Friday, December 29, 2006
Night at the Museum
This is Jumanji meets Indian in the Cuboard, while only being memorable when Owen Wilson and Robin Williams are on screen. Besides these two, this film is a wasted opportunity. O, and Dick Van Dyke is in this one too, therefore you know it's a question mark.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
The Pursuit of Happyness
The American Dream: through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity (aka Chris Gardner)
Will Smith brings The Pursuit of Happyness from a typical tearjerker, to a memorable journey of the American Dream. He is the heart and soul of this film, but not without some solid supporting performances.
This is inspired by the true story of Chris Gardner, a bright and talented, but devastatingly poor salesman struggling just to make rent and afford food.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
A Look Back at Some Old Classics...
The Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath is John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel set during the Great Depression. It revolves around a group of
Cinematographer Gregg Toland is flawless here, moving the camera along side the rutted old car on route 66. He shows the vast emptiness of the land with sweeping views of the plains of the dessert. In one heartbreaking scene, the elder grandfather dies from the long trip along side the road. The family surrounds him with utter silence and emotional disarray.
The big difference between the book and film is the ending. In the end of the novel, one of the women on the journey suffers a stillborn child and the baby flows down a river symbolizing a Jesus like sacrifice. In the film, the family (or what’s left of them) travel across into an unknown place, with only a sign informing them that danger is ahead. Both endings are effective, yet the film seems to end somewhat abruptly. Nevertheless, this is still a stunningly brutal film powered by performances and comprehensive camerawork.
“It was beauty killed the beast”
Classified as one of the greatest blockbusters in American film history, King Kong is one of the few films that actually lives up to its expectations. It is a visual wonder, full of grand excitement and dazzling emotion. It is the best film of 1933.
In the early stage of the great depression, the bold and stubborn filmmaker Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) finds a map to an unknown piece of land in the middle of the ocean, where he will shoot his next picture. He finds Ann Darrow (Fay Wray) a young and beautiful, yet poor actress to travel by ship, along with a large crew and his friend Jack Driscoll (Bruce Cabot) to this location. When landing on the island, Ann is captured and sacrificed to Kong. Driscoll (who is in love with her), Denham, and the crew aim to capture the animal and save Ann. Kong mysteriously falls in love with Ann, as he protects her against the dangers of the
Directors Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack conjure up a world of magic. The chase scenes through the island, especially when the crew runs from the dinosaurs through the pond and on foot are horrifying. Kong’s visual presence is staggering as he viciously throws the crew off a tree limb. The men are helplessly thrown into the ground and mangled. This is a scene of astonishing power. The greatest shots come from when Kong’s head slowly eases into the view through a window or through the subway train glass giving a murderous look to its next prey. As the journey continues through the island, Kong and one other dinosaur attempt to destroy one another, but he is no match for Kong as he for the first time saves Ann’s life. The final scene of
King Kong, the classic blockbuster, is an explosive piece of cinematic filmmaking. Seventy years later and it is still a precedent for many filmmakers. It’s visuals for a 1933 film is a bewildering technical achievement. This is a piece of beauty that has killed the beast. I am that beast.
Before the sequel Mabuse the Gambler, there was M, one of Fritz Lang’s best directed films. This is a story of a psychotic child murderer named Hans Beckert (Peter Lorre) who stalks a city and is unable to be caught. The police, along with the infamous Inspector Lohmann, try desperately to find the man but are unsuccessful. Through their process they continue to cut into the business of gangsters, who decide to catch him themselves by employing homeless beggars as their spies. This is a haunting and original idea.
As the public begins to discover the treacherous acts of this man, they shout in horror to “Kill the Beast”. Hans looks into the camera with a sense of vulnerability and nerve-racking instability and says “But I didn’t even know her”. This is brilliant writing and cinematography. It feels like he is actually confessing to the viewer.
What is most affecting in the film is how Lang doesn’t show anything. It allows the viewer to imagine what happened in their own mind. A dark and mysterious atmosphere is maintained throughout the movie. This is a truly haunting thriller.
