Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is written by Adam McKay and Will Ferrell, the duo responsible for Anchorman together. Back then McKay also directed and Ferrell also starred, just like here. I haven't yet seen Anchorman, but I just pray its a lot better than this because this just wasn't my cup of tea.
It's not funny, at least not my kind of funny. It's predictable, lacking focus and there's way too little of Amy Adams in it. Well. Amy wasn't that good here either, but she really didn't have a lot to work with. Anyhoo. She was one of the few reasons this didn't score rock bottom.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Greenberg (2010)
Greenberg is a movie were Noah Baumbach is responsible for both the screenplay and direction, based on Jennifer Jason Leigh's story-work. Ben Stiller plays the lead as 'Roger Greenberg', while Greta Gerwig plays his brothers assistant 'Florence' whom he fells in love with.
We follow this eccentric character as he's house-sitting his successful brother house for a couple of weeks, and the entire movie is a slice of life without much of a larger story. The characters, their interactions and life it self is the main reason its made, and it offers enough of interesting people to not bore or miss its audience.
We follow this eccentric character as he's house-sitting his successful brother house for a couple of weeks, and the entire movie is a slice of life without much of a larger story. The characters, their interactions and life it self is the main reason its made, and it offers enough of interesting people to not bore or miss its audience.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
Hot Fuzz tells the story of Nicholas Angel, a brilliant London-cop shipped out of town by his colleagues as he makes everyone else look bad. Reassigned to a small town, Angel's in for a completely different kind of work days. What spends the first half of the movie in on small town life, funny incidents and such, as the bodies stack up the second half becomes a cross between fast paced action, satire and regular comedy.
Simon Pegg co-wrote this with director Edgar Wright, and plays the lead very well. Several strong supporting acts, a well thought out script and all in all this movie is an entertaining journey. For me the action parts reminds me not to take it to seriously as a comedy or satire either, so the balance is not quite right to make me score it higher. I still have few problems understanding why others might enjoy it quite a lot. No secret satire isn't my strongest genre, and I might take the action sequences a little too serious as they are made here.
Simon Pegg co-wrote this with director Edgar Wright, and plays the lead very well. Several strong supporting acts, a well thought out script and all in all this movie is an entertaining journey. For me the action parts reminds me not to take it to seriously as a comedy or satire either, so the balance is not quite right to make me score it higher. I still have few problems understanding why others might enjoy it quite a lot. No secret satire isn't my strongest genre, and I might take the action sequences a little too serious as they are made here.
Don McKay (2009)
Don McKay is Jake Goldberger's debut as both a writer and director, and he got a lot of the small town ideas right. Sadly all the other elements ruin the movie. You early realize what's wrong and what's supposed to be wrong, but its painfully obvious and annoying to wait for the director to get to the point. I rarely have to take that many sittings to get through a movie, but poor Don McKay's story is one left better untold. Thomas Haden Church, Elisabeth Shue and Melissa Leo does well as the leads, but the script they have to work with could bore most people to death faster than the thriller-elements used in the movie.
Love and Other Disasters (2006)
In Love and Other Disasters Brittany Murphy played a girl matchmaking her friends and collecting gay people in her life. A somewhat different rom-com, but then again not different at all. Unfortunately the entire plot shines through immediately, and the script and dialogue isn't funny enough to make it entertaining to watch her figure it out on her own. Rest In Peace Brittany, but I'll rather remember you by other roles like the one in Sin City and such.
Cop Out (2010)
For the first time in his career Kevin Smith directs other peoples script, as he's taking on the Cullen brothers work with Cop Out. I've never hidden the fact I'm a huge fan of Smith at his best. he writes good dialogue, his movies is usual fun and very easily enjoyable and he's not full of him self.
Sadly there's little Smith in the script presented by Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan in the leading roles. It's not well balanced, it's not funny (not in a juvenile Kevin Smith-way even), it's cliched and worst of all it's just to filled with Seann William Scott. Besides Scott there's actually several nice supporting actors and actresses, and they help bring it to life enough to not be a complete pile of garbage. Willis doesn't impress in a light Willis-part, but Morgan is doing a lot worse. I rather keep looking forward to the next Smith movie where he writes the script as well as directs.
Sadly there's little Smith in the script presented by Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan in the leading roles. It's not well balanced, it's not funny (not in a juvenile Kevin Smith-way even), it's cliched and worst of all it's just to filled with Seann William Scott. Besides Scott there's actually several nice supporting actors and actresses, and they help bring it to life enough to not be a complete pile of garbage. Willis doesn't impress in a light Willis-part, but Morgan is doing a lot worse. I rather keep looking forward to the next Smith movie where he writes the script as well as directs.
Bad Boys (1995)
Bad Boys is the usual mid-90's action movie with charm, humor and a lot of pace. While the Will Smith and Martin Lawrence leading partner duo is important, it's easily more important to mention this was Michael Bay's first feature film as director. Later doing The Rock, the sequel to this, the Transformers trilogy and Armageddon to mention a few blockbusters, his name is well acquainted with the CGI-action genre.
Going back to our leads, Smith and Lawrence's partnership was the major reason this movie stands out from the other action movies made in the same mold at the time following the late 80's success of Die Hard. Their banter made the fill-in scenes easier to get past, awaiting the action, and one being married and the other a typical single guy also helped.
This movie is an entertaining ride even 15 years later, but back then it was truly remarkable.
Going back to our leads, Smith and Lawrence's partnership was the major reason this movie stands out from the other action movies made in the same mold at the time following the late 80's success of Die Hard. Their banter made the fill-in scenes easier to get past, awaiting the action, and one being married and the other a typical single guy also helped.
This movie is an entertaining ride even 15 years later, but back then it was truly remarkable.
Two Weeks Notice (2002)
Writer: Marc Lawrence
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Hugh Grant, Alicia Witt
Genre: Rom-Com
Sadly this one rarely have the same charm as the before mentioned, but also this have several scenes with a easily recognizable Lawrence-touch. Grant and Bullock is their usual decent enough leads in these kind of Rom-Coms, Alicia Witt does a nice support and the script is more common in its form than Music and Lyrics.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
A Beautiful Mind is the beautiful story of Nobel prize winning mathematician John Nash. Nash is portrayed by Russell Crowe, who is wonderful, and his wife Alicia is brought to life by Jennifer Connelly, who is even better. Strong supporting roles from Paul Bettany and Ed Harris, and to a lesser degree from Adam Goldberg, Christopher Plummer, Josh Lucas and the rest of the cast.
This movie is a strange blend, but at the end of the day the story about Alicia Nash might be a lot more important that the one about her husband. The movie might not be realistic about everything when it comes to a lot of different stuff, but it's no doubt made with a lot of heart, a lot of talent and a true grasp of the story. Highly recommended.
