The Terminator (1984)

The Terminator

The beginning of a franchise. The story of man versus machine is interesting enough, the plot is both deep enough to be satisfying and far fetched enough to add some elements to the movie. If we add the happy 80's in retrospect, this is about as good as a 80's movie could be within this genre.

It's not as enchanting a ride as I remember the sequel, but it stands well on its own feet. Schwarzenegger works as the killer cyborg, Michael Biehn does well as the guardian angel and Linda Hamilton is perfectly 80's as Sarah Connor.

Old school Sci-Fi/Action that still works really well.

Stargate (1994)(EE)

Stargate

The fundamental idea isn't bad at all, but the execution lacks in almost all departments. Neither James Spader nor Kurt Russell have the charisma or presence to carry the movie, the story is too slow building and the action sequences doesn't work.

I did like the way they used language in the movie, but apart from the idea that's about all making an impression.

Three Colors: Red (1994)

Trois couleurs: Rouge

I finally got around to watch the third and final movie of Kieslowski's Three Colors trilogy, following Three Colors: Blue and Three Colors: White, and this time lead by Irène Jacob who I absolutely loved in another Kieslowski movie: The Double Life of Veronique.

Kieslowski announced his retirement after this movie, and only two years later he died. He'd deserved to rest on his laurels for a couple of decades more, for my immediate reaction after seeing this is that I want to watch the entire trilogy again as soon as possible. His style is so gripping, and none of the his movies can be grasped without taking the time to think them over, watch them again and think some more; enjoying the entire experience as you go on.

I'm convinced my rating for all three parts of his trilogy will be higher on next viewing, and I look forward to it.

Irène Jacob is again great, this time with Jean-Louis Trintignant as successful partner. Kieslowski paints his picture with wisdom and knowledge, and dare us to look behind the beauty he capture his characters with. Three Colors is a powerful trilogy, and Red is most definitely a worthy statement of ending an impressing career at a high.

Fallen Angels (1995)

Duo luo tian shi

Unlike most of Kar Wai Wong's works, this is just all over the place and a bit too bizarre for my taste. As usual the cinematography and style interpreted between him and Christopher Doyle is often very beautiful, and also the soundtrack works very well.

My problem is with the many parts of the story that are dull, weakly acted and/or too far fetched. It's overall just too uneven and unfocused, even for this director. The stronger points of the characters portrayed are quite interesting, but it can never overshadow all the pitfalls.

I'll take Chungking Express any day over this.

The Twilight Samurai (2002)

Tasogare Seibei

Unforgiven in the last stages of the samurai world. It's a slow moving drama without a lot of the typical samurai fights, but rather focus on the man, his relations and the struggles between family man, honor and duty.

The cinematography is at times beautiful, but the narration was flawed and too simple at times. Several scenes feels too lightweight, almost false. As a result it didn't quite manage to connect on the level I feel it ought to have, but it's well worth a look and probably as Unforgiven more the kind of tea others than me drink greedily from.

Head-On (2004)

Gegen die Wand

We follow Turkish in Germany, and the cultural clashes are at least as interesting and important as the rest of the story. As it is; from the initial setting of Turkish culture and our two unlikely leads thrown together after their failed suicidal attempts, writer and director Fatih Akin follows a path we've seen taken many times. Original is far from the best description, and the story suffers from its predictability.

I do however like both leads, and the take on both sex and drug scenes. It's often intense as well as realistic, but the story lacks some depth as well as curve-balls.

My Sassy Girl (2001)

Yeopgijeogin geunyeo

This is most definitely a roller-coaster ride if I ever saw one. It's really a shame the quality varies as much as it does, because there's a truly amazing movie hidden within all the mediocre or even worse than mediocre stuff.

The only reason a movie can survive those lows and still come up with a strong score is some amazing highs, and this one truly got some amazing highs spread through its long running time. Most of them thanks to Gianna Jun as the unnamed girl. A noteworthy performance by the actress from her opening sequence all the way to her final one. I'm not as impressed by the male lead.

Too many Chaplinsque comedic failures and too many cheap melodramatic solutions, but it makes up for its failures with other qualities above and beyond what the genre usually produce.

