Caught two pretty decent films today.
(63) Turtles Can Fly (2004): In the days leading up to the war, a village in northern Iraq prepares for the inevitable. The film centers around a group of kids, led by the very likable "Satellite", so named for his expertise in getting satellite television systems up and running in the villages. The kids are a collection of orphans, many of whom have been badly injured because of their primary means of income: digging up land mines and selling them to locals who then re-sell them to NATO forces. When it's all said and done the story is bleak and stark with an ending that makes it all worth while. Some tough moments to watch, but on the whole a very decent film. In Arabic with English subtitles.
3.5 Stars
(64) The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009): What a great title for a film, eh? This is story about an elite US military unit that was put together to be psychic warriors. The great cast includes Jeff Bridges, George Clooney, Kevin Spacey, and Ewan McGregor. Clooney and Bridges are legit psychics who can actually do some amazing things with their minds. McGregor is a journalist writing about the story and tagging along with Clooney in Iraq, and Spacey is a fraud with no talents who somehow got into the unit because he could "bend" forks with his mind.
Overall, the film isn't too bad but it certainly could have been a lot more. Some of the best bits are in the trailer, but it's an interesting story, the likes of which I've never really seen before. I wouldn't go out of my way to watch it, but if the chance arises for you, take it. There are some great moments and some laugh out loud gags.
2 Stars
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
March 24, 2010 - Hamlet 2
I laughed pretty much from start to finish.
(62) Hamlet 2 (2008): A high school drama teacher, Steve Coogan, is not very good at his job, but he is passionate about it. Unfortunately, he funding has been cut and his current class will be his last. In an effort to "wow" his audience and save the drama program, he sets out to produce the best play ever, a sequel to perhaps the best play ever, Hamlet. This movie is completely over the top, with some very funny moments. It never takes itself too seriously, and you can tell that everyone had a great time making this movie. Definitely worth seeing.
2.5 Stars
(62) Hamlet 2 (2008): A high school drama teacher, Steve Coogan, is not very good at his job, but he is passionate about it. Unfortunately, he funding has been cut and his current class will be his last. In an effort to "wow" his audience and save the drama program, he sets out to produce the best play ever, a sequel to perhaps the best play ever, Hamlet. This movie is completely over the top, with some very funny moments. It never takes itself too seriously, and you can tell that everyone had a great time making this movie. Definitely worth seeing.
2.5 Stars
Saturday, March 20, 2010
March 20, 2010 - The Last Days of Frankie the Fly; Rest Stop: Dead Ahead
'Twas a bad day at Window Rock as they say.
(60) The Last Days of Frankie the Fly (1996): When a film stars Dennis Hopper, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen, and Kiefer Sutherland, you'd expect it to be good, right? There's much to be said about lowered - or even no - expectations for a film. The piece of crap is one bad stereotype after another with a story that's clear and muddled at the same time. I don't even feel like telling you what it's about. You'll have to be content with the fact that if you follow my recommendation then you'll never have to find out.
1 Star
(61) Rest Stop: Dead Ahead (2006): This is possibly the worst horror movie I've ever seen. The only name you'll recognize, maybe, is that of Joey Lawrence, in a very embarrassing role that I'm sure he took because they promised to feed him thrice daily during his days on the set. This is the typical story of a boy and a girl who pull into a rest stop, boy disappears, and girl is haunted for no reason by some peckerwood maniac for the rest of the film. In a nutshell, that's your movie. Don't even bother.
0 Stars
(60) The Last Days of Frankie the Fly (1996): When a film stars Dennis Hopper, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen, and Kiefer Sutherland, you'd expect it to be good, right? There's much to be said about lowered - or even no - expectations for a film. The piece of crap is one bad stereotype after another with a story that's clear and muddled at the same time. I don't even feel like telling you what it's about. You'll have to be content with the fact that if you follow my recommendation then you'll never have to find out.
1 Star
(61) Rest Stop: Dead Ahead (2006): This is possibly the worst horror movie I've ever seen. The only name you'll recognize, maybe, is that of Joey Lawrence, in a very embarrassing role that I'm sure he took because they promised to feed him thrice daily during his days on the set. This is the typical story of a boy and a girl who pull into a rest stop, boy disappears, and girl is haunted for no reason by some peckerwood maniac for the rest of the film. In a nutshell, that's your movie. Don't even bother.
0 Stars
Thursday, March 18, 2010
March 18, 2010 - The Children
Did it to myself again. You'll see.
