Too workmanlike in its film-making for me to call it great cinema but it is a quietly devestating portrait of how inept the Bush administration was in planning for the Occupation of Iraq. The barrage of evidence of the Admin's incompetence is almost beyond debate and many of the facts will shock you. I do agree with 742 above that it is nearly mandatory viewing for Americans.
Posts: 17850 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: February 02, 2003
"A movie is not good because it arrives at conclusions you share, or bad because it does not. A movie is not about what it is about. It is about how it is about it: about the way it considers its subject matter, and about how its real subject may be quite different from the one it seems to provide." - Roger Ebert, from the introduction to "Awake in the Dark" (2006)
Adding "The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters" (B+/A-)
"A movie is not good because it arrives at conclusions you share, or bad because it does not. A movie is not about what it is about. It is about how it is about it: about the way it considers its subject matter, and about how its real subject may be quite different from the one it seems to provide." - Roger Ebert, from the introduction to "Awake in the Dark" (2006)
"The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters" Grade: A-
A very interesting and crazily entertaining study of the American obsession with competition, even over something as silly as Donkey Kong, and human eccentricity. It both amuses and thrills as we await the confrontation between arrogant champ Billy Ray Mitchell and lovable loser, and borderline autistic,Steven Wiebe who just wants to be the best at something after years of disapointment. You will cheer and boo at the ups and downs in their rivalry. My only complaint is that even at around only 80 minutes the film sometimes seems a little long.
Posts: 17850 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: February 02, 2003
A very scattered film, like all of Mike Binder's work, sunk further by a ridiculously unbelievable performance by Adam Sandler. He's doing tragedy and he's still using the funny voices. Godawful stuff.
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Posts: 17850 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: February 02, 2003
"A movie is not good because it arrives at conclusions you share, or bad because it does not. A movie is not about what it is about. It is about how it is about it: about the way it considers its subject matter, and about how its real subject may be quite different from the one it seems to provide." - Roger Ebert, from the introduction to "Awake in the Dark" (2006)
Adding: This Is England B Could be a 2006 release; but it's nommed for a Bafta so I thought I would add it. Raw, visceral, and with some terrific performances. An uneven but memorable film. B
Posts: 8242 | Location: canada | Registered: December 22, 2005
May add: Lake Placid 2 2007 sequel to the 1999 original, which was infinitely better. Worse than camp, with no tension, and no suspense. The crocodile and the dog were much smarter than the people, and even the bunny rabbit looked placed there. F
Posts: 8242 | Location: canada | Registered: December 22, 2005
It's got flaws (sure you could call it naive, silly, sentimental, & even awkward at times) but I have a lot of affection for this film despite them. It reminded me of "Moulin Rouge" and if that film's in your face emotionalism, and even more in your face visual style, was your cup of tea than you will likely also enjoy "Across the Universe". Many great musical numbers, and a few clunkers, and I expect big things from the very charismatic Jim Sturgess in the lead.
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Posts: 17850 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: February 02, 2003
Added The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (B+/A-)
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"A movie is not good because it arrives at conclusions you share, or bad because it does not. A movie is not about what it is about. It is about how it is about it: about the way it considers its subject matter, and about how its real subject may be quite different from the one it seems to provide." - Roger Ebert, from the introduction to "Awake in the Dark" (2006)
Adding: King of California B- Mildly offensive but somehow, endearing. I normally dont mind voice-overs but this time, it was irritating for me. Not much of a stretch for the principles, but still fairly enjoyable.
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Posts: 8242 | Location: canada | Registered: December 22, 2005
