Monday, January 23, 2006

Worst Movies of 2005

10. Be Cool
9. Dukes of Hazzard
8. Bad News Bears
7. Boogeyman
6. Saw II
5. Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
4. Deuce Bigalo: European Gigalo
3. Son of the Mask
2. Alone in the Dark
1. White Noise

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Top Ten Movies of 2005

1. King Kong
2. Crash
3. Cinderella Man
4. Sin City
5. A History of Violence
6. Walk the Line
7. Good Night and Good Luck
8. Capote
9.
Brokeback Mountain
10. Wedding Crashers

Brokeback Mountain

**** Stars

It is now impossible to look at these two fine actors the same ever again. For Heath Ledger, we are now looking at one the most talented young men in Hollywood. But lets not leave out Jake Gyllenhaal, who turns in yet another heartfelt and Oscar worthy performance. Brokeback Mountain sets a new landmark for the film industry. It is powerful, brilliantly acted, and for Ang Lee, this may be his turn to take Oscar glory.

Brokeback Mountain takes place on the vistas of Wyoming and Texas surrounding a love story between to men. is an epic love story set against the sweeping vistas of Wyoming and Texas. Two young men, a ranch-hand Ennis Del Mar (Ledger) and a rodeo cowboy Jack Twist (Gyllenhaal) meet on Brokeback Mountain in the summer of 1963 and begin a life long relationship hidden from the outside world.

Once the summer ends, they part ways, only to be reconnected years later. They marry, have kids, and try to live their lives without one another, when really for them, it is impossible. Michelle Williams is Ledgers wife, Ann Hathaway is Gyllenhaal's and both give powerful supporting performances as two women who will never know who their men truly are. Ang Lee's vision is captivating. The cinematography alone will sweep you away from your home and will place you on top of the most peaceful yet most painful place on earth...Brokeback Mountain.

Speaking a straight man, this is one of the best films of the year.

Munich



**1/2 Stars

Steven Spielberg is one of my favorite film directors. Every single one of his movies is a treasure for me (alright A.I was just ok). But as I walked out of the theater after seeing Munich, it was the first time in my life Spielberg disappointed me.


This is the story of what happened after the massacre of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. It follows a fictitious secret Israeli team assigned to kill Palestinians suspected to have planned the Munich attack. The plot is thick. Spielberg doesn't give us the characters he has given us before. We really don't care for them as much as we should. The assassination squad included four men, headed by Avner (Eric Bana), track down and kill those who were behind the attack. These Israeli’s must look strong to the world in order to protect themselves. But all in all, it really comes down to revenge.

The acting is above par. Bana gives us the performance he can give (he is a Non-Jewish man playing a Jewish man). The supporting cast including Geoffrey Rush and Daniel Craig have their moments. Some scenes are very well done, especially the flashbacks of the actual hostage situation and an assassination on one of the terrorists is quite chilling when it suddenly goes abrupt. But still, after two hours and forty-five minutes, you wonder when Spielberg really wanted it to end. If I had to choose, I would say after minute 120. Many say "Munich" is a bold move for Spielberg. Well that may be, but I don't care. The movie just isn't that good.

Hostel


**1/2 Stars
Hostel delivers the goods...and the god-awful at the same time.