I hate when I get my hopes up for a film. I usually regret it.
(91) Crazy Heart (2009): OK, I can get behind Jeff Bridges winning the best acting Oscar for this film. His performance transcended an otherwise average movie. One of the fatal flaws of this film is that at an hour and fifty-one minutes, which is plenty of time to tell a decent story, this movie failed to dig beneath the surface. The only person in the film I seemed to even care about was one we never see, but only hear on the phone near the end of the movie. Overall, this story was just too disjointed to take seriously. Tighter writing, and perhaps a bit more time, would have made this film infinitely better. The only reason I'd recommend the film is to catch Bridges in an Oscar-winning role. Beyond that, meh.
2 stars
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
June 23, 2010 - Humboldt County
Caught this in the middle of the night, and it was damn good.
(90) Humboldt County (2008): I watched this movie because I like the subject matter, and it looked far more serious than the majority of films in the genre. I'm glad I chose it. The film follows med student Peter (Jeremy Strong) who has just flunked out of school. His dad, played unflinchingly by Peter Bogdanovich, is the professor that actually flunked him. So, he goes on a bender and hits the road with Bogart (Fairuza Balk), who takes him home with her. "Home" happens to be in the mountains of Humboldt County, California, and her family is currently living off the grid and growing marijuana. While it's culture-shock at first for Peter, he quickly adapts and finds the value in living simply, taking care of your own, and not falling for the trappings of greed.
I started this movie around 2:30 in the morning, telling myself if it wasn't any good I'd turn it off an go to bed. Well, I watched through to the final credits and I'm glad I did. The acting is pretty solid, and in spots is quite good. There's a "humanness" to this film that probably makes it better than it actually is. Catch it when you can, it's very much worth watching.
3 Stars
(90) Humboldt County (2008): I watched this movie because I like the subject matter, and it looked far more serious than the majority of films in the genre. I'm glad I chose it. The film follows med student Peter (Jeremy Strong) who has just flunked out of school. His dad, played unflinchingly by Peter Bogdanovich, is the professor that actually flunked him. So, he goes on a bender and hits the road with Bogart (Fairuza Balk), who takes him home with her. "Home" happens to be in the mountains of Humboldt County, California, and her family is currently living off the grid and growing marijuana. While it's culture-shock at first for Peter, he quickly adapts and finds the value in living simply, taking care of your own, and not falling for the trappings of greed.
I started this movie around 2:30 in the morning, telling myself if it wasn't any good I'd turn it off an go to bed. Well, I watched through to the final credits and I'm glad I did. The acting is pretty solid, and in spots is quite good. There's a "humanness" to this film that probably makes it better than it actually is. Catch it when you can, it's very much worth watching.
3 Stars
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
June 22, 2010 - I Love You, Alice B. Toklas
Love this movie!
(89) I Love You, Alice B. Toklas (1968): This is a great Hy Averback period piece from the '60s. Harold (Peter Sellers), a stuffy, stodgy lawyer, engaged to his office secretary, Joyce (Joyce Van Patten), meets flower child Nancy (Leigh Taylor-Young) and decides to change his life. He literally dumps Joyce at the alter to heads straight for Nancy. He sheds his lawyer garb, opting instead for bell-bottoms, beads, and platform shoes. The film is a laugh-riot, particularly the scene where Harold, Joyce, and Harold's parents (Jo Van Fleet and Salem Ludwig) enjoy some "special" brownies that Nancy made for Harold. A great romp that you can watch anytime, anywhere!
3 Stars
(89) I Love You, Alice B. Toklas (1968): This is a great Hy Averback period piece from the '60s. Harold (Peter Sellers), a stuffy, stodgy lawyer, engaged to his office secretary, Joyce (Joyce Van Patten), meets flower child Nancy (Leigh Taylor-Young) and decides to change his life. He literally dumps Joyce at the alter to heads straight for Nancy. He sheds his lawyer garb, opting instead for bell-bottoms, beads, and platform shoes. The film is a laugh-riot, particularly the scene where Harold, Joyce, and Harold's parents (Jo Van Fleet and Salem Ludwig) enjoy some "special" brownies that Nancy made for Harold. A great romp that you can watch anytime, anywhere!
3 Stars
Monday, June 21, 2010
June 21, 2010 - L'enfant (The Child)
2005 Palme D'or winner at the Cannes Film Festival.
(88) L'enfant (The Child) (2005): One of the best films I've seen in a very long time. Jérémie Renier was as good as ever as the protagonist, Bruno, who is a thief, a hustler, and pretty much a no good person. His girlfriend has a baby that he's only mildly interested in, and he winds up doing some fairly despicable things. I don't want to give this one away. If you haven't seen it, put it high on your list of movies to see, and see soon. I'm certain it was an easy decision for the judges at Cannes in 2005.