(59) The Children (2008): Another Ghost House Underground "horror" film that had so much potential a yet, fell so very, very short. This one could have been really good if only the director had developed the story. Why was one child so very bad and in control of so much? Why did she want so many people harmed, hurt, and killed? Nothing is ever explained, and, if that weren't bad enough, all the "money" shots were edited. Virtually all the violence and gore was implied. I don't mind that in a movie when it's not central to the story, but this movie, in theory, is of the horror genre and the other Ghost House Films I saw had no shortage of graphic gore. Perhaps it was because of the child actors. Anyway, another disappointing horror film from GHU. Gonna wait a while before I tackle the remaining 5 films under this label. Can't recommend at all.
1 Star
(59) The Children (2008): Another Ghost House Underground "horror" film that had so much potential a yet, fell so very, very short. This one could have been really good if only the director had developed the story. Why was one child so very bad and in control of so much? Why did she want so many people harmed, hurt, and killed? Nothing is ever explained, and, if that weren't bad enough, all the "money" shots were edited. Virtually all the violence and gore was implied. I don't mind that in a movie when it's not central to the story, but this movie, in theory, is of the horror genre and the other Ghost House Films I saw had no shortage of graphic gore. Perhaps it was because of the child actors. Anyway, another disappointing horror film from GHU. Gonna wait a while before I tackle the remaining 5 films under this label. Can't recommend at all.
1 Star
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
March 16, 2010 - The Seventh Moon
You know by now I'm a sucker for horror films, even if they're not very good. Tonight's installment wasn't very good.
(58) The Seventh Moon (2008): This film is part of the Ghost House Underground series from Lionsgate, and it's number 2 of 8 that I've seen. This one stars Amy Smart as an American on her honeymoon in China with her Chinese husband. According to Chinese legend, the gates of hell open on the full moon of the seventh month and some really scary "moon" people come out for a bit of the old rape and pillage during the night. Not a unique or even interesting premise, but I watched it all the same.
For a long time hardly anything happened, then Smart and her husband swore badly at each other for a while, then something happened that I can't tell you because it's the whole enchilada, and then the end credits rolled. I'll give Lionsgate props on one aspect of their line of horror films: 90 minutes or less seems to be the ticket, and this one, thankfully, clocked in at a brisk 87 minutes.
Not really worth watching unless you're a fan of Amy Smart, which isn't hard, or if you're a sucker like me and just like horror films.
1 Star
(58) The Seventh Moon (2008): This film is part of the Ghost House Underground series from Lionsgate, and it's number 2 of 8 that I've seen. This one stars Amy Smart as an American on her honeymoon in China with her Chinese husband. According to Chinese legend, the gates of hell open on the full moon of the seventh month and some really scary "moon" people come out for a bit of the old rape and pillage during the night. Not a unique or even interesting premise, but I watched it all the same.
For a long time hardly anything happened, then Smart and her husband swore badly at each other for a while, then something happened that I can't tell you because it's the whole enchilada, and then the end credits rolled. I'll give Lionsgate props on one aspect of their line of horror films: 90 minutes or less seems to be the ticket, and this one, thankfully, clocked in at a brisk 87 minutes.
Not really worth watching unless you're a fan of Amy Smart, which isn't hard, or if you're a sucker like me and just like horror films.
1 Star
Sunday, March 14, 2010
March 14, 2010 - Triangle
Was gonna spend a buck at Redbox until I saw this on Netflix Instant Play. The buck would have been okay, but free is cool, too.
(57) Triangle (2009): Always liked Melissa George ever since I saw her in David Lynch's Mulholland Drive, so that was part of the appeal here. What I thought was going to be just another 1 star horror film turned out to be a little better than average, and more of a thriller than a horror, although some horror elements are present.
The premise is this: A group of friends go for a weekend sail that goes horribly wrong when a strange and isolated storm capsizes the boat. They are saved when a passing cruise ship picks them up, but Melissa George is pretty certain she's been on this ship before, which is completely empty except for the sailboat passengers. One by one the passengers are killed.
This is one of those movies that is a time loop, and the events keep happening over and over. However, Melissa George is starting to catch on. I won't spoil it for you, but the film overall wound up being considerable more engaging than I thought it would be. It's definitely worth watching, even if you drop a buck at Redbox.
2.5 Stars
(57) Triangle (2009): Always liked Melissa George ever since I saw her in David Lynch's Mulholland Drive, so that was part of the appeal here. What I thought was going to be just another 1 star horror film turned out to be a little better than average, and more of a thriller than a horror, although some horror elements are present.
The premise is this: A group of friends go for a weekend sail that goes horribly wrong when a strange and isolated storm capsizes the boat. They are saved when a passing cruise ship picks them up, but Melissa George is pretty certain she's been on this ship before, which is completely empty except for the sailboat passengers. One by one the passengers are killed.
