What really floored me about this film are all the subplots. Usually, with this many subplots things get missed and there's always that tendency for casting of less-than-convincing characters. Not so here. The young black lady who played the prostitute killed by Waingro (the first one whom he told that he could always spot a liar). When she tries to lie, she does so convincingly (to the film watcher) that you think she's telling the truth. And her face changes as she realizes she's in grave danger. It is an awesome thing when a movie is planned, a great cast assembled, using a great storyline for a backdrop, and in the end, everything comes off as it should. It is not an infrequent occurrence in Hollywood that all of these components are in place, yet disaster strikes, and the movie is a dud. With a pairing of Pacino and DeNiro, and it coming off as well as it does, that would probably be enough for moviegoers. But add Val Kilmer, Ashley Judd, Dennis Haysbert, and the always interesting Tom Sizemore, and you have a cast without weakness. I am hoping that sometime soon, there will be a sequel using Pacino's character. It would be more than worth the wait.
Reviews
9 Reviews
Ice Age
(2002)
Good for kids. Good for adults.
27 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I think this is the sort of movie that should be done for all the family. It's not only funny and beautiful. It deals with lots of touchstones for kids and for adults. Friendship, respect for differences, environment care, even biodiversity are tasks developed in this movie. I encourage all film-makers to make films like this. You don't have to be sad, tedious and formal to make people's consciences change. I'm sure you will be pleased and will laugh out loud, but in some times one tear will appear in your eye and you've been moved by a lot of scenes. On the other hand, I won't recommend the same way Ice Age 2. Yes, it's very funny to see that rare animal pursuing its acorn, but I think it's tiring. It has some good things like love for family and also a full charge of friendship. Second part is not bad. First part is fantastic. I remember a lot of good cartoon series in the 70's and the 80's (say Heidi, Maya...) and some good films from Disney's Factory. It's a pleasure to see that the spirit of such productions is in this 21st Century Movie. One of the best of its genre. I strongly recommend a purchase. Put it to your kids and make them laugh. And make them some questions. Sure their minds will have taken a piece of advice.
Elf
(2003)
ha ha ha ho ho ho yuk yuk yuk
25 September 2008
When an SNL movie comes out, I always worry that it's going to have a few "good bits" in it but struggle as far as genuine narrative is concerned. Take "LADIES MAN," for instance. "ELF", on the other hand, rocked. It's both genuinely funny and sweet. It does have two problems, however. I think if they had a second chance to do this movie, they would get rid of the "gross bits"--the long Coca-Cola burp, the drunken mailrroom romp, the eating of used chewing gum--and play up the elfin stuff like the snowgunslingering, the bond between brothers, the Elf's really sweet tooth, his sweet infantile love for his father, and give us more of Bob Newhart's very touching Papa Elf. The second problem is the very weak, overly theatrical nonsense at the end with Santa's sleigh and the singing (off-key!)in the park. I know they needed to somehow conclude the movie, but that ending was childish--I think they lost the adults in the audience on that one. On the whole it is still a movie I watch every chance I get--I just shut it off right before the end.
Hitch
(I) (2005)
so-so comedy
23 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
In "Hitch," Will Smith plays a modern-day Henry Higgins, who, for a tidy fee, will teach lessons of love to a bunch of lovelorn Eliza Doolittles - only, in this case, the Elizas are grown men who desperately need instruction on how to win the hearts and affections of the women of their dreams. Of course, the irony is that Hitch doesn't adhere to his own formula, being a confirmed bachelor with no interest in entering into a serious relationship with anyone himself. Until, that is, he meets the woman of his own dreams, Sara, a New York City gossip columnist who has no idea what it is Hitch does for a living. It occurs to me that, when it comes to certain movie genres - action movies and romantic comedies in particular - it would be helpful if we could inflict some kind of temporary amnesia on ourselves so that we could at least think we were watching something new and fresh and not something we've already seen a hundred times before. Even the best romantic comedies can't entirely avoid paying homage to "the formula," and "Hitch" is clearly no exception. As such, the film has some mildly amusing moments, some endearingly sweet scenes, and some cute little plot complications amidst all the sentimental clichés, lowbrow slapstick and tired stereotypes we generally find in these films. (I mean, do we really need yet another romantic comedy in which one of the heroine's co-worker sidekicks is a light-in-the-loafers, preposterously effeminate gay man?). It seems like every time "Hitch" is about to win us over, it short circuits itself and loses us by going for the obvious. Smith makes for a smooth romantic lead, but Eva Mendes doesn't always seem up to the challenge of her role, particularly when she is called upon to convey dramatic intensity. Actually, of the performers, it is Kevin James ("King of Queens"), as an overweight klutz who has hired Hitch's services to help him woo a beautiful blond heiress, who walks off with the film. Even though he's only a supporting player, it doesn't take him long to assume center stage in the film, essentially relegating the leads to second banana status.
