I'm still here, still watching movies. Blogging about them is becoming a little bit of a hassle at the moment. I'm in the process of editing and publishing my first novel, so other writing projects have taken a backseat. On top of that, I'm finishing my graduate degree this summer, so my coursework is really intense!
But the train moves forward, so I'll be back to catch up on the movies I've been watching very soon!
Please stay tuned!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Movie #419 - Live Free or Die Hard
Live Free or Die HardDirector: Len Wiseman
Starring: Bruce Willis, Timothy Olyphant, Justin Long, Maggie Q, Cliff Curtis, Kevin Smith, Andrew Friedman, Jonathan Sadowski
This one was a first-time watch. Yes, it took me FOUR years to get around to seeing this. Shameful, right?
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised at what a worthy follow-up this movie is to the successful 90's trilogy. McLane's older, not really that much wiser, and still as ornery as they come. Toss him into a world of computers and hackers and he's lost, but he makes up for what he can't decode with brute strength and guts. Also, he can take helicopters out of the air with a broken fire hydrant, which is pretty friggin' sweet.
So I did enjoy this one. It's a fresher take on the "outdated" franchise, but it still stays true to the main character and his approach to law enforcement. There's even a nice throwback line, saved for the very end. Nice work, all around.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Movie #418 - The Little Mermaid
1989 - Rated G - 1 hr 23 min
Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker
Starring: Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Pat Carroll, Buddy Hackett, Kenneth Mars, Edie McClurg, Rene Auberjonois
In the 80s, many feared that Disney's animation department was on its way out. I remember how huge this movie was when it came out and I even saw it twice in the theater. I was 8. I had no idea the kind of legacy this movie helped to rebuild but still, I sensed there was something special about this under-sea tale.
And I loved every minute of it. It was fresh and unique for its time, but still did so much to enchant a little girl's imagination. I wanted to be a mermaid, I wanted to be a princess. Okay, I wanted to be a princess mermaid. And meet my handsome prince.
Reggae music, seashells, and evil squid-women aside, the story is a much needed update to Hans Christian Anderson's original fairytale. One that ends in terrible tragedy (see Once On This Island for a musical that stays true to his heart-breaking ending). For Disney, suicide won't do... so let's give the mermaid what she wants.
And thank goodness they did. It was a bold move for the studio, but one that reshaped their future. Look at all the little girls who still want to be princess mermaids, more than 20 years later.
Movie #417 - The Lion King
1994 - Rated G - 1 hr 29 min
Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Starring: Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Jeremy Irons, Robert Guillaume, Rowan Atkinson, Moira Kelly, Cheech Marin, Whoopi Goldberg, Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Who doesn't love this movie? And who hasn't -- at some point -- quoted those iconic lines? "Everything the light touches..." "The king has returned..." "Hakuna Matata..."
Really, this one's so ingrained in my generation's childhood, it's hard to escape. And now that it's a Broadway musical, everyone else loves it too. It's easy to see why, with such a gripping story of deceipt that even adults can love, the kind of jokes that get mom, dad, and the kids all laughing, and some of the best songs Disney ever churned out of their powerhouse years. This puts the cap on Disney's golden age for me. I'll watch it over and over and over again. Anytime Ellie asks.
Movie #416 - Lilo & Stitch
2002 - Rated PG - 1 hr 25 min
Directors: Dean deBlois, Chris Sanders
Starring: Daveigh Chase, Chris Sanders, Tia Carrere, David Ogden Stiers, Kevin McDonald, Ving Rhames, Jason Scott Lee, Kevin Michael Richardson
Oh, Stitch. From his demolition of tiny cities to his impression of Elvis Pressley, you gotta love this mangy furball. He's no stray dog, that's for sure, but something makes you want to cuddle him all the same.
Add to Stitch's irrestible charm the beauty of an animated Hawaiian island, a story of two heart-broken sisters, and a couple of wacky aliens along for the ride, and tada! Instant hit! Hell, we watched this with friends in college and loved it, which speaks to its appeal across age lines. You don't need kids to enjoy this one, folks.
Movie #415 - Life of Brian
Life of BrianDirector: Terry Jones
Starring: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
It's always a welcome change of pace to pop a Monty Python movie into my DVD player. We don't have many of them, for now at least.
And this one has always been a fan favorite. It's no Grail, which is coming up in the M's, but the whole ordinary guy caught up in extraordinary circumstances in the time of Jesus is pretty clever. From the misinformed magi who praise Brian at birth to the Latin grammar-correcting centurion, the off-beat comedy of the Monty Python troupe is very much alive and well here. It's a great testament to their versatility as well, with most of the actors picking up several roles throughout, sprinkling quotable one-liners here and there.
Granted, this has to be your kind of humor to appreciate it. But I love a good skit by these guys, so a whole movie is fantastic.
Movie #414 - A Life Less Ordinary
A Life Less OrdinaryDirector: Danny Boyle
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Ewan McGregor, Holly Hunter, Delroy Lindo, Ian McNiece, Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub, Ian Holm
Weird movie, this one. Weird, but weirdly cute too. Diaz and McGregor are an unlikely pair -- although their respective hair-dos are both awesomely 90s-tastic! -- who find themselves in very unlikely circumstances. Mainly, as kidnapper and kidnappee... although it's not always clear which of them is which.
Anyway, the whole angels-meddling-in-the-business-of-love bit turns this regular rom-com into something otherworldy, full of strange scenarios where Hunter and Lindo (the love angels assigned to the couple) are either trying too hook them up or kill them. If they don't get these two together, they're doomed to a life stuck on earth. Bummer.
There is indeed as much going on here as the above synopsis suggests, and somehow, the movie doesn't get bogged down. The plot moves along at a good clip, with lots of great scenes, and some actually believable scenes between our young lovers. It's cute. Weird, like I said, but cute.
Movie #413 - Life as a House
Life as a HouseDirector: Irwin Winkler
Starring: Kevin Kline, Hayden Christensen, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jena Malone, Mary Steenburgen, Ian Somerhalder, Scott Bakula
Okay, okay. This movie made me cry.
No, not just cry. Sob. I sobbed at the end of this movie. And Ellie was really concerned about me for a minute, then blew raspberrie in my face. Which solved my sobbing problem.
