Frozen (2013) Directed by Chris Buck

 

Summary: Following a dangerous incident involving a fearful public and her own wintry special abilities, a newly crowned queen flees into the solitude of the wilderness, prompting her estranged younger sister to set out after her.  En route, the younger sister discovers companionship, love and adventure.

Things I Liked: The lushly designed and vibrantly rendered environments.  The character animation/performances of the lead characters.  Both the casting and the execution of the visual effects felt very natural to me.

Things I Didn't Like: The songs – most of which seemed less effective at furthering the story than those of many Disney musicals.  The modeling and animation of some of the background characters.

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

Carnage (2011) Directed by Roman Polanski

Summary: A 'civilized discussion' between the parents of two boys involved in a violent altercation turns ugly as each adult's true feelings slowly bubble to the surface.

Things I Liked: The wardrobe chosen for each character and the way in which the costumes support the characters.  The unexpected humorous moments.

Things I Didn't Like: The pace of the film.  The sequence of events, which, ultimately, felt to me unrealistic and forced.  The writing and dialogue, which at times felt untruthful and provided little challenge for four actors of this caliber.

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

Thor (2011) Directed by Kenneth Branaugh

Summary: Film version of the popular Marvel comic-book superhero.  The youthfully arrogant and over proud son of a god finds himself banished from his heaven-like realm by his father and must learn humility, compassion and love on Earth before he can regain his place among his people.

Things I Liked: A few witty lines of dialogue (many from Kat Dennings).  The decision to cast Chris Hemsworth - a relative unknown - in the lead.  The performances of Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson).  The makeup and physical appearance of Odin, played by Anthony Hopkins.

Things I Didn't Like: The film's plot and story, which featured a great many holes and provided too few hurdles for the film's protagonist to overcome.  The filmmakers' rendering of key characters (both supporting and otherwise) as archetypes rather than complex beings.  The dialogue, which too often failed to further the story and contributed to wooden performances.  The art direction, while impressive and accomplished, did not appeal to me personally.  Likewise the film's often overwrought costume design and uninventive creature design.  The sound design and poorly chosen sound effects.  

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

Notting Hill (1999) Directed by Roger Michell

Summary: An exceptionally ordinary English bookstore owner falls for an American A-list movie star. At first, the feeling is mutual but their differences in lifestyle might make it impossible for them to be together.

Things I Liked: The humorous and truthful writing. The film's characters. The wonderfully human performances of the supporting cast. Julia Roberts's subtle portrayal of a flawed human being. The humorous performance of Rhys Ifans, the gentle wit of Hugh Grant and the selection and performances of the supporting cast.

Things I Didn't Like: The soundtrack, which often works against the story and visuals. The ending, which lacks the truthfulness of the rest of the film and treads dangerously close to that oh-so-familiar 'Hollywood ending'.

Four 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

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) Directed by Joe Johnston

Summary: Origin story behind the popular comic-book superhero.  An intensely patriotic young man (whose laundry list of physical health problems have heretofore kept him out of the army) gets his big chance when his ideals of honesty, integrity and courage result in him being selected as the top candidate for a new generation of super soldiers.  The experimental serum proves successful, transforming Steve Rogers into the costume-wearing, shield-toting superhero known as Captain America and providing the Allies with a brave and valiant new weapon in the war against Hitler and the Italian fascist known as the Red Skull.

Things I Liked: The film's re-envisioning of the hero's clothing from comic book costume to a much more believable uniform and gear.  The digital effects, particularly the depiction of pre-hero Steve.  The performance of Hugo Weaving.  The makeup (particularly that of the film's antagonist, The Red Skull).

Things I Didn't Like: The casting of far too recognizable actors.  The first hour or so of the film, which takes a little long to get going.  The film's emphasis on Axis weapons technology which, in my opinion, has a tendency to create more plot problems that it solves.  Captain America's low-key personality and lack of charisma, which, while appropriate and perhaps even true to the character, prevents the film from becoming a truly great comic book adaptation.

