M. Okay, my rant. Last night we stayed up late and watched the Oscars. Once again, they showered awards on movies nobody has seen, wants to see, or would have ever heard of if the Academy had not nominated them. It seems to me, and this is just my opinion, that the Oscars are so far removed from reality, that they have lost all of their credibility as an award show. They appear to be based strictly on politics and campaigning. What they are not, is an award for the best movies or the best actors. I don't claim to have any expertise in video editing, sound mixing, or makeup, so I won't pick on those awards. But anyone can watch a movie and know if it is good. Why then, year after year, are all the awards given to movies that nobody cares about. We haven't seen them, and if we have, we certainly don't want them in our movie collection.
I, like everyone, have gotten used to the awards going to movies portraying the most "raw" and "real" depiction of some politically hot issue. But, when a movie and actress are nominated and awarded for the portrayal of a woman's affair with a fourteen-year-old boy (I think the current term is pedophile), I have to conclude that they have gone too far. I am not saying that the awards should go to whatever movie makes the most money, or has the most explosions. I am just saying that we deserve an award ceremony for the best movies. Right now, we don't have it.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Coraline
M: Where to start. We were excited to see this, and went out to a late showing on Valentine's day. (Can you say "Romance.") Steve Salles, who we usually agree with, gave the movie 4 stars. And we loved Nightmare Before Christmas (same director), so we had fairly high expectations. As it turns out, this was the creepiest movie I have ever seen. It was well done, and beautiful at times, but absolutely creeped me out. Do not, I repeat, do not, take your kids to this movie, unless you want them to have nightmares about the evil versions of their parents taking out their children's eyeballs and sewing buttons in their place. I am giving this a bonus for looking good, otherwise my review would be lower. 2 1/2 stars.
V: Yeah, I was a little bummed about this one. It was really super well done. But, man! I had heard it described as creepy. It was downright scary. There was little to lighten it up or provide comic relief. Could have been really good, but I think it just stayed too dark and frightening. I saw it described as "horror fantasy." Keep that in mind, and like M said, don't take your kids! There was one scene with a They Might Be Giants song - fans will notice it right off. I guess they (TMBG) were going to do a lot more music for the film, but as it turned more and more creepy, TMBG had to be left behind. I think it would have been better --could have infused some dark humor. As it was, it was just dark. So, on the positive side . . . If you think of it as a Halloween film (as it definitely should have been marketed as such and released then!!) and you're looking forward to being scared - then by all means, go see Coraline. Again, it is really beautifully done, and the 3D was cool, very realistic. So, in the genre of horror flicks, I give this 3 stars.
V: Yeah, I was a little bummed about this one. It was really super well done. But, man! I had heard it described as creepy. It was downright scary. There was little to lighten it up or provide comic relief. Could have been really good, but I think it just stayed too dark and frightening. I saw it described as "horror fantasy." Keep that in mind, and like M said, don't take your kids! There was one scene with a They Might Be Giants song - fans will notice it right off. I guess they (TMBG) were going to do a lot more music for the film, but as it turned more and more creepy, TMBG had to be left behind. I think it would have been better --could have infused some dark humor. As it was, it was just dark. So, on the positive side . . . If you think of it as a Halloween film (as it definitely should have been marketed as such and released then!!) and you're looking forward to being scared - then by all means, go see Coraline. Again, it is really beautifully done, and the 3D was cool, very realistic. So, in the genre of horror flicks, I give this 3 stars.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Eagle Eye
M: Buckle your seat-belts and suspend your disbelief. This show is action-packed. An unknown entity displaying unbelievable powers over people and things compels our two main characters to do its bidding. I was disappointed when I found out who was pulling the strings behind the scenes. 2 1/2 stars
V: Yeah, this show was entertaining if you like a lot of action and car crashes. It was an interesting premise in the Big Brother is Watching You vein. But added to the scare of what might realistically happen in our modern world was this kinda sci-fi villain, which discredited the reality/realistic part. It reminded me of I-Robot, which I really liked, and which (rightly so) just stuck with the sci-fi thing. 2 stars.