This movie is a strange blend, but at the end of the day the story about Alicia Nash might be a lot more important that the one about her husband. The movie might not be realistic about everything when it comes to a lot of different stuff, but it's no doubt made with a lot of heart, a lot of talent and a true grasp of the story. Highly recommended.
Reservation Road (2007)
Terry George follow his successful Hotel Rwanda with Reservation Road, co-writing the screenplay with the original novel's author and then directing. Unfortunately George is nowhere near the standard he set with his take on the Rwanda civil war crimes.
This time he takes on a traffic accident and the hit and run, and its effects on both the killed boy's parents and the driver. The acting is good. Jennifer Connelly does as usual well and Mark Ruffalo makes another strong role, while I think Joaquin Phoenix just tries a little too hard. I never quite believe him like the others.
The main problem with this movie is still the plot. These people get to close for the story to be taken serious. While I have no problem believing in a lawyer hit and run, it's just silly when that exact lawyer is hired by the boy's family. The emotions, guilt, anger and revenge are the most important sides of this drama, but the sript makes it quite impossible to take it as serious as needed for it to be a truly good movie.
This time he takes on a traffic accident and the hit and run, and its effects on both the killed boy's parents and the driver. The acting is good. Jennifer Connelly does as usual well and Mark Ruffalo makes another strong role, while I think Joaquin Phoenix just tries a little too hard. I never quite believe him like the others.
The main problem with this movie is still the plot. These people get to close for the story to be taken serious. While I have no problem believing in a lawyer hit and run, it's just silly when that exact lawyer is hired by the boy's family. The emotions, guilt, anger and revenge are the most important sides of this drama, but the sript makes it quite impossible to take it as serious as needed for it to be a truly good movie.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is based on Chuck Barris own book about his life, adapted to a screenplay by Charlie Kaufman and directed by George Clooney. Looking at my earlier reviews of Kaufman's work, it's no secret I seem to not get him like most seem to do, and it seems to be the case here as well. The story of Chuck Barris might be an interesting one, but the movie about it gave me very little except good acting.
Sam Rockwell is once again doing a great job in the lead and Drew Barrymore and George Clooney himself is charming as usual in support. A lot of cameo's by Clooney's friends pay tribute, but doesn't really do a lot for the quality of the movie.
I didn't know much about Chuck Barris going into the movie, and now I can honestly say I really don't care much whether or not he actually was a CIA hit-man or the entire tale is an imaginary one spun to coy the public with his usual trickery creating several success TV-shows back then. I'm not sure if that's because of his story, Kaufman's adaption or Clooney's directing. The only thing I'm sure of is it ain't because of bad acting.
Sam Rockwell is once again doing a great job in the lead and Drew Barrymore and George Clooney himself is charming as usual in support. A lot of cameo's by Clooney's friends pay tribute, but doesn't really do a lot for the quality of the movie.
I didn't know much about Chuck Barris going into the movie, and now I can honestly say I really don't care much whether or not he actually was a CIA hit-man or the entire tale is an imaginary one spun to coy the public with his usual trickery creating several success TV-shows back then. I'm not sure if that's because of his story, Kaufman's adaption or Clooney's directing. The only thing I'm sure of is it ain't because of bad acting.
Music and Lyrics (2007)
Writer: Marc Lawrence
Cast: Drew Barrymore, Hugh Grant, Haley Bennett
Genre: Rom-Com
Music and Lyrics are written and directed by Marc Lawrence. Marc co-wrote Sandra Bullock's hit Miss Congeniality back in 2000, he wrote and directed Two Weeks Notice in 2002, a movie which also starred Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant, and as late as last year he was back with his 3rd movie where he had sole responsibility of writing and directing. Also this time with Hugh Grant in a leading role, along Sarah Jessica Parker, in Did You Hear About the Morgans?. As I found this movie so well crafted for the genre, I'll be taking a closer look at Two Weeks Notice soon, and if I like that one as well I might even watch the latter mentioned. I really don't like SJ Parker, but Marc Lawrence might be a new rom-com favorite of mine if this movie is telling of his capability.
Drew Barrymore did as usual seem to have a lot of fun making the movie. Her character is quite amusing with her whimsy charm and unusual looks at life. While Hugh Grant does one of his more typical roles, as commonly portrayed in movies like About a Boy, Notting Hill, Love Actually and so on, it works well within the script this time. Being old enough to remember some of the eighties helps and being a pop-culture junkie probably doesn't hurt either as the movie pokes some fun into both washed-up heroes, teen stars and the common adoration of such.
Bad Girls (1994)
Bad Girls is the tale of four prostitutes back in the wild west. Actresses Madeleine Stowe, Mary Louise Masterson, Andie MacDowell and Drew Barrymore plays these female leads, accompanied by James Russo, James LeGros, Dermot Mulroney and Robert Loggia in support.
Sadly the story isn't told well, even for a story not being much of a story to begin with. The actresses involved doesn't have much to work with, the action scenes are lame and the dramatic parts are at best variable in quality. The best I can say about this movie is most of the involved seems to have fun making it and Drew isn't afraid to show of some skin.
Sadly the story isn't told well, even for a story not being much of a story to begin with. The actresses involved doesn't have much to work with, the action scenes are lame and the dramatic parts are at best variable in quality. The best I can say about this movie is most of the involved seems to have fun making it and Drew isn't afraid to show of some skin.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Dark City (1998)
Dark City is a Sci-Fi mystery crime thriller created mostly by Alex Proyas, as he's behind the story, has co-written the screenplay and is the director. I've earlier said I'm not a huge fan of Sci-Fi, but I make exceptions like for instance with Moon. Dark City is another exception. Starring Rufus Sewell, Jennifer Connelly and William Hurt in the leading roles, Proyas have got a good team of actors telling a chanting tale reminding me of great Film Noir, some good old fashioned detective stories in the mold of Marlowe and simple Sci-Fi. It's a well balanced script, a simple stage for the story and good acting.
I truly enjoyed this movie, despite being quite predictable. Some times you get away with predictability, if you make sure you hit the nerve of the story and delivers it without hesitation. A story told much like Moon, without the need of a huge CGI spending.
While I enjoyed the entire cast in this, Jennifer Connelly was the main reason I watched this movie in the first place. Afterward I keep remembering her as the nightclub singing goddess. Her classic beauty is so perfect for this kind of role. She wears the Film Noir feel effortlessly, and it suits her as well as she suits it.
I truly enjoyed this movie, despite being quite predictable. Some times you get away with predictability, if you make sure you hit the nerve of the story and delivers it without hesitation. A story told much like Moon, without the need of a huge CGI spending.
While I enjoyed the entire cast in this, Jennifer Connelly was the main reason I watched this movie in the first place. Afterward I keep remembering her as the nightclub singing goddess. Her classic beauty is so perfect for this kind of role. She wears the Film Noir feel effortlessly, and it suits her as well as she suits it.