This is one of those movies that is a time loop, and the events keep happening over and over. However, Melissa George is starting to catch on. I won't spoil it for you, but the film overall wound up being considerable more engaging than I thought it would be. It's definitely worth watching, even if you drop a buck at Redbox.
2.5 Stars
Saturday, March 13, 2010
March 13, 2010 - Freedom Writers
Caught this one in the wee hours of the morning, up with son.
(56) Freedom Writers (2007): A decent turn by Hillary Swank, but the material was treated with kid gloves, and at time was the total cliche of every other "kids from the hood do well because teacher cares" movie. Some bits were good, especially the the story thread about Anne Frank and her diary. Aside from that, not so much. There are some good acting turns in this movie, which is why I will rate it higher than I might otherwise, but the characters are thin and the story never hit the depth I could have.
2 Stars
(56) Freedom Writers (2007): A decent turn by Hillary Swank, but the material was treated with kid gloves, and at time was the total cliche of every other "kids from the hood do well because teacher cares" movie. Some bits were good, especially the the story thread about Anne Frank and her diary. Aside from that, not so much. There are some good acting turns in this movie, which is why I will rate it higher than I might otherwise, but the characters are thin and the story never hit the depth I could have.
2 Stars
March 12, 2010 - Pisutoru Opera (Pistol Opera); Pirate Radio
The baby came on the 4th, so my movie watching has taken a back seat. Did, however, manage to sneak in two today. I should have stopped at one.
(54) Pisutoru Opera (Pistol Opera) (2001): Had been waiting to see this movie for a very long time, but Netflix never had it in stock. It showed up a few days ago, so I watched it. I was delighted. Essentially this is the story of an assassin's guild and we follow the exploits of the #3 killer, Stray Cat. She has been tagged to take out #1, Hundred Eyes.
In reality this is a movie about our different phases of life as represented by the four seasons, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Each season in the film is represented by the same woman, Stray Cat, at different ages in her life, sometimes simultaneously.
The film is a little disjointed and told in a very stylized manner, and some of the acting isn't very good, and some of the sets and props are not very good either. Still, these are forgivable things as we've forgiven them previously by greats like Godard. Worth watching, and probably worth watching again.
2.5 Stars
(55) Pirate Radio (2009): Another movie I had waited to see for quite some time. Wish I hadn't raised my hopes. This is a dreadful film about nothing, nothing whatsoever. The premise is there, the story material is there, the characters surely are there. Too bad the screenwriter and director couldn't figure out which end was up.
This movie is supposedly about the British ban on rock and roll music on the public airwaves on 1966, which prompted some savvy radio guys to broadcast from a ship out in international waters, out of the reach of the British government. Honestly, a great premise with huge story potential.
Any real filmmakers out there should consider taking a stab at re-making this film, because I think it would be a solid smash hit. As it stands, Philip Seymour Hoffman aside, it's unwatchable. Really, take a pass on this one. You can thank me later.
1 Star
(54) Pisutoru Opera (Pistol Opera) (2001): Had been waiting to see this movie for a very long time, but Netflix never had it in stock. It showed up a few days ago, so I watched it. I was delighted. Essentially this is the story of an assassin's guild and we follow the exploits of the #3 killer, Stray Cat. She has been tagged to take out #1, Hundred Eyes.
In reality this is a movie about our different phases of life as represented by the four seasons, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Each season in the film is represented by the same woman, Stray Cat, at different ages in her life, sometimes simultaneously.
The film is a little disjointed and told in a very stylized manner, and some of the acting isn't very good, and some of the sets and props are not very good either. Still, these are forgivable things as we've forgiven them previously by greats like Godard. Worth watching, and probably worth watching again.
2.5 Stars
(55) Pirate Radio (2009): Another movie I had waited to see for quite some time. Wish I hadn't raised my hopes. This is a dreadful film about nothing, nothing whatsoever. The premise is there, the story material is there, the characters surely are there. Too bad the screenwriter and director couldn't figure out which end was up.
This movie is supposedly about the British ban on rock and roll music on the public airwaves on 1966, which prompted some savvy radio guys to broadcast from a ship out in international waters, out of the reach of the British government. Honestly, a great premise with huge story potential.
Any real filmmakers out there should consider taking a stab at re-making this film, because I think it would be a solid smash hit. As it stands, Philip Seymour Hoffman aside, it's unwatchable. Really, take a pass on this one. You can thank me later.
1 Star
Friday, March 5, 2010
March 5, 2010 - 12 Monkeys
Caught one of my favorite movies tonite.