But really... Kline as a divorced dad trying to spend a few final moments with his nearly-estranged teenage son before succumbing to terminal cancer; building a house that brings a family and neighborhood together; falling in love with his ex-wife all over again just days before... well, you know. Damn cancer.
Although it makes you cry, this movie does a lot of other things as well. It inspires and it makes your heart swell, it makes you think about people in your life that matter to you, makes you want to be a good parent to your children (even if you don't have them yet.) It may or may not make you want to build a house--that's up to you. But this movie, even though it made me sob, made me feel good about some things.
That's saying something.
Movie #412 - Licence to Kill
Licence to Kill
1989 - Rated R - 2 hr 13 minDirector: John Glen
Starring: Timothy Dalton, Carey Lowell, Robert Davi, Wayne Newton, Benicia Del Toro, Desmond Llewelyn, Anthony Zerbe
Thank goodness Timothy Dalton's Bond knows how to trick-drive a semi, or this movie would have ended completely differently. Really... that's just crazy, that whole end sequence.
So Dalton's Bond... this is my first time watching this movie and I have mixed feelings. Good plot, good action sequences, nice use of Q "in the field," and a nice range of ladies for Bond to get tangled up with. Dalton's not my favorite Bond (is he anyone's?) but he brings a certain flare to going rogue and working undercover... in a tux. Yes, Bond is about the only character to have ever combined drug-circle infiltration with a martini, but it's not all fun and games, you know?
Not a bad entry into the franchise's books, but definitely not a favorite. Not with the likes of Daniel Craig filling the icon's shoes these days. It's tough to compare.
1989 - Rated R - 2 hr 13 minStarring: Timothy Dalton, Carey Lowell, Robert Davi, Wayne Newton, Benicia Del Toro, Desmond Llewelyn, Anthony Zerbe
Thank goodness Timothy Dalton's Bond knows how to trick-drive a semi, or this movie would have ended completely differently. Really... that's just crazy, that whole end sequence.
So Dalton's Bond... this is my first time watching this movie and I have mixed feelings. Good plot, good action sequences, nice use of Q "in the field," and a nice range of ladies for Bond to get tangled up with. Dalton's not my favorite Bond (is he anyone's?) but he brings a certain flare to going rogue and working undercover... in a tux. Yes, Bond is about the only character to have ever combined drug-circle infiltration with a martini, but it's not all fun and games, you know?
Not a bad entry into the franchise's books, but definitely not a favorite. Not with the likes of Daniel Craig filling the icon's shoes these days. It's tough to compare.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Movie #411 - The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines
The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's MinesDirector: Jonathan Frakes
Starring: Noah Wylie, Bob Newhart, Gabrielle Anwar, Jane Curtain, Olympia Dukakis, Lisa Brenner, Jonathan Frakes, Erick Avari
More Noah Wylie, but a new chick this time. And she's a professor, so she can actually argue with him about things and keep him on his toes. She also happens to be Fiona from Burn Notice. Hey there.
The rest of the cast is back, but Nicole just isn't there anymore. Okay. She must've been filming Lost, right? So we've got Newhart and Curtain, and a stubborn Excalibur trying to kill Noah Wylie just because. And now there's a shady "uncle" and a little more backstory about the dad. The journey to Solomon's Mines was just as fun as the first movie's adventure, but again, the real story here was more specific to Flynn Carter's personal journey. Unravelling those mysteries, and seeing the "uncle's" true colors were more engaging for me.
But it's a fun adventure, so if you like that kind of geek-ery, this one's for you.
Movie #410- The Librarian: Quest for the Spear
The Librarian: Quest for the SpearDirector: Peter Winther
Starring: Noah Wylie, Bob Newhart, Jane Curtain, Olympia Dukakis, Sonya Walger, Kyle MacLachlan, Kelly Hu, David Dayan Fisher
Technically, I didn't have to watch either of these Librarian flicks because they're TV movies, but what the heck. I felt adventurous, and had never seen the second one before. So here we are.
This one I had already seen once and I enjoyed the premise of it, both then and now. Wylie as the over-educated and seemingly filled with useless knowledge wanderer, forced to find a job and stumbling upon the chance of a lifetime. He gives hope to all those young guys out there collecting degrees just for funsies. And since defying death and other action-packed activities are not among his skills, there's a chick on hand to keep him alive.
Hey! It's Penny from Lost! I didn't know who she was the first time I watched this one, way back when. But that was a fun discovery.
The quest is fun, though the effects are painfully TV quality at times, but for me it was the concept of the Library that really sold this movie. The adventure was secondary to a really cool idea for me.
Movie #409 - The Libertine
The LibertineDirector: Laurence Dunmore
Starring: Johnny Depp, Samantha Morton, John Malkovich, Rosamund Pike, Jack Davenport, Richard Coyle
This movie has Johnny Depp plus not one, but two actors from the show Coupling. Well done!
Although, I have to admit it's not Depp's best looking role. Something about all that syphillis... I think the chameleon in Rango is a better looking Depp part. Just sayin.
Anyway, this one's a strange, twisted biopic, where Depp plays 17th century writer John Wilmot-- a sex-crazed lush who just doesn't know when to stop pissing people off. Samantha Morton plays the plain actress he falls in love with and coaches to stardom, while she and her pure ambition start to mess with Wilmot's mind. He blames her for making him love life, having been much happier doing nothing before. Strange relationship there.
Malkovich is underwhelming as King Charles II, the very king Depp pisses off with his play. It's the beginning of the end for the writer, as he succumbs to his illness and constant drunken stuppor at only 33.
A sad and tragic story, cut out of history for our like/disklike/indifference. Personally, I enjoy the style of the film, beginning and ending with a Depp-delivered speech to the camera, and the aimlessness of the main character. Little pieces of history from the time period always enthrall me, however, so I might be a bit biased :)
Movie #408 - Liar Liar
Liar LiarDirector: Tom Shadyac
Starring: Jim Carrey, Maura Tierney, Carey Elwes, Jennifer Tilly, Swoosie Kurtz, Cheri Oteri
I'm glad we finally added this one to the Wall. It's always been a favorite Carrey film of mine, because he gets to be both wacky and serious, all in one movie. Sometimes all Carrey crazy is too much for me, so the balance gives this one more appeal to me. And the little kid is pretty cute too.