Charlie Chaplin is a brilliant filmmaker and a fantastic comedian. In the opening of The Pilgrim, Chaplin, playing his infamous role as “The Tramp”, escapes from prison and takes a preacher's set of clothes. He is then hilariously mistaken for an actual preacher and he becomes the new minister for the town of
This is a hilarious film. I do believe that Chaplin is one of the strongest comedians of cinematic history, ahead of Buster Keaton. Although Keaton is a master at his material, Chaplin and his slapstick skills stand above Keaton. In one side-splittingly funny scene, Chaplin is forced to deliver a sermon as the minister and fails miserably. After more and more chaos, he sees an ex-inmate who recognizes him in the home of lovely girl and religious family. The movie feels like it offended many church authorities back when it was released in 1923. But for everyone else, this is a gift from comedic heaven.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Blood Diamond
Blood Diamond is a brilliant look at a bewildering controversy. It explores a culture unknown to the common man, with stunningly brutal performances and crisp cinematography. It is one of the best films of the year.
Set against the backdrop of civil war and chaos in 1990's
Hounsou is outstanding and perfectly cast. His intensity ads wonders to the screen. Connelly is a little weak around the edges but manages to bring enough to her character where she isn't totally unwatchable. Zwick's direction is intense and brutal. As a director he is underrated and deserves recognition with his abilities to direct young children without very limited acting experience. This is another well worthy edition to his collection.
However, the film belongs to Dicaprio. His visual presence and audacious accent is spellbinding. His acting here is of Oscar-caliber and one of the best performances of his already astounding career. This has been one whopper of a year for Dicaprio, with Blood Diamond and Martin Scorsese's The Departed. Either way, Dicaprio is on his way to scoring his third Academy Award nomination, and potentially a deservingly first win.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj
Monday, November 27, 2006
The Fountain
**** Stars
The Fountain is a film of unique structure and fascinating beauty. It is a simple tale of love and determination. But this is not a film for everybody. It is for open minds only. Fans of hardcore Science Fiction and director Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, Pi) will appreciate its different study of time travel.
There are three paralleling stories in a period of a thousand years about one man bound to save the woman he loves. His epic journey begins in 16th-century
It is hard to review a film like this. In Aronofsky's eyes, this is a masterpiece. If you share the same vision, you will agree. This is a brilliant study of a simple subject. It may be silly, it may be borderline insane, but The Fountain, whether you are clueless of the plot or not, is a film that is hypnotically watchable. I am in love with this film
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Fast Food Nation
Based on the best selling novel by Eric Schlosser, Fast Food Nation is an examination of how the most popular product in America is destroying how we live personally and physically. The filmmakers are obviously passionate about this subject and their intentions serve a purpose, however as a film, I could not have possibly cared less. This seems to be a recurring problem today in films: The concept of a movie is brilliant, but the execution is lame.
In 2004, the documentary Super Size Me was a brilliant attack on the food industry. After the success of this film, it would be hard to match its caliber. Fast Food Nation does just that, failing to give an impact necessary for this kind of film.
This is the story of fast food and how the food industry has triggered how our society works. Greg Kinnear plays a marketing executive who find out the truth in meat. Bruce Willis shows up and talks about how America should face that fact that the world is not perfect and it is acceptable that there is actual s*** in the meat we eat. Seeing a big star like Willis is a distraction to the story and it is horribly miscast. The film tries to examine who is actually handling our food, how the food is marketed, and what is really in the meat. The food is fueling an epidemic of obesity and separating the rich and poor. These are all very important factors seen in this film. But to the extent, I don't care. The film is overlong, stressing how we should all become full out vegetarians.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Casino Royale
**** Stars
Filled with blistering action and smoldering heat, this newest James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, is a brilliant piece of cinematic filmmaking. Casino Royale is not only one the greatest bond films ever made, but one of the best films of the year.