Lost in Translation (2003)(2nd)

Lost in Translation

It's less than 5 months since I last reviewed this movie here. The only reason I revisited it so early is an upcoming top 10 of the decade list I'm making, and I just had to revisit this one to figure out just how much I love it. There's never been any doubt I love it, but I needed another Coppola fix to nail its deserved place at my list.

I'm not going to say much about this. I really don't have that much to say I didn't say last time around. I probably should mention it was an even better experience this time around, and that wasn't as easy as it would have been for a lot of other movies.

Bill and Scarlett are both amazing. I simply can't praise them enough, so I'll not even try. Sofia Coppola have an extraordinary eye for capturing emotions, and as so many before me I'll add much of its credit to the way she grew up. I feel for what she must have seen and experienced, but the world wouldn't been quite the same if she didn't also have this ability to give us insight into it through this movie.

Bill, Scarlett and Sofia paints a picture without the cheesy conversations, the cheap laughs or the Hallmark wisdom, but they still make you feel like almost no other movie are able to. It's so filled with emotions you're simply unable to fully comprehend it all in one viewing. It's quite simply a masterpiece you should embrace again and again, and yet feel like you haven't fully managed to catch its depth.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

I've never been Kaufman's greatest fan, but this one was the movie of his I connected most with at first viewing. I liked it, but far from loved it. I did however always feel like it wouldn't be far to judge it until I'd revisited it, and now was as good a time as any as I'm about to make a top ten list for the decade.

The cast is great. It's quite the ensemble, and I even enjoyed Jim Carrey. I'm not exactly his greatest fan either. As usual the females are important to my enjoyment, and I've loved both Dunst and Winslet for quite a while. Both are stunning here as well, but it's obviously Winslet that has most to work with. Her Clementine is remarkably well portrayed.

The idea is great, and this time the director manages to bring Kaufman's screwed up mind onto screen with an imperfection worthy of the plot. Rarely ever has a movie so well taken steps to bring desperate hope to imperfect love. All brought together in a whirlwind of SciFi mind-blowing manipulation. Watch it, enjoy it, watch it again and embrace it.

In the Mood for Love (2000)

Fa yeung nin wa

I like the idea behind it; following the two halves being cheated at, rather than following the usual path of these kind of stories. It also takes giant steps to distance us from the cheating halves of these couples as well, excluding them from shots and hiding them.

Some of the angles taken by director Kar Wai Wong reminds me of those he took in Chungking Express, but this movie is much more focused on the story at hand. I'm just not convinced it actually benefits from that focus.

It played some strings well, but overall I didn't quite feel like singing its song. I do however think this is one of those movies that benefit from a revisit, and I'll probably give it another go in a decade or so.

The Consequences of Love (2004)

Le conseguenze dell'amore

In many ways it reminds me of a couple of other movies getting out about the same time. Very good movies even. I'm talking about personal favorites like Lost in Translation and Das Leben der Anderen. It takes us along on another journey of loneliness, life without meaning and dull repetitiveness for the main character.

Titto Di Girolamo lives a strange life at a hotel in Switzerland, but things are finally upon to change after years on years of doing the same. We get to tag along for the ride, and while I never get the same feeling the two previously mentioned personal favorites gave me; it's still no doubt an interesting journey to tag along on.

Paolo Sorrentino have both written and directed it, and I'll definitely look out for some of his others works after this experience. Almost as usual he cast Toni Servillo in the lead, and Servillo is great as Titto. What does however surprise me is how little work Olivia Magnani have had after this performance. Her role might not be huge, but she's got the face and the eyes to really nail her part. I hope to see more from her in the future as well. She seems like another diamond in the rough no-one have taken the time to polish.

Sorrentino haven't managed to quite capture the feel like Coppola did in Tokyo, and that's the main reason I'm not as impressed with this as I easily could have been. The score is however another bright part helping the movie nicely along.

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Requiem for a Dream

Ellen Burstyn's role is the deservedly highlighted word of this movie, but I don't get the rest of the hype for it at all. Jennifer Connelly is obviously great as always, but what else is new?

