Films I Watched - February, 2006
Submitted by lbangs on Tue, 02/07/2006 - 07:09
Tags:
- 2/26 - Crash - Steal some of the best elements of Magnolia and Traffic, kick them all up a notch, and you have an excellent, insightful film. Throw in a pathetic screenplay a talented high school junior could have typed up with minimal effort and a director who never lets go of the viewer’s hand while guiding through the various manipulations and silly twists and who mistakes an ever-present keyboard-driven score at least a decade out of date for sustained intensity, and you have Crash. It is hard to forgive a film that leaves you howling with laughter during a moment that is meant to break your heart. Let sh equal p, and you have a film title that can also serve as an instant review. *
- 2/18 - Never Say Never Again - Yeah, say what you wish. This is still one of the best Bond films. *** 1/2
- 2/18 - Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle - The storyline and sensibilities here are completely from John Hughes, while the actual subject is stolen from Cheech & Chong, except for this film, Danny Leiner and the writer added some funny humor. Yes, it is incredibly stupid, and many scenes struggle to transcend that limitation, but it does nab more laughs than the average comedy, especially when Neil Patrick Harris rambles aboard. ***
- 2/12 - Rize - Here is a perfect example of the typical documentary in today’s non-fiction film revival; this captures some fascinating material, but the film itself does not come anywhere near being as impressive as the dancers it lenses. This story of the youth of South Central Los Angeles and the mesmerizing style of dance they develop simply is not given the shape it deserves. Interesting scenes just sit there, and the editing seems desperate, trying to fashion this jewel but finding no form worthy of its substance. No doubt, this will be enough for many viewers – I’ve noticed a tendency for people to be very lenient on reviewing documentaries if they like the subject covered – but it is really something of a missed opportunity and ends up vaguely disappointing. **
- 2/12 - The Matador - Let us just clear away a little shame and say that Pierce Brosnan should have been nominate for the Academy Award for Best Actor. The former Bond gives a simply jaw-dropping performance here that should pulverize any doubt that he has the talent to survive the role that has limited many careers. Taking his character from The Tailor of Panama, pushing him further over the edge, and yet also giving him some touching humanity, Brosnan has invested Julian Noble with a repulsive, sympathetic quality nearly impossible to pull off. I’m not kidding; his work is every bit as worthy of recognition as any of the nominees this year. Not that he has to carry this movie alone; every actor is terrific, from the under-rated Kinnear’s straight man, Hope Davis’ small-town girl, and on down the line. Director Richard Shepard injects this with the stylish zest of a Grosse Pointe Blank for the over thirty-five set and even pulls a few genuine surprises from out of his sleeve. Perhaps the ending doesn’t quite live up to the rest of the flick, but this is surely a wonderful January surprise – a zippy, fun, hip film for adults. ***
- 2/11 - And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself - Can there be such a beast as an under-rated made for HBO movie? If so, here it is. The events behind this incredibly accurate film could have been penned by Werner Herzog; Villa agrees to allow a studio to film (and, to some degree, to control) his revolution in exchange for gold and a boost in public relations. Frank Thayer is the producer who blindly worships the rebel. The cast boasts a strong rooster of supporting actors, including Alan Arkin, Anthony Head, and Jim Broadbent, while Antonio Banderas jumpstarts Villa into roaring life and Eion Bailey creates an incredibly believable Tom Buchanan to follow the dangerous Gatsby about. Bruce Beresford nails the tone, a delicate mix of black humor and more ominous colorings, and the production values never let slip a clue that this is not a theatrical release. As history, it is very educational. As a film, it is extremely entertaining and thought-provoking. What more could you ask for from such an unheralded film? *** 1/2
- 2/5 - Amateur Yeah, I watched it again. Wanna guess what I give it? ****
- 2/5 - Mrs. Henderson Presents - Okay, class, repeat after me. “Great acting and a tale spanning decades does not makes a great film without a decent script.” Now write that twenty times. It really hurts a movie like this when the opening and ending are as lame and tired as here. The middle has its moments, but really, this is pure award bait and nothing more. It isn't even up to average formula Oscar-wannabe quality. Heck, as much as I like Dench, I can probably conjure up ten performances by actresses last year that trump her here, as the writers have her retreading her usualy crusty-with-a-doughy-heart character. On the bright side, Kelly Reilly is one of the most beautiful women I’ve seen on the big screen. * 1/2
Author Comments:
I'm rating the films on a zero to four star basis. ** 1/2 is average.