Like the Batman franchise with Batman Begins (only with far better execution), this is a reboot of the James Bond franchise with a look back at the beginning. It shows how Bond became the classic 007. The novel Casino Royale was written by Ian Fleming before the first film Dr. No. They took the classy script and modernized it, creating a Bond with the same caliber as Sean Connery. Craig is one for the ages.
His first mission takes him to
There are too many villains in this movie. But this is not a Bond vs. Villain film. This is the story of only James Bond, which what makes it so damn irresistible. We see a side of Bond that brings all other Bond films to shame. This is a gritty-enormously dark film, filled with witty charm, excruciatingly brutal fight scenes, and an actor who if continues to create more films like this, could become the definitive James Bond. Casino Royale makes Die Another Day look like a mediocre high school science project.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Babel
***1/2 Stars
In the Bible, the story of
In the remote sands of the Moroccan desert, an American tourist is hit by a rifle shot heard around the world. A Japanese teen rebel's (Rinko Kikuchi) father is sought by the police in
The movie raises some serious questions. Why are people so different? Do laws and culture clash to create the world’s problems? Like last year's Best Picture winning Crash, this is a fascinating look at how we are more connected than one sees. It is a tale of deep connection, love and survival, and cultural misunderstanding. Brad Pitt's performance is of Oscar caliber and Inarritu's direction is crisp and vivaciously spectacular.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Fahrenheit 9/11
This is a look back at an important film released in 2004. Michael Moore will release another film in 2007 called Sicko, an attack on America's health care system.
***1/2 Stars
Michael Moore follows up his controversial speech at the 2002 Oscars with a blisteringly controversial look at the Bush administration and how its connections to
This is a brave piece of film. Although not as strong as his 2002 Oscar winning Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11 is an interesting and important look of what
Stranger Than Fiction
Stranger than fiction, with a stellar cast, deeply thoughtful direction, ads wonders to a screenplay of already Oscar caliber.
This is a tale of one man named Harold Crick (Will Farrell, in a perfectly executed performance), who lives a dull existence of solitude. Karen Effiel (a perfectly cast Emma Thompson) is the author creating this story in her mind. What she doesn't know is that Harold Crick actually exists. He is an IRS agent who begins to hear Karen's voice as she narrates his life with perfection. Harold however finds trouble when he hears that Karen plans to kill him. Events throughout the film seem to be leading directly towards his death. Harold insists the help of a literary professor named Jules Hilbert (the always inspiring Dustin Hoffman) to find out what is happening and ends up changing things about his life. He tells Harold to try living life instead of counting brush strokes and ceiling tiles. He begins to fall for one of his IRS clients, Ana Pascal (an easily lovable Maggie Gyllenhaal). Ana is a government-hating bakery owner who at first shuns Harold, but then sees a soft side she cannot resist. The scenes between Ana and Harold are charming, loving, and beautifully written.
Screenwriter Zach Helm delivers a story of awesome wit and surprising power. Hear we see these characters that are so easy to love that we constantly wonder how the Shakespearean like ending will occur. The movie indubitably heads towards this, however when the moment arrives, the story takes an asymmetrical turn. At first, it is an overrun cliché. But once explained, you see an empathetic reason behind it. The movie may be stranger than fiction, but the message is easily coherent within our hearts. It reminds us of a life of innocence and how living life to the fullest brings out the best of the human verve. This is one of the year’s best films.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
***1/2 Stars
Borat is one of the most ridiculous things ever created and not just in movies. In its 84 minute running time, actor Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat, gives us more offensive material than most films in history. And yet for some odd reason, it is the funniest film of the year.
Judging from the title, it is clear where this film is heading. It starts with Borat, a
Borat moves onto
Borat has to be seen to believe. The creators of this film are shockingly crude and horribly disgusting, yet excruciatingly hilarious. It is a guarantee that Sacha Baron Cohen will receive death threats for the rest of his days. The actual country of
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Saw III
** Stars
Warning: Saw III is without a doubt one of the goriest films of all time. Yes, of all time.
The third installment of this trilogy is for horror fans and horror fans only. The jigsaw is back for the final test (who knows anymore, there could be two more installments if it wanted too) in this twisted and stunningly brutal slasher flick.
