1. Did I enjoy it? NO
Believe it or not, I liked almost the entire film, and this came very close to receiving 2/2. What turned me off was the final dramatic revelation in the film, which has a meaning that is open to interpretation. The film is about a Mennonite community in the northern part of Mexico. Johan, a husband and father of two kids, is deeply troubled. He has fallen in love with another woman, but still cares very much about his family. He agonizes with friends, his father and ultimately to God over what to do about his situation, whether to choose Esther, his wife, or Marianne, his lover. Johan has told Esther about the affair from the beginning, and she is crushed and paralyzed to do anything about it. The final third of the film I won't reveal, you must watch it yourself and decide whether you're okay with the climax. I was not, particularly because there is no explanation given and I wanted to see Johan's reaction to the event.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
I would watch it again if someone wanted to watch the film with me and discuss it. The acting is first rate and there's great cinematography. I really wanted to praise this film from start to finish, but I just can't. Sometimes films are ruined by trying too hard to tie up loose ends, but this one warranted at least a few items to come together.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen (Jason vehemently says 0 out 2)
1. Did I enjoy this movie? NO!!!
So your telling me no Autobot or Decepticon ever thought "Hey, why don't we use this star-eater on any of the other billion stars in the f@#$ing universe." WHAT!?!
2. Would I watch it again? NO!
Land Of The Lost (Jason kindly says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES!A bad movie that constantly caught me off guard with its imagination, creativity, and humor.
To be honest, this movie did horrible critically and financially. Many called it a failure and I can see why after having watched it. But to me the only failure was the filmmakers failing to decide what kind of movie they wanted to make. Was this movie suppose to be a farce for Gen Xers of a television show that failed to realize how ridiculous it was. Or was this suppose to be a solid action adventure for the preteen crowd. A shame because that catapult the carnotaur was amazing pacing and execution. Wait...was that a pun?
2. Would I watch it again? YES!
I love dinosaurs. I love kids who ask if dinosaurs have boobies. This movie is win-win for me.
Aliens In The Attic (Jason reminisingly says 1 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? Yes! For some reason when I went to see this movie with Suzanne, I said to her something peculiar. "I have a feeling this is another Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead, and if it is we're in for a good time." It was, and we did. There were a few things in Aliens In The Attic that caught my attention. First was how the twins hand cramped up from working the controller during the grandmother-boyfriend battle. My friends would always laugh when we played Marvel vs. Capcom because my hands would cramp up to the point I would drop the controller and get my but kicked. Next, I felt bad for the grandma. You know the parents were thinking she was going senile with all the confusion and blacking out. Lastly, this is the second movie I've seen this year that borrows from Dude, Where's My Car. The Hangover uses the "so high don't remember last night and now must retrace steps" while Aliens In The Attic borrows the "aliens become giant aliens".
2. Would I watch it again? NO!
I was perfectly content with the movie until I saw Kevein Nealon, Tim Meadows, and Andy Richter together. If only those three were the ones who had to stop the aliens. Now that would be hilarious.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Hurt Locker (Bob says 1 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
It seems that I've been watching a lot of heavy movies lately. Perhaps it's making up for the lighter fair and escapist action movies that were coming out earlier this year. When I say I enjoyed this film, it does not mean I had a smile on my face and felt wonderful butterflies after it was finished. The Hurt Locker is a tough film, but very well made as it depicts several characters' experiences serving together as an American bomb squad unit in Iraq. While it's a little too slow-paced for my taste, there are nevertheless some great moments of tension in the movie that had me metaphorically biting my nails waiting to see what would happen next. Jeremy Renner does a fine job as Sgt. William James, a man who is willing to take a few more risks on his missions than his comrades are comfortable with. But his job in Iraq is what he's devoted his life to, and he's great at it. Plenty of familiar faces in this war thriller, including Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes and David Morse.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
Not a film I would watch repeatedly, but a good film nonetheless. This movie did not get much publicity, but watch for possible Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for Renner's work in this film. Definitely worth a look if you haven't seen this one.