I guess you're saying I should bother to rent Mrs. Henderson? I'm on the fence about it.
Obviously, I didn't care for it. The acting is terrific, but the film is just much too pedestrian for me. Take a crusty yet feisty dame, have her defy society, and wrap it all up with a lame speech that makes all end well (very minor spoiler). Bluch.
There are some redeeming moments in the middle, and the relationship between the two main characters is surprisingly fresh, but for me, it just wasn’t nearly enough to make me regret paying a matinee price for sitting through it.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I think I'll see it just so I can see Bob Hoskins nekkid.
Well, you should probably definitely catch it on the big screen then!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
LOL
Oh excellent! I'm very happy to read your review of The Matador; I'm really looking forward to that one.
As for Rize (which I haven't seen yet):
"I've noticed a tendency for people to be very lenient on reviewing documentaries if they like the subject covered."
Man, that one hits close to home (even if you weren't aiming at me specifically)!
Finally, Bertie should be very happy to read your Pancho Villa review.
The Matador is tons of fun, but not for the easily offended. I think you'll enjoy it.
My arrow was certainly not aimed at anybody specifically. I just think that the quality of a film transcends its subject matter, and a documentary with a strong liberal bias has a very good chance of being overpraised and over-rated by many folks. I could make a very long list of recent films as examples, but I think one could scan my reviews and figure that out for his or her self.
Not that Rize is a liberal film per se, but I think many people will love the young people and their dancing and overlook the fact that the film itself is a little weak. The subject matter might trump the film's actual worth in many minds.
I read Bertie's review, and yes, I think he might enjoy having somebody backing him up!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
If I like the subject matter of any film, not just a documentary, I will give it extra points which counteracts the points I subtract for poor execution.
Not me! I'm a stern critic!
I never smile!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs (he types sternly)
I like films which promote good values.
I mostly like films that promote bad values and corrupt people.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs (I didn't fool you, did I? Ah, nuts! :) )
Just to reiterate, I didn't really think you were talking about me, but it hits close to home nonetheless. Not so much in that I tend to overpraise docs with a strong liberal bias (although now, revisting my list, I guess maybe I do!), but I do know that the subject matter can really carry a movie a long ways for me. If the information is personally interesting to me, then all the movie has to do is not get in the way.
Amen on Rize. There can't be many subjects better suited for the documentary than the dancing in the film, but LaChappelle gives us a disorganized, almost plotless mess. Some video directors make the jump to features very successfully, but considering that LaChappelle has always been known for images that are all surface/no substance, his being overwhelmed by his topic doesn't shock me at all.
I actually feel even more disappointed when a poorly done documentary is on subject matter I'm interested in. I can't stop thinking about the missed opportunity to create something that is truly art. And it's not just film, nonfiction books aren't expected to aspire to the artistry that great fiction or poetry does.
Johnny Illuminati
I love to hear a witness! And to think I sped across town to catch it...
I think I feel the same way about art concerning subjects I love; I think if anything, I tend to raise the bar a bit...
Great comments; thanks!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
For me, one of the most interesting things about '...Pancho Villa...' is the wide variety of moral and ethical issues it raises. The ethics of film-making for the producer, director and performer. The ethics of revolutionary politics and international politics. The ethics of being a miltary commander and icon of hope to the desperate and downtrodden. The morality of making soldiers out of children. The morality of the mercenary fighter. How to morally evaluate a heroically courageous man who also has a cruel - and even a murderous - streak. These are just the most obvious issues the audience of this very memorable movie is invited to consider.