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)
Where the first Charlie's Angels was entertaining, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle steps wrong on so many levels. The only good thing is the fact they've managed to keep their three Angels and Demi Moore stepping in, but losing out on Bill Murray for Bernie Mac as 'Bosley' was a huge disappointment. Disappointing was also the overdone action produced here. The first never claimed to be realistic, but at least it didn't become completely ridiculous like here. Also the minor bad guys are low on flair compared to those presented three years earlier. I fully understand why we've never seen a third installment after this piece of shit.
Charlie's Angels (2000)
Charlie's Angels breathes life into the 60's legendary TV show about the three female agents of Charlie Townsend's private detective agency. Adding three superstars like Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu as the actresses taking the Angels to the new millennium didn't exactly hurt. It didn't hurt having actors like Bill Murray, Sam Rockwell and Kelly Lynch in support either.
This is good old action fun, created to entertain in the moment rather than in your thoughts for the next couple of days. And as such I think it works pretty well.
This is good old action fun, created to entertain in the moment rather than in your thoughts for the next couple of days. And as such I think it works pretty well.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Hung: Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Connelly
So, after watching movies like Blood Diamond, Labyrinth, Fever Pitch, Whip It, 50 First Dates, Inkheart, both Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Connelly have caught my interest in a hang-up way. Unlike in the case of Amanda Bynes, I'll not watch everything these two have been involved in. Their catalogs are just way to huge for that. Still I'll go through a lot of their movies in the time to come, and they've got two different styles and reasons to catch my interest.
Jennifer Connelly is an actress I haven't seen a lot to earlier, but she's really impressed me through her performances in the movies I've recently seen her in. She's always believable, she adds depth to her characters without having to go out of her way to use big gestures. She's also beautiful in the old fashioned classic way. Not like we've earlier referred to as a doll (and these days as a silicon barbie), but in the Noir night club singer kind of way she so perfectly portrays in Dark City. I'm really looking forward to see more from her.
In the case of Drew Barrymore I've always had a thing for her. She's just so cute and charming, she always seems to have fun and she isn't full of herself. She takes on smaller, almost insignificant, parts, and seems to enjoy them as much as her lead roles. I love the energy she brings to the silver screen, and now also as a director with all her girls in Whip It. Some of her movies will be repeat viewings from way back, but there's also still a lot of her movies I've never seen.
I'll later come back and edit in which of their recently reviewed movies I've taken on as part of this hang-up, but for now I'll only mention those I'm certain of watching soon.
Jennifer Connelly is an actress I haven't seen a lot to earlier, but she's really impressed me through her performances in the movies I've recently seen her in. She's always believable, she adds depth to her characters without having to go out of her way to use big gestures. She's also beautiful in the old fashioned classic way. Not like we've earlier referred to as a doll (and these days as a silicon barbie), but in the Noir night club singer kind of way she so perfectly portrays in Dark City. I'm really looking forward to see more from her.
In the case of Drew Barrymore I've always had a thing for her. She's just so cute and charming, she always seems to have fun and she isn't full of herself. She takes on smaller, almost insignificant, parts, and seems to enjoy them as much as her lead roles. I love the energy she brings to the silver screen, and now also as a director with all her girls in Whip It. Some of her movies will be repeat viewings from way back, but there's also still a lot of her movies I've never seen.
I'll later come back and edit in which of their recently reviewed movies I've taken on as part of this hang-up, but for now I'll only mention those I'm certain of watching soon.
Drew:
Riding in Cars with Boys
Jennifer:
Little Children
Requiem for a Dream
House of Sand and Fog
The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)
The Thomas Crown Affair of 1999 is the refreshed remake of the former one with Steve McQueen doing the exact same title role. Now Pierce Brosnan takes on the part of 'Mr. Crown', but not in style if I might be so bold. I really didn't like him in this role. I never believed in him, and it makes me wonder what I'll say if I ever watch one of his Bond-movies again.
I guess Rene Russo does a decent enough role as the insurance agent, but the entire story delivered is so far out it's ridiculous. The chemistry between the two leads never catch fire, the plot is silly and unlike most movies of this kind we never really care what happens with any of the characters. With half hour to go of the movie, I'm perfectly happy to watch every single character going up in flames in a plane crash. And not because they are such awful people and deserves the faith, but just because I really couldn't care less. Something is seriously wrong when that's the case.
I guess Rene Russo does a decent enough role as the insurance agent, but the entire story delivered is so far out it's ridiculous. The chemistry between the two leads never catch fire, the plot is silly and unlike most movies of this kind we never really care what happens with any of the characters. With half hour to go of the movie, I'm perfectly happy to watch every single character going up in flames in a plane crash. And not because they are such awful people and deserves the faith, but just because I really couldn't care less. Something is seriously wrong when that's the case.
Snatch. (2000)
Snatch. is Guy Ritchie's attempt to follow up on the movie which made him a director name; Lock ,Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. It's molded in the very same way. Several groups of different gangsters, aspiring gangsters and other shady groupings, all crossing paths because of a common goal. There's three main differences this time around.
Firstly he's got a lot more famous actors on this movie, as Brad Pitt, Jason Statham, Vinny Jones and Benicio Del Toro are amongst those playing characters getting a lot of screen time. Secondly we now feel like we've seen this all before, and thirdly this isn't even close to being as good a story as the before mention one.
There's still some cool gangsters, some sick dialogue, robberies and cold blooded murder, but it's not as stylish, fluent and fresh as needed. Several parts of the story feels forced, some of the ways to deliver the story is also less than enjoyable and it's no doubt annoying having to really listen to figure out what the hell Brad Pitt's Irish gypsy character is saying with that silly accent.
Firstly he's got a lot more famous actors on this movie, as Brad Pitt, Jason Statham, Vinny Jones and Benicio Del Toro are amongst those playing characters getting a lot of screen time. Secondly we now feel like we've seen this all before, and thirdly this isn't even close to being as good a story as the before mention one.
There's still some cool gangsters, some sick dialogue, robberies and cold blooded murder, but it's not as stylish, fluent and fresh as needed. Several parts of the story feels forced, some of the ways to deliver the story is also less than enjoyable and it's no doubt annoying having to really listen to figure out what the hell Brad Pitt's Irish gypsy character is saying with that silly accent.
Date Night (2010)
Date Night is the story of a boring Jersey-couple played by Steve Carell and Tina Fey, one tiny lie and an evening of consequences. Despite getting labeled both with thriller and romance in addition to comedy, this is most of all a comedy and little else.
I'll easily admit I still don't get the Tina Fey-hype, and Steve Carell doesn't do much for me here either, but most of all they suffer from a weak script unable to provide the laughs they look for. Trying hard to create funny moments from what they've got, just gets embarrassing. Funniest part of the movie was actually a small scene with Mila Kunis and James Franco in focus. Mark Wahlberg actually also helps provide laughable scenes, but more because of how Carell's and Fey's characters react around him than because of his acting or jokes.
