The Movie: The Messengers, directed by Oxide Pang Chun and Danny Pang
Recommendation: Nobody.
Reason: I saw the commercials and was really struck by one section-the teenage girl being snatched back through a doorway by greyed hands.
I like horror movies. I really do. My wall is heavily seeded towards that end, ranging from The Descent to Scream to...eurgh...Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation. So I sometimes get excited by new concepts and interesting visuals, which the previews of The Messengers certainly included-the child's legs appearing as a bedspread billows upwards was quite eyecatching. I usually forget that movies with interesting visuals tend to sort of suck in the story and horror department.
As it turns out, this movie was filmed in my province. Credit should be given, I couldn't tell, but then again North Dakota and Saskatchewan do look a little alike. Wish I had known this was happening. I might have been able to stop it. The Messengers isn't a bad movie so much as it is damn boring. Seriously boring. The 'shocks' are telegraphed horribly and the 'scary' never comes. It's basically Cold Creek Manner without Stephen Dorff's innate ability to create utter crap.
Apparently it hit #1 in between Epic Movie and Norbit, which just goes to show that the stupid ran high for three weeks in February. Don't bother seeing The Messengers. There are better things to do with your time. Watch The Changeling. I've heard it's good.
-136/365 down, 229/365 to go
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Sorry. My bad.
The Movie: Reno 911!: Miami, directed by Ben Garant
Recommendation: Me!
Reason: I love Reno 911. Yup.
So, Reno 911! was hilarious, as I expected it would be. I'm a pretty big fan of the TV show, and the movie kept the spirit of the show while taking it to a new level. I don't know if I can really provide a review that's objective here, because I really do like the show enough that I feel it might cloud my judgement. But for those who enjoy the improvisational humor Reno has to offer, it was a good movie.
The story of the movie is a little over the top, not unexpected in a comedy like this. The Reno sheriff's department, comprised of short-shorts wearing Dangle, probably-insane Weigle, asleep-at-the-wheel Junior, moderately skanky Clementine, butch Kimball and ethically questionable Garcia and Jones, is put in charge of preventing crime in Miami after an accident. This is about as good an idea as it sounds to those familiar with the series, and the cast really gets into their new environment.
This was a truly entertaining movie, head and shoulders above the other movie I saw on the same night. If the show's your thing, watch the movie, flip off the brain and enjoy yourself.
-135/365 down, 230/365 to go
Recommendation: Me!
Reason: I love Reno 911. Yup.
So, Reno 911! was hilarious, as I expected it would be. I'm a pretty big fan of the TV show, and the movie kept the spirit of the show while taking it to a new level. I don't know if I can really provide a review that's objective here, because I really do like the show enough that I feel it might cloud my judgement. But for those who enjoy the improvisational humor Reno has to offer, it was a good movie.
The story of the movie is a little over the top, not unexpected in a comedy like this. The Reno sheriff's department, comprised of short-shorts wearing Dangle, probably-insane Weigle, asleep-at-the-wheel Junior, moderately skanky Clementine, butch Kimball and ethically questionable Garcia and Jones, is put in charge of preventing crime in Miami after an accident. This is about as good an idea as it sounds to those familiar with the series, and the cast really gets into their new environment.
This was a truly entertaining movie, head and shoulders above the other movie I saw on the same night. If the show's your thing, watch the movie, flip off the brain and enjoy yourself.
-135/365 down, 230/365 to go
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Yo-HAR!
The Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, directed by Gore Verbinski
Recommendation: Me!
Reason: I had to finish the trilogy.
I was dragged to Pirates of the Caribbean. I really was. I did _not_ want to see it at all. For crying out loud, it was based on a Disney ride, and the Haunted Mansion movie looked bad enough. Imagine my surprise when the original movie turned out to be a slightly longish swords and seas flick with a spectacular performance by Johnny Depp as the possibly-villainous, possibly-heroic Jack Sparrow. It was thrilling. I giggled with glee. Then they started putting out sequels, and that wasn't...so bad. I liked Dead Man's Chest, which wasn't the general consensus, and I did like At World's End.
At the end of the movie, I was so tired I didn't stick around for the after-credits bit. Apparently it was important, but unless it was Elizabeth standing behind the wheel of a pirate ship in full regalia, I can wait for DVD. If I did miss that, I apologize and I will rectify it as soon as possible. That's the part of the ending that probably annoyed me the most-Elizabeth is left on a stupid beach, pining away for Will...and everything we've seen so far makes that conclusion of her character a little difficult to accept. I think I'll settle for being happy to have seen so much of Naomie Harris and Geoffrey Rush-his scenery chewing manic-pirate antics would've punched up Dead Man's Chest quite a bit.
