User Movie Reviews
Mon, Jun 06, 1:54 AM
stantonprescott
Movie Review
Beginners
All though the pacing for this movie is a bit slow, the conflicts in which Ewan McGregor's character finds himself dealing with are interesting enough to keep you interested. Growing up watching his parents in an un-honest relationship, he feels that any relationship he gets involved in will not work out, and even if they are perfect for each other, he sabotages it. Throughout the film, you are taken back and forth between his relationship with Melanie Laurent, his relationship with his mom, and his relationship with his dad and dad's boyfriend. The underlying topic in this movie would most likely be defined as acceptance of the gay community in today's society vs. the acceptance in previous societies. The acting is solid, story well told, and there are a few comedic breaks to lighten the mood. The Jack Russel Terrier steals the show, in my opinion, however.
Sat, Jun 04, 2:39 PM
stantonprescott
Movie Review
Tree of Life
For the first time ever, I found myself sitting in the theater as the credits roll with 'WTF' on my mind. I had NO idea what I had just watched. What I DID know, was the cinematography was phenomenal. As far as my interpretation of what was actually going on, I had to reflect on it for a few days. Terrence Malick brilliantly shows us that as humans, we are but a mere speck in the existence of life. From the beginning of time to the end, all we have are our connections to each other. At least thats what I got out of this. This film is not for everyone. I saw a lot of people walking out. It jumps around from modern time, to the 50's, to the beginning of time, to dinosaurs, to the future and to the end of time. What I can assure you will love is the cinematography, which I feel is the best I've seen in years.
Thu, May 05, 11:29 PM
whalestails
Movie Review
Enter the Void
If you've seen Gaspar Noe's Irreversible, then you know the director isn't shy about sex and violence. In fact, he lays them on so thick that your liable to choke. While brutality is pulled back in Enter the Void, sexuality is doubly pervasive, managing to find it's way into practically every nook and cranny of the film. I'm all for liberating sexual identity and action in film, but there were many times where I felt the sex actually got in the way of telling the -story-. You know, like porno. Of course, the main draw of the film is it's epilepsy-enduing, kaleidoscopically lush visuals. Never have I seen a film before that so consistently (and effectively) incorporates swaths of lights, colors, computer animation, and luminous set pieces throughout the entire experience. From start to finish, the movie is an unforgettable drug trip. From the first-person and omniscient camera angles to the muffled sound to the endless parade of flashing lights and swirling colors, Enter the Void launches into a deep, prismatic space of it's own. In this space you're forced to contemplate the long journey of Oscar, from his death in a club bathroom to his supernatural observation of his sister. The film goes into full flashback mode for a good 30 to 40 minutes, then resurfaces at the present, tacking on another 45 minutes to finish out the story. Frankly, it's just too long. The visuals are fantastic but they don't justify the slogging pace that the film adopts halfway through. This is also the point where the overabundance of blatant, sleazy-cool sexuality kicks in. It makes the movie almost tiring to watch. It's a shame that the pace and subject matter can't match the absolutely brilliant visual design of the film. Otherwise, Enter the Void could have been a full-blown classic, rather than just a special effects benchmark.
video
Tue, Feb 01, 8:27 AM
lorisrizzo
Movie Review
TRON LEGACY
Better than the original in story, effects, stylish looks and techno soundtrack. Virtual actors like C.L.U. are still inexpressive despite being mapped and voiced by their real counterparts. The idea of using 3D only in cyberspace was interesting, but seen on screen doesn't really work as expected.
Sun, Jan 30, 12:19 PM
lorisrizzo
Movie Review
HEREAFTER
Structurally similar to the films by Iñárritu, without all the visual and acting mannerisms and with more heart, and a delicate soundtrack reminiscent of Debussy composed by the same hands that not so many years ago used to handle Colts and 44 Magnums.
Fri, Jan 21, 5:51 PM
whalestails
Movie Review
The Girlfriend Experience
I wasn't expecting to be totally thrown for a loop when I watched Steven Soderbergh's The Girlfriend Experience, but loop I was indeed thrown for. This is experimental storytelling on extremely concise levels. Sasha Grey's turn as the diminutive and plain escort, Chelsea, is framed well by Soderbergh's revolving door of impressionistic camerawork and unstructured narrative. The movie was made in two weeks for under $2 million and it shows. There is a very rapid, seat-of-the-pants tone to the film, even with the shots tend to linger and refuse to focus on it's primary subjects. Through this aesthetic, Soderbergh shows a relationship in turmoil - Chelsea and her personal trainer boyfriend, Chris, continually move away from each other as she takes on more clients. She becomes obsessed with one client in particular, sounding the death knell of her relationship with Chris. The structure of The Girlfriend Experience is scatterbrain, but you can tell that the brain it came from was an intelligent one. The rich and glamorous world that Chelsea's clients live in has been threatened by the recession and that's basically all they can think about it. Soderbergh's unorganized snapshots show a world of financial uncertainty, but a world still requiring companionship. The unorthodox structure actually serves to smooth over the delivery of such real-life concerns. Reality encroaches and has something to say, but it never takes over the heart of the movie.
