Continue.

Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Ballon, 1956)

Charming, masterfully shot 34-minute short by Albert Lamorisse. Utterly magical and thoroughly enjoyable in its playfulness. Vital for 'intro to film' courses everywhere. Interesting that it won the Original Screenplay Oscar instead of the designated short film award. Curious that it's never happened since. A.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Joel Suar,

Milk
This movie was good, but was also very disappointing to me. I felt like I was watching the events through a fuzzy lens that kept me from getting to close or having to see the sharp edges. The film gives us so little of what Harvey Milk actually meant, what the fight was, what the situation was for gay and lesbians then, the danger and hate they fought against. Little bits are given to us, but not enough to feel it or for it to seem like it matters that much. What could have been played for visceral effect was played at a distance to make it more palatable to straight audiences AND gay audiences who don't want to be bothered.

Penn's performance was good, but I was underwhelmed. I like the performances by Hirsch and Franco more and wish one or both had been nominated. Brolin was terrible to me, playing the character overly broad scattered. I don't know what he was supposed to be feeling while he was onscreen.

Dan In Real Life
By the numbers, fairly forced rom-com. Has some moments, but for large chunks, I was as bored as the usually wonderful Juliette Binoche seemed to be. The saving grace was Steve Carell, who, if he can escape his Office schtick, could very well be an Oscar-winner some day.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua
This isn't a good movie, but it entertained me much more than I expected it to. Frothy, and with some concerning treatment of Mexican stereotypes, but it entertained me. I am fairly embarrassed to admit it.

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

And what did u think of Milk and Dan in Real Life? <G>

quote:

Posted March 21, 2009 06:57 AM Hide Post
Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Ballon, 1956)

Charming, masterfully shot 34-minute short by Albert Lamorisse. Utterly magical and thoroughly enjoyable in its playfulness. Vital for 'intro to film' courses everywhere. Interesting that it won the Original Screenplay Oscar instead of the designated short film award. Curious that it's never happened since. A.

Shorts are eligible for all categories, including best picture, acting, directing, writing. This is the only case where a short won in another category, but there was no reason for it not to be nominated just because there is a separate short category.

Eligibility of course is one problem - a short would have to run for a week in an LA theatre, and be advertised during its run, and then file the paper work (and pay the registration fee that I think all films have to pay) just to qualify, and since of course most shorts have no chance, they just don't bother.

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

quote:

Originally posted by Stinger:
And what did u think of Milk and Dan in Real Life? <G>

Ooops

Duplicity

Disappointing film from Tony Gilroy who 2 years ago gave us the borefest that was Michael Clayton. Unfortunately this movie isn't any better. There are so many twists and turns in the movie by the end of it I could have cared less what the final outcome was! I got worn out just getting to that point. Clive Owen is good while Julia Roberts is OK but nothing great. Paul Giamatti does well in a small supporting role but IMO there's nothing award worthy about this film.

If this movie isn't forgotten about by year's end then we will have had one terrible year in movies!

Thumbs down.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

Saw this yesterday on Turner Classic Movies. I had seen most of it before but never in its entirety. Terrific film by Stanley Kramer. Wonderful performances from Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Tracy's performance is the best in the film but what a great ensemble cast. Hepburn appears on the verge of tears in just about every scene. This must have been a very difficult film for her to make. I'm probably one of the few here who doesn't begrudge her the oscar for this movie. She's very good in it, a very natural performance that feels very real. Prior to this Hepburn had lost something like 7 times in a row after winning on her first nod for Morning Glory. She was way overdue for a 2nd oscar by this time and obviously the academy felt so also. Cecil Kellaway is a hoot as Monsignor Mike and Beah Richards has a few good scenes near the end of the film. I have no problem with either ones nomination in supporting. It is shocking to think that Poitier did not get nominated in 67 since he starred in 2 films that got Best Picture nods that year. My only criticisms of the movie would be Katherine Houghton's performance which kind of got on my nerves after awhile and had me wondering how anyone could fall in love with her and the ridiculous scene with the delivery boy and the young black girl which was surely a sign of the times.

Overall though a terrific adult drama with a great cast. Loved it.

Caught the Kathy & Mo Show: Parallel Lives comedy special from back in the 90s today on HBO. I know it's not a film, but I just wanted to use this opportunity to implore why Kathy Najimy is not in something today? Not only is she absolutely hysterical, but she is quite the dramatic actress as well. She did a monologue in this about her gay nephew that was at the same time heartwrenching and hilarious. Had it been in a film, we'd be talking Oscar buzz for Najimy. Anyone else as upset as me that she's not working more?

quote:

Originally posted by sirkevin:
Caught the Kathy & Mo Show: Parallel Lives comedy special from back in the 90s today on HBO. I know it's not a film, but I just wanted to use this opportunity to implore why Kathy Najimy is not in something today? Not only is she absolutely hysterical, but she is quite the dramatic actress as well. She did a monologue in this about her gay nephew that was at the same time heartwrenching and hilarious. Had it been in a film, we'd be talking Oscar buzz for Najimy. Anyone else as upset as me that she's not working more?

