Monday, August 06, 2007
Films Seen Since July 12
It’s been a while so here are quite a few quick hits on films seen in the 3 weeks and, if applicable, the list they belong to.
La Grande Bouffe – entertaining surreal film from 1973. I enjoyed it but not for all tastes. It was a real treat to see 4 giants of French and Italian cinema on the screen together. [Guardian #351 left]
The Wicker Man – Loved this early 70s British film. Christopher Lee gives one of his best performances and Edward Woodward is really good too. This film and theme seem such a natural for the time and place that I’m almost tempted to watch the remake to see how badly they screw it up. [Guardian #350]
The Cranes Are Flying – Very moving film from 50s Soviet Union. An interesting take on going to fight for your country and how the people at home deal with war and the aftermath. It caused a sensation at Cannes and I can see why. [Guardian #349; Criterian #3 seen; #49 left IMDB 50]
The Collector - Really good thriller from 1965. I had never heard of this until a friend recommended it. A creepy film that is not what you would expect during the code-era.
Lady in the Water – I’m never been a big Shyamalan fan. His films rely too much on a gimmick and don’t have much rewatch after it is revealed. This film didn’t hold my interest even before the reveal. I’m sure he has fans but I’m not one of them.
The House by the Cemetery – One genre I am a fan of is Italian horror films. I really enjoyed this Lucio Fulci film. I would never recommend this to people who are not interested but if you are this is one of his better efforts.
Black Snake Moan – Pretty good Southern gothic. Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci give very good performances.
Rescue Dawn – No one does man vs. nature better than Werner Herzog. This is one of the better films of the year helped by a very good lead performance by Christian Bale and an even better supporting performance by Steve Zahn.
La Vie en Rose – The film is probably just above average. For someone with no knowledge of Edith Piaf’s live the narrative structure was hard to follow at times. The real discovery is Marion Cotillard. Her performance as Piaf is the one to beat for the year and there is still 5 months left. I would not be surprised if it holds up and equally not surprised if the Oscars forget her.
Sullivan’s Travels – It is hard to discuss this now. Is it as good as its reputation? It just might be since I really enjoyed it. However, I never let myself just enjoy the film, kind of like the first time I saw Citizen Kane. Definitely one to revisit. [#3 on embarrassed not to have seen; Guardian #348; Criterion #4]
Sunshine – I really wanted to see this and was only slightly disappointed. This is a must see film to see in the theater due to the sound and visuals. The first 2/3rds are almost a masterpiece, the final 1/3rd, eh. not so much. But what I did love this ranks up there with 2001 and Alien as depicting intelligent people in space trying to work out the problem. Even if things go to shit in the end.
Dick Tracy – Wonderfully visual movie that just was neither good nor bad. [Guardian #347]
The Simpsons Movie – While it never achieved theatrical heights, I felt like I was watching a 90 minute episode, it was very good and didn’t disappoint. A decent story with a few missteps but had quite a few fall out-of-my-seat laugh moments and that is really all you can hope for with The Simpsons. So it delivered and then some. [#11 left IMDB 250]
Hairspray – I was surprised how much I enjoyed this film. My only problem was with John Travolta. Not that he was bad but he wasn’t really memorable and I could never get over it was “Travolta in a fat suit.” There were a number of standouts: James Marsdan, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelly, and Nikki Blonsky. The biggest treat was Amanda Bynes. she was too cute and stole most of the scenes she was in. And, John Waters, best cameo ever.
