January 2012
3 posts
Hugo
This feels like a film that could be studied as a great work of art well into the future. As with everything else, even the 3D in the film is used with effect. For example, as the station guard or whoever he is invades Hugo’s space at one point in the film, he’s literally invading your space, as well. Subtleties like this abound everywhere.
The Artist
The absolute best films for me are the ones that elicit an emotional response or gives me goosebumps. Generally, it’s due to a scene well into the film. “The Artist” gave me goosebumps within the first five minutes.
Amazing film. One I expect to do well in the awards shows.
Letterboxd
I’ve recently created an account at Letterboxd, a site where you can rate and review films. I only had 3 beta invites which are all used up, but of the few people who look at this, if you’re interested in an invite the next time they come up, shoot me an email or DM me via Twitter.
December 2011
2 posts
Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows
Entertaining, but I’m not sure I liked it as much as the first film. It’s great to see the new characters and the chess-like game of matching wits between Sherlock and Professor Moriarty.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
If you like action films, you should see this. Awesome. Even if you didn’t like the other MI films.
September 2011
1 post
Contagion
While not quite as scary as I thought it might be, Contagion definitely has you leaving the theater a bit more wary. Someone coughing on popcorn during the film had me holding my breath for a bit.
The film follows a handful of people during an epidemic. There’s the husband who’s wife mysteriously dies, the blogger/conspiracy “reporter”, and a few people from the Center for...
August 2011
3 posts
Conan the Barbarian (2011)
There were a lot of things I liked about this film. Some I didn’t.
I thought the actors were all good, especially Jason Momoa as Conan. Visually, everything looked as if was leaping right out of the books. They even got the feel of it right. Particularly the sand-men battle.
As for the stuff that didn’t work, there are a few really bad continuity issues that jerk you out of the movie...
30 Minutes or Less
Thought it was pretty good. Not something to stick with you, but worth a watch.
Attack the Block
Thought this was a really fun flick. Not a ton of story, but some decent characters and a bit of tense action.
June 2011
1 post
Super 8
Really, really, good film. I wish more movies nowadays were as good. Not the best movie ever. Just a good, solid, enjoyable film. Where you care enough about the characters to have some empathy for them so you feel the impact of what they’ve gone through.
I’ve heard Super 8 compared to the 80’s Speilberg movies like The Goonies and that’s an apt comparison due to the main...
May 2011
3 posts
Fast Five
The acting in this, particularly from The Rock, is exceptionally bad (yes, even compared to the other films) but I did have a really fun time watching Fast Five, which dazzles you with one impossible stunt after another.
THOR
I’d say THOR is on par with either Iron Man movie and better than the 2nd Hulk movie that came out. If you go, wait for the scene after the credits roll.
Water for Elephants
Okay film. Best part was the audience cheering when the bad guy got what was coming to him. Not often I hear that kind of reaction from an audience when a film’s already been out over a week already.
April 2011
3 posts
Super
When Frank loses his wife to a drug dealer something snaps. After what he feels is divine intervention, he dons the costume of crime fighter Crimson Bolt. At night, he waits behind dumpsters with his chosen weapon, a monkey wrench, to enforce his own brand of justice. All just practice to free his wife. Along the way he gains a sidekick who seems just a little too eager to dish out violence. They...
Hanna
Really great film. I haven’t seen too many this year, but right now the best one I’ve seen so far.
Sucker Punch
Aptly named as that’s what I felt director Zack Snyder did to me. Everything’s really pretty to look at, but proves that there’s more to a good movie. It’s better to describe this movie as a few hours of music videos.
March 2011
1 post
Battle: Los Angeles
The start of this film had me rolling my eyes at the acting and setup of the characters. Typical setup. Once things start blowing up, it does kick into gear though and the action in it was quite good. So if you’re there for action and things blowing up, then this is for you.
There were about 20 Army personnel in camo in attendance at my showing. Didn’t ask, but was curious how they...
