Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Our New Errand Boy (1905)
This short film concerns a young boy and the various pranks he plays at people. It is funny and has some amazingly interesting outdoors landscapes, all in very sharp cinematography. A real time machine.
The Land Beyond the Sunset (1912)
Synopsis: A young boy works as a newspaper seller and lives with his alcoholic grandmother, who doesn't treat him kindly. One day he receives an invitation for a charity picnic and there one of the ladies tells the kids a fairy tale.
Appraisal: A remarkably well done if a little too unhealthily morbid tale of early last century's infant misery. It's the third film I see in less than a week that uses the metaphor in which an unfortunate child's death is depicted as his (her) removal to a magical or supernatural world. The other two are The Little Match Seller, like this one an outcry for better socioeconomical conditions for children, and El laberinto del fauno, which is simply a sadistic concoction with no redeeming social value.
Appraisal: A remarkably well done if a little too unhealthily morbid tale of early last century's infant misery. It's the third film I see in less than a week that uses the metaphor in which an unfortunate child's death is depicted as his (her) removal to a magical or supernatural world. The other two are The Little Match Seller, like this one an outcry for better socioeconomical conditions for children, and El laberinto del fauno, which is simply a sadistic concoction with no redeeming social value.
Any Given Sunday (1999)
Synopsis: A football coach has to put his team back on the winning track, after a series of defeats; the captain gets injured and is replaced by a talented but individualistic player.
Appraisal: Not too different from other films about football; exuberant in color and camerawork, and also in the vigor of the acting performances; it features entertaining violence, while displaying some watchable drama. Possibly a triumph of style over substance. I don't know much about the sport and its rules anyway, so I watched it more as a sensorial experience, and it was not bad as such.
Rating: 56
Appraisal: Not too different from other films about football; exuberant in color and camerawork, and also in the vigor of the acting performances; it features entertaining violence, while displaying some watchable drama. Possibly a triumph of style over substance. I don't know much about the sport and its rules anyway, so I watched it more as a sensorial experience, and it was not bad as such.
Rating: 56
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
El laberinto del fauno (2006)
English title: Pan's Labyrinth.
Synopsis: After the end of the Civil War in Spain there are still some isolated guerrilla groups that resist the fascists. This is the story of a 12 year old girl whose widowed mother has remarried to a fascist captain and now expects his child. The girl and the mother move to the house where the captain is staying and from where he is leading the counter-resistance against the rebels in the hills. In that environment the girl will come into contact with supernatural beings.
Appraisal (spoilers herein): This film has some points of contact with my previous viewing, The Little Match Seller. Both envision a poetic martyrization of childhood, and have very similar elements in their endings. This is a notion of disputable healthfulness in itself, usually derived from the authors' own childhood of vicissitudes and often associated with a strongly Christian upbringing. However, in 'El laberinto del fauno', the undertones are much more decidedly disturbing. The suffering in the movie is not caused by natural or economic odds, as in Andersen's tale, but by (1) the actions of a human character that is made to behave like an evil machine; and (2) sets of rules dictated by supernatural characters only one character can see. In short, it's the writer/director himself that is arbitrarily making his characters - one of whom a child of 12 - suffer and die, not some historical context that has been abstracted and exaggerated to the level of a cartoon. Apparently, there is a radical feminist agenda in the film, and nearly all the important female characters are systematically victimized. Even the rebels are found guilty: at one point, the doctor, who takes a fancy towards the governess, asks her brother, a rebel, why he insists on fighting a lost war when it is so imposing upon his sister. So, both sides are ultimately 'the oppressor', and the real victims are the women. The captain's obsession with his unborn child's gender ('It will be a boy', he decrees) is another manifestation of the sexism that the film denounces. The film's 'real' and 'imaginary' parts don't match well; also, the twist by which the faun's despotism is made to be a 'test' on the child's character is preposterous; a child's suffering is not 'better' because it comes from a supernatural agent (although most Christian people would probably disagree). Quite shortly put, a big mess of a movie, that is simplistic in its ideology and unpleasant to watch except for the well-designed monsters and related creatures.
Rating: 23
Synopsis: After the end of the Civil War in Spain there are still some isolated guerrilla groups that resist the fascists. This is the story of a 12 year old girl whose widowed mother has remarried to a fascist captain and now expects his child. The girl and the mother move to the house where the captain is staying and from where he is leading the counter-resistance against the rebels in the hills. In that environment the girl will come into contact with supernatural beings.
Appraisal (spoilers herein): This film has some points of contact with my previous viewing, The Little Match Seller. Both envision a poetic martyrization of childhood, and have very similar elements in their endings. This is a notion of disputable healthfulness in itself, usually derived from the authors' own childhood of vicissitudes and often associated with a strongly Christian upbringing. However, in 'El laberinto del fauno', the undertones are much more decidedly disturbing. The suffering in the movie is not caused by natural or economic odds, as in Andersen's tale, but by (1) the actions of a human character that is made to behave like an evil machine; and (2) sets of rules dictated by supernatural characters only one character can see. In short, it's the writer/director himself that is arbitrarily making his characters - one of whom a child of 12 - suffer and die, not some historical context that has been abstracted and exaggerated to the level of a cartoon. Apparently, there is a radical feminist agenda in the film, and nearly all the important female characters are systematically victimized. Even the rebels are found guilty: at one point, the doctor, who takes a fancy towards the governess, asks her brother, a rebel, why he insists on fighting a lost war when it is so imposing upon his sister. So, both sides are ultimately 'the oppressor', and the real victims are the women. The captain's obsession with his unborn child's gender ('It will be a boy', he decrees) is another manifestation of the sexism that the film denounces. The film's 'real' and 'imaginary' parts don't match well; also, the twist by which the faun's despotism is made to be a 'test' on the child's character is preposterous; a child's suffering is not 'better' because it comes from a supernatural agent (although most Christian people would probably disagree). Quite shortly put, a big mess of a movie, that is simplistic in its ideology and unpleasant to watch except for the well-designed monsters and related creatures.
Rating: 23
The Little Match Seller (1902)
Synopsis: A little girl makes a living by selling matches on the street; on Christmas night, the snow is falling and no one will buy her matches; cold and hungry, she decides to light her matches to warm herself; as each match is lit, she mentally pictures images of happiness and comfort.
Appraisal: Remarkable for its time, and even more so for its depiction of dream as cinema. Based on a 1848 short story by Hans Christian Andersen.
Appraisal: Remarkable for its time, and even more so for its depiction of dream as cinema. Based on a 1848 short story by Hans Christian Andersen.
Monday, February 26, 2007
La conquête du pôle (1912)
English title: Conquest of the Pole.
Synopsis: A scientist builds an airplane to transport him and his crew to the North Pole. Once there, he encounters a man-eating giant.
Appraisal: One of the last Méliès films; he was losing his audience fast by then. But, based on the 8 and a half minutes I saw, which are probably not the entire film, it is a good, entertaining film, with nice visuals and interesting concepts.
Synopsis: A scientist builds an airplane to transport him and his crew to the North Pole. Once there, he encounters a man-eating giant.
Appraisal: One of the last Méliès films; he was losing his audience fast by then. But, based on the 8 and a half minutes I saw, which are probably not the entire film, it is a good, entertaining film, with nice visuals and interesting concepts.
La lanterne magique (1903)
English title: The Magic Lantern.
Synopsis: Two men assemble a huge square-shaped device that works at first as a cinematographic projector; subsequently, they open it and several dancing girls come out of it; from then on, it will either produce people or make them disappear inside it.
Appraisal: One of the many 'trick' films made by Méliès around that time. It is moderately entertaining, and has some additional interest for showing a 'trick' film within it.
Synopsis: Two men assemble a huge square-shaped device that works at first as a cinematographic projector; subsequently, they open it and several dancing girls come out of it; from then on, it will either produce people or make them disappear inside it.
Appraisal: One of the many 'trick' films made by Méliès around that time. It is moderately entertaining, and has some additional interest for showing a 'trick' film within it.
Sherlock Holmes Baffled (1903)
This is the first film in which the famous character by Arthur Conan Doyle appears. He doesn't do much detective work though; he surprises a burglar in his house, but the burglar keeps disappearing and reappearing; when 'Holmes' grabs the sac with the stolen goods, it disappears as well.
Blacksmith Scene (1893)
This is the first film made for commercial distribution. It's just a bunch of blacksmiths hammering on a piece of metal, then one of them takes a beer bottle, drinks some and passes it around.
Dickson Greeting (1891)
This is the first film shown in public exhibition. It's just what the title says, a guy performing some sort of greeting to the audience.
Traffic Crossing Leeds Bridge (1888)
This is the second film ever made. It is an outdoors scene of a city, as the title indicates.
Roundhay Garden Scene (1888)
This is the first film ever made. It is 2 seconds long, and shows four people walking in a yard, two men and two women.