The movie isn't very long, but it still got time to bore me every so often. Digging into four addicts, even if they are closely connected, you really shouldn't find time to bore me. Director Aronofsky never get to do more than touch the surface of the characters, and he brings very little to the table when it comes to originality and depth.

Leto and Wayans does well enough, but as I never expect much with them to begin with it doesn't tell you all that when it comes down to business. The music was good. I'll give it that much, and remember it by it and the female performances.

It also tries to be a depressing cautionary tale, but I guess I'm just to damn cynical by now. To succeed Aronofsky would've had to go a lot deeper than he did, but I guess it does the trick for the superficial viewer. At least its praises seems to suggest that's the case.

Serenity (2005)

Serenity

This review is based upon the fact I'm a huge fan of the TV-show Firefly, and my ability to rate this movie on its own is nonexistent.

Firefly was sadly canceled in its first season, but this movie got to make a closure to several of the questions the fans of the show asked themselves. It's not perfect, even for those familiar with the storylines, but it does at least reward the fans with some inside jokes and character based behavior.

The arch mystery of River Tams faith is the important part of the movie, and the part we were looking forward to enjoy slowly in the show. I wish I could have enjoyed it the way it was supposed to be, but Whedon has done quite well taking it to the big screen for a final Serenity-reunion three years after the show got canceled.

A must see for any Firefly fan, but not mind-blowing in many ways.

A Walk to Remember (2002)(2nd)

A Walk to Remember

Since the last time I reviewed this movie, I've actually got around to read the novel. I'm not going to lie; I wasn't exactly blown away by Sparks' novel. Then again it had to be compared to everything else I've been reading lately, and they've been classics.

Still. Sparks' got one thing right. He knew what had to be the center of the story, and stuck to it despite never really managing to tell the story that was hidden within the idea.

This movie goes the opposite way, and digs deeper into stuff it shouldn't have been so eager to examine. I'd be bold enough to say I can easily spot where both the novel and the movie went wrong, but then again that leaves room to make a better adaptation in the future. How many Pride and Prejudice adaptations did they make until the 1995 TV-miniseries staring Firth and Ehle finally got it spot on?

Mandy Moore is the reason to watch this movie, but this movie's Jaime Sullivan isn't ever close to what was intended. It's still got more heart than most of the genre can dream about, and for that A Walk to Remember will still be one of my personal favorites--even if I downgrade its score now.

"Jane Eyre" (2006)

"Jane Eyre"

From what I've gathered this TV-miniseries is the best adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's novel yet, but there's sure a lot of improvements possible. Brontë's novel goes through several important parts and places, and this adaptation doesn't even try to cover them to an acceptable extent.

This is only 202 minutes, and hopefully we'll one day get a worthy adaptation of the novel. It needs at least another 40 minutes to get close to cover the necessities of the story as well as managing several symbolic changes adapting writer Sandy Welch have left out.

Both Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens does well to portray Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. Several of the supporting cast is also good, but they've got even less to work with than the main characters--compared to what they ought to have.

It sounds like I didn't enjoy this at all, but that's not true. A lot of it is really well done, much of the essence of the main characters are well established and we mostly get to understand the choices they make.

I still can't forgive the loopholes left uncovered, the shortcuts taken and the lack of basic understanding of Jane Eyre. Many might consider the novel overestimated, but to me there's no doubt a potential top rating in adapting Brontë's work as it deserves. I hope this years movie will manage better, but I have no doubt there's a TV-miniseries in the future that will blow us away. I'll be eagerly anticipating it.

"Sense & Sensibility" (2008)

"Sense & Sensibility"

From the disappointment of Emma Thompson's work on this very novel, I must admit I was happy to learn that the man behind the excellent Pride and Prejudice TV-miniseries of 1995, Andrew Davies, also had written an adaptation of Sense and Sensibility.

Of course there's no Colin Firth or Jennifer Ehle taking the leads here, and there's not such a material to take from as it was back then. I'll easily admit I've found S&S a mediocre Austen work, or as mediocre as her work ever could be, so it's impossible to expect the quality of P&P even if Davies writes the adaptation.

Still there's no doubt Davies understands Austen, and he's once again done a remarkable job to keep the good parts of the novel. The dialogue, the flow and the progress of the story are all done with both an understanding of the story as well as with an understanding as to how to make sure it works on TV.