This third installment was adequate, I'd say. It wrapped up the stories it started, everyone went on their merry way and it was nearly a happy ending. Sorry if I've gone and spoiled things for people, but I've left out the more...bizarre stuff. Go and see it, assuming you haven't already and you liked the first two movies. At the very least, there's a damn cool ship-battle.
-134/365 down, 231/365 to go
Recommendation: Me!
Reason: I had to finish the trilogy.
I was dragged to Pirates of the Caribbean. I really was. I did _not_ want to see it at all. For crying out loud, it was based on a Disney ride, and the Haunted Mansion movie looked bad enough. Imagine my surprise when the original movie turned out to be a slightly longish swords and seas flick with a spectacular performance by Johnny Depp as the possibly-villainous, possibly-heroic Jack Sparrow. It was thrilling. I giggled with glee. Then they started putting out sequels, and that wasn't...so bad. I liked Dead Man's Chest, which wasn't the general consensus, and I did like At World's End.
At the end of the movie, I was so tired I didn't stick around for the after-credits bit. Apparently it was important, but unless it was Elizabeth standing behind the wheel of a pirate ship in full regalia, I can wait for DVD. If I did miss that, I apologize and I will rectify it as soon as possible. That's the part of the ending that probably annoyed me the most-Elizabeth is left on a stupid beach, pining away for Will...and everything we've seen so far makes that conclusion of her character a little difficult to accept. I think I'll settle for being happy to have seen so much of Naomie Harris and Geoffrey Rush-his scenery chewing manic-pirate antics would've punched up Dead Man's Chest quite a bit.
This third installment was adequate, I'd say. It wrapped up the stories it started, everyone went on their merry way and it was nearly a happy ending. Sorry if I've gone and spoiled things for people, but I've left out the more...bizarre stuff. Go and see it, assuming you haven't already and you liked the first two movies. At the very least, there's a damn cool ship-battle.
-134/365 down, 231/365 to go
I have a crush on Doug Jones.
The Movie: Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, directed by Tim Story
Recommendation: Broomie
Reason: He's a Chris Evans fan, and a Marvel comics geek.
So, the first Fantastic Four movie is probably best forgotten. In a real case of the sequel kicking the ass of the original, Rise of the Silver Surfer completely wipes the slate free of our sickening memories of Dr. Doom arriving at the final confrontation on a bus, and Ben Mulroney. Wanktastic Marvel geeks are going to hate it, as their precious Galactus is altered from 'retarded looking planet eating robot' to 'amorphous cthonic cloud', as well as loads of other 'inaccuracies'. I'm going to take the perspective of a DC fan and say 'suck it'. I've had to put up with all sorts of jackassery surrounding the Batman franchise-yon Marvel wankers can just deal with the 'assault on canon' the Fantastic Four are undergoing.
But I get off track-spent a little too long discussing that particular bit with Broomie I think. Rise of the Silver Surfer is a really good movie. Nothing that's going to win any awards, but for a comic book movie, it rises to the occasion. It ranks with X2, Batman Begins and X-Men, though doesn't quite reach Spiderman levels of excellence. The effects were stunning (even Galactus, you whiny fanboys), the performances were alright and the story was better than the first one. Altogether, Rise of the Silver Surfer was just all-round a better movie. It was less boring, much tighter, and Doug Jones was in it. We have a silly amount of love for that man.
From the perspective of a comics fan, I liked the movie. It had a good feel to it, it found the balance between the multiple storylines better than the first movie did, and the superpowers were appropriately over-the-top. As a movie, it's good summer fare, and that's all it needed to be.
-133/365 down, 232/365 to go
Recommendation: Broomie
Reason: He's a Chris Evans fan, and a Marvel comics geek.
So, the first Fantastic Four movie is probably best forgotten. In a real case of the sequel kicking the ass of the original, Rise of the Silver Surfer completely wipes the slate free of our sickening memories of Dr. Doom arriving at the final confrontation on a bus, and Ben Mulroney. Wanktastic Marvel geeks are going to hate it, as their precious Galactus is altered from 'retarded looking planet eating robot' to 'amorphous cthonic cloud', as well as loads of other 'inaccuracies'. I'm going to take the perspective of a DC fan and say 'suck it'. I've had to put up with all sorts of jackassery surrounding the Batman franchise-yon Marvel wankers can just deal with the 'assault on canon' the Fantastic Four are undergoing.