"Unseen Cinema: Viva la Dance" [DVD]
This is the 7th and final volume, with the subtitle "The Beginnings of Ciné-Dance". Its contents are:
7 Annabelle Dances and Dances (1894-1897)—W.K.L. Dickson, William Heise & James White
Davy Jones' Locker (1900)—Frederick Armitage
Neptune’s Daughters (1900)—Frederick Armitage
A Nymph of the Waves (1900)—Frederick Armitage
Diana the Huntress (1916)—Charles Allen & Francis Trevelyan Miller (excerpt)
The Soul of the Cypress (1920)—Dudley Murphy
Looney Lens: Pas de deux (1924)—Al Brick
Hände: Das Leben und die Liebe eines Zärtlichen Geschlechts (Hands: The Life and Loves of the Gentler Sex) (1928)—Stella Simon & Miklos Bandy
Mechanical Principles (1930)—Ralph Steiner
Tilly Losch in Her Dance of the Hands (c. 1930-33)—Norman Bel Geddes
2 Eisenstein’s Mexican Footage (1931)—Sergei Eisenstein (excerpts)
Oramunde (1933)—Emlen Etting
Hands (1934)—Ralph Steiner & Willard Van Dyke
Joie de vivre (1934)—Anthony Gross & Hector Hoppin
Wonder Bar: "Don’t Say Goodnight" (1934)—Busby Berkeley (excerpt)
Dada (1936)—Mary Ellen Bute & Ted Nemeth
Escape (1938)—Mary Ellen Bute & Ted Nemeth
An Optical Poem (1938)—Oskar Fischinger
Abstract Experiment in Kodachrome (c. 1940s)—Slavko Vorkapich
NBC Valentine Greeting (1939-40)—Norman McLaren
Stars and Stripes (1940)—Norman McLaren
Tarantella (1940)—Mary Ellen Bute, Ted Nemeth & Norman McLaren
Spook Sport (1940)—Mary Ellen Bute, Ted Nemeth & Norman McLaren
Danse Macabre (1922)—Dudley Murphy
Peer Gynt (1941)—David Bradley, starring Charlton Heston (excerpt)
Introspection (1941/46)—Sara Kathryn Arledge
7 Annabelle Dances and Dances (1894-1897)—W.K.L. Dickson, William Heise & James White
Davy Jones' Locker (1900)—Frederick Armitage
Neptune’s Daughters (1900)—Frederick Armitage
A Nymph of the Waves (1900)—Frederick Armitage
Diana the Huntress (1916)—Charles Allen & Francis Trevelyan Miller (excerpt)
The Soul of the Cypress (1920)—Dudley Murphy
Looney Lens: Pas de deux (1924)—Al Brick
Hände: Das Leben und die Liebe eines Zärtlichen Geschlechts (Hands: The Life and Loves of the Gentler Sex) (1928)—Stella Simon & Miklos Bandy
Mechanical Principles (1930)—Ralph Steiner
Tilly Losch in Her Dance of the Hands (c. 1930-33)—Norman Bel Geddes
2 Eisenstein’s Mexican Footage (1931)—Sergei Eisenstein (excerpts)
Oramunde (1933)—Emlen Etting
Hands (1934)—Ralph Steiner & Willard Van Dyke
Joie de vivre (1934)—Anthony Gross & Hector Hoppin
Wonder Bar: "Don’t Say Goodnight" (1934)—Busby Berkeley (excerpt)
Dada (1936)—Mary Ellen Bute & Ted Nemeth
Escape (1938)—Mary Ellen Bute & Ted Nemeth
An Optical Poem (1938)—Oskar Fischinger
Abstract Experiment in Kodachrome (c. 1940s)—Slavko Vorkapich
NBC Valentine Greeting (1939-40)—Norman McLaren
Stars and Stripes (1940)—Norman McLaren
Tarantella (1940)—Mary Ellen Bute, Ted Nemeth & Norman McLaren
Spook Sport (1940)—Mary Ellen Bute, Ted Nemeth & Norman McLaren
Danse Macabre (1922)—Dudley Murphy
Peer Gynt (1941)—David Bradley, starring Charlton Heston (excerpt)
Introspection (1941/46)—Sara Kathryn Arledge
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Lathe of Heaven (2002) (TV)
Synopsis: A man has the power to change the universe - including its history - with his dreams. His psychiatrist uses him to improve his own status.
Appraisal: The plotline of this movie is interesting, making a perfectly good point about psychiatrists and therapists, adding another angle of satire to that in What About Bob? . Its development, however, suffers somewhat from the pauperism and lack of imagination that are customary in TV movies. The performances are good though. Based on a 1971 novel by Ursula K. Le Guin.
Rating: 40
Appraisal: The plotline of this movie is interesting, making a perfectly good point about psychiatrists and therapists, adding another angle of satire to that in What About Bob? . Its development, however, suffers somewhat from the pauperism and lack of imagination that are customary in TV movies. The performances are good though. Based on a 1971 novel by Ursula K. Le Guin.
Rating: 40
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Mua he chieu thang dung (2000)
English titles: Vertical Ray of the Sun; At the Height of Summer; The Summer Solstice.
Synopsis: Three sisters and a brother, as well as two of the sisters' husbands, are the subject of this film. Lien is single and lives with her brother, with whom she is infatuated; Suong's marriage has been stagnant for a long time and she has an affair; Khanh, who has just found out about her own pregnancy, is happily married. Hai lives with his sister and is a struggling actor. Quoc, Suong's husband, is a botanical photographer and has another family in another town. Kien, Khanh's husband, is a writer with a block.
Appraisal: Superficial account of six lives, that has the approximate feel of a Brazilian soap opera, except slower and with less dialog. The cinematography is gorgeous, though.
Rating: 39
Synopsis: Three sisters and a brother, as well as two of the sisters' husbands, are the subject of this film. Lien is single and lives with her brother, with whom she is infatuated; Suong's marriage has been stagnant for a long time and she has an affair; Khanh, who has just found out about her own pregnancy, is happily married. Hai lives with his sister and is a struggling actor. Quoc, Suong's husband, is a botanical photographer and has another family in another town. Kien, Khanh's husband, is a writer with a block.
Appraisal: Superficial account of six lives, that has the approximate feel of a Brazilian soap opera, except slower and with less dialog. The cinematography is gorgeous, though.
Rating: 39
Shao Lin ta peng hsiao tzu (1980)
English title: Return to the 36th Chamber.
Synopsis: The workers at a dye factory are exploited down to near slavery by their boss, who brings kung-fu fighting thugs from Manchuria to keep them obedient. The brother of one of the workers decides to get a training in kung fu in order to help them.
Appraisal: Possibly one of the better kung-fu pictures, yet for me this still doesn't mean a quite satisfactory experience, because I find this genre a bit limited. The plot is of a comic nature, very energetic and quite childish. There are memorable sequences alright, like the one in which Chao has to get water from a well without a bucket, and more. The scaffolding style of kung fu is ingenious and well choreographed, as are practically all the fighting sequences in the film. As usual, if you look beneath the surface, the film is quite anti-Marxist, since a minority initially oppresses a working community, being eventually defeated by an even smaller minority (of one). It is probably set in the 18th or 19th century (wild guess, seeing as the film doesn't offer clues to that and I am not a China expert anyway), which makes labor union notions unthinkable - not that it matters: the goal here is to offer entertaining action and not historical reflection. The camerawork is zoom-based throughout.
Rating: 50
Synopsis: The workers at a dye factory are exploited down to near slavery by their boss, who brings kung-fu fighting thugs from Manchuria to keep them obedient. The brother of one of the workers decides to get a training in kung fu in order to help them.
Appraisal: Possibly one of the better kung-fu pictures, yet for me this still doesn't mean a quite satisfactory experience, because I find this genre a bit limited. The plot is of a comic nature, very energetic and quite childish. There are memorable sequences alright, like the one in which Chao has to get water from a well without a bucket, and more. The scaffolding style of kung fu is ingenious and well choreographed, as are practically all the fighting sequences in the film. As usual, if you look beneath the surface, the film is quite anti-Marxist, since a minority initially oppresses a working community, being eventually defeated by an even smaller minority (of one). It is probably set in the 18th or 19th century (wild guess, seeing as the film doesn't offer clues to that and I am not a China expert anyway), which makes labor union notions unthinkable - not that it matters: the goal here is to offer entertaining action and not historical reflection. The camerawork is zoom-based throughout.
Rating: 50
The Octagon (1980)
Synopsis: An ex-martial arts fighter who had a Ninja training suspects a former training colleague of his of being involved in a series of murders, including that of a woman he recently dated. When his best friend decides to investigate the affair, he must go after him all the way to the training camp located in a remote country.
Appraisal: Above average martial arts adventure. While still rooted in the old machismo notions that pervade the genre, it has a reasonably coherent plot, and dialogue that sounds like coming from intelligent beings (perhaps due to having been written by a woman). The action and fight sequences are well done, and the whole film is quite watchable, albeit without really offering much substance.
Rating: 42
Appraisal: Above average martial arts adventure. While still rooted in the old machismo notions that pervade the genre, it has a reasonably coherent plot, and dialogue that sounds like coming from intelligent beings (perhaps due to having been written by a woman). The action and fight sequences are well done, and the whole film is quite watchable, albeit without really offering much substance.
Rating: 42
Friday, February 23, 2007
Red Heat (1988)
Synopsis: A Soviet drug dealer comes to the U.S. to close a deal and a Soviet cop whose partner was killed by the dealer travels to the U.S. in his pursuit. There, he teams with an American cop.
Appraisal: This film is lukewarm in all departments: plot, action, dialog, performances, you name it. Its subjacent theme are the differences in the Communist and Capitalist ways of life; it only touches the subject in the most superficial way. In the action department, it has an opening shootout in Moscow and a later chase in Chicago involving two big buses; none of that is really exciting, but it is professionally done. I've seen it dubbed in Portuguese.
Rating: 31
Appraisal: This film is lukewarm in all departments: plot, action, dialog, performances, you name it. Its subjacent theme are the differences in the Communist and Capitalist ways of life; it only touches the subject in the most superficial way. In the action department, it has an opening shootout in Moscow and a later chase in Chicago involving two big buses; none of that is really exciting, but it is professionally done. I've seen it dubbed in Portuguese.
