Based on a play by A.R. Gurney (1st performance 1988).
A man recalls his lifelong friendship with a woman by the occasion of the latter's death.
It doesn't try very hard to hide its stage origins, but it's enjoyable all the same. The text is reasonably well-crafted and the film is well acted and well photographed.
Rating: 53
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
London (2005)
A man hears about his ex-girlfriend's going away party and decides to crash it. He goes with another man he has first met on that same day, and who has serious issues of his own.
It hides its vacuity behind pompous pseudo-philosophical dialogue and lots of cocaine snorting.
Rating: 18
It hides its vacuity behind pompous pseudo-philosophical dialogue and lots of cocaine snorting.
Rating: 18
Across the Universe (2007)
An English young man travels to America where he meets another young man and his sister. They go live together in New York and become a part of the artistic and ideologic scene of the 60's.
This is just a frantic succession of music videos with a very flimsy, cliché-ridden storyline connecting them. Some of the clips have an interesting visual concept, others not so much. They didn't forget to include the worst song (both musically and, er, lyrically (?)) of all times. Haven't you guessed which song I am talking about? Well, you should have, "it's easy...".
Rating: 37
This is just a frantic succession of music videos with a very flimsy, cliché-ridden storyline connecting them. Some of the clips have an interesting visual concept, others not so much. They didn't forget to include the worst song (both musically and, er, lyrically (?)) of all times. Haven't you guessed which song I am talking about? Well, you should have, "it's easy...".
Rating: 37
Batman Begins (2005)
A boy witnesses his parents be murdered and later becomes a vigilante.
Deeply tedious.
Rating: 21
Deeply tedious.
Rating: 21
The Reader (2008)
An adolescent boy has an affair with an older woman whom he later finds out to have been a warden at an extermination camp.
Just more retarded dross.
Rating: 20
Just more retarded dross.
Rating: 20
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man (2005)
Tribute documentary to the singer-songwriter, with performances of his songs by guest artists and interviews with some of the participants (including Cohen).
This is more of a horror show than a documentary. The style of the performers is so at odds with Cohen's calm style that one wonders what the criterion was for their choice -- the only two exceptions being the guy who sang Tonight Will Be Fine -- I don't know his name -- and Cohen himself at the end singing Tower of Song. The interviews with the guest stars are absurd -- their stories and praises are irrelevant. Cohen as a little boy riding his tricycle seems to bear a special meaning -- it is repeated over and over -- which escaped me.
I won't rate this one.
This is more of a horror show than a documentary. The style of the performers is so at odds with Cohen's calm style that one wonders what the criterion was for their choice -- the only two exceptions being the guy who sang Tonight Will Be Fine -- I don't know his name -- and Cohen himself at the end singing Tower of Song. The interviews with the guest stars are absurd -- their stories and praises are irrelevant. Cohen as a little boy riding his tricycle seems to bear a special meaning -- it is repeated over and over -- which escaped me.
I won't rate this one.
Get Smart: Too Many Chiefs (1965) (TV)
CONTROL has a KAOS defector in its hands; KAOS sends a agent who is a master of disguise to kill her; he disguises as the chief.
Funny episode.
Funny episode.
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Savages (2007)
Two siblings are forced to interact -- after a long time apart -- due to their father's illness.
Not particularly interesting or perceptive or psychologically accurate.
Rating: 35
Not particularly interesting or perceptive or psychologically accurate.
Rating: 35
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Creeper (1956) (TV)
A woman is terrified of staying alone in her apartment on account of a homicidal maniac on the loose.
OK episode.
OK episode.
Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006)
After committing suicide, people are moved to another universe.
Pretty vacuous stuff, which has a bare minimum of humor and narrative to keep one in attention.
Rating: 31
Pretty vacuous stuff, which has a bare minimum of humor and narrative to keep one in attention.
Rating: 31
Juno (2007)
A 16-year-old girl gets pregnant.
There is a marginal interest stemming from its depiction of the societal aspects of unwanted pregnancy in the U.S.A. On the psychological end, this film is a poor thing, as there is no resemblance of truth in much of the characters' behavior and dialogue, and hardly a hint as to what a real person would go through in such a situation. And it's a story that goes nowhere, without even an anecdotal plot which would amuse or move one.
Rating: 34
There is a marginal interest stemming from its depiction of the societal aspects of unwanted pregnancy in the U.S.A. On the psychological end, this film is a poor thing, as there is no resemblance of truth in much of the characters' behavior and dialogue, and hardly a hint as to what a real person would go through in such a situation. And it's a story that goes nowhere, without even an anecdotal plot which would amuse or move one.