Mark Ruffalo, Kristen Wiig, Leighton Meester and Ray Liotta are amongst the actors doing cameos without a lot of decent work needed. Actually more enjoyable with Jimmi Simpson's character along his partner in crime Common.
Weak script, predictable, not funny, unbelievable and out of focus. Still. Moments, scenes and acting helping it along for a while.
I'll easily admit I still don't get the Tina Fey-hype, and Steve Carell doesn't do much for me here either, but most of all they suffer from a weak script unable to provide the laughs they look for. Trying hard to create funny moments from what they've got, just gets embarrassing. Funniest part of the movie was actually a small scene with Mila Kunis and James Franco in focus. Mark Wahlberg actually also helps provide laughable scenes, but more because of how Carell's and Fey's characters react around him than because of his acting or jokes.
Mark Ruffalo, Kristen Wiig, Leighton Meester and Ray Liotta are amongst the actors doing cameos without a lot of decent work needed. Actually more enjoyable with Jimmi Simpson's character along his partner in crime Common.
Weak script, predictable, not funny, unbelievable and out of focus. Still. Moments, scenes and acting helping it along for a while.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Couples Retreat (2009)
Couples Retreats is penned by Vince Vaughan and Jon Favreau, and they are also among the stars. I've said it before. I love Kristen Bell, but I think she really should hire me to read scripts for her. This is another piece of shit movie she stars in, even worse than the last. Along is also the like of Malin Åkerman, Jason Bateman and Kristin Davis to mention a few. 4 couples on a retreat, silly story-lines, predictable all over the place and the two single funniest moments didn't even happen at that retreat Island, as it was one of the kids home that had them before and after the main plot.
Brooklyn's Finest (2009)
There's three main claims I've noticed against Brooklyn's Finest. It's cliched, it's like someone have seen the entire TV-show The Wire and then decided to do it all over again, just worse and shorter, and the final claim is there's too many plot holes.
Yes. This is definitely molded in the spirit of The Wire, and it's not as good. How could it be? You can't add the dialogues and layers for all sides in a movie, that The Wire did each season. Still. I claim more movies should be molded closer to The Wire's style. Let's face it. It's been a long time since The Wire exploded into the pop cultural world, and no-one have been close to recreate it since. There's even been way too few attempts.
This also covers the plot hole parts. A movie can't possibly go as deep into the bad guys as well as the cops like The Wire did. It's just not time in a movie. That's why the scum had to be less intelligent at times, that's why all stories can't be told in full detail and that's why we should enjoy the movie as it is rather than comparing it to anything else. It's just a glimpse into three career cops walking different paths, and a night they pass in the street. A night that changes everything, as much as everything have been changed before to culminate in this night.
Cliched? Well. There's a reason something become cliches, and there's not a lot of ways to tell cop-stories originally anymore. I rather someone does it in this style, with some cliches attached, rather than going out of their way to be creative and forget the story they should tell. Brooklyn's Finest knows what story it tries to tell, and it does so well. Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke and Don Cheadle does great work as the three leads, well supported by fine acting from people like Wesley Snipes, Will Patton, Ellen Barkin and Shannon Kane. An entertaining cop movie, hinting at greats that have been doing closely related genre classics.
Yes. This is definitely molded in the spirit of The Wire, and it's not as good. How could it be? You can't add the dialogues and layers for all sides in a movie, that The Wire did each season. Still. I claim more movies should be molded closer to The Wire's style. Let's face it. It's been a long time since The Wire exploded into the pop cultural world, and no-one have been close to recreate it since. There's even been way too few attempts.
This also covers the plot hole parts. A movie can't possibly go as deep into the bad guys as well as the cops like The Wire did. It's just not time in a movie. That's why the scum had to be less intelligent at times, that's why all stories can't be told in full detail and that's why we should enjoy the movie as it is rather than comparing it to anything else. It's just a glimpse into three career cops walking different paths, and a night they pass in the street. A night that changes everything, as much as everything have been changed before to culminate in this night.
Cliched? Well. There's a reason something become cliches, and there's not a lot of ways to tell cop-stories originally anymore. I rather someone does it in this style, with some cliches attached, rather than going out of their way to be creative and forget the story they should tell. Brooklyn's Finest knows what story it tries to tell, and it does so well. Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke and Don Cheadle does great work as the three leads, well supported by fine acting from people like Wesley Snipes, Will Patton, Ellen Barkin and Shannon Kane. An entertaining cop movie, hinting at greats that have been doing closely related genre classics.
Exam (2009)
Eight talented people and one final eighty minute selection to gain the dream job. Welcome to the Exam. Now. What's the question? How's the selection made? What would you do to get the job offer?
There's nothing offered from this movie. Nothing special from the acting, nothing new about the morale issues taken on, nothing we haven't seen before in one way or another. At times I'm bored, even if the movie pretty much is in real time and just above 90 minutes run time. I give it a little for the nerve throughout, even if it never gets really interesting. I also give a little for the key touches, but overall this is a movie you should have seen before plenty of times. Just not exactly like this one, but it might as well have been.
There's nothing offered from this movie. Nothing special from the acting, nothing new about the morale issues taken on, nothing we haven't seen before in one way or another. At times I'm bored, even if the movie pretty much is in real time and just above 90 minutes run time. I give it a little for the nerve throughout, even if it never gets really interesting. I also give a little for the key touches, but overall this is a movie you should have seen before plenty of times. Just not exactly like this one, but it might as well have been.
The Losers (2010)
The Losers are a special force group lead by Jeffrey Dean Morgan's character, operated by a CIA contact in the beginning of the movie. He betrays them and leave them for death in Bolivia after they've fulfilled their mission. Obviously they survived the death sentence, and they got to stay hidden i Bolivia after faking their deaths with their dog tags in the helicopter ruins were they should have been.
Zoe Saldana plays the female stranger finding them, offering them a deal and brings them back to the state. Now they all go after the CIA contact together. It's all very silly action, some special skills used like sniping, and explosions to light the screen. Silly is still the key word. We've seen it all before, and with a lot better scripts and actors. Still. If you really enjoy the genre of brain dead no-story action, you'll probably get some thrills from this as well. For the rest it's a waste of time.
Zoe Saldana plays the female stranger finding them, offering them a deal and brings them back to the state. Now they all go after the CIA contact together. It's all very silly action, some special skills used like sniping, and explosions to light the screen. Silly is still the key word. We've seen it all before, and with a lot better scripts and actors. Still. If you really enjoy the genre of brain dead no-story action, you'll probably get some thrills from this as well. For the rest it's a waste of time.