Jigsaw (Tobin Bell in his signature role) is dying from a frontal lobe tumor. His new apprentice, Amanda (Shawnee Smith) is taking over his legacy. While city detectives scramble to locate him, Dr. Lynn Denlon (Bahar Soomekhis) is the latest victim in his latest game. After finishing a shift at her hospital,
Jigsaw must have some sort of magical presentiment skill because he can predict every move that every one makes. The only problem with this installment, like the second one, is this idea to find a way to make the audience gag at every stage of the film. Take into consideration that the gore in this film has reached a new level in horror films. From cracking bones, to drowning in pig remains, to open brain surgeries, Saw III gives gruesome a new name for itself. Enter at your own risk. You may be leaving without your dignity and the will to ever eat again.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
The Prestige
***1/2 Stars
The Prestige is a fast paced, dazzling white knuckler. Director Christopher Nolan is a wizard when it comes to creating elaborate magic tricks. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale turn in knockout performances as two rival magicians. This is one final act you won’t want to miss.
Two young magicians set out to become famous turn-of-the-century London. Robert Angier (Jackman) is the entertainer and Alfred Borden (Bale) is the creative genius but lacks the showmanship of Angier. They start out as admiring friends and partners. But then their biggest trick goes terribly awry when Angier’s wife is killed. They become enemies for life, outdoing and upending the other.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Flags of Our Fathers
*** Stars
This is a three out of four star rating on a Clint Eastwood scale; meaning that this is not Eastwood's greatest work, but still better than most historical films you'll see. Eastwood is a master of his craft adding another somewhat well-worthy edition to his already brimming collection.
This is a study of war and its aftermath. The 1945 painfully hematic battle on Iwo Jima (a volcanic
The story behind the famous picture of
Although the story concludes nicely, it is filled with some entangled flashbacks. It seems that too many stories are trying to be told here. From Joe's son retelling his father’s experience, to the effects of war, it can be overwhelming. However, don't let that stop you from seeing Eastwood's vision of an extremely important story. Flags of Our Fathers is a re-account of a landmark event. To bad the film itself was not a landmark .
Sunday, October 08, 2006
The Departed
“Cops or Criminals. When you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?”
Martin Scorsese is a masterful storyteller who creates what he does best: a masterpiece that adds further strength to his walking stature among other film directors. If an Oscar is once again taken away from Scorsese, there is no justice in the world.
Dicaprio: Good Cop.
Damon: Bad Cop.
Nicholson: Mob Boss.
Scorsese: Director.
The Cast: Dynamite.
Execution: Breathtaking.
For a running time of over two and a half hours, The Departed is a fast paced, dazzling piece of work. Its violence, deceit, and tragedy will leave you staggered. Even with some minor flaws involving some underwritten characters, Scorsese’s brilliant mind is an example of our highest accomplishments in modern cinema. This is one of his best crime drama, ranking right with his classic Goodfellas.
Monday, October 02, 2006
The Illusionist
**** Stars
"Everything you have seen here has been an illusion..."
This is why I love the movies.
Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti unite for a dazzling story in this elegant and well-provoked concept behind the world of magic.
Director Neil Burger's screen adaptation of Steven Millhauser's short story 'Eisenheim the Illusionist' stars Edward Norton, in a dynamite role as Eisenheim, a magician in early 1900's Vienna. In his childhood, he fell in love with a young girl, Sophie (Jessica Biel at her best) who is of higher class. Now, when she becomes engaged to a Crown Prince, Eisenheim uses his powers to win her back and undermine the stability of the royal house of
Forget and forgive the questions of his abilities. Let the story grab you and take you in. If you let it, you be entertained beyond most movies you'll see this year. The Illusionist is a wonderfully old-fashioned tale, filled with juice that was worth the squeeze. It is pure magic.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Jackass: Number Two
Monday, September 18, 2006
The Last Kiss
"We all make choices. What's your's?"
