Adding:

C+
Nights in Rodanthe
Penelope

Adding:
You Dont Mess With the Zohan; Dennis Dugan

Nominated for a Teen Choice Award? Depressing.

F

Adding "Out of Tune" (C+) to my list.

Adding:

The Duchess; Saul Dibb

18th Century soap-opera which failed as a character study and did not adequately capture the nature or the life of the actual Duchess.
Keira Knightley didnt annoy me and kept her under-bite in control. Ralph Fiennes, who portrayed the Duke as a cold, arrogant, distant man still managed to evoke a measure of sympathy for his character. He was a product of his times, and he projected that well. That women, and the Duchess, were virtually powerless, abused, and not able to vote, even as they spoke of the abolition of slavery, is clear.
The screenplay meandered, and had an unsatisfactory and loose conclusion.
Except for one hat, worn by Knightley, I didn't care for the costume design. I was surprised by how drab and unimpressive it was.
The Duchess has a great score, which became loud a few times, but was terrific.
Hayley Atwell, was pretty good.

B-

"The world is on the brink of disaster...Change is upon us!" Charles Grey


Elegy; Isabel Coixet

Based on the novel by Philip Roth, "The Dying Animal", Elegy is a rather profound character study, and a thoughtful look at life, wasted time, and death. Centered around David Kepesh, a minor celebrity, estranged from his son and isolated by his fears; his conversations and asides with his friend George O'Hearn, played by Dennis Hopper, speak of aging, fears of failed relationships, and life drifting past unnoticed. This is a tragic study of a man less mature than a woman thirty+ years younger.
Ben Kingsley delivers a complex performance, and Penelope Cruz was ethereal. It was great seeing Deborah Harry, albeit in a small role, and Patricia Clarkson was very good as the pragmatic Carolyn.
Not for everyone.

B

"Time passes when you're not watching" David Kepesh

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Adding:

"The Duchess" Grade: B-

Good acting by Keira Knightley in the lead and great acting by Ralph Fieness make this film worth seeing even though the screenplay is mediocre. Dominic Cooper is ho-hum as Knightley's love interest. Not particularly dynamic as a politician or a lover. Still, worth a catch for the two leads, an interesting look at a very odd marriage (the duke lives with both his wife and mistress and all their children in one house) and the tech credits (art direction, costumes, cinematography) are top-notch.

Adding:
City of Ember; Gil Kenan (Monster House)
Harry Treadaway, Saoirse Ronan, Bill Murray, Toby Jones, Mary Kay Place (who wrote one of the songs), Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Tim Robbins, and Martin Landau.

Here is a viable alternative to BHC, a subversive fantasy which I'd far rather see a child enjoy.
It centres around two inquisitive, courageous, compassionate kids who recognize corruption instantly (Saoirse Ronan, Harry Treadaway, and who revisits the path left by others to lead their people out of their underground dystopia and into the sunlit world above.
Based on the novel by Jeanne Duprau; there is something happening in every frame. (I strongly suggest you visit the washroom before you go in). Captivating right from the beginning, the story digresses a bit, but charges towards a great conclusion. It is slightly reminiscent of films such as Logan's Run, A Boy and His Dog, and even Dark City. It has wonderful art direction, is moving, engaging, and has a lot for adults as well.
Another thing which this film might do, is encourage the special children in our lives to read, a diminishing activity in today's hectic cyber world.

A-

"For the good of all mankind!" The Builders.
"Your father would know how to fix this potato" Clary
"I dont know...it's not my job!" Sul

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Adding:

Taken (C+)
Righteous Kill (C-)

"Quarantine"

So far, the best theatrically released horror film of the year. If you don't jump at least a half a dozen times, I am not sure there is a film that will make you! Exceeded my expectations BY FAR!


A

Adding:
Rachel Getting Married: A
Body of Lies: C-
The Secret Life of Bees: A-

Added The Visitor (* * * ½) -
http://danielmontgomery.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/on-dvd-the-visitor/

I just saw The Visitor last night, 742. As always, I love your take on the film. I wonder if Jenkins will make the cut come Oscar time....

quote:

Originally posted by babypook:
I just saw The Visitor last night, 742. As always, I love your take on the film. I wonder if Jenkins will make the cut come Oscar time....

I'm not sure if he'll end up in my final 5 by year's end, but he definitely merits consideration. Unfortunately, he has a lot going against him: (1) "The Visitor" was released very early in the year, (2) nobody saw it, and (3) apart from one scene the performance lacks the emotional fireworks that Oscar voters like. He would need hefty support from critics awards to get in the game, but with performances like Sean Penn in "Milk" and Frank Langella in "Frost/Nixon" coming up, I suspect there won't be much room for Jenkins in the Best Actor conversation.

quote:

Originally posted by 742:

quote:

Originally posted by babypook:
I just saw The Visitor last night, 742. As always, I love your take on the film. I wonder if Jenkins will make the cut come Oscar time....