It seems that I've been watching a lot of heavy movies lately. Perhaps it's making up for the lighter fair and escapist action movies that were coming out earlier this year. When I say I enjoyed this film, it does not mean I had a smile on my face and felt wonderful butterflies after it was finished. The Hurt Locker is a tough film, but very well made as it depicts several characters' experiences serving together as an American bomb squad unit in Iraq. While it's a little too slow-paced for my taste, there are nevertheless some great moments of tension in the movie that had me metaphorically biting my nails waiting to see what would happen next. Jeremy Renner does a fine job as Sgt. William James, a man who is willing to take a few more risks on his missions than his comrades are comfortable with. But his job in Iraq is what he's devoted his life to, and he's great at it. Plenty of familiar faces in this war thriller, including Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes and David Morse.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
Not a film I would watch repeatedly, but a good film nonetheless. This movie did not get much publicity, but watch for possible Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for Renner's work in this film. Definitely worth a look if you haven't seen this one.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Crossing Over (Bob says 1 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy the film? YES
This film was actually made in 2007, but didn't get a limited release in theaters until earlier this year. Harrison Ford leads an all-star cast about various stories dealing with immigrants in the United States. Some are legal, some are illegal. Ford plays Max Brogan, an immigration officer who, along with the rest of his team, breaks into a warehouse with plenty of illegals. Brogan feels compassion, however, for a Mexican woman who will now be separated from her young son after being deported. Brogan finds her son and tries desperately to locate her. That's just one plotline. There's another story about an illegal Australian immigrant who will do anything for a green card approval supervisor to let her stay in the country. Another story involves a student who reads a paper in her class stating that she understands how the 9/11 hijackers must have felt. The school wrongly assumes she agrees with the hijackers' actions, and soon her own family is in danger of being deported. There are more stories than just these three. All of them are compelling and well acted. The problem is the film tries to tell too many for one film. Crash and Magnolia both did a good job weaving multiple characters' stories into one movie, but this one spreads it just a little too thin. Nevertheless, the movie is not boring and done as best as it can given its flaw.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
If this film was split in two, with half the stories told in part one, the other half in part two, this would be a 2 point review. But it's still a good film, and great to watch along with Sin Nombre.
This film was actually made in 2007, but didn't get a limited release in theaters until earlier this year. Harrison Ford leads an all-star cast about various stories dealing with immigrants in the United States. Some are legal, some are illegal. Ford plays Max Brogan, an immigration officer who, along with the rest of his team, breaks into a warehouse with plenty of illegals. Brogan feels compassion, however, for a Mexican woman who will now be separated from her young son after being deported. Brogan finds her son and tries desperately to locate her. That's just one plotline. There's another story about an illegal Australian immigrant who will do anything for a green card approval supervisor to let her stay in the country. Another story involves a student who reads a paper in her class stating that she understands how the 9/11 hijackers must have felt. The school wrongly assumes she agrees with the hijackers' actions, and soon her own family is in danger of being deported. There are more stories than just these three. All of them are compelling and well acted. The problem is the film tries to tell too many for one film. Crash and Magnolia both did a good job weaving multiple characters' stories into one movie, but this one spreads it just a little too thin. Nevertheless, the movie is not boring and done as best as it can given its flaw.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
If this film was split in two, with half the stories told in part one, the other half in part two, this would be a 2 point review. But it's still a good film, and great to watch along with Sin Nombre.
Sin Nombre (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
The next two films I write about both deal with immigrants, this one about the dangerous journey to cross the border (illegally) and the second about the hardships immigrants face once they get inside the United States. Both films are worth your time, but this one is the best. Sin Nombre deals with two stories, one about Willy aka El Casper, a teenager running away from his gang after avenging the death of his girlfriend. Only problem is the person he killed was the gang leader, so he decides to stow away on a train that his leader originally intended to rob. The other story is about a family determined to cross the border with hundreds of other illegal immigrants on the top of a train. This is the same train Willy and his gang attempt to hijack. This is an excellent film, though not a feel good movie. It was especially difficult to watch the violence the two leading girls in the film experience, although I think a main point of the film besides the immigration aspect is the great danger of the gang culture. And this is a nasty gang. To enter, you have to kill a member of the rival gang. Casper's young friend, El Smiley, has to do just such a thing. Gangs seem to take the place of a family for those who don't have one or do not like their own. Smiley is uneasy about killing at first, but the young kid gets used to it quickly because he wants to belong.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
Someone in this film does make it to the United States. It is heartbreaking when we discover the main characters who don't. I've never put too much thought into the immigration issue, although even after seeing this film, I still think immigrants need to enter this country through legal means. But that does not take away from the great sacrifices so many people experience trying to get to the land of opportunity.
