| Movie | Rating | Review | Date | Your Rating | Match | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noises Off... - PG-13 | I wanna watch the play, because from the film's script, I'm sure it's a hoot to watch live. But the film version didn't do it for me. It had its moments, but the spectacle of this script is really meant to be viewed on a stage. I did like the interesting mix of actors and it looked like each talent was enjoying themselves, and that a lot of thought went into choreographing all of the shots (especially the second act). But, again, I felt a lot was lost through the medium of film and I was left feeling bombarded and annoyed... | December 13, 2009 | N/A | |||
| The Sound of Music - G |
This being the first musical I grew up watching (with video footage of a two-year old version of me singing "Do-Re-Mi" and "Lonely Goatheard" in my hardly intelligible babble), it gets stars for nostalgic value. However, watching it now with a more critical eye, it still remains one of the most beautiful films for me. First off, the amazing on-location scenery and sets - from the aerial shots of the Alps to the gorgeous mansion - set the tone that even though this film is about a family, the family cannot be separated from its country of origin. Then you have Julie Andrews playing the lead role with such grace and heart, and Christopher Plummer bringing such depth to his character - and The Sound of Music also becomes one of the most romantic films. The color palette for this film is beautiful, not because it's full of glamour and glitz, but because the subdued and earthy colors exemplify what Maria sings about in "Favorite Things" - that music and wonder is found in the everyday things in life. The story of this family interwoven with a larger tale of Nazi Germany's takeover of Austria is handled brilliantly, particularly the final performance of "Edelweiss." Of course, the music itself shines and captures the spirit of what goes on with the Von Trapps. The arrangements for the film are particularly noteworthy. And the choreography and usage of space and frame is amazing ("Do-Re-Mi" is one of the best shot song sequences). |
December 13, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Bolt - PG | Once Disney Animation announced its official move to CGI, I was very skeptical. Chicken Little was a miserably confused flop. Meet the Robinsons fared better, but it still had a sense of disjointedness in its storytelling. In Bolt, however, I feel like Disney has found its first non-Pixar work of art. The storytelling is well-paced with a nice balance of characters and personalities. The animation itself is stunning with a combination of intense action sequences as well as heart-to-heart dialogue scenes. And the comedy is well-placed. I was about to decide upon 4 stars for this film, until the musical sequence in which the characters end up in Las Vegas. Seeing a completely digital version of the Strip, and these animals interacting with it, culminating up to a shot of the Bellagio water show - it was definitely a very beautiful sequence (with an excellent song to go with it). Speaking of songs, the music in this film is clever and thoughtfully composed as well - there is even a scene in which Rhino, the Hamster, interacts with the score by singing along to it. Very funny stuff. And this film would, of course, be incomplete without a poignant story about home and family undergirding the whole story - a feat which is accomplished quite nicely. Now, if only Disney can prove it's still got it in the 2-D world with The Princess and the Frog... | December 9, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Please Vote for Me - Unrated | Short and quick-paced, this documentary about a democratic election for a Class Monitor in Communist China is very well-presented for a Western audience. Shots and sequences are carefully chosen. Oh yeah, and by the way, be ready to laugh, cry and question. The different personalities and campaign methods of the three candidates will remind you of the tension and turmoil of any US election, while the softer glimpse into the children's lives and their relationships with their parents will remind you of the humanity behind politics. And of course, there is built-in suspense as you wait to discover who the children actually end up voting for. An amazing look at how, when given the chance to vote and decide for themselves, human beings reveal themselves to be no different from each other no matter what culture or history. | December 7, 2009 | N/A | |||