I'm not sure if he'll end up in my final 5 by year's end, but he definitely merits consideration. Unfortunately, he has a lot going against him: (1) "The Visitor" was released very early in the year, (2) nobody saw it, and (3) apart from one scene the performance lacks the emotional fireworks that Oscar voters like. He would need hefty support from critics awards to get in the game, but with performances like Sean Penn in "Milk" and Frank Langella in "Frost/Nixon" coming up, I suspect there won't be much room for Jenkins in the Best Actor conversation.

I wouldn't say nobody saw it. Several articles treated as a smash in art house terms. It was the rare, small film that played in some multiplexes. I saw it in a full theatre.

Adding:

"The Happening" Grade: D

Who would have thought M. Night Shyamalan would make a film worse then "The Lady in the Water" but he has. "Lady" was crazy as hell but so out of its mind nutty that it was interesting to watch in a "I can't believe this is happening" way. "The Happening" is just a run of the mill bad movie. The plot is ridiculous. The dialogue is attrocious. The acting is often embarrassing. Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel give what I hope are the worst performances they will ever give. The supporting cast is somehow even worse. Some striking horror imagery bring this up from a "F" to a "D" but cannot change the fact that this film is awful.

"The Fall" Grade: B-

Worth seeing for the beautiful photography (see it on the biggest television available- in HD if possible), sets and costumes but the plot is largely nonsense and the acting weak. Despite massive flaws it works as a visual experience.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pacinofan,

What horror imagery? All he used was blowing wind, a few hanging bodies, bodies on the road, the tractor thing. Do you mean Betty Buckley? Or, did you think she was awful?
You know, I thought the 'extras' in this film did a terrible acting job. How do you act badly when you're jumping off a roof, etc? But, they did.

quote:

Originally posted by babypook:
What horror imagery? All he used was blowing wind, a few hanging bodies, bodies on the road, the tractor thing. Do you mean Betty Buckley? Or, did you think she was awful?
You know, I thought the 'extras' in this film did a terrible acting job. How do you act badly when you're jumping off a roof, etc? But, they did.

Some of the imagery of people killing themselves was effectively eerie... the man under the tractor... the workmen jumping off the buildings... the men hanging from trees.

And yes I thought Betty Buckley was awful and overacted like mad.

Mongul; Sergei Bodrov

I was captivated by this film. The early life of Genghis Khan, Termudjin, captured in such a magical way; this portrayal showed why he inspired loyalty, why people wanted to follow him, why he was a great leader amd a brilliant strategist.
Breath-takingly beautiful and gorgeous to watch; there wasnt a moment where I didnt believe it was 12th century Mongolia. The collection of Asian actors were speaking the Mongol language. Their culture, their stories and beliefs, are brought to life without prejudice.
At it's core is a love story, as poignant as any I've seen.
This may not be a perfect film, but I cant pin-point any flaws.
I wish I could have seen this in a theatre. But it's beauty wasnt diminished. Besides being enthralled, I felt a sense of fear the entire time.
Mongul could have been longer, and I would not have been disappointed.
A spectacular and exquisite film from Bodrov.

A+

"Dont tell anyone we went to war over a woman" Jamukha


The Visitor; Thomas McCarthy

A quiet and moving film showing the transition of a middle-aged man comfortable in his isolation, but becoming whole through friendship and compassion.
Richard Jenkins was terrific as Walter Vale, as is the entire cast. His was a quiet performance, and I truly hope he isnt forgotten.
The Visitor isnt afraid to ask some hard questions, about mistrust and xenophobia. Not everyone may appreciate that, but criticism is what moves us forward in a collective humanity.

B+

"I sound better when he plays with me" Walter Vale

This message has been edited. Last edited by: babypook,

quote:

I wouldn't say nobody saw it. Several articles treated as a smash in art house terms. It was the rare, small film that played in some multiplexes. I saw it in a full theatre.

You're right. I checked Box Office Mojo and was surprised to learn that the film made $9 million domestically and ran in 270 theaters, quite healthy for an under-the-radar indie release. But for a film released in April and featuring no marquee names in the cast, a movie like "The Visitor" would have needed to make a bigger splash to survive the buzz gauntlet of the fall movie season to make it to awards season intact.

The good news is that Richard Jenkins, if nothing else, seems like a good bet for an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actor. And there may be a supporting nod for Hiam Abbass or Haaz Sleiman too.

I'd like to see Jenkins cast in a high-profile film the way, Frank Langella was this year. They are similar to me: two actors who have been working for decades, finally getting recognition in the latter part of their lives.

Adding:
War Inc.; Joshua Seftel

We have John Cusack, Joan Cusack, Ben Kingsley, Marisa Tomei, Dan Aykroyd in a welcome cameo, and ok Hillary Duff; an intelligent screen play and an interesting premise about the private sector openly controlling governments and wars. One might think that a film stacked with this much in it's favor would work. But, it missed the mark. The performances were fine, but the direction was lacking.

C+

"I can see into people's brains" Yonica Babyyeah