4.5 Stars
(88) L'enfant (The Child) (2005): One of the best films I've seen in a very long time. Jérémie Renier was as good as ever as the protagonist, Bruno, who is a thief, a hustler, and pretty much a no good person. His girlfriend has a baby that he's only mildly interested in, and he winds up doing some fairly despicable things. I don't want to give this one away. If you haven't seen it, put it high on your list of movies to see, and see soon. I'm certain it was an easy decision for the judges at Cannes in 2005.
4.5 Stars
Sunday, June 20, 2010
June 20, 2010 - Avatar
Believe it or not, this is the first time I've seen this movie.
(87) Avatar (2009): This is the James Cameron film that is now the #1 top grossing film of all time. It ran in theaters for about 9 months. I can't say the film was over-hyped, but it was hyped pretty good. The story, in fact, is very run-of-the-mill "boy meets girl, boy wants girl, boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy wants girl back, boy gets girl back" Hollywood formula film. It was utterly predictable right down to the ending. I applaud Cameron for the technical work. It's pretty cool, but in my estimation its what's wrong with films today. Story is sacrificed for a lot of bells and whistles, and the last time I check story was still king when it comes to making movies.
Anyway, it's doubtful I'd ever recommend this film. It's not that great, and probably should be seen on the big screen.
2 Stars
(87) Avatar (2009): This is the James Cameron film that is now the #1 top grossing film of all time. It ran in theaters for about 9 months. I can't say the film was over-hyped, but it was hyped pretty good. The story, in fact, is very run-of-the-mill "boy meets girl, boy wants girl, boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy wants girl back, boy gets girl back" Hollywood formula film. It was utterly predictable right down to the ending. I applaud Cameron for the technical work. It's pretty cool, but in my estimation its what's wrong with films today. Story is sacrificed for a lot of bells and whistles, and the last time I check story was still king when it comes to making movies.
Anyway, it's doubtful I'd ever recommend this film. It's not that great, and probably should be seen on the big screen.
2 Stars
Friday, June 18, 2010
June 18, 2010 - Purple Rain
Ah...another summer of Midnight Movies at the Tower.
(86) Purple Rain (1984): Yup. The one with Prince, Morris Day, and Apollonia Kotero. Had a great time sitting in my usual spot in the front row. Met up with some friends there, ran into some other friends, chatted with Flavia for a couple of minutes, and just had a damn good time at the midnight movie! Anyone who's seen this movie, or knows it pretty well, can vouch for the fact that Prince is a damn good motorcyclist. It's clear he knows how to ride very well. The music is great, the musical performances are also great, and Morris Day is still hilarious. All this makes up for the fact that most of the acting is pretty bad, and the story is utterly predictable. Although that's largely the point of showing a 26-year-old film at midnight at the Tower!
2 Stars
(86) Purple Rain (1984): Yup. The one with Prince, Morris Day, and Apollonia Kotero. Had a great time sitting in my usual spot in the front row. Met up with some friends there, ran into some other friends, chatted with Flavia for a couple of minutes, and just had a damn good time at the midnight movie! Anyone who's seen this movie, or knows it pretty well, can vouch for the fact that Prince is a damn good motorcyclist. It's clear he knows how to ride very well. The music is great, the musical performances are also great, and Morris Day is still hilarious. All this makes up for the fact that most of the acting is pretty bad, and the story is utterly predictable. Although that's largely the point of showing a 26-year-old film at midnight at the Tower!
2 Stars
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
June 16, 2010 - Arlington Road
This is a film I've seen a few times and really like it every time I watch it.
(85) Arlington Road (1999): This one is loaded with great acting, particularly from Jeff Bridges as a college professors teaching classes on acts of revolution and terrorism, and Tim Robbins who's his next door neighbor with a huge secret to preserve. This movie has some decent twists and turns, and is actually a fairly decent story. The ending is the complete payoff for this film, and its the last 20 minutes that keep me coming back. Very much worth seeing, again and again.
3 Stars
(85) Arlington Road (1999): This one is loaded with great acting, particularly from Jeff Bridges as a college professors teaching classes on acts of revolution and terrorism, and Tim Robbins who's his next door neighbor with a huge secret to preserve. This movie has some decent twists and turns, and is actually a fairly decent story. The ending is the complete payoff for this film, and its the last 20 minutes that keep me coming back. Very much worth seeing, again and again.
3 Stars
Monday, June 14, 2010
June 14, 2010 - The Medallion
Watched a film tonight I knew wouldn't be very good. Did some work during the really slow parts.
(84) The Medallion (2003): This is a typical Jackie Chan yarn, where he's some sort of special cop/agent/inspector/detective on an international case the originates in China and makes its way to England. He star with Claire Forlani as his love interest, and I have to say there was no real chemistry between the two. I do have a thing for her, so maybe I'm just jealous. Anyway, the medallion in question can bring people back to life, give them lots of powers, and make them mortal. Of course some kid has it, or who would Jackie Chan have to protect?
