13 Conversations...
1408
28 Days
28 Days Later
28 Weeks Later
3:10 To Yuma
A Good Year
About a Boy
A Mighty Heart
An Inconvenient Truth
Adaptation
Affliction
Against The Ropes
Amelie
American Gangster
American Psycho
Am Sweethearts
Anniversary...
Atanarjuat
Babel
Bandits
Banff Film Fest
Be Cool
Beijiing Bicycle
Being J.M.
Being Julia
Beautiful Girls
Bewitched
Big Kahuna
Blood Simple
Bones of the Forest
Borat
Bottle Rocket
Bowling for...
The Bourne Identity
Bourne Supremacy
Bourne Ultimatum
Breach
The Break-Up
Brick
Broken Flowers
Bubba Ho-Tep
The Business
Capote
Casanova
Casino Royale
Changing Lanes
Children of Men
Chocolat
City of God
City of Ghosts
Comedian
The Company
Cold Mountain
Collateral
Commander in Chief
The Control Room
The Cooler
The Count of ...
Crash
Danny Deckchair
Deadend
Death to Smoochy
Decent Ordinary...
Deja Vu
Derailed
The Devil Wears...
Dogma
Dolores Claiborne
Domino
Don't Say...
Door To Door
Down with Love
Dummy
Eastern Promises
Elysian Fields
Emma
Enduring Love
Eternal Sunshine
Fahrenheit 911
The Family Stone
Far From Heaven
Fargo
Fear & Loathing...
Femme Fatale
Flawless
Flightplan
Flying Daggers
The 40 Year Old...
Fracture
Frailty
From Hell
Fun with Dick & Jane
The Game
Georgia
The Gift
The.Golden.Compass
The Good Shepherd
Green St Hooligans
Grizzly Man
Hard Candy
Harold and Kumar...
Heights
High Fidelity
Hidalgo
Hitch
The Holiday
Human Nature
Hysterical Blindness
I Am Sam
Identity
I'll Sleep When ...
Importance of ...
Inconvenient Truth
Inside Man
Insomnia
The Interpreter
The Italian Job
Japon
Just LIke Heaven
Kill Bill
Kill Bill II
Knocked Up
Lantana
The Last Holiday
The Last Kiss
Laurel Canyon
The League of...
Legally Blonde
The Life and Death...
Little Children
London to Brighton
Lord of the Rings:
Fellowship of...
Two Towers
The Return of..
Lost in Translation
Lucky No. Slevin
Ma Femme...
The Machinist
Man About Town
Marie Antoinette
Matchstick Men
The Man Who...
The Manchurian...
Maria Full of Grace
The Matrix
Matrix Reloaded
Me And You And...
Memento
The Mexican
Miami Vice
Million Dollar Baby
Monsoon Wedding
Monster-in-Law
Mr Brooks
Mrs Henderson...
Mulholland Dr
My Life as a House
Mystery Train
Mystic River
Napoleon Dynamite
Ninth Gate
Notes on a Scandal
The Oh in Ohio
Once
One Night at...
One Night Stand
Open Water
The Others
Pirates of Caribbean
PoTC: Dead Man's...
The Pledge
The Prestige
p.s.
Pulp Fiction
Puzzlehead
Ray
Real Women Have...
Rear Window
Red Dragon
Reign Over Me
Repro Man
Ripley's Game
Royal Tenenbaums
Rumour Has It
Run Lola Run
Runaway Jury
School of Rock
Scoop
The Score
The Sentinel
Serendipity
Shrek 2
Sidewalks of NY
Six Degrees...
Something's Gotta...
Spartan
Spellbound
Stage Beauty
Standing in the...
State & Main
Stranger than Fiction
Super Size Me
Swimming Pool
The Terminal
Time Out
Tip Toes
Transamerica
Traffic
Truth About...
Twin Town
The Upside of Anger
Walk The Line
Way of the Gun
We Don't Live...
Wedding Crashers
Whale Rider
What Lies Beneath
What the Bleep...
Wonderboys
Wordplay
Vanilla Sky
Vanity Fair
Venus
Zoolander
The Yes Men
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We've been watching a lot of movies lately and here
they are with short commentaries.
The Pharmacratic Inquisition
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes!
Irvin and Rutajit
All I can say is watch it. They have the entire video online - The
Pharmacratic Inquisition.
Eagle vs Shark
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes!
Loren Horsley, Jemaine Clement, Craig Hall, Rachel House, Brian Sergent
It would be tempting, and accurate, to say that this felt like a cross between
Napoleon Dynamite and Me and You and Everyone We
Know - and that's a good thing. But it would not be giving Eagle
vs Shark the raves it deserves. The simple telling of a story should not
be confused with the telling of a simple story - this is not a simple story.
It's wonderful to see people like writer/director Taika Waititi, and the excellent
actors, bring these stories to the screen. Miranda July of Y&M&EWK is
another bright light in this genre.
