Summary: A logical, man of science returns home to discover acceptance from his father and love with a local woman. Life turns suddenly tragic for the man, however, when he's attacked in the woods by a werewolf and afflicted with an incurable (and inconceivable) disease.
Things I Liked: The thought-provoking complexity of character as well as the depth of the emotional content. It's not the makeup, but the psychology and subtext of the characters and story that make the WOLF MAN frightening. Decent performances by Claude Rains, Evelyn Ankers, Lon Chaney Jr. and Bela Lugosi. Maria Ouspenskaya delivers a heartfelt and human - if not technically brilliant - performance as the gypsy woman.
Things I Didn't Like: Many of the outdoor sets, which seem inferior when compared to other films of the period. In my opinion, the makeup and effects depicted in THE WOLF MAN, while impressive, pale in comparison to those seen in other monster films such as THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925) or THE MUMMY (1932).
Three Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Monday, October 29, 2007
Red River (1948), Directed by Howard Hawks, Co-Directed by Arthur Rosson
Summary: A tyrannical and abusive rancher locks horns with his adopted son during a long, dangerous and desperate cattle drive.
Things I Liked: The entertaining and varied tapestry of supporting characters (Walter Brennan!). The dramatic tension (and the escalation of said tension) created between the two leads.
Things I Didn't Like: The overly long second act. In my opinion, the story might have benefitted from a shorter running time.
Three Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Things I Liked: The entertaining and varied tapestry of supporting characters (Walter Brennan!). The dramatic tension (and the escalation of said tension) created between the two leads.
Things I Didn't Like: The overly long second act. In my opinion, the story might have benefitted from a shorter running time.
Three Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Lifeboat (1944) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Summary: An eclectic group of people band together for survival after their passenger ship is torpedoed by a German U-boat. An already desperate situation becomes even more volatile when one of the passengers is revealed to be a Nazi sailor . . .
Things I Liked: The premise and the movie's technical achievements. Films like this one make me really appreciate the director's skill and expertise with a camera on set. Solid performances all around.
Things I Didn't Like: The story - particularly the resolution - lacked meat and left me feeling unsatisfied.
Three Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Things I Liked: The premise and the movie's technical achievements. Films like this one make me really appreciate the director's skill and expertise with a camera on set. Solid performances all around.
Things I Didn't Like: The story - particularly the resolution - lacked meat and left me feeling unsatisfied.
Three Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), Directed by Shekhar Kapur
Summary: In this follow-up to 1998's Oscar-nominated ELIZABETH, the mighty Queen Elizabeth I flirts with Sir Walter Raleigh, deftly sidesteps attempts on her life, and lives vicariously through her subjects; even as she prepares England for the seemingly impossible task of repelling King Philip II of Spain's most powerful armada . . .
Things I Liked: The music and score. Samantha Morton's performance as Mary Stuart. The costumes and art direction.
Things I Didn't Like: The casting of Clive Owen as Sir Walter Raleigh. The disappointing manner in which the digital effects were integrated with the live-action sets.
Three Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Things I Liked: The music and score. Samantha Morton's performance as Mary Stuart. The costumes and art direction.
Things I Didn't Like: The casting of Clive Owen as Sir Walter Raleigh. The disappointing manner in which the digital effects were integrated with the live-action sets.
Three Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
The Riddle (2007) Directed by Brendan Foley
Summary: Following the murder of a close friend, a British journalist finds himself in possession of an enigmatic historical clue. The more the man learns about the artifact, the more he is drawn into the investigation of a series of related crimes.
Things I Liked: The underlying idea/concept. I respect Vinnie Jones' bold decision to go against type. Some of the costumes and sets depicted in the historical sequences are worth mentioning.
Things I Didn't Like: The foggy, complicated and often confounding sequence of events. It's almost as if the filmmakers failed to choose the strongest moments to tell the story. The filmmakers' decision to include noticeably subpar actors alongside such talents as Derek Jacobi, Vanessa Redgrave and Jason Flemyng further muddles the experience. The dialogue is unnecessarily heavy.