While most actors and actresses participating are unknowns, they've done a great job bringing life to the scenes. I especially enjoyed Charity Wakefield as Marianne, Mark Williams as Sir John and Linda Bassett as Mrs. Jennings.

This mini-series will not take you by much surprise, but writer Daview and director John Alexander have done much justice to Austen in this adaptation. Any fan of Austen should enjoy it and so should any fan of the genre as well, but they didn't have the original quality to manage much more than they did. For that I feel Austen alone is to blame, and then there's really not much more to be said.

Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Sense and Sensibility

I'll always wonder how this Emma Thompson adaptation of Jane Austen's debut novel came to gain such praise and acknowledgment. In my eyes it's nothing short of a butchered adaptation, and even when looked upon solely on its own merits as a movie it's a minor work.

Sense and Sensibility was Austen debut novel, and has severe lacks in dialogue and wit compared to that of Pride and Prejudice or even Emma. Thompson have however managed to take the adaptation the only way it could go worse. I'll keep director Ang Lee to take some of the blame as well, but with Thompson both writing and leading; whatever respect she's previously gained with me are muted for a while. I confess I doubt she's ever understood S&S at all.

There's still quite a few good things to say about this movie, and most of it comes from the cast. While Thompson certainly is no Elinor, Winslet, Rickman and Laurie are all amongst those doing very well with the material they've got ahead of them.

"Pride and Prejudice" (1995)

"Pride and Prejudice"

It's been a little more than a year since I reviewed the 2005 movie adaptation of Jane Austen's best known work, then by Joe Wright starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet. In the meanwhile Colin Firth have won Oscar for his leading role in The King's Speech, a movie which again also included Jennifer Ehle in a smaller role, but more importantly I've actually read Austen's novel only a short while ago. While the latter might be a reason for taking such a liking to this TV-miniseries, I find these kind of stories are better told when you get the time to add depth to both the dialogue and the characters. This miniseries is 300 minutes against the 2005 movie's 127 minutes. That's a major difference, and one well spent.

While there's no doubt in my mind Austen's P&P is the best novel within its genre I've ever read, and one everybody should be acquainted with whether or not they intend to watch this mini-series or any other adaptation of the story, this mini-series are both true to so much of the original dialogue, feel and tone it's almost uncanny.

Andrew Davies have done remarkable well to adapt Austen's work to screen, Simon Langton have done a tremendous job directing the six episodes and the acting is astonishing. Colin Firth is nothing short of brilliant. Jennifer Ehle was sadly a new acquaintance for me, but she is the very essence of Elizabeth Bennet and charming like you wouldn't believe. Needless to say the sadly part of new acquaintance comes from the fact she deserves a lot of credit, and I'm only sad I've never known of her before. Also the supporting cast is thoroughly excellent and brings the different character to life in a way I'm absolutely certain Jane Austen would've approved wholeheartedly.

I obviously recommend to read the novel before you watch this adaptation, as it's a much deserved classic, but afterward I assure you this is nothing short of a masterpiece in true Austen spirit that should give you five more delightful hours within the same story all over again. By far the best TV-miniseries I've ever laid my eyes on; and I can't, at least in short, praise it the way it deserves to be praised.

City of God (2002)

Cidade de Deus

I might as well begin with my biggest problem; the narrator. Rocket is a one dollar voice for a fifty dollar story, managing to take several pieces of the puzzle down a notch in the process.

The poverty, crime and children are all excellent portrayed, but it's not like we haven't seen similar stories spun on other arenas. There's still quite a lot to get from this glimpse of their ordinary days for those of us who could hardly have imagined such an existence.

It's certainly a strong story, but its just not such a great story. There's the core of why I can't praise it too highly, but then again I might just be a little too jaded. Cidade de Deus is definitely a place worth getting acquainted with.

Dead Man's Shoes (2004)

Dead Man's Shoes

Paddy Considine is brilliant in this British revenge movie. His presence is quite remarkable throughout, and he even co-wrote it.

It's got a nice build up, a realistic feel of the grittier society and a nice touch in dialogue slowly getting away from us as scenes change. It's like they don't just deliver lines, but we're cut out of it even if it continues. I like that in movies. It gives them an edge.

