Number of times I've seen it ( )
Copyright © 2003-2008 Movies Kick Ass. All Rights Reserved
MOVIES I'M WATCHING
this filmal
AUGUST
08/01/08 September (1)
Woody Allen's chamber piece has six troubled characters dealing with their issued
during one summer holiday. Mia Farrow leads the cast as a suicidal woman with a dark
past, her mom (played by the divine Elaine Stritch) is a former star with a Lana Turner
twist. Small in scope, but rather monumental in the amount of emotional troubles its
characters brew, this is one of Allen's most interesting experiments, Farrow gives an
extraordinary performance and Allen pays homage to Ingmar Bergman in yet another
film when only once its over you realize the people never left the house, but travelled
through time and space with the dialogues.
Woody Allen's chamber piece has six troubled characters dealing with their issued
during one summer holiday. Mia Farrow leads the cast as a suicidal woman with a dark
past, her mom (played by the divine Elaine Stritch) is a former star with a Lana Turner
twist. Small in scope, but rather monumental in the amount of emotional troubles its
characters brew, this is one of Allen's most interesting experiments, Farrow gives an
extraordinary performance and Allen pays homage to Ingmar Bergman in yet another
film when only once its over you realize the people never left the house, but travelled
through time and space with the dialogues.
08/04/08 La Vie de Jésus (1)
Meditative debut film by Bruno Dumont about the lives of a group of young people in a
small French town. The film concentrates mostly on Freddy (David Douche), his girlfriend
Marie (Marjorie Cottreel) and an Arab immigrant (Kader Chaatouf) who brings
excitement to their dull lives. There's barely a plot to follow, yet you can't help but feel
fascinated by Dumont's voyeuristic camera. Recalling the Dardennes and Bresson,
Dumont never really feels the need to explain things, for example we never know what
Freddy's epilepsy has to do with anything (and Douche gives a marvellous introspective
performance), but in the end it all feels as if Dumont was driving through a quiet little
town saw something that caught his eye and stayed there. We never know what it is,
but if we wanna know this film is there for us.
Meditative debut film by Bruno Dumont about the lives of a group of young people in a
small French town. The film concentrates mostly on Freddy (David Douche), his girlfriend
Marie (Marjorie Cottreel) and an Arab immigrant (Kader Chaatouf) who brings
excitement to their dull lives. There's barely a plot to follow, yet you can't help but feel
fascinated by Dumont's voyeuristic camera. Recalling the Dardennes and Bresson,
Dumont never really feels the need to explain things, for example we never know what
Freddy's epilepsy has to do with anything (and Douche gives a marvellous introspective
performance), but in the end it all feels as if Dumont was driving through a quiet little
town saw something that caught his eye and stayed there. We never know what it is,
but if we wanna know this film is there for us.
08/05/08 Calamity Jane (1)
A rousing musical spectacle that reminds you what star power was all about. I dare you
to take your eyes off Doris Day as the title heroine.
Read my post about the film.
A rousing musical spectacle that reminds you what star power was all about. I dare you
to take your eyes off Doris Day as the title heroine.
Read my post about the film.
08/06/08 The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (1)
Meh. Indiana Jones still does it way better.
Read my review.
Meh. Indiana Jones still does it way better.
Read my review.
08/09/08 Reprise (1)
I dare you to find me a film released this year more alive than this...
Read my review.
I dare you to find me a film released this year more alive than this...
Read my review.
08/11/08 The Big Chill (1)
Following the old saying that people only meet at weddings and funerals, this film brings
together eight friends who come together after one of their friends dies unexpectedly.
Over a weekend they share memories, discuss life and get into new kinds of trouble
before parting ways. Squeezing the hell out of the McGuffin, writer/director Lawrence
Kasdan creates a great ensemble drama (featuring every who's who from the 80s) and
sends an ambiguous message about what we should do with what he says. William
Hurt, Meg Tilly and, especially, Glenn Close are fantastic, even if in the end the film
makes some odd choices and makes these people act as if they haven't learned
anything from life, which they probably haven't...
Following the old saying that people only meet at weddings and funerals, this film brings
together eight friends who come together after one of their friends dies unexpectedly.
Over a weekend they share memories, discuss life and get into new kinds of trouble
before parting ways. Squeezing the hell out of the McGuffin, writer/director Lawrence
Kasdan creates a great ensemble drama (featuring every who's who from the 80s) and
sends an ambiguous message about what we should do with what he says. William
Hurt, Meg Tilly and, especially, Glenn Close are fantastic, even if in the end the film
makes some odd choices and makes these people act as if they haven't learned
anything from life, which they probably haven't...
08/12/08 Bullets Over Broadway (1)
An aspiring playwright (John Cusack) agrees to let a gangster's girlfriend (Jennifer Tilly)
be in his play to get it financed. He also has to deal with the antics of his alcoholic
leading lady (a divine Dianne Weist, playing a diva like we expect them to be), his
overeating actor (Jim Broadbent) and Cheech (Chazz Palminteri) a gangster bodyguard
with genius potential. Woody Allen's period piece takes us back to the flapper era and it
truly was some of Woody's most inspired work during the 90s, especially because even
though the film seems to be going away from the things he usually does, as usual he
injects it with neuroses, romance and at the center of it all a very existential question
about his capacities as an artist (is it coincidence that it's one of the few screenplays
he's co-written with someone?).