February 2011
1 post
2011 Oscar Race
I have not seen all 10 of the nominated films, but have seen half of them: The Fighter, The King’s Speech, Inception, Toy Story 3 and True Grit.
Of those, I believe both The Fighter and The King’s Speech have the potential to win and if I were to bet, I’d bet on The King’s Speech.
I liked the other films, but I really doubt the Academy would vote for an animated film....
December 2010
3 posts
Tron: Legacy
If you liked the original Tron you’ll probably enjoy this one. Visually stunning. And an awesome soundtrack by Daft Punk. Story-wise, don’t expect much. It felt like a bit of film may have been left on the cutting room floor. At least I hope so. Tron, the character was secondary at best.
The Warrior's Way
A western/ninja movie. Loads of pretty imagery and CG blood surround the characters in this simple film. It was fun.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Awesome, but Part 1 is definitely representative of this film. It feels like the first half of a single movie. If you’ve enjoyed the Harry Potter films thus far, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. Being Part 1, though, a number of people in the audience with me groaned at the end as it does end abruptly and in the middle of the story.
November 2010
1 post
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
Liked it, but it’s really the second half of The Girl Who Played with Fire. The two films really play like a single, long movie.
Having seen all three, I could have lived with there just being the first one, but did enjoy spending more time with the characters with the second and third films.
October 2010
2 posts
RED
Being a Warren Ellis fan, I had read the comic book series of the same name a while back and enjoyed it. It only dealt with a single character, so I knew the film had to dive off into its own territory.
RED, the film, was really good. Not going to win any awards, but a really fun flick. As I’ve seen in other reviews, John Malkovich really does steal the show. Highly recommended.
The Man from Nowhere
One of the reasons I love foreign films so much is that they are so much better than the majority of the mindless drivel coming out of Hollywood. That’s not to say there isn’t as much in the foreign market, I’m sure there are a ton of films out there that are just plain awful that I never find out about.
So maybe the social filter of the internet only allows the better foreign...
July 2010
6 posts
1 tag
Inception
I can’t recall a movie ever really crawling into my head in quite the way Inception did. Even now, about 12 hours after seeing it my brain is still processing what it was I really saw. In the end, though, the real inception was performed on the audience.
Was it good? Yes, definitely. Would be surprised if it did not end up nominated best picture at the next Oscars.
1 tag
Despicable Me
Better than I was expecting, but if you were going to decide between this or Toy Story 3, I’d have to say you need to see Toy Story 3.
1 tag
Predators
While enjoyable to watch and definitely much better than the Alien vs. Predator films, it’s still something that quickly leaves you after departing from the theater. For the most part, it’s stuff you’ve seen before, assuming you’re a fan, although it does have a number of decent one-liners.
1 tag
The Girl Who Played With Fire
Having seen The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo not to long ago, this film starts about a year after that one and when it started I remembered really liking the characters and wanting to spend more time with them. And after this film, I still want to see more of them and I guess we’ll get one more movie when The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest eventually comes out.
This film moved a lot...
1 tag
Micmacs
I’ve been a big Jean-Pierre Jeunet fan ever since seeing Delicatessen when it first came out. Sure he’s had some that weren’t all that great, but there are few directors with the visual style that he has.
Micmacs wasn’t his best, but it was enjoyable. Loved the characters and the Buster Keaton style humor.
1 tag
Toy Story 3
Awesome. Pixar really can do no wrong. Not sure how they can hit one out of the park each time but so many others can’t seem to figure it out.
June 2010
1 post
Splice
Not really a horror movie in the sense of being a monster. To me, the monsters are really the scientists who created Dren, the spliced-together animal/human hybrid.
That said, Splice is a decent movie. Nothing to rush out to the theater to see, but a good catch on DVD.
May 2010
1 post
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Really enjoyed this film, in particular the main characters. Although the running time is about two and a half hours I wanted to spend some more time with them. Looking forward to the next two films in the series, whenever they come out; The Girl Who Played With Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest.
