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Avatar - PG-13
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The story may lack complexity, but it's difficult not to become completely absorbed into the world of Pandora which, like only the best of sagas, has the feel of being a part of an expanded universe. Jaw dropping CGI effects bring to life a luminescent world of floating mountains and strange fauna and flora that captivate our imaginations and are somehow believable. There is a strong sense of history to the Na'vi and their planet and the clear influences of many cultures around our world helps us connect with the aliens at a human level. As expected, Cameron doesn't disappoint with exhilarating action where the need for speed is pushed to the limits, yet he counterbalances this with the more emotional wants of the characters, namely love. This is not just love for each other but love for their world and their community. The worst that can be said about Avatar is that the story is too straight forward and transparent, despite this, however, there's no denying its heart is in the right place in delivering a message that still needs to be told. After a 12-year hiatus, Cameron offers a movie that's one hell of a fun ride and has been well worth waiting for.
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December 29, 2009
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N/A
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Caveman - PG
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An emotional storyline, cutting edge CGI and snappy dialogue makes 'Caveman' a GREAT movie.
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December 21, 2009
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N/A
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Ordinary People - R
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Plunging into the deep end of human nature, Robert Redford bravely captures the complications of familial relationships in this, his directorial debut. It's heart wrenching to watch the downward spiral and breakdown of communication between mother Beth and son Conrad. Timothy Hutton's guilt drenched performance as Conrad is well worthy of its Oscar, win while Mary Tyler Moore's icy portrayal of a proud natured mother unable to come to terms with her new family dynamic is like watching a car wreck - we want to look away, but can't. And even though we may not agree with her behavior, we empathize with it. In Beth, we have a glass doll that is being held together by the weakest of glues, ready to shatter at any minute. And the glue holding everything together is father/husband Calvin, played understatedly by Donald Sutherland. All three lead performances are top notch and it's clear the actors have respect for the characters they're representing. On the flip side, 'Ordinary People' feels like a TV movie, lacking cinematic scope, and when compared to other small scale films can be emotionally manipulative. Still, it's quite engrossing and a movie worth watching, indicating that some fractures can never be mended.
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December 19, 2009
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N/A
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Rocco e i suoi fratelli (Rocco and His Brothers) - Unrated
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Visconti explores the dysfunction of a family this is to a fault bound to virtues of honor and tradition, and completely captures the whirlwind of being a part of the Parondi clan. This Shakespearean-esque melodrama begs the question, to what extent should blood ties remain bonded; does kinship truly warrant unbreakable loyalty and forgiveness? Simone takes advantage of everyone around him while suffering no consequences by riding on the labels of 'brother' and 'son'. At the other end of the spectrum is Rocco, unyieldingly loyal and forgiving, but one wonders if Rocco's submission and devotion to Simone only makes matters worse. For example, could Nadia's fate have been different had Simone been turned in for stealing? We'll never really know. Representing the middle ground, Ciro's analogy of separating a bad seed before it spoils the rest of the pod seems to make most sense, however, such logic is easier said than done when it comes to family.
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December 5, 2009
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N/A
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Peeping Tom - Unrated
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Sometimes referred to as the thinking man's Psycho, Peeping Tom is a dark and disturbing look at obsession and the Super Ego. Karl Boehm is perfectly cast as the outwardly vulnerable Mark, whose handsome features and soft manner would pass the scrutinizing approval of every mother. Every mother that is except Mrs. Stephens, and given the subject matter it seems prudent that only a blind woman would be able to 'see' into such a troubled soul. And yet, to our own discomfort, we like Mark which makes us question ourselves. Powell goes a step further and lays bare the sleazy side of otherwise polite society (- the elderly gentleman near the beginning buying pornography could be anybody's grandfather). All this was too brazen for the reserved UK audiences of the time who slammed this work as the 'sickest and filthiest film', yet it's precisely the artistry behind the grittiness that lays bare Powell's mastery of the camera. Unique angles intensify feelings of doom and horror at a subconscious level, while scenes seamlessly dissolve into each other to a score that lingers in wait for the next victim. It's a sad irony that this complex and suspenseful character study, so ahead of its time, was so misunderstood; whereas Psycho cemented Hitchcock into the annals of film legendry, Peeping Tom destroyed Powell's career.