But I get off track-spent a little too long discussing that particular bit with Broomie I think. Rise of the Silver Surfer is a really good movie. Nothing that's going to win any awards, but for a comic book movie, it rises to the occasion. It ranks with X2, Batman Begins and X-Men, though doesn't quite reach Spiderman levels of excellence. The effects were stunning (even Galactus, you whiny fanboys), the performances were alright and the story was better than the first one. Altogether, Rise of the Silver Surfer was just all-round a better movie. It was less boring, much tighter, and Doug Jones was in it. We have a silly amount of love for that man.
From the perspective of a comics fan, I liked the movie. It had a good feel to it, it found the balance between the multiple storylines better than the first movie did, and the superpowers were appropriately over-the-top. As a movie, it's good summer fare, and that's all it needed to be.
-133/365 down, 232/365 to go
Friday, June 15, 2007
ZOMG! You stole his idea!
The Movie: The Last Broadcast, directed by Stefan Avalos and Lance Weiler
Recommendation: A lot of people who claimed The Blair Witch Project ripped it off.
Reason: As the above.
Sometimes horror movie nerds (yes, I am a horror movie nerd) just plain piss me off. When The Blair Witch Project came out, I heard a lot of hype about how terrifying it was. Lots of my 'hardcore' buddies were really blown away by the movie, and when I went to see it, it terrified me. I actually didn't sleep that night-I couldn't. I ended up barricading the door to my room and staying up with the lights on, reading. To this day, I still admit that The Blair Witch Project scared me stupid and I will probably never forget the last minute of the film. So people who claim that the movie didn't scare them at all usually get a dubious look. The people who claimed that The Blair Witch Project wholly ripped off The Last Broadcast will be getting a double-dubious look because while there are some surface similarities, it's just not close enough.
The Last Broadcast is about a couple of local-cable access geeks in New Jersey who haul The Internet, a sound guy and a psychic out into the Pine Barrens to go looking for the Jersey Devil. Only the psychic comes back, and he's charged with murder when the other guys turn up really really dead later on. The movie we watch is an attempt to find the real killer and prove the psychic guy didn't do it. I know, it sounds so much like The Blair Witch Project it's creepy, huh? The initial 'buildup' phase of the movie is repetetive and slow, with the main source of tension becoming a box of videotape sent to the guy making this documentary about the murders. In the age of CSI and its many spinoffs, I think we've all become a bit jaded by 'zoom-enhance-zoom-enhance-zoom-enhance', even when it's portrayed realistically. Therefore what I was left with was a few wonderfully atmospheric shots framing some really redundant 'reveals'.
For the two dollars I paid for it, The Last Broadcast was an okay film. It doesn't age well at all, and if they mentioned THE INTERNET one more time I was going to die laughing, but there was at least some development of mood. Blair Witch was better and scarier by far.
-132/365 down, 233/365 to go
Recommendation: A lot of people who claimed The Blair Witch Project ripped it off.
Reason: As the above.
Sometimes horror movie nerds (yes, I am a horror movie nerd) just plain piss me off. When The Blair Witch Project came out, I heard a lot of hype about how terrifying it was. Lots of my 'hardcore' buddies were really blown away by the movie, and when I went to see it, it terrified me. I actually didn't sleep that night-I couldn't. I ended up barricading the door to my room and staying up with the lights on, reading. To this day, I still admit that The Blair Witch Project scared me stupid and I will probably never forget the last minute of the film. So people who claim that the movie didn't scare them at all usually get a dubious look. The people who claimed that The Blair Witch Project wholly ripped off The Last Broadcast will be getting a double-dubious look because while there are some surface similarities, it's just not close enough.
The Last Broadcast is about a couple of local-cable access geeks in New Jersey who haul The Internet, a sound guy and a psychic out into the Pine Barrens to go looking for the Jersey Devil. Only the psychic comes back, and he's charged with murder when the other guys turn up really really dead later on. The movie we watch is an attempt to find the real killer and prove the psychic guy didn't do it. I know, it sounds so much like The Blair Witch Project it's creepy, huh? The initial 'buildup' phase of the movie is repetetive and slow, with the main source of tension becoming a box of videotape sent to the guy making this documentary about the murders. In the age of CSI and its many spinoffs, I think we've all become a bit jaded by 'zoom-enhance-zoom-enhance-zoom-enhance', even when it's portrayed realistically. Therefore what I was left with was a few wonderfully atmospheric shots framing some really redundant 'reveals'.
