Movie Review: Inglourious Basterds August 24, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Review Archives, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Photography.Tags: Inglourious Basterds
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Movie Review: Inglourious Basterds
Alternate Title: If Only
Story: Writer and director Quentin Tarantino is back in fine form. This is definitely his best film since Pulp Fiction. You can say all you want about Tarantino, but he sure knows how to make a movie. This film has style, wit, beauty, fine dialogue (might be a bit talky for some), revenge that includes lots of violence, suspense, great music and above all – is vastly entertaining.
The movie opens in 1941 Nazi-occupied France. The Jew Hunter, Hans Landa methodically is tracking down Jews that are being hidden by French sympathizers. Without giving much away, Shoshanna, a young Jew escapes his grasp. Fast forward to 1944 and we meet American G.I., Aldo Raine and his gang of eight Jewish Nazi killers who have been dropped behind enemy lines and are ambushing, killing and scalping any Nazis they meet.
The story follows two plot lines (the escaped Jewess, now operating a movie theater in Paris and the gang of eight) that will, of course, meet head on for a very satisfying conclusion. In between we get long passages of dialogue that test our patience. Wait it out and these passages do not disappoint.
Tarantino’s film is an homage, as he often employs, to movies of yore. We see flashes of spaghetti westerns, old war movies and more.
Go for the style and buzz and leave the theater with a smile on your face thinking as I did – if only it were true.
Acting: Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine has all of the best lines. His character almost crosses the line into caricature – but he pulls it off. Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Landa is pefection. Mélanie Laurent as Shosanna Dreyfus was wonderful to watch and I am sure we will be seeing her in more Hollywood films soon. Michael Fassbender as Britsh Lt. Archie Hicox was Uber- strong. Diane Kruger as spy, Bridget von Hammersmark hit her mark. The entire ensemble cast was terrific including: Daniel Brühl, Eli Roth, Denis Menochet, Sylvester Groth, Mike Myers and Rod Taylor.
Trivia: This film, like all Tarantino films is loaded with trivia. About thirty years ago, Enzo G. Castellari directed Quel maledetto treno blindato. The English translation is The Inglorious Bastards. From Entertainment Weekly comes this trivia jackpot post. : *Brad Pitt’s Nazi-hunting lieutenant character is named Aldo Raine — a combination of one of Tarantino’s favorite actors Aldo Ray (The Green Berets) and Maj. Charles Rain, the name of the character William Devane plays in the brutal 1977 Vietnam-vet revenge movie Rolling Thunder. *As usual, Tarantino’s film is divided into chapters. The first is titled “Once Upon a Time in Nazi-occupied France.” Of course, this is an homage to Italian directing god Sergio Leone’s epic westerns, most obviously 1968’s Once Upon a Time in the West. And if it wasn’t clear enough, Tarantino borrows several music cues from Leone’s go-to composer Ennio Morricone for the Basterds sountrack. *As we noted earlier with the name Jackie Brown, Tarantino likes to have fun with his characters’ names. And in Basterds, he’s up to his usual tricks. For example, the actor Til Schweiger plays a German sergeant who defects over to Pitt’s team of Nazi-hunting Jewish GIs. His name is Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz, which is also the name of a Mexican action and exploitation star from the ’70s (Tintorera). And then there is Mike Myers’ smallish role as a British general named Ed Fenech, which is a nice little riff on the name of ’70s Italian movie starlet/sex symbol Edwige Fenech, who starred in some of the best giallo thrillers of the era.
Predilection: I like Quentin Tarantino and I like revenge films.
Critters: A French poodle and some cows.
Food: Strudel and whipped cream.
Sex Spectrum: None
Soundtrack: Tarantino’s skill also includes using out of period music to highlight his point of view. David Bowie’s goth-rock ballad, ‘Cat People (Putting out Fire)’ ignites the final scenes. The soundtrack contains the following tracks:
1. The Green Leaves of Summer by Nick Perito.
2. The Verdict by Ennio Morricone.
3. White Lightning (Main Title) by Charles Bernstein.
4. Slaughter by Billy Preston.
5. The Surrender by Ennio Morricone.
6. One Silver Dollar by The Film Studio Orchestra.
7. Davon Geht Die Welt Nicht Unter – Zarah Leander
8. The Man With The Big Sombrero by Samantha Shelton and The Michael Andrew Orchestra
9. Ich Wollt Ich Waer Ein Huhn by Lilian Harvey and Willy Fritsch
10. Main Theme from Dark Of The Sun by Jacques Loussier
11. Cat People (Putting Out The Fire) by David Bowie
12. Tiger Tank by Lalo Schifrin
13. Un Amico by Ennio Morricone
14. Rabbia E Tarantella by Ennio Morricon
Opening Titles: Most people might not notice but the opening titles have more than six different fonts. The five chapters in the films also have different fonts. I imagine that this is also one of Tarantino’s salutes to his favorite movie fonts.