An aspiring playwright (John Cusack) agrees to let a gangster's girlfriend (Jennifer Tilly)
be in his play to get it financed. He also has to deal with the antics of his alcoholic
leading lady (a divine Dianne Weist, playing a diva like we expect them to be), his
overeating actor (Jim Broadbent) and Cheech (Chazz Palminteri) a gangster bodyguard
with genius potential. Woody Allen's period piece takes us back to the flapper era and it
truly was some of Woody's most inspired work during the 90s, especially because even
though the film seems to be going away from the things he usually does, as usual he
injects it with neuroses, romance and at the center of it all a very existential question
about his capacities as an artist (is it coincidence that it's one of the few screenplays
he's co-written with someone?).
08/13/08 Murder on the Orient Express (1)
Sidney Lumet's take on Agatha Christie has detective Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney)
investigating the title murder among the all star cast that conform the passengers. A
throwback to what entertainment used to be all about, the film does enough job being
entertaining and slightly ambiguous in moral terms. Finney disappears under Poirot's
skin and the rest of the cast is fantastic as well especially Wendy Hiller, the fabulous
Lauren Bacall and of course Ingrid Bergman who won an Academy Award for this, one for
that matter that she thought she didn't deserve, based on quantity one could agree,
based on quality she was at the top of her game.
Sidney Lumet's take on Agatha Christie has detective Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney)
investigating the title murder among the all star cast that conform the passengers. A
throwback to what entertainment used to be all about, the film does enough job being
entertaining and slightly ambiguous in moral terms. Finney disappears under Poirot's
skin and the rest of the cast is fantastic as well especially Wendy Hiller, the fabulous
Lauren Bacall and of course Ingrid Bergman who won an Academy Award for this, one for
that matter that she thought she didn't deserve, based on quantity one could agree,
based on quality she was at the top of her game.
08/14/08 The Wizard of Oz (9)
I hadn't seen this film in almost four years and while many things have occurred in my
life since, the joy this film brings to me is one of the only constants.
Is there any other film that feels more like home?
I hadn't seen this film in almost four years and while many things have occurred in my
life since, the joy this film brings to me is one of the only constants.
Is there any other film that feels more like home?
08/16/08 Forgetting Sarah Marshall (1)
Is Judd Apatow becoming the Woody Allen for our generation?
Ok that may sound blasphemous, but you know what I mean with the whole "male
psychology" thing and how well he deals with relationships, obsession and heartbreak.
Read my review.
Is Judd Apatow becoming the Woody Allen for our generation?
Ok that may sound blasphemous, but you know what I mean with the whole "male
psychology" thing and how well he deals with relationships, obsession and heartbreak.
Read my review.
08/16/08 Wanted (1)
Exploding rats...
Enough said.
Read my review.
Exploding rats...
Enough said.
Read my review.
08/18/08 Guys and Dolls (1)
Brando sings! Then again he proves there's nothing he couldn't do in this adaptation of
the Broadway musical about gamblers and petty criminals in New York City. Brando plays
Sky Masterson, who gets involved with a religious girl (the absolutely gorgeous Jean
Simmons) in a very "Dangerous Liaisons" move. The brilliant Frank Sinatra stars as
Nathan Detroit, the lovable gambler who can't seem to grow up, to the detriment of his
decade long fiancée Adelaide (Vivian Blaine who is marvelous). There's not much going
on in the film, but the colors, the vibrant music, Joe Mankiewicz's stellar direction and the
utter joie de vivre it exudes are probably more than enough. If not there's always
Brando's rendition of "Luck Be a Lady Tonight", it'll knock your socks off.
Brando sings! Then again he proves there's nothing he couldn't do in this adaptation of
the Broadway musical about gamblers and petty criminals in New York City. Brando plays
Sky Masterson, who gets involved with a religious girl (the absolutely gorgeous Jean
Simmons) in a very "Dangerous Liaisons" move. The brilliant Frank Sinatra stars as
Nathan Detroit, the lovable gambler who can't seem to grow up, to the detriment of his
decade long fiancée Adelaide (Vivian Blaine who is marvelous). There's not much going
on in the film, but the colors, the vibrant music, Joe Mankiewicz's stellar direction and the
utter joie de vivre it exudes are probably more than enough. If not there's always
Brando's rendition of "Luck Be a Lady Tonight", it'll knock your socks off.
08/19/08 Celebrity (1)
Woody Allen takes on the celebrity culture which we live by religiously, but does so in a
not so subtle, sometimes just plain bitter way. While Woody has always been brilliant at
dealing with relationships and complications of the heart, his humor here relies on a
weird kind of cynicism that has some hilarious moments ("working on the adaptation of
the sequel of a remake"...) but then just counts on stereotypes (Charlize Theron as a
supermodel, Leonardo DiCaprio as a spoiled actor and Kenneth Branagh as a version of
Allen). Gloriously shot by Sven Nykvist, the film is at its best when it concentrates on
Judy Davis' character, a schoolteacher who suddenly finds herself becoming a celebrity.