| A Man for All Seasons - G | Excellently acted and superbly written. However, this script is better suited for the stage, and the only benefit of its being on film is for a wider audience to witness Robert Bolt's work of art and its wonderful actors. Paul Scofield's well-thought and intentional portrayal of Sir Thomas More brings something that lacks in many modern films - an stirring awe of that which is right and just. Deeply moving performance by Wendy Hiller. Music was necessarily sparse and unexciting. Some cut away footage seemed redundant, and pacing dragged a bit. | December 5, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Return to Oz - PG | In great 80's children's film style, Return to Oz is perhaps one of the most fantasical, imaginative and dark fantasy films. This is not intended to be a sequel to the Judy Garland film - but rather an adaptation of two books in the Baum Oz series. Each new character introduced into the story is an astounding feat of puppetry, animation or animatronics. The sets are amazingly ornate. The music is very well-thought - playful with each character's quirks, yet ominous and lush in the more dramatic sequences. Fairuza Balk does an excellent job portraying Dorothy Gale, bringing the character depth, boldness and yet in a non-precocious way that seems to be lost on child actors of today. The ornament sequence is still one of the most memorable child film sequences for me (I used to re-enact that scene, touching things in my house and saying "Oz"). My only criticism with the film would be that there are some questions left unanswered (i.e. "Where's Glinda?"), but in the bigger shimmer of the film itself, I'm OK letting those questions go, and just immerse myself in the new vision of Oz created by Walter Murch. | December 5, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Oliver! - G | In a age when musicals were all glitz and good-feelings, Oliver! carries its audience through the dark maze of London's underground, rife with murderers, thieves and children exploited but with nowhere else to go - there just also happens to be singing and dancing. The color palette for this film seems to be intentionally drab, which I appreciated. And the "Who Will Buy?" section is one of the most mesmerizing and well-shot song sequences in film history. Ron Moody, Shani Walli, Jack Wild and Oliver Reed are particularly memorable in their portrayals of the leads. Unfortunately, the film's namesake seemed to be a little too weak. Watching Mark Lester felt like I was watching some 10 year old tagging along while a film was being made. Not sure if that's a fault of how the screenplay was written though. | December 4, 2009 | N/A | |||
| My Name Is Khan - Unrated | I'm an extra in this film... I hope I get to see myself! | November 20, 2009 | N/A | |||
| I Still Know What You Did Last Summer - R | I watched this only because I wanted to see Brandy get chased by the slicker dude. I've only seen her as Moesha and Cinderella. It was also fun to see Jack Black be his crazy self in this. It lacked inspiration, but ran just as a teen slasher should run - which some find difficult to stomach - but they don't need to watch these films then! | November 20, 2009 | N/A | |||
| I Know What You Did Last Summer - R |
I know this film is not great - but I rate it high because of my high school memory of watching it. It was opening night and I've never been in a theater filled with such adrenaline-pumped teenagers looking for a good scare. I remember people cheering when Phillippe and Hewitt undressed. And the screaming reactions to all of the scares was something I'd never experienced before. So, this film has some fun memories for me. But alas, it's also cheesy, formulaic and empty. |
November 20, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Scream 3 - R | The only thing I enjoy about this film is the deepening of Cox and Arquette's relationships (and Parker Posey's over-the-top acting) - but the premise of this film as a whole is of course very difficult to stomach. Still, I do appreciate the attempts to have this film pay homage to the older Hollywood horror films - but the honor is lost amidst houses exploding and ridiculous killer identity connections to Campbell's character. And it's sad that Liev Schreiber gets it at the beginning this time. | November 20, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Scream 2 - R | An entertaining follow-up. The script severely lacks the drive and freshness of the original. The "phone" scenes are there for obligatory reasons, but they do not carry the same ominous tone. Plus, the identity of the killer seemed to come so out of nowhere that it didn't feel like much of a pay-off. And then there's that weird Cassandra stuff that goes on... but it is fun to see Cox and Arquette's characters develop in this one. | November 19, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Scream - R | The movie that married hip and horror. A witty, self-referential script that at once pays homage to and lampoons the entire horror/slasher genre. Not to mention one of the most memorable, well-written and shocking opening sequences (advertisements touted Barrymore as one of the main leading ladies, but the film surprises us when she's bumped off within the first twelve minutes). | November 19, 2009 | N/A | |||
| The Tigger Movie - G | Cute and sentimental revisiting of the familiar gang. The animation nicely unites the original style with some newer sequences. The story, though it revolves around Tigger, showcases each of the characters personalities quite well. Unfortunately, the songs are unmemorable, but without them the film would only last an hour - though, perhaps it would work better as a short film, like the original three that comprised the feature film "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh." The pace of the script is also slow - some of it harkens back to the 70s cartoons, and some of it is just due to poorly paced scenes. That said, The Tigger Movie is a pleasant revisiting of the world of the 100-Acre Wood with some obligatory adorable moments, but could potentially have soporific effects on the more excitement-inclined viewer. | October 11, 2009 | N/A | |||