Practical Magic (1998)
Practical Magic stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters, witches and under a family curse. Two very different girls, after losing their parents to the curse and the aftermaths of the curse, they grow up at their two aunts whom also is witches like everyone else in the family. They grow up as outcasts, feared and bullied by the rest of the Island's kids while their parents avoid them. The curse claims any man falling in love with any witch from the family, and we obviously get to follow both sisters fall in love, face the effect of the spell and try to become happy.
It's a somewhat interesting plot at the bottom of this romantic comedy, but I never found it focused enough on the time-line for its main stories. I enjoy Bullock at her best and Kidman even at half speed. Bullock doesn't exactly delivers from her top shelf here, but Kidman have got a more interesting part. She doesn't shine as I've seen so many times before, but she takes a silly part and makes the best of it.
There's also some morale questions to be looked, there's a new generation coming and there's sibling love, parental guidance and some spells, poisons and such. It's all a little too out of focus, a little too whimsy in its tale and a little too perfect as it wraps up.
It's a somewhat interesting plot at the bottom of this romantic comedy, but I never found it focused enough on the time-line for its main stories. I enjoy Bullock at her best and Kidman even at half speed. Bullock doesn't exactly delivers from her top shelf here, but Kidman have got a more interesting part. She doesn't shine as I've seen so many times before, but she takes a silly part and makes the best of it.
There's also some morale questions to be looked, there's a new generation coming and there's sibling love, parental guidance and some spells, poisons and such. It's all a little too out of focus, a little too whimsy in its tale and a little too perfect as it wraps up.
The Big Hit (1998)
The Big Hit balances between comedy, parody and action-oriented comedy with a touch of drama and romance, and that's not an easy balance to get fine tuned to work. Mark Wahlberg is our main character as a hit-man in a hit squad. He also have issues with his wife and his girlfriend, mostly because he hate it when people doesn't like him. Yeah. The irony of it all wasn't only not lost, but it was painfully often tried to beat us to death during the movie.
Lou Diamond Phillips, Bokeem Woodbine and Antonio Sabato Jr. is the rest of the hit squad, while Christina Applegate is his wife, Lela Rochon his girlfriens, Avery Brooks his boss and they introduced China Chow as a kidnapped girl they get their hands on as a moonlighting job. That kidnapping doesn't work out at all, and our story have lifted.
It's all funny at times, but way too often you got that old "a little to much, a little too often"-feeling. Not funny enough to make parody, and way too often to be overlooked. Wahlberg doesn't really pull off the lead. Lou Diamond Phillips outshine him easily, and China Chow was also fresh enough. The rest of the cast is from mediocre to bad, and jokes about trace buster tracing, trace buster buster tracing even if trace buster is used, and trace buster buster buster .... well. It's not funny after the first time, and what's more it's predictable as well.
Lou Diamond Phillips, Bokeem Woodbine and Antonio Sabato Jr. is the rest of the hit squad, while Christina Applegate is his wife, Lela Rochon his girlfriens, Avery Brooks his boss and they introduced China Chow as a kidnapped girl they get their hands on as a moonlighting job. That kidnapping doesn't work out at all, and our story have lifted.
It's all funny at times, but way too often you got that old "a little to much, a little too often"-feeling. Not funny enough to make parody, and way too often to be overlooked. Wahlberg doesn't really pull off the lead. Lou Diamond Phillips outshine him easily, and China Chow was also fresh enough. The rest of the cast is from mediocre to bad, and jokes about trace buster tracing, trace buster buster tracing even if trace buster is used, and trace buster buster buster .... well. It's not funny after the first time, and what's more it's predictable as well.
Run Lola Run (1998)
After watching the incredible awful movie And Then Came Lola, I finally had to check out Run Lola Run (or Lola Rennt as it was originally named in German). It's easy to understand why I've seen several recommend people stay away from the first mentioned, and rather watch this movie from 12 years ago. Tom Tykwer's is no doubt robbed for creative mention in And Then Came Lola, as this original pretty much is the blue print.
The difference is here the time is off an essence because of a life ending threat, Franka Potente as the heroine is a lot more interesting, intriguing, believable and in touch than the new heroine, the soundtrack is techno, very punk-ish as our heroine's red flaming hair and in sync with the action on screen.
There's also here several annoying focus mishaps in both the script and the storyline, and there's some boring intermediate mushy-scenes that doesn't really work with the characters, there's the aspects of stories changing from effort to effort and a couple of other minor problems.
I enjoy the pace, the idea was probably very original as well back then and I really like Potente's 'Lola'. Still I wouldn't bother watching it again, and then there's just a little too much annoying me about it.
The difference is here the time is off an essence because of a life ending threat, Franka Potente as the heroine is a lot more interesting, intriguing, believable and in touch than the new heroine, the soundtrack is techno, very punk-ish as our heroine's red flaming hair and in sync with the action on screen.
There's also here several annoying focus mishaps in both the script and the storyline, and there's some boring intermediate mushy-scenes that doesn't really work with the characters, there's the aspects of stories changing from effort to effort and a couple of other minor problems.
I enjoy the pace, the idea was probably very original as well back then and I really like Potente's 'Lola'. Still I wouldn't bother watching it again, and then there's just a little too much annoying me about it.
Entrapment (1999)
At the end of the decade where action-thrillers around crime made quantum leaps as a genre, Entrapment came in with a two characters gallery, a legendary thief and an insurance agent. The former James Bond, Sean Connery, takes on the role as the older legendary thief, while Cathrine Zeta-Jones is the younger female insurance agent hunting him. Soon enough both plays along, and the preparations for a huge job is on.
This movie gives hints to a lot of other movies from different parts of the genre, and throughout we feel like we've seen this all before, just done better. What even makes this work to some degree is the fact we got Sean Connery and Cathrine Zeta-Jones. They both do splendid work. Connery reminds us why he's considered a legend and Zeta-Jones is beautiful the way all women should be beautiful. She looks healthy, she got curves, she looks natural, and it all reminds us we want a woman we'll not be afraid to hold close. Not afraid she'll snap because she's only skin and bones. A movie star the way they used to make them, and thankfully there's still casting agents and directors realizing how timeless that is.
So the story is cliched and unoriginal. It doesn't help we really never get that nerve-wrecking feeling either. The job isn't much of a job compared to those we've seen in dozens of heist-movies and the chase to catch the thieves isn't very entertaining. It's really a movie that will probably not surprise you anywhere, and it lacks somewhat in the lay-out as well, but if you like heist-movies the good acting from our leads will salvage some of the effort in this as well.
This movie gives hints to a lot of other movies from different parts of the genre, and throughout we feel like we've seen this all before, just done better. What even makes this work to some degree is the fact we got Sean Connery and Cathrine Zeta-Jones. They both do splendid work. Connery reminds us why he's considered a legend and Zeta-Jones is beautiful the way all women should be beautiful. She looks healthy, she got curves, she looks natural, and it all reminds us we want a woman we'll not be afraid to hold close. Not afraid she'll snap because she's only skin and bones. A movie star the way they used to make them, and thankfully there's still casting agents and directors realizing how timeless that is.