Redford And Newman
18 September 2008
This film directed by George Roy Hill and written by William Goldman in 1969 is a true classic western. Robert Redford as the Sundance Kid, and Paul Newman as Butch Cassidy are wonderful together. In their first film together, they play the roles of outlaws who make a living robbing trains. After a relentless posse is formed to track them down, Butch and Sundance are constantly on the run eventually flushed to Bolivia where they attempt to continue their wistful ways. The cinematography is breathtaking at times although i thought the scenes from Bolivia were somewhat poor. This box-office hit won two Oscars, one by David Goldman for his script writing and the other by Burt Bacarach and Hal David for the movies theme song "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head". Katherine Ross also plays the part of Sundances beautiful girlfriend Etta Pace. If you are a Newman and Redford fan this is a must see! A bit of trivia: Newman first offered the part of Sundance to Jack Lemmon who declined.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
(2005)
Sexy and funny movie....
17 September 2008
This is a really fun movie. Funny, too, but also FUN. I had a great time watching this, and unlike many other drama / comedies, at every point where it could have easily become a tear-jerker, the writers broke it up with some comedy. They pull it off well, and the entire movie comes together very smoothly. And in addition to a great story, the chemistry between Jolie and Pitt is absolutely evident ~ a perfect way to add fire to an already great story. If you like love stories but frequently find them too sappy, or if you like action flicks but frequently get bored by gratuitous violence, you'll probably like this movie, which strikes a nice balance between both. Pitt hasn't exactly been praised to the podium in his decade of performances, but personally I love his dry sense of humor in every role he does. He is very smooth, and has an endearing smirk throughout this movie towards her which drives her nuts. Both stars cut it up, with Angelie playing her vintage hard body beeotch like she always does. She really helps my reflexes when it comes to finding the mute button. This makes for a great date flick for many reasons. One obvious reason is you both have something to look at, but it does entertain, and is almost Roger Moore cheesy funny Bondish in a good way.
Brotherhood of Blood
(2007)
Low budget but interesting
15 September 2008
Subtlety is a very important thing in any good horror movie. Not only does subtlety reduce the ridiculous amount of "in-your-face-quality" that today's horror movies seem to love, which effectively makes then just plain old action movies, subtlety shows that a film has respect for its audience. It doesn't feel like it has to explain everything at every step of the way since it knows that an interested audience will be on the lookout for hints as to what is going on. That's what makes films like this enjoyable. In fact, that what makes any film enjoyable. It isn't just a barrage of images, but rather an engaging sequence of them. This sequence can be unchronologically organized or in any number of ways obscured to create suspense, but as long as it is engaging, the audience will be happy. There are numerous hints as to what is really going on and the final climatic twist is really a good one.
Independence Day
(1996)
One of the better high-concept movies
26 August 2008
The things that make ID4 watching is that something is always going on. There are plenty of one-liners and the one-dimensional character all have their peculiar personality traits and quirks. The action scenes are impressive and in fact this film has the largest number of miniatures ever built. That record will probably never be broken because digital technology is limiting the use of miniatures. If you can let your hair loose and just want to enjoy a light movie without letting the America is Great propaganda get to you, ID4 is for you. Are there stupid things that happen in ID4? Sure. Checked reality lately? Stupid things happen all the time. But so do heroic things. As well as evil. Typical fare for the ancient tragedies. I believe ID4 carries on that ancient and honorable tradition: entertainment. And viewing it as a work of art, I must say that I was impressed over and over again while watching this film: where most of the studios would have wussed out or flinched, these film makers didn't. They stepped up to the plate and tried to beat the ball to death over and over again with their bat.
Snatch
(2000)
A movie that has it all
22 August 2008
First off, Snatch is an amazing movie in every sense of the word. There are very few movies made where the director obviously did not let one FRAME onto the screen without a reason, and Snatch is one of them. Nothing happens on screen without it having an effect on the plot. By now you know the plot, or plots. We follow a diamond-heist and the various characters trying to get theirs, at the same time following participants in an illegal boxing ring. The incredible part of the movie is how every scene ties in with the rest somehow, every character connects with the rest at least once. There are complaints that the movie is confusing, or muddled. There are a lot of things that they don't tell you (such as what the dog has to do with anything, but he's a VERY important character), and that's a good thing. Too many movies force feed the audience its plot points. Rather, we just watch occurrences, and have to piece together what ties everything together, the plot weaves together beautifully. The cinematography and performances are fantastic as well. Even the soundtrack is perfect. The camera style during the fight scenes (slowdown/stop/go) makes it difficult to stop watching, the sound effects fit in quietly in the background without being overwhelming. And it will be IMPOSSIBLE to watch this movie without repeating many of the lines around your friends. I found myself saying "Zee Germans" and things like "It's not like he's a set of car keys, now is it?" quite a bit. Naturally, Brad Pitt's pikey is one of the most outlandish I've ever seen.
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