| When Harry Met Sally - R | Heart-felt with an excellent script. This film investigates the dynamics of boy meets girl in a very unique way, including some interviews with elderly couples that serve as segues between the chapters of Harry & Sally's interactions. Crystal and Ryan have a great chemistry that sets the tone for all romantic comedies to come. | September 19, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Wet Hot American Summer - R | Excellent smorgasbord of a cast. This film relies heavily on the audience's willingness to accept a completely nonsensical ride for an hour-and-a-half. One of the best features of this film is the endless lampooning of almost every film genre possible. In this regard, it felt a bit like Adaptation, except what Charlie Kaufman reserves as his final punchline, David Wain bombards us with the gag for the entire film. The vignette style works really well in some moments (with some great layers going at once), and at other times only fuels the disjunctness already present in this film. That said, if you're into a film that reads like a string of sketch-comedy or improvised scenes with only a thin hint of continuity of plot - and if you're into random humor - this film is for you. | September 16, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Brother Bear - G | This is an often overlooked Disney film, which is unfortunate because it features some of the best animation in Disney history. The most spectacular thing about Brother Bear is the immense amount of care put into each background painting. There isn't one frame that feels skimped on or rushed through. Many will find the storyline a bit too far-fetched, but I think it was a clever way of combining animism with a traditional Disney morality. Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis provide the voices for the two hilarious moose - two of the best animated supporting characters in my opinion. The score is rich, but the songs leave something to be desired. Still, they do their job in supporting what's happening on screen, even if Phil Collins goes down in history as an unpopular Disney composer. Overall, a loveable visual treat of a film with a good message about love and family. | September 14, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Toy Story 2 - G |
One of the best sequels in movie history. Expanding the world of the toys beyond Andy's bedroom and into the real world, Toy Story 2 delivers a fun, suspenseful and sentimental story, perfectly combining familiar characters from the first film with new characters. The relationship between Woody, Buzz & Andy is tested in new ways as Woody comes to grips with becoming a "forgotten toy." The voice acting in this film is exceptional with such polished actors as Allen, Hanks, Cusack, Grammar and Knight. The introduction of the character of Jessie provides the emotional depth of the storyline, especially during the beautifully performed song by Sarh McLachlan and penned by Randy Newman. The new effects in this film are amazing - from the entire airport sequence to the detailed human characteristics of Big Al. Of course, nothing beats the innovativeness of the first film, but as a follow-up, Toy Story 2 stands on its own as a great Pixar achievement. |
September 14, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Evil Dead 2 - R | Oh man... this movie is SO egregiously ridiculous, it's amazing! It's a lot of the awful stuff from the first film, but taken up a notch in its absurdity. We finally get a bit more of a plot (though not much) with the introduction of Annie. But this film is all about Bruce Campbell. Classic scenes like the fight with his own hand, the flying eyeball, and of course - the chainsaw arm-extension. The only reason why it all works is because Raimi takes his cinematography very seriously, even if the material itself is light and crazy. Full of well-thought camera shots and sequences, Evil Dead 2 is one of those films that will make you go "This is sooo awful... it's good!" | September 14, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Disney's Aladdin - G |
"I'm a street-rat, remember? I'll improvise." And so, the most bad-ass Disney male hero uses agility, strength, heart AND his smarts to save the day. Styled after Tom Cruise and MC Hammer, and voiced by none other than the suave Steve-from-Full-House Scott Weinger, Aladdin is by far the most well-rounded male lead in Disney history (not counting Pixar). Robin Williams, of course, steals the show with his comedic antics, and yet he also manages to sneak in some genuine emotion to keep the Genie loveable. An often overlooked, yet equally hilarious, member of the cast is Gilbert Gottfried as the sarcastic Iago. Visually, this film is a big battle of blue (good) vs. red (evil). The color palette is so vibrant and deep and heightens the storyline with its sweeping backgrounds and landscapes. The CGI effects for this film were quite innovative at this time - particularly the character of the Carpet and the Cave of Wonders head (technically the first CGI talking character). The escape sequence