The Hunting Party
Yes, No, Maybe: Maybe
Richard Gere, Terrence Howard, James Brolin, Jesse Eisenberg, Ljubomir, Kristina
Kepela
While I certainly like what this movie is trying to do, I can't say that
it does it very well. Everything is too Hollywood: Mr Gere supposedly a
down on his luck, boozing, over extended, over the top, on his last chance jounalist
is too beautiful to be taken seriously: Eisenberg playing up the sterotype
I got my job because I'm the son of a top exec but I'll be tough when you least
expect it: and Terrence Howard, well I love Howard so he's okay. But, while it's
not black enough for satire, the memories it does bring back about the horror
in Bosnia are real and the fact the the world organizations hunting down any
criminal do so only when it serves their interests, not the interests of the
victims is a message that needs to to reinforced as much as possible. So, see
this movie.
2 Days in Paris
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Julie Delpy, Adam Goldenberg, Daniel Bruhl, Aleksia Landeau, Albert Delpy, Marie
Pillet
If you liked the Before Sunrise Before Sunset movies, you'll like this movie.
I didn't like those movies, but I still liked this one. With the maestro Woddy
Allen winding down, it seems, Delpy takes steps towards rewarding us with an
Allen-esque pciture. While set in Paris, the city is not the star - the
2 year relationship between the Marion and Jack and all that involves is the
star. The movie takes us into their world, and our own, where things are never
black and white and where must confront their own feelings before blaming others
for them. This wisdom comes to Jack from a vegetarian fast food arsenist. Throw
in Delpy's French talkative parents, past lovers, Jack's hypochrondria, and Marions
flirting and you've got a quirky, serious, emotional, funny, and true to life
story - just like Mr. Allen's.
The Assassination of Jesse James
By The Coward Robert Ford
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes!
Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Zooey Deschanel, Jeremy Renner, Sam Shepherd, Sam Rockwell
Brad Pitt shows once again that he is a real actor and not just another
incredibly handsome face. But, the real story here is Casey Affleck's portral
of Robert Ford - simply brilliant. Although I very much liked Javier Bardem in
No Country For Old Men I believe Affleck should have won the oscar for
supporting actor.
Sweeny Todd:
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Yes, No, Maybe: Maybe
Johnny Depp, Helen Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Sacha Baron Cohen
I've heard about this musical ever since I
worked in the prop department at UBC. Sounded like a blood fest to me so I never
watched it when it was performed there. I like Stephen Sondheim and I also like
Alan Rickman very much as well as the two stars. But for me you'd have to be
a lover of the Sweeny Todd play to enjoy this movie version. I'd rather watch Ed
Wood or Big Fish again.
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
John
C. Reilly,
Jenna Fischer
Tim Meadows,
Kristen Wiig
David Krumholtz,
David Koechner
The more I think about this movie, and there's really not a lot to think about
really, I more I like it. I was ready to turn it off at the beginning but my
mate kept laughing and I like to watch him laugh so I stayed. Glad I did. The
movie moves into a satirical spoof of all rock singer movies and it's pretty
well done. I warmed up to it when they did the scene about marijuana. With a
sprinkling of cameos, the main actors Reilly and Fischer give us fun entertainment
matched with really good acting. Watch, go with it and you'll be rewarded.
In The Valley of Elah
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes!
Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, James Franco, Josh Brolin, Susan Sarandon
Powerful. A truly important story of the lasting effects of war. After the
horror of the current war has stopped being delivered by your news TV, the long
term payment on our society begins. The first time I saw this was when I watched
The Deer Hunter as a teenager. In The Valley of Elah takes the Iraq war and one
family's story and shows us standing on the sidelines what hell life could really
be. A young soldier is found murdered and dismembered and his father sets out
to find some answers since the local cops are giving it over to the military
police to investigate. If you think you know how it turns out be prepared - this
is not an ordinary film. Like real life it is complex, full of mistakes and regrets,
and answers that should make us all think once again about the horrific cost
of war. Tommy Lee Jones is outstanding and I would have given him the Oscar.
There Will Be Blood
Yes, No, Maybe: Maybe
Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Kevin J O'Connor, Paul F Tonpkins, John Kerry
Daniel Day-Lewis is an amazing actor. Amazing, amazing, amazing.But There
Will Be Blood?, well I understand what the idea of the movie is but sorry
people, I kept waiting for the story to begin. Yeah, yeah, I know, I guess I'm
not the great intellectual I thought I was because this movie left me bored and
restless. DD-L's performance was great but I kept seeing it as just that a performance
that lead me nowhere. The movie felt toally disjointed. Yes, I realize that I'm
possibly the only one on the planet who doesn't revere this movie but if you
ask me this movie was excessive and over the top.
Manufaturing
Dissent
Yes, No, Maybe: No!
Writers: Debbie Melnyk and Rick Caine
And here I thought it may be worth looking into the world of
Micheal Moore. What a joke. How the writers ever got any money to produce this
farce is beyond my comprehension. This is an embarrassment to the Canadian public
who consider themselves fair minded people and the NFB who does sponsor some
excellent work. But not this time. I'm sure that Ralph Nader regrets ever speaking
with these people. And the revered Noam Chomsky is interviewed agreeing with
what Micheal Moore has just said. And,oh my gosh Micheal Moore may have an ego,
my gosh, he said he was from Flint but he's actually from a town 10 minutes away,
my gosh but he won't sit down with two yo-yo's from Canada who want to trash
him - while making it look like they're not taking sides. And after trashing
his techniques and style, they use those same ideas to get into one of his events
because they don't have any journalist credentials. Oh, these peole should give
their head a shake.
