Summary: A naive young lady is magically exiled from her classically animated fairy tale kingdom to modern day New York City; a place where she finds her idealistic beliefs severely tested.
Things I Liked: Many of Lima's creative decisions. The traditionally animated segments are very well done, as is the whimsical art direction seen over the film's end credits. Interestingly, the film's story plays a bit leaner on screen than it did in (an earlier version of) the script.
Things I Didn't Like: The lack of complex characters (it's worth noting, however, that many of the actors do a fine job with their roles). The humor and songs. The film's over-reliance on mediocre digital effects and computer animation; particularly during important moments in the film.
Two and One Quarter 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
Friday, November 30, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
The Four Feathers (1939), Directed by Zoltan Korda
Summary: When a young man - the son and grandson of career military men - resigns from the army on the eve of war, he finds himself branded a coward by his family, friends and fiancé.
Things I Liked: The riveting dramatization of the film's theme (a comment on cowardice and bravery). I cannot remember the last time I've seen a film's message more clearly depicted and/or explored. The humor and setups are well-done.
Things I Disliked: Oddly, the film suffers from one of today's more common maladies: the inclusion of too many epic battle scenes. The story's pace could be much improved by cutting out some of the film's longer shots.
Three and three quarters stars out of five stars
Moviewatch 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 riveting dramatization of the film's theme (a comment on cowardice and bravery). I cannot remember the last time I've seen a film's message more clearly depicted and/or explored. The humor and setups are well-done.
Things I Disliked: Oddly, the film suffers from one of today's more common maladies: the inclusion of too many epic battle scenes. The story's pace could be much improved by cutting out some of the film's longer shots.
Three and three quarters stars out of five stars
Moviewatch 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 Queen (2006), Directed by Stephen Frears
Summary: A very traditional-minded Queen Elizabeth butts heads with the newly elected (and throughly modern) Prime Minister of England on the proper way to deal publicly with the tragic death of Princess Diana.
Things I Liked: The story and characters. So compelling was the film's story, and so immersed was I in the internal struggles of the players, that it was not until the end credits that I realized I had paid absolutely no attention to mechanics such as camera moves, editing and art direction. Helen Mirren, who won an Oscar for her role in the film, does a truly fantastic job in the lead role. Rather than attempting to imitate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, she completely and utterly inhabits her. All of the acting is good, but James Cromwell and Michael Sheen (as the newly inducted Prime Minister Blair) both turn in particularly solid performances. As in so many of his films (DANGEROUS LIASONS, MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS, THE SNAPPER, HIGH FIDELITY, THE GRIFTERS), Stephen Frears' direction is excellent.
Things I Disliked: The presence of Prince Charles (the character's contribution to the story is minimal). Normally, I would list as a negative the films subject matter (politics and history), but even that aspect of the film takes a backseat to the director's exploration of humanity in this film. THE QUEEN has joined PAN'S LABRYINTH as one of my favorite films of 2006.
Four out of five stars
Moviewatch 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 story and characters. So compelling was the film's story, and so immersed was I in the internal struggles of the players, that it was not until the end credits that I realized I had paid absolutely no attention to mechanics such as camera moves, editing and art direction. Helen Mirren, who won an Oscar for her role in the film, does a truly fantastic job in the lead role. Rather than attempting to imitate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, she completely and utterly inhabits her. All of the acting is good, but James Cromwell and Michael Sheen (as the newly inducted Prime Minister Blair) both turn in particularly solid performances. As in so many of his films (DANGEROUS LIASONS, MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS, THE SNAPPER, HIGH FIDELITY, THE GRIFTERS), Stephen Frears' direction is excellent.
Things I Disliked: The presence of Prince Charles (the character's contribution to the story is minimal). Normally, I would list as a negative the films subject matter (politics and history), but even that aspect of the film takes a backseat to the director's exploration of humanity in this film. THE QUEEN has joined PAN'S LABRYINTH as one of my favorite films of 2006.
Four out of five stars
Moviewatch 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
300 (2006), Directed by Zack Snyder
Summary: A retelling of the battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C., in which King Leonidas and 300 Spartans faced off against the seemingly endless hordes of Persia. This version is adapted from the graphic novel by Frank Miller.
Things I Liked: The visuals and overall look of the film. 300's crowning achievement is it's almost poetic beauty and in the artistic way that it reproduces Miller's work for the cinema. Strangely, the crunching, industrial music inspired score works.
Things I Disliked: Some of the anachronistic, fan-boy dialogue (which I presume works much better on the pages of a comic book). It's not a major thing, but it can be jarring to hear Scottish, Welsh and British accents issuing forth from the mouths of Greek soldiers.
Three out of five stars
Moviewatch 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 visuals and overall look of the film. 300's crowning achievement is it's almost poetic beauty and in the artistic way that it reproduces Miller's work for the cinema. Strangely, the crunching, industrial music inspired score works.
Things I Disliked: Some of the anachronistic, fan-boy dialogue (which I presume works much better on the pages of a comic book). It's not a major thing, but it can be jarring to hear Scottish, Welsh and British accents issuing forth from the mouths of Greek soldiers.
Three out of five stars
Moviewatch 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
Zathura (2005), Directed by Jon Favreau
Summary: Two bickering children stumble upon a vintage science fiction board game and must learn to get along if they are to have any hope of surviving the game's magical effects. Based upon the book by Chris Van Allsburg.