Rating: 31
Thursday, February 22, 2007
"Unseen Cinema: The Amateur as Auteur" [DVD]
This is the 6th volume in the 'Unseen Cinema' set; this volume's subtitle is 'Discovering Paradise in Pictures'. The contents of this volume are:
7 Case Sound Tests (c. 1924-25)—Theodore Case & Earl Sponable [including Gus Visser and His Singing Duck (1925)]
Windy Ledge Farm (c. 1929-34)—Elizabeth Woodman Wright
A Day in Santa Fe (1931)—Lynn Riggs & James Hughes
4 Stewart Family Home Movies (c. 1935-39)—Archie Stewart
Children’s Party (c. 1938)—Joseph Cornell
Cotillion (c. 1938)—Joseph Cornell
The Midnight Party (c. 1938)—Joseph Cornell
Haiti (1938)—Rudy Burckhardt
Tree Trunk to Head (1938)—Lewis Jacobs
Bicycle Polo at San Mateo (1940-42)—Frank Stauffacher
1126 Dewey Avenue, Apt. 207 (1939)—John C. Hecker
7 Case Sound Tests (c. 1924-25)—Theodore Case & Earl Sponable [including Gus Visser and His Singing Duck (1925)]
Windy Ledge Farm (c. 1929-34)—Elizabeth Woodman Wright
A Day in Santa Fe (1931)—Lynn Riggs & James Hughes
4 Stewart Family Home Movies (c. 1935-39)—Archie Stewart
Children’s Party (c. 1938)—Joseph Cornell
Cotillion (c. 1938)—Joseph Cornell
The Midnight Party (c. 1938)—Joseph Cornell
Haiti (1938)—Rudy Burckhardt
Tree Trunk to Head (1938)—Lewis Jacobs
Bicycle Polo at San Mateo (1940-42)—Frank Stauffacher
1126 Dewey Avenue, Apt. 207 (1939)—John C. Hecker
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
La vie est un long fleuve tranquille (1988)
English title: Life Is a Long Quiet River.
Synopsis (with spoilers): Two babies from different social classes are switched at birth. Twelve years later the fact is revealed to both families, and they agree, after a monetary settlement, to let both children live with the rich family. The boy who had been raised in a poor environment slowly corrupts his rich siblings by putting them in contact with his former family; he also tells the whole truth to the girl with whom he was switched, making her feel bad and stop communicating with her rich non-biological family; the mother eventually has a nervous breakdown.
Appraisal: An interesting study on the effect of the environment on people; it is very cruel and unsentimental. The screenplay has a few loose ends, like the crimes against Arabs which are only mentioned in the beginning, or the doctor and the nurse who get a lot of screen time in the beginning of the film and then vanish (except for a brief appearance, as you will see). The film, even with these extraneous bits, clocks in at just 1h30, which means that there isn't a lot happening in its main thread of events. Still, it's quite an enjoyable film; its satire is mostly of an obvious kind, but is effectively conveyed and works quite well on a scene-by-scene basis; an uniformly perfect cast is one of its assets.
Rating: 63
Synopsis (with spoilers): Two babies from different social classes are switched at birth. Twelve years later the fact is revealed to both families, and they agree, after a monetary settlement, to let both children live with the rich family. The boy who had been raised in a poor environment slowly corrupts his rich siblings by putting them in contact with his former family; he also tells the whole truth to the girl with whom he was switched, making her feel bad and stop communicating with her rich non-biological family; the mother eventually has a nervous breakdown.
Appraisal: An interesting study on the effect of the environment on people; it is very cruel and unsentimental. The screenplay has a few loose ends, like the crimes against Arabs which are only mentioned in the beginning, or the doctor and the nurse who get a lot of screen time in the beginning of the film and then vanish (except for a brief appearance, as you will see). The film, even with these extraneous bits, clocks in at just 1h30, which means that there isn't a lot happening in its main thread of events. Still, it's quite an enjoyable film; its satire is mostly of an obvious kind, but is effectively conveyed and works quite well on a scene-by-scene basis; an uniformly perfect cast is one of its assets.
Rating: 63
Bio-Dome (1996)
Synopsis: Two youngsters get locked inside a Bio-Dome (a sealed dome that replicates several different habitats from the Earth) where a group of scientists will stay during a whole year as part of an experiment.
Appraisal: A very poor screenplay sinks this comedy, that nevertheless might please very undemanding viewers. Its main actor is unfunny, but the guy playing his sidekick is the opposite of that.
Rating: 18
Appraisal: A very poor screenplay sinks this comedy, that nevertheless might please very undemanding viewers. Its main actor is unfunny, but the guy playing his sidekick is the opposite of that.
Rating: 18
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
What About Bob? (1991)
Synopsis: A patient follows his psychotherapist to where he is spending his vacation.
Appraisal: Enjoyable comedy, with so uniformly excellent performances that it is hard to point out the best one among them. The screenplay is intelligent and, although it consists basically of one joke that is explored to its ultimate consequences, it never gets dull. It may be seen as a satire of shrinks.
Rating: 63
Appraisal: Enjoyable comedy, with so uniformly excellent performances that it is hard to point out the best one among them. The screenplay is intelligent and, although it consists basically of one joke that is explored to its ultimate consequences, it never gets dull. It may be seen as a satire of shrinks.
Rating: 63
Red Eye (2005)
Synopsis: During a flight, woman is blackmailed by guy sitting next to her into making a phone call that will get a government official killed.
Appraisal: Interesting situations of suspense are engendered by this film's screenplay; it's not a very ambitious film, but it's tautly directed and brilliantly acted, and thus works fine as a time killer.
Rating: 55
Appraisal: Interesting situations of suspense are engendered by this film's screenplay; it's not a very ambitious film, but it's tautly directed and brilliantly acted, and thus works fine as a time killer.
Rating: 55
Monday, February 19, 2007
2 Filhos de Francisco (2005)
English title: Two Sons of Francisco.
Synopsis: The real-life story of two poor boys whose father was determined to turn them into musical hits.
Appraisal: The first two-thirds of the film, encompassing the childhood years of the two singing brothers, are decent though far from extraordinary; the final third is hard to watch. The director is clearly competent; the actors do a fine job, with minor slips here and there that are not worth mentioning. One last note: should they suppress the final third of the movie (and I think they should), the two sons would not be the same two; thus, I deduce that the title doesn't really refer to two particular persons; rather, it is a sort of statement, as in 'two sons of Francisco are in the spotlight'; one of them changes, but they're always two.
Rating: 40
Synopsis: The real-life story of two poor boys whose father was determined to turn them into musical hits.
Appraisal: The first two-thirds of the film, encompassing the childhood years of the two singing brothers, are decent though far from extraordinary; the final third is hard to watch. The director is clearly competent; the actors do a fine job, with minor slips here and there that are not worth mentioning. One last note: should they suppress the final third of the movie (and I think they should), the two sons would not be the same two; thus, I deduce that the title doesn't really refer to two particular persons; rather, it is a sort of statement, as in 'two sons of Francisco are in the spotlight'; one of them changes, but they're always two.
Rating: 40
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Les temps qui changent (2004)
English title: Changing Times.
Synopsis: The story is set in Tangiers. Cécile is suddenly in over her head: an old flame reclaims her love, her homosexual son's drug-addict girlfriend who was stood up by her Muslim twin sister comes to stay in their house, the radio show Cécile hosts pays her barely enough to keep her solvent, her marriage is stagnant and her husband has open affairs to which she makes no objections.
Appraisal: A love story with implausible ramifications into witchcraft, plus some side-plots that go nowhere and have little impact on the central one. That sums this film up, in terms of contents. On the technical side, it is marked by a pervasive use of the hand-held camera. I pondered about the meaning of the title and I couldn't come up with a satisfactory explanation (is he referring to our times' sexual morals which change fast, or is he referring to the circumstances of one's life which change just as fast?). I can't say that I care though.
Rating: 28
Synopsis: The story is set in Tangiers. Cécile is suddenly in over her head: an old flame reclaims her love, her homosexual son's drug-addict girlfriend who was stood up by her Muslim twin sister comes to stay in their house, the radio show Cécile hosts pays her barely enough to keep her solvent, her marriage is stagnant and her husband has open affairs to which she makes no objections.
Appraisal: A love story with implausible ramifications into witchcraft, plus some side-plots that go nowhere and have little impact on the central one. That sums this film up, in terms of contents. On the technical side, it is marked by a pervasive use of the hand-held camera. I pondered about the meaning of the title and I couldn't come up with a satisfactory explanation (is he referring to our times' sexual morals which change fast, or is he referring to the circumstances of one's life which change just as fast?). I can't say that I care though.
Rating: 28
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
Synopsis: In 1945, at the island of Iwo Jima, Japanese soldiers defend the island with no air or naval support. The Americans bomb the island from air and water and then invade it. The main character is Saigo, who before being drafted was a baker with a pregnant wife. The general adopts the tactics of digging tunnels on the mountains. Several of his officers are constantly opposing him.
Appraisal: This is, in general terms, a formally (though not historically, as dust-7 pointed out at the User Comments section of IMDb) correct movie, with a well structured screenplay, and with some spectacle value. There are some incursions into bullshit territory that I cannot leave uncommented: (1) the general's regret about not having cleaned the kitchen floor; (2) the general reads the letter from the prisoner's mom aloud, and gives his soldiers the same recommendation made by her, "do the right thing because it is the right thing"; it would be preposterous for a general to do a thing like that, since a war presupposes a certain level of emotional distancing from your enemy; (3) the dog subplot (ridiculous!); (4) admiral Ito going on a lonely excursion and lying on the ground with the dead men (the probable course of action here would be to tie the mines to corpses and walk away, and by the way that is what occurred in real life).
Rating: 63
Appraisal: This is, in general terms, a formally (though not historically, as dust-7 pointed out at the User Comments section of IMDb) correct movie, with a well structured screenplay, and with some spectacle value. There are some incursions into bullshit territory that I cannot leave uncommented: (1) the general's regret about not having cleaned the kitchen floor; (2) the general reads the letter from the prisoner's mom aloud, and gives his soldiers the same recommendation made by her, "do the right thing because it is the right thing"; it would be preposterous for a general to do a thing like that, since a war presupposes a certain level of emotional distancing from your enemy; (3) the dog subplot (ridiculous!); (4) admiral Ito going on a lonely excursion and lying on the ground with the dead men (the probable course of action here would be to tie the mines to corpses and walk away, and by the way that is what occurred in real life).
Rating: 63
Saturday, February 17, 2007
The Master of Disguise (2002)
Synopsis: Pistachio is the descendant of an ancient lineage of disguise artists. He has been kept unaware of this family tradition by his parents, but when said parents are kidnapped by a thug who intends to use one of them to help him rob historical objects Pistachio's grandfather teaches him how to become the master of disguise so that he may rescue his parents.
