FINALLY saw The Dark Knight this past weekend (holding out for a fabulous movie-going partner = well worth the wait!)
First of all hands down the best Batman movie ever. It makes George Clooney as batman look lamer then ever. It was gritty and raw, witty and comical but with a deep message and some of the finest performances from this cast ever....(granted Christian Bale has few other good roles to compare with but we'll take it.)
Aaron Eckhart was a surprise in this piece....I adore his acting but he took it to a new level and showed his amazingly underrated versatility throughout the 2.5 hours of the piece. His boyish charm makes you swoon in the first half and then once they rescue him with the screaming and ugh just breaks my heart and scared the shit out of me.
Maggie Gyllenhal...thank god they gave this woman a new starting role in a big-budget flick because her talent has been long-overdue for some widespread recognition. Unfortunately Rachel meets an unfortunate demise so hopefully some other great franchise will pick her up because she is so saucy and I love her.
Morgan Freeman - any movie is automatically 20 times better if you simply put Morgan Freeman in it. Enough said.
Michael Cain - I enjoy him as Alfred, he gives him this great back story almost accidentally. Plus the whole scene where him and Batman are walking out of their makeshift Batcave as the lights go out is perhaps the most visually appealing section of the entire piece
Heath Ledger - I mean what else can you say that hasn't already been said. This is the performance of an unfortunately short lifetime. Just the voice and cackle alone could have sent him into a new realm but with all of his work he is not content on making it new but putting it in an untouchable sphere. The new look of the Joker. The eerie and constant licking of the lips. The fact that he has almost no back story because he is constantly saying different things about the scars and the opening sequence just shows that he is the man wanting to "see the world burn". He's funny (nurses outfit = genius), scary as all else and its just one of the scariest villains because he just seems in his own head. Also there is some heavy irony that they just leave the Joker hanging out over the building.....leaving us hanging since there will never be another Joker.
So 2.5 hours is a liiiiitle long but you don't really notice it until you get up and your bones are so weary from sitting in the movie theatre seats not because of boredom. There are great surprises, great quips and great action sequences. Plus with all those little surprises there is a great underlying look at anarchy, control and human nature which personally I find incredibly interesting in modern times. It'll be difficult to follow this one up especially with all of the real life drama surrounding it and the fact they almost made perfection for the series....as we've seen with many other super hero movies the more you make the worse they get (hellllooo Spider man THREE....gross). Lets just enjoy how darkly twisted The Dark Knight was.
7.29.2008
7.19.2008
I'm officially a Jane Austen addict.
Mansfield Park FINALLY the idiot who stole it from Blockbuster returned it so that I could then steal it :-)
First off let me just state that this is supposedly Jane Austen's favorite of all her books. While I have the book still on my reading list I must say I was a little underwhelmed having just read Pride & Prejudice and falling deep into the rabbit hole that is loving Mr. Darcy. That being said the most recent movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice was heavily altered and embellished from the actual text making me angry at motion pictures for ruining the essence of the piece. Perhaps that would make this adaptation of Mansfield Park superb if it keeps better to the actual text....but if not then it was just a lot more drawn out and boring.
Once again we see Austen's heroine Fanny Price (lets just pause for a quick chuckle at name choice) a poor poor women who falls in love with someone above her rank. That being bad enough the bad boy of the film, higher up in $ and status then than her true love falls for her and proposes just as her true love proposes to someone else. What is a poor girl to do?
Despite not having the quick tongue and wit of other Austen leading ladies I didn't care for the way the director made Fanny speak to us in the camera....it made it too modern for a period drama and at times awkward. That being said this is far funnier than other Austen adaptations but less dramatically romantic then say Emma or P&P. Still a solid piece and as always a great story basis from the incredible Ms. Austen.
First off let me just state that this is supposedly Jane Austen's favorite of all her books. While I have the book still on my reading list I must say I was a little underwhelmed having just read Pride & Prejudice and falling deep into the rabbit hole that is loving Mr. Darcy. That being said the most recent movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice was heavily altered and embellished from the actual text making me angry at motion pictures for ruining the essence of the piece. Perhaps that would make this adaptation of Mansfield Park superb if it keeps better to the actual text....but if not then it was just a lot more drawn out and boring.