Davis is terrific and her character embodies what Woody does best; as she sees her life
becoming too good to be true, she can't help but go into existential crisis mode, but the
always secretly hopeful Allen reminds us that love perhaps can be the ultimate drug.
Woody Allen takes on the celebrity culture which we live by religiously, but does so in a
not so subtle, sometimes just plain bitter way. While Woody has always been brilliant at
dealing with relationships and complications of the heart, his humor here relies on a
weird kind of cynicism that has some hilarious moments ("working on the adaptation of
the sequel of a remake"...) but then just counts on stereotypes (Charlize Theron as a
supermodel, Leonardo DiCaprio as a spoiled actor and Kenneth Branagh as a version of
Allen). Gloriously shot by Sven Nykvist, the film is at its best when it concentrates on
Judy Davis' character, a schoolteacher who suddenly finds herself becoming a celebrity.
Davis is terrific and her character embodies what Woody does best; as she sees her life
becoming too good to be true, she can't help but go into existential crisis mode, but the
always secretly hopeful Allen reminds us that love perhaps can be the ultimate drug.
08/17/08 Star Wars: The Clone Wars (1)
I've never been a fan of Star Wars and this film will probably put me off for good.
Read my review.
I've never been a fan of Star Wars and this film will probably put me off for good.
Read my review.
08/20/08 Hud (1)
Paul Newman plays the title character: a selfish modern cowboy with no scruples,
morale or an inch of caring for anyone other than himself. He lives with his father (the
great Melvyn Douglas) with whom he's had a feud for years, his nephew (Brandon De
Wilde who can't help but recall his brilliant work in "Shane") and their housekeeper Alma
(a languidly luscious Patricia Neal) who becomes object of their lust. Arid and empty as
Hud, the film moves slowly towards a conclusion that punches your gut, but feels a bit
rushed. Newman is so good that you end up lusting him just as much as you dislike him.
James Wong Howe's cinematography brings a sense of poetry to the Texas landscape
and in one particular scene with cattle gives the film a claustrophobic sense you will
probably remember long after it's over.
Paul Newman plays the title character: a selfish modern cowboy with no scruples,
morale or an inch of caring for anyone other than himself. He lives with his father (the
great Melvyn Douglas) with whom he's had a feud for years, his nephew (Brandon De
Wilde who can't help but recall his brilliant work in "Shane") and their housekeeper Alma
(a languidly luscious Patricia Neal) who becomes object of their lust. Arid and empty as
Hud, the film moves slowly towards a conclusion that punches your gut, but feels a bit
rushed. Newman is so good that you end up lusting him just as much as you dislike him.
James Wong Howe's cinematography brings a sense of poetry to the Texas landscape
and in one particular scene with cattle gives the film a claustrophobic sense you will
probably remember long after it's over.
08/23/08 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1)
Based on the Roman legend of the rape of the Sabine women, Stanley Donen's musical
takes place in 19th century Oregon where frontiersman Adam Pontipee (Howard Keel)
goes to a small town looking for a wife, he finds Milly (Jane Powell) who immediately
accepts his proposal. He takes her back to his cabin where she meets his six other
single brothers, while the premise sounds like early porn, the film actually pokes fun at
several misogynist stereotypes and even questions the "love at first sight" idea that
pictures of the era made us believe in. Shot in gorgeous sets with luscious Technicolor,
the film results enjoyable if a bit under whelming (I challenge you to remember any of
the songs after the first viewing...).
Based on the Roman legend of the rape of the Sabine women, Stanley Donen's musical
takes place in 19th century Oregon where frontiersman Adam Pontipee (Howard Keel)
goes to a small town looking for a wife, he finds Milly (Jane Powell) who immediately
accepts his proposal. He takes her back to his cabin where she meets his six other
single brothers, while the premise sounds like early porn, the film actually pokes fun at
several misogynist stereotypes and even questions the "love at first sight" idea that
pictures of the era made us believe in. Shot in gorgeous sets with luscious Technicolor,
the film results enjoyable if a bit under whelming (I challenge you to remember any of
the songs after the first viewing...).
08/24/08 Fatal Attraction (2)
Adrian Lyne's cautionary tale of infidelity gone wrong (or is it good?) is still as powerful
and divisive as it always was. Watching it I wondered why is Alex Forrest (Glenn Close)
always classified as one of the all time greatest villains, when the same point could be
made for Dan (Michael Douglas), the man who assumed the woman was a robot of sorts
and gave no thought whatsoever to his family life. Despite all the postfilm discussions
this might cause, it's undeniable that Close is still absolutely brilliant!
Adrian Lyne's cautionary tale of infidelity gone wrong (or is it good?) is still as powerful
and divisive as it always was. Watching it I wondered why is Alex Forrest (Glenn Close)
always classified as one of the all time greatest villains, when the same point could be
made for Dan (Michael Douglas), the man who assumed the woman was a robot of sorts
and gave no thought whatsoever to his family life. Despite all the postfilm discussions
this might cause, it's undeniable that Close is still absolutely brilliant!