The Brave One
Yes, No, Maybe: Maybe
Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Naveen Andrews, Mary Steenburgen, Nicky Katt
Not a very good movie, a revenge flick that tries to say something about society
but never really delves deep enough to matter. But it certainly cements that
fact that Terrence Howard is an amazing actor and Foster deserves her status
of one of Hollywood's best. But beyond that, not much to watch for here.
Pride and Prejudice
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Donald Sutherland, Rosamund Pike, Simon Woods
Very well made, acted, scripted and directed. Romantic, despite having Knightley
in one of the leads. Matthew Macfadyen is so different from his Death At A
Funeral role - wow he's really something. I guess that's what's called acting.
I can see why people think so highly of him. And once again Donald Sutherland
gives us a performance that's perfect for his role.
The Painted Veil
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber, Toby Jones, Bin Li, Diana Rigg
Somerset Maugham is one of my favourite authors - what a life that man lead.
If you haven't read his books, I'd suggest starting today. This adaptation of
his The Painted Veil is truly worthy of the sotry Maugham wrote in 1925.
Everything is right - the setting, the clothing, the acting, the direction. A
cast that captures the dangerous moment of time and shows in true Maugham fashion
the silliness and triumphs of humanity.
Juno
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes!
Ellen Page, Michael Cera,
Jennifer
Garner,
Jason Bateman,
Olivia Thirlby
Ever since Hard Candy, we knew Ellen Page was an actor to watch for and
here she is in another amazing performance as a too smart for her own good teenager
who finds herself pregnant. While Page steals the show the rest of the cast is
superb. Cera holds on to his Arrested Development charm, while Bateman
does a 180; Garner was really good (I've never seen her in anything before).
Allison Janney and J.K. Simmons are Juno's acting parents and who doesn't wish
our parents could be like them? I heard some didn't like the ending but for me
it was just how I hoped it would end. Director Director Jason Reitman and 1st
timescript writer Diablo Cody know exactly how to make this movie real. Easily
one of the best movies of 2007.
No Country For Old Men
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes!
Tommy Lee Jones,
Josh Brolin,
Javier Bardem,
Woody Harrelson,
Kelly Macdonald
Electrifying. Half way through I was thinking, I can't wait to see this again.
There is so much so watch in No Country For Old Men that you can't
get it all in just one viewing. One word of caution - this is a film
noir so watch it with that genre in mind. Critcs throwing out the
adjectives thrilling, suspenseful, and relentless should remind audiences that
it's not Hollywood action, in your face, biff bam boom. There's no car
chase. It's dark, dangerous, damaged, deranged, doomed, violent, courageous and
intelligent. Nothing is wasted in this movie, not a word, not an action. The
Cohens have made a classic and they did it while being true to the book. While
some blame them for that (the ending) the only thing I didn't like was that I
felt the Carson Wells character was weak - all hat and no cattle. But that is
minor. The best movie of 2007 and way beyond.
Gone Baby Gone
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes!
Casey Affleck, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman, Michelle Monaghan, Carla Antonino
Ben Affleck directs and co-writes a movie that offers a lot to think about. What
is doing the right thing? I thought one thing just before the end of the movie
and another the next morning. My partner thought one thing after
the film and the same in the morning. We arrived at the same conclusion but came
by very different roads. It
made for a long, thoughtful discussion on
values and what's right. And if a movie sparks that it's got to have something
going for it. Seems Ben Affleck may be on the right track with this direction
thing. We knew he could write and I think Gone Baby Gone shows he can
direct as well. His younger brother has a sort of male Naomi
Watts thing going - sweet, tough and naïve - all believable. I look forward
to either Affleck's next project.
The Brave One
Yes, No, Maybe: Maybe
Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Naveen Andrews, Mary Steenburgen, Nicky Katt
Not a very good movie, a revenge flick that tries to say something about society
but never really delves deep enough to matter. But it certainly cements that
fact that Terrence Howard is an amazing actor and Foster deserves her status
of one of Hollywood's best. But beyond that, not much to watch for here.
Pride and Prejudice
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Donald
Sutherland, Rosamund Pike,
Simon Woods
Very well made, acted, scripted and directed. Romantic, despite having
Knightley in one of the leads. Matthew Macfadyen is so different from his Death
At A Funeral role
- wow he's really something. I guess that's what's called acting. I can see why
people think so highly of him. And once again Donald Sutherland gives us a performance
that's perfect for his role.
The Painted Veil
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Edward Norton, Naomi
Watts, Liev Schreiber,
Toby Jones, Bin Li, Diana Rigg
Somerset Maugham is one of my favourite authors - what a life that man lead.
If you haven't read his books, I'd suggest starting today. This adaptation of
his The Painted Veil is truly worthy of the sotry Maugham wrote in 1925.
Everything is right - the setting, the clothing, the acting, the direction. A
cast that captures the dangerous moment of time and shows in true Maugham fashion
the silliness and triumphs of humanity.
Stardust
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes!
Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle
Pfeiffer, Robert De
Niro, Peter O'Toole
It's not Princess Bride but it's close - and that's saying something! Great
cast - De Niro doing his best work in ages - also Sienna Miller and Ricky Gervais
join the fun. Pfeiffer is excellent. Wickedness and trickery attempt to triumph
over love and you know how that turns out in fairy tales. the story is not surprise
but how the story unfolds is the fun part. Does it have what it takes to become
a classic? Inconceivable!
Atonement
Yes, No, Maybe: No
Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Romola Garai, Saoirse Ronan, Vanessa Redgrave I would love to see an even decent adaptation of Ian McEwan's novels. The
worlds he creates are fascinating and disturbing and you are gripped by his words
and the feelings they invoke. Enduring Love great novel, bad film. The
much anticipated movie version of Atonement - no heart and no soul. Will
you movie people please stop ruining McEwan's novels?
Brooklyn Rules
Yes, No, Maybe: No
Freddie Prince,Scott Caan. Jerry Ferrara, Alex Baldwin, Mena Suvarim Daniel Tay,Ty
Reed
A very medicore version of the wise guys story in Brooklyn. The story of three
long time friends growing up. Doesn't try to be good - it is what it is and if
you don't like it that's fine with them. With a better script it may have been
okay but overall just dull and duller. The only fun was the three actors playing
off each other. Caan is always fun to watch and Ferrara was priming for his role
in Entourage.
Five Easy Pieces
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes!
Jack Nicholson, Karen Black, Billy Green Bush, Fannie Flagg, Lorna Thayer, Toni
Basil
One of my favourite movies. Nicholson at his finest with amazing performances
by Black and all. I like the hitchhiker rant best but of course it's famous for
Jack's scene with the waitress. One of the best movies ever made.
Inland Empire
Yes, No, Maybe:Maybe
Laura Dern, Justin Theroux, Jeremy Irons, Grace Zabriskie, Harry Dean Stanton
A Lynch film with Dern, Irons, Theroux, and Stanton - I'm there. And I stayed
there for the full first half liking it very much. But then I lost it. The second
half got away from me and I couldn't get it back. I'm sure it's genius but if
one must be a genius to understand it that kinda rules me out.
Jane Austen Book Club
Yes, No, Maybe: Maybe
Emily Blunt, Maria Bello, Kathy Baker, Amy Brenneman, Hugh Dancy, Maggie Grace
I was prepared for a sweet, simple, no surprises, sort of movie but even that
didn't prepare me for how much sugar was added. Although I got through it, I
would have liked a bit more substance. But if you're having a hard time and
need to escape, give it a go. But better to pick up a Jane Austen novel and
get the real thing.
After The Wedding
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes!
Mads
Mikkelsen, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Rolf
Lassgård, Stine Fischer Christensen
A truly wonderful film. From the get go you're not sure of what's going on and
why. Are any of these people who they seem? When the so try becomes clear, once
again we marvel at how nothing is ever straightforward in this world and that
people are not good or bad but just trying to make it through life as best they
can with who they are. Rolf
Lassgård was outstanding.
Blades of Glory
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes!
Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Jenna
Fischer, Will Arnett, Amy
Poehler, Craig T. Nelson
It's official - I'm now a Will Ferrell fan. After Stranger Than Fiction I
thought maybe I could like this guy. After Blades of Glory oh dear, I believe
I've fallen for him. Ferrell and Heder together are reminiscent of some of the
great teams of comedians and had me laughing out loud throughout the entire first
half. The last bit started to drag a little but overall the funniest movie I've
seen in a long, long time.
Death at A Funeral
Yes, No, Maybe: No
Matthew Macfadyen,
Rupert Graves,
Alan Tudyk,
Daisy Donovan,
Kris Marshall
I like British humour, I do, I do, but I just couldn't find any in Death At
A Funeral. I sat down 3 different occasions to see if I could get into this
movie but no go. It's getting good reviews which is why I thought it was me,
but it isn't. Face it people, this movie just isn't funny in the slightest.
Once
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes!
Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Bill Hodnett, Geoff Minogue, Alaistair
Foley, Gerard Hendrick
Amazing. A true love story. An honest, sweet, strong, candid, completely real
film about two people who want love and who may find it in the end. The songs
are all brilliant and let me say that any movie that begins with Van's And
The Healing Has Begun is a movie for me. It would be hard for any musician
to follow that but Hansard does quite well in his first original song of the
film. That song is built on beautifully by Hansard and Irglová as the
camera follows them through their individual song writing methods. You may have
to listen closely to the dialogue as the accents are sometimes hard to keep pace
with but when the singing starts it flows straight to your heart: you feel it
first and understand the lyrics later. Hansard and Irglová are the real
thing; writing the songs, singing them and playing the music. Take a night off
the action, thrillers and CGI and take in Once. You'll be brought back
to basics and be a better person for it.
Eastern Promises
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Viggo
Mortensen,
Naomi
Watts
Armin Mueller-Stahl,
Vincent Cassel,
Sinéad Cusack
Cronenberg does it again. The man makes beautiful movies - and he's Canadian.