In other news, Maura Tierney is the most famous alumnae of my high school. So that's pretty cool. I learned that somewhere around the time that this movie came out. We had the same English teacher. Weird.
Back to the movie... what better person to not be able to lie for a day than a lawyer? Right? I think the best sequence is in that courtroom, all the blue pen bit and the office quick-fire insults are also lots of fun. But trying to turn the truth into something ambiguous is a tall order and it's scripted perfectly in that courtroom scene (you know, after he beats himself up in the bathroom then voluntarily stays to finish the hearing. Poor guy.)
And it's got a nice warm fuzzy ending for the hopeless romantics out there. All around, lots of fun.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Movie #407 - Let's Go to Prison
Let's Go to PrisonDirector: Bob Odenkirk
Starring: Dax Shepard, Will Arnett, Chi McBride, David Koechner, Dylan Baker, Michael Shannon, Jay Whittaker
Yeah, this movie's pretty dumb. I also think it's pretty funny, so sue me. Okay?
I think Will Arnett's hillarious, so I'm in.
If you're not familiar with this comedy, Shepard plays a con who wants to get back at the judge who put him away. Instead, he has to settle for ruining the life of the judge's son (Arnett) and gets him locked up through a too-easy scheme. McBride plays the tough inmate who falls hard for Arnett, leading to a strange kind of partnership that is itself pretty entertaining. Koechner plays the corrupt prison guard only too eager to take bets on the next inmate fight. Great actors and characters make this more fun than the lame premise suggests.
It had been a while since I'd last seen this one and it's a nice, light-hearted way to break up some of the heavier stuff and action-heavy stuff I've been watching lately. It's always nice to laugh.
Movie #406 - Lethal Weapon 4
Lethal Weapon 4Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo, Chris Rock, Jet Li, Kim Chan, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe
This late-90s edition of Riggs & Murtaugh branches out into new territory. Although Murtaugh didn't retire at the end of 3, like he said he was going to, age seems to be weighing down on both partners now, as well as personal responsibilities. With a baby on the way for Riggs and a grandson on the way for Murtaugh, the added pressure provides a very realistic feeling to the movie.
With the Chinese Triad and Jet Li as the bad guys, the 4th movie seems to heighten the stakes all around. The plotline is decent, bringing back the whole gang and introducing young cop Butters, played by Chris Rock. I think this was my favorite one because it seems to have a reverent feeling to it. They're all in it, knowing this is it, and the nice warm fuzzy ending brings closure to a strong quadrilogy (is that the word?)
Of course, I just saw that a Lethal Weapon 5 is due for release in 2012... so hey. Maybe it's not the end, after all.
Movie #405 - Lethal Weapon 3
1992 - Rated R - 1 hr 58 min
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo, Stuart Wilson, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe
More mullet-ude and more Joe Pesci, but this movie freshens up the franchise with the addition of Rigg's love-interest Rene Russo. She's the tough female cop who seems an unlikely match for him, but as with all similar cliches, they find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other.
And with the "dirty cop" premise to pull this plotline along, it's a solid entry into the franchise. It also brings the duo into the 90s, although Gibson's hair hasn't gotten the memo yet. Overall, this one offers a good crime to solve, a fun plot for viewers, and more great character development. It's decent.
Movie #404 - Lethal Weapon 2
Lethal Weapon 2Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Joss Ackland, Derrick O'Connor, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe
By the time this movie was over, I felt like I had been punched in the face. The whole South African government thing is kinda messy. And Joe Pesci's suuuuuuper annoying in this movie. He gets better in the later ones, but here, I can't stand listening to him talk.
I think this is probably the weakest of the set, but its still a good step in the evolution of Riggs and Murtaugh's close relationship. In terms of developing that bond, it's a good one. In terms of solving a compelling crime, it didn't hold my attention.
But Gibson's mullet is superb.
Movie #403 - Lethal Weapon
1987 - Rated R - 1 hr 50 min
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gilbson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitch Ryan, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe
I'm not as familiar with this franchise as some of the guys I know -- see: Not a Boy in the 80s -- so it was nice to sit down and watch them all. Granted, a full day of Riggs & Murtaugh is just about all I could handle, so it was nice to move on when the fourth movie's credits started rolling.
Anyway, I almost feel like I could write ONE review for all four movies. But alas, each movie gets one, so I've got to come up with something to say for all of them. Eek.
This first movie sets up the action, so a good chunk of the beginning is exposition. We learn about Riggs's loose cannon tactics and death wish; Murtaugh's quotable philosophy about his age... "I'm too old for this shit." And of course, both character's back stories. They're given a fairly easy plot this time around, but it's a great franchise set-up movie and another great Donner action flick that establishes a couple of well-loved heroes.
Movie #402 - Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate EventsDirector: Brad Silberling
Starring: Jim Carrey, Jude Law, Liam Aiken, Emily Browning, Timothy Spall, Catherine O'Hara, Billy Connolly, Meryl Streep, Luis Guzman, Jamie Harris, Craig Ferguson, Jennifer Coolidge, Jane Adams
Hey, little Emily Browning... before you were that girl from Sucker Punch! As the eldest Beaudelaire child, she's quick-witted and self-assured here. Also caring to her kinda-weird younger siblings. The family unit formed here is believable, which makes the movie really work.
With a cast of big-named stars parading by, it would otherwise be very hard to focus on the point of this movie. Carrey's Olaf is big, bold, and pretty eccentric. Over the top, as is his usual. Billy Connolly gives a nice, heartwarming Uncle Monty and Meryl Streep's worry-wort Aunt is a joy to watch as well. But the focus stays nicely on the kids, who pass through this Series of Unfortunate Events with gusto. Poor things.
I did like this one -- although I haven't read the books -- and I had hoped the franchise would carry on, turning more of the books into movies. It doesn't seem like that's going to happen (seven years later), so if I want all those questions answered -- what is the deal with the spyglass? -- I guess I'll have to read the books. Maybe they'll make good bedtime stories for my kids some day.
Movie #401 - Legends of the Fall
Legends of the FallDirector: Edward Zwick
Starring: Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Aidan Quinn, Julia Ormond, Henry Thomas, Karina Lombard, Gordon Tootoosis, Paul Desmond, Tantoo Cardinal
Lovers of Greek tragedy listen up: this is one to watch for you. Lovers of happy endings beware: this will make you cry. A lot.