Appraisal: Sloppily written comedy that is a mere excuse for the showcasing of the main actor's impersonating abilities, combined with the make-up artist's own abilities. Some of the impersonations are moderately funny, and the female sidekick is played by a good comedian. But the film is utterly forgettable.
Rating: 25
Appraisal: Sloppily written comedy that is a mere excuse for the showcasing of the main actor's impersonating abilities, combined with the make-up artist's own abilities. Some of the impersonations are moderately funny, and the female sidekick is played by a good comedian. But the film is utterly forgettable.
Rating: 25
The Devil in Miss Jones (1973)
Synopsis: A virgin woman kills herself and is offered a chance to experience sex before she is sent to Hell.
Appraisal: I like the plot of this film, whose finale is said to be loosely based on the 1945 play 'Huis-clos' (named 'No Exit' in the U.S.) by Sartre. The central and largest part of the movie is comprised of sex. So, don't expect the theme to be developed, because it is not. But that is not an uncommon feature of non-pornographic movies either; take some fight or action films for example. The acting is good, especially by the main actress; she is not pretty, but that is not necessarily a liability. The sex scenes are performed consistently with the central character's frame of mind; I liked them.
Rating: 60
Appraisal: I like the plot of this film, whose finale is said to be loosely based on the 1945 play 'Huis-clos' (named 'No Exit' in the U.S.) by Sartre. The central and largest part of the movie is comprised of sex. So, don't expect the theme to be developed, because it is not. But that is not an uncommon feature of non-pornographic movies either; take some fight or action films for example. The acting is good, especially by the main actress; she is not pretty, but that is not necessarily a liability. The sex scenes are performed consistently with the central character's frame of mind; I liked them.
Rating: 60
Sibling Rivalry (1990)
Synopsis: A neglected wife goes to bed with a stranger she meets at the grocery store and after they have sex she notices that the guy died.
Appraisal: Three pairs of siblings are examined in this comedy of errors. In each pair, the siblings have opposite personalities. The plot is full of coincidences so the six of them interrelate, but this doesn't detract from the film in any measure, because it is not about realism, rather an analytic study where a dialog is exchanged between opposites through their equivalents; thus, the cop's date is the equivalent of his brother, and the housewife has an arrangement with the blind installer (he installs blinds, I mean) who is just like her sister. The doctor and his dead brother are also opposites in a certain personality trait that becomes clear early on. This ingenious structure is matched by a clever development. Also, every actor plays his or her part to the perfection. The direction is invisible, which is how it should be. All that being said, the impression the film made on me is probably that of an accomplished but ultimately small-scale amusement.
Rating: 58
Appraisal: Three pairs of siblings are examined in this comedy of errors. In each pair, the siblings have opposite personalities. The plot is full of coincidences so the six of them interrelate, but this doesn't detract from the film in any measure, because it is not about realism, rather an analytic study where a dialog is exchanged between opposites through their equivalents; thus, the cop's date is the equivalent of his brother, and the housewife has an arrangement with the blind installer (he installs blinds, I mean) who is just like her sister. The doctor and his dead brother are also opposites in a certain personality trait that becomes clear early on. This ingenious structure is matched by a clever development. Also, every actor plays his or her part to the perfection. The direction is invisible, which is how it should be. All that being said, the impression the film made on me is probably that of an accomplished but ultimately small-scale amusement.
Rating: 58
Treasure Planet (2002)
Synopsis: Jim is a teenage boy who lives with his mother, an inn-keeper. One day a stranger gives him a spherical object and dies. A gang of thugs led by a mysterious character comes looking for that object. Jim and his mother are obliged to flee, as they see the inn be destroyed by the thugs. Jim finds out that the strange object is a treasure map. He organizes an expedition in search of the treasure, which is located on a distant planet.
Appraisal: Umpteenth version of the 1883 novel "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson. This time it's a sci-fi version, which looked promising at first but disappointed all the way through, being short on good ideas, both visual and story-related ones. If my memory doesn't fail me, the portal thing is ripped off from Stargate.
I've seen the Brazilian Portuguese-dubbed version.
Rating: 36
Appraisal: Umpteenth version of the 1883 novel "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson. This time it's a sci-fi version, which looked promising at first but disappointed all the way through, being short on good ideas, both visual and story-related ones. If my memory doesn't fail me, the portal thing is ripped off from Stargate.
I've seen the Brazilian Portuguese-dubbed version.
Rating: 36
Friday, February 16, 2007
Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
Synopsis: A series of robberies in Beverly Hills challenges the police; notes are left that apparently contain clues to who the robber is; also, the robbed places follow an alphabetic pattern. A police detective is wounded while doing an outdoors investigation; a friend of his who is a policeman in Detroit decides to pay him a visit and help in the solution of the crimes.
Appraisal: The attempts at humor in this film didn't strike me as funny at all; on the contrary, its main character even seemed a little obnoxious to me. The plot is not very interesting either.
Rating: 20
Appraisal: The attempts at humor in this film didn't strike me as funny at all; on the contrary, its main character even seemed a little obnoxious to me. The plot is not very interesting either.
Rating: 20
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Real Genius (1985)
Synopsis: A 15 year old Physics student enters the university and is assigned to work on a device without knowing that it will be used as a weapon.
Appraisal: This comedy is torn between silly and smart moments, the silly ones winning by a small margin, I suppose. Like many of the comedies of that era, there is a sexist slant, as in the party with the aestheticians in bikinis. But the characters are funny and well acted, that being the film's main asset. The theme of the film is well addressed, being the responsibility of scientists regarding the use given to the product of their work. Overall it's pretty watchable. Seen it dubbed in Portuguese, a misfortune.
Rating: 46
Appraisal: This comedy is torn between silly and smart moments, the silly ones winning by a small margin, I suppose. Like many of the comedies of that era, there is a sexist slant, as in the party with the aestheticians in bikinis. But the characters are funny and well acted, that being the film's main asset. The theme of the film is well addressed, being the responsibility of scientists regarding the use given to the product of their work. Overall it's pretty watchable. Seen it dubbed in Portuguese, a misfortune.
Rating: 46
The Matador (2005)
Synopsis: A hitman and a salesman meet at a bar in Mexico City and become friends.
Appraisal: Not much happens in this film, but it is nice to watch, and has a funny central character. Beware though: its focus is on morals, not action. It's all about how far you would go to reach your goals, but also about the fascination exerted on the bourgeoisie by criminals. It is not very believable, nor is it meant to be, I think.
Rating: 59
Appraisal: Not much happens in this film, but it is nice to watch, and has a funny central character. Beware though: its focus is on morals, not action. It's all about how far you would go to reach your goals, but also about the fascination exerted on the bourgeoisie by criminals. It is not very believable, nor is it meant to be, I think.
Rating: 59
Fifty/Fifty (1992)
Synopsis: Two friends are hired by the CIA to help overthrow a dictatorship in South Asia.
Appraisal: Derivative yet moderately enjoyable action comedy. [Spoilers ahead.] There are some plot holes, for example one of the main suspense sequences is about one of the characters turning an electric fence off in time or else his buddy will be electrocuted, which is bullshit since all the latter has to do is throw something at the fence and see if it emits sparks (we actually witness the phenomenon, when a moth touches the fence a few instants before it is turned off!). Another weak spot is how the rebel leader switches to the dictator's side near the end, and then becomes the opposition leader all over again after the dictator dies; there is no point in fighting for a guy like this, and chances are he will become as evil a dictator as the deposed one.
Saw it dubbed in Portuguese, an unfortunate circumstance.
Rating: 32
Appraisal: Derivative yet moderately enjoyable action comedy. [Spoilers ahead.] There are some plot holes, for example one of the main suspense sequences is about one of the characters turning an electric fence off in time or else his buddy will be electrocuted, which is bullshit since all the latter has to do is throw something at the fence and see if it emits sparks (we actually witness the phenomenon, when a moth touches the fence a few instants before it is turned off!). Another weak spot is how the rebel leader switches to the dictator's side near the end, and then becomes the opposition leader all over again after the dictator dies; there is no point in fighting for a guy like this, and chances are he will become as evil a dictator as the deposed one.
Saw it dubbed in Portuguese, an unfortunate circumstance.
Rating: 32
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Harry and the Hendersons (1987)
Synopsis: A family on vacation in the woods hits a big animal with their car in their way back. It is Bigfoot, a legendary creature resembling an evolved giant ape. They think it is dead and decide to take it along with them. But after they arrive home they discover it is actually alive.
Appraisal: Small children will probably like it, but for me it was not such a rewarding experience. The screenplay is poor, and many jokes are based on the destruction of furniture. The creature is well designed and built though. The film features a prominent anti-hunting message and I question the honesty of the preaching strategy, which basically consists in exploring the empathy towards a fictitious creature.
Rating: 34
Appraisal: Small children will probably like it, but for me it was not such a rewarding experience. The screenplay is poor, and many jokes are based on the destruction of furniture. The creature is well designed and built though. The film features a prominent anti-hunting message and I question the honesty of the preaching strategy, which basically consists in exploring the empathy towards a fictitious creature.
Rating: 34
Young Adam (2003)
Synopsis: Joe is a young man who lives in a barge with a couple, Les and Ella, and their little son. They transport coal and other stuff; that's how they make a living. One day the two men find a dead body floating on the water. It's a young woman wearing only a petticoat. Joe starts an affair with Ella. Meanwhile, we see flashbacks of Joe and a woman he had a relationship with.
Appraisal: Based on a 1957 novel by Alexander Trocchi, this film is a well directed tale of adultery and other secrets that is nevertheless not all that absorbing. Apart from the somewhat monotonous storyline, what I disliked most was the less than credible trial of the dead girl's married friend. But to be honest I don't know much about the Scottish justice system at the unspecified (60's?) time at which the film is set. On the good side, the most impressive thing for me was how the film shows the subtle change in Ella's treatment of Joe, after Les leaves. All the actors in this film are perfect. This film has similarities with earlier ones, like those based on the novel The Postman Always Rings Twice, and Knife in the Water; the central character is reminiscent of the one in Alfie (1966).
