I officially cannot be given crap for not posting here, because, well. I just can’t. Instead of writing a few long reviews, I’ll write a billion shorter ones, starting with a few weeks ago. Here are the reviews of all the movies without sequels. I am keeping them short and assuming you have seen them as well, that just how I want to write these.
Wall-E
I liked it, but it was over hyped just a bit too much by people saying its one of the best movies of the summer/ever. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it. It was cute, and the story was well written. I have never been a fan of movies with hard core moral messages in them, but somehow the whole save the earth kind of thing managed to work, but could have been slightly more subtle. You can take the last statement as sarcasm or not, it works either way. 4 out of 5.
The Savages
So so so depressing. Depressing but good, it only made me want to kill myself a little. The ending was happy however, so there was that to look forward to. The story was slow but that worked well for the topic of dementia and old people. It had some very funny and heartwarming moments which lifted the mood when it was most needed. I liked it a lot, but I am not sure if it will be very memorable. 3.5 out of 5.
In Bruges
I love Collin Farrel. I was expecting a fast paced comedy when I picked this up, but that was not the case. It was very still funny, but in the darkest of ways. The plot has good turns but ends similar to Hamlet, this was not a good choice of movie to see right after The Savages. Overall I liked it, but I was thrown the whole time because of it being so different than what I was expecting. 3.5 out of 5.
Vertigo
This movie is on the AFI top 100 for a reason. It’s good. I think I must have confused this with another Alfred Hitchcock film, because it was slower than I anticipated, but it was well worth it. The story is very original, and something I have never seen done since so kudos to that. It’s defiantly not my favorite Hitchcock film, but it is still amazing. 4 out of 5.
Down With Love
OMG. Cute. Two of my favorite actors playing parts practically written for them personally. This is a romantic comedy that is made funny by the fact that it makes fun of itself the entire time. Everything is just one step over the top, but played off like it was supposed to be that way. I love it. I have a real review of this to post, so that will come soon. 4 out of 5, and that’s good for a chick flick.
7.11.2008
7.03.2008
Wanted
Three of my top five favorite movies of all time are The Matrix, Kill Bill, and Lucky Number Slevin. Take these movies and add together their most relevant plots, effects, characters, and meanings. Then add Star Wars and Shoot Em Up. The result will be Wanted. I was so completely blown away by this movie. Perhaps there is nothing really original or ground breaking about this film, but somehow it managed to take everything I love about movies and put them together into one.
Let’s see, where to begin. Angelina Jolie has finally crawled out of her pit (Pun SO intended) and rejoined the forces of American filmmaking, and done so beautifully. Her along with what’s-his-name-I’ve-never-heard-of playing the lead guy (James McAvoy (fine I have heard of him, he is just not that noticeable to me yet (but is now))) make the movie worth seeing in itself. That’s a lie, Morgan Freeman helped, a lot. I love good acting, and damn can these people do it. The characters in this film are easy to understand in the few seconds you have to meet each of them. They make their case for who they are and what they do, and then you suddenly find your self rooting for them when you haven’t even comprehended the last guy you met.
This movie is epic. This movie stole the epic feeling that was missing from Indiana Jones 4, and added to the epic feeling from Iron Man. Explain “epic feeling” you ask? It’s the feeling that you get after seeing non stop action for two hours that makes you want to kick someone’s ass for looking at you funny and drive your car 60 MPH in the parking lot. This movie is like adrenaline that was injected during the best line up of previews I have seen in a long time and lasted until the very end. As soon as you feel like the movie is about to rest the main character gets punched in the face again. Gun fights, knife fights, car chases, train chases, cars jumping over trains, cars jumping into trains, trains falling down deep ravines… ok well, you get the point. It’s non stop, it’s epic.
But for just a little criticism, it’s constructive, I swear. If you don’t like movies that use ideas ‘borrowed’ (I use that term loosely) from other movies you will probably hate this. The plot itself was nothing I had seen before, but like I said earlier everything else seemed to have been used before in other (awesome) movies. Again, I don’t think this is bad. The main character had to go through a life transforming journey to learn how to control his “panic attacks” to become super human and bend bullets. Add a pretty sweet twist at the end, well… Well, I don’t want to dislike this movie. I feel torn. I loved it. But the entire time I just kept noticing other movies during all the action and it got a little distracting. Perhaps this is my expensive schooling finally getting to me when I watch movies, or maybe the references were supposed to be that noticeable. I am not entirely sure. I still loved.
GO SEE THIS MOVIE. But go see this movie because I told you to, not because deep down you already wanted to. (HA, more pun intended). Four and half out of five stars, nine out of ten, 3.75 out of 4, etc. I had such a good time.
Let’s see, where to begin. Angelina Jolie has finally crawled out of her pit (Pun SO intended) and rejoined the forces of American filmmaking, and done so beautifully. Her along with what’s-his-name-I’ve-never-heard-of playing the lead guy (James McAvoy (fine I have heard of him, he is just not that noticeable to me yet (but is now))) make the movie worth seeing in itself. That’s a lie, Morgan Freeman helped, a lot. I love good acting, and damn can these people do it. The characters in this film are easy to understand in the few seconds you have to meet each of them. They make their case for who they are and what they do, and then you suddenly find your self rooting for them when you haven’t even comprehended the last guy you met.