So the story is cliched and unoriginal. It doesn't help we really never get that nerve-wrecking feeling either. The job isn't much of a job compared to those we've seen in dozens of heist-movies and the chase to catch the thieves isn't very entertaining. It's really a movie that will probably not surprise you anywhere, and it lacks somewhat in the lay-out as well, but if you like heist-movies the good acting from our leads will salvage some of the effort in this as well.
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Writer: Books: Lewis Carroll Screenplay: Linda Woolverton
Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Crispin Glover, Matt Lucas
Voice-Cast: Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, Alan Rickman, Barbara Windsor
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Family
I haven't seen any of the earlier versions of this tale, as it's no secret this have been told quite often. I haven't read it either, so my view and knowledge is solely based on what the movie had to offer. I was disappointed they never managed to create any particular interest for the characters like the Queens, 'Stayne', 'Tweedledee', 'Tweedledum', 'Cheshire Cat', 'White Rabbit' and the rest of the creatures 'Alice' met along her journey in the land she referred to as Wonderland. Any fantasy movie not able to spur more than one interesting fantasy character, like Depp's 'Mad Hatter' in this case, isn't a movie well worth exploring. It could have been, and I think it should have been, but at the end of the day this was quite forgettable. Unlike a movie like Labyrinth, which I recently reviewed here and which was made 24 years ago with a lot less CGI and other movie tricks up their sleeve. They had heart, characters we responded to and used its imagination to create a wonderful world. Alice in Wonderland is a student production in comparison, even with the advantages of recent development in cinematic abilities.
American Wedding (2003)
American Wedding is the third and final installment of the original casts American Pie trilogy. Sadly half the main cast is missing as Mena Suvari, Chris Klein, Tara Reid, Shannon Elizabeth and Natasha Lyonne all have left the franchise, and let's just start of saying they are deeply missed. Honestly all the best characters except our 'One Time At Band Camp'-girl is gone, and there was never any way they could make up for that. This movie shouldn't ever been made, and they probably quickly realized this part of the franchise was dead after the reactions it got.
The humor is as adolescent as ever before, but the jokes have been beaten to death, the characters have lost any connection with why we enjoyed them the first time around and it can't be said often enough. If you take out four of the hot main cast girls that made the original work, you're in for disappointing your audience.
The humor is as adolescent as ever before, but the jokes have been beaten to death, the characters have lost any connection with why we enjoyed them the first time around and it can't be said often enough. If you take out four of the hot main cast girls that made the original work, you're in for disappointing your audience.
American Pie 2 (2001)
American Pie 2 takes us back to the foursome gang we enjoyed in the first movie, and this time they've got a summer to kill before joining college. The nine most important characters of the first story is kept, and so is several of the supporting cast as well. Sadly the story takes quite the quality drop, but that's not exactly unusual in sequels.
The boys still wants to get laid, the girls are still great characters even if they really doesn't take that many steps down the depth charts and the humor is at least as equally adolescent as in the original. It doesn't work as well as it did two years earlier, but it's in many ways like a reunion with good friends. Even for the boring tales of their lives now, it's still nice to see everyone again.
The boys still wants to get laid, the girls are still great characters even if they really doesn't take that many steps down the depth charts and the humor is at least as equally adolescent as in the original. It doesn't work as well as it did two years earlier, but it's in many ways like a reunion with good friends. Even for the boring tales of their lives now, it's still nice to see everyone again.
American Pie (1999)
After suffering through the Presents' part of the franchise, I had to go back and check out if the first trilogy focused on the original cast had anything to offer. American Pie hit home run when it arrived. The characters presented had the qualities to make them either interesting or at least fun, it was a while since the last wave of big earning adolescent comedy was popular and they did a heck of a job casting the girls.
Shannon Elizabeth became a household name in months after showing of herself showing off herself in this movie, Tara Reid came across as believable despite not looking for sex, Alyson Hannigan had the right amount of geeky charm, Natasha Lyonne was a character equal to 'Shit Break', Mena Suvari had the looks to stun and then there was Jennifer Coolidge making sure MILF became as infamous as using pie for masturbation or internet for stripping. Biggs, Klein, Nicholas and Thomas is a perfect blend for the foursome gang looking to get laid, while the original Stifler never gets surpassed after Scott's acting. Back then we could even handle the character of Eugene Levy, we got some extras from the MILF-boys and some of the cameo girls, but it's the main cast that salvage this movie.
The story wasn't huge, but at least it was enough to spike up the time between the adolescent jokes, the nudity and the embarrassments. Thinking about it I think Jim's parents alone managed to slice the score a point or two in this movie. I guess someone really enjoys that kind of humor, but those were usually the scenes I really wanted to fast forward. Anyhoo. An entertaining enough movie, but at the end of the day the cast overshadows the movie.
Shannon Elizabeth became a household name in months after showing of herself showing off herself in this movie, Tara Reid came across as believable despite not looking for sex, Alyson Hannigan had the right amount of geeky charm, Natasha Lyonne was a character equal to 'Shit Break', Mena Suvari had the looks to stun and then there was Jennifer Coolidge making sure MILF became as infamous as using pie for masturbation or internet for stripping. Biggs, Klein, Nicholas and Thomas is a perfect blend for the foursome gang looking to get laid, while the original Stifler never gets surpassed after Scott's acting. Back then we could even handle the character of Eugene Levy, we got some extras from the MILF-boys and some of the cameo girls, but it's the main cast that salvage this movie.
The story wasn't huge, but at least it was enough to spike up the time between the adolescent jokes, the nudity and the embarrassments. Thinking about it I think Jim's parents alone managed to slice the score a point or two in this movie. I guess someone really enjoys that kind of humor, but those were usually the scenes I really wanted to fast forward. Anyhoo. An entertaining enough movie, but at the end of the day the cast overshadows the movie.
American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009)(V)
After producing a Presents' movie a year under the American Pie franchise name from 2005-2007, they finally got rid of writer Erik Lindsay (writer on the last two) and took a year sabbatical in 2008. Unfortunately also the new man with the pen sucks, but that's not a huge surprise looking at this franchise's fall.
We're back in the old East Great Falls High School and once again the 'Book of Love' sees the light of day. Unlike the last couple of movies, they've this time managed to get in some girls more than able to blow away those seen in the rest of the Presents' series so far. American Pie Presents: The Book of Love brings us among others Beth Behrs, Louisa Lytton, Jennifer Holland, Melanie Papalia, Cindy Busby and Naomi Hewer. It might not match up to Mena Suvari, Alyson Hannigan, Shannon Elizabeth, Tara Reid, Natasha Lyonne, Jennifer Coolidge and the rest, but it's still a damn good line-up of girls compared to the downfall of the latst movies in this franchise.