Rating: 34
Must Love Dogs (2005)
A recently divorced middle-aged woman is encouraged by her family to seek a new partner.
A pretty typical romantic comedy, which begins in a comedic fashion and ends in a romantic one. I'll take the comedy and discard the romanticism, which here consists in a pathetic series of contrivances and artificialisms meant to satisfy the tiny mind of what they expect to be their target audience. If you want a similarly themed and more honest film, see Autum Tale (Conte d'automne).
Rating: 40
A pretty typical romantic comedy, which begins in a comedic fashion and ends in a romantic one. I'll take the comedy and discard the romanticism, which here consists in a pathetic series of contrivances and artificialisms meant to satisfy the tiny mind of what they expect to be their target audience. If you want a similarly themed and more honest film, see Autum Tale (Conte d'automne).
Rating: 40
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Rize (2005)
Documentary about the "clowning" dance style (and its spin-offs) in the South Central area in Los Angeles.
I can't really assess objectively its value as a film, but a documentary has always some information value, doesn't it? Anyway it is not a must-see, unless you are personally involved somehow. I was concerned, however, by the way these kids (and some of them are really small kids) are possibly giving themselves some spine damage on account of the velocity and type of the movements they make, but this is not a professional opinion, since I am not a medical doctor, so I probably should just keep my mouth shut.
I can't really assess objectively its value as a film, but a documentary has always some information value, doesn't it? Anyway it is not a must-see, unless you are personally involved somehow. I was concerned, however, by the way these kids (and some of them are really small kids) are possibly giving themselves some spine damage on account of the velocity and type of the movements they make, but this is not a professional opinion, since I am not a medical doctor, so I probably should just keep my mouth shut.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Cop (1988)
A cop investigates a string of murders which may have been committed by a maniac.
Police drama written in a ragingly self-parodic style which I frankly failed for the most part to find amusing.
Rating: 16
Police drama written in a ragingly self-parodic style which I frankly failed for the most part to find amusing.
Rating: 16
Doubt (2008)
In a Catholic school a nun suspects a priest of being a child molester.
This has a considerable degree of watchability, despite being in large part bollocks. When have you heard of a nun raising her voice against one of her fellow church members of the male sex? I sure haven't. This and several other plot points put this film comfortably in the "fantasy" category. Having established this, we can forget realism and stick to dramatics, where the film scores a little better but is still flawed thanks to a script ridden with redundancy and an uncertainty as to where its real axis lies, whether in a tedious and incompetently led investigation or in a political commentary about male dominance in the church. Also clearly detectable is the subtext about how appearances are deceitful (i.e. nun is stern and "reactionary" yet kind-hearted and responsible, while priest is friendly and "progressive" yet supportive of a backward and sexist power structure and (possibly) a sexual predator). While this is a truth so self-evident only a fool would object to it, the use of fictional characters obviously built for the purpose of demonstrating it reduces the film (or this aspect of it, anyway) to the level of those fairy tales which were once used to educate children.
Rating: 45
This has a considerable degree of watchability, despite being in large part bollocks. When have you heard of a nun raising her voice against one of her fellow church members of the male sex? I sure haven't. This and several other plot points put this film comfortably in the "fantasy" category. Having established this, we can forget realism and stick to dramatics, where the film scores a little better but is still flawed thanks to a script ridden with redundancy and an uncertainty as to where its real axis lies, whether in a tedious and incompetently led investigation or in a political commentary about male dominance in the church. Also clearly detectable is the subtext about how appearances are deceitful (i.e. nun is stern and "reactionary" yet kind-hearted and responsible, while priest is friendly and "progressive" yet supportive of a backward and sexist power structure and (possibly) a sexual predator). While this is a truth so self-evident only a fool would object to it, the use of fictional characters obviously built for the purpose of demonstrating it reduces the film (or this aspect of it, anyway) to the level of those fairy tales which were once used to educate children.
Rating: 45
Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale (2007) (TV)
I don't really have much to say about this. It's entertaining, sort of. I didn't watch the previous episodes.
Sanxia haoren (2006)
English title: Still Life.
A man travels to the city where he lived long ago -- which is being flooded on account of a dam -- in search of his ex-wife and daughter both of whom he hasn't seen in 16 years. In a parallel story, a woman is looking for her husband, who has been living away from her for two years on account of his job on (I think) the aforementioned dam.