This movie is epic. This movie stole the epic feeling that was missing from Indiana Jones 4, and added to the epic feeling from Iron Man. Explain “epic feeling” you ask? It’s the feeling that you get after seeing non stop action for two hours that makes you want to kick someone’s ass for looking at you funny and drive your car 60 MPH in the parking lot. This movie is like adrenaline that was injected during the best line up of previews I have seen in a long time and lasted until the very end. As soon as you feel like the movie is about to rest the main character gets punched in the face again. Gun fights, knife fights, car chases, train chases, cars jumping over trains, cars jumping into trains, trains falling down deep ravines… ok well, you get the point. It’s non stop, it’s epic.
But for just a little criticism, it’s constructive, I swear. If you don’t like movies that use ideas ‘borrowed’ (I use that term loosely) from other movies you will probably hate this. The plot itself was nothing I had seen before, but like I said earlier everything else seemed to have been used before in other (awesome) movies. Again, I don’t think this is bad. The main character had to go through a life transforming journey to learn how to control his “panic attacks” to become super human and bend bullets. Add a pretty sweet twist at the end, well… Well, I don’t want to dislike this movie. I feel torn. I loved it. But the entire time I just kept noticing other movies during all the action and it got a little distracting. Perhaps this is my expensive schooling finally getting to me when I watch movies, or maybe the references were supposed to be that noticeable. I am not entirely sure. I still loved.
GO SEE THIS MOVIE. But go see this movie because I told you to, not because deep down you already wanted to. (HA, more pun intended). Four and half out of five stars, nine out of ten, 3.75 out of 4, etc. I had such a good time.
5.12.2008
Speed Racer
The Wachowski’s could not have chosen a better movie to make for a comeback. Written and directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski, Speed Racer was probably the most fun in a movie theater I have had this year. As soon as the film starts you are thrown into a fast paced and colorful world of the future. You meet an adorable, yet troubled family of racers, and are raced through their lives in a strangely idyllic future. There are so many great things about this film, which many others feel make it a bad film. I will admit, if you are over 40 and don’t have ADD it’s probably not the movie for you. Everything flies by so fast it is a little hard to catch everything that goes on. However, who decided this was a bad thing? There are multiple story lines, and they are woven together flawlessly. You are never bored by what is happening, and are always left wanting to know more as soon as the scene cuts. The editing makes this film like none other; it’s flashy but very well done. What everyone else seems to agree on is that its too much for them, but my take is that the film is about car racing, why have slow boring editing and just one plot line, when you can add to the speed and fun by making it unique. Speed Racer is the first movie I feel I have ever been truly able to say looks like a live action cartoon. Everything was just so slightly over the top as far as the set and costumes, but that’s what makes it work.
The casting was superb. Emile Hirsch and Christina Ricci make for a desperately cute couple on screen; both are short and look surprisingly young which fits the characters perfectly. Not only were the leads great but the whole family was bringing their best efforts in this film, even the pet monkey did well. There is really nothing bad I can say about this movie. It may be early to say, but I already see a nomination for best editing. This movie was fun. It was a kids movie for grown ups. The Matrix is one of my favorite films of all time, and I am so glad to see the Wachowski’s again. This film was nothing like the matrix, and yet at the same time you know it was made by the same people. The Wachowski’s are really showing us all that they can do in this film, and believe me, they did it!
What can I say, I give it 5 out of 5 stars. There was nothing I didn’t like. The only problem I could even try and give it, is that it seemed a little long towards the middle, but I credit that to the fact that I went to a midnight showing and I was tired. I LOVED this movie!
5.05.2008
Moulin Rouge (1952)
Directed by: John Huston
The film was nominated in 1953 for Best Picture, Best director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Editing. It won best Art Direction and Best Costumes.
This came on TCM the other night, and the announcer said it had nothing to do with the 2001 version. He was clearly wrong. This is the story of a crippled painter named Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The film flashes back to a rough childhood, which leads him to become an alcoholic, which in turn is what ends his life early. The 2001 Moulin Rouge was similar because of the setting and general story. However the main focus of this version was on the life of the painter, and not of the girl. This film was not a musical like the newer one, but the music and dancing were very alike.
Overall it was fun to watch, but got a little long during the middle. It started out a love story, turned sad, and ended with another love story. I have a hard time calling it a romance film because the main character never gets what he wanted so badly, a wife. Henri is too stubborn to let himself believe that anyone could actually love him which makes this film more of a tragedy than anything else. It was the paintings that brought this film to life, and its the paintings that gives it a happy ending despite the continuous sad tone. The editing, like the newer one is amazing. So while it is not a direct remake, so much from this was used to make the 2001 film the amazing film it was.
I give it 4 of 5 stars. I love the new one so much, and it was great to see where it came from, but it was also very unique, and had such a different take on the story that it was like watching a whole different movie.
The film was nominated in 1953 for Best Picture, Best director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Editing. It won best Art Direction and Best Costumes.