Is it better than a History of Violence - I think so. The characters and the
story are surreally
real and these actors are up to the challenge. Mortensen is brilliant in his
role as Nikolai and Watts once again pulls off her doe eyed, naïvely brave
persona that we've seen in many movies (Mulholland Dr, King Kong, The Ring)
yet keeps it fresh. How does she do that? Supporting performances by Armin Mueller-Stahl
and Vincent Cassel add to the perfection. Yes, I think this movie may be perfect.
Of course everyone will be talking about the sauna scene and for good reason,
but the film blends a mixture of danger, violence, stupidity, naïvety and
hope that somehow makes us feel comforted and that doing the right thing is the
right thing to do. Of course it is a movie so don't go crazy on that theme, not
everyone has a guardian angel.
American Gangster
Yes, No, Maybe: No
Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin, Lymari Nadal, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Want to be bored to death, then watch this movie. It could easily have been cut
down from it's 2 hours 30 minutes but it still would have been a hash of a story.
With an all star cast, including Cuba Gooding Jr and Carla Gugino in a small
roles, and Ridley Scott as director, one would expect a film that was at best
riveting and at least worthwhile but instead it mismashed it's way through what
could have been an important story. All the makings of a mesmerizing story are
there - it's the days of a black man taking control of an empire; it's a violent,
yet charismatic, family oriented character vs an honest, what I have a family,
bumpkin; a police force on the take; shady military drug trafficking - you name
it, it's there. But somehow this story was lost in the back and forth, the misdirection
of the leads, and the formulaic shots of junkies and use of music. Despite the
Hawaiian shirt, it's no French Connection, just an empty Hollywood blockbuster.
Field of Dreams
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, Gaby Hoffman, Ray Liotta, Timothy Busfield, Burt
Lancaster
Classic family story of W.P. Kinsella's novel. I had never seen it and it holds
up as a hopeful, believe in yourself, it's never too late story that tugs at
your heartstrings. Great cast and beautifully shot.
Oceans 13
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes!
George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Ellen Barkin, Al Pacino, Andy Garcia,
Bernie Mac
Another romp with the boys. Not as good a 11 but much better than 12. A fun
night with the who's who of Hollywood male stars. Will there be a 14?
Ratatouille
Yes, No, Maybe: No
Voices: Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano, Brian Dennehy, Peter O'Toole
I know your kids loved it, you liked it, the critics loved it, but I didn't.
Halfway through I fast forwarded to the end and that was that. I admire it, is
that enough?
Broken English
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Parker Posey, Drea de Matteo, Melvil Poupaud, Gena Rowlands, Justin
Theroux
The Golden Compass
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Dakota Blue Richards, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, Nonso Anozie
Saw this the first night it came to a town and the place was full of kids: young
kids and their parents, young teenagers, and old kids like us. Overall I'd say
it was enjoyable. The all star cast was well chosen and the story was full of
friendship, suspense, some brutal fight scenes, without a drop of blood or gore,
hope and a to be continued ending. Richards was a delight and I liked Kidman
as the evil Mrs Coulter. From what I understand it doesn't go as far or as deep
as the first book so don't expect a full adaptation. Much is left for the 2nd
part. Even though I should be old enough to get through fantasy fight scenes
I still can't face them. This time I got a bonus when I turned my head from the
screen during the fights and saw the look of total awe and amazement on the kids'
faces, even the oh so cool teenagers. That was fun. So, grab a kid and hit the
cinema for this one.
Cold Mountain
Yes, No, Maybe: Maybe
Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, Philip Seymour Hoffman
What starts out as a slow and somewhat boring picks up once secondary characters
enter the scene. Kathy Baker, Zellweger, Hoffman, Portman and Giovanni Ribisi
add life to a story that otherwise would have dragged on as a sappy love story.
Law and Kidman are both beautiful but there is no chemistry and it's hard to
fell a lot of emotion about their struggles. While busting up the place with
her practical farm no nonsense ways Zellweger as Ruby brings perhaps too much
energy which forces Kidman to be too restrained in their scenes together. Hoffman,
of course, is perfect and he and Portman are really the only characters we care
about. Watch and listen for Jack White, a musical genius. The movie is full
of violence. Favourite quote: "If
I had my way they'd take metal out of this world - every blade, every gun." Amen.
The Bourne Ultimatum
Yes, No, Maybe: Oh Yes!
Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Joan Allen, Albert Finney, David Strathairn, Scott
Glenn
Matt Damon is at the top of my favourite actor list. The man goes from clumsy,
wanna be suave in the Oceans to the coolest, toughest character in the Bourne series.
And he's totally believable in both characters. No wonder he's Hollywood's most
bankable star. You're right - I'm not writing about the final, maybe, maybe not,
Bourne film, I don't really have to - just see it and be ready to be amazed.
Identity was incredible, Supremacy upped the anti by building on the excitement
and the story and now Ultimatum simply pushes us over the edge. Don't worry Bourne
will be there to catch you - he's everywhere. The only dull part was Julia Stiles
pouting her way through scenes - but I needed to catch my breath anyway. You
know a movie's good when you're cheering, jumping up and yelling at the screen
- not that I'm admitting to any of those things - and a note on the weapons -
if that's what they show in the movies, imagine what they really have. Oh, and
for those who say that the authorities won't hurt you unless you're doing something
wrong - take notes.