is also noteworthy. This film is the last Menken/Ashman collaboration (Menken/Rice completed the remainder of the songs). Menken found an interesting mix of the arabesque melodic lines combined with brassy jazz which helped produce such songs as "Friend Like Me," "One Jump Ahead" and "Prince Ali." Of course, "A Whole New World" takes the cake as one of the most romantic duets in film history - and the entire song sequence is very magical and sweet. This is one of Disney's best films story-wise. Each lead character is somehow intertwined with the others. And each character is "trapped" in their own way, creating some great parallel storylines (especially Jasmine/Sultan's relationship compared with Genie/Aladdin). Great music, great moral, great story. This is my favorite Disney 2-D Animated Film. If you haven't seen it yet (WHAT?!?!!) - "Let me share this whole new world with you." |
September 14, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Finding Nemo - G | Andrew Stanton's heartfelt story about father-and-son overflows with poetry, comedy and keen special effects. Brooks' Marlin is a thoughtful balance of neurotic, sympathetic and flawed. His juxtaposition with DeGeneres' Dory makes for some great humor as well as character transformation. And DeGeneres' performance does not disappoint - featuring her as-expected humor as well as some key emotional, heart-tugging moments for the movie. The burgeoning supporting cast members (built upon many a talented actor: Defoe, Bana, Rush, Hunt - to name a few) each come with their own quirks or life-lessons (some are more strongly developed than others) which help create this undersea universe. The visual landscape of the film is breathtaking: coral reef, deep sea, abandoned minefields, inside a whale, polluted shores, dentist's fishtank. And the amazing, innovative water, light & swimming effects are so realistic, you forget that everything on the screen was animated by someone. A poignant score is the cherry on top of this epic fable of letting go of your children and having faith in your parents. | September 14, 2009 | N/A | |||
| The Little Mermaid - G | OK, if you know me, you know I can't stand Ariel. That girl is the most selfish princess in the Disney canon. BUT, I do realize the significance of this film in animation and Disney history, which is why I still give it four stars. First off, this is the genesis of the Menken/Ashman duo's Disney Renaissance - giving us such great songs as "Under the Sea," "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl" and "Poor Unfortunate Souls." Secondly, this film really heralded a new era of Disney films after a string of flops. The characters (other than previously mentioned self-centered heroine) are wonderfully conceived, especially the evil and aptly animated Ursula, the Sea Witch. There are also some great visual effects for this film as most of it occurs under water. Again, I'm not clear on what the message of this film is (If you forsake your family to get a man, your Daddy will give you the man in the end anyway...?), but it definitely belongs in the "magically entertaining" category of Disney animated features. | September 14, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Magnolia - R | One truly is the loneliest number, as Aimee Mann sings in the opening of this film. Anderson's film about the disconnectedness of life and its players is at once tragic and odd. As the film winds through its characters' actions and interactions, we catch glimpses of hope, fear, depression, self-doubt, romance, faithfulness - basically, in a word, humanity. This all-star cast delivers some powerfully moving performances. And the famed ending? It won't please everyone, to be sure, but it is very poetic in its own right. Or at the very least will open up dialogue or thought about the film's themes. | September 14, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Steel Magnolias - PG | Robert Harling's screenplay and Herbert Ross' directing meld beautifully to create this memorable film about community and friendship. Usually I find stage plays adapted to film to feel awkward in the new medium (i.e. Proof or Doubt), but Herbert Ross' presentation of the goings-on in Chinquapin really comes alive on-screen, giving the carefully written script a nice vehicle to bring the audience closer to its characters. The six leading females each hold their own, though Shirley MacClaine really shines through in her performance as Ouiser. An unpretentious and heartfelt score tops off the ambience. Granted, if you're not in the mood to look at "relationships" or "love" - don't watch this film - go rent Transformers or something. But for a great ensemble film that will make you laugh and cry, Steel Magnolias is it. | September 12, 2009 | N/A | |||
| The Evil Dead - NC-17 | Definitely a cult-classic. Sam Raimi set a lot of precedents for the horror genre (as well as other films) with crazy camera shots, purposely overplayed acting, and excessive gore. Unfortunately, being a plot guy, I need a bit more than just "oh, no, now Ash's other friend is a demon!" But I'm looking forward to watching the second and third installments which I hear take the "plot" to unprecedented iconic cheesiness. :) | September 12, 2009 | N/A |
409 ratings
194 reviews