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 Hunger Games (2012) Directed by Gary Ross

Summary: Set in a dystopian future where child 'tributes' from twelve districts fight to the death each year on live television, a teenaged girl volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match. Along the way, this heroine inadvertently becomes a symbol of hope and revolution. Based upon the popular novel by Suzanne Collins.

Things I Liked: The solid performances of the cast, particularly those of Stanley Tucci and Jennifer Lawrence. The nearly invisible score by James Newton Howard, which supports but never overwhelms the storyline.

Things I Didn't Like: The shaky camerawork and over reliance on extreme closeups. The uninspired art direction, costume design and hairstyles featured in the Capitol sequences.

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

John Carter (2012) Directed by Andrew Stanton

Summary: A Civil War Veteran finds himself magically transported to the planet Mars, then forced to participate in a massive war before finally finding love and a cause worth fighting for. Based upon the Edgar Rice Burroughs adventure pulp classic A PRINCESS OF MARS.

Things I Liked: The concepts and storytelling presented and explored during the beginning and ending of the film. The period costumes and sets. The sound design. The computer-generated animation, which, overall, I found to be quite seamless.

Things I Didn't Like: The film's overwrought and bloated midsection. The overlarge cast of characters. The Mars costume designs, prop designs and vehicle designs, many of which felt derivative of past sci-fi and science fantasy films.

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

The Dark Knight (2008), Directed by Christopher Nolan

Summary: Continuing his quest to clean up the streets of his beloved Gotham City, the vigilante hero Batman struggles in his quest to capture the Joker: a psychotic new criminal whose sinister tactics prove surprisingly resistant to the masked hero's crime fighting methods.

Things I Liked: The look of the film. The score. The execution of the script, especially with regard to theme. Strong performances all around.

Things I Didn't Like: A few (admittedly minor) logic-related hiccups as relates to the film's plot. Batman's vocal inflection.

Three 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

The Blob (1958) Directed by Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr.

Summary: When a meteor falls to Earth and its passenger - a gelatinous alien life form - begins consuming everything in it's path, it's up to a couple of teenagers and their friends to convince the local townspeople of the danger.

Things I Liked: The props and highly inventive visual effects. The simplicity of the plot. The effective use of tension within scenes. The delightfully campy theme song.

Things I Didn't Like: The exceptionally poor performances of a few of the more minor characters. The unnecessarily long-running time of the more superfluous scenes included for character development.

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

Away From Her (2006) Directed by Sarah Polley

Summary: A man reluctantly helps his Alzheimer's-stricken wife check herself into a rest home then watches helplessly as she develops a close emotional attachment to another resident.

Things I Liked: The film's resolution. The film's supporting characters and the performances of the actors who portrayed them.

Things I Didn't Like: The sprawling, unfocused aspects of the film's first act.


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

The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) Directed by Woody Allen

Summary: A meek waitress's fascination with the cinema intensifies when the leading man in her favorite film literally steps out of the screen to woo her away from her abusive husband.

Things I Liked: The imaginative elements of the story. The acting. The satisfyingly unexpected ending.

Things I Didn't Like: The film's far less interesting (albeit fully realized) subplots. I also felt that the film might have benefited from having fewer incidental characters.


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

Once (2006) Directed by John Carney

Summary: The chance friendship and support of a talented Eastern European girl provides an Irish street musician with the strength and confidence to pursue his dreams.

Things I Liked: The truthfulness found in the characters' relationship and situations. Two of the songs.

Things I Didn't Like: The film's ponderous and often repetitive midsection. The pace. More than half of the film's soundtrack.


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

Man of la Mancha (1972) directed by Arthur Hiller

Summary: Following his imprisonment by representatives of the Spanish Inquisition, poet and playwright Miguel Cervantes sets about entertaining his fellow prisoners with the adventures of the deranged nobleman Don Quixote and his trusty manservant. Adapted by Dale Wasserman from his musical play of the same name.

