Monday, May 18, 2009
State of Play (Bob says 1 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
Who doesn't like a good whodunit mystery? A film like this has the power to draw you in as you attempt to solve the crime before the main characters do (or at least at the same time). I'll fess up and admit I watched quite a few Murder She Wrote episodes when that show was on television. But I was always frustrated because Jessica Fletcher always seemed to put pieces together that I could never pick up on the first viewing. This film has a great twist ending that is neither too difficult to figure out nor so easy that Elmer Fudd could tell you the answer.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
It wouldn't be painful to see this film again, but now that the mystery is solved, the surprises are gone. Russell Crowe is good in this movie, but I would probably watch The Insider or A Beautiful Mind before this film. For those films, surprises aren't necessary for the viewer to want a second helping.
Who doesn't like a good whodunit mystery? A film like this has the power to draw you in as you attempt to solve the crime before the main characters do (or at least at the same time). I'll fess up and admit I watched quite a few Murder She Wrote episodes when that show was on television. But I was always frustrated because Jessica Fletcher always seemed to put pieces together that I could never pick up on the first viewing. This film has a great twist ending that is neither too difficult to figure out nor so easy that Elmer Fudd could tell you the answer.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
It wouldn't be painful to see this film again, but now that the mystery is solved, the surprises are gone. Russell Crowe is good in this movie, but I would probably watch The Insider or A Beautiful Mind before this film. For those films, surprises aren't necessary for the viewer to want a second helping.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Star Trek (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
I was very skeptical whether or not I would like this film. And to be honest, I did not love it as some other Trekkies I saw it with did. But I did like it enough to recommend it. The film looks great and you can tell that the director did not half-ass any of this creation. It was a thrill to see Leonard Nimoy as Spock again, and he has the best performance in the movie. The question is, is the "reboot" idea of Star Trek the best direction for the franchise to take? I would still like to see another film with the Next Generation crew or perhaps one with the characters from Deep Space Nine. But, this film does fairly well with the task it was given, to tell an alternate universe story of how the Original Series crew got together.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
I own all the Star Trek films, and will be adding this to that collection. Having said that, would I watch it again if this was not the case? Yes, I believe I would. This film makes a huge impact on the franchise's direction, so it is guaranteed multiple viewings by anyone who cares about Trek or likes this film.
I was very skeptical whether or not I would like this film. And to be honest, I did not love it as some other Trekkies I saw it with did. But I did like it enough to recommend it. The film looks great and you can tell that the director did not half-ass any of this creation. It was a thrill to see Leonard Nimoy as Spock again, and he has the best performance in the movie. The question is, is the "reboot" idea of Star Trek the best direction for the franchise to take? I would still like to see another film with the Next Generation crew or perhaps one with the characters from Deep Space Nine. But, this film does fairly well with the task it was given, to tell an alternate universe story of how the Original Series crew got together.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
I own all the Star Trek films, and will be adding this to that collection. Having said that, would I watch it again if this was not the case? Yes, I believe I would. This film makes a huge impact on the franchise's direction, so it is guaranteed multiple viewings by anyone who cares about Trek or likes this film.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Taken (Jason says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy the film? YESThe poster for Taken always catches my eye. It is a great piece of graphic design. A dark background with the brooding profile of Liam Neesom sinking into the black space space, illuminated with sharp-edged lettering in a sparse minimal palette. I love it.
"I don't know who you are, but if you don't let my daughter go, I will find you. I will kill you."
And with 22 simple grey tone words the entire movie is laid out for you. Listen, that is everything that occurs in this movie. His daughter is kidnaped. He finds the kidnappers. He kills the kidnappers. It is great. Sure it sounds stupid or simplistic when I say it like that but that is where the filmmakers make a difference. The violence and action is real. No wires, no CGI. That is what I loved about it. With that simplicity the Pierre Morel has crafted something great.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
Who wouldn't want to watch Liam Neesom kick ass. This is the bad ass Jedi that should of been in Phantom Menace.
The Uninvited (Bob says 1 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
I love scary films and whodunit films, and this movie does a fairly good job at both. I thought the sisters were too hard on their father's girlfriend long before they suspected her of foul play, but their reactions are explained at the end of the film. In fact, I was unable to predict the plot twist at the end, though I tried to guess the entire movie.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
The mystery is now solved. Once that novelty is gone, my attention would lag a second time around. Some stories can hold you a second time even though you know what is coming, such as What Lies Beneath. This one, however, may not quite do that. But I could do a lot worse.
I love scary films and whodunit films, and this movie does a fairly good job at both. I thought the sisters were too hard on their father's girlfriend long before they suspected her of foul play, but their reactions are explained at the end of the film. In fact, I was unable to predict the plot twist at the end, though I tried to guess the entire movie.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
The mystery is now solved. Once that novelty is gone, my attention would lag a second time around. Some stories can hold you a second time even though you know what is coming, such as What Lies Beneath. This one, however, may not quite do that. But I could do a lot worse.
Taken (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
Mr. Neeson has never kicked so much ass in a movie. If I had a daughter who was kidnapped and I had the skills and training that Mills has, I might act in a similar way. Mills' actions are not executed out of reason. He leaves far too great a body count for that. What he does have is a blood fever so focused on rescuing his daughter that he will take down and punish anyone who stands in his way. This movie chugs an entire can of Red Bull and doesn't look back.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
Of course, the second time around, one might begin to analyze and find the flaws in the details of the film. But only watching it every so often might keep it fresh and help us stay in the moment rather than dwell on it.
Mr. Neeson has never kicked so much ass in a movie. If I had a daughter who was kidnapped and I had the skills and training that Mills has, I might act in a similar way. Mills' actions are not executed out of reason. He leaves far too great a body count for that. What he does have is a blood fever so focused on rescuing his daughter that he will take down and punish anyone who stands in his way. This movie chugs an entire can of Red Bull and doesn't look back.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
Of course, the second time around, one might begin to analyze and find the flaws in the details of the film. But only watching it every so often might keep it fresh and help us stay in the moment rather than dwell on it.
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