The initial credits sequence, which roams through the passengers of a ferry, is an impressive naturalistic panel of human types, and put my expectations up high. Very little of what followed met those expectations, though. The film is dull and silly and the director doesn't show a particularly noteworthy staging ability, especially in scenes of higher complexity.
Rating: 32
A man travels to the city where he lived long ago -- which is being flooded on account of a dam -- in search of his ex-wife and daughter both of whom he hasn't seen in 16 years. In a parallel story, a woman is looking for her husband, who has been living away from her for two years on account of his job on (I think) the aforementioned dam.
The initial credits sequence, which roams through the passengers of a ferry, is an impressive naturalistic panel of human types, and put my expectations up high. Very little of what followed met those expectations, though. The film is dull and silly and the director doesn't show a particularly noteworthy staging ability, especially in scenes of higher complexity.
Rating: 32
Grab the Ghost (1920)
This silent short is about a man who tries to ruin his beloved's marriage to somebody else by faking the appearance of ghosts in the newlyweds' new house.
Mostly mediocre, but with the occasional interesting bit.
Mostly mediocre, but with the occasional interesting bit.
Bulletproof (1988)
An ultra-secret state-of-the-art military tank is stolen by a multinational army of communists stationed in Mexico. An ex-intelligence operative turned policeman is called in to rescue the tank and its occupants.
Semi-comedic adventure which has some very enigmatic plot details e.g. why did the Americans (apparently) wanted the tank to fall into enemy hands? The film is nothing to write home about but is watchable.
Rating: 30
Semi-comedic adventure which has some very enigmatic plot details e.g. why did the Americans (apparently) wanted the tank to fall into enemy hands? The film is nothing to write home about but is watchable.
Rating: 30
Monday, February 09, 2009
The Woodsman (2004)
A child molester is released on parole after 12 years in prison. He goes through therapy and tries to make a new life for him.
A didactic film which makes its protagonist go through a variety of situations which would enable the film to expose differents facets of the problem of pedophilia. It is not a very ambitious film, and in fact very little happens in it (and it's very short). Perhaps it's a good thing that this subject is dealt with, but to be honest I think the film adds very little in terms of understanding it; I found it superficial and schematic.
Rating: 41
A didactic film which makes its protagonist go through a variety of situations which would enable the film to expose differents facets of the problem of pedophilia. It is not a very ambitious film, and in fact very little happens in it (and it's very short). Perhaps it's a good thing that this subject is dealt with, but to be honest I think the film adds very little in terms of understanding it; I found it superficial and schematic.
Rating: 41
Home of the Brave (1949)
In World War II, a survey team is sent to an island which is probably infested with Japanese. The survey technician is African-American.
An analysis of racism and the effects it has on the discriminated person's psyche. A very dated film which suffers from exaggerated didactism and resorts to primitive notions of psychotherapy.
The source play was about anti-semitism.
Rating: 41
An analysis of racism and the effects it has on the discriminated person's psyche. A very dated film which suffers from exaggerated didactism and resorts to primitive notions of psychotherapy.
The source play was about anti-semitism.
Rating: 41
House of Sand and Fog (2003)
(mild spoilers) A woman loses her house due to non-payment of taxes, but it's a mistake. An Iranian immigrant buys it at the auction and plans to live there for a short while and then resell it for a much bigger price. The woman tries in various ways to have the house back.
(mild spoilers) Considering it exclusively from the dramatic angle, it has some interest for the array of characters it portrays and their conflicting interests; however, it must be pointed out that seldom has a film exhibited such an enormous amount of plot implausibilities or downright absurdities. I don't want to make an exhaustive list, but here is a small sample. The government could never have taken her house and simultaneously kept all the money of the sale, which is far more than the debt she held; the financial situation of the Iranian guy is very confusing as it appears he works as a construction worker in addition to a job as a shopkeeper (or perhaps he is the shop owner?), and lives in a big apartment; the price he pays for the house at the auction is unrealistically low; etc. Behavioral implausibilities also abound (one screaming example is when they keep a woman who made a suicide attempt in their house and do not call 911).