Sadly the boys aren't close to those in the originals, the story is so weak it's painful to watch and the entire movie could probably be predicted from the first five minutes of footage. The only positive in addition to the girl qualities, is the fact the new 'Stifler' seemed kind of interesting. To bad 'Scott Stifler' doesn't get to be part of the story, but hi. That's part of making sure the movie sucks. A for effort to those responsible for the female casting in this one, but the rest of it was so bad that alone couldn't save this.
We're back in the old East Great Falls High School and once again the 'Book of Love' sees the light of day. Unlike the last couple of movies, they've this time managed to get in some girls more than able to blow away those seen in the rest of the Presents' series so far. American Pie Presents: The Book of Love brings us among others Beth Behrs, Louisa Lytton, Jennifer Holland, Melanie Papalia, Cindy Busby and Naomi Hewer. It might not match up to Mena Suvari, Alyson Hannigan, Shannon Elizabeth, Tara Reid, Natasha Lyonne, Jennifer Coolidge and the rest, but it's still a damn good line-up of girls compared to the downfall of the latst movies in this franchise.
Sadly the boys aren't close to those in the originals, the story is so weak it's painful to watch and the entire movie could probably be predicted from the first five minutes of footage. The only positive in addition to the girl qualities, is the fact the new 'Stifler' seemed kind of interesting. To bad 'Scott Stifler' doesn't get to be part of the story, but hi. That's part of making sure the movie sucks. A for effort to those responsible for the female casting in this one, but the rest of it was so bad that alone couldn't save this.
American Pie Presents Beta House (2007)(V)
American Pie Presents Beta House manages to take the franchise to a record low, which is no small achievement considering some of the previous ones. 'Eric' returns as the main 'Stifler' and his cousin 'Dwight' does as in the last movie take part as the family legend living the name at the same college 'Eric' and his friend 'Cooze' joins (and visited in The Naked Mile). Sadly Eric has been dumped by Jessy Schram's character since the last movie, so this one doesn't even have her helping it score points.
College chicks, college geek houses and college games founded within party games around beer, women and such. It probably doesn't sound half bad, but it's really really bad. One minor positive thing to say about it is the cameo appearance by 'Rock' (also from The Naked Mile). Considering 'Rock' wasn't even worthy a mention in my review of that, you should understand why it helps so little. By now in this franchise even the usual topless nudity can't help this piece of shit movie above the bottom score.
College chicks, college geek houses and college games founded within party games around beer, women and such. It probably doesn't sound half bad, but it's really really bad. One minor positive thing to say about it is the cameo appearance by 'Rock' (also from The Naked Mile). Considering 'Rock' wasn't even worthy a mention in my review of that, you should understand why it helps so little. By now in this franchise even the usual topless nudity can't help this piece of shit movie above the bottom score.
American Pie Presents The Naked Mile (2006)(V)
American Pie Presents The Naked Mile is the fifth movie with the American Pie stamp, and the second under the Presents headline. There's something good to be said about this movie, as I've earlier mentioned my affection for Jessy Schram on my TV-blog. She's cast as the female girlfriend of the lead, and she's pretty much the entire movie for my part.
The jokes are getting lamer, the 'Stiflers' are getting more annoying and even the usual topless nudity isn't of the same class as we've grown used to earlier. John White as the new 'Stifler', 'Eric' this time, is even more helpless and uninteresting than the 'Matt' character portrayed last time around.
The jokes are getting lamer, the 'Stiflers' are getting more annoying and even the usual topless nudity isn't of the same class as we've grown used to earlier. John White as the new 'Stifler', 'Eric' this time, is even more helpless and uninteresting than the 'Matt' character portrayed last time around.
American Pie Presents Band Camp (2005)(V)
Two years after the third and final installment of the American Pie trilogy including the main cast, the franchise moves on under the headline American Pie Present and a new 'Stifler'. American Pie Presents Band Camp brings us 'Matt Stifler' forced to spend his summer at band camp to improve his behavior after sabotaging the band geeks final performances last school year.
Eugene Levy, who played 'Jim's Dad' in the first three installments, is the only one returning here (as he also does in the rest of the series) in a supporting role. Honestly I would have preferred it if they left him behind along the rest of the kids. Also Chris Owens makes a cameo as 'Sherminator'. Tad Hilgenbrink is our new 'Stifler', but lacks the charisma both to lead a movie and to pull off the family name trade. Arielle Kebbel is cast in the female lead as the band geek leader, composer and the female interest of 'Matt'. She's lacks the eye candy power of Shannon Elizabeth, the charisma of Alyson Hannigan or any of the qualities helping Mena Suvari, Tara Reid and Natasha Lyonne to make them worthy the screen time during the trilogy.
The rest of the cast is equally uninteresting, but there's some brightness to be found. The comedy works better here than in the coming movies, and as I should figure out also the previous one. There's also to some degree a charm in the effort of some heartfelt story at the bottom. Still. This franchise should have been buried after the first two movies..... and there's still another three to review. Anyhoo. I've got no problem understanding why this was released directly to video.
Eugene Levy, who played 'Jim's Dad' in the first three installments, is the only one returning here (as he also does in the rest of the series) in a supporting role. Honestly I would have preferred it if they left him behind along the rest of the kids. Also Chris Owens makes a cameo as 'Sherminator'. Tad Hilgenbrink is our new 'Stifler', but lacks the charisma both to lead a movie and to pull off the family name trade. Arielle Kebbel is cast in the female lead as the band geek leader, composer and the female interest of 'Matt'. She's lacks the eye candy power of Shannon Elizabeth, the charisma of Alyson Hannigan or any of the qualities helping Mena Suvari, Tara Reid and Natasha Lyonne to make them worthy the screen time during the trilogy.
The rest of the cast is equally uninteresting, but there's some brightness to be found. The comedy works better here than in the coming movies, and as I should figure out also the previous one. There's also to some degree a charm in the effort of some heartfelt story at the bottom. Still. This franchise should have been buried after the first two movies..... and there's still another three to review. Anyhoo. I've got no problem understanding why this was released directly to video.
Hung: American Pie
Coming of the teen comedies of Amanda Bynes and the cheerleaders of Bring It On, it wasn't far off heading for the American Pie series while at it. Having seen the first three earlier, I began with the fourth and moved on, but eventually went back to also review the first three.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Catch Me If You Can tells the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr. and his days as con artist and forger in his youth. With Steven Spielberg as director, DiCaprio as the lead and Tom Hanks as the FBI guy chasing him, it's no surprise this movie have been praised by many. Add in supporting roles by the likes of Jennifer Garner, Christopher Walken, Amy Adams and Martin Sheen, and it's no doubt a box office success or an award nominated one in the making.