For the two dollars I paid for it, The Last Broadcast was an okay film. It doesn't age well at all, and if they mentioned THE INTERNET one more time I was going to die laughing, but there was at least some development of mood. Blair Witch was better and scarier by far.
-132/365 down, 233/365 to go
Monday, June 11, 2007
I think I've seen this movie before.
The Movie: Rope, directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Recommendation: No one, I'm just brushing up on some more of The Man.
Reason: The Man.
Holy crow, the long shots. I like to notice technique in film, and this is no exception. Rope was shot almost continuously, the film supposedly taking place in real time, and Hitchcock's construction of multiple carefully considered long shots carries off the illusion almost seamlessly. It's really well done.
The performances were quite good, Jimmy Stewart as usual the standout. His delivery's so distinctive I regret my previous lack of experience with his work. He manages to ramp up the tension really well in the last act, during his confrontation with the murderers. I was pretty thrilled.
The movie I refer to in the title is Murder By Numbers, though as it turns out, I'm dead wrong. Though the plot is similar (as are the murderers and the really homosexual undertone), it's not the same. Interesting connection, nevertheless.
-131/365 down, 234/365 to go
Recommendation: No one, I'm just brushing up on some more of The Man.
Reason: The Man.
Holy crow, the long shots. I like to notice technique in film, and this is no exception. Rope was shot almost continuously, the film supposedly taking place in real time, and Hitchcock's construction of multiple carefully considered long shots carries off the illusion almost seamlessly. It's really well done.
The performances were quite good, Jimmy Stewart as usual the standout. His delivery's so distinctive I regret my previous lack of experience with his work. He manages to ramp up the tension really well in the last act, during his confrontation with the murderers. I was pretty thrilled.
The movie I refer to in the title is Murder By Numbers, though as it turns out, I'm dead wrong. Though the plot is similar (as are the murderers and the really homosexual undertone), it's not the same. Interesting connection, nevertheless.
-131/365 down, 234/365 to go
Sunday, June 10, 2007
The most anticipated dance of all.
The Movie: Little Miss Sunshine, directed by Jonathon Dayton and Valerie Faris
Recommendation: Von Gauzen
Reason: She said it was a weird sort of quirky movie.
I'm hit and miss with independant film. I can't really help it-I've seen some really good work from indie filmmakers, and I've sat through some really bad stuff. I was leery about Little Miss Sunshine, despite everything I'd heard about it. It took me two tries to watch this movie (no fault of the film, entirely me).
I'm glad I made the effort. Little Miss Sunshine's a surprisingly deep, effective movie. The characters are not only well played, they're well thought-out. They have substance, and a good part of that is the acting. The whole core cast was excellent, turning out some nuanced and well done parts. Steve Carrell caught some people off guard by not being hilariously funny in this movie, but he was really, really good. I don't know if I can really pinpoint a particularily awesome performance, though the most emotional part of the movie for me was entirely the responsibility of Paul Dano, playing Dwayne.
This movie wasn't only funny, it was sweet, eccentric and really fun to watch. The ending was very satisfying, in a way few movies manage to be. I actually felt enriched by the experience of watching.
-130/365 down, 235/365 to go
Recommendation: Von Gauzen
Reason: She said it was a weird sort of quirky movie.
I'm hit and miss with independant film. I can't really help it-I've seen some really good work from indie filmmakers, and I've sat through some really bad stuff. I was leery about Little Miss Sunshine, despite everything I'd heard about it. It took me two tries to watch this movie (no fault of the film, entirely me).
I'm glad I made the effort. Little Miss Sunshine's a surprisingly deep, effective movie. The characters are not only well played, they're well thought-out. They have substance, and a good part of that is the acting. The whole core cast was excellent, turning out some nuanced and well done parts. Steve Carrell caught some people off guard by not being hilariously funny in this movie, but he was really, really good. I don't know if I can really pinpoint a particularily awesome performance, though the most emotional part of the movie for me was entirely the responsibility of Paul Dano, playing Dwayne.
This movie wasn't only funny, it was sweet, eccentric and really fun to watch. The ending was very satisfying, in a way few movies manage to be. I actually felt enriched by the experience of watching.
-130/365 down, 235/365 to go
Who's carrying the swag?
