In the last couple weeks I've already watched a couple of my marathon picks, so I suppose I'll start with them.
The Dark KnightMy second watch, this time on my laptop screen instead of IMAX. It was just as amazing. Christopher Bale is pretty dull in this, but Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart (who I just saw in Black Daliha) and Gary Oldman more than make up for Bale’s Keanu-Reeves-ness. It is smart reflection on human nature. And the variety of ethical parables that make up this film make my heart beat faster than five hours of top notch special effects. It is also refreshing to have a truly evil villain—not strictly mad, but completely and brilliantly sociopathic— in order to experience true fear of him. Perhaps it is a little bit of a mess. If so, it is a perfect messterpiece. I don’t see how Nolan can top this. If Inception comes even close to this, it will be worth the money wasted on the theatre that ruined my experience of Toy Story 3.
Technical-- 4/5-- The storytelling is convoluted a couple times. Generally excellent, however.
Interest-- 5/5-- Never a dull moment. Sometimes I needed to pause just to catch my breath.
Tension--5/5-- One of the most intense movies I've ever seen.
Emotional--3/5-- I really struggled personally with some of the situations the Joker set up.
Characters--3/5-- Ledger's Joker is perfect. Bale's Batman was a bit dull. Overall, alright.
Theme-- 4/5-- Holding to one's principles in the face of pure evil. Well done, even if the theme does get muddied in the plot.
Ethics--5/5-- Not because the ethics are perfect, but because of the ethical struggle the whole movie posed. I prefer an ethical exercise rather than a sermon.
Personal--3/5-- In general, I can resonate with the struggle to maintain principle when it doesn't seem correct. But the stakes in the movie are too high to really identify with.
In AmericaAlso my second watch. In the family, every character is distinct and well developed, but the family as a unit is also perfectly realized. And then the inclusion of Djimon Hounsou to shake the family up is simply wonderful. This is the only movie I can think of that both times I watched it I thought, "This is a perfect film." There are other films that hit all the emotional moments and have wonderful characters, but few that I appreciate so much being a part of their lives, if only for a short time.
Technical-- 5/5-- Well crafted film.
Interest-- 4/5-- I only lost interest the first time I watched the first scenes. But they soon captured me.
Tension--4/5-- The scene at the carnival. The dual sickbed scenes. Totally intense.
Emotional--5/5-- I cried both times I saw this film.
Characters-- 5/5-- This is the real strength of the film. I have never seen a whole family, including children, presented with such completeness. I know these people. I want to know them better.
Theme--2/5-- Not literary in that way, really. Allowing oneself to feel is a major theme.
Ethics--3/5-- The occasional interesting ethical situation. How should we deal with addicts who ask us for money? How do we best raise our children in a frightening environment?
Personal--3/5-- Just in the raising of my two girls. The joy of the family reminds me of the best times with my family.
Top 100 List, thus far:
1. In America
2. The Dark Knight