Really, Pitt's character just deals with one heartbreak after one bear fight after another heartbreak (after another bear fight). Could any more bad stuff really happen to this guy? He's like a Hollywood-ized Job, taking God's punches in the face, jaw set, eyes blazing. And surrounded by a fantastic cast, he still manages to give a stand-out performance.
This has always been one of my favorite roles of his. It requires such deep grief and hardened emotion to carry it off and young Pitt does it well. For me, this movie is what made him an actor not just a hot guy with a cute butt. Although the latter is still very, very true.
Movie #400 - The Legend of Zorro
The Legend of ZorroDirector: Martin Campbell
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rufus Sewell, Adrian Alonso, Michael Emerson, Shuler Hensley, Alberto Reyes
I kinda wish I could watch The Mask of Zorro before watching this one, it's sequel. But the rules say alphabetical, so who am I to argue?
Anyway, having seen both movies several times, there was no problem watching them backwards -- or several weeks apart. Here, Zorro and family are 10 years in and there's trouble brewing in his marriage. Zeta-Jones divorces him, he barely knows his little boy, and the new step-dad prospect is also the bad guy. Dun dun DUN!
So, Antonio Banderas reprises his very fun interpretation of the masked avenger and makes this one just as enjoyable as the first time around. Sure, it's no black-and-white TV show, but the integrity, the sword-fighting, and the charm of this iconic character are well preserved and very much alive. Lots of fun to watch :)
PS - I just hit 400 movies!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Friday, May 20, 2011
Movie #399 - Legend
Legend1985 - Rated PG - 1 hr 34 min
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim Curry, Robert Picardo, Billy Barty, Alice Playten, David Bennent
First of all, the original movie is much better than the Director's Cut - something we learned as a group at this week's movie night. Little did I know we'd even purchased the special Director's Cut version, but there we were. I have seen the original, maybe twice, so I was glad for the assistance picking out the added scenes. And dialogue. And singing.
Why Ridley Scott thought this cut was better was beyond us. In fact, it kinda ruins the integrity of this otherwise decent fantasy/adventure movie. Too much singing, Ridley. They cut out Mia Sara's constant warbling for a reason, one we didn't need to see to believe.
Anyhow, as far as the plot goes, a young couple accidentally get themselves wrapped up in the coming of the "dark lord" (who is not Voldemort, but is in fact Tim Curry... dressed as a giant red demon that may or may not have inspired South Park's Satan character's look. Food for thought.) He's pretty bad-ass, it's true. And if they don't save the unicorn, it's gonna stay dark and frozen in their forest forever. Bad news bears.
Fun fantasy adventures ensue, including Star Trek Voyager's hologram doctor dressed in drag as Meg Mucklebone, a swamp witch (who has more screen time in Scott's cut, for better or for worse.) It's a bit nerdy, this movie, but I consider it a guilty pleasure. The original cut, though. Not this one.
Movie #398 - A League of Their Own
1992 - Rated PG - 2 hr 8 min
Director: Penny Marshall
Starring: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna, Jon Lovitz, David Strathairn, Garry Marshall, Bill Pullman, Megan Cavanagh, Rosie O'Donnell, Tracy Reiner, Ann Cusack, Bitty Schram
A pivotal movie from my youth... Girls can play sports! I remember how much I loved this movie, how I'd want to watch it over and over again. And also how I'd quote it whenever possible.
"There's no crying in baseball!" -- The valuable wisdom of Tom Hanks, boys and girls. There is no crying in baseball, all true.
With a fantastic cast of vibrant characters and the perfect She-Ra strength of star Dottie Henson (thank you, Geena Davis), it's easy to see why this movie inspired so many of my young girlfriends to play baseball. Beyond the fun parts, there's also a really great story line here. A telling portrayal of two sisters, the younger always struggling to get her due and the older just trying to live her life. A heartbreaking reality of war-time America and the lengths people went to in order to go about "normal" life. These girls did much for the spirit of our country and should most definitely be celebrated in a movie like this.
It's always been a favorite, and now that I own it (finally), it will continue to be for a long time.
Movie #397 - The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
2003 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 50 min
Director: Stephen Norrington
Starring: Sean Connery, Naseeruddin Shah, Peta Wilson, Tony Curran, Stuart Townsend, Shane West, Jason Flemyng, Richard Roxburgh, Max Ryan
One of the first in a wave of Alan Moore comics to go to the movies, this one's not the best of the bunch. It's not awful, but it does get a bit campy at times. Ooh.... all these characters from fiction fight crime together!
But honestly, why is Tom Sawyer fighting crime?
United by Connery's Alan Quartermaine, the troupe is formidable... but also a bit twisted. Deception and betrayal runs amok and soon, it all falls apart.
As adventure movies go, there's much that's pleasing to the eye and much to rev up that adrenaline level. As plots go.... meh. Connery's the best thing about this one, if you ask me.
Movie #396 - Layer Cake
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Daniel Craig, Sienna Miller, Michael Gambon, Tom Hardy, Colm Meaney, Tamar Hassan, George Harris
Pre-Bond Daniel Craig is fun to watch in this movie about a drug-dealer trying to get out of the business. Based on the book of the same name, the unique narration style and larger-than-life characters make a tired premise fresh. Craig's character puts up with a lot, gets stuck in a lot, and manages it in a cool, collected way. He really just wants to sleep with Sienna Miller, guys. Really.
I won't give away the ending -- which is just awesome, if you like sick twists the way I do -- but it makes the whole movie that much better. With a great cast, and enough twists to keep you on your toes, it's definitely worth a watch.
Movie #395 - Lawrence of Arabia
Lawrence of Arabia1962 - Rated ? - 3 hr 36 min
Director: David Lean
Starring: Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, Claude Rains
I like old movies. Really, I do. But this movie's so looooooooooooong. And there's so much time spent crossing deserts. So much.