The flashbacks doesn't work fully all the time, but mostly director Shane Meadows (This is England) gets it about right. There's also one scene in particular midway through the movie I didn't quite buy, but once again... it works really well overall.

For a revenge movie it's got a lot of thoughtful considerations to offer its viewers, and that along with its social touch and incredible lead makes it stand out.

Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

Punch-Drunk Love

My problem with this Paul Thomas Anderson movie is it pushes out too much in every direction. It's all over the place, and never lands anywhere in particular. Interesting enough as an exercise, but as a stand alone movie it suffers from the unsynchronized out of focus storyline.

Adam Sandler is actually doing quite well, but there's still too easy to spot the usual Sandler to get away with it. The support cast is on the other hand great.

There's also quite a few great moments throughout this movie, from laugh out loud funny to highly interesting camerawork.

Garden State (2004)

Garden State

I've never been very high on the Zach Braff fan club listings, and he didn't exactly change my mind with this movie either. Still. Unlike other places I've seen him, this is a role he understands. Of course he should, as he's also the writer and director of this baby.

This movie has enough of a plot to keep in people who felt Dazed and Confused were a little to focused on the feel alone. Yet. Garden State have much of the same excellent qualities that sets that movie apart from the masses. It brings you into the moments, it capture both the lead and the support characters well and it's got a wide emotional range.

Not to mention a Natalie Portman shining. She was excellent in this one, even by her standards. There's several moments in this movie where I'd like to grab her character out of the scene and cherish her for ever. An absolutely stunning performance.

Another huge contributor is the music. It's impossible to overlook the moods the soundtrack of this movie helps presenting. I'm not convinced any of them will change your life, like Portman's character speaks about a The Shins song, but several of the songs should at least brighten your days.

There's a couple of weaker scenes and choices in direction, but I still can't wait to watch this again thanks to the overall feel. It'll be interesting to observe if it might actually even improve then, because this is exactly the kind of movie that have done so in my past.

Shall We Kiss? (2007)

Un baiser s'il vous plaît

Sometimes a movie gets so naive it can't work on any level above its own bottom line. This is one of those.

A lot of the scenes comes from unrealistic moments, aiming for intimacy and failing largely. Others are filled with weak dialogue and misplaced interruptions of the storyline.

There's a very few original thoughts behind the plot that makes it avoid the overwhelming fiasco it so easily could have been, but just barely so.

Infernal Affairs (2002)

Mou gaan dou

I watched Scorsese's remake when it was launched back in the days, but this original actually left an impression (which I honestly can't say about the more known work of Scorsese). It's fast paced and yet with a solid grasp at its plot and storyline, and it's solid acting all over the board.

Scorsese clocked in 50 min slower, and yet he never managed to get this kind of depth to his remake. Wai-keung Lau and Alan Mak have done a terrific job with this movie, and the result is nothing short a work of art.

A highly recommended must see movie.

Children of Men (2006)

Children of Men

In this post-apocalyptic tale, Alfonso Cuarón really takes us through a realistic and gritty take on civilization after children is left out of the possibilities. Based on P.D. Jame' novel, Cuarón brings it to life in stunning fashion. The acting is also great throughout, whether being leading man Cliwe Owen or any of the several great support performances.

At some points I'm not thrilled with the plot and storyline, but overall it's minor concerns in the big picture.

London have never been captured more beautifully, or rather gritty and fascinating as the case might be.

My Life Without Me (2003)

My Life Without Me

I do have to admit this movie is flawed, but so is life. And much like life, this movie will take you for a spin; whether you like it or not.

Whether you agree with the decisions Ann takes doesn't much matter. Unlike most movies, this one will make you ponder. About life, mostly, but probably about yourself more than anything. That's an excellent quality in a movie, especially when it avoids the most abused cliches as it slowly and subtly follows the characters.

Sarah Polley is absolutely brilliant in the lead, and the support is also well cast. Isabel Coixet have done a good job adapting the novel for screen, and then directing it herself. I'll be very interested in checking out more from both Polley and Coixet based on the quality of their work with this.