Two Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Things I Liked: The underlying idea/concept. I respect Vinnie Jones' bold decision to go against type. Some of the costumes and sets depicted in the historical sequences are worth mentioning.
Things I Didn't Like: The foggy, complicated and often confounding sequence of events. It's almost as if the filmmakers failed to choose the strongest moments to tell the story. The filmmakers' decision to include noticeably subpar actors alongside such talents as Derek Jacobi, Vanessa Redgrave and Jason Flemyng further muddles the experience. The dialogue is unnecessarily heavy.
Two Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Two Tickets to Paradise (2007) Directed by D.B. Sweeney
Summary: Three former childhood buddies - now adults and at a low point in their lives - embark upon a road trip together to try and recreate some of the fun they experienced in their youth.
Things I Liked: The film's energy - it's obvious that Sweeney imbued the project with loads of fun and affection. The characters and situations presented in the film are fairly adequately set up.
Things I Didn't Like: The direction. There are a few powerfully acted scenes in the film but for the most part, the primary actors - all immensely talented performers - appeared to be hamstrung by the limits of the material.
Two Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Things I Liked: The film's energy - it's obvious that Sweeney imbued the project with loads of fun and affection. The characters and situations presented in the film are fairly adequately set up.
Things I Didn't Like: The direction. There are a few powerfully acted scenes in the film but for the most part, the primary actors - all immensely talented performers - appeared to be hamstrung by the limits of the material.
Two Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Juno (2007) Directed by Jason Reitman
Summary: When a strong-willed, vigorously independent young high schooler learns that she's pregnant, she and her best friend settle upon a unique (and often humorous) path for the baby.
Things I Liked: The well-written and unformulaic script. The quietly competent direction and often hilarious performances of the cast make this film more original than most of it's ilk. Overall, a cute and enjoyable story.
Things I Didn't Like: The music and songs. Viewers may have trouble separating some of the actors' characters from the television and feature film roles they're most famous for.
Three Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Things I Liked: The well-written and unformulaic script. The quietly competent direction and often hilarious performances of the cast make this film more original than most of it's ilk. Overall, a cute and enjoyable story.
Things I Didn't Like: The music and songs. Viewers may have trouble separating some of the actors' characters from the television and feature film roles they're most famous for.
Three Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Kabluey (2007) Directed by Scott Prendergast
Summary: Unable to cope with her husband fighting in Iraq and two unruly children at home, an exhausted woman finally gives in and invites her hapless (and luckless) brother-in-law to help out . . .
Things I Liked: The small, charmingly sweet and heartfelt story. The plethora of likeable and entertaining characters - both leading and supporting. The physical humor.
Things I Didn't Like: The movie's slow opening as well as it's abrupt (and somewhat ambiguous) ending.
Three Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Things I Liked: The small, charmingly sweet and heartfelt story. The plethora of likeable and entertaining characters - both leading and supporting. The physical humor.
Things I Didn't Like: The movie's slow opening as well as it's abrupt (and somewhat ambiguous) ending.
Three Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Reservation Road (2007) Directed by Terry George
Summary: Following a sudden and tragic accident involving their son, a couple and their lawyer struggle to find closure.
Things I Liked: The direction, lighting and acting, which I believe elevate an otherwise mediocre story to a heart-wrenching level. Solid performances by Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, and Jennifer Connelly. Impressively shot and edited, the filmmakers of RESERVATION ROAD manage to successfully convey a heightened sense of believability and realism.
Things I Didn't Like: The film's resolution, though emotionally powerful, fell short of my expectations.
Three Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Things I Liked: The direction, lighting and acting, which I believe elevate an otherwise mediocre story to a heart-wrenching level. Solid performances by Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, and Jennifer Connelly. Impressively shot and edited, the filmmakers of RESERVATION ROAD manage to successfully convey a heightened sense of believability and realism.