Things I Liked: Peter O'Toole is brilliant in multiple roles. A couple of the songs, while not as memorable as those of other musicals, manage to be both catchy and powerful. The sets, costumes, makeup and direction all deserve high marks.

Things I Didn't Like: The characterization of Sancho Panza. The film's unnecessarily long 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

The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) Directed by Mark Waters

Summary: Soon after moving into the country, three siblings still reeling from the effects of divorce stumble into the fantastical - and often dangerous - world of fairies.

Things I Liked: The creature design and visual effects (which happen to adhere very closely to original illustrator DiTerlizzi's work in the books). The action sequences. The color. I enjoyed the performances of Sarah Bolger and Freddie Highmore.

Things I Didn't Like: About half of the casting in the film. I found the voices of many of the creatures (Martin Short, Seth Rogen) to be too recognizable to be effective and wish the film was less reliant on expositionary dialogue to further the events of the plot.


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

The Accidental Tourist (1988) Directed by Lawrence Kasdan

Summary: A man rendered stolid by the death of his son splits with his wife but then seizes upon one last chance at happiness after meeting a quirkily persistant animal trainer.

Things I Liked: The masterfully subtle performances of the film's leads.

Things I Didn't Like: The humor and pacing.


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

No Country for Old Men (2007) Directed by Ethan and Joel Cohen

Summary: A man stumbles upon a case of money from a drug deal gone awry, then finds himself pursued relentlessly by the former owner of the cash. Meanwhile, an aging sheriff ponders the absurdity of life in these violent times, even as he races to save the man.

Things I Liked: The direction, notably the photography and the composition of the shots. The performances of Javier Bardem and Kelly Macdonald. Except for some muddled dialogue, I felt that the sound design was good.

Things I Didn't Like: The casting of Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin and Woody Harrelson in the roles of three of the film's leads. I also felt that the character played by Beth Grant bordered too closely on caricature.


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

3:10 to Yuma (2007) Directed by James Mangold

Summary: A modern retelling of the 1957 film. Desperate to pay off his debts, a small-time rancher volunteers to help escort a notoriously brutal outlaw to the nearest train station. As the story progresses, however, the rancher feels himself slowly buckling beneath the criminal's sinister - and prodigious - talent for psychological warfare.

Things I Liked: The brilliantly rendered characters. The direction. The exceptionally lean story structure. The writing.

Things I Didn't Like: The few (admittedly minor) character inconsistencies.


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

La Femme Nikita (1990) Directed by Luc Besson

Summary: A female junkie and cop-killer awakens to learn that the government has faked her execution in order to offer her the chance to train to become a lethal assassin. If she refuses to accept their offer, she dies for real . . .

Things I Liked: The premise of the film. The director's use of color. The camerawork. The small - but potent - appearance by actor Jean Reno.

Things I Didn't Like: The missing story elements needed for me to become fully invested in the film. For some strange reason, LA FEMME NIKITA left me with too many questions and seemed to lack those few tiny details that would allow me to fully empathize with the characters and to maintain my understanding and interest in the plot.


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

Superbad (2007) Directed by Greg Mottola

Summary: An inseparable pair of high school guys embark upon a night of chaotic hilarity after promising to acquire alcohol for a graduation party.

Things I Liked: The truthfulness of Jonah Hill and Michael Cera's performances. The authentic feel of much of the dialogue. Also, the seventies-inspired soundtrack works very well with the film.

Things I Didn't Like: The uninteresting, unhumorous and overly long subplot featuring one of the film's writers.


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

Frequency (2000) Directed by Gregory Hoblit

Summary: Atmospheric disturbances allow a twenty-something year old in the present day to communicate with his father in in the past via radio.

Things I Liked: The story's heart and the plot, which feature an original twist on the whole "time travel" scenario. The make-up and age progression depicted in the film is very effective.

Things I Didn't Like: The accents of many of the characters. Towards the end, a couple of the plot's developments seem a bit forced.


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