The Last Kiss is a painfully honest look at how years of love and sacrifice can be destroyed by 30 seconds of lies and deception. Writer Paul Haggis, who gave us "Crash" and "Million Dollar Baby" explores another important issue about life...relationships.
Michael, (Garden State and Scrub's Zach Braff) a 29 year old architect is struggling to adapt to adulthood. His best friends are still close, his career is blossoming, and his girlfriend Jenna (Jacinda Barrett) is one of kind. She becomes pregnant and soon the two will live hapily ever after...right?
Scared and confused, Michael begins to question whether or not his life is what he wants it to be. He meets this girl Kim (Rachel Bilson), a young college girl who is instantly attracted to Michael. He begins to question whether or not he is ready to grow up. In this case, growing up for Michael will not be easy.
Life is what you make of it. The choice you make at one moment can alter your future. The Last Kiss is a perfect instrument of that. It shows, that in a realistic world, that not all relationships are perfect. Sometimes you have to forgive and forget.
So what's your next best choice? Seeing The Last Kiss.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Little Miss Sunshine
***1/2 Stars
There is nothing better when a movie equals the quality of its title, especially when the movie is called Little Miss Sunshine. It is a true cinematic delight powered by an all star cast.
The
Along side Olive is her father Richard, (Greg Kinnear) a failed motivational speaker who tries to sell his idea of a nine step program to success. "There are two kinds of people in this world, winners and losers." Her Uncle Frank (a brilliant Steve Carell) is a gay scholar who has just attempted suicide. Her grandfather (Alan Arkin) is a drug addict who helps coach her for the pageant. Her brother (Paul Dano) has taken a vow of silence until he turns eighteen and joins the military. Her mother (Toni Collette) is a loving, yet chaotic house wife who tries her best to keep the family together. Together, they fight, laugh, cry, and discover who they really are in this quest for the Little Miss Sunshine.
The movie is perfectly cast. Every character is confused and frustrated with one another. But what's important is that they all have their heart in the right place. It reminds us that even a little beauty pageant in
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Hollywoodland
Yes, it's true. The actor has been given the part to reboot his career. Affleck is the definitive George Reeves, one of television's biggest victims. Felled by a single gunshot wound, George Reeves (TV's Superman) leaves behind a fiancée, a grieving mother, tons of fans, and a hell of an investigation. Louis Simo (a solid performance by Adrien Brody), a private investigator, is hired to investigate Reeve's murder. This movie examines three scenarios. Who killed Superman? The fiance left in the dust, The man who's wife is sleeping with him, or did Reeves's just decide to end the suffering of failure? The investigation was never solved.
Hollywoodland is a conventional, mild, and entertaining history piece. But its purpose is for its knockout performance by Ben Affleck. He's at the top of their game.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
Snakes on a Plane
This campy and outrageous horror/slasher/comedy/B-Movie flick is a ridiculous and far fetched piece of junk. Yet, it is preposterously entertaining.
So here’s the deal. A young man witnesses a brutal mob murder by the notorious Chen Leong. The investigation falls to FBI agent Neville Flynn (Samuel L. Jackson) to escort his charge safely from
He smuggles hundreds of poisonous snakes onto the commercial aircraft in a crate timed to release its deadly cargo halfway over the Pacific. Flynn, along with a frightened flight crew and passengers, must then band together in a desperate attempt to survive. The rest you will have to see to believe.
Pulse
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
World Trade Center
"Another example of heroic love is the American hero. "
-Mortimer Adler
**** Stars
We all know the details of what happened that day. Two planes hit the towers and both collapsed. Many of the officers actually had little idea of what had truly happened to the towers. Many thought only one tower was hit. The smoke was so bad they could not see the other building. Confusion circulated many officials as the frantically tried to get into the buildings to start the rescue mission.