The Bourne Ultimatum – I’m a big fan of this series and this didn’t disappointed. One of the best films I’ve seen this year. I don’t know which is my favorite but after 3 they don’t seem to have run out of ideas and I’m already looking forward to the next one. [#10 IMDB 250]
Ratatouille – One of Pixar’s better efforts. At first watch probably not up there with Finding Nemo but then they might never reach that high again. Loved that they didn’t cast only stars but picked good voices. Only quibble is that at 110 minutes it seemed a tad too long. [#9 IMDB 250; 48 left IMDB 50]
La Grande Bouffe – entertaining surreal film from 1973. I enjoyed it but not for all tastes. It was a real treat to see 4 giants of French and Italian cinema on the screen together. [Guardian #351 left]
The Wicker Man – Loved this early 70s British film. Christopher Lee gives one of his best performances and Edward Woodward is really good too. This film and theme seem such a natural for the time and place that I’m almost tempted to watch the remake to see how badly they screw it up. [Guardian #350]
The Cranes Are Flying – Very moving film from 50s Soviet Union. An interesting take on going to fight for your country and how the people at home deal with war and the aftermath. It caused a sensation at Cannes and I can see why. [Guardian #349; Criterian #3 seen; #49 left IMDB 50]
The Collector - Really good thriller from 1965. I had never heard of this until a friend recommended it. A creepy film that is not what you would expect during the code-era.
Lady in the Water – I’m never been a big Shyamalan fan. His films rely too much on a gimmick and don’t have much rewatch after it is revealed. This film didn’t hold my interest even before the reveal. I’m sure he has fans but I’m not one of them.
The House by the Cemetery – One genre I am a fan of is Italian horror films. I really enjoyed this Lucio Fulci film. I would never recommend this to people who are not interested but if you are this is one of his better efforts.
Black Snake Moan – Pretty good Southern gothic. Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci give very good performances.
Rescue Dawn – No one does man vs. nature better than Werner Herzog. This is one of the better films of the year helped by a very good lead performance by Christian Bale and an even better supporting performance by Steve Zahn.
La Vie en Rose – The film is probably just above average. For someone with no knowledge of Edith Piaf’s live the narrative structure was hard to follow at times. The real discovery is Marion Cotillard. Her performance as Piaf is the one to beat for the year and there is still 5 months left. I would not be surprised if it holds up and equally not surprised if the Oscars forget her.
Sullivan’s Travels – It is hard to discuss this now. Is it as good as its reputation? It just might be since I really enjoyed it. However, I never let myself just enjoy the film, kind of like the first time I saw Citizen Kane. Definitely one to revisit. [#3 on embarrassed not to have seen; Guardian #348; Criterion #4]
Sunshine – I really wanted to see this and was only slightly disappointed. This is a must see film to see in the theater due to the sound and visuals. The first 2/3rds are almost a masterpiece, the final 1/3rd, eh. not so much. But what I did love this ranks up there with 2001 and Alien as depicting intelligent people in space trying to work out the problem. Even if things go to shit in the end.
Dick Tracy – Wonderfully visual movie that just was neither good nor bad. [Guardian #347]
The Simpsons Movie – While it never achieved theatrical heights, I felt like I was watching a 90 minute episode, it was very good and didn’t disappoint. A decent story with a few missteps but had quite a few fall out-of-my-seat laugh moments and that is really all you can hope for with The Simpsons. So it delivered and then some. [#11 left IMDB 250]
Hairspray – I was surprised how much I enjoyed this film. My only problem was with John Travolta. Not that he was bad but he wasn’t really memorable and I could never get over it was “Travolta in a fat suit.” There were a number of standouts: James Marsdan, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelly, and Nikki Blonsky. The biggest treat was Amanda Bynes. she was too cute and stole most of the scenes she was in. And, John Waters, best cameo ever.
The Bourne Ultimatum – I’m a big fan of this series and this didn’t disappointed. One of the best films I’ve seen this year. I don’t know which is my favorite but after 3 they don’t seem to have run out of ideas and I’m already looking forward to the next one. [#10 IMDB 250]
Ratatouille – One of Pixar’s better efforts. At first watch probably not up there with Finding Nemo but then they might never reach that high again. Loved that they didn’t cast only stars but picked good voices. Only quibble is that at 110 minutes it seemed a tad too long. [#9 IMDB 250; 48 left IMDB 50]
Labels: QuickHits
