Movie Talks Archives

Posted by: Terror Australis at September 19, 2007, 2:08 am

Topic: What film/s did everyone watch today?? Redux Forum: JoBlo

Here are my reviews for films I have seen recently in the past few weeks.... Tsotsi - 4.5/5 This is a terrific South African film is a well deserved winner of Oscar for Best Foreign Language film in 2005. Sure the plot is a little bit predicable and it had a lot of potential to be sentimental but luckily it doesn't, instead it a powerful and moving story of crime, poverty and redemption. Presley Chweneyagae gives a terrific performance as the title character and the supporting cast are also equally strong. Writer/director Gavin Hood does a superb job with both his script and direction. This is another really great film that you should check out! Legends of the Fall - 2.5/5 This nicely made and sprawling epic starts off very well but sadly as it progresses past the second half it starts to become really cheesy, unbelievable and melodramatic. Most of the cast do well with their performances (Julia Ormond and Henry Thomas are the standouts), unfortunately some are not as good (Brad Pitt looked too 'pretty boy' for this kind of film and sadly Anthony Hopkins who is really good for a while but after when his character suffers a stroke, he becomes hilariously bad). A lot of the films problems are in the script, which flatly written in some scenes. Although Edward Zwick's direction is fine and the cinematography is nicely done as well. It decent film but it isn't as good as everyone has made it out to be. Come See the Paradise - 4/5 This is a beautifully made and wonderfully romantic period drama set during the mid 1930’s right up to WWII has engaging and fascinating story that I knew nothing about. Dennis Quaid and the beautiful Tamlyn Tomita both give terrific performances and the supporting are equally good as well. Writer/director Alan Parker does a great job with his direction and cinematography is nicely done. While I would have liked that they could have gone further into certain aspects of the story but this is another forgotten gem that everyone should check out. Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film - 3.5/5 If you are a big of slasher films like I am than you definitely enjoy this very entertaining documentary that follows the origins of the genre, from its beginnings in the late 70's (where it officially started with "Halloween"), its height in the early-to-mid 80's, the controversies that certain films were involved in and eventually dying out by the end of that decade, until it was resurrected in the late 90's by "Scream". While I feel that it doesn't go further into the controversies that were surrounding some of the films at the time (especially with film critics Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel pretty much leading the anti-slasher movement and when a protest group to ban "Silent Night, Deadly Night" from cinemas) but it is still quite a solid doco that features great interviews with both many actors and filmmakers were involved these films and the some excellent clips from the best in the genre. For horror fans this is a must! Footloose - 3.5/5 Finally gotten around to seeing this 80's classic and I must admit I quite enjoyed. Kevin Bacon is great in his breakout role and the supporting cast are also good (John Lithgow gives the standout performance). Also I can't really talk about this film without mentioning the great dance sequences and the kick arse soundtrack, which are definitely the film's main highlights. Sure it the story is predicable and it does get a little 'too over-dramatic' at times but it is a lot of fun none the less. Perfect Blue (1998) - 3.5/5 This is a interesting and surprisingly intense psychological Japanese animated horror/thriller, when it starts off you think that this is going to be some "Fatal Attraction"-esque stalker film but soon it becomes a captivating mind-fuck that questions what is real and what is fantasy because you have no idea where it is going to go (this is the kind of stuff that David Lynch fans would love). The animation is beautifully done and there are some really creepy (and disturbing) scenes. Unfortunately some of the vocal performances and dialogue (the one I watch was the English dubbed version) felt a bit off and I found the ending to be really unsatisfying. This won't be for everyone but it definitely worth a look. The Out-Of-Towners (1999) - 2/5 While both Steve Martin and Goldie give likable performances and there are some funny moments but sadly the overall film itself is pretty so-so. The direction was routine and the script is blandly written. In the end it is watchable but it is also pretty forgettable as well. Becoming Jane - 2/5 What could have been an interesting biography on the life of author Jane Austen instead becomes a dull and lifeless film that doesn't offer any insight in her life. The direction was bland; the plot was boring (it's pretty much a rehash of "Pride and Prejudice") and the cinematography is horrible because this is one of the ugliest looking films I have ever seen. Despite all that there are some positives: The acting was fine (although most of the actors aren't given much to do), the production/costume design is solid and I actually liked the ending, which I thought was nicely done and well handled. In the end it could have been a good but it ends up being rather flat. School for Scoundrels (2006) - 2.5/5 A bit disappointment from co-writer/director Todd Phillips (who made the very funny comedies "Road Trip" and "Old School') who fails to capitalize on its potentially funny premise. Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder are both okay in the lead roles but they are pretty much playing the same characters as they both did in other films. The supporting cast were solid (although Sarah Silverman still continues to be very annoying) and it does have a couple of laughs. Overall it is a watchable show but it is still pretty average all the same. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark - 2.5/5 While the film is pretty average as most comedies come with its one-joke idea and routine story but what makes it watchable is likeable and funny performance Cassandra Peterson as her famous title character. The cast are solid and there are fun moments. Overall it is average but a solid watch. The Adventrues of Baron Munchausen - 3/5 A bloated, over-the-top and complete mess of a film but at the same time also a lot of fun and a very entertaining visual spectacular. I must admit that it did take me a little while to get into it but once I did I quite enjoyed it. The cast give committed performances; the production/costume designs are terrific and there some really funny scenes. Despite all that this does suffer from a lot of flaws, especially when it comes to its length and certain scenes where it became a little too bizarre. Still it is a good film and fans of director Terry Gilliam will definitely get a kick out of it. Death Wish 2 - 1.5/5 Yawn! This follow-up to the terrific original is a really lazy and dull film that doesn't bother to try anything new, instead it is just a rehash of the first film's plot. Charles Bronson tries his best but he is let down by a thin script, the supporting cast are also given nothing to do and the direction is badly done. Skip it! Opal Dream - 3.5/5 This is nicely made and heart-warming Aussie family that has wonderful performances from its cast, solid direction by Peter Cattaneo (the Oscar nominated director of "The Full Monty", which also funnily enough shares a couple of certain themes with this film) and a nicely written script. The Contract - 2/5 This is one of those films that has a terrific plot that is full of potential but sadly it becomes a very underwhelming and boring film. Morgan Freeman and John Cusack are okay but there isn't much for their characters to work with and the supporting cast were terrible. Also I didn't like all the humour that was placed through out the film because it felt out of the tone for what the story was trying to be. However it does have its moments and the cinematography is terrific. Overall this is another wasted opportunity on a great premise. Days of Glory - 3.5/5 This is a really good if a little unsatisfying true story about four Algerian men who enlist in the French Army to help that country fight the Nazis but to suffer discrimination from the French as well. This is a well made film that features great performances and terrific scenes but I felt that it didn't go further much into the story and also the ending felt too much like "Saving Private Ryan". Overall it is a really good and solid film that I think you should check out.

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