Still, this man's story (based on the true events of T.E. Lawrence's life) is really impressive. It reminded me of the basic concept behind The Last Samurai (which I just watched, so it was fresh in my mind): a displaced soldier finds himself identifying with a foreign culture and winds up torn between his roots and his new "home." Beyond that, this movie definitely wins for best actor portrayal of that paradox. Peter O'Toole is truly brilliant -- particularly throughout the transformation from fun-loving, adventure-seeking young soldier to embittered, hardened colonel. He manages to find enough personal resolution to go home in the end, but I suspect he was never really at peace.
If you're thinking of diving into this one, I suggest you get comfortable and bring some snacks. Lots of water. Plan on taking a bathroom break at intermission. It's keep you engaged, for sure, but it will definitely leave you feeling as though you have crossed the desert yourself. It's draining, but it's worth the watch.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Movie #394 - The Last Unicorn
1982 - Rated G - 1 hr 32 min
Directors: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury, Tammy Grimes, Robert Klein, Christopher Lee, Keenan Wynn, Alan Arkin
This movie was always a favorite when I was a kid, but possibly because it was about a unicorn. I had a unicorn phase, what can I say? I'm a girl!
And now as an adult, I've rediscovered the tragic beauty of this story. Honestly, the only thing that makes it a "kids" movie is the animation. Otherwise, it's dark and grim, filled with lots of evil characters and other scary fantastical beasts... all who want to hurt a poor, defenseless unicorn.
Then there's the love story. I gotta admit, it makes me teary now that I'm all grown up and I understand what happens to this poor unicorn/woman. To experience human emotions, fall in love, find real happiness... only to have it all taken away. So sad, so poignant.
It's such a good story that even songs by America can't ruin it.
Movie #393 - The Last Samurai
2003 - Rated R - 2 hr 34 min
Director: Edward Zwick
Starring: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly, William Atherton, Chad Lindberg, Tony Goldwyn, Masato Harada, Timothy Spall
First of all, on a side note, I never noticed before how Timothy Spall is in everything. Seriously, the man shows up all over the place. I had no clue.
Okay, so he's in this too, but not really in a huge part. So I'll focus on the actual plot. This movie's got the feeling of a Gladiator-like epic, just set in Japan instead. Tom Cruise's Nathan Algren suffers just about as much as Maximus and learns most of his important lessons while imprisoned. An American officer sent to training the Japanese army to withstand rebel Samurai attacks in 1876, Algren is a drunk with a death wish. He gets captured by the Samurai warriors and winds up training with them. When they release him, he's caught between the old and new worlds of Japan, forced to decide which side he'll stand on.
This is a great story, told very well, albeit a bit long. But honestly, it's one movie where so much happens that you don't notice how long it really is. Even having Tom Cruise as the star didn't dissuade me from it (I'm really not a big fan, in case you haven't noticed yet) and I think he does well, capturing the essence of this tortured war hero. Good stuff, all around.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Movie #392 - Kiss of the Dragon
2001 - Rated R - 1 hr 38 min
Director: Chris Nahon
Starring: Jet Li, Bridget Fonda, Tcheky Karyo, Max Ryan
It's been a while since my last viewing of this movie so I couldn't even really remember what it was about when I sat down to watch it. Yes, Jet Li kicks butt -- that's to be expected. But this movie does have a little more substance to it than your run-of-the-mill action flicks.
Apparently based on a story by Jet Li himself, this one chronicles a Beijing cop framed for a murder in Paris. Behind the frameup is a chief Parisian inspector who's been abusing his power left, right, and center, unbeknownst to his superiors. Bridget Fonda and her daughter are caught in his evil web and she winds up square in Li's path to clear his name. Their mutual hatred unites them (obviously) and they work together to achieve their individual goals. Clean and simple, but full of some great action scenes too. Aside from a scene where Li takes out a full class of black-belts, there aren't really any stand-out performances. What you see is what you get here, but if you've got a love of some good Jet Li action.
Movie #391 - The King's Speech
2010 - Rated R - 1 hr 58 min
Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Michael Gambon, Derek Jacobi, Timothy Spall
Biopics like this always make me nervous there'll be excessive characterization of real people from history. (Well, it's kind of a biopic, though not really. The point remains, there are historic figures here, played by modern actors.) But since even the Queen herself has given a nod to this movie (which portrays her father, King George VI), I watched it with confidence.
This was my second viewing (just got it for Mother's Day!) and I loved it even more. It's so heavily focused on the relationship built between Bertie and Lionel that the speech problem takes a back seat. The goal is to help him overcome his difficulty with speech, it's true, but the friendship heals him much more than the therapy does! Carter, as always, is spot on as a young Queen Mum. Firth... well, he won the Oscar, so there you go. And Geoffrey Rush is also outstanding here. With three strong performances, I can see how this took Best Picture this year.
Movie #390 - The Italian Job
2003 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 51 min
Director: F. Gary Gray
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Donald Sutherland, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, Seth Green, Mos Def, Scott Adsit
I've never seen the original, so I can't compare. And I can't give my typical spiel about remakes either, since there's nothing for me to be upset about. Regardless of its predecessor, I like this movie. Revisiting it, I was surprised how much, in fact. There's a great cast of young actors here and an Ed Norton baddie that's kinda fun to see.
A good balance of action scenes, humor, and drama keeps this movie going for me. It doesn't get too caught up in the heist piece to tell you a decent storyline and the concept of avenging a friend's (or father's) death is much more stomachable than just a group of people out to steal some gold. It works, it feels like a fresh reboot, and it makes me want to rent the original just to compare.
Movie #389 - The Invention of Lying
2009 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 40 min
Director: Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill, Louis C.K., Jeffrey Tambor, Rob Lowe, Tina Fey
Cameos by: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Edward Norton
To be fair, this movie seems to take a gimmick (a world where no one can lie) and really run with it. Squeezing an entire plot out of one man's sudden discovery that he can, in fact, tell lies. Oops!
The saving grace is that the movie resists the temptation to dissolve into a series of scenes where said lying character goes totally off the deep end and lies all over the place just to get what he wants -- the girl included. Where would be the fun in that? I guess of all the people who could've learned to lie, he's the least abusive of the new skill. Kinda.
See, he accidentally creates religion. I don't have a problem with the implication that there's no religion in a world where no one lies because there aren't any lies, but we start hitting on territory that's off-centered from what's really happening here. It's funny, it's good for a laugh, but I feel like it detracts from the main character's journey and, ultimately, the romantic aspect of the movie. Other opinions?