Things I Didn't Like: The film's resolution, though emotionally powerful, fell short of my expectations.
Three Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
The Walker (2007) Directed by Paul Schrader
Summary: A male "companion" of Washington D.C.'s wealthy society wives becomes a prime suspect in a murder case after he reluctantly agrees to help one of the women carry on her affair with another man.
Things I Liked: The gradual and subtle character development presented in the beginning of the film.
Things I Didn't Like: The protagonist's sudden lack of action later in the film. Overall, the story seemed to lack the "meat" necessary for a feature and might perhaps work better as a short film.
Two and One-Half Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Things I Liked: The gradual and subtle character development presented in the beginning of the film.
Things I Didn't Like: The protagonist's sudden lack of action later in the film. Overall, the story seemed to lack the "meat" necessary for a feature and might perhaps work better as a short film.
Two and One-Half Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Chicago 10 (2007) Directed by Brett Morgen
Summary: A reenactment of the trial of eight anti-war protesters in 1969. Told primarily from the activists' point of view, the film employs an eclectic mix of archival footage, animation and music to recount the trial as well as to offer glimpses into the events leading up to it.
Things I Liked: The comedic personalities and genuinely humorous actions of many of the primary characters. I also appreciated the filmmakers' sense of balanced objectivity and restraint concerning the "other side" of this historical happening. The exceptional (and very unrecognizable) voice talent (notably Hank Azaria, Mark Ruffalo, Jeffrey Wright and Roy Scheider).
Things I Didn't Like: The story's frequently inconsistent narrative flow. Also, the chaotic style of animation utilized in the film - while interesting - tended to distract from, rather than enhance, the courtroom experience. To be honest, I found it difficult to overcome the film's subject matter (politically-themed movies rarely appeal to me because of their tendency to want to preach to and inform, rather than to entertain).
Two Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Things I Liked: The comedic personalities and genuinely humorous actions of many of the primary characters. I also appreciated the filmmakers' sense of balanced objectivity and restraint concerning the "other side" of this historical happening. The exceptional (and very unrecognizable) voice talent (notably Hank Azaria, Mark Ruffalo, Jeffrey Wright and Roy Scheider).
Things I Didn't Like: The story's frequently inconsistent narrative flow. Also, the chaotic style of animation utilized in the film - while interesting - tended to distract from, rather than enhance, the courtroom experience. To be honest, I found it difficult to overcome the film's subject matter (politically-themed movies rarely appeal to me because of their tendency to want to preach to and inform, rather than to entertain).
Two Stars out of Five Stars
FilmWatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Monday, October 22, 2007
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) Directed by William Wyler
Summary: Three WWII veterans struggle to adapt following their return home to small town America.
Things I Liked: The characters. The fluid manner in which director William Wyler juggles multiple storylines, all the while managing to keep each one interesting. Excellent performances by Myrna Loy, Teresa Wright, Harold Russell, Fredric March and Hoagy Carmichael. Worthy of every one of the seven (7!) Oscars it won.
Things I Disliked: The delayed climax made me more aware of the film's running time than I otherwise would have been.
Three stars out of five stars
Filmwatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Things I Liked: The characters. The fluid manner in which director William Wyler juggles multiple storylines, all the while managing to keep each one interesting. Excellent performances by Myrna Loy, Teresa Wright, Harold Russell, Fredric March and Hoagy Carmichael. Worthy of every one of the seven (7!) Oscars it won.
Things I Disliked: The delayed climax made me more aware of the film's running time than I otherwise would have been.
Three stars out of five stars
Filmwatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Hot Fuzz (2007) directed by Edgar Wright
Summary: A London "supercop" faces boredom and frustration when he is reassigned (against his will) to a sleepy little village in the country. But things get interesting for the sergeant and his dim-witted constable when a rash of fatal "accidents" strike the hamlet . . .