The next two films I write about both deal with immigrants, this one about the dangerous journey to cross the border (illegally) and the second about the hardships immigrants face once they get inside the United States. Both films are worth your time, but this one is the best. Sin Nombre deals with two stories, one about Willy aka El Casper, a teenager running away from his gang after avenging the death of his girlfriend. Only problem is the person he killed was the gang leader, so he decides to stow away on a train that his leader originally intended to rob. The other story is about a family determined to cross the border with hundreds of other illegal immigrants on the top of a train. This is the same train Willy and his gang attempt to hijack. This is an excellent film, though not a feel good movie. It was especially difficult to watch the violence the two leading girls in the film experience, although I think a main point of the film besides the immigration aspect is the great danger of the gang culture. And this is a nasty gang. To enter, you have to kill a member of the rival gang. Casper's young friend, El Smiley, has to do just such a thing. Gangs seem to take the place of a family for those who don't have one or do not like their own. Smiley is uneasy about killing at first, but the young kid gets used to it quickly because he wants to belong.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
Someone in this film does make it to the United States. It is heartbreaking when we discover the main characters who don't. I've never put too much thought into the immigration issue, although even after seeing this film, I still think immigrants need to enter this country through legal means. But that does not take away from the great sacrifices so many people experience trying to get to the land of opportunity.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Sita Sings The Blues (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
What an original film this is! Put together mostly by one woman on her computer, the film tells two parallel stories. The first is a retelling of the Indian epic tale The Ramayana, about a Hindu goddess who accompanies her husband Lord Rama on fourteen year exile in the forest. Rama treats her very poorly, more concerned about his image than his own wife. When the exile is finished, Rama takes his place at the throne but kicks her out for reasons we learn are again more about appearances than anything his devoted wife has really done. Throughout this story, Sita sings some great jazz numbers, which are actually from 1920's artist Annette Hanshaw. The songs fit so well to the plot, which I have always said is how songs should be used in musicals and film in general. The second story is a modern day story of a woman living in California with her boyfriend. The boyfriend gets a six month position working in India, and when he is offered to stay longer, his girlfriend moves there with him. However, he has grown tired of this relationship, and when she gets a brief job in New York, he tells her not to come back. Depressed, she finds a book called the Ramayana, and begins writing the tale we have just seen about Sita. What I found so cool is the modern tale is the actual story of what happened to the writer and director of this movie. Who knew that a breakup could produce such great rewards as this movie? Sita Sings The Blues is very colorful and imaginitive in its animation, as simple as the movements for many of the characters appear. This is turning out to be a great year for animated films, Sita being right up there with great films such as Up.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
This movie unfortunately did not make it to mainstream theaters due to legal issues involving the music, but it found an audience online and was given a lot of attention at Ebertfest this past April. Along with Julia, Sita Sings the Blues is a film that passed under the radar of most viewers but is well worth your time.
What an original film this is! Put together mostly by one woman on her computer, the film tells two parallel stories. The first is a retelling of the Indian epic tale The Ramayana, about a Hindu goddess who accompanies her husband Lord Rama on fourteen year exile in the forest. Rama treats her very poorly, more concerned about his image than his own wife. When the exile is finished, Rama takes his place at the throne but kicks her out for reasons we learn are again more about appearances than anything his devoted wife has really done. Throughout this story, Sita sings some great jazz numbers, which are actually from 1920's artist Annette Hanshaw. The songs fit so well to the plot, which I have always said is how songs should be used in musicals and film in general. The second story is a modern day story of a woman living in California with her boyfriend. The boyfriend gets a six month position working in India, and when he is offered to stay longer, his girlfriend moves there with him. However, he has grown tired of this relationship, and when she gets a brief job in New York, he tells her not to come back. Depressed, she finds a book called the Ramayana, and begins writing the tale we have just seen about Sita. What I found so cool is the modern tale is the actual story of what happened to the writer and director of this movie. Who knew that a breakup could produce such great rewards as this movie? Sita Sings The Blues is very colorful and imaginitive in its animation, as simple as the movements for many of the characters appear. This is turning out to be a great year for animated films, Sita being right up there with great films such as Up.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
This movie unfortunately did not make it to mainstream theaters due to legal issues involving the music, but it found an audience online and was given a lot of attention at Ebertfest this past April. Along with Julia, Sita Sings the Blues is a film that passed under the radar of most viewers but is well worth your time.
Goodbye Solo (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
I've only seen one bad "Taxi movie", appropriately titled Taxi starring Queen Latifah. Other than that, my luck has been pretty good. In Goodbye Solo, a taxi driver named Solo, with ambitions to be a pilot someday, picks up William, an older man who offers to pay him if he will take him to Blowing Rock. Since Blowing Rock has a peak with updrafts that cause objects dropped from it to fly upwards, Solo is genuinely concerned that William only wants one way transportation to the location and seems quite depressed. Throughout the film, Solo does his best to develop a relationship with this man and help him see the joys of life. But William seems determined to go to this peak, regardless of his fondness for Solo and his daughter. I really admire characters like Solo who try to reach out to someone, not by lecturing them on the bad choice he's about to make, but by simply befriending the man and showing him the joys of relationships that life has to offer.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
I have to admit I wanted a traditional Hollywood ending to this film, but it seems the writer and director are telling us that the central part of this movie is the unlikely bond these two men develop, not the outcome of the very compelling plot. And because that aspect is done so well, I commend it and encourage viewers who did not see this film in theaters to rent it at the first opportunity.
I've only seen one bad "Taxi movie", appropriately titled Taxi starring Queen Latifah. Other than that, my luck has been pretty good. In Goodbye Solo, a taxi driver named Solo, with ambitions to be a pilot someday, picks up William, an older man who offers to pay him if he will take him to Blowing Rock. Since Blowing Rock has a peak with updrafts that cause objects dropped from it to fly upwards, Solo is genuinely concerned that William only wants one way transportation to the location and seems quite depressed. Throughout the film, Solo does his best to develop a relationship with this man and help him see the joys of life. But William seems determined to go to this peak, regardless of his fondness for Solo and his daughter. I really admire characters like Solo who try to reach out to someone, not by lecturing them on the bad choice he's about to make, but by simply befriending the man and showing him the joys of relationships that life has to offer.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
I have to admit I wanted a traditional Hollywood ending to this film, but it seems the writer and director are telling us that the central part of this movie is the unlikely bond these two men develop, not the outcome of the very compelling plot. And because that aspect is done so well, I commend it and encourage viewers who did not see this film in theaters to rent it at the first opportunity.
Julia (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
Here's a movie you may not have heard of. It's called Julia, and only got a limited release in theaters this past May. Tilda Swinton stars as a middle aged alcoholic still enjoying the late night party life. Despite being fired from her job, Julia only goes to few AA meetings at the insistence of her friend Mitch. Then one day she runs into a Mexican woman at a meeting who asks for a very unorthodox favor. If Julia will help kidnap her son from the boy's grandfather, Julia will get a large cash reward. Julia eventually agrees, but she's got a plan of her own. Swinton has never played a role like this and does a great job playing all the various emotions her character goes through during the film. There's also plenty of suspense, drama and some black comedy thrown in for good measure.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
What a shame this movie never got a wider release. It would have been well deserved. If you're a fan of Swinton or just want to see a unique movie that never has a dull moment, put this one on your Netflix or rent it at your local video store.
Here's a movie you may not have heard of. It's called Julia, and only got a limited release in theaters this past May. Tilda Swinton stars as a middle aged alcoholic still enjoying the late night party life. Despite being fired from her job, Julia only goes to few AA meetings at the insistence of her friend Mitch. Then one day she runs into a Mexican woman at a meeting who asks for a very unorthodox favor. If Julia will help kidnap her son from the boy's grandfather, Julia will get a large cash reward. Julia eventually agrees, but she's got a plan of her own. Swinton has never played a role like this and does a great job playing all the various emotions her character goes through during the film. There's also plenty of suspense, drama and some black comedy thrown in for good measure.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
What a shame this movie never got a wider release. It would have been well deserved. If you're a fan of Swinton or just want to see a unique movie that never has a dull moment, put this one on your Netflix or rent it at your local video store.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tyson (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy this film? YES
"If he wasn't here, I probably wouldn't be alive today. The fact that he's doing so well gives me the motivation to stay alive." That's a line right out of Rocky V that Rocky Balboa's manager, Mickey Goldmill, says to him in a flashback sequence. What I didn't know was that most of that speech was not written by Sylvester Stallone at all, but from an interview by Cus D'Amato, Mike Tyson's trainer, mentor and father figure. Tyson gives a lot of credit to D'Amato for his success, taking a young kid going down the wrong path and teaching him to respect himself and learn the art of boxing. When I was a kid, I had a favorite player for every sport: Andre Dawson for baseball, William "The Refrigerator" Perry for football, Michael Jordan for basketball and Mike Tyson for boxing. The man showed an intensity and a fearless attitude that made me admire him greatly. After D'Amato's death, however, it seems that Tyson was never the same. Although he did gain the heavyweight championship of the world, Tyson freely admits he became sexually promiscuous (hurting both of his marriages) and very fearful of everyone around him. Then came the rape charges, which he spent several years in prison for. The life and career of Mike Tyson is nothing short of one of the greatest tragedies in the modern sports world. By 2005, Tyson's final fight, it's clear that his fire and love for boxing is gone. What's so compelling is how honest Tyson is about his mistakes and how emotional he becomes when talking about D'Amato. What will become of Tyson's future? Even the man himself isn't sure what direction he's headed. Maybe watching a few Rocky movies is just the therapy he needs.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
This film is compelling from start to finish. I actually felt sorry for Tyson watching this movie and hope there will be a Tyson II in another ten years that shows how he turned his life around for the better.
"If he wasn't here, I probably wouldn't be alive today. The fact that he's doing so well gives me the motivation to stay alive." That's a line right out of Rocky V that Rocky Balboa's manager, Mickey Goldmill, says to him in a flashback sequence. What I didn't know was that most of that speech was not written by Sylvester Stallone at all, but from an interview by Cus D'Amato, Mike Tyson's trainer, mentor and father figure. Tyson gives a lot of credit to D'Amato for his success, taking a young kid going down the wrong path and teaching him to respect himself and learn the art of boxing. When I was a kid, I had a favorite player for every sport: Andre Dawson for baseball, William "The Refrigerator" Perry for football, Michael Jordan for basketball and Mike Tyson for boxing. The man showed an intensity and a fearless attitude that made me admire him greatly. After D'Amato's death, however, it seems that Tyson was never the same. Although he did gain the heavyweight championship of the world, Tyson freely admits he became sexually promiscuous (hurting both of his marriages) and very fearful of everyone around him. Then came the rape charges, which he spent several years in prison for. The life and career of Mike Tyson is nothing short of one of the greatest tragedies in the modern sports world. By 2005, Tyson's final fight, it's clear that his fire and love for boxing is gone. What's so compelling is how honest Tyson is about his mistakes and how emotional he becomes when talking about D'Amato. What will become of Tyson's future? Even the man himself isn't sure what direction he's headed. Maybe watching a few Rocky movies is just the therapy he needs.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
This film is compelling from start to finish. I actually felt sorry for Tyson watching this movie and hope there will be a Tyson II in another ten years that shows how he turned his life around for the better.
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