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December 5, 2009
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N/A
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H2: Halloween II - R
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Rob Zombie's remake of Carpenter's original Halloween brought a deeper understanding to Michael's character than ever before and gave insight into how he becomes so inhuman. It's therefore disappointing that H2 doesn't deliver with anywhere near the same competence. The story feels shallow, rushed and unoriginal, never progressing past the one beat of 'Mike killing' and 'Laurie fleeing'. Laurie's character is poorly written with no explanations given to why and how she suddenly begins to have the same visions as Michael (the fact that they share the same genes is not enough), while Dr. Loomis has been reduced to a money grabbing exploiter for whom we have no respect. On the flip side, however, Zombie makes some creative editing choices which give H2 a slick visual spark. Slowing down the murders as seen through Michael's eyes is an eerie reveal into the calm void of a very disturbed mind. For Michael, there's a feeling of tranquility as he watches his victims struggle and scream in silence. Sadly though, by the end, H2 simply leaves us with a feeling of, 'Ho hum, we've seen it all before.'
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December 5, 2009
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N/A
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Angel Heart - R
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Smart writing and stellar directing keeps the twists and turns coming in this sordid tale of moral justice. Unconventional camera angles make each scene a piece of cinematic artwork, while a striking play between shadow and light give it a film noir feel. The Faustian-inspired premise has a strong lesson about morality but is told in a way that does not sound preachy.
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December 5, 2009
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N/A
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Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - PG
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Reflected through Indy's character arc, the message here is about selflesness. Indy is tested when he must choose risking personal fame to rescue enslaved children. More slapstick than Raiders, Temple Of Doom is delightfully dark and a total thrill. Images of human sacrifice and slippery squirmies provide memorable visuals while a fun set design (including an epic mine car chase!) helps sell the viewer to a mysterious and exotic land. A total guilty pleasure!
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December 5, 2009
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N/A
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Road to Perdition - R
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November 25, 2009
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N/A
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Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould - Unrated
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Finally - a documentary that captures not only the human side of Gould, but his essence as well. A virtuoso of our time, it's always been easy to dismiss Gould's eccentricities, yet Director Michèle Hozer actually takes the trouble of making us understand them through intimate interviews which give insight to Gould the man rather than Gould the musician. Rare archival footage and personal recordings further expose an individual with a quirky sense of humor who really wasn't that different to the rest of us in terms of his lifelong search to find love and human connections, while also trying to strike a balance between his professional and personal life. Humble but assertive, Gould lived and breathed music, was was adaptable to technology and had a mind for business. A visionary, not only was he ahead of most in understanding the significance of recordings vs. concerts, but he was also a consummate performer who picked up on the importance behind marketing his untypical image. With this in mind, one begins to question how many of his idiosyncrasies were exaggerated, at least during the early years. For those unfamiliar with his work, this biography also gives a brief explanation as to why this man is still lauded by his peers in the classical music community. 'Genius Within' is a respectful and touching nod of acceptance to a man who throughout his life felt like an outsider standing at the fringes of society looking in.
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November 16, 2009
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N/A
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Chungking Express - PG-13
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November 16, 2009
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N/A
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The Thin Red Line - R
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November 16, 2009
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N/A
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Doctor Zhivago - PG-13
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More than simply the quintessential love story of two people, this is a love story for a lost homeland. Many complain that this film is too long, but I would argue it only feels that way when watched with the wrong motives: this is about survival through finding love. It's not about what's going to happen, but rather witnessing normal people from different classes cope with the political upheaval that is shattering their world. Lean shows us slices of Russian society from the very poor to the very rich, and the disparity of wealth which is the core reason behind the revolution. He doesn't shy away from the revolt's brutality either; in fact Zhivago's gentle and selfless nature serves to contrast with the violence around him, drawing more attention to its ugliness. Maurice Jarre's yearning score tugs at our heartstrings and if one were to romanticize, one could interpret the blanketing white landscapes as a metaphor for Zhivago's pure soul... and therein may lie a flaw - Zhivago seems too good to be true. Yet, underneath the horrors of war still lies the land he loves and Freddie Young's breathtaking cinematography captures it beautifully (a perfectionist, Lean would often wait for weeks for the perfect light). Seeing Russia through Zhivago's eyes, one can't help but fall in love with it too.