Once again we see Austen's heroine Fanny Price (lets just pause for a quick chuckle at name choice) a poor poor women who falls in love with someone above her rank. That being bad enough the bad boy of the film, higher up in $ and status then than her true love falls for her and proposes just as her true love proposes to someone else. What is a poor girl to do?
Despite not having the quick tongue and wit of other Austen leading ladies I didn't care for the way the director made Fanny speak to us in the camera....it made it too modern for a period drama and at times awkward. That being said this is far funnier than other Austen adaptations but less dramatically romantic then say Emma or P&P. Still a solid piece and as always a great story basis from the incredible Ms. Austen.
7.13.2008
Definitely, almost forgot it.
Goodness me the most recent of these watches was a little piece called Definitely, Maybe.
The very fact that I forgot it from my list should foreshadow my views on the piece.
Don't' get me wrong it gets 2 stars just because I could watch Ryan Reynolds for 2 hours any day....however, this was not as good as I had thought it would be. I was quite excited for this to come out on DVD in order to enjoy what was supposed to be one of the best romantic comedies of the year....yet watching it I was underwhelmed. It has a phenomenal cast, an interesting premise, some comedic moments but somewhere in between all of that it just fizzles out. I love a good love triangle mystery and adore father-daughter movies but once you figured out who it was you were frustrated then when you figured out who he truly loved and should have been with all along they didn't give you enough to satisfy having to wait over an hour to find out the answer. A valiant effort and others have swooned for it but I'd go with a classic even a cookie cutter over this drawn out affair.
p.S Ryan Reynolds is barely without his shirt too further adding to the disappointment of the flick. But Isla Fisher delivered so she could make the men still come out for it.
<3
The very fact that I forgot it from my list should foreshadow my views on the piece.
Don't' get me wrong it gets 2 stars just because I could watch Ryan Reynolds for 2 hours any day....however, this was not as good as I had thought it would be. I was quite excited for this to come out on DVD in order to enjoy what was supposed to be one of the best romantic comedies of the year....yet watching it I was underwhelmed. It has a phenomenal cast, an interesting premise, some comedic moments but somewhere in between all of that it just fizzles out. I love a good love triangle mystery and adore father-daughter movies but once you figured out who it was you were frustrated then when you figured out who he truly loved and should have been with all along they didn't give you enough to satisfy having to wait over an hour to find out the answer. A valiant effort and others have swooned for it but I'd go with a classic even a cookie cutter over this drawn out affair.
p.S Ryan Reynolds is barely without his shirt too further adding to the disappointment of the flick. But Isla Fisher delivered so she could make the men still come out for it.
<3
How dependent on technology I am....
So there has been quite a delay in postings but not in movie watching. Currently my laptop is once again in the possession of the Geek Squad because they set my computer up in a way that every so many months something they set up on there as a necessity crashes and renders it unusable. So I am without for quite some time.
Mad Money:
Better than I thought. First off the story is borderline predictable but the cast just makes it so over-the-top you hardly notice. I love 99.89% of what Diane Keaton chooses to do and I love how much more loose and fun she has become with her roles as she matures. I even liked Mrs. Tom - super- crazy- Cruise in the piece. Fun to check out and pretty mellow making it decent for almost all ages.
Stick It:
Again another sort of cookie cutter athletic flick that still made me pay attention with some key elements. First who doesn't love watching Kurt Russel fall off a trampoline? Plus they did an incredibly interesting things with the visuals here taking it from a teen angst gymnastic coming of age movie you have to choke down to a teen angst gymnastic coming of age movie that was stomachable because of the unique way they shot it. Worth checking out if you have tweens around or are in need of a family night appropriate flick.