Things I Liked: The film's style and the very solid direction. The camera work expertly evokes (and parodies) the action-filled, big-budget police movies we Americans adore. I found the characters and the relationships between them to be very interesting but I did not in a million years expect the film's story to have as much depth and complexity as it did.
Things I Disliked: The title. The film is funny but the humor is not nearly as pervasive as the humor in SHAWN OF THE DEAD. Wright could have wrapped things up ten minutes earlier and I still would have been satisfied.
Three and one half stars out of five stars
Filmwatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Things I Liked: The film's style and the very solid direction. The camera work expertly evokes (and parodies) the action-filled, big-budget police movies we Americans adore. I found the characters and the relationships between them to be very interesting but I did not in a million years expect the film's story to have as much depth and complexity as it did.
Things I Disliked: The title. The film is funny but the humor is not nearly as pervasive as the humor in SHAWN OF THE DEAD. Wright could have wrapped things up ten minutes earlier and I still would have been satisfied.
Three and one half stars out of five stars
Filmwatch Ratings Legend:
One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it
Sunday, October 21, 2007
A Word About My Process
Rightly or wrongly, I consider myself to be less of a snob than many popular film critics. Having actually worked as filmmaker, I understand how unbelievably difficult it can be to make a film - any film - and therefore harbor a deeper sense of appreciation for a poorly conceived or ill-produced film. Most films I review garner a three. This is not to say, however, that they are merely average, nor does it mean that I enjoyed each "three" equally -- in fact, I perceive there to be quite a broad range within any given number. BATMAN BEGINS (2005) and LIFEBOAT (1944), for example, both receive a three from me but in no way can I say that I enjoyed the two films equally.
My process is very simple. I write the reviews very quickly, often working from notes jotted down while watching the film. Composing reviews in this way serves two purposes. One, it forces me to find the good in a piece of art that I might otherwise not care for. As I said before, a lot of hard work goes into making a film -- even a bad one -- and this is a much less critical or negative way for me to comment on the strengths and/or weaknesses of the film. In fact, I will even go so far as to say that I believe even the worst movies have something to like about them.
Secondly (and most usefully), writing down what I think works and what doesn't work has really helped me understand the visual storytelling process better.
My process is very simple. I write the reviews very quickly, often working from notes jotted down while watching the film. Composing reviews in this way serves two purposes. One, it forces me to find the good in a piece of art that I might otherwise not care for. As I said before, a lot of hard work goes into making a film -- even a bad one -- and this is a much less critical or negative way for me to comment on the strengths and/or weaknesses of the film. In fact, I will even go so far as to say that I believe even the worst movies have something to like about them.
Secondly (and most usefully), writing down what I think works and what doesn't work has really helped me understand the visual storytelling process better.
Welcome
Hello and welcome!
I first began scribbling these quick little movie reviews two years ago as a way to help me understand why a film works (or doesn't work) for me. A good story well told is an increasingly rare event, so when a film in some way impacts or affects me (or fails to do so) in a profound way, I feel compelled to discover the reasons why.
I've done my best to review films from varying time periods and to avoid revealing any story or plot details that might spoil the movie for viewers who haven't yet experienced it. Keep in mind that I am a filmmaking enthusiast -- not an expert -- and that my observations and opinions are my own.
It is my sincere hope that you will find these little analyses informative and perhaps even interesting.
I first began scribbling these quick little movie reviews two years ago as a way to help me understand why a film works (or doesn't work) for me. A good story well told is an increasingly rare event, so when a film in some way impacts or affects me (or fails to do so) in a profound way, I feel compelled to discover the reasons why.
I've done my best to review films from varying time periods and to avoid revealing any story or plot details that might spoil the movie for viewers who haven't yet experienced it. Keep in mind that I am a filmmaking enthusiast -- not an expert -- and that my observations and opinions are my own.
It is my sincere hope that you will find these little analyses informative and perhaps even interesting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)