This came on TCM the other night, and the announcer said it had nothing to do with the 2001 version. He was clearly wrong. This is the story of a crippled painter named Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The film flashes back to a rough childhood, which leads him to become an alcoholic, which in turn is what ends his life early. The 2001 Moulin Rouge was similar because of the setting and general story. However the main focus of this version was on the life of the painter, and not of the girl. This film was not a musical like the newer one, but the music and dancing were very alike.
Overall it was fun to watch, but got a little long during the middle. It started out a love story, turned sad, and ended with another love story. I have a hard time calling it a romance film because the main character never gets what he wanted so badly, a wife. Henri is too stubborn to let himself believe that anyone could actually love him which makes this film more of a tragedy than anything else. It was the paintings that brought this film to life, and its the paintings that gives it a happy ending despite the continuous sad tone. The editing, like the newer one is amazing. So while it is not a direct remake, so much from this was used to make the 2001 film the amazing film it was.
I give it 4 of 5 stars. I love the new one so much, and it was great to see where it came from, but it was also very unique, and had such a different take on the story that it was like watching a whole different movie.
5.04.2008
Iron Man
Directed by: Jon Favreau
The last midnight showing I had gone to was Spiderman 3, that almost made me lose hope for all midnight showings, why be the first to see it if it sucks? Well, because if it is awesome, then you can say you saw it first. This is what happened with Iron Man. Like all other comic book movies, I don't read the books, I hardly know the stories, I just like the movies. I loved Iron Man, and I am still yet to meet anyone who disagrees. The story was interesting, It was almost not predictable, but then again, how can it be a super hero movie if the hero doesn't win while battling his changing self. The predicable part was knowing who would be the enemy within the first five minutes of film, then again, its probably a story that every comic book nerd already knew so predictability, in this case, is void. The fact that I figured it out early had no effect however on how much I enjoyed it over all. There was a little bit of a terrorism theme which I am sure was there to promote the fact that its an American film, but also made it seem much more plausible (Not that it is, but it could be, and that would be cool).
Tony Stark is someone I want to be friends with. His character is a sarcastic ass, just like everyone I know, and yet somehow turned into an incredible hero type in the end. Jeff Bridges is an actor I rarely like, so the fact that I didn't know it was him until the credits (I thought they looked similar) made it good for his sake. Everyone else did fantastic. The characters are what made this similar to Batman Begins. Both films are about the hero learning who they are in a very real and relatable kind of way, not the usual flashy look at all the cool things I can do hero.
This movie was great! Also a great way to start this blog. I cant decide if I want to award it the full five stars. I feel I can only give it 4.5 because ten minutes into the film you knew a sequel was inevitable, and that it would not actually resolve in the current 2 hours.
Mk. so thats my first post, feel free to leave comments and get me to argue. Check back everydayish for a new post on an old movie, and every week or so for new releases!
The last midnight showing I had gone to was Spiderman 3, that almost made me lose hope for all midnight showings, why be the first to see it if it sucks? Well, because if it is awesome, then you can say you saw it first. This is what happened with Iron Man. Like all other comic book movies, I don't read the books, I hardly know the stories, I just like the movies. I loved Iron Man, and I am still yet to meet anyone who disagrees. The story was interesting, It was almost not predictable, but then again, how can it be a super hero movie if the hero doesn't win while battling his changing self. The predicable part was knowing who would be the enemy within the first five minutes of film, then again, its probably a story that every comic book nerd already knew so predictability, in this case, is void. The fact that I figured it out early had no effect however on how much I enjoyed it over all. There was a little bit of a terrorism theme which I am sure was there to promote the fact that its an American film, but also made it seem much more plausible (Not that it is, but it could be, and that would be cool).
Tony Stark is someone I want to be friends with. His character is a sarcastic ass, just like everyone I know, and yet somehow turned into an incredible hero type in the end. Jeff Bridges is an actor I rarely like, so the fact that I didn't know it was him until the credits (I thought they looked similar) made it good for his sake. Everyone else did fantastic. The characters are what made this similar to Batman Begins. Both films are about the hero learning who they are in a very real and relatable kind of way, not the usual flashy look at all the cool things I can do hero.
This movie was great! Also a great way to start this blog. I cant decide if I want to award it the full five stars. I feel I can only give it 4.5 because ten minutes into the film you knew a sequel was inevitable, and that it would not actually resolve in the current 2 hours.
Mk. so thats my first post, feel free to leave comments and get me to argue. Check back everydayish for a new post on an old movie, and every week or so for new releases!
5.03.2008
Welcome!
Hey everyone, I am Jenny and I love movies. I am a film studies major and want to get some practice writing my thoughts about films before I venture out into the real world to do it for a living (that is the preferred plan anyways). Each week I will see a film in theaters, probably a new release for the week, otherwise I will watch one movie every day for the entire summer. As far as I know I will rate movies 1 to 5, because everyone can relate to that, but I don't really like that system so I am trying to come up with something new (I will let you know if it changes). I will try and keep up with the poll for the in theaters film so please reply to those. Thanks for reading! :-)
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