Movie #388 - The Imposter
2001 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 35 min
Director: Gary Fleder
Starring: Gary Sinise, Madeleine Stowe, Vincent D'Onofrio, Mekhi Phifer, Tony Shalhoub
Based on the short story of the same name by Philip K. Dick (author of the stories behind movies like Total Recall, Blade Runner, Next, A Scanner Darkly, Paycheck, Minority Report, Screamers), The Imposter lives up to it's author's reputation. It's dark, twisted, futuristic, and features the incredible self-crisis of its main character. Is he human? Or is he an alien impostor?
I really did enjoy this one and felt like Sinise did a great job wrestling with the question internally while also trying to convince those out to get him that he's human. On the run, he's resourceful but not very successful. He figures out how to answer the question... but no one likes the answer. Great twist on a twist at the ending here - and I don't want to give it away!
If sci-fi is your thing, this one's worth checking out.
Movie #387 - The History Boys
2006 - Rated R - 1 hr 49 min
Director: Nicholas Hytner
Starring: Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour, Clive Merrison, Stephen Campbell Moore, Andrew Knott, Russell Tovey, Dominic Cooper, Samuel Barnett
Okay.... this movie was not at all what I expected. Yes, it's about a rowdy bunch of male students trying to earn acceptance into Oxford. Yes, it's about stiff, rigid teaching and modern, "randy" students clashing. But somehow, all the plot summaries available online glossed over the detail about the manual stimulation between student and teacher.
Oh, it's not sexual though, so I guess it's okay. For real? Honestly?
I'm not sure what this movie was trying to convey as its lesson learned, but it certainly seemed to me to be a proponent of sexual abuse. Hooray!
The sad thing is, barring that little tid-bit, I rather enjoyed the rest of the movie. It just didn't sit well with me. I think it gave me heartburn.
Movie #386 - Heartbreakers
2001 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 3 min
Director: David Mirkin
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Gene Hackman, Ray Liotta, Jason Lee, Anne Bancroft, Jeffrey Jones, Nora Dunn, Sarah Silverman, Zach Galifiankais, Shawn Colvin, Michael Hitchcock
Mother-daughter con artists Weaver and Hewitt are pretty well paired in this movie. While it's not the best of films, the relationship between them has all the right elements. They're slightly competitive, they love each other, they trust each other, but they have way too much in common sometimes. Shame on Weaver's character for bringing her daughter up to be a con, but I guess it's like they say about that apple and the tree.
There's not much too exciting about this one, save Sigourney Weaver's accent, and the whole Jason Lee as a love interest thing just doesn't make sense in my head. But it's nice to see at least that Hewitt tries to make it legit by the end!
Movie #385 - Harry Potter & The Dealthy Hallows (Part I)
2010 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 26 min
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Bill Nighy, Richard Griffiths, Julie Walters, Bonnie Wright, Fiona Shaw, Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Jason Isaacs, Tom Felton, Timothy Spall, Michael Gambon, Robbie Coltrane, Brendan Gleeson, David Thewlis, John Hurt, Frances de la Tour, Rhys Ifans, Imelda Staunton, Miranda Richardson, Warwick Davis
The casts of these movies keep getting longer and longer! But what a great cast of main characters this franchise has built, honestly! I have to say that almost everyone chosen, even the most lovable characters and the most hated villains, are so spot-on cast that I have no complaints! And who doesn't think Carter is the craziest Bellatrix Lestrange there could ever be?
Anyway, back to this review. The seventh book took a lot of heat for being reeeeallly boring for the first half, likes its warming up for the epic battle at its conclusion. But I've always argued that it should be exactly that. Rowling's writing has always been an excellent mimic for the feeling of her hero, and as Harry feels aimless in his wanderings for the horcruxes, we get to feel it right along with him. I've always felt that to be a strength of her style, a treat for us readers. If you disagree, you're clearly just reading for the juicy bits.
So this movie also took a lot of heat for "dragging" and while I agree that it probably didn't need to be over two hours by quite so much, I think it captures that aimless feel of the book. We get to see our favorite trio turn on one another and really feel the pressure, the burden placed on their shoulders at such a young age. It's fitting, too, that we should sit and feel pressured, burdened by their struggle. It's like the full-experience kind of movie and book we should expect from such a big franchise.
And I, for one, am a big fan.
Movie #384 - GoldenEye
1995 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 10 min
Director: Martin Campbell
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Izabella Scorupco, Famke Janssen, Judi Dench, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Cumming, Desmond Llewelyn, Samantha Bond
Although the video game is lots of fun to play, this Bond movie was never one of my favorites. I feel like they tried to modernize the franchise with all this tech jargon and, back then, I just got confused. I can understand the whole Sean Bean evil-doings better now that I'm older, but by now, most of their equipment's obsolete.
Alan Cumming is a highlight of the movie -- perfect as the goofy techie Russian with a bit of an attitude. And Sean Bean's a pretty good bad guy, bad enough that I didn't sit there thinking about Lord of the Rings the whole time, so that's good!
Anyway, this one's not really a favorite. It's got some great action scenes, lots of explosions, and plenty of Bronsan-ized Bond to go around.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Movie #383 - Girl, Interrupted
1999 - Rated R - 2 hr 7 min
Director: James Mangold
Starring: Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Whoopi Goldberg, Brittany Murphy, Clea DuVall, Elisabeth Moss, Vanessa Redgrave, Jared Leto, Jeffrey Tambor, Angela Bettis, Jillian Armenante
Ryder plays Susanna Kaysen, the author of the autobiographical book detailing her 18 months in a psychiatric ward. A colorful cast of women join her -- some greatly outshining her in fact, like Jolie's Lisa, an Oscar-winning performance.
As one of the least crazy women in the ward, Kaysen needs to do the most personal reflection. Her depression, she realizes, can be overcome... but it takes her a while to get to that finishing line. No thanks to Lisa, the rowdy, authority-challenging "bad girl" of the ward. They become friends and, while Kaysen ultimately sees lessons to be learned from the friendship, at first it threatens to lead her down exactly the wrong path.