Rating: 52
Appraisal: Based on a 1957 novel by Alexander Trocchi, this film is a well directed tale of adultery and other secrets that is nevertheless not all that absorbing. Apart from the somewhat monotonous storyline, what I disliked most was the less than credible trial of the dead girl's married friend. But to be honest I don't know much about the Scottish justice system at the unspecified (60's?) time at which the film is set. On the good side, the most impressive thing for me was how the film shows the subtle change in Ella's treatment of Joe, after Les leaves. All the actors in this film are perfect. This film has similarities with earlier ones, like those based on the novel The Postman Always Rings Twice, and Knife in the Water; the central character is reminiscent of the one in Alfie (1966).
Rating: 52
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Ken Park (2002)
Synopsis: Shawn has an affair with his girlfriend's mother. Tate lives with his grandparents to whom he is aggressive. Claude has an abusive father and a passive mother. Peaches lives with her father who treats her well as long as she behaves according to his religious standards.
Appraisal: The conflicts between teenagers and their parents is the central theme of this film. Several aspects of this problem are shown, but it is all one-dimensional and caricatural, and not in a satirical way. The result is more tedious than shocking. Example of moronic scene: a guy is drinking beer and pissing, and the camera lowers so we can see his penis and the piss coming out of it, then it rises again to head level - why would we be interested in looking at his penis when we can hear perfectly well that he is pissing?
Rating: 19
Appraisal: The conflicts between teenagers and their parents is the central theme of this film. Several aspects of this problem are shown, but it is all one-dimensional and caricatural, and not in a satirical way. The result is more tedious than shocking. Example of moronic scene: a guy is drinking beer and pissing, and the camera lowers so we can see his penis and the piss coming out of it, then it rises again to head level - why would we be interested in looking at his penis when we can hear perfectly well that he is pissing?
Rating: 19
Return of the Seven (1966)
Synopsis: Mexico. An evil farmer kidnaps all the men in the nearby villages, prompting the wife of one of them to ask the help of a gunfighter named Chris, who had helped her village in the past. Chris rounds up a posse of seven men.
Appraisal: There are some good plot ideas in this film, like the Marxist justification used by the bad guy to enslave the peasants - he has always fought the peasants' oppressors and the peasants reaped the benefits without ever raising a finger to help. This, and several characters' backstories, are exposed solely in dialogue. The big problem of this film is that it lacks visually exciting sequences. All the riding and shooting become a little boring, especially without a juicier dramatic conflict on which to focus our attention.
Rating: 31
Appraisal: There are some good plot ideas in this film, like the Marxist justification used by the bad guy to enslave the peasants - he has always fought the peasants' oppressors and the peasants reaped the benefits without ever raising a finger to help. This, and several characters' backstories, are exposed solely in dialogue. The big problem of this film is that it lacks visually exciting sequences. All the riding and shooting become a little boring, especially without a juicier dramatic conflict on which to focus our attention.
Rating: 31
Little Children (2006)
Synopsis: Sarah has a Master's in Literature but spends her days taking care of her little daughter. Her husband works in marketing and is a porn addict. Brad has a law degree but has failed the bar exam twice, so he is in charge of looking after his little son while his wife works as a doctor. Sarah and Brad meet at the playground and start an affair. Ronnie is a convicted child molester who just got out of jail. Larry is an ex-cop who is distributing warning leaflets with Ronnie's photo. Brad meets Larry and is invited to play in the football team.
Appraisal: There is a good sequence in this film, namely when Ronnie the child molester is in the swimming pool and is recognized by the people there. It is well orchestrated to achieve a sense of bizarreness. They should perhaps release that sequence as a short film and burn the rest of the negative, because apart from that sequence the film is just pitiful.
Rating: 10
Appraisal: There is a good sequence in this film, namely when Ronnie the child molester is in the swimming pool and is recognized by the people there. It is well orchestrated to achieve a sense of bizarreness. They should perhaps release that sequence as a short film and burn the rest of the negative, because apart from that sequence the film is just pitiful.
Rating: 10
Monday, February 12, 2007
The Human Shield (1992)
Synopsis: Doug, an American ex-military who used to train Iraqi soldiers in the war against Iran, has to return to Iraq at the time of the invasion of Kuwait because his brother was kidnapped by an Iraqi general who wishes to set a personal score with Doug.
Appraisal: Derivative actioner whose melodramatic subplot produces at least one anthological exchange of dialogue; it's between Lila and her husband, the Iraqi general she married out of love for the American soldier. General: 'Do you find me ugly because of my scar?' Lila: 'For me it is your most beautiful part, because it reminds me of the man that made it.' Note: this film's title bears no relation with anything that happens in it.
Rating: 31
Appraisal: Derivative actioner whose melodramatic subplot produces at least one anthological exchange of dialogue; it's between Lila and her husband, the Iraqi general she married out of love for the American soldier. General: 'Do you find me ugly because of my scar?' Lila: 'For me it is your most beautiful part, because it reminds me of the man that made it.' Note: this film's title bears no relation with anything that happens in it.
Rating: 31
40 Pounds of Trouble (1962)
Synopsis: A casino manager who has evaded California in order to avoid paying alimony to his ex-wife is suddenly burdened with the task of looking after a little girl who has been left by her father at the casino.
Appraisal: This is an entertaining comedy that keeps schmaltz at a reasonably low level. It starts with a car chase from California to Nevada, then has a larger portion set inside a casino, and then has a long sequence in Disneyland where another chase takes place. All this eventfulness, plus the finely written dialogue, makes this a film where dullness is never present.
Rating: 55
Appraisal: This is an entertaining comedy that keeps schmaltz at a reasonably low level. It starts with a car chase from California to Nevada, then has a larger portion set inside a casino, and then has a long sequence in Disneyland where another chase takes place. All this eventfulness, plus the finely written dialogue, makes this a film where dullness is never present.
Rating: 55
Dear Wendy (2005)
Synopsis: A young man founds a club for the study of guns and the practice of shooting; he invites his friends to join it. They swear not to use the guns ever, but carry them to feel safe.
Appraisal: This is really weak as a fable or parable or whatever it has set out to be.
Rating: 27
Appraisal: This is really weak as a fable or parable or whatever it has set out to be.
Rating: 27
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Species II (1998)
Synopsis: During a trip to Mars, alien organisms contaminate astronauts. Back to Earth, they start procreating.
Appraisal: The first film was already not so good; this sequel is even more absurd and pointless. The emphasis here is less on action than on the exhibition of shock images, which sort of disguise the intrinsic dullness of the film.
Rating: 25
Appraisal: The first film was already not so good; this sequel is even more absurd and pointless. The emphasis here is less on action than on the exhibition of shock images, which sort of disguise the intrinsic dullness of the film.
Rating: 25
Rebelião em Vila Rica (1958)
Synopsis (with spoilers): Ouro Preto is a historic town in Brazil where a conspiracy to establish an independent state was foiled by the Portuguese in the 18th century. This movie's story happens in 1945, when Brazil is under a dictatorial regime which curbs the universities' autonomy. When the government announces its decision to transfer the Mining and Metallurgy School to another city, the students and the school's dean oppose the decision. The dean is put into forced retirement and a new dean is appointed by the government. The students organize a strike. When that proves itself ineffective, they decide to organize a small routine that they expect to annoy the dean and turn the city's population against him: they chime the church's bell at night, awaking the town. The dean retaliate, closing the Students' Association. The students decide for a radical act: to take over the school. However, they are betrayed by one of them, who was facing expulsion for trying to adulterate his score card. When the students break into the school's building, they are received by the police. In the confront, the students' leader is killed. He becomes a martyr and the students' cause finally win.
Appraisal: It's impossible not to notice the naiveté in the depiction of its characters and their interrelationships, but its warmth and energy imparts it a certain attractiveness. There are many musical numbers with the actors being dubbed by singers or by a professional choir, making the first half of the movie practically a musical. These musical interruptions, although well performed, are clumsy and in some cases dilute the dramatic strength of the film. The film's political aspect is not without interest, even nearly 50 years later. Certain performances, for instance those of the characters 'Rosália' (the secretary) and 'Xavier' (the students' leader) are very good. The major problem is that some smaller parts are not well played at all.
Rating: 40
Appraisal: It's impossible not to notice the naiveté in the depiction of its characters and their interrelationships, but its warmth and energy imparts it a certain attractiveness. There are many musical numbers with the actors being dubbed by singers or by a professional choir, making the first half of the movie practically a musical. These musical interruptions, although well performed, are clumsy and in some cases dilute the dramatic strength of the film. The film's political aspect is not without interest, even nearly 50 years later. Certain performances, for instance those of the characters 'Rosália' (the secretary) and 'Xavier' (the students' leader) are very good. The major problem is that some smaller parts are not well played at all.
Rating: 40
Filme de Amor (2003)
Englisht title: A Love Movie.
There is no plot, just two guys and a girl in a house in their undies (and occasionally without them) in erudite monologues about love (and Moby Dick, go figure). A few inserts of sex scenes are thrown in and voilà, here is your award-winning artistic achievement of the day. Beware that I am reviewing the 91 minute version that was exhibited on Canal Brasil; I know nothing about longer versions that, according to IMDb, have 100 minutes and 116 minutes of length.
Rating: 8
There is no plot, just two guys and a girl in a house in their undies (and occasionally without them) in erudite monologues about love (and Moby Dick, go figure). A few inserts of sex scenes are thrown in and voilà, here is your award-winning artistic achievement of the day. Beware that I am reviewing the 91 minute version that was exhibited on Canal Brasil; I know nothing about longer versions that, according to IMDb, have 100 minutes and 116 minutes of length.
Rating: 8
Saturday, February 10, 2007
The Purple Plain (1954)
Synopsis: A World War II pilot stationed in Burma in 1945 worries his colleagues and superiors with his recklessness; having lost his wife on his wedding day he doesn't value his own life. This changes when he meets a beautiful Burmese woman at the local Mission. A plane crash in the jungle will put to test his will to live.