The Movie: Ocean's Thirteen, directed by Stephen Soderberg
Recommendation: Nobody, are you joking?
Reason: Continuing in the fun tradition of the first two, I'd heard that Ocean's Thirteen was expected to be pretty good.
I like the Ocean's movies because I like the chemistry between George Clooney and Brad Pitt. The smooth ease with which they played the first movie guarantees that my butt's going to be in the seats whenever the next installment comes out. These movies aren't easy to make, either-eleven moderate to high profile stars have to be snagged from other potential projects and popped up on screen in a movie that's clever without slipping into pretentiousness, and funny without getting stupid. It's always and accomplishment, and it's a joy to watch.
The sequels have had big shoes to fill. Ocean's Eleven was almost seamless, a slick, stylishly smooth piece that hit the screen with panache. It's one of my favorite movies. The second movie wobbled, but hit enough right notes that it wasn't bad, and so the third was in a precarious position. Instead of plummeting from the leave-off of the second, it rose. I was glad to see that. Despite some early issues with pace and setup, the second act through the climax went nicely. The actors hit their stride, the jokes started to flow and it seemed that not a single part went forgotten. There were some 'blink and you'll miss them' cameos and unfortunately Julia Roberts couldn't participate in the mayhem (God, never thought I'd regret her absence).
The movie was good-it sold popcorn without being too heavy. It was fun, light and summery, and I won't be ashamed to say I enjoyed it. I laughed, I looked back nostalgically on the first two movies, and I was glad I stuck with the series. I don't know if a fourth is merited-the cleverness could fade. For now, it's still good.
-129/365 down, 236/365 to go
Recommendation: Nobody, are you joking?
Reason: Continuing in the fun tradition of the first two, I'd heard that Ocean's Thirteen was expected to be pretty good.
I like the Ocean's movies because I like the chemistry between George Clooney and Brad Pitt. The smooth ease with which they played the first movie guarantees that my butt's going to be in the seats whenever the next installment comes out. These movies aren't easy to make, either-eleven moderate to high profile stars have to be snagged from other potential projects and popped up on screen in a movie that's clever without slipping into pretentiousness, and funny without getting stupid. It's always and accomplishment, and it's a joy to watch.
The sequels have had big shoes to fill. Ocean's Eleven was almost seamless, a slick, stylishly smooth piece that hit the screen with panache. It's one of my favorite movies. The second movie wobbled, but hit enough right notes that it wasn't bad, and so the third was in a precarious position. Instead of plummeting from the leave-off of the second, it rose. I was glad to see that. Despite some early issues with pace and setup, the second act through the climax went nicely. The actors hit their stride, the jokes started to flow and it seemed that not a single part went forgotten. There were some 'blink and you'll miss them' cameos and unfortunately Julia Roberts couldn't participate in the mayhem (God, never thought I'd regret her absence).
The movie was good-it sold popcorn without being too heavy. It was fun, light and summery, and I won't be ashamed to say I enjoyed it. I laughed, I looked back nostalgically on the first two movies, and I was glad I stuck with the series. I don't know if a fourth is merited-the cleverness could fade. For now, it's still good.
-129/365 down, 236/365 to go
Monday, June 4, 2007
Baste, dammit!
The Movie: Pieces of April, directed by Peter Hedges
Recommendation: "Kate"
Reason: I pulled this off of the "Kate's Picks" wall at Blockbuster. Hey, it counts!
This movie made me cry. Yeah yeah, me, the big toughie horror movie fan. I'd blame it on hormones, but Pieces of April really deserves the credit. Combining excellent acting by Katie Holmes and Patricia Clarkson (who was brave enough to play a very unpleasant and unsympathetic cancer patient! Go Patricia!), a simple and funny script and a very organic method of filmmaking, it managed to hit the mark.
Pieces of April is billed as a comedy, which I suppose is closest to the truth. It's hard to go to a movie store and pick out movies sometimes, because I don't know that I would have picked this up if it was in amongst its fellow 'comedies'. This movie just seems like it's more than the others it would have been slotted in with.
It was funny. It was sweet. It featured a bitter, snarky, self-centered, family-destroying cancer patient who seemed so real it was painful. It was a good movie, and nobody's telling me otherwise.
-128/365 down, 237/365 to go
Recommendation: "Kate"
Reason: I pulled this off of the "Kate's Picks" wall at Blockbuster. Hey, it counts!