V: Yeah, this show was entertaining if you like a lot of action and car crashes. It was an interesting premise in the Big Brother is Watching You vein. But added to the scare of what might realistically happen in our modern world was this kinda sci-fi villain, which discredited the reality/realistic part. It reminded me of I-Robot, which I really liked, and which (rightly so) just stuck with the sci-fi thing. 2 stars.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Horton Hears a Who
V: Somehow I can't resist calling this "Horton Gives a Hoot", but I guess that works, too. He does, he really does. He's a very sweet pachyderm. This movie has a ton of great voice talent: Jim Carrey, Steve Carrell, Carol Burnett (wait there's a pattern here.) The story is developed well and moves along. My only complaint - maybe I missed it - is I really didn't see why the Kangaroo was soooo dead set against Horton helping his speck. I know, there's a message of intolerance and misunderstanding in there - but I could have used a little more basis for why the WHOLE JUNGLE came together to stop him. Wouldn't they realistically just write him off as a little crazy and let him go on his harmless way? (Like they did for Katie the babbling orange fluffball?) But, it was still an enjoyable little movie. 3 stars.
M: Fun and funny. Not as funny or satisfying as WallE or Kung-fu Panda. Kind of paled in comparison , but worth seeing if you have kids. 3 stars.
M: Fun and funny. Not as funny or satisfying as WallE or Kung-fu Panda. Kind of paled in comparison , but worth seeing if you have kids. 3 stars.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
John Adams
M: One of the best films I have seen this year. Originally airing on HBO, John Adams is an interesting and inspiring look at the life and times of founding father John Adams. Without sensationalism or over-sentimentalism, the series tells the story of the beginnings of our nation; it simply blew me away. Paul Giamatti, (as John Adams) was brilliant. Laura Linney played Adams' patient and loving wife superbly. This is a must-see. 4 Stars
V: Absolutely. It was so good. I was really sad when we finished watching it. (It is in 7 parts. Each part is over an hour. We ate it up.) Paul Giamatti is just really great, as always. Wonderfully directed, acted, and written. 4 Stars
Monday, December 1, 2008
Dead Again
M: V has seen this movie many times, and I have seen parts, but never all the way through. Well this past weekend we were up at the lake and sat down to watch it. This movie is good (get it edited for swearing and some violence). Robin Williams' character (which is not a major part) could be completely removed and not missed. A classic scary/mystery/fun film. 3 stars.
V: I have seen it a few times, and it is an interesting, good movie. The funny part about this viewing was that M's innocent sister (favorite movie: Pollyanna) was really pushing to watch this one over the other choices which had offensive material in it. She didn't realize that the version she'd (and I'd) seen before was edited, and was duly embarrassed by the F-bombs and violence. Ah well. I still like it. It's a creative story and artfully done. Try to see it edited if you don't love F-bombs and violence. (For me, I love that stuff!) 3 1/2 stars.
V: I have seen it a few times, and it is an interesting, good movie. The funny part about this viewing was that M's innocent sister (favorite movie: Pollyanna) was really pushing to watch this one over the other choices which had offensive material in it. She didn't realize that the version she'd (and I'd) seen before was edited, and was duly embarrassed by the F-bombs and violence. Ah well. I still like it. It's a creative story and artfully done. Try to see it edited if you don't love F-bombs and violence. (For me, I love that stuff!) 3 1/2 stars.
Leather Heads
M: A movie about the coming of age of professional football starring George Clooney, Renee Zellweger, and John Krasinski (Jim of the Office). A relatively funny and quirky movie that at times tried too hard to be quirky and came off silly. I enjoyed Clooney and Krasinski's characters, but did not care for Zellweger's character and did not believe the romance side of the film. It also bugged me when they tried to turn Krasinski's character into an antagonist. It felt awkward for the movie to try to force me to root against the character that was the most likable and that I most liked. 2 stars
V: It's fun enough, but it tried to go in too many different directions and fit into too many different genres at once. The effect is a pretty discombobulated show. The actors are fun. I always say I don't like Rene Zellweger, but then usually find that I lose the actress in her character. So she is a good actor, after all, I admit. George Clooney and John Krasinski are loveable actors, and their characters are fun, too. But it still is jumbled, ending in a joke that was fun, but still, what's all this running around about? Seems like Clooney, as director, was trying to sandwich the slapstick from his 20 favorite old movies into this show, and it just got silly sometimes. 2 stars.
V: It's fun enough, but it tried to go in too many different directions and fit into too many different genres at once. The effect is a pretty discombobulated show. The actors are fun. I always say I don't like Rene Zellweger, but then usually find that I lose the actress in her character. So she is a good actor, after all, I admit. George Clooney and John Krasinski are loveable actors, and their characters are fun, too. But it still is jumbled, ending in a joke that was fun, but still, what's all this running around about? Seems like Clooney, as director, was trying to sandwich the slapstick from his 20 favorite old movies into this show, and it just got silly sometimes. 2 stars.
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