video
Mon, Jan 10, 12:58 AM
whalestails
Movie Review
Black Swan
Going into this movie, I already had my reservations. Director Darren Aronofsky never exactly rubbed me the right way with his previous films such as Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain and Pi. They all boast a striking visual tone, but when it comes to storytelling, his films dive into a deep end of bullshit - namely self-importance. Of course, when I saw The Wrestler, it was a total turn-around. I was wondering if I was watching the same filmmaker. The story was cohesive and it didn't rest on some cheap shock to the system to illicit a response. Unfortunately, Black Swan pushes the director's head somewhat back up his ass. There are just too many trite plot twists and horror image cliches peppered throughout to consider the film as "important" as it desires to be. A lot of people have talked about how Natalie Portman's performance is just so amazing, but all I saw was a mediocre actress reacting as best she could to a cinematic world she isn't normally affiliated with. I feel it's one of those situations where the environment around the actor or actress is so evocative, that practically anything they do will be considered great or interesting by comparison. Aronofsky does improve in some areas, though. The visual composition of the film - the cinematography, set design and costumes - was fantastic. This has actually continually improved and impressed me throughout his career. His movies always look interesting. It's just that you've got this great visual artist, whose constantly dogged by a mediocre storyteller. The storyteller needs to make everything little thing feel more important and "shocking" then it actually is, and thus, trivializes any power the visuals elements had conjured.
video
Thu, Jan 06, 1:07 AM
whalestails
Movie Review
I Need That Record!
I tried to watch the documentary I Need That Record! last night. I figured being such a gushy lover of music I'd enjoy it. Unfortunately, it quickly degenerates from fond memories of epic record store voyages to "down with the popular music industry" grandstanding. I just couldn't get through it. Reminded me of a teen rebelling against their parents with no real reason behind it. A rebel just to be a rebel. They could have drawn a well-articulated portrait of music and the digitization of media in the 21st century, but it seems they were far too hung up on the ignorant high school stoner mentality of "fuck the man, even if I don't know exactly why."
Wed, Dec 29, 1:02 AM
whalestails
Movie Review
Happy Together
I got to sit down and watch Happy Together, Wong Kar Wai's 1997 film about a dissatisfied gay couple trying to repair their relationship by moving to Buenos Aires. The film was actually a lot more straightforward then I would thought Wong capable of. It still has those shades of time-elapsing reflection and fantastically saturated cinematography like in other Kar Wai films, but they almost frame the relation between the two men, rather then absorbing the drama like a liquid blanket. Tony Leung and Leslie Cheung put on endearing performances, particularly Leung's Lai Yiu-fai, who must climb out of his crippled emotional attachment to his partner in order to move on with his life. I will say the film didn't quite impact me as much as Fallen Angels, Chungking Express or even Days of Being Wild, but it was still a lingering, evocative journey that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Fri, Dec 17, 12:14 AM
popcornflicks
Movie Review
Band Baaja Baraat
Band Baaja Baraat video Review by Amit R Agarwal
Mike at 12/23/10 3:01 p.m.
Nice review. FYI - for youtube and vimeo clips, you should use "Attach Video" and paste the link there. That will generate a nice thumbnail for you as well.
Wed, Dec 08, 3:20 PM
whalestails
Movie Review
Vengeance
Vengeance is Johnnie To's unbalanced and strange take on the revenge story. The film tells the story of a father seeking retribution against the men who killed his daughter's family. Sounds pretty typical, and, for the first third of the film, it is. Daughter's family dies, asks father for revenge, father vows to avenge her. However, the movie quickly runs off the rails and blows apart in just about every conceivable direction. The dialogue is painfully simplistic and it's delivered in the most awkward, mechanical fashion possible (it doesn't help the film is in three languages at once). The action is a big grab-bag, that unfortunately has far more candy corn then it does Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. It's really strange because there are some sequences that are riveting and dynamically choreographed, but there are other sequences that will literally put you to sleep. Yes, action sequences that put you to -sleep-. You know that's a bad sign. I had this simultaneous feeling of boredom, excitement and bewilderment throughout the entire experience. I'm not exactly sure how that was achieved, but if that was your goal Johnnie To, my hats off to you.
video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXLKpiAZw8g
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Popcornflicks at 12/25/10 1:07 p.m.
Thx Mike
Thx Bresson