This movie made me cry. Yeah yeah, me, the big toughie horror movie fan. I'd blame it on hormones, but Pieces of April really deserves the credit. Combining excellent acting by Katie Holmes and Patricia Clarkson (who was brave enough to play a very unpleasant and unsympathetic cancer patient! Go Patricia!), a simple and funny script and a very organic method of filmmaking, it managed to hit the mark.
Pieces of April is billed as a comedy, which I suppose is closest to the truth. It's hard to go to a movie store and pick out movies sometimes, because I don't know that I would have picked this up if it was in amongst its fellow 'comedies'. This movie just seems like it's more than the others it would have been slotted in with.
It was funny. It was sweet. It featured a bitter, snarky, self-centered, family-destroying cancer patient who seemed so real it was painful. It was a good movie, and nobody's telling me otherwise.
-128/365 down, 237/365 to go
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Like Rent, only better
The Movie: Reality Bites, directed by Ben Stiller
Recommendation: Broomie.
Reason: Broomie identifies with Gen-X. Evidently, I don't, even though it seems I'm part of it.
I think the only time I ever really find Winona Ryder charming is when she's in a Tim Burton movie. I know she was the Hollywood Darling for Generation X, she just doesn't appeal to me as a leading lady. Reality Bites sort of revolves around her, so I found it a little boring. I know that's supposedly sacrelige, but I've never gotten on well with coming of age movies that are as blatant as Reality Bites and St. Elmo's Fire. Clerks 2 is the movie that's spoken to me the most, and it's a comedy with a donkey show at the end.
I was a little surprised by how saturated in the 90's this movie is, and how many 'hits' it made in regards to the soundtrack and the cast. It popped a few minor stars into the Hollywood Pantheon and the music that was used was really excellent. Most of it has sustained its popularity into today, no mean feat for the whiny 90's.
This movie didn't drive me wild with nostalgia, but it didn't utterly suck. There were some technically interesting shots that I wouldn't mind seeing the camera placement on. There were some really nice moments and some very genuine acting from Janeane Garafolo and Steve Zahn in particular. I suppose if you long for the days of grunge and Winona Ryder before the criminal charges, this would probably be the movie for you.
-127/365 down, 248/365 to go
Recommendation: Broomie.
Reason: Broomie identifies with Gen-X. Evidently, I don't, even though it seems I'm part of it.
I think the only time I ever really find Winona Ryder charming is when she's in a Tim Burton movie. I know she was the Hollywood Darling for Generation X, she just doesn't appeal to me as a leading lady. Reality Bites sort of revolves around her, so I found it a little boring. I know that's supposedly sacrelige, but I've never gotten on well with coming of age movies that are as blatant as Reality Bites and St. Elmo's Fire. Clerks 2 is the movie that's spoken to me the most, and it's a comedy with a donkey show at the end.
I was a little surprised by how saturated in the 90's this movie is, and how many 'hits' it made in regards to the soundtrack and the cast. It popped a few minor stars into the Hollywood Pantheon and the music that was used was really excellent. Most of it has sustained its popularity into today, no mean feat for the whiny 90's.
This movie didn't drive me wild with nostalgia, but it didn't utterly suck. There were some technically interesting shots that I wouldn't mind seeing the camera placement on. There were some really nice moments and some very genuine acting from Janeane Garafolo and Steve Zahn in particular. I suppose if you long for the days of grunge and Winona Ryder before the criminal charges, this would probably be the movie for you.
-127/365 down, 248/365 to go
Moral of the story: Kids are really stupid.
The Movie: 28 Weeks Later, directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Recommendation: 28 Days Later. So, me.
Reason: I love the first movie. Had to see the second one.
The primary criticism I've heard of this movie is of the combat scenes, which are edited in fast, harsh cuts that make it difficult to understand properly what's going on. There are two important sequences that are put together this way, and I can't disagree with the critics more-I think this technique is essential to establishing the movie's atmosphere. The initial battles with the Infected in the previous movie were treated similarily-they're confusing, constructed of quick cuts, and it's on the aftermath we linger. The confusion and panic that the shots evoke contrasts heavily with the calm moments, lending them greater weight.
I'm still not certain how I feel about 28 Weeks Later. It was a good movie, well constructed, but the characters seemed a little light. Kudos to the military in the movie for taking the exact precautions that were necessary (except for the idiots who were examining Infected without eye protection). I thought the overarching strategy that was employed was effective and well executed. The protagonists (and we'll use that term really loosely) were believable, at the very least.
