(1959, Robert Bresson)
Pickpocket is one of the most brilliant films ever made. Period. Get this now. DVD extras are worth it.
(7/7)
Criterion Entry
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
The Avengers and Cabin in the Woods
The Avengers
(2012, Joss Whedon)
Nice superhero team action finally on screen. Some great CG and some less than great CG. Solid humor and acting. Fun. (6/7)
Trailer
Cabin in the Woods
(2011, Drew Goddard)
This is a fun and funny horror movie that reveals what it is going to be about in the first few seconds of the film. I wish the Ancient Ones had been more overtly Cthuluvian but hey can't win 'em all. Good work from Joss Whedon and various actors from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the Office, Thor, and elsewhere. Some smart, double punchyness, brief nudity and some great creatures. (7/7)
Trailer
(2012, Joss Whedon)
Nice superhero team action finally on screen. Some great CG and some less than great CG. Solid humor and acting. Fun. (6/7)
Trailer
Cabin in the Woods
(2011, Drew Goddard)
This is a fun and funny horror movie that reveals what it is going to be about in the first few seconds of the film. I wish the Ancient Ones had been more overtly Cthuluvian but hey can't win 'em all. Good work from Joss Whedon and various actors from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the Office, Thor, and elsewhere. Some smart, double punchyness, brief nudity and some great creatures. (7/7)
Trailer
Sunday, May 6, 2012
The Raven
(2012, James McTeigue)
John Cusack stars as Edgar Allen Poe as he works with Baltimore police as they try to stop a serial killer who is using Poe's stories and poems as inspiration for his crimes. Cusack is surprisingly convincing as Poe and he is supported by some solid character actors including Luke Evans (Immortals) and Brendan Gleeson (Gangs of New York, Kingdom of Heaven). The movie is in essence a sort of ratiocination story for which Poe himself is know and has some nice references to Poe's contemporaries, those who would follow him (Jules Verne) and to Poe's battles with depression and perhaps comes up with an imaginative tale which explains how he eventually died. Entertaining-- McTeigue offers decent period visuals (though clearly this film is not shot in the USA) but the soundtrack and ending/ outro is often times annoying. 5/7
Trailer
John Cusack stars as Edgar Allen Poe as he works with Baltimore police as they try to stop a serial killer who is using Poe's stories and poems as inspiration for his crimes. Cusack is surprisingly convincing as Poe and he is supported by some solid character actors including Luke Evans (Immortals) and Brendan Gleeson (Gangs of New York, Kingdom of Heaven). The movie is in essence a sort of ratiocination story for which Poe himself is know and has some nice references to Poe's contemporaries, those who would follow him (Jules Verne) and to Poe's battles with depression and perhaps comes up with an imaginative tale which explains how he eventually died. Entertaining-- McTeigue offers decent period visuals (though clearly this film is not shot in the USA) but the soundtrack and ending/ outro is often times annoying. 5/7
Trailer
Thursday, May 3, 2012
On DVD: Ironclad (Director's Commentary)
(2011, Jonathan English)
James Purefoy (Rome), Brian Cox, Paul Giamatti, Jason Flemyng, Derek Jacobi, Mackenzie Crook (The Office, Pirates of the Caribbean) and Kate Mara star in this independently produced film about the event surrounding the 13th century siege of Rochester Castle. King John (Giamatti) goes up against a knight Templar and the Baron Albany as they attempt to enforce the rule of Magna Carta which John signed but refuses to follow. Styled after the Magnificent Seven or Seven Samurai this movie has some nice elements but in the end fails on a number of fronts-- mostly (it would seem) related to budget constraints.
The reason this film should be viewed is for the Director's Commentary. It is really well done and is quite detailed as it delves into the various directorial sensibilities which influenced Jonathan English as well as the various choices and techniques which informed the creation of the film in practical terms. The film gets a 5/7 the commentary gets 7/7.
Trailer
James Purefoy (Rome), Brian Cox, Paul Giamatti, Jason Flemyng, Derek Jacobi, Mackenzie Crook (The Office, Pirates of the Caribbean) and Kate Mara star in this independently produced film about the event surrounding the 13th century siege of Rochester Castle. King John (Giamatti) goes up against a knight Templar and the Baron Albany as they attempt to enforce the rule of Magna Carta which John signed but refuses to follow. Styled after the Magnificent Seven or Seven Samurai this movie has some nice elements but in the end fails on a number of fronts-- mostly (it would seem) related to budget constraints.
The reason this film should be viewed is for the Director's Commentary. It is really well done and is quite detailed as it delves into the various directorial sensibilities which influenced Jonathan English as well as the various choices and techniques which informed the creation of the film in practical terms. The film gets a 5/7 the commentary gets 7/7.
Trailer
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
On DVD: *Must See* Marcel Carné, Les Enfants du Paradis CRITERION
(Marcel Carné, 1945)
Considered the best french film of all time by the Cinémathèque Française (and many critics) director Marcel Carné and writer Jacques Prévert have created a magical, emotional tale filled with compelling visuals, distinctive characters, and striking artistry and theatricality. This film has clearly influenced directors as diverse as Terry Gilliam and Jean Pierre Jeunet, Martin Scorcese, Bob Dylan and others.