I agree. I especially appreciated the way the producer enjoyed the more glorious elements of the warrior and idolized Pancho until he finally had to face the more brutal side. His disillusionment was strong and sad, yet unavoidable.
The film manages to combine some of the breezy qualities of a black comedy while facing the heavier issues straight in the face without watering down the complexity or giving any viewpoint the short shrift. It reminded me quite a bit of The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance in the cynical yet realistic way it handled legend versus reality.
A very, very good film. I'm glad I'm not the only one to dig it.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I think it speaks to your talent as a reviewer that I really love your angry rants even when they're about movies I like.
Thank you. My reaction to Crash makes me feel like a complete crank, but ah, I tried. Believe me, I tried.
I am only now going back and reading the reactions of others on Listology to the film. Very interesting. This film even separates folks who often agree.
For what it is worth, I wanted to like it...
Again, I appreciate your kind words concerning my harsh ones!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I like how you write about Crash, but not what you say about it. So, how would you rank the five "Best Picture"-nominees then? (I think you have seen all five, right?)
At this point, I am two films away from having seen all the nominees in all the acting, animated feature, directing, editing, makeup, song, screenplay, and best picture categories. One of those films, Hustle & Flow, is sitting in my living room at the moment. The other (Transamerica) has never opened in my city yet and is unavailable on DVD at the moment.
A third film, Memoirs of a Geisha, would mean I've seen all the nominees in all the major categories barring documentary, foreign films, and short features.
I'm not entirely sure if I should be proud or ashamed of this fact. :)
i'll have to try to finagle an Oscar post before the big night, but right now, my ranking of the Best Picture nominees is, from best to worst...
Brokeback Mountain
Good Night, and Good Luck
Munich
Capote
Crash...
with that last film far below the others.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I think you'll be happy with this year's winners then, unless Crash would really...
Mine would look like this:
Crash
Brokeback Mountain
Munich
Good Night, and Good Luck.
...and I need to see Capote. Same for Syriana, The New World and A History of Violence.
The only nominated foreign film I have seen so far is Sophie Scholl, but I can't wait to see Paradise Now.
I hope to post a long Oscar article after I catch a related double feature Friday night, health permitting...
I love seeing your picks!
Shalom, y'all1
L. Bangs
Ah, Crash, I can't remember the last time a movie I loved took such a beating here. The funny thing is though, every time another pan comes down the wire, every time one of our scale-of-a-100 guys scores it in the teens, I'm totally unsurprised. It's even funnier that I still love it. I had to update my review to reflect that.
Ya win some...
(Great review, by the way. Love the "Let sh equal p line. :-)
Truth be told, I hate being part of the mob ganging up on this film. You know how I shun those bandwagons. Still, I gots to be honest, and the implausible plot twists coupled with undeveloped characters and direction that tries and fails to be both gritty and melodramatic at the same time just pulls this one far under for me...
Still, you know I'd be horribly disappointed if a few of us grouchy folks made you change your mind, so eye of the tiger! :)
I'm glad that even if people disagreed, they still enjoyed the review...
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
In defense of Crash, I think its screenplay is bad but also the work of considerable talent. A genius high school junior could not have written Crash. If nothing else, it is densely compelling (all that happens is a lie, but it's an interesting one).
BTW, I keep coming across news stories that challenge my perception of what "movie farce" is. For example, robbers who make a clean getaway with $70 million in a semi. And just yesterday, a man had a fatal car accident at night about 50 miles from my house. The cop called to the scene happened to be his brother. Etc.
They do say truth is stranger than fiction, although some movies really do stretch that idea.
Def dat.
Although I still stand by my high school claims.
I will note, though, that I am not one of those habitual Haggis bashers. I liked his screenplay for Baby.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Have you actually reviwed Amateur anywhere? I just watched it and loved it, but would be curious to know what about it overwhelms you.
I haven't quite tackled that challenge yet. I'm growing rusty, so maybe I should attempt it soon.
I'm very glad you enjoyed it. Not too many people do, so hip-hip-...
:)
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs