Reviews & Ratings

[One-Way]

Re: Reviews & Ratings

Ara, I don't know if you read my review/thoughts on Nine, but I discussed this film and tried to figure out just why I enjoyed the film whereas so many others disliked it. It mainly had to do with Federico Fellini's 8½, but others pointed out that it was its lack of character development and story strucutre.

It's intersting because you directly spoke about the characters, and how they don't seem to fit together because they all seem like they're about separate worlds. While I don't agree with everything you said, you brought up some good points.

I don't agree with your thoughts on Kate Hudson's character. I don't feel like she was completely unnecessary. I felt like her presence benefited Guido's character because, for once, he truly feels himself sinning. His Catholic guilt is confronted when he goes to her hotel room, but he finds it within him to leave as he returns to his wife. While the film lacks much of the overall guilt and atonement Guido feels, his situation with Hudson's character added onto its significance.

[One-Way]

Re: Reviews & Ratings

Singin' in the Rain

I saw Singin' in the Rain for the first time on August 25, in my second day of film school. I hadn't seen the film before and was blown away by its beauty, especially because it was screened in 35mm. When I realize the Egyptian Theatre was going to screen it the day after Christmas, I knew I had to take my girlfriend.

The film was just as wonderful the second time around. It truly is the greatest musical ever made, primarily because everything feels so well-balanced with the film. The film has meaning; it's a time when the industry is transitioning into sound films, and the way the story plays out within the film is what makes it so great. The self-reflexivity in the film is ahead of its time, particularly in the scenes involving The Dueling Cavalier.

The performances make this film what is, featuring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor. I can't seem to pick a favorite song from the film because they're all so wonderful. O'Connor plays a slapstick clown in his song and dance of "Make 'Em Laugh", "Moses Supposes" is utterly brilliant, "Good Mornin'" is beautifully chereographed and sung, and "Singin' in the Rain" is a classic. I've always felt like bad musicals make you realize you're sitting and watching a film that goes back and forth from its dialogue to song and dance, but Singin' in the Rain feels amazingly natural.

An American in Paris

Singin' in the Rain was accompanied by An American in Paris. I hadn't seen the film but who could say no to another musical by Gene Kelly? Unfortunately, the film isn't as good and suffers from several misfortunes.

Gene Kelly is just as enthusiastic and charming in this film. Oscar Levant is a genius in the film, playing Kelly's friend, who steals the entire film. The problem, however, comes from Leslie Caron, who was cast in her first film here, and gives a rather uninspired performance. In many scenes, she is incapable of giving us any emotion. The film, therefore, feels awkward as she acts alongside the very upbeat Gene Kelly, who carries her throughout most of the scenes. Nina Foch is charming and seductive as Milo, and her relationship with Kelly feels much more natural.

The film also lacks the structure that Singin' in the Rain had. It feels like a musical, and many of the musical numbers feel placed into the film with no reason or significance. They're not as enjoyable as Singin' in the Rain, although there are several intimate moments within the numbers that give them some value.

I also enjoyed the look of the film. Its long takes and use of framing were very European and it was quite enjoyable to watch an American film that wasn't plagued with constant close-ups of the stars. The ending of the film consists of a brilliant ballet, with roughly 20 minutes of no dialgoue from the actors. The way the film ends, however, is rather cliché and feels very, very, very Hollywood. I almost thought it was a joke, but it's the Golden Age of Hollywood and this is what makes us "feel good."

[MrHyeSev]

Re: Reviews & Ratings

Rocky

3.5/5

A lot of people didin't like it.
But it was a good movie

[One-Way]

Re: Reviews & Ratings

Yi yi

The film was beautifully photographed and its use of long shots/takes added to the feeling that we are watching into these people's lives. The film is just under three hours, but effectively utilizes each minute, and carefully balances comedy and drama. Edward Yang's light touch and meticulous direction made the film feel delicate. I was most impressed by Nien-Jen Wu (NJ) and the young Jonathan Chang (Yang-Yang).

Yi yi is a film about regret, guilt, asking questions about life and trying to discover what its purpose really is. The film is filled with symbolism and deeper meaning, and as the film progresses, we are able to peal back its layers. Yang-Yang is a curious child who tells his grandmother that he wants to show people what others cannot see. Edward Yang is that type of filmmaker, who allows us to see our own everyday lives, and think about them in ways we might not have.

[One-Way]

Re: Reviews & Ratings

My Own Private Idaho

I've been meaning to see this film for such a long time and it's such a shame that I have waited so long to see it. I'm not too familiar with Gus Van Sant's work, having seen only a couple of his films. I know a little bit about him and the prevalent themes in his films, but this film played out a little differently than I had imagined.

The film's narrative was much more experimental than I had imagined, which is not a bad thing, but rather a surprise. It was quite an interesting character study, and having read about its Shakespearean influence, it made for a much more interesting character story overall. It's been said thousands of times and my contribution will be an understatement at this point, but River Phoenix was phenomenal. I read up on his life and death several months ago, when I first wanted to watch this film. He was truly a remarkable actor, and each minute of screentime was pure brilliance. With that said, Keanu Reeves was a great match, and the two shared some powerful chemistry throughout the film.