Hancock:
Now I love Will Smith don't get me wrong but this was just middle of the road for him. It wasn't his best and it wasn't his worst. The first half of the film was just genius....taking a line from his more recent successes everyone knows that you put Will Smith in a movie and he will carry it for you so by focusing just on him as Hancock they sucked you in fast, plus it was hilarious because in the age of all the serious superhero remakes its always fun to see what happens when a hero falls from grace. Now fast forward to about 3/4 of the way through the movie when they really start revealing the back story between the two super heroes. Then it gets fuzzy and starts on the decline, quickly. First of all I enjoyed the idea of there were two superheros of their kind left in all the world, Charlize being the strongest (girl power!) but then the fact that they are both in danger if they stay close to each other because they have no powers blah blah seems to contradict what happens when they fight each other the two times before and then when he leaves to save both their lives we eventually come to find out that they both still live in the same city. So the only two superheros left in the WORLD have to be apart but still wind up in the same CITY. I don't know either I was thinking too much into it or the writers of the script weren't thinking enough into that one. All in all the first half is hilarious and the action still makes it worth the ticket price on a lazy afternoon in the summer when you want to get out of the sun.
To Die For:
I stumbled upon this one completely by happenstance. It was starting on HBO one morning when I got up and the cast instantly intrigued me. Nicole Kidman, Matt Dillon, Joaquin Phoenix, Casey Affleck...yum. So out of a sheer mix of curiosity/boredom I watched...and immensely enjoyed. This is one of those kind of cult movies, where it isn't the best known movie for any of the stars and most of the general public would never recognize it by name but its just phenomenal (ala Donnie Darko etc.) Nicole Kidman was chilling as the suburban housewife/weather girl who dreams of taking her career bigger and is capable of manipulating and doing anything to try to get her way. Its just a gratingly funny little piece presented almost as a documentary which just further makes it genius. I liked it a lot and think its worth watching especially if you are a fan of any of the main actors.
The Jacket:
I like to indulge my Psychology minor from time to time with a good psychological movie. Luckily HBO was playing The Jacket this month so that I could get my fix. This movie was one of the more trippy thrillers I've seen in awhile...and even to say thriller may be an overstatement because while its intense and weird its a more patient piece, the suspense lying within the subtlety. I loved Adrian Brody he took you there and then some. Plus Daniel Craig as his criminally insane buddy was a really nice surprise, almost didn't' recognize him...which should be the goal of every good actor. This one comes highly recommended, a very good psychological-mystery-thriller-menagerie.
Blockbuster finally got in my copy of Mansfield Park and The Dark Knight and Mama Mia come out this week so hopefully many more reviews to come next time I find access to the Internet.
Keep on keeping on <3
Mad Money:
Better than I thought. First off the story is borderline predictable but the cast just makes it so over-the-top you hardly notice. I love 99.89% of what Diane Keaton chooses to do and I love how much more loose and fun she has become with her roles as she matures. I even liked Mrs. Tom - super- crazy- Cruise in the piece. Fun to check out and pretty mellow making it decent for almost all ages.
Stick It:
Again another sort of cookie cutter athletic flick that still made me pay attention with some key elements. First who doesn't love watching Kurt Russel fall off a trampoline? Plus they did an incredibly interesting things with the visuals here taking it from a teen angst gymnastic coming of age movie you have to choke down to a teen angst gymnastic coming of age movie that was stomachable because of the unique way they shot it. Worth checking out if you have tweens around or are in need of a family night appropriate flick.
Hancock:
Now I love Will Smith don't get me wrong but this was just middle of the road for him. It wasn't his best and it wasn't his worst. The first half of the film was just genius....taking a line from his more recent successes everyone knows that you put Will Smith in a movie and he will carry it for you so by focusing just on him as Hancock they sucked you in fast, plus it was hilarious because in the age of all the serious superhero remakes its always fun to see what happens when a hero falls from grace. Now fast forward to about 3/4 of the way through the movie when they really start revealing the back story between the two super heroes. Then it gets fuzzy and starts on the decline, quickly. First of all I enjoyed the idea of there were two superheros of their kind left in all the world, Charlize being the strongest (girl power!) but then the fact that they are both in danger if they stay close to each other because they have no powers blah blah seems to contradict what happens when they fight each other the two times before and then when he leaves to save both their lives we eventually come to find out that they both still live in the same city. So the only two superheros left in the WORLD have to be apart but still wind up in the same CITY. I don't know either I was thinking too much into it or the writers of the script weren't thinking enough into that one. All in all the first half is hilarious and the action still makes it worth the ticket price on a lazy afternoon in the summer when you want to get out of the sun.