Rating: 45
(mild spoilers) Considering it exclusively from the dramatic angle, it has some interest for the array of characters it portrays and their conflicting interests; however, it must be pointed out that seldom has a film exhibited such an enormous amount of plot implausibilities or downright absurdities. I don't want to make an exhaustive list, but here is a small sample. The government could never have taken her house and simultaneously kept all the money of the sale, which is far more than the debt she held; the financial situation of the Iranian guy is very confusing as it appears he works as a construction worker in addition to a job as a shopkeeper (or perhaps he is the shop owner?), and lives in a big apartment; the price he pays for the house at the auction is unrealistically low; etc. Behavioral implausibilities also abound (one screaming example is when they keep a woman who made a suicide attempt in their house and do not call 911).
Rating: 45
Seraphim Falls (2006)
In 1868, an ex-soldier for the Northern army and a posse he hired chase a former Southern officer with the purpose of killing him in revenge for something the latter did during the war.
Mediocre script, with a few clumsy attempts at the fantastic. As an actioner it's mildly entertaining, though not for its entire duration.
Rating: 37
Mediocre script, with a few clumsy attempts at the fantastic. As an actioner it's mildly entertaining, though not for its entire duration.
Rating: 37
Assorted shorts
I have watched a bunch of short films recently about which I can't find anything interesting to say:
Jan 31 - Viaje del Doctor Campos Salles a Buenos Aires (1900)
Jan 31 - Baden verboten (1907)
Jan 31 - La polka des trottins (1905)
Feb 02 - L'anatomie du conscrit (1905)
Feb 02 - Five O'clock Tea (1905)
Feb 02 - Le vrai jiu-jitsu (1905)
Feb 02 - For Love of Gold (1908) [1'05 fragment]
Feb 02 - The Little Darling (1909)
Feb 03 - Rescued from an Eagle's Nest (1908)
Feb 06 - Das eitle Stubenmädchen (1907)
Feb 06 - Yogi Bear: Slumber Party Smarty (1958) (TV)
Feb 06 - Arthur: Sue Ellen and the Brainasaurus (1998) (TV) [dubbed in Portuguese]
Feb 07 - The Wonder Ring (1955)
Feb 07 - Bout-de-Zan vole un éléphant (1913)
Feb 07 - A Holiday Pageant at Home (1901)
Feb 07 - Évocation spirite (1899)
Feb 07 - La pyramide de Triboulet (1899)
Feb 07 - L'artiste et le mannequin (1900)
Feb 07 - Éruption volcanique à la Martinique (1902)
Feb 08 - Get Smart: Mr Big (1965) (TV)
In the case of the French musicals, I didn't understand anything of the songs' lyrics, and couldn't find a place where I could read them.
It was my second viewing of The Wonder Ring, and possibly not the first one of Slumber Party Smarty and Mr Big.
Jan 31 - Viaje del Doctor Campos Salles a Buenos Aires (1900)
Jan 31 - Baden verboten (1907)
Jan 31 - La polka des trottins (1905)
Feb 02 - L'anatomie du conscrit (1905)
Feb 02 - Five O'clock Tea (1905)
Feb 02 - Le vrai jiu-jitsu (1905)
Feb 02 - For Love of Gold (1908) [1'05 fragment]
Feb 02 - The Little Darling (1909)
Feb 03 - Rescued from an Eagle's Nest (1908)
Feb 06 - Das eitle Stubenmädchen (1907)
Feb 06 - Yogi Bear: Slumber Party Smarty (1958) (TV)
Feb 06 - Arthur: Sue Ellen and the Brainasaurus (1998) (TV) [dubbed in Portuguese]
Feb 07 - The Wonder Ring (1955)
Feb 07 - Bout-de-Zan vole un éléphant (1913)
Feb 07 - A Holiday Pageant at Home (1901)
Feb 07 - Évocation spirite (1899)
Feb 07 - La pyramide de Triboulet (1899)
Feb 07 - L'artiste et le mannequin (1900)
Feb 07 - Éruption volcanique à la Martinique (1902)
Feb 08 - Get Smart: Mr Big (1965) (TV)
In the case of the French musicals, I didn't understand anything of the songs' lyrics, and couldn't find a place where I could read them.
It was my second viewing of The Wonder Ring, and possibly not the first one of Slumber Party Smarty and Mr Big.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Child's Play (1972)
In a Catholic high school for boys, strange acts of violence involving students baffle the teachers; these acts may be connected to the rivalry between two teachers.
Watchable but not really all that interesting; the highlight of the movie is Mason's performance.
Rating: 32
Watchable but not really all that interesting; the highlight of the movie is Mason's performance.
Rating: 32
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Away from Her (2006)
A woman begins to show signs of Alzheimer's and decides to be institutionalized. Her husband visits her often and notices she has become a stranger to him.