John McLoughlin (Nicholas Cage) and Will Jimeno (Michael Pena) were two Port Authority police officers who were called to the scene of the
While trapped in the rubble, McLoughlin and Jimeno experienced a lifetime of pain and memories. Flashbacks were brought back into the minds of the men as the desperately try to keep one another awake and alive. Jimeno comes close to death and claimed to see Jesus Christ holding a bottle of water. Other visions of their lives and love ones are seen that apparently help prevent their death. John's wife Donna (Mario Bello) and Will's wife Allison (Maggie Gyllenhaal) sat and watch from home as the waited painfully the fate of their husbands. Thankfully, both returned home safely. Sadly, 2,976 did not.
Nicholas Cage and Michael Pena are two very gifted actors. They care so deeply about these characters, that you are lost into the story. They both give sincere and award worthy performances. Oliver Stone directs them with simplistic complexity; meaning that the story is a simple tale of courage and survival, but the visions they see are never understandable. From Platoon to JFK, Stone seems to have no problem questioning the truth. But in this case, he re-creates it.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
*** Stars
Will Ferrell is a gift from comedy heaven. In this film, he plays Ricky Bobby, another self absorbed hero to the public who wants only what's best for himself. This time he is the leading man of Nascar. The movie has a great cast. Its quick wit and explosive laughs are just as funny as Anchorman; a ridiculous ride that will make you laugh until it hurts.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
John Tucker Must Die
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Monday, July 24, 2006
Lady in the Water
** Stars
It had to end sometime.
Since M. Night Shyamalan's first hit with The Sixth Sense back in 1999, he has consistently produced more films that were just as worthy (Unbreakable, Signs, and The Village). Sadly, seven years later, Shyamalan has crafted his first failure.
Shyamalan is however one of a limited group filmmakers who can create such masterful imagination on screen. The concept is pure brilliance. Unfortunately, the execution here is disappointing.
Now I'm only saying this because maybe I expected more from him because I'm such a huge fan. Maybe Shyamalan just wanted to make a simple bedtime story. And if that's the case and you take it that way, you might like this movie.
The story takes place at The Cove, an apartment complex in the middle of
The movie barely stays afloat because of Paul Giamatti, who is never worse than excellent. He is one of
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
An Inconvenient Truth
What happens when you abuse the simple luxuries in life? What happens when the life you know vanishes into thin air?
Al Gore gives a stunning and haunting presentation on Global Warming. From countries all over the world, he has tried to send a disturbing message towards all nations. If we do not change the way we are living, the world could start to fall apart, literally, as short as fifty years from now.
Gore discusses several different issues that are affecting Global Warming. Automobiles, population, the oil industry, electricity, even mosquitoes all play a part in this crisis. There is so much information to obtain in this film that seeing it at least twice is crucial. It is not a movie, nor a documentary. It is a lecture that gives us the information to live beyond our generation.
It may not be action packed or loaded with FX, but it delivers more terror than most films in years. Gore explains that this is not a politically issue, rather than a moral issue. This is a crucial fact towards this film. Gore does occasionally crack a joke about his loss of the Presidential Election in 2000. But mostly, he gives us a piece of nature that is beyond astonishing. So take initiative and start to slowly change the way you live. The first thing to do is to rush to the theater as soon as possible to see An Inconvenient Truth, one of the most important films of our time.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
*** Stars
Dead Man's Chest hits the big screens as the best movie so far this summer. Johnny Depp gives another award worthy performance as Jack Sparrow, the infamous captain of the Black Pearl. This is an exciting, suspenseful, and hilarious sequel that tops its great predecessor.
Jack discovers he owes a blood debt to the legendary Davey Jones, Captain of the ghostly Flying Dutchman. With time running out, Jack must find a way out of his debt or else be doomed to eternal damnation and servitude in the afterlife. Making matters worse, Jack's problems manage to interfere with the wedding plans of a certain Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), who are forced to join Jack on yet another one of his misadventures.
Johnny Depp rocks the screen like no other actor has this year. His hilarious wit and bold charisma equals his Academy Award nomination performance in the original, with some great supporting performances by Bill Nighy as Davy Jones and Stellan Skarsgar as Bootstrap Bill Turner, Will's father. The movie is long but nonetheless a wonderful spectacle. Let's hope Pirates 3 will prevail into another swashbuckling adventure.