(53) 12 Monkeys (1995): In my opinion this is Terry Gilliam's 2nd best movie (I think The Fisher King is his best). It's a great story, which finds its roots in a scene from the 1958 Alfred Hitchcock classic, Vertigo, which resulted in the utterly interesting 1962 short French film La Jetée, reviewed earlier in this blog. Starring an excellent Bruce Willis, 12 Monkey is a time trip which takes us back and forth along a temporal time line. The production values are top shelf, Brad Pitt co-stars as an insane-but-harmless animal rights activist, and Madeleine Stowe as the psychiatrist who is intrinsically connected to Willis. This movie is absolutely worth watching and savoring, and then worth watching again.
4 Stars
(53) 12 Monkeys (1995): In my opinion this is Terry Gilliam's 2nd best movie (I think The Fisher King is his best). It's a great story, which finds its roots in a scene from the 1958 Alfred Hitchcock classic, Vertigo, which resulted in the utterly interesting 1962 short French film La Jetée, reviewed earlier in this blog. Starring an excellent Bruce Willis, 12 Monkey is a time trip which takes us back and forth along a temporal time line. The production values are top shelf, Brad Pitt co-stars as an insane-but-harmless animal rights activist, and Madeleine Stowe as the psychiatrist who is intrinsically connected to Willis. This movie is absolutely worth watching and savoring, and then worth watching again.
4 Stars
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
March 2, 2010 - Train
Watched a movie tonight that I knew was probably going to be bad. I was right.
(52) Train (2008): Okay, I admit the primary reason I watched this movie is because it stars Thora Birch, whom I've liked in some of her previous roles. I might also have a crush on her, but that's neither here nor there. The movie is a typical "torture porn" (it's not actually porn) movie that takes is cue from movies such as Hostel, Saw, and Frontier(s). A group of students miss their train to Odessa, Ukraine, and have to take an entirely different train. You already know the setup. Gore, blood, nonsense, people getting killed because they're idiots, etc.
The lone bright spot from the traveling group of Americans? Yes, Thora Birch. She was the toughest and smartest person in the entire movie. A quick nod to Valentin Ganev, who plays the conductor. I first saw him in The Abandoned, which is one of the best horror films I've ever seen. He was quite good in that movie, and equally good in this one. Perhaps he and Birch could team again for a real horror film. Unless you're into this type of film, or have a crush (alleged) on Thora Birch, there are very few reasons to see this film. Half a star for Birch, and half a star cuz she had balls and toughness.
1 Star
(52) Train (2008): Okay, I admit the primary reason I watched this movie is because it stars Thora Birch, whom I've liked in some of her previous roles. I might also have a crush on her, but that's neither here nor there. The movie is a typical "torture porn" (it's not actually porn) movie that takes is cue from movies such as Hostel, Saw, and Frontier(s). A group of students miss their train to Odessa, Ukraine, and have to take an entirely different train. You already know the setup. Gore, blood, nonsense, people getting killed because they're idiots, etc.
The lone bright spot from the traveling group of Americans? Yes, Thora Birch. She was the toughest and smartest person in the entire movie. A quick nod to Valentin Ganev, who plays the conductor. I first saw him in The Abandoned, which is one of the best horror films I've ever seen. He was quite good in that movie, and equally good in this one. Perhaps he and Birch could team again for a real horror film. Unless you're into this type of film, or have a crush (alleged) on Thora Birch, there are very few reasons to see this film. Half a star for Birch, and half a star cuz she had balls and toughness.
1 Star
Monday, March 1, 2010
March 1, 2010 - The Hebrew Hammer
Watched one at the request of my brother.
(51) The Hebrew Hammer (2002): This film is a send-up of all the old "blaxploitation" films from the 1970s. Some of the comedy was funny, but there were some problems, like a lot of the intended comedy not being funny. Adam Goldberg stars at Mordecai Jefferson Carver, a private detective who's as "super fly" as they come. As a spoof I can accept a lot of shortcomings, so I won't be too hard on it. Plenty of familiar faces including Mario Van Peebles and Peter Coyote. Judy Greer never looked better as The Hammer's girlfriend. Can't really recommend this film, but I won't point and laugh if you decide to watch it. Netflix instant play.
1.5 Stars
(51) The Hebrew Hammer (2002): This film is a send-up of all the old "blaxploitation" films from the 1970s. Some of the comedy was funny, but there were some problems, like a lot of the intended comedy not being funny. Adam Goldberg stars at Mordecai Jefferson Carver, a private detective who's as "super fly" as they come. As a spoof I can accept a lot of shortcomings, so I won't be too hard on it. Plenty of familiar faces including Mario Van Peebles and Peter Coyote. Judy Greer never looked better as The Hammer's girlfriend. Can't really recommend this film, but I won't point and laugh if you decide to watch it. Netflix instant play.
1.5 Stars
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)