I agree Kathy NaJimy is a very talented lady and should be working more. but sadly she got stuck in thankless fat best friend roles on crappy shows like Veronica's Closet and never got the chance to really shine.

Four Weddings And A Funeral 1994, Hugh Grant, Andie McDowell.

Well i've heard a lot about this for many years now and thought i would see it. I was left with nothing but dissapointment. The movie isn't nearly as funny as it should have been, a lot of the jokes don't even work and the only thing that saves this movie is the supporting performances from mostly unknown british actors. The two leads, Grant and McDowelle are only passable in their roles and do nothing to carry the film or it's subject matter to any new heights. Grant does his usual befuddled, but charming thing but does nothing more and McDowelle simply looks like she's half asleep most of the time. The characters are bland, the writing is bland, basically everything is bland and dry.

Overall Grade: C-

The Howling 3...the lamest and weakest in the series. D rated!!

Changeling 2008. Directed and Produced By: Clint Eastwood, Starring: Anjelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Colm Feore, Jeffery Donovan, Edward Alderson and Devon Conti.

Masterful, powerful and cinematic perfection are the best words i can find to describe this heart-wrenching, soul crushing tour de force cinematic achievement. The entire film is expertly put together and tugs at the heartstrings as it tells the story of a corrupt police cover up of a missing child and the ensuing botched investigation. Anjelina Jolie gives a Oscar-caliber (and Oscar nominated) performance that in perhaps any other year she could have won for. Clint Eastwood's direction is so percise, so spot on that not one moment of the film seems out of place or uneeded. I was totally moved by this film and that wasn't expected because i typically am not a big fan of Eastwood movies and espeically of Anjelina jolie. But her performance in this movie was just sensational. She hit all the right notes and took every scene to the next level. What a sensational film, just perfection.

Overall Grade: A+

Gran Torino (2008, directed by Clint Eastwood) - C+

Ghost 1990. Directed By: Jerry Zucker. Starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Tony Goldwyn, Whoopi Goldberg.

I remember seeing bits and pieces of this movie as a child but i had never watched it as an adult until now. I must say it has it's delightful moments and some solid performances (Mostly Goldberg) but overall it's a hokey, cheesy, ridiculous mess. The special affects are outdated and seem outlandish even for their time. I am in utter shock that THIS won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Patrick Swayze seemed very uncomfortable the entire movie and Demi Moore wasn't given much to work with to be honest. She does her best but her character amounts to a series of sullen glances, tears and pouts. Whoopi Goldberg stole the entire movie with her energetic, charismatic and hilarious performance as Oda Mae Brown a fake psychic who somehow becomes a very real psychic when the ghost of Sam Wheat (Swayze) comes to her for help. Tony Goldwyn as Carl Bruiner is a stand-out villian who does a great job in a otherwise silly role.

Overall Grade: C-

I just finished watching

American Psycho 2 - um what can I say watching any movie where people are stalked by "Meg Griffin" ...... I did enjoy it thou

The House Of Yes - fabulous satire. Parker Posey at her best. Even a role Tori Spelling can be good at .....

So I've finally watched Goodfellas for the first time, and needless to say I was disappointed. Although it's obvious The Sopranos drew a lot of inspiration for Goodfellas, The Sopranos did mafia life so much better. Everyone in Goodfellas is unlikable for the most part. Ray Liotta is absolutely awful in the lead role and DeNiro is wasted. I liked Joe Pesci and Lorraine Bracco but that's not really enough. The plot was pretty much non-existent and it didn't really have anything to say about anything other than "there are awful people out there". I found the ridiculous glamorization of mafia life to be ugly and wrong and the overuse of pop songs was grating. Honestly, I don't understand the appeal. Perhaps it's just dated. I don't know. Did not like this one at all. Definitely overrated in my book.

Australia (2008, directed by Baz Luhrmann)

B-

quote:

So I've finally watched Goodfellas for the first time, and needless to say I was disappointed

Needless to say? You're the first person I've ever heard to not like the film.

I think Scorsese is very overrated, don't think Raging Bull is particularly special, but regard Goodfellas as a terrific film, close to Scorsese's best.

Nothing wrong with not liking it, but again, the needless to say flies counter to just about universal acclaim.

It's just an expression I use a lot, even if the situation doesn't warrant it! But anyway, I have a slight tendancy to dislike this type of movie anyway, so perhaps I'm not reviewing this film objectively but many people around me have called it one of the best films ever, and I just expected better.