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November 16, 2009
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N/A
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Michael Jackson's This Is It - PG
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November 1, 2009
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N/A
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The Man Who Wasn't There - R
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Et voila - homage to Film Noir Coen-style. Bold lighting gives the viewer a pallet of shadows and textures in a visual treat which draws them into a black and white world of complex yet understated characters through which complications within relationships are explored. In true Coen fashion, the story appears simple and straightforward on the surface but quickly morphs into a progressively convoluted series of events, which mirror the chain reaction set off by Ed Crane's initial lie. Thornton's low-key performance as Ed speaks volumes and can easily be ranked as amongst his best, while Frances McDormand perfectly fills Doris Crane's sassy stilettos. Whereas the ending may appear bleak to most, it's important to put it in context of Ed's character arc which, though ambiguous at first, revolves around his detached attitude towards Doris. Initially unable to communicate his feelings to her, or even himself, he comes to realize that he truly does love her, and in true existential manner, finds his final moments uplifting with the notion of being able to finally spill his heart to her face-to-face.
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October 13, 2009
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N/A
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Star Trek - Insurrection - PG
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Confidently directed by Johnathan Frakes (aka Number One), Insurrection has a gripping premise with a theme that's not only universal, but timeless and even managed to get Jerry Goldsmith back for the score. With such solid foundations, it's therefore unfortunate that the film feels more like an extended TV episode rather than a feature length movie; there's far too much theorizing and far too little action, and Data explaining (yet again) his desire to experience being human has long become redundant. On the other hand, Patrick Stewart's performance commands the usual attention as one can't help but respect his on-screen authority, and the developing love story between Riker and Troy is sweet and refreshingly wholesome. And the film's ultimate message of recognizing the beauty of each moment and enjoying it for what it's worth is one worthy to be noted.
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October 5, 2009
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N/A
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No Country for Old Men - R
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The Coens' outdo themselves in this homage to 70's filmmaking. The longer takes and lack of score add to the story's believability, while its chillingly uncensored violence leaves the viewer shaken to the core. Bardem's portrayal of 'Anton' is brilliant and intriguing with an odd sense of honour; he can easily be rated as amongst the best psychopaths on film. There's nothing 'Hollywood' about this film's conventions on storytelling.
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October 5, 2009
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N/A
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Vicky Cristina Barcelona - PG-13
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It's sexy, it's smart, it's Allen back to his best. Unforgettable characters draw us into a seemingly carefree world of lust and excess but it's Vicky (Rebecca Hall) who goes through an actual journey of self discovery. Christina (Johannson), on the other hand, lives in fierce denial of the fact that a life lived with absolute free abandon cannot be sustained indefinitely, and will have unavoidable consequences. The tale is timeless and the cinematography captures the magic of youthful endeavors in exotic cultures. Penelope Cruz gives an explosive performance as troubled and unstable Maria and fully utilizes Allen's knack of creating strong female characters, while Javier Bardem gives a delicate performance as a man caught between two women; he balances his character's outward womanizer personality with a deeper caring soul. All in all, this is a wonderful little gem with a strong message of being true to oneself.
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September 29, 2009
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N/A
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Ladri di Biciclette (The Bicycle Thief) (Bicycle Thieves) - Unrated
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September 25, 2009
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N/A
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The Story of Qui Ju (Qiu Ju da guan si) (Qiu Ju Goes to Court) - PG
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September 25, 2009
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N/A
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Short Cuts - R
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September 25, 2009
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N/A
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Blowup (Blow-Up) (Blow Up) - Unrated
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September 25, 2009
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N/A
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G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra - PG-13
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September 25, 2009
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N/A
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The Shop Around the Corner - Unrated
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September 25, 2009
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N/A
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Fargo - R
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August 20, 2009
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N/A
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328 ratings
237 reviews
