Jun
23
07
Official Movie Website.
Internet Movie Database link.
There’s no easy way to say it, but it’s true: the magic of the first two movies is over. This film takes us back to the pre-X-men days of mediocre comic-book movies.
The worst is the mishandling of Peter’s fall into the “dark side”, caused in equal parts by his growing conceit and arrogance, and by a dark symbiote substance from space. Well, apparently, the most visible consequence of embracing darkness is a tendency to act like a complete moron on the streets. Rather underwhelming.
Avoid this film and cherish your memories about the first two instead.
Rating: Avoid.
Filed under Avoid, S, Action, Comics.
Apr
22
07
Official movie website.
Internet Movie Database link.
A very enjoyable, very well made comedy by Woody Allen. I spent the whole movie laughing and giggling. The pace is quick and the story consistent. This is pure comedy, in the style of Small Time Crooks and similar Allen movies: neither philosophy nor psychology make an appearance.
The acting is very good, including Ms. Johansson’s, my least favorite actress. Apparently she has learned that the human face has 44 muscles capable of more than 5,000 expressions, and she has begun excercising a couple of them. Besides, the role is very well suited to her.
Rating: Excellent.
Filed under Excellent, S, Romance, Comedy.
Jan
01
07
Internet Movie Database link.
This powerful film retells the history of twentieth-century Hungary through the lives of four generations of the Sonnenschein/Sors family. Religion, politics, power, commitment, love, family, serendipity, patriotism, nationalism, fear, sports, prejudice, war: a portrait of human life and death.
The individual is presented as fundamentally anchored in family, religion and principles, but at the same time subject to the whims of those in power. The interplay between each one’s abilities, emotions and ambitions, and the ever-present whirlwind outside one’s doors, is presented wonderfully.
Directed by the acclaimed István Szabó, it shows a surprising consistency throughout its 181 minutes.
Rating: Excellent.
Filed under Excellent, S, Drama, Politics.
Oct
28
06
Official movie website.
Internet Movie Database link.
After the latest stiff and soulless Star Wars episodes, Serenity is a
welcome breath of fresh air. If it were set in the Star Wars universe,
it would be titled “The adventures of Han Solo, if he had never come
across those pesky Rebels”.
Serenity thankfully dismisses meetings, political intrigue and deep, brainy
analyses to concentrate on fighting, low-atmosphere
combat, and the unraveling of a significant mystery. This mystery
involves, of course, a race of berserk cannibals and a pretty young
girl “conditioned for combat” and “of extraordinary grace”. Just like it
should be.
Rating: Very good.
Filed under Very Good, S, Science Fiction.
Sep
28
06
Internet Movie Database link.
Official movie link. (Australian movie website — Disney owns this film in the US, and I won’t link to them).
Original name: “Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi”
An absolute must-see, whether you’re a fan of anime or not. The story is highly imaginative, with many twists, turns, and intriguing characters. The animation is simply amazing. Pixar, Dreamworks and Disney are mere dust in Miyazaki’s shoes.
Very briefly, this is the story of Chihiro, a little girl moving to a new city with her parents. She gets lost in a bizarre land filled with the most extravagant characters. She must escape and rescue her parents in the process. By the time the film ends you’ll feel like you, too, left this world for a while.
Rating: Excellent.
Filed under Excellent, S, Anime.
Aug
01
06
Internet Movie Database link.
Official movie website.
This movie doesn’t raise itself above the Sunday afternoon crowd. The acting is below par, the characters are flat and lifeless, Luthor is never really menacing, and too many situations are left unexplained. This leaves us with a comic-based movie that is much less entertaing than the likes of X-Men or Spiderman. Superman’s disappearance plays no real role other than making Lois angry at him. I could never understand why Superman can’t just get over her — she’s got kids, for crying out loud.
Some of the special effects, though, are top notch. Not all.
Rating: Good.
Filed under Good, S, Science Fiction, Comics.
Jun
01
06
Internet Movie Data Base link.
Official movie website.
This is an intelligent, well-made movie. It is fast and makes you think the whole time, but it makes sense and plays no tricks (unlike other fast-paced films, such as Ocean’s Twelve).
The film’s subject (oil trade) is important and, as far as I know, it’s dealt with in an unbiased, apolitical manner. There are two essential underlying themes: greed and its consequences; and the inability of entire societies to avoid manipulation and ignorance.
Warning: there’s a very strong and very unnecessary (but mercifully short) torture scene. Just close your eyes.
Rating: Excellent.
Filed under Excellent, S, Drama, Politics.