*pokes head in*
Ok so it's been awhile since I've been around these parts. What'd I miss?
I've been busy with life and so forth, and I let my Oscar marathon get the best of me. I watched the films but let the reviews pile up. So I had about 30 movies to write about and I just couldn't seem to enjoy a movie until I had got my thoughts down on those. So I started. And after about 10, I accidentally lost the file that contained all my reviews and that got me down. But a couple weeks ago I decided I missed watching films and I knew I had to go on. So I hunkered down and wrote the 30 or so, short, and all and all pretty terrible reviews, since it'd been so long since I watched the movies. Anyway, its good to be back. No more rambling. I'll post reviews here over the next few days in batches, and of course on my site. I can't wait to finish of that Akira Kurosawa marathon.
Kick-Ass[2010] A movie that was simply awesome. There are bits and pieces that can be dissected, and I didn't love the ending, but on a whole it was one of the best movie experiences I've had in a long time. It takes the brilliant concept of a regular teenage superhero and actually follows through on it. Sure, some of the action scenes and physical abuse taken could never happen in real life. This isn't meant to be a documentary, but on a whole it roots itself in reality. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and it doesn't treat the material as a spoof either, its a perfect blend. From start to finish 'Kickass' was pure entertainment and one of the most fulfilling superhero movies to date.
Rating: 5/5
The Hurt Locker[2009] Katheryn Bigalow's Oscar winning Iraq war movie that manages to stay away from political overtones and focus on individuals. This is the interesting part of war, the personal stories of soldiers. The stories of ordinary men trying to survive in a living hell, and how it effects them.
In a word, this movie is tense. Bigalow is a master at building tension and executing each bomb defuse sequence as if the entire world depended on its outcome. One of the faults I did find in the film, was that it was repetitive. At its core its the same thing over and over again. The three men have to diffuse a bomb. And yet it is handled in such a way that it always feels new, and the threat is always real. The immersion into the war zone is perhaps the most effective aspect of the movie. Because of this, the characters connect more personally. When you feel as if you are there with them, their plights are more meaningful.
This is every bit a character driven film. Lead by the adrenaline addicted William James, played perfectly by Jeremy Renner, each man in the group has their own distinctive personality. Each is important to the film and react to the environment in their own ways. The effect of war on a soldier is perhaps the most important part of the film and it is handled better than in most other war films. There is a feel of authenticity throughout the film, and the phycological toll that it takes on soldiers is all the more effective because of this.
Rating: 4/5
Invictus[2009] Invictus is a film that seemed to have so much going for it. With Clint Eastwood directing, Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon starring, and a story based on one of the most iconic leaders in modern history, it seemed like the movie could not miss. And yet, it didn't deliver. Freeman and Damon did fine in their roles, but film suffered by not knowing what kind of movie it wanted to be. It failed as both a biopic and a sports drama. It fell short on the inspiration, and thats where it needed to land home. It ended up leaving a palpable taste of "so what", and is ultimately an inoffensive, but altogether forgettable Eastwood picture.
Rating: 2.5/5
The Blind Side[2009] Don't believe the hype on this film. There is not an ounce of originality in this trite melodrama despite it being based on a true story. It is packed full of corny dialog, contrived situations and irritating characters. Sandra Bullock was not good in this and it is an insult to all past Oscar winners that she was even nominated. Her performance was annoying, and I found my self rooting against her in every situation. Simply put this is no more than a Lifetime movie blown way out of proportion.
Rating: 1/5
In the Loop[2009] A British political satire that is all about the dialog. The plot is a bit rambling and never really made an impact, but the witty exchanges and wonderful character acting, particularly by Pete Capaldi, make the movie. In the Loop certainly doesn't shy away from working blue, it is a symphony of profanity that elevates the witty banter. The movie is wall to wall one liners which certainly make it worth the watch.
Rating: 3.5/5