(2012, Larry Charles)
It is the funny from England Jew Sacha Baron Cohen back again this time making fun of America, Jews, and Muslims and lots of other things. This movie is funny but incredibly predictable. Some nice humor with goats. I enjoyed myself. Ana Faris can do no wrong. (5/7)
Trailer
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Pickpocket on Criterion DVD
(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
Pickpocket is one of the most brilliant films ever made. Period. Get this now. DVD extras are worth it.
(7/7)
Criterion Entry
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
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