A silly, silly movie, and as ponderous and morose as a film can be -- but what else could you expect from Polley, given her acting persona? A piece of warning: this film is not a realistic depiction of Alzheimer's -- the film hints that the protagonist may be faking the symptoms at least part of the time.
Rating: 23
A silly, silly movie, and as ponderous and morose as a film can be -- but what else could you expect from Polley, given her acting persona? A piece of warning: this film is not a realistic depiction of Alzheimer's -- the film hints that the protagonist may be faking the symptoms at least part of the time.
Rating: 23
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Margot at the Wedding (2007)
Two sisters who hadn't been in good terms with each other reunite for the wedding of one of them. Pauline is the one getting married and Margot is the other one. Margot, Pauline, Pauline's fiancé Malcolm, Margot's son Claude, Pauline's daughter Ingrid, Margot's lover Dick, Margot's husband Jim, Pauline's neighbors the Voglers, Dick's daughter (who is also Ingrid's nanny) Maisy, all take part in a complicated web of intrigue, hate, blooming sexuality, memories, etc.
I am not sure I understand exactly what is at stake here, or what the issues are with the main character. I am also not sure I buy the Dick-interviews-Margot scene -- I can't find a good explanation for Dick's behavior and didn't find Margot's response convincing. But the film is artfully written and directed, at a superficial level at least, and has some interesting bits at a not so superficial level too.
Rating: 61
I am not sure I understand exactly what is at stake here, or what the issues are with the main character. I am also not sure I buy the Dick-interviews-Margot scene -- I can't find a good explanation for Dick's behavior and didn't find Margot's response convincing. But the film is artfully written and directed, at a superficial level at least, and has some interesting bits at a not so superficial level too.
Rating: 61
Så som i himmelen (2004)
Englisht titles: As It Is in Heaven; As Is in Heaven.
An orchestra conductor has a nervous breakdown and decides to interrupt his career and return to the small city where he was born and spent his childhood. There he is hired as the new choir master.
The performances are good, but the film is too long and grows tiresome in its second half.
Rating: 46
An orchestra conductor has a nervous breakdown and decides to interrupt his career and return to the small city where he was born and spent his childhood. There he is hired as the new choir master.
The performances are good, but the film is too long and grows tiresome in its second half.
Rating: 46
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Gilligan's Island: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow (1966) (TV)
Gilligan's hair turns white, and, following the application of a product, falls off altogether.
The Last of the Fast Guns (1958)
Based on the novel Outlaw's Code, by Frederick Faust (alias Evan Evans, alias Max Brand) (1st book edition 1954, but previously published serially under the title The Lightning Runner in 1932; according to another source, the title would have been Rinky Dink) (uncredited).
A millionaire hires a gunman to look for his long-lost brother in Mexico.
Routine B-western with few thrills.
Rating: 34
A millionaire hires a gunman to look for his long-lost brother in Mexico.
Routine B-western with few thrills.
Rating: 34
Monday, February 02, 2009
Gilligan's Island: Man with a Net (1966) (TV)
A butterfly collector arrives on the island in search of the world's rarest butterfly. The islanders are anxious for him to find it because then he will fire a signal flair and they will be rescued from the island.
Gilligan's Island: Where There's a Will (1966) (TV)
Mr. Howell gets sick and is tended by all the islanders. He recovers and in retribution bequeaths all his possessions to them. Subsequently a series of suspect behaviors and events leads him to believe they are plotting his murder.
Gilligan's Island: Voodoo (1966) (TV)
Gilligan has been digging out some art objects from a cave, thus incurring the wrath of a native witch doctor who resorts to voodoo against the islanders. The most affected person is the professor who is turned into a motionless zombie.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Gilligan's Island: The Producer (1966) (TV)
A film producer lands on the island after a plane crash. He starts bossing everyone around. The islanders stage a musical version of Hamlet for Ginger to star so she may grab the producer's attention.
This is a rather virulent satire of producers.
This is a rather virulent satire of producers.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Decoy (1956) (TV)
The piano accompanist to a singer falls in love with her. She tells him that her husband, who is also her agent, has been beating her. The accompanist goes over to the singer's husband's office in order to have a chat with him. Then a murder occurs.
Second story in a row about a framing. The way the police clears the case is similar in both cases. A good episode, in the show's middle range of quality.
Second story in a row about a framing. The way the police clears the case is similar in both cases. A good episode, in the show's middle range of quality.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
