moon's Talk

Plunder of the Sun

Indiana Jones meets Film Noir as Glenn Ford rummages around in Cuba and Mexico, trying to find legendary Zapotec treasure, evading criminals and the government on its way. Glenn Ford delivers in his classic stoic style, which fits good into this role as a broke anti-hero. The film features a good cast and the odd twist, at least it is not always easy to tell who is on who's side. Unfortunately, it is the love interest where the film truly fails, as Diana Lynn and Glenn Ford have virtually no on-screen chemistry. Diana Lynn does noz have too much screen presence anyway. Sean McGlory adds an ambigious rogue to the parade, which spices up the story and makes it more flexible. The film makes good use of the setting and scenes will frequently take place in ancient ruines and tunnels. A good adventure movie and an unusual genre mix, which works because Ford holds it together through his straight style.

HX

You Are So Handsome (Je Vous Trouve Tres Beau)

A lovely little gem of French B-cinema. Not as playful as other French movies, but full of charm and subtle, refreshingly un-Hollywood humour. A movie about a simple farmer looking for love via a marriage agency. The movie has its odd cheesy moment, but the natural and unglossy actors balance out the rom-com plot elements, Nice detour from mainstream comedy.

HX

The High and the Mighty

A good "Danger in the Skies" movie, which features Wayne in a non-western role, playing an "ancient Pelican" that is, an airline Pilot with a grim past. Yet, when something goes wrong on an transcontinental flight, he might redeem himself. The film mixes both what is going on within the faltering plane as well as discusses the passengers lives, through flashbacks, conversations on the plane and voiceovers. While it works superficially, it makes the movie feel episodic sometimes (like an episode of LOST), and flashbacks and voiceovers have never been my most appreciated tools of narration. Especially in an aviation disaster scenario, where density and continuity should be in focus. Still, the cast is solid and Wayne plays as great as ever. And the movie is shot in lushly coloured Cinemascope.

Evil (Ondskan)

How far can a person be pushed before he pushes back? Although this type of story has been done in many ways, I enjoyed this telling of the story. Having been subjected to numerous beatings growing up, the main character deals with his own problems the same way. With his last chance at making something of his life, we watch his struggles to deal with private school bullying without resorting to the tactics that have previously been his downfall. The actor does a wonderful job at portraying this struggle. Unfortunately, the lesson the film gives us is that peace is not always the answer; violence is sometimes a necessary evil. The director does a wonderful job at making you feel part of the story and the emotions that go along with it.

The Forty-First

Malena

I'm in love. In love with Malena and all of her charms, the looks, the walk, the body. Only Tornatore could make you fall in love with a movie character. He directs her with such an excellence that you love, pitty, dream about her and even dispise her at the same time. He shows us Malena thru the eyes of a teenager who also has fallen in love with her, spies on her, curse the ones who speak bad about her. The charme of Malena makes me blind for all the fails and goofs in the movie that might have been. Never before did i look at a female movie character with such a longing, with such a passion and understanding, never before did i escape so much into a world of film.

Passengers

The slow pacing really hurts Passengers. What little suspense the movie holds doesn't build to the level necessary to make this film a thriller. Although the acting is respectable and the ending adds a nice touch, the film fails to reach the potential a story such as this holds.

Inkheart

A magical escape into a charming and unique fantasy...

(btw- I am not familiar with the novels.) An intriguing story and excellent graphics in combination with great casting makes Inkheart an extremely enjoyable film.

Avatar

Inhabitants of Earth are engaged in the colonization of planet Pandora which is inhabited by the Na'vi, a humanoid race with their own language and culture. Lush, computer generated video game style movie is a technically dazzling light show, particularly in its rendering of the foreign world. Indeed there is a palpable sense of wonder as paraplegic Jake is able to walk and experience the planet's vegetation and wildlife for the first time. Unfortunately the story is simplistic in the extreme. Characters are written in broad strokes. Actor Stephen Lang plays Colonel Miles Quaritch with such a unrepentant contempt for life, he barely registers as a human being. Ultimately the entire narrative feels like an apology for European imperialism, and specifically for the plight of the Native American. It's a shame director James Cameron's long awaited follow-up to Titanic didn't employ a more original story, because the film is a stunning breakthrough of visual technology.

Castaway on the Moon (Kimssi pyoryugi)

trippy rom-com from the always great korean..,the film,while highly unbelievable (and rather silly plot), but it at least always makes me smile. the tone of the film feels very Gondry-an,maybe thats why i love this film

Avatar

This was HOT! WOW, wow and one more wow! Gotta see it again big screen and 3D... paying full price, too... that says a lot for me!

Avatar

A few hours later we still can't stop talking about what we just saw.
It's a magical film in the best sense. The world building, the creatures, the language...it all has so much offer and the 3D special effects that deliver it all are simply the best and most gorgeous you have ever seen in a film. Especially the female alien Neytiri is the living, breathing heart of the film and one of the most lovable and beautiful beings ever seen in a movie. Not once do you consider her a CGI creature. When she cries you feel for her.
Surely, the plot is somewhat predictable, the moral a little naive, but who gives a crap? The film is no cold unemotional special effects vehicle but a colorful, heart warming fairy tale and it's pretty damn satisfying to see one of the most spectacular showdowns ever.
One will have to see how this feels once you watch it on a small TV at home, but as far as movie experiences in a 3D theater go, it doesn't get better than that. No one should think they can afford to miss this. The logic conclusion: 10 out of 10 dropped jaws.

2012

So and so...


It was a guilty pleasure...

Sin Nombre

muchacho mata a niño, niña cumple chico, chico rescata a chica, la chica .....

The Princess and the Frog

Pleasant enough animation about a poor African-American girl named Tiana living in the French Quarter of New Orleans, who longs to open up her own restaurant. Not the comeback that Disney has been hyping, but it is colorful and lively nonetheless. The problem is the main characters are bland and the songs, while adequate, are instantly forgettable once you leave the theater. Many of the supporting characters are notable however: particularly Ray, a lovesick Cajun firefly, Louis, a jazz-singing alligator, and Tiana's best friend Charlotte, a rollicking spoiled diva. These characterizations boost what is a mostly formulaic entry in the Disney canon.

Bye Bye Birdie

Bright campy musical set in 1958 inspired by the phenomenon of popular singer Elvis Presley and his draft notice into the army. This enchanting adaptation of the 1960 Broadway hit takes a regrettably jaded view of rock and roll music. Luckily, the brilliant cast elevates this daffy comedy into the sublime: Dick Van Dyke is charming as always, Paul Lynde and Maureen Stapleton are hilarious and Ann-Margret is a saucy minx as the all-American teenager. Wonderful score features the songs "Put on a Happy Face", "The Telephone Hour" and "A Lot of Livin' to Do".