Appraisal: Somewhat dull war adventure that is lifted by an excellent lead performance and good supporting ones. Based on a 1947 novel by H.E. Bates.
Rating: 45
Appraisal: Somewhat dull war adventure that is lifted by an excellent lead performance and good supporting ones. Based on a 1947 novel by H.E. Bates.
Rating: 45
The Event (2003)
Synopsis: A New York assistant district attorney investigates the death of an AIDS-stricken homosexual following a streak of similar deaths that may possibly have been assisted suicides.
Appraisal: Slow-moving and clearly agenda-driven, this film is not hard to watch but has barely any dramatic depth other than that which is required to advance the cause of the legalization of assisted suicide. Unlike the similarly themed It's My Party, this doesn't have engaging characters or a dynamic pace. Another recent film that tries to make a case for euthanasia is Mar adentro (aka The Sea Inside). In a way, it's good that the theme is being openly addressed. Let's hope that the legislators do something about it, in the so-called civilized countries in the world.
Rating: 46
Appraisal: Slow-moving and clearly agenda-driven, this film is not hard to watch but has barely any dramatic depth other than that which is required to advance the cause of the legalization of assisted suicide. Unlike the similarly themed It's My Party, this doesn't have engaging characters or a dynamic pace. Another recent film that tries to make a case for euthanasia is Mar adentro (aka The Sea Inside). In a way, it's good that the theme is being openly addressed. Let's hope that the legislators do something about it, in the so-called civilized countries in the world.
Rating: 46
Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)
Synopsis: A Transylvanian count who's a vampire moves to England where he begins to make victims among young women and is fought by Van Helsing, a vampire expert.
Appraisal: Comedy that spoofs the famous book by Bram Stoker (first published in 1897) and several of its many film versions (the first of which was released in 1922). It boasts a rather simple humor, that at times can be moderately funny.
Rating: 46
Appraisal: Comedy that spoofs the famous book by Bram Stoker (first published in 1897) and several of its many film versions (the first of which was released in 1922). It boasts a rather simple humor, that at times can be moderately funny.
Rating: 46
RV (2006)
Synopsis: Family goes out on vacation on an RV (recreational vehicle, a small bus), without knowing that it's just a means for the father of the family to get closer to a work meeting he has to attend.
Appraisal: It's just not funny. What more can I say?
Rating: 25
Appraisal: It's just not funny. What more can I say?
Rating: 25
Friday, February 09, 2007
Legends of the Fall (1994)
Movie's source: a 1979 novella by Jim Harrison.
Synopsis (complete with spoilers): Three brothers live in a farm: Alfred, Tristan, and Samuel. Their father is a retired military. Samuel, the youngest one, brings his fiancée Susannah to meet his family, and she falls for Tristan, the middle brother, who is wild. The three go to war (it's 1914). Samuel dies. Alfred is wounded and returns home. He proposes to Susannah. She reluctantly accepts, but when Tristan returns she decides for him instead and they marry. Tristan gets restless and goes on a trip, visiting all the wildest and remotest parts of the world. Susannah marries Alfred, who goes into politics. Tristan returns, marries Isabel Two, the foreman's daughter; he goes into bootlegging (it's the prohibition era). During a police roadblock, Isabel Two is killed. Tristan beats the policeman, goes to jail for a month, Susannah visits him, we see that she still loves him, but he tells her to go back to Alfred. Tristan goes out of jail and wreaks vengeance upon the people responsible for Isabel Two's death. Susannah kills herself. Tristan asks Alfred to look after his children, and goes again on a trip. He dies very old in a fight with a bear.
Appraisal: There is nothing implicitly wrong with the above synopsis. It could be made into a good film, I guess. Here, however, what we get is very much a soap opera, with solemn music in the background and big clichés from start to finish. The characters are all one-dimensional, except for the character of Susannah, who is zero-dimensional - she only exists in function of other characters and it's hard to figure out what, apart from her beautiful smile, caused others to fall instantly in love with her. Still it's a watchable film, because the narrative is kept flowing at a steady pace and the cinematography is good, but veers often to ludicrousness, like the scene where Isabel Two (yes, that is her nickname) proudly says that she knows that Heraklion is the capital of Crete because she had 'European history' lessons with the colonel.
Rating: 38
Synopsis (complete with spoilers): Three brothers live in a farm: Alfred, Tristan, and Samuel. Their father is a retired military. Samuel, the youngest one, brings his fiancée Susannah to meet his family, and she falls for Tristan, the middle brother, who is wild. The three go to war (it's 1914). Samuel dies. Alfred is wounded and returns home. He proposes to Susannah. She reluctantly accepts, but when Tristan returns she decides for him instead and they marry. Tristan gets restless and goes on a trip, visiting all the wildest and remotest parts of the world. Susannah marries Alfred, who goes into politics. Tristan returns, marries Isabel Two, the foreman's daughter; he goes into bootlegging (it's the prohibition era). During a police roadblock, Isabel Two is killed. Tristan beats the policeman, goes to jail for a month, Susannah visits him, we see that she still loves him, but he tells her to go back to Alfred. Tristan goes out of jail and wreaks vengeance upon the people responsible for Isabel Two's death. Susannah kills herself. Tristan asks Alfred to look after his children, and goes again on a trip. He dies very old in a fight with a bear.
Appraisal: There is nothing implicitly wrong with the above synopsis. It could be made into a good film, I guess. Here, however, what we get is very much a soap opera, with solemn music in the background and big clichés from start to finish. The characters are all one-dimensional, except for the character of Susannah, who is zero-dimensional - she only exists in function of other characters and it's hard to figure out what, apart from her beautiful smile, caused others to fall instantly in love with her. Still it's a watchable film, because the narrative is kept flowing at a steady pace and the cinematography is good, but veers often to ludicrousness, like the scene where Isabel Two (yes, that is her nickname) proudly says that she knows that Heraklion is the capital of Crete because she had 'European history' lessons with the colonel.
Rating: 38
The Quest (1996)
Synopsis (*spoilers*): Dubois, a street clown and thief, is chased by the police, ending up on a pirate ship, from where he is rescued when the ship is taken by Dobbs, a gunrunner who sells Dubois to a Thai fight master, who in turn trains Dubois on the Muay Thai martial art. Dubois wins a tournament and there meets Dobbs, asking him to help him rob the Golden Dragon, a trophy of a secret tournament featuring fighters from all over the globe. A woman reporter joins them. They also meet the American contestant, who waives his participation in the tournament in favor of Dubois, whom he thinks is a better fighter.
Appraisal: Colorful adventure with a rather old fashioned look and sense of humor, but with often terrible dialogue. The tournament is quite risible, featuring contestants of wildly disparate weights, all dressed in "national" attires; so, the Japanese contestant is a fat guy in a sumo thong, the Scottish one fights in kilts, the Spanish one is in full bullfighter clothes, etc. It all seems to have come out of a 11 year old boy's mind, yet secures a minimal level of entertainment.
Rating: 31
Appraisal: Colorful adventure with a rather old fashioned look and sense of humor, but with often terrible dialogue. The tournament is quite risible, featuring contestants of wildly disparate weights, all dressed in "national" attires; so, the Japanese contestant is a fat guy in a sumo thong, the Scottish one fights in kilts, the Spanish one is in full bullfighter clothes, etc. It all seems to have come out of a 11 year old boy's mind, yet secures a minimal level of entertainment.
Rating: 31
Thursday, February 08, 2007
The Bad News Bears (1976)
Synopsis: Some parents win a lawsuit that will give their kids the right to compete in a baseball championship. One of the parents hire a former player turned swimming pool cleaner, and a drunk, as the kids' coach. Initially, the coach doesn't give a damn about the kids, who play awfully, but soon he changes his mind.
Appraisal: This is my second viewing of this film, and I have enjoyed it more this time than the previous one. The screenplay is rather simple, and the jokes and the morality are elementary. But it is well put together; the direction is precise, the timing of the jokes is perfect, and the staging of the games is very good. A nice entertainment.
Rating: 57 (up from a previous 46)
Appraisal: This is my second viewing of this film, and I have enjoyed it more this time than the previous one. The screenplay is rather simple, and the jokes and the morality are elementary. But it is well put together; the direction is precise, the timing of the jokes is perfect, and the staging of the games is very good. A nice entertainment.
Rating: 57 (up from a previous 46)
The Ugly American (1963)
Synopsis (*spoilers*): In an asiatic country called Sarkhan, the Americans are building a highway that allegedly will foster that country's economy. The communists provoke an accident that causes several deaths and make it look like it was due to the drunkenness of the American engineer. This leads to a massive opposition to the presence of the Americans, and specifically to the building of the highway. Meanwhile, the U.S. nominate MacWhite as the new ambassador; he is a longtime friend of Deong, the most popular figure in Sarkhan. Deong opposes to the highway but is not thought to be a communist. Deong instructs his followers to go to the airport and make a peaceful protest during the arrival of MacWhite, but the communists incite the mob to a riot that almost gets MacWhite and his wife killed. Later on, a conversation between Deong and MacWhite convinces the latter that Deong is really a communist. He makes a pact with Kwen Sai, the prime-minister of Sarkhan, by which the U.S. would provide military support to the government; in exchange Kwen Sai would agree to a change in the route of the highway, which would head to North Sarkhan, which is ruled by the communists. The man in charge of the construction of the highway tries to talk MacWhite out of this decision but to no avail. Munsang, the communist party's leader, uses the ceremony of the dedicatory of the highway as a pretext for initiating the revolution; he co-opts Deong to lead the masses. MacWhite is warned by Kwen Sai that Deong is just being used and is not really a communist, and that the communists will probably kill him after they take over the country; he also informs that Russian and Chinese soldiers have already invaded the country and that the Chinese commander is his prisoner. MacWhite rushes to warn Deong, urging him to call the government palace and verify for himself that the Chinese colonel is a prisoner. When Deong realizes he has been duped by the communists, he orders his longtime assistant to revert the process, but is immediately killed by said assistant. What happens then is not shown; MacWhite is being interviewed by the press, and later goes on TV with a statement that the U.S. will continue to support underdeveloped countries, without a political agenda.