Things I Liked: The casting, as well as the performances of the children. The emotional punch and resonance of the film's theme. The direction. The filmmakers' decision to use practical effects (miniatures, motion control and traditional visual effects) rather than computer-generated effects. This not only looks better, but gives the film a nostalgic charm which would have been otherwise unachievable.
Things I Didn't Like: The clumsy story reversal near the end, as well as the somewhat abrupt climax.
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 casting, as well as the performances of the children. The emotional punch and resonance of the film's theme. The direction. The filmmakers' decision to use practical effects (miniatures, motion control and traditional visual effects) rather than computer-generated effects. This not only looks better, but gives the film a nostalgic charm which would have been otherwise unachievable.
Things I Didn't Like: The clumsy story reversal near the end, as well as the somewhat abrupt climax.
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
Frankenstein Meets Wolf Man (1943) Directed by Roy William Neill
Summary: Accidentally resurrected after grave robbers open his tomb during a full moon, Larry Talbot travels to Frankenstein's castle, hoping to find the good doctor's diary and with it, a cure for his lycanthropy. En route, he forges a relationship with Frankenstein's lovely daughter and the monster himself, who has survived beneath the castle, frozen in ice . . .
Things I Liked: The story and plot is well-conceived and surprisingly believable. The set design and construction are excellent, and when paired with the compassionate and intelligent performances of the cast, evoke the mood of the better Universal monster films. The casting is solid; especially the return of original cast members such as Lon Chaney Jr. and Maria Ouspenskaya. Ilona Massey brings strength and beauty to her role as Baroness Elsa Frankenstein.
Things I Didn't Like: Bela Lugosi, who simply did not work for me as Frankenstein's monster. The film's story loses steam about halfway through, resulting in a less-than-stellar conclusion.
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 story and plot is well-conceived and surprisingly believable. The set design and construction are excellent, and when paired with the compassionate and intelligent performances of the cast, evoke the mood of the better Universal monster films. The casting is solid; especially the return of original cast members such as Lon Chaney Jr. and Maria Ouspenskaya. Ilona Massey brings strength and beauty to her role as Baroness Elsa Frankenstein.
Things I Didn't Like: Bela Lugosi, who simply did not work for me as Frankenstein's monster. The film's story loses steam about halfway through, resulting in a less-than-stellar conclusion.
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, November 12, 2007
Thank You for Smoking (2005), Directed by Jason Reitman
Summary: A highly charismatic tobacco lobbyist verbally spars with politicians, the media and a politically correct public over the dangers of cigarettes; all while bonding with his young son.
Things I Liked: The opening credit sequence. The beautifully designed (and very entertaining) characters. The movie's humor and clearly defined theme. The direction. Overall, a very successful and clean adaptation of Christopher Buckley's satire.
Things I Didn't Like: Not much. One of the montages felt out of place with the rest of the film and a few minor characters tread dangerously close to stereotype, but those are extremely minor notes.
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 opening credit sequence. The beautifully designed (and very entertaining) characters. The movie's humor and clearly defined theme. The direction. Overall, a very successful and clean adaptation of Christopher Buckley's satire.
Things I Didn't Like: Not much. One of the montages felt out of place with the rest of the film and a few minor characters tread dangerously close to stereotype, but those are extremely minor notes.
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, November 5, 2007
Shooter (2007), Directed by Antoine Fuqua
Summary: A highly skilled ex-army sniper reluctantly gives in to a government plea for his help in preventing an assassination attempt on the President of the United States, only to find himself framed for the sinister plot.
Things I Liked: The look of the film, which is competently shot and directed. Overall, Wahlberg portrays his character in a fairly believable manner.
Things I Didn't Like: The less-than-original premise and frequent plot conveniences. Also, the slurred, unenergetic manner in which actor Danny Glover delivered his lines rendered the actor very difficult to understand.
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 look of the film, which is competently shot and directed. Overall, Wahlberg portrays his character in a fairly believable manner.
Things I Didn't Like: The less-than-original premise and frequent plot conveniences. Also, the slurred, unenergetic manner in which actor Danny Glover delivered his lines rendered the actor very difficult to understand.
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
Chicks 101 (2004), Directed by Lovinder Gill
Summary: A male womanizer (and professor of the art of picking up women) finds his confidence challenged after one of his students gives him thirty days to seduce a fellow teacher - an ultra feminist who already dislikes him.
Things I Liked: The story premise and direction. Kate Leahey's performance. I really enjoyed watching my former classmate (and good friend) Keith Harris in the lead role.
Things I Didn't Like: The lighting and much of the second act, wherein several of the scenes felt overly long and lacked the humor of earlier ones. The acting - particularly among the supporting cast - was uneven, and some of the leads' reactions in the film lacked the integrity of the rest of their performances.
Two and Three Quarters 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 story premise and direction. Kate Leahey's performance. I really enjoyed watching my former classmate (and good friend) Keith Harris in the lead role.
Things I Didn't Like: The lighting and much of the second act, wherein several of the scenes felt overly long and lacked the humor of earlier ones. The acting - particularly among the supporting cast - was uneven, and some of the leads' reactions in the film lacked the integrity of the rest of their performances.
Two and Three Quarters 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
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