The Criterion release is a further refinement of the 1990's Pathé restoration and they have done a fantastic job. The ancillary materials are solid but the film itself is what is so good. The translation/ subtitling is solid as well with few glaring translational issues that I could discover with my meagre french abilities. An historical drama set in the Paris of 1840's it is a time of ribaldry, duels, and diverse entertainments-- it is the "true" story of mime Jean-Gaspard Deburau "Baptiste" and actor Frédérick Lemaître on the famed Boulevard of Crime.
Amazing sets and theatrical "stories within the story" coupled with wonderful music help to add richness to the world peopled by a range of quirky and interesting characters often played brilliantly by the cast. Arletty's Garance, Pierre Brasseur's Frédérick Lemaître, Marcel Harrand's Lacenaire, and Jean-Louis Barrault's amazing mime Baptiste are all winning. There are a number of standout character performances as well (the humorous "Authors" come to mind).
This is a touching tale with something for every heart that has ever known or lost love. (7/7)
Cinémathèque Française
Trailer
Considered the best french film of all time by the Cinémathèque Française (and many critics) director Marcel Carné and writer Jacques Prévert have created a magical, emotional tale filled with compelling visuals, distinctive characters, and striking artistry and theatricality. This film has clearly influenced directors as diverse as Terry Gilliam and Jean Pierre Jeunet, Martin Scorcese, Bob Dylan and others.
The Criterion release is a further refinement of the 1990's Pathé restoration and they have done a fantastic job. The ancillary materials are solid but the film itself is what is so good. The translation/ subtitling is solid as well with few glaring translational issues that I could discover with my meagre french abilities. An historical drama set in the Paris of 1840's it is a time of ribaldry, duels, and diverse entertainments-- it is the "true" story of mime Jean-Gaspard Deburau "Baptiste" and actor Frédérick Lemaître on the famed Boulevard of Crime.
Amazing sets and theatrical "stories within the story" coupled with wonderful music help to add richness to the world peopled by a range of quirky and interesting characters often played brilliantly by the cast. Arletty's Garance, Pierre Brasseur's Frédérick Lemaître, Marcel Harrand's Lacenaire, and Jean-Louis Barrault's amazing mime Baptiste are all winning. There are a number of standout character performances as well (the humorous "Authors" come to mind).
This is a touching tale with something for every heart that has ever known or lost love. (7/7)
Cinémathèque Française
Trailer
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Two this week: Hunger Games and 21 Jumpstreet
The Hunger Games
(2012, Gary Ross)
Okay let's see: I liked the books but I must say the film is miscast across the board. While there are some nice filmic notes throughout-- this film fails to translate the spirit of the book. It is fairly accurate in depicting the basic events of the story but the scenic detail and convincing world-building are lost. The costumes and FX were (except for the bleak District 12 attire) fairly cheesily executed. The music is generally solid however (T-Bone Burnett producing). Jodelle Ferland (Tideland) wanted to be Katniss and I think she would have been a better choice. The story builds in the sequels, so hopefully the director will step up. . . . (4/7)
Official Site
21 Jumpstreet
(2012, Phil Lord and Chris Miller)
This will be the highest rated film that Down the Movie Hole has so far reviewed. It was a non-stop, double punch, laugh strike to the bladder. Completely winning, epic, brilliant and completely ridiculous! Genius. Cameos by the original Jumpstreet crew are a welcome addition! An hilarious romp for the GenX audience with some amazing social commentary and cultural references to and about the aloof Fakebooke generation and the social machinery of earlier generations. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are awesome with Brie Larson (Scott Pilgrim), Dave Franco (James Franco's little bro see them both on Funnyordie), awesome Ellie Kemper (The Office), and Johnny Simmons (Scott Pilgrim) in a short but hilarious appearance. Bring on the college sequel-- I'll be right up front laughing my arse off again. Music by Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh. (7/7)
Trailer
(2012, Gary Ross)
Okay let's see: I liked the books but I must say the film is miscast across the board. While there are some nice filmic notes throughout-- this film fails to translate the spirit of the book. It is fairly accurate in depicting the basic events of the story but the scenic detail and convincing world-building are lost. The costumes and FX were (except for the bleak District 12 attire) fairly cheesily executed. The music is generally solid however (T-Bone Burnett producing). Jodelle Ferland (Tideland) wanted to be Katniss and I think she would have been a better choice. The story builds in the sequels, so hopefully the director will step up. . . . (4/7)
Official Site
21 Jumpstreet
(2012, Phil Lord and Chris Miller)
This will be the highest rated film that Down the Movie Hole has so far reviewed. It was a non-stop, double punch, laugh strike to the bladder. Completely winning, epic, brilliant and completely ridiculous! Genius. Cameos by the original Jumpstreet crew are a welcome addition! An hilarious romp for the GenX audience with some amazing social commentary and cultural references to and about the aloof Fakebooke generation and the social machinery of earlier generations. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are awesome with Brie Larson (Scott Pilgrim), Dave Franco (James Franco's little bro see them both on Funnyordie), awesome Ellie Kemper (The Office), and Johnny Simmons (Scott Pilgrim) in a short but hilarious appearance. Bring on the college sequel-- I'll be right up front laughing my arse off again. Music by Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh. (7/7)
Trailer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)