3:10 To Yuma
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Ben Foster, Logan Lerman, Peter Fonda
I like Westerns a lot less than the average person. Lots of boys doing yeehaws,
horse chases and shut 'em ups, then hitting the saloon and finding a beautiful
woman to love them, til they hit the trail again. 3:10 To Yuma has all that but
it's also got more, much more. Crowe and Bale for one thing - those boys can
act! I'm not sure that it's the story that holds your attention for the entire
2 hours or the unbelievable good acting from every player. Fonda and Lerman -
excellent and Ben Foster deserves a supporting actor nomination for his performance.
You can't take your eyes off Foster when he's onscreen. I'd like to see the original
1957 film starring Glenn Ford and Van Heflin because people say it was just as
good. But movies like this don't just happen and credit goes to director James
Mangold. The cinematography, this score and the pace was well crafted and it's
obvious that Mangold digs the genre and is willing to have some fun as well.
A character named Sam Fuller? A very good movie. If you want to see more amazing
Bale catch The Machinist.
Repo Man
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Harry Dean Stanton, Emilio Estevez, Tracey Walter, Olivia Barash, Sy Richardson
Repro Man came out in 1984 and was an immediate hit. I've heard about this movie
ever since then but had never seen it. It's always interesting to see if a cult
movie holds it's status over time. So, I sat down to watch Repro Man.
I'm happy to report that it's really good! Emilio Estevez is perfect as Otto
Maddox and the supporting cast just as well chosen. This unusual story blends
the practical life of repro men with the fantasy, or reality, of alien contact.
Throw in a lot of wonderful dialogue, some mild romance, and you've got an underground
classic that suits all ages. A perfect low-budget, punk, sci-fi story. Intense.
1408
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
John Cusak, Samuel L Jackson, Mary
McCormack, Jasmine Jessica Anthony, Room 1408
Adapted from a Stephen King short story, 1408 is not a room you'd want to stay
in. Unless you're a jaded writer of books on haunted houses and hotels who doesn't
believe in the real thing. There's more to this room than meets the eye and with
Mr King there's always more to the story as well. Cusak's character is the movie
and he's on his own to pull it off. That's quite something for
an actor who critics seem to really either really like or dislike. I really like
him (High Fidelity, Being John Malkovich), except when I don't (Serendipity,
Runaway Jury). As Mike Enslin, Cusak shows us that he's got what it takes.
The plot is pure Mr King and I'm digging his stuff more and more - yes I'm finally
catching up to the rest of you. This room is not to be trifled with and Enslin's
disregard for it's power is both dangerous and comforting. Samuel L Jackson is
perfect as the hotel manager who attempts to dissuade Enslin from taking the
room. And, I was able to watch the film so all you out there who don't do horror
- don't be afraid, you can do this, just don't do it alone.
Man About Town
Yes, No, Maybe: Maybe
Ben Affleck, John Cleese, Rebecca
Romijn, Mike Binder, Kal Penn, Gina
Gershon
I like Mike Binder movies. I loved Upside of Anger and I liked Reign
Over Me so even though the reviews weren't good I took a chance on Man
About Town. Let me just say this, unless you are trapped - say on a plane,
waiting for a bus, or at the in-laws, I can't recommend this movie. And what's
the deal with Ben Affleck? I can't figure out whether he can act or not. He seems
to be good in rich white boy realizing how shallow his life is but mediocre at
anything else. His brother Casey seems to have received more of the acting gene.
(Yes, I've heard the buzz about Gone Baby Gone and am looking forward
to it.) But here's the thing, Affleck wanted to be in Binder film and I like
that. To me it shows that's he's not about the ego, at least not all about it,
and wants to be in films he likes. Unfortunately, this one didn't work out, but
not due to any fault of Affleck's. He was a good fit for the role. The movie
just didn't manage to reach the heights the Binder is capable of. But it had
it's moments and the teeth might have been worth it.
A Mighty Heart
Yes, No, Maybe: No
Angelina Joile, Dan Futterman, Archie Panjabi, Mohammed Afzal
You have got to be kidding me - this movie got good reviews? Ms Jolie is such
a good actor that you forget that it's her onscreen? I don't think so. While
the Daniel Pearl story is one that should be told, nothing in this movie tells
us anything. It seems more like a vehicle for Jolie. If you don't know the story
of the journalist, then check the internet because this movie will tell you nothing.
It shows Jolie looking beautiful as always, shows her as Mariane Pearl attempting
to piece together Daniels' whereabouts and it shows a lot of police busting into
places, but it doesn't try to explain anything about why it happened. It just
reinforces the official line of the US. And it's unbelievably boring. How can
this be? The story of Pearl is one filled with questions about his work, what
he was pursuing and why. Can Mariane not give us an insight into that? I've read
that her book is meant to be an introduction to her son to the father he will
never know. I trust that she will tell him more than we learn here.