Appraisal: Although politically naive and with a clear pro-American slant, this film still has much insight to some of the problems faced by U.S. foreign policy; these problems have not changed much since the time this film was made, although of course the demise of the U.S.S.R. is a significant change. I liked the fact that the main character is not shown as flawless; he is often arrogant, and must face the consequences of his errors. I also liked the lead performance; it was at once energetic and nuanced. The narrative is well paced and never dull. It is said that the novel is much superior to the film though.
Rating: 60
Appraisal: Although politically naive and with a clear pro-American slant, this film still has much insight to some of the problems faced by U.S. foreign policy; these problems have not changed much since the time this film was made, although of course the demise of the U.S.S.R. is a significant change. I liked the fact that the main character is not shown as flawless; he is often arrogant, and must face the consequences of his errors. I also liked the lead performance; it was at once energetic and nuanced. The narrative is well paced and never dull. It is said that the novel is much superior to the film though.
Rating: 60
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Rosalie Goes Shopping (1989)
Synopsis: A housewife manages the finances of her numerous family in a rather original and creative way. Her husband, a crop-dusting pilot, is unaware of her illegalities, but the priest to whom she confesses is rather worried.
Appraisal: Silly comedy that is not too unpleasant to watch, but whose critique of capitalism and consumerism is rather bland. The main character's deadpan attitude is amusing but the script would require serious further working for it to achieve real entertainment quality. I am not a plausibility freak, but to assume that a bank would grant a 2 million dollar loan without any collateral is just insulting. The copy exhibited on Brazilian channel Telecine is only 89 minutes long, 5 minutes shorter than the length that is given by IMDb.
Rating: 35
Appraisal: Silly comedy that is not too unpleasant to watch, but whose critique of capitalism and consumerism is rather bland. The main character's deadpan attitude is amusing but the script would require serious further working for it to achieve real entertainment quality. I am not a plausibility freak, but to assume that a bank would grant a 2 million dollar loan without any collateral is just insulting. The copy exhibited on Brazilian channel Telecine is only 89 minutes long, 5 minutes shorter than the length that is given by IMDb.
Rating: 35
Fear X (2003)
Synopsis: A security guard is obsessed about his wife's death by gunshot while she was in the parking lot of the same mall at which he works. In his spare hours, he goes over the security tapes of the mall in the hope of finding a clue that will help him solve the exact nature of her death.
Appraisal: This film is marred by a seriously anti-climactic last act. The writer probably didn't have enough imagination to come up with a thrilling culmination for the story he concocted. If it were a bigger production, they would probably have hired a team of writers to perfect this screenplay in a manner that would prevent the frustration of the viewers. That being said, the film has merits; it is brooding and well directed, and has a solid lead performance.
Rating: 46
Appraisal: This film is marred by a seriously anti-climactic last act. The writer probably didn't have enough imagination to come up with a thrilling culmination for the story he concocted. If it were a bigger production, they would probably have hired a team of writers to perfect this screenplay in a manner that would prevent the frustration of the viewers. That being said, the film has merits; it is brooding and well directed, and has a solid lead performance.
Rating: 46
Vera Drake (2004)
Synopsis: In 1950 England, a working-class housewife, esteemed by everyone, has a secret activity on the side: she performs abortions.
Appraisal: This film is a very elaborate and detailed propaganda piece for the cause of legalized, state-sponsored abortion. In order to achieve that goal, several characters, sufficiently defined for the purpose of assessing their reaction to the referred subject matter, are strategically created. The main character is defined as a woman who likes to help people, and that (along with a fact in her own past, the exact nature of which is not revealed) is the motive that allegedly leads her to the illegal acts she performs. It seems that this choice is optimal for the filmmaker's agenda, since it makes clear that it is not a question of individual character, but of public policy. Further evidence that this film is not about characters but about politics is given by the fact that there are events in the movie that have no significant relation to Vera, namely the episode with the rich girl who has an abortion in a clinic. The upper-class characters have no development and the episode is there with the sole purpose of showing the injustice that the hypocritical legislation imposes on the less favored classes. An excellent, very informative review about this movie can be found on the User Comments section of IMDb; it was written by F. Gwynplaine MacIntyre.
Rating: 61
Appraisal: This film is a very elaborate and detailed propaganda piece for the cause of legalized, state-sponsored abortion. In order to achieve that goal, several characters, sufficiently defined for the purpose of assessing their reaction to the referred subject matter, are strategically created. The main character is defined as a woman who likes to help people, and that (along with a fact in her own past, the exact nature of which is not revealed) is the motive that allegedly leads her to the illegal acts she performs. It seems that this choice is optimal for the filmmaker's agenda, since it makes clear that it is not a question of individual character, but of public policy. Further evidence that this film is not about characters but about politics is given by the fact that there are events in the movie that have no significant relation to Vera, namely the episode with the rich girl who has an abortion in a clinic. The upper-class characters have no development and the episode is there with the sole purpose of showing the injustice that the hypocritical legislation imposes on the less favored classes. An excellent, very informative review about this movie can be found on the User Comments section of IMDb; it was written by F. Gwynplaine MacIntyre.
Rating: 61
King Kong (2005)
Synopsis: A filming crew travels to a small island to make a film and there they find a prehistoric world ruled by a giant gorilla.
Appraisal: You may think of it as a piece of propaganda about the wonders of computer generated imagery, the main selling point being: the film within the film is an extreme example of the difficulties of on-location shooting, while the film we watch has no troubles of this kind, because everything is done in the computer. It's not really a film about humans, and it's not a film about animals, either. The actors are mere props here. This film's philosophy of spectacle is summarized in the scene where Ann performs for Kong, art as just a means of calming the beast within every one of us.
Rating: 42
Appraisal: You may think of it as a piece of propaganda about the wonders of computer generated imagery, the main selling point being: the film within the film is an extreme example of the difficulties of on-location shooting, while the film we watch has no troubles of this kind, because everything is done in the computer. It's not really a film about humans, and it's not a film about animals, either. The actors are mere props here. This film's philosophy of spectacle is summarized in the scene where Ann performs for Kong, art as just a means of calming the beast within every one of us.
Rating: 42
Monday, February 05, 2007
Lucky Number Slevin (2006)
Synopsis: A young man arrives at a friend's house and is mistaken as the latter by two rival gangsters. The problem is, said friend owes money to said gangsters.
Appraisal (with possible spoilers): While I acknowledge some finely written dialogue, nothing can conceal the basic vacuity and disposability of the whole thing. The contrivance of some elements is evident and if you want proof look at the deleted scenes and see how they had a hard time deciding what to do with one particular character; their choice implies that you must accept that a person would trust an assassin not to shoot his target in the head.
**Warning**
There is terrible flaw in this film's plot. An untrustworthy narrator is a device that should only be used under very special circumstances, and for very solid reasons; this film simply cheats the viewer with detailed information that is later proved to be false (read this for details). This is the sleaziest way of screenwriting possible.
Rating: 39
Appraisal (with possible spoilers): While I acknowledge some finely written dialogue, nothing can conceal the basic vacuity and disposability of the whole thing. The contrivance of some elements is evident and if you want proof look at the deleted scenes and see how they had a hard time deciding what to do with one particular character; their choice implies that you must accept that a person would trust an assassin not to shoot his target in the head.
**Warning**
There is terrible flaw in this film's plot. An untrustworthy narrator is a device that should only be used under very special circumstances, and for very solid reasons; this film simply cheats the viewer with detailed information that is later proved to be false (read this for details). This is the sleaziest way of screenwriting possible.
Rating: 39
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Walk the Line (2005)
Synopsis (with spoilers): This is an account of the life of singer Johnny Cash, who was born in a rural area and lost his brother at an early age, then got married and had kids, and then fell in love with fellow singer June Carter,which spent a long time rejecting him, initially because he was married, then because he became addicted to pills, and finally accepted his marriage proposal, which ended the period covered by the film.
Appraisal: In my opinion, this film's sin is that it never really convinces us that there is enough in this story to justify the making of a movie about it. This is not these lives' faults, in my opinion, but, I repeat, the film's; even the most banal of subjects can be made into an interesting film, given the right treatment. Here the basic motif is summarized in the image of a tractor stuck in the mud; likewise, the main character's life gets 'stucked', possibly due to an unfulfilled need for love, both from his father and with the woman he loved. This basic conflict gets diluted in the shallow biopic approach.
Rating: 45
Appraisal: In my opinion, this film's sin is that it never really convinces us that there is enough in this story to justify the making of a movie about it. This is not these lives' faults, in my opinion, but, I repeat, the film's; even the most banal of subjects can be made into an interesting film, given the right treatment. Here the basic motif is summarized in the image of a tractor stuck in the mud; likewise, the main character's life gets 'stucked', possibly due to an unfulfilled need for love, both from his father and with the woman he loved. This basic conflict gets diluted in the shallow biopic approach.
Rating: 45
The Departed (2006)
Synopsis: A gangster's protégé enters the Boston police force, where he acts as the gangster's informant. Meanwhile, a graduate from the Massachusetts police is co-opted by his employers to infiltrate that gangster's organization.
Appraisal: This is a remake of a Hong Kong film which I have not seen, called Infernal Affairs. 'The Departed' is a cerebral cat-and-mouse game, very well concocted except for the last act and some minor details. Why wouldn't Costigan just play dumb after finding out about Sullivan, collecting his money and splitting? His actions then make absolutely no sense, giving the events after that a very ridiculous aspect - especially when you think about all the gratuitous violence entailed. I have to remark also that the small preamble of the film, showing some riots and a monologue, is completely unnecessary and pretentious - even if I eventually discover what they have to do with what follows them. I would like to add to my remarks those of Frank Dudley Berry, Jr., a IMDb user who made some very intelligent observations about the later developments in the plot. In fact, I suggest you go to the IMDb Users Comments section for this film and select the "Hate It" option. There are many, many other very questionable plot points that were mentioned there, although I think they are not of crucial relevance to the enjoyment of the film.