The Adjuster

I've been putting The Adjuster off as well, for a rather stupid reason. I have now seen every feature length Atom Egoyan film, except for Felicia's Journey and Where the Truth Lies. I'm also not including his later works, which are much more experimental, such as Family Viewing and Speaking Parts. The Adjuster features performances by some familiar faces, who went on to work on later films by Egoyan.

The Adjuster, like most of Egoyan's films, consists of a non-linear narrative. In this film, in particular, we can see Egoyan's brilliance when it comes to writing a screenplay. The film begins with pieces of a puzzle, given to us slowly and carefully, revealing small details about each character's lives. As we're introduced to characters who don't seem to have anything in common or any true relation, we slowly begin to realize that these events are linked, as the film concludes with their stories coming together. The film, however, doesn't give us any real answers, and instead makes us ask more questions.

The film has traces of mythology and can be seen as a statement about religion, in general. Elias Koteas plays Noah, an insurance adjuster. He helps his clients settle into a motel, as they put their lives on hold after their respective tragedies. In a sense, the motel can be viewed as Noah's Ark, a provided shelter for his clients.

Arsinée Khanjian is given a name associated with Greek Mythology, Hera. She plays Noah's wife, who watches and censors pornographic films. Hera, in Greek Mythology, is regarded as the Goddess of Marriage, and is fully of beauty, just as Khanjian appears in the film. She is also regarded as the guardian of marriage and the sanctity of the home, all of which seem to apply to Khanjian's character.

I think this is one of the best screenplays by Egoyan, because it is a film where its characters are not only given depth and the room for growth, but also because it effectively reveals their individual behaviors. Noah consoles Tim, one of his clients, and assures him that the quicker the insurance process is done, the happier they will both be. The dialogue is carefully spoken and feels rather intimate, until it is repeated verbatim in a following scene, with Tim's wife. Over dinner, Noah reveals that most people look at him as the bad guy, which shows his vulnerability, and highlights his willingness to help others around him, just as Noah did with his Ark.

Overall, the film has many levels. Like all Egoyan films, it requires more than one meaning. It's a film that introduces such unique and interesting characters, which add to the lives of others. I can go on about Bubba and Mimi, and the film's ending, but I'll hold back until further discussion. It was a great film, very powerful and moving, and shows Egoyan's early capability as a filmmaker.

[SweetStuff]

Re: Reviews & Ratings

I want to see Sherlock Holmes

7/10 is not a bad rating ara

what things did you not like about the movie.

Great Movie :-)

[MrHyeSev]

Re: Reviews & Ratings

Great Movie :-)

I have yet to see it
what did you like about the movie SweetStuff?

[MrHyeSev]

Re: Reviews & Ratings

Marley & Me

2/5

Very retarded Movie

[One-Way]

Re: Reviews & Ratings

Closer

Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts and Clive Owen star in this film, which is essentially about the complicated relationships further complicated by the people who are directly involved in them. Natalie Portman and Clive Owen both give terrific performances, while Jude Law tries to hold himself amidst the chaos, whereas Julia Roberts seem to drown in her surroundings. The dialogue of the film is what makes it a good film, and it helps that the actors are able to deliver them properly. The film opens and ends with a specific scene, but there's not much to give thought about once it's over. It's a good film by postmodern Hollywood romantic standards because it goes against its usual conventions.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is overly fantastic, just as its title, and is loaded with more than you can handle. It's definitely not a film I would usually watch and I kept wondering why I was watching it to begin with. Just then, Heath Ledger appeared and his presence began to shift the film. Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell take Ledger's place during the fantasy sequences. There's too little Depp, too much Law, and just the right amount of Farrell. The film, unfortunately, suffers from its constant need of overly complicating things, as it crams together too many ideas which ultimately destory its exciting concepts.

Sullivan's Travels

I have to write a 600 word review for this film in the next two weeks, so here's a taste of things to come. It's a film about a Hollywood film director who gives up his lavish lifestyle to become a homeless man for research on his upcoming film. During the process, he is pulled back to his Hollywood lifestyle, constantly being reminded where he truly belongs. Sullivan meets a woman along the way, of course, there's a female in every picture, and the two try to fulfill this dream together. Sullivan soon discovers that he doesn't know much about this lifestyle, and even learns a thing or two along the way. The film laces drama with comedy, melodramatic with slapstick, and leaves us with a feel-good ending, and a decision to switch from a dramatic film to a comedy film for Sullivan.

Ladri di biciclette (Third Viewing)

Yes, it's still my favorite film.

[Siggie]

Re: Reviews & Ratings

Marley & Me

2/5

Very retarded Movie

For someone who asks everyone else what they liked or disliked about a movie they rated, you don't say much. It makes it seem like you are just posting questions because you want to post something.

And in general, just a rating isn't very helpful. This is why One-Ways reviews are so helpful; he doesn't just slap a number on the movie and leave it at that. I'm not suggesting we all write several paragraphs, but to make this thread useful we need to say something about what made a movie excellent or poor. "Very retarded movie" isn't very helpful.

Personally, I liked Marley & Me. It's not a movie I'd watch if I want to see an awesome movie (artistically), but I thought it was a touching and humorous story about what it is to be a dog owner and how our pets become members of our families (naughty though they may be at times).