Monday, December 28, 2009
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Quick Reviews: The Princess and The Frog
Movies of the Week!
Quick Reviews: Nine
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Bunch of Quick Reviews
Monday, December 21, 2009
This will be one of the most talked about films of 2010
New Reviews Coming! I Promise
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Angels and Demons
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
The Best Kept Secrets of 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Movies of the Week!
Reviews:Fantastic Mr. Fox, Broken Embraces, and Bad Lieutenant
Monday, November 23, 2009
Almodovar, Herzog, and Chan-Wook
Monday, November 16, 2009
White Ribbon Trailer and Article
Quick Review: Men Who Stare At Goats
Reviews: Precious
Best Of 2005
Friday, November 6, 2009
Quick Review: Paranormal Activity
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Movies of the Week!
Quick Reviews: Antichrist and An Education
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Finally, Where The Wild Things Are and Serious Man Reviews!!!!
Spike Jonze went out and crafted not a film for children (IT IS NOT A CHILDREN’S FILM) but a film that captures a certain period of childhood. It is a fantasy film that not only looks into a child’s emotions but also their psychosis. An adult story told through a child’s perspective. The film isn’t heavy on plot. It isn’t. It can tend to be slow at points as well but there is something I noticed the second time I watched the film. Even through the slow parts, the film made me escape to this world and had me going back to what I felt like when I was that age. It transports you back to the feelings you once had when you were a child. Well, I did for me. The film is beautiful to look at. Spike Jonze loves the world he created and it shows. The performance from the young Max Records who plays Max is perfect. Having a 10-year-old carry a film is dangerous, especially if the rest of the characters for most of the time are puppets, but he pulls it off capturing both the innocence and the angst the character possesses. The Voice cast led by James Gandolfini is spot on.
The film is moody and once again Where The Wild Things Are is a magical little film. It is an art house children’s film.
GRADE - B+
A Serious Man
A Serious Man solidifies the Coen brothers as one of my favorite filmmakers working today. Their films are not like any other; my friend mike describes their films as “Planned Chaos”, which I believe is the best way to describe their films. Their films are so rich in detail, story, color, and yet, it seems at times that they don’t even know where it is going to go. I love when people try to analyze their films because when people ask or try to bring up why they did certain things, they usually deny they were really trying to do anything profound.
This film, which compared to their earlier works brings to mind Barton Fink meets The Man Who Wasn't There, can best be described as an existential comedy, but it also shows the desire and fear of how someone tries to be live as an Adult.This film, which compared to their earlier works brings to mind Barton Fink meets The Man Who Wasn't There, The film reminded me of a bad dream. While the circumstances were very realistic, the way they played out, the reality was slightly heighten, almost teetering on the absurd.
People have also been calling this a film about Judaism, which does play a heavy part on the story and a lot of the jokes are at the expense of the religion. However, I don’t believe this to be a film that is commenting on Jews or even religion. The coen’s have always been good at using the local color of the area their films are set in. The always have a good grasp on each of their characters and the world they set them in (Think Fargo).
The Cast is made up of mostly unknowns to the film world, mainly the lead, Michael Stulbarg, who is fantastic. What I loved about this performance is that while being the subject of abuse and bad fortune. He never plays up the “sad sack” character. He is a regular guy who is trying to get his life in order and while the circumstances play out, he is just trying to hold it together. It is truly one of the best performances I’ve sent this year. Richard kind, Adam Arkin and Fred Melamed also stand out in a very a well-rounded ensemble.
While the script is very comical and the performances are usually hilarious, the photography and score are done to suggest a very dark story. The music plays like a thriller, while the cinematography (done by my favorite DP, Roger Deakins) uses shot like a horror movie.
I do believe their films are not for everyone, However, The Coen Brother’s once again give us a rice piece of Dark comedy that will be over-analyze for years to come.
GRADE - A-
SEE IT IN THEATRES.
Films For next Year To Start Getting Excited for!!!!!!!
Remaking True Grit
Movies of the Week!
Whip It Quick Review
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Very Quick Reviews of movies.
Movies of the Week!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Trailers, News and Other fun stuff!
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus - The Trailer is out and while i have my reservations about this film (like i do with most of Terry Gilliam's films) I am really excited about this. It comes out Christmas and is Heath Ledger's last film!
NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW: LEBANON
Anvil!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Reviews coming
Friday, September 25, 2009
Special Review of Inglorious Basterds!!!
textured palette to create beautiful moods of the mostly intimate scenes around tables. And there there is veteran special effects wizard, John Dykstra, giving us brilliantly conceived, expressive explosions w/imagery.
His writing is less indulgent this time around and the table scenes that comprise most of the movie are intense, well acted, and filled with lots of "doings" and realisms. Filled with mostly unrecognizable names only helps to further the reality of the story.
But, I could do without that blatantly awkward/modern soundtrack that belongs in PULP or KILL BILL...once again, Tarantino is calling attention to himself (as if the audience expects him to give this signature for all his
films like Hitchcock doing his cameos).
BUT, and it's a big one, it is ironic that Tarantino does not have a point of view about this tale (for want of a better phrase) of "what if...fantasy". When the story takes a hard right turn (movie premiere-assassination) after the German killing spree by Pitt and his Basterds, it is here that Tarantino is in his element. Having a vast movie
knowledge and displaying it in such dramatic circumstances, is what makes this movie fascinating. Names I know, Reifenshtal (sp), G.W. Pabst, Emil Jannings (terrific actor in his day!), bathed in WWII has never been
explored before (to my knowledge). I just wish he had taken his story a little more seriously because it's a great idea and certainly worth exploring, especially since the Nazis were so effective as propagandists.
Once again, Tarantino's parts are better than the whole. Too Bad there is a lot to like about this film, but I still came away remembering the little things and wondering what Quentin really had in mind.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Quick Reviews!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Jennifer's Body
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
KRISTA'S OPINIONS!
Movies of the Week!
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Informant! Review!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
New Poll
Best of 2004
1. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
2. Million Dollar Baby
3. Kill Bill Volume 2
4. Sideways
5. Hotel Rwanda
6. Garden State
7. Collateral
8. Motorcycle Diaries
9. The Aviator
10. Spider-Man 2
11. Finding Neverland
12. Before Sunset
13. Closer
14. Maria Full Of Grace
15. The Incredibles
Honorable Mentions: Shaun of the Dead, Kinsey, Life Aquatic, Ray, Passion of the Christ, Shrek 2,
Team America