Rating: 68
Appraisal: This is a remake of a Hong Kong film which I have not seen, called Infernal Affairs. 'The Departed' is a cerebral cat-and-mouse game, very well concocted except for the last act and some minor details. Why wouldn't Costigan just play dumb after finding out about Sullivan, collecting his money and splitting? His actions then make absolutely no sense, giving the events after that a very ridiculous aspect - especially when you think about all the gratuitous violence entailed. I have to remark also that the small preamble of the film, showing some riots and a monologue, is completely unnecessary and pretentious - even if I eventually discover what they have to do with what follows them. I would like to add to my remarks those of Frank Dudley Berry, Jr., a IMDb user who made some very intelligent observations about the later developments in the plot. In fact, I suggest you go to the IMDb Users Comments section for this film and select the "Hate It" option. There are many, many other very questionable plot points that were mentioned there, although I think they are not of crucial relevance to the enjoyment of the film.
Rating: 68
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Synopsis: A family rides together on a van to take 10 year old Olive to a child pageant contest.
Appraisal: This combination of the dysfunctional-family and road-movie genres worked surprisingly well for me. The script's weaknesses are quite evident, but there is still enough in the way of entertainment to make us forgive the somewhat clichéd situations and characters.
Rating: 58
Appraisal: This combination of the dysfunctional-family and road-movie genres worked surprisingly well for me. The script's weaknesses are quite evident, but there is still enough in the way of entertainment to make us forgive the somewhat clichéd situations and characters.
Rating: 58
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Synopsis: In 1981, a man in extreme financial paucity needs to support a child on his own while simultaneously attending an internship for a stockbroker job.
Appraisal: Captain America lies on the street, and a kid just can't go back to fetch it. The bottom line being, of course, it's neither what your country can do for you nor what you can do for your country; the morals these days are more on the lines of Each Man for Himself and the State Against All. For us, viewers, pain is kept comfortably on-screen, and we can enjoy some irresistible comic moments, e.g. Chris riding the subway with his hand stuck on the door, holding his precious merchandise on the outside. The poor hippies are pursued high and low, because they are in the way of Chris's happiness - one of them wants to sell Chris's bone density scanner. The other one is more realistic: he wants to travel back to the sixties, very far away from Reaganomics.
Rating: 60
Appraisal: Captain America lies on the street, and a kid just can't go back to fetch it. The bottom line being, of course, it's neither what your country can do for you nor what you can do for your country; the morals these days are more on the lines of Each Man for Himself and the State Against All. For us, viewers, pain is kept comfortably on-screen, and we can enjoy some irresistible comic moments, e.g. Chris riding the subway with his hand stuck on the door, holding his precious merchandise on the outside. The poor hippies are pursued high and low, because they are in the way of Chris's happiness - one of them wants to sell Chris's bone density scanner. The other one is more realistic: he wants to travel back to the sixties, very far away from Reaganomics.
Rating: 60
Cradle Will Rock (1999)
Synopsis: In 1936, a theater group tries to produce a play under the Federal Theater Program, a branch of Roosevelt anti-depression plan. Concurrently, New York mayor Rockefeller hires Rivera to paint a mural.
Appraisal: The key image for this film is a puppet doll who turns communist, much to its master's dismay. Thus, the government's expectations concerning the program of subsidies for the arts backfired - they were all reds. A costume party is used as a device to contrast the manipulating elite and the oppressed people. There are many instances of brilliance throughout this film, but it is all hammered on our heads in a loud, hysterical manner, culminating in an torturous and unnecessary depiction of the performance of Cradle Will Rock, a musical about the importance of Unions. Sometimes less is more, someone should tell this film's director.
Rating:54
Appraisal: The key image for this film is a puppet doll who turns communist, much to its master's dismay. Thus, the government's expectations concerning the program of subsidies for the arts backfired - they were all reds. A costume party is used as a device to contrast the manipulating elite and the oppressed people. There are many instances of brilliance throughout this film, but it is all hammered on our heads in a loud, hysterical manner, culminating in an torturous and unnecessary depiction of the performance of Cradle Will Rock, a musical about the importance of Unions. Sometimes less is more, someone should tell this film's director.
Rating:54
Saturday, February 03, 2007
The Cat's Meow (2001)
Synopsis: The film is a hypothetical account of the events preceding Thomas Harper Ince's mysterious death. It takes place on a yacht, where are several people linked to movies one way or another (actors, directors, columnists, a media mogul, etc.).
Appraisal: The script is efficient and well structured; the mise-en-scene is precise and competent. It is hard for me to decide whether I believe in this version or not, but the film is enjoyable either way. The fact that the world once stood this close to not having masterpieces such as "City Lights" sent a chill up my spine.
Rating: 55
Appraisal: The script is efficient and well structured; the mise-en-scene is precise and competent. It is hard for me to decide whether I believe in this version or not, but the film is enjoyable either way. The fact that the world once stood this close to not having masterpieces such as "City Lights" sent a chill up my spine.
Rating: 55
La mano de un hombre muerto (1962)
English title: The Sadistic Baron Von Klaus.
Synopsis: A series of grizzly murders of young women puts a quiet little town in a state of fear. A police investigation is under way; a reporter from the capital is sent there and does some inquiries of his own. Two vagabonds are in town and begin to spread the notion that it is all related to a legendary curse that falls upon the Von Klaus, a family of noblemen that live in a castle in the town's outskirts.
Appraisal: To be honest, the plot of this crime thriller is quite dull; the real murderer's identity is quite obvious very early on in the film. It does get a little more interesting towards the end, albeit a little more sickly too, with flogging scenes that inaugurate what is said to be a trademark in this director's oeuvre. The cinematography is quite good throughout, and the composition of the scenes, particularly of the snow-covered city and some ensemble shots inside the café, are quite carefully done. The sequence at the swamp, near the ending, is quite good and atmospheric.
Rating: 32
Synopsis: A series of grizzly murders of young women puts a quiet little town in a state of fear. A police investigation is under way; a reporter from the capital is sent there and does some inquiries of his own. Two vagabonds are in town and begin to spread the notion that it is all related to a legendary curse that falls upon the Von Klaus, a family of noblemen that live in a castle in the town's outskirts.
Appraisal: To be honest, the plot of this crime thriller is quite dull; the real murderer's identity is quite obvious very early on in the film. It does get a little more interesting towards the end, albeit a little more sickly too, with flogging scenes that inaugurate what is said to be a trademark in this director's oeuvre. The cinematography is quite good throughout, and the composition of the scenes, particularly of the snow-covered city and some ensemble shots inside the café, are quite carefully done. The sequence at the swamp, near the ending, is quite good and atmospheric.
Rating: 32
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Capote (2005)
Synopsis: The account of the process of writing of the book "In Cold Blood", centering on the relationship between the writer and one of the killers.
Appraisal: This can be thought of as a companion to "In Cold Blood" itself. The leading player delivers a powerful performance, that considerably enlivens the narrative. It is a fascinating story, although I wouldn't be so positive in calling it a fascinating film. In fact, even admitting to the film's obvious merits, I think it is rather conventional, as many based-on-true-events stories tend to be. The theme of the film is rather obvious, having to do with how the storyteller becomes part of the story it tells; it sometimes disturbs the events it portrays, and sometimes is disturbed by them; often both happen simultaneously. Of course, this can only apply to so-called realism, or, in its new form presented here, 'new journalism'. In fact it applies to all journalism, and it is a phenomenon as old as the press itself. What might put this story in a particular category is the personality of this writer; the film hints to that, but there is only so much one can do with two hours of straightforward realistic narrative.
Rating: 68
Appraisal: This can be thought of as a companion to "In Cold Blood" itself. The leading player delivers a powerful performance, that considerably enlivens the narrative. It is a fascinating story, although I wouldn't be so positive in calling it a fascinating film. In fact, even admitting to the film's obvious merits, I think it is rather conventional, as many based-on-true-events stories tend to be. The theme of the film is rather obvious, having to do with how the storyteller becomes part of the story it tells; it sometimes disturbs the events it portrays, and sometimes is disturbed by them; often both happen simultaneously. Of course, this can only apply to so-called realism, or, in its new form presented here, 'new journalism'. In fact it applies to all journalism, and it is a phenomenon as old as the press itself. What might put this story in a particular category is the personality of this writer; the film hints to that, but there is only so much one can do with two hours of straightforward realistic narrative.
Rating: 68
Little Manhattan (2005)
Synopsis: A 10 year old boy falls in love with her karate classmate of the same age.
Appraisal: This is like an extended version of an episode of "The Wonder Years"; the script is dull and uninspired and we have seen this a thousand times before. But it is all competently done, and we get a photogenic New York as scenery, which is sort of nice.
Rating: 45
Appraisal: This is like an extended version of an episode of "The Wonder Years"; the script is dull and uninspired and we have seen this a thousand times before. But it is all competently done, and we get a photogenic New York as scenery, which is sort of nice.
Rating: 45
The Incredibles (2004)
Synopsis: A family of super-heroes is forced into retirement, then goes back in action to foil the plans of a lunatic.
Appraisal: Everything in this animated film is well designed, from the stylized sets to the characters themselves to the elaborated action sequences; the plot is a logical step into the 'humanization' of super-heroes, an angle that has been explored since the late eighties in films.
Rating: 63
Appraisal: Everything in this animated film is well designed, from the stylized sets to the characters themselves to the elaborated action sequences; the plot is a logical step into the 'humanization' of super-heroes, an angle that has been explored since the late eighties in films.
Rating: 63
Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996)
Synopsis: Two nitwit teenagers have their TV set stolen and later are mistakenly sent to do a hit job that they completely misunderstand. The hit target stole a biological weapon, complicating things further.
Appraisal: This animated comedy is funny enough but in a somewhat repetitive manner.
Rating: 50
Appraisal: This animated comedy is funny enough but in a somewhat repetitive manner.
Rating: 50
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