I'm just not a fan of his movies, and this wasn't one of the better ones. Can't recommend this one for any reason unless you're the person who sees all of his movies.
1 Star
(84) The Medallion (2003): This is a typical Jackie Chan yarn, where he's some sort of special cop/agent/inspector/detective on an international case the originates in China and makes its way to England. He star with Claire Forlani as his love interest, and I have to say there was no real chemistry between the two. I do have a thing for her, so maybe I'm just jealous. Anyway, the medallion in question can bring people back to life, give them lots of powers, and make them mortal. Of course some kid has it, or who would Jackie Chan have to protect?
I'm just not a fan of his movies, and this wasn't one of the better ones. Can't recommend this one for any reason unless you're the person who sees all of his movies.
1 Star
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
June 8, 2010 - Lord of War
Watched a surprising good-if-disjointed film.
(83) Lord of War (2005): Another Nick Cage romp, but at least this time it wasn't some silly treasure hunt. In this flick Cage is arms dealer Yuri Orlov, a Ukrainian who grew up in Brooklyn. The film is actually a decent tale about a gun dealer who had convinced himself that he had no culpability in any of the deaths that occurred at the business end of the weapons he sold. He was a total idealist who only looked at what he was doing as providing a service. After all, he wasn't forcing anyone to pull those triggers, to fire those tanks, to launch those rockets.
It got a little sketchy toward the end and got a real Good Fellas/Casino feel to it as the story became more focused on he and his wife. Honestly, it detracted from the overall film because up until that point -- about 90 minutes in -- the film had a brisk pace. The pacing the rest of the way was off.
Still, the story was compelling, decently told, well acted, and the production values were high. The money was clearly spent in the right areas. I'd recommend this film to most people. Minimal nudity, pervasive language in spots.
3 Stars
(83) Lord of War (2005): Another Nick Cage romp, but at least this time it wasn't some silly treasure hunt. In this flick Cage is arms dealer Yuri Orlov, a Ukrainian who grew up in Brooklyn. The film is actually a decent tale about a gun dealer who had convinced himself that he had no culpability in any of the deaths that occurred at the business end of the weapons he sold. He was a total idealist who only looked at what he was doing as providing a service. After all, he wasn't forcing anyone to pull those triggers, to fire those tanks, to launch those rockets.
It got a little sketchy toward the end and got a real Good Fellas/Casino feel to it as the story became more focused on he and his wife. Honestly, it detracted from the overall film because up until that point -- about 90 minutes in -- the film had a brisk pace. The pacing the rest of the way was off.
Still, the story was compelling, decently told, well acted, and the production values were high. The money was clearly spent in the right areas. I'd recommend this film to most people. Minimal nudity, pervasive language in spots.
3 Stars
Friday, June 4, 2010
June 4, 2010 - Idiocracy
Tonight's movie was interesting, but could have been brilliant if done differently.
(82) Idiocracy (2006): So, dude played by Luke Wilson, Joe, is a very average citizen -- and Army soldier -- in the present day. The Army taps him for a project that will put him to sleep for a year. That year, as you can probably guess, works out to be something closer to 500 years. When this Average "Joe" wakes up 500 years hence, the world is a much different, much dumber place. So much so that Joe is actually now the smartest guy on the planet.
This film could have really worked if the future world wasn't portrayed in such an over-the-top, absurd way. The film actually started great, talking about how the rich and successful limit their breeding to smaller broods, and later in life. It was also pointed out how the poor and seemingly stupid have much larger broods and start out earlier in life. Had they build on that clever intro and kept the movie out of Dumbville, it would have been infinitely better. I never wanted to kill Dax Shepherd so much in my life!
Can't really recommend this film. Catch it if you're drunk or stoned one night; just don't blame me if you want to kill Dax Shepherd.
1 Star
(82) Idiocracy (2006): So, dude played by Luke Wilson, Joe, is a very average citizen -- and Army soldier -- in the present day. The Army taps him for a project that will put him to sleep for a year. That year, as you can probably guess, works out to be something closer to 500 years. When this Average "Joe" wakes up 500 years hence, the world is a much different, much dumber place. So much so that Joe is actually now the smartest guy on the planet.
This film could have really worked if the future world wasn't portrayed in such an over-the-top, absurd way. The film actually started great, talking about how the rich and successful limit their breeding to smaller broods, and later in life. It was also pointed out how the poor and seemingly stupid have much larger broods and start out earlier in life. Had they build on that clever intro and kept the movie out of Dumbville, it would have been infinitely better. I never wanted to kill Dax Shepherd so much in my life!
Can't really recommend this film. Catch it if you're drunk or stoned one night; just don't blame me if you want to kill Dax Shepherd.
1 Star
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