April 2010
2 posts
How to Train Your Dragon
Really enjoyed this film quite a bit. Still not on par with most of Pixar’s stuff, but definitely better than most of the animated films that have come out of Dreamworks.
Didn’t see it in 3-D and don’t feel I really missed out on anything as a result.
Clash of the Titans (2010)
Growing up, I was a huge fan of just about any film involving Ray Harryhausen. The Sinbad films and Jason and the Argonauts had a magical feeling to them from beginning to end. While the creatures were cool, the story and characters were what’s made those films remain good today.
While the original Clash of the Titans wasn’t necessarily one of Harryhausen’s better films, I may...
March 2010
1 post
Alice in Wonderland
As with a lot of Tim Burton films, Alice in Wonderland looks incredible but overall, it just feels a bit flat.
January 2010
1 post
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
The latest film from Terry Gilliam is likely best described as a “Terry Gilliam” movie. Having seen it, I can’t say I liked it, or hated it. The film is definitely at its best when people are inside the Imaginarium. Unfortunantely, a large part of the film occurs outside of it.
You definitely feel the weight of Heath Ledger’s death throughout the entirety of the movie....
December 2009
2 posts
Sherlock Holmes
Pretty good flick. Lot of fun and I can’t wait for the next one. Actually made me want to pick up one of the books.
Avatar
I’ve described movies like a rollercoaster ride before, but I think that describes Avatar a lot more literally than those other films.
You know it will be exciting, but you see exactly where you’re going. The plot is broadcast well in advance and quite blatantly. But the ride is indeed thrilling. You may want to ride a few more times, but when you’re done, you’re off to...
November 2009
4 posts
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Probably more for the adults than the kids. Had a lot of fun with it, but if the trailer doesn’t crack you up, then I doubt the film will. I really enjoyed it.
Ninja Assassin
Really fun, gory throwback to those B-movie action films of the 80’s. If you liked those, you’ll like this. Go in expecting fake blood, severed limbs, average to bad acting, little plot and loads of action.
Men Who Stare at Goats
Although the trailer sold a much better film, I did enjoy it but felt it fell flat at the end.
Paranormal Activity
I’m thinking this one would have come off a little better if I had seen it in a festival enthused crowd who had never even heard of this film before. The build-up from those who have seen it, plus the trailer/commercials giving away the film kind of blew it.
October 2009
3 posts
New York, I Love You
This is in reference to the film I just saw called New York, I Love You and while I do think that NYC is a really awesome place, the film is a collage of love stories set in the Big Apple.
Really well done and some of them definitely involve situations you would not likely find any where but there. It’s been about four years since I’ve been and used to go quite often when I lived in...
Whip It
A really enjoyable film. Makes me want to see a roller derby now.
Pandorum
While the atmosphere and visuals are great, it feels like I’ve seen this story a few times before. Event Horizon is the primary one that comes to mind, but I really didn’t like that film too much. So you can say I like Pandorum better, but it’s still only an “okay” film.
September 2009
2 posts
Extract
Mike Judge’s prior films Office Space and Idiocracy I found funny on initial viewing and repeat viewings make them even better. While I’ve only seen Extract once now, it was a good film, but I don’t think it’s bound for the same cult following his other films have found.
(500) Days of Summer
It was an okay film. It starts out by telling you it’s not a love story and the narrator does not lie. One of those you’ll forget you watched after a few days.
August 2009
7 posts
Thirst
This is my least favorite Chan-wook Park film. That said, all his films are a level above most so I can’t say it’s a bad film. It just felt like it wanted more impact than it delivered. Unlike his other films though, I didn’t get the emotional attachment with the main character I felt with Park’s other films.
I can’t say part of my reaction was not influenced by the...
The Hurt Locker
This film had me on the edge of my seat a few times. Very good. And the Oscar buzz around Jeremy Renner’s performance seems justified.
Inglorious Basterds
I think I had the same reaction that Harry over at Aint It Cool News had. It was a good movie, but not THE war movie I really wanted from Tarantino. As for WWII flicks, Where Eagle’s Dare remains my all-time fave.