The Hoax
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Richard Gere, Alfred Molina
Hope Davis, Stanley Tucci, Marcia Gay Harden
Heard this was good but didn't go into it expecting a lot. I got more than I
bargained for. Gere gives an excellent performance as Clifford Irving and Molina
backs him up 100% as his sidekick Dick
Suskind. The tale is quite beyond a petty rip off story. These boys took on
the biggest business man in the US, the publishing industry, and in doing so
eventually involved the Nixon Republicans. Watergate anyone? If Gere portrays
him correctly Irving seems like the perfect man to attempt such a feat as this
hoax, part genius, part brilliant story teller, part little boy, part ego-maniac
and a touch of self-grandeur thrown in for good measure. His scheme gets more
and more elaborate each time he succeeds in his lie and yet he stays true to
form writing the authentic Hughes story. He's not an amateur who get overplays
his hand. As with any good hoax, you're not quite sure what to believe in the
end. Was Irving's book really a threat to Nixon and his crew, did Hughes have
an agenda that involved the book or was it all just a manifestation of Irving's
imagination?
Freedom Writers
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Hilary Swank, Scott Glen, April Lee Hernandez, Hunter Parish, Mario
The violence to Rodney King in 1992 in LA, sparked more violence that hit many
people living in LA and Long Beach in particular. Interracial gang warfare is
something that many of us will never realize and seeing the effect it has on
teenagers in this film was a lesson in life. Based on the true story of Erin
Gruwell and her students, the movie shows that a naive, white woman raised
with money, who becomes a teacher and starts her career in a tough high school
actually can make a difference. While the movie does have some feel good to
it, it doesn't shy away from the hard facts of life amongst the students. These
kids are just teenagers - who should be worrying about their first kiss, sports
and school grades - instead they deal with beatings, being true
to your kind, losing friends to shootings, and always being ready for violence.
A good movie for parents to watch with their teenagers.
London To Brighton
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Lorraine Stanley, Johnny Harris, Georgia Groome, Sam Spruell, Alexander Morton
If you ever wondered what the real life was like, not the Pretty Woman fantasy
story, but the real story of people toughened from living on the streets and
the scary elites of our society who use them, then hang on, because it isn't
pretty. London To Brighton follows two women, one an experienced hustler
and the other just a girl, as they run for their lives after a trick gets out
of hand. But that's just the beginning for these two and the movie keeps the
pedal to the metal. It's not easy to watch because it's so well done that you
can't but believe that it's really happening and like these two women you can't
escape what's going to go down. Puts you in a world where few escape and many
only manage to survive. If you're up for it, watch it. I'm not sure if I was
ready to see it, but I'm glad I did. A truly amazing piece of work by writer/director
Paul Andrew Williams.
Notes on A Scandal
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes!
Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Andrew Simpson, Bill Nighy, Juno Temple, Max Lewis
Wow. You watch movies and they seem so mediocre that you think, Am I too
critical, too demanding? And then you watch Notes on A
Scandal and realize how intelligent a film can be. With a near perfect script,
actually it is perfect, and a superb cast and director, Notes takes us
inside those lives we read about in the papers. The lives we are
shocked to read about going off the rails. But of course, there's more drama
in everyday life than we want to admit. Dame Dench is absolutely riveting and
Cate Blanchett shows her depth of talent. Rounding out the cast, Nighy portrays
the wounded husband and Simpson, the young student. An amazing film that makes
me realize why I love the movies - at least some of them.
Reign Over Me
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith, Liv Tyler, Saffron Burrows, Mike
Binder
Was watching this movie and recognized an actor from Upside
of Anger (brilliant
movie). I liked his character in Upside and while his role here wasn't as involved,
the whole thing felt like Upside. Duh - Mike Binder anyone? Writer and
director of both movies! Well, I like his work. When tackling a tough subject,
the aftermath of a 911 victim, no one is going to be completely happy. But I
don't think 911 was the big story here - it's a story of loss. Loss when people
are gone and when they are still with you. The pain that comes with that loss
and which everyone feels but responds to differently. The searching it takes
for us to discover the source of our own pain and the respect we should give
to others experiencing theirs. Critics didn't go overboard in their praise but
they are professional film people. Mike Binder makes movies that go straight
to your heart, with some mischievous humour along the way - and this lay person
really appreciates it.
The Family Stone
Yes, No, Maybe: No
Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams,
Dermot Mulroney, Sarah Jessica Parker
An all star cast sets out to make a yuletide movie full of the usual family frolics
over the holidays - bickering, a hidden illness, an unwelcome in-law, or about
to be in-law - you know, the usual. I'm half way through and I swear it's so
predictable that if it doesn't turn out exactly like I think I'll write a glowing
review...okay so no glowing review coming. The thing that I really didn't like
about the movie was the switching between tense drama and broad comedy. It just
didn't make any sense and the plot should have been focused on one or the other.
That way maybe it would have had a chance but let's face it, either way it would
have been another contrived holiday film that wants us to laugh and cry at all
the right moments. Both Keaton and Nelson give solid performances.
Babel
Yes, No, Maybe: No
Cate
Blanchett,
Brad
Pitt,
Gael García Bernal,
Jamie McBride,
Kôji Yakusho, Adriana Barraza
I put off watching Babel because I wanted it to be a good film and the critics
were split. I should never have watched it, but since I did I'd have to agree
with those that say it was a good effort but didn't work. Unlike Amores
Perros and 21 Grams, which are both brilliant,
it didn't come together. It felt convoluted and a bit contrived. But will I see
Alejandro
Gonzalez Inarritu's next film - you bet.