I feel that the plot weakened around the children who had to play the lead. Held up against Hannah, they just don't work. Hannah wasn't quite as dumb as these two. I mean, every zombie movie revolves around someone either going crazy or doing something stupid. These two kids, though, might just win the Nicole Award For Excellence In Zombie Movie Idiocy-at least Nicole went after a useful, living animal.
-126/365 down, 239/365 to go
Recommendation: 28 Days Later. So, me.
Reason: I love the first movie. Had to see the second one.
The primary criticism I've heard of this movie is of the combat scenes, which are edited in fast, harsh cuts that make it difficult to understand properly what's going on. There are two important sequences that are put together this way, and I can't disagree with the critics more-I think this technique is essential to establishing the movie's atmosphere. The initial battles with the Infected in the previous movie were treated similarily-they're confusing, constructed of quick cuts, and it's on the aftermath we linger. The confusion and panic that the shots evoke contrasts heavily with the calm moments, lending them greater weight.
I'm still not certain how I feel about 28 Weeks Later. It was a good movie, well constructed, but the characters seemed a little light. Kudos to the military in the movie for taking the exact precautions that were necessary (except for the idiots who were examining Infected without eye protection). I thought the overarching strategy that was employed was effective and well executed. The protagonists (and we'll use that term really loosely) were believable, at the very least.
I feel that the plot weakened around the children who had to play the lead. Held up against Hannah, they just don't work. Hannah wasn't quite as dumb as these two. I mean, every zombie movie revolves around someone either going crazy or doing something stupid. These two kids, though, might just win the Nicole Award For Excellence In Zombie Movie Idiocy-at least Nicole went after a useful, living animal.
-126/365 down, 239/365 to go
Yeeeeeeeeeeehaw!
The Movie: The Dukes of Hazzard, directed by Jay Chandrasekhar
Recommendation: Nobody.
Reason: I had to pick a movie, and it was this or The Da Vinci Code. See my previous statements regarding Tom Hanks as to why Dukes won.
I didn't watch Dukes of Hazzard when it was on TV. It's really not my kind of show, never has been, never will be I think. So it wasn't nostalgia that drove me to choose this movie, it's Seann William Scott. That's right, I confess. I have a stupid streak, and it's picked Mr. Dude Where's My Car? as its funnyman. The rest of the cast was...not that interesting, but I was at least entertained by Bo Duke.
The car stunts were excellent, in my humble opinion. At the very least the General Lee's careening around backwoods Georgia was more interesting than 2 Fast 2 Furious. There were some fun looking explosions, a lot of airborne Chargers, and the spectacular crash sequences that were played at the end of the movie made it even more entertaining.
There's no substance to this movie, though. Like, nothing. The characters don't bring any particular subtext, there's nothing more than what's on the screen. I suppose I was happy to see the Broken Lizard guys have another shot at the world of filmmaking.
-125/365 down, 240/365 to go
Recommendation: Nobody.
Reason: I had to pick a movie, and it was this or The Da Vinci Code. See my previous statements regarding Tom Hanks as to why Dukes won.
I didn't watch Dukes of Hazzard when it was on TV. It's really not my kind of show, never has been, never will be I think. So it wasn't nostalgia that drove me to choose this movie, it's Seann William Scott. That's right, I confess. I have a stupid streak, and it's picked Mr. Dude Where's My Car? as its funnyman. The rest of the cast was...not that interesting, but I was at least entertained by Bo Duke.
The car stunts were excellent, in my humble opinion. At the very least the General Lee's careening around backwoods Georgia was more interesting than 2 Fast 2 Furious. There were some fun looking explosions, a lot of airborne Chargers, and the spectacular crash sequences that were played at the end of the movie made it even more entertaining.
There's no substance to this movie, though. Like, nothing. The characters don't bring any particular subtext, there's nothing more than what's on the screen. I suppose I was happy to see the Broken Lizard guys have another shot at the world of filmmaking.
-125/365 down, 240/365 to go
There is something wrong here.
The Movie: Den of Lions, directed by James Bruce
Recommendation: Broomie.
Reason: Apparently he wanted to test the theory that Stephen Dorff kills movies.
Stephen Dorff was not necessary to kill this movie. Not that it was such a great idea to start with, but between the casting, the other actors, the cinematography, the special effects guy's disturbing love of massive explosions and the horrible, horrible editing, Stephen Dorff was just...excess baggage. Seriously, no one ever needs to see this movie.