Visual Art: Tarantino’s attention to period detail was wonderful.
Theater Audience: About 50 other patrons.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: Some might squirm at the violence but I did not.
Drift Factor: I did look at my watch a few times during the more talky passages.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Yes
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure.
Length: Clocks in at a hefty two and a half hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 9
Movie Review: Cold Souls August 22, 2009
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| Movie Review: Cold Souls
Alternate Title: The Unbearable Heaviness of Being Story: If you like your films with a heaping amount of the unexpected and a plot that causes you to think than you might want to check out this new film by director and writer, Sophie Barthes. The main idea is that your soul is an organ just like, let’s say, your pancreas and if it is causing you distress it can be removed, stored or traded with little fuss. Our protagonist, Paul Giamatti (played by a neurotic Paul Giamatti) is going through some trying times as he stars in Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. He decides to unburden himself of his soul so he can get on with his life. Not surprisingly, this decision does not come without consequences. It turns out there is a Russian underground soul trafficking organization and his soul gets stolen while in storage. The film has some good laughs and also some thought provoking questions. It is filmed with an eye for the chilly and filled with interesting characters. The problem however is that the initial concept quickly runs out of steam. This soul train sadly ends up on the wrong track.
Acting: Paul Giamatti is, as always, terrific. Dina Korzun as the Russian soul mule is very interesting. Emily Watson’s talent as the woeful wife is totally wasted. David Strathairn as the soul doctor gives his usual great performance. Trivia: Paul Edward Valentine Giamatti was born in1967. He graduated from Choate prep school, majored in English at Yale, and obtained his Master’s Degree in Fine Arts, with his major in drama from the Yale University School of Drama. He is a Boston Red Sox fan. Paul is the youngest of three children. His older brother, Marcus Giamatti, is also an actor. His sister, Elena, designs jewelry. His father, A. Bartlett Giamatti, was a professor of Renaissance Literature at Yale University, and went on to become the university’s youngest president. (In 1986, Bart Giamatti was appointed president of baseball’s National League. He became Commissioner of Baseball on April 1, 1989 and served for five months until his untimely death on September 1, 1989. He was commissioner at the time Pete Rose was banned from the game.) Predilection: None Critters: Lots of street dogs in Russia. Food: Chick pea is featured. Sex Spectrum: Without a soul it is difficult to enjoy sex. Opening Titles: Black background with white type. Visual Art: The emptiness if life without a soul is depicted beautifully. Theater Audience: Five other soulful people and me. Weather: Brrrr – it is a cold winter in both St Petersburg and on the shore of Brighton Beach in Brooklyn. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 2 Squirm Scale: 0 Drift Factor: I started to look at my watch about half way through. Predictability Level: I was not sure where this film would end up. Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: No Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. Length: Under two hours LOBO HOWLS: 6
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Movie Review: District 9 August 18, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Review Archives, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Photography.1 comment so far
| Movie Review: District 9
Alternate Title: First Contact Story: Prepare to be thoroughly entertained by this terrific science fiction action film directed by Neill Blomkamp and written by Mr. Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell. The first hour of the film is riveting, surprising and totally captivating.We are hurled into a documentary style introduction in the opening few minutes.We quickly learn how the alien spacecraft came to hover over Johannesburg, South Africa, some 20 years ago. The starving aliens were taken to a detention camp that over the years turns into a filthy, crime ridden, violent slum. A mid-level bureaucrat, hired by MNU (Multi-National United) has been charged to serve eviction notices to the 1.8 million aliens (now called ‘prawns’) so they can be moved even further from the city to isolated camps. Yes, you would have to be dense not to see the metaphors of the horrifying social realities of human history both in South Africa and around the world. However, you will not be bogged down by these similarities because the film is so darn entertaining. Telling you a whole lot more about the story will ruin all of the wonderful surprises and I refuse to give an inch in that direction. Suffice it to say that the most human character will surprise you and our mid-level bureaucrat gives a fabulous performance. The film is an imaginative dystopian view of our world and it is quite a ride. I know I will be looking forward to the sequel in say, three years.
Acting: Unknown actor Sharlto Copley as Wikus was an inspired choice. His lack of fame makes for an even