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Reviews
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
Not a bad film... not a great film
I have to disagree with Mason1945--in fact if there is anyone who is injecting a political perspective into this film it is him.
Having seen the original I would say that this version, while not great, is a capable update of the original, with today's concerns, sensibilities and way of life represented in the film, as opposed to those of a half-century ago.
Jennifer Connely's character is present in order to allow us to identify personally with the impending doom of the earth... this is a standard plot device and it doesn't work too badly at all. I thought that she was more than capable in her role as a vulnerable scientist trying to overcome her sense of fear in order to act.
Keannu Reaves was his typical monotone / emotionally drained self. Unlike some movies, this didn't work to any detriment, as Klaatu is meant to be acted in this way... very sterile, very distant, very not of this place--so it's a decent match.
Kathy Bates did a capable job as the bloodless Secretary of Defense. In this day and age, when a woman can hold the job as national security adviser and secretary of state, and come within a hair's breadth of the nomination for the presidency, the idea that any political job is a man's job is just out of touch with today.
Other than that, there is nothing that distinguishes anyone's work in the film. It's plot driven, with very very little meaningful dialogue, and as a result nobody really shines, although nobody bombs either.
All in all, it's not a bad way to kill 90 minutes.
Maurice Richard (2005)
a humble film about a humble and great man
This is an excellent film. I think that thing that I enjoyed most about this film is its humility. Despite his passion and brilliance on the ice, Maurice Richard was a humble man who never wore the mantle of greatness easily. Many of his accomplishments are depicted in this movie, but in a way that reflects this humble, yet utterly brilliant and great man. I was fortunate to be at the last game played in the Montreal Forum, almost 40 years after Richard last played for the team. The sixteen minute standing ovation and outpouring of emotion for this man when he was brought to centre ice is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.
If you're not from Quebec, and more specifically from Montreal, then it may be hard to understand the impact that this man had on the province. He was, during his playing days, literally seen as a religious icon. This movie does an amazing job at telling the story of the Rocket's lasting social impact upon Quebec, and it does so in a very quiet and compelling fashion.
I should also point out the incredible detail that has gone into this film. As well as being an excellent actor, Roy Dupuis is a dead-ringer for the rocket. Mike Ricci is a carbon copy of Elmer Lach, and Vincent Lecavalier is a ringer for Jean Beliveau. The cages separating standing room from the seats were an actual feature of the forum through the 40s, and very much a symbol of French-Canadian working class discontent in Montreal at the time. The photograph sequence of Sugar Henry the Boston goalie who shakes Richard's hand after his game/series winning goal in the playoffs is lifted right out of the hockey history books--an amazing detail.