There's a technique I don't know the name of, something in the editing booth, in which a series of very short, impactful sequences are edited together as a sort of montage to demonstrated the passage of time and the deterioration of the subject (used to decent effect in movies like...Saw, I think, and Oldboy). Whoever edited this awful waste of my time and effort must have seen that once upon a time and really, really liked it. He used it for EVERYTHING. Like his special effects buddy decided that there isn't a bad time for an explosion.
This review might seem scattered, but this movie was so inarticulate as to be an offense to the art of filmmaking. I feel like I'm likely to forget say...Doctor Strangelove, because I've seen Den of Lions and they're cancelling one another out. I can't really emphasize enough how annoying this movie was. Just don't bother subjecting yourself to it.
-124/365 down, 241/365 to go
Recommendation: Broomie.
Reason: Apparently he wanted to test the theory that Stephen Dorff kills movies.
Stephen Dorff was not necessary to kill this movie. Not that it was such a great idea to start with, but between the casting, the other actors, the cinematography, the special effects guy's disturbing love of massive explosions and the horrible, horrible editing, Stephen Dorff was just...excess baggage. Seriously, no one ever needs to see this movie.
There's a technique I don't know the name of, something in the editing booth, in which a series of very short, impactful sequences are edited together as a sort of montage to demonstrated the passage of time and the deterioration of the subject (used to decent effect in movies like...Saw, I think, and Oldboy). Whoever edited this awful waste of my time and effort must have seen that once upon a time and really, really liked it. He used it for EVERYTHING. Like his special effects buddy decided that there isn't a bad time for an explosion.
This review might seem scattered, but this movie was so inarticulate as to be an offense to the art of filmmaking. I feel like I'm likely to forget say...Doctor Strangelove, because I've seen Den of Lions and they're cancelling one another out. I can't really emphasize enough how annoying this movie was. Just don't bother subjecting yourself to it.
-124/365 down, 241/365 to go
Friday, June 1, 2007
Taste that racism.
The Movie: Pathfinder, directed by Marcus Nispel
Recommendation: Broomie
Reason: I really wanted to see this movie, under the mistaken assumption it would actually be about a native guy.
I'm tempted to vote Pathfinder 'worst movie of the year' because of the blatant racism and outright stupidity it evokes. I mean, the movie is a flat out insult to the Beothuk natives that are portrayed. This movie could have been worlds better if the main character were himself native, rather than an adopted white boy. The movie very nearly outright states that the Beothuk themselves were helpless in the face of the Viking onslaught (not even remotely true-the ferocity of the Beothuk is what drove away the Viking settlers) until their handsome white saviour came along to show them the true ways of battle and honor. There are actual scenes in which he demonstrates the superiority of white people's weapons, as well as multiple 'stupid indian' scenes.
The movie wasn't even technically good. It was poorly lit, badly edited and the choreography was awful. Opponents in some of the fight scenes literally just vanished. Locations didn't make sense, and some of the stock footage was so obviously different from the shooting locations that it was just funny. The execution of the movie was just bad all around.
Just don't pay money to see this. If ever there is a good, well made movie in this vein about a native hero, support that instead. Do your good deed, and pretend Pathfinder never existed.
-123/365 down, 242/365 to go
Recommendation: Broomie
Reason: I really wanted to see this movie, under the mistaken assumption it would actually be about a native guy.
I'm tempted to vote Pathfinder 'worst movie of the year' because of the blatant racism and outright stupidity it evokes. I mean, the movie is a flat out insult to the Beothuk natives that are portrayed. This movie could have been worlds better if the main character were himself native, rather than an adopted white boy. The movie very nearly outright states that the Beothuk themselves were helpless in the face of the Viking onslaught (not even remotely true-the ferocity of the Beothuk is what drove away the Viking settlers) until their handsome white saviour came along to show them the true ways of battle and honor. There are actual scenes in which he demonstrates the superiority of white people's weapons, as well as multiple 'stupid indian' scenes.
The movie wasn't even technically good. It was poorly lit, badly edited and the choreography was awful. Opponents in some of the fight scenes literally just vanished. Locations didn't make sense, and some of the stock footage was so obviously different from the shooting locations that it was just funny. The execution of the movie was just bad all around.
Just don't pay money to see this. If ever there is a good, well made movie in this vein about a native hero, support that instead. Do your good deed, and pretend Pathfinder never existed.
-123/365 down, 242/365 to go
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