Whoopi Goldberg is fantastic here as well, playing the head nurse of the ward -- a tough woman remniscent of Chicago's Mama Morten who puts up with a lot of back-talk but knows when its time to speak up. A great scene between her and Ryder is among my favorites.
So many great performances here -- Brittany Murphy among them -- and it's definitely a great new addition to the wall.
Movie #382 - The General's Daughter
1999 - Rated R - 1 hr 56 min
Director: Simon West
Starring: John Travolta, Madeleine Stowe, James Cromwell, Timothy Hutton, Leslie Stefanson, Daniel von Bargen, James Woods, Clarence Williams III
This is the last of my re-writes, the last deleted post. Thank goodness.
In this one, Travolta is a bit goofy in his role as the lead investigator into the murder of the general's daughter (hence the title, smarties. LOL). His ex-girlfriend is on the scene with him, which provides some tension, though there's not much chemistry to speak of between them. Disappointing.
The story behind the daughter's murder goes back seven years and gets pretty dark. There are deep secrets covered up by men who wanted power. And of course, karma's a bitch and Travolta's not going to let them get away with it. Cromwell is great as the tormented general -- the perfect combination of heart-broken and suspicious. What does he know? What is he not saying?
And what the heck happened to this girl? Before the story clears up, it gets much more confusing. But as crime mysteries go, I do enjoy this one.
Movie #381- From Hell
2001 - Rated R - 2 hr 2 min
Directors: Albert & Allen Hughes
Starring: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane, Ian Richardson, Jason Flemyng
More Johnny Depp! (And more deleted posts that I have to rewrite and try to make sound good again. argh!)
Based on the Alan Moore graphic novel of the same name, this one's set with the Jack the Ripper story as its backdrop. Really, it centers on a broken investigator who needs the case to really prove to himself he's worth something. Enter Heather Graham as Mary Kelly, the prostitute most famously known for being the Ripper's final -- and goriest -- murder. Hooray. Of course, she's cooperating with Depp and they fall for each other. Of course.
Leave it to Moore to turn a grim, gruesome bit of history into a love story.
Still, it's very, very good... just not necessarily accurate. They blame the Freemasons --- or rather, a Freemason -- and I'm sure that doesn't help their reputation much. Don't believe it though, because Freemasons didn't kill prostitutes, guys. That's just nuts.
Movie #380 - The Frighteners
1996 - Rated R - 1 hr 50 min
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Michael J Fox, Trini Alvarado, Peter Dobson, Chi McBride, John Astin , Jeffrey Combs, Dee Wallace, Jake Busey
This one got deleted too. UGH!
So, I think I said something about liking the funny take on ghost-busting. Michael J Fox sees ghosts and has some ghost-friends who haunt homes until the owners call him to "exorcise" them. Good stuff, and it's going well, until a bad-ass ghost of a former serial killer shows up and starts ticking off people around Michael J Fox, one by one. He sees a number appear on their forehead and then... they die. Of course, he always seems to be around somehow, leading police to suspect him.
Aaaaaaand there's a creepy old lady with a sketchy past who's helping him out. Creepy.
This one's not really a horror movie, it's more a blend of genres and probably closer to a light paranormal comedy than anything else. Not bad, but not particularly riveting either.
Movie #379 - First Knight
1995 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 14 min
Director: Jerry Zucker
Starring: Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julia Ormond, Ben Cross, Liam Cunningham
Another post deleted by Blogger. Here we go again...
Yay for gritty retellings of the King Arthur legend, with much less fantastical fairytale and a lot more of the actual climate of the time period. I especially like the shattered illusion that Arthur and Gueniviere were this perfect, handsome couple. He's older than her, their marriage is negotiated like a contract, she's in love with someone else. It's very accurate for the time and it gives a realness to the story that I think most other tellings miss out on.
Of course, my favorite scene is the "discovery" and Sean Connery's brilliant performance. The heartache captured in his expression has always rung true to me and has stuck with me throughout the years since my first viewing. It's powerful and beautiful.... and now I'm gushing again.
Anyway, I love this one for its anti-romance romance :)
Movie #378 - Finding Neverland
2004 - Rated PG - 1 hr 46 min
Director: Marc Forster
Starring: Johnny Depp, Kate Winsley, Julie Christie, Radha Mitchell, Dustin Hoffman, Freddie Highmore, Ian Hart
An error on Blogger erased a few of my posts, including the original of this review. Grrr.... I don't think I remember what I wrote. Never thought I'd have to, you know?
Anyway, here goes. I like this movie a lot, for both it's telling of the backstory of one of the world's most famous stories (JM Barrie's Peter Pan) and for the poignant relationship that grows between the famed playwright and a widow for four sons. Actually, the four sons have a pretty impactful relationship with him as well. The bittersweet conclusion of the movie really gets me, too. I've always been a fan of the story around the story and this is a really great entry into that category.
And Johnny Depp has a Scottish accent, so there's that too :)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Movie #377 - FernGully: The Last Rainforest
1992 - Rated G - 1 hr 16 min
Director: Bill Kroyer
Starring: Samantha Mathis, Christian Slater, Robin Williams, Tim Curry, Grace Zabriskie, Geoffrey Blake, Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Tone Loc
Now that we've got kids, we're starting to collect some of the animated films of our youth. This one was always a favorite in my house growing up, so I had some fond memories going in for a revisit. It's a little bit more.... how do I say this?... lame, then I remember. But it still has an all-star cast, so it must've been good for its day.
The environmentalist message is still very relevant, even 19 years (I know!) later. Not much else to report here. This is a fun kids movie that I'm sure my daughter will one day enjoy with lots of songs, a great cast, and a nice, positive message to share.
Is it the inspiration for Avatar? Why don't you be the judge....
Movie #376 - Black Swan
2010 - Rated R - 1 hr 48 min
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder, Benjamin Millepied
Yes, this movie got a lot of hype. And yes, so did Natalie Portman and her dancer-in-six-months training program. Usually hype drives me far away from a movie. I'm not a bandwagon rider, you know?
Something about the chilling previews sucked me in and so I went to see it in theaters. For weeks afterwards, I got chills every time I thought about it. Now that's an impression. Owning it (finally) is really exciting for me. And I want everyone to watch it, but I'm acutely aware that Black Swan is not for everyone.