Just Like Heaven
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Reese
Witherspoon,
Mark
Ruffalo,
Donal
Logue,
Dina Spybey,
Jon Heder
I like Reese Witherspoon and I like Mark Ruffalo so when they appear together
in a romantic comedy I'm going to like it. Taken for what it is, Just Like Heaven
is a sweet movie based on the long running fairy tale that some things are meant
to be. The movie is what a
light romance should be with cute characters, a fun story, and a great apartment.
So, if you need to escape with a touch of saucy Ms Witherspoon humour, let yourself
relax into this flick. Watch for the bookseller who helps out.
Puzzlehead
Yes, No, Maybe: No
Stephen Galaida, Robbie Shapiro
Having had friends in film school, I've watched a lot of student movies. Puzzlehead
would rate in the mid-range of those efforts. But if you ask the critics,
they would say I didn't get it and as an indie movie with no budget
it was very good. In my defence to those hypothetical critics I would say I did
get it, it was pretty straightforward, and while I liked the original twist of
the story it wasn't enough to overcome the difficulty of having to plod through
the movie.
Dead End
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Ray Wise, Alexandra Holden, Lin Shaye,
Mick Caine, Amber Smith, Billy Asher
I'm not good with scary movies. I'd love to be able to watch horror flicks but
my imagination goes on overdrive and I'm besieged by nightmares that make the
movies seem tame. I stuck with this one just about half way through and then
had to call it a night. My partner, who loves horror, kept watching and gave
me his report in the morning. As I suspected, he enjoyed it and liked the twist
at the end. We both liked it because is was low budget and yet still
got the scare across. The actors were all very good, especially the parents.
Mr Brooks
Yes, No, Maybe: Yes
Kevin Costner, William Hurt,
Dane Cook, Danielle Panabaker, Demi Moore
While critics were divided on this film, I liked it - a lot. Maybe because I
was in the right frame of mind, wanting a something that was thrilling, had a
bit of wit, and was a good story. I got more that I asked for because the combo
of Costner and Hurt was really fun. They made this movie all of the above plus
added a sense of campiness that actually improves the movie. Some critics have
bashed them as aging stars; I say they're still more fun to watch than a lot
of the new cookie-cutter stars. Watch it, have fun and remember, always to your
homework.
The Business
Yes, No, Maybe: No
Danny Dyer, Tamer Hassan, Geoff Bell, Georgina Chapman, Eddie Webber
So bad not worth discussing. Is Dyer as bad an actor as he was in this movie
or was it Nick Love's writing and directing?
Breach
Yes, No, Maybe: No
Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, Laura Linney, Dennis Haysbert, Kathleen Quinlan
Thrillers are my thing. I love to be wowed by a movie that has a twist that I
didn't see coming. So, even though I knew how the story turns out I, went in
interested. I'd seen some reviews that mentioned the words 'spy film, tension,
intrigue, taunt, hold your breath'. Oh yeah, just what I'm looking for! Well
I just want to say that those above review quotes and that it
is the 'answer answer to The Bourne Identity' and 'better focused than The Good
Shepherd', should give their head a shake - hard. In a word I'd call it stolid.
And let's just make this clear for once and for all, The Good Shepherd is a good
film so stop slamming it and Bourne... well comparing this to Bourne simply doesn't
make any sense at all. Skip Breach and pick up a Graham Greene novel instead.
Venus
Yes, No, Maybe: No
Peter O'Toole, Leslie Phillips, Jodie Whittaker, Vanessa Redgrave
Peter O'Toole is a great actor. When I heard he was nominated for an Academy
Award for his role as Maurice in Venus I wanted him to win. Anxiously I awaited
the movie on DVD. I guess I really didn't get it, because while O'Toole's acting
was on a level many actors only dream of Maurice was selfish, egotistical, patronizing,
foolish and not someone I wanted to watch for 90 minutes. Even the few joyous
moments of having two great actors O'Toole and Vanessa Redgrave in the same scene
were quickly undone by the loutish behaviour of O'Toole's character. I believed
everything that happened to Maurice, he deserved. Is that harsh? No. He treated
his wife, his children, his friends with the same selfish disregard as Venus
treats him. The point of this movie? I don't know - if you do I'm here to be
enlightened.
Knocked Up
Yes, No, Maybe: No
Katherine Heigl, Seth Rogen
Leslie Mann, Paul Rudd
Tim Bagley, Jay Baruchel
Another movie I was looking forward to seeing and while parts of it were funny,
as a movie it was just plain stupid. I have a rule of thumb that I use: I change
the genders of the characters. Would a great, and gorgeous, no stunningly beautiful
man who has an up and coming career even attempt to build a lasting relationship
with an juvenile, overweight, loser woman who's Animal House partying her way
down to her last $100? I'm guessing not, yet this movie asks you to believe that
in reverse. It's the same tried and true fairy tale. This movie is the schlock
that pitched at teenagers and some people mistake for funny. And btw, comedies
don't have to be realistic as in 'could that really happen?' But in order for
them to be funny they have to address situations experienced in real life and
then show us how ridiculous we are in those encounters. Watch Stranger Than Fiction
instead.
,
No 
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Maybe 
