Early Cases featuring John Nettles as the intrepid D.C.I. Barnaby and Daniel Casey as the not always quick on the uptake Sergeant Troy.
I am thrilled to have discovered these brilliant concoctions at long last. While I've always loved mysteries, I long ago became resigned to the fact that I could solve most of them long before the author explained it all. Not so, with these in which the twists keep coming but the clues turn out to have been in plain sight all along.
In the first, an old lady (Renee Asherson) sees something she shouldn't and is murdered for it. I was all over the place guessing who, what and why but never suspected the truth. Emily Mortimer, Jonathan Firth and Rosalie Crutchley are among the suspects.
In the second, a literary society meeting conceals several deadly secrets. I guessed some of the secrets, but not all and certainly not the killer. Anna Massey guest stars.
The third includes an on-stage murder in full view of the audience at a local theatre production of Amadeus. I could figure out the who, but not the why.
The fourth involves the beheading of the first victim, the burning alive of a second and an arrow shot in the back of a third. I could figure out the why, but not the who.
-
Precious Doll
- Emeritus
- Posts: 4453
- Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2003 2:20 am
- Location: Sydney
- Contact:
The Exiles (1961) Kent MacKenzie 6/10
Documentary style drama with non professional native American indians basically playing themselves in fictional scenarios. It's set in downtown L.A. amongst a community native American struggling to fit into big city life. Not particularly potent when it comes to the dramatics of the piece it does present a fascinating study of a marginalized group of people in a now begone era.
Bright Star (2009) Jane Campion 4/10
One of the pleasures of most of Jane Campion's work, be it her short, television or feature films, is her wonderful offbeat and unique view of the world.
It's all missing though is this dull take on the final chapter of John Keat's life. I found the film beautiful to watch but emotionally barren and it isn't helped with the two romantic leads lacking the necessary spark to set the whole thing on fire.
Three Cornered Moon (1933) Elliott Nugent 5/10
Mildly amusing screwball comedy with Claudette Colbert who takes charge of her family when hard times befall them during the Great Depression. Richard Arlen makes a very appealing leading man opposite her.
The Boy with the Sun in His Eyes (2009) Todd Verow 1/10
Proof that independent filmmakers working with near to nothing budgets can make films as preposterously silly as the Hollywood studios can with hundreds of millions of dollars. This film starts off badly and gets worse as it goes along. Todd Verow has made some interesting low budget efforts over the years (Frisk, Vacationland, Anonymous) but his last few films have shown a sharp decline, notably in the screenplay department. Hopefully he can find his mojo again soon.
Edited By Precious Doll on 1261819982
Documentary style drama with non professional native American indians basically playing themselves in fictional scenarios. It's set in downtown L.A. amongst a community native American struggling to fit into big city life. Not particularly potent when it comes to the dramatics of the piece it does present a fascinating study of a marginalized group of people in a now begone era.
Bright Star (2009) Jane Campion 4/10
One of the pleasures of most of Jane Campion's work, be it her short, television or feature films, is her wonderful offbeat and unique view of the world.
It's all missing though is this dull take on the final chapter of John Keat's life. I found the film beautiful to watch but emotionally barren and it isn't helped with the two romantic leads lacking the necessary spark to set the whole thing on fire.
Three Cornered Moon (1933) Elliott Nugent 5/10
Mildly amusing screwball comedy with Claudette Colbert who takes charge of her family when hard times befall them during the Great Depression. Richard Arlen makes a very appealing leading man opposite her.
The Boy with the Sun in His Eyes (2009) Todd Verow 1/10
Proof that independent filmmakers working with near to nothing budgets can make films as preposterously silly as the Hollywood studios can with hundreds of millions of dollars. This film starts off badly and gets worse as it goes along. Todd Verow has made some interesting low budget efforts over the years (Frisk, Vacationland, Anonymous) but his last few films have shown a sharp decline, notably in the screenplay department. Hopefully he can find his mojo again soon.
Edited By Precious Doll on 1261819982
"I want cement covering every blade of grass in this nation! Don't we taxpayers have a voice anymore?" Peggy Gravel (Mink Stole) in John Waters' Desperate Living (1977)