It's not a dancing movie, it's not a chick movie, and it's not a romance. So stop you're whining already. Instead, it's been dubbed a "psychosexual thriller," a new category of weird mind-altering movie that's incomparable so far. Aronofsky takes the art and beauty of The Fountain and combines it with the warped mind twists of a movie like American Psycho. Natalie Portman is perfect as the symbolic white swan, fighting against her inner black swan, stuck in a schizophrenic battle that plays itself out on the stage. I won't give anything away, because it's best to experience it as I did - not knowing much but expecting a wild, chilling story.
And that ending.... yup, still gives me chills.
Movie #375 - Army of Darkness
1992 - Rated R - 1 hr 21 min
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Bruce Campbell, Elizabeth Davidtz, Marcus Gilbert, Bridget Fonda
Another recent acquisition (on top of the 50+ title haul from last month - ugh!).
But it's okay, because this is a great movie and one that was sorely missing from our collection until now. And for $4, you can't pass that up. So here it is.
Who would've thought that a bad B movie (Evil Dead) would spawn this fantastic cult-classic sequel... well, a sequel to the remake Evil Dead 2. It's confusing, really. And they're all thanks to the genius of Sam Raimi and the unparalleled "action" comedy of Bruce Campbell. This, of all three movies, is my absolute favorite. Just for quotability alone it ranks pretty highly!
It's campy and a little cornball, but I really didn't mind adding this one to the queue!
Movie #374 - End of Days
1999 - Rated R - 2 hr 1 min
Director: Peter Hyams
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gabriel Byrne, Robin Tunney, Kevin Pollack
Isn't it great that Arnold's returning to movies so he can make more gems like this one? Hehehe.
Okay, it's not sooooo bad. Gabriel Byrne's a pretty scary devil incarnate and Kevin Pollack plays a nice, sorta goofy sidekick to Arnold's Jericho character. Yeah, his name's Jericho. Jericho. We already knew it was a religious movie, people. Easy already.
So the devil has to mate with chosen-one Robin Tunney, who's not digging Byrne's sideburns. Arnold has to intervene -- cuz mere priests can keep the hunky devil at bay, ya know -- and gets betrayed by just about everyone (thanks to the devil's mucho persuasive powers, obvi.) And btw, if you kill the devil's host body, you can get possessed yourself.... just an FYI, Arnold. Of course, the only one strong enough to kill Arnold is himself, so it's a good thing he's mentally strong enough to fight the devil inside too....
What a weird ending.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Movie #373 - Dreamcatcher
2003 - Rated R - 2 hr 16 min
Director: Lawrence Kasdan
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Thomas Jane, Jason Lee, Damian Lewis, Timothy Olyphant, Tom Sizemore, Donnie Wahlberg
What a weird movie this is. But it's Stephen King, so you know... it happens. There are aliens and weird worm virus thingies and a super-smart kid with mental problems who grows up to be Donnie Walhberg... and then can kill the bad alien guys.
This is one of those movies that you watch and follow along and everything seems okay... then you get to the end and you kinda feel like you've been punched in the head or something. What the hell did I just watch? you may ask yourself. You followed it, it was making sense... but when you take stock of the whole 2+ hours you can't really remember how you got from point A to B. You know what I mean?
Good cast though, so that part is lots of fun. There's lots that goes unexplained and I suppose, for the purposes of this movie, that's a good thing. To watch this one, you've got to be able to just accept some weird stuff. If you're new to Stephen King, this might not be the first one to watch... just sayin'.
Movie #372 - Devil's Advocate
1997 - Rated R - 2 hr 24 min
Director: Taylor Hackford
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron, Jeffrey Jones, Judith Ivey, Connie Nielsen, Craig T. Nelson
Oh man. I haven't seen this one in years but I was so excited to pick it up to add to the collection. What a great movie to revisit after so long! And you know what, still awesome.
It has a perfect title, too. Perfect on so many levels.
Anyway, Keanu Reeves is a lawyer in Florida who always wins. Always. And he'll do anything to keep it that way. When he gets discovered by a New York city firm, he thinks it's because of his talent. He lets himself get wrapped up in the "blood money," as his wife (Theron) says later. They live the life for a while but as their marriage falls apart, so does her sanity... or so it seems.
I really don't want to spoilt this one because, if you haven't seen it, you need to. There are a few gory scenes, but you'll live. And the ending of this movie is so perfect... you gotta love it.
Movie #371 - Dave
1993 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 50 min
Director: Ivan Reitman
Starring: Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Frank , Kevin Dunn, Ving Rhames, Ben Kingsley, Charles Grodin, Laura Linney, Bonnie Hunt, Faith Prince
Clever concept here, with a stand-in taking up the helm when the president has a massive stroke. Dave is the guy replacing the Prez and he takes some liberties as he gets more and more comfortable in his borrowed dress shoes. Who knows if presidents really have body doubles or not, but it does make a really good premise.
Add Sigourney Weaver as the estranged wife who helps put on a good show for the cameras. Of course she figures it out, it's only a matter of time... right? And what happens when the game is over and Dave can't carry on anymore? The end of this movie seems a bit contrived (SPOILER ALERT), since I really can't see a presidential look-alike being able to mount his own campaign for a political office. Won't people get confused? Won't conspriacy theorists catch on? I'd think they'd give him his own private island somewhere or something like that.
Oh well. If you watch this one, check out little Ving Rhames.... if it wasn't for the voice, I'd never recognize him!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Movie #370 - Courage Under Fire
1996 - Rated R - 1 hr 57 min
Director: Edward Zwick
Starring: Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan, Lou Diamond Phillips, Matt Damon, Bronson Pinchot, Seth Gilliam, Michael Moriarty, Sean Astin
Another new one for me. I'm not usually a big war-movie fan, but this one's got an interesting enough premise that it caught my attention. Washington is investigating the Medal of Honor nomination of Ryan's Medevac Captain Walden. In the process, he uncovers a story that no one suspected. And confronts his own warped war-time story along the way.
There's a lot of great stuff here, including a confused moral gray area. While Ryan spends most of her screentime screaming, it's nice to see her play a character that's not in love with Tom Cruise :) And Washington's troubled, drinking Serling is well done from start to finish.
If that's not enough, there's a really skinny Matt Damon in here too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)