Still. The story doesn't really have a lot of interest beyond the obvious mystery about this young man able to con his way through both the states and Europe. It's interesting enough, but there isn't much more to the story. Some of the trickery displayed is movie-worth, but mostly it's very dull everyday charming and without depth. At least that's the way I feel about it, and it probably didn't help either being a really long movie for the little it had to offer.
The acting is good throughout. DiCaprio and Hanks does well with what they got to dig into, but it's really not that challenging stuff. The same can be said about the supporting roles. Most interesting is probably Walken as the father, and he does as usual deliver. I did also as usual enjoy Amy Adams, but like Garner and every other female role in this movie, it's a sad excuse of a part. Either Abagnale Jr. really didn't like women that much (the movie is based on his own book), or maybe Spielberg don't like them. Whatever reasons. The women is very simple in this story, even compared to the shallow land of the male characters.
Still. The story doesn't really have a lot of interest beyond the obvious mystery about this young man able to con his way through both the states and Europe. It's interesting enough, but there isn't much more to the story. Some of the trickery displayed is movie-worth, but mostly it's very dull everyday charming and without depth. At least that's the way I feel about it, and it probably didn't help either being a really long movie for the little it had to offer.
The acting is good throughout. DiCaprio and Hanks does well with what they got to dig into, but it's really not that challenging stuff. The same can be said about the supporting roles. Most interesting is probably Walken as the father, and he does as usual deliver. I did also as usual enjoy Amy Adams, but like Garner and every other female role in this movie, it's a sad excuse of a part. Either Abagnale Jr. really didn't like women that much (the movie is based on his own book), or maybe Spielberg don't like them. Whatever reasons. The women is very simple in this story, even compared to the shallow land of the male characters.
The Bounty Hunter (2010)
The Bounty Hunter tells about a bounty hunter (Gerard Butler) chasing his ex-wife (Jennifer Aniston) journalist who's just jumped bail, and the story she's trying to uncover. This movie has a piece of crap story, even for a romantic comedy. It's boring, unbelievable, lacking charm and not funny. Add the fact Gerard Butler is awful in the male lead again, even with so little to work with as a character he manages to take it even a couple more notches down. Aniston doesn't have anything to work with either, but she do at least posses some charm and comedic timing. Somebody kick Butler out of Hollywood. Second movie I've seen him in, in a very short time where he seems to not have any idea what acting is about.
Serpico (1973)
Writer: Screenplay: Waldo Salt, Norman Wexler Novel: Peter Maas
Cast: Al Pacino, John Randolph, Jack Kehoe, Biff McGuire, Barbara Eda-Young, Cornelia Sharpe
Genre: Bio, Drama, Crime
Al Pacino is great in the lead, and he's one of the biggest reasons this story stands so well almost forty years later. It's also a groundbreaking police movie on corruption, and we've later on seen this portrayed a lot on both the big screen and in TV-shows.
We get to follow Serpico from his early days out of the academy, and into the street clothes units as undercover cop. We also get to see the effects of his pressure, as his personal life suffers, his colleagues discredit him and he always are in danger of being set-up by dirty cops as well as the bad guys he chases.
Serpico is another great piece of work by both Pacino and Lumet. Highly recommendable.
Get Smart (2008)
Get Smart is an attempt making comedy of the agent genre, not unlike a lot of others made the past decade. This one is based on the late 60's TV-show with the same title, and tells about rookie Agent 86, Max Smart, and his more competent sidekick Agent 99. Steve Carell has the lead as Agent 86, while Anne Hathaway is cast as Agent 99 and other spread across the movie is Bill Murray, Alan Arkin, Dwayne Johnson, Terence Stamp and James Caan to mention a few of the best known.
It's quite enjoyable, while still leaving us with the feeling we've seen it all before. Several of the gags is still cleverly done, some of the references is easily enjoyable and the characters cast around our leading duo helps this movie into a class few in this genre makes it.
It's quite enjoyable, while still leaving us with the feeling we've seen it all before. Several of the gags is still cleverly done, some of the references is easily enjoyable and the characters cast around our leading duo helps this movie into a class few in this genre makes it.
Sin City (2005)
Sin City is the graphic movie novel based on Frank Miller's graphic novels. Miller himself and Roberto Rodriguez is in charge of direction, with a little help from Rodriguez' old friend Quentin Tarantino. A star packed movie throwing around A-list actors and actresses into supporting bi-parts like rarely ever seen elsewhere. A visual blend of graphic novel style and old fashioned black and white Noir pasted with single rare colors like red, blue, yellow or milky white to light up details like torched. It's so fitting for the story told, the darkly twisted and corrupt Basin City and the characters we follow.
I couldn't even begin to take on the actors or characters. Those not mentioned would unfairly be left out, and those actually mentioned I wouldn't be able to do justice. It's an epic tale told with the help of superstars. Where else would you get actors like Michael Madsen and Elijah Wood to drop in for such small, but still interesting, parts? Where else do you get the style of Devon Aoki, Carla Gugino and Alexis Bledel dropping bylike they've done here? It's actors, actresses and acting displays worth pages in this movie, and still I feel I've said enough as I couldn't possibly justify singling out any.
The stories told never excuse them self for being graphic in style, never tries to hide its birth in the form of graphic novels and still mix and match in the classic Noir feel with old fashioned detective novel views and a storytelling deeply rooted in another time. They mix the cheesy with poetic lines worthy any masterpiece you could imagine. They mix what feminists probably hate, with deep appreciation for the female form, empathy and a hell of a lot of other stuff. It's bloody, but buried into the graphic novel view. Sin City isn't for everyone, but for whom it might attract; it attracts with depth, style and a firm hand on the delivery. I doubt no-one ever could take on such a movie again, and top this. That speaks a lot when this should be considered a first ever made mixing these genres like here. A modern classic.
I couldn't even begin to take on the actors or characters. Those not mentioned would unfairly be left out, and those actually mentioned I wouldn't be able to do justice. It's an epic tale told with the help of superstars. Where else would you get actors like Michael Madsen and Elijah Wood to drop in for such small, but still interesting, parts? Where else do you get the style of Devon Aoki, Carla Gugino and Alexis Bledel dropping bylike they've done here? It's actors, actresses and acting displays worth pages in this movie, and still I feel I've said enough as I couldn't possibly justify singling out any.
The stories told never excuse them self for being graphic in style, never tries to hide its birth in the form of graphic novels and still mix and match in the classic Noir feel with old fashioned detective novel views and a storytelling deeply rooted in another time. They mix the cheesy with poetic lines worthy any masterpiece you could imagine. They mix what feminists probably hate, with deep appreciation for the female form, empathy and a hell of a lot of other stuff. It's bloody, but buried into the graphic novel view. Sin City isn't for everyone, but for whom it might attract; it attracts with depth, style and a firm hand on the delivery. I doubt no-one ever could take on such a movie again, and top this. That speaks a lot when this should be considered a first ever made mixing these genres like here. A modern classic.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)