To Die For:
I stumbled upon this one completely by happenstance. It was starting on HBO one morning when I got up and the cast instantly intrigued me. Nicole Kidman, Matt Dillon, Joaquin Phoenix, Casey Affleck...yum. So out of a sheer mix of curiosity/boredom I watched...and immensely enjoyed. This is one of those kind of cult movies, where it isn't the best known movie for any of the stars and most of the general public would never recognize it by name but its just phenomenal (ala Donnie Darko etc.) Nicole Kidman was chilling as the suburban housewife/weather girl who dreams of taking her career bigger and is capable of manipulating and doing anything to try to get her way. Its just a gratingly funny little piece presented almost as a documentary which just further makes it genius. I liked it a lot and think its worth watching especially if you are a fan of any of the main actors.
The Jacket:
I like to indulge my Psychology minor from time to time with a good psychological movie. Luckily HBO was playing The Jacket this month so that I could get my fix. This movie was one of the more trippy thrillers I've seen in awhile...and even to say thriller may be an overstatement because while its intense and weird its a more patient piece, the suspense lying within the subtlety. I loved Adrian Brody he took you there and then some. Plus Daniel Craig as his criminally insane buddy was a really nice surprise, almost didn't' recognize him...which should be the goal of every good actor. This one comes highly recommended, a very good psychological-mystery-thriller-menagerie.
Blockbuster finally got in my copy of Mansfield Park and The Dark Knight and Mama Mia come out this week so hopefully many more reviews to come next time I find access to the Internet.
Keep on keeping on <3
7.02.2008
Am I THAT neurotic?
Well I finally won my battle with Blockbuster and they gave me a copy of Annie Hall to watch. And eh.
Now don't get me wrong hands-down one of the most unique and interestingly layered flicks I've perhaps ever seen. With that being said I was quite unsure how the two lovers managed to make it through the entire flick without their combating neuroses exploding. Really this is an honest story and a solid look at life and the defining relationship in one's life. I'm a huge fan of talking straight on to the camera and breaking down the fourth wall so I was very pleased with that feature throughout the frames. While its flash forwards and backs were more masterfully handled than an episode of LOST I just couldn't get over the characters personalities. They went from believable quirky slight neurotics to a level where I really didn't care what happened to them either way as long as they stopped talking.
Overall an amazing Woody Allen arguably still his best and still one of the best/most honest relationship movies. Plus it was a super treat to see a SUPER young Diane Keaton & Christopher Walken (Woody Allen still squirrel-ly and a bit creepy hmmm)!!!!! Absolutely worth a watch as long as you realize the hour and a half can seem like a long time if you are not as neurotic as the characters.
Happy Birthday America <3
Now don't get me wrong hands-down one of the most unique and interestingly layered flicks I've perhaps ever seen. With that being said I was quite unsure how the two lovers managed to make it through the entire flick without their combating neuroses exploding. Really this is an honest story and a solid look at life and the defining relationship in one's life. I'm a huge fan of talking straight on to the camera and breaking down the fourth wall so I was very pleased with that feature throughout the frames. While its flash forwards and backs were more masterfully handled than an episode of LOST I just couldn't get over the characters personalities. They went from believable quirky slight neurotics to a level where I really didn't care what happened to them either way as long as they stopped talking.
Overall an amazing Woody Allen arguably still his best and still one of the best/most honest relationship movies. Plus it was a super treat to see a SUPER young Diane Keaton & Christopher Walken (Woody Allen still squirrel-ly and a bit creepy hmmm)!!!!! Absolutely worth a watch as long as you realize the hour and a half can seem like a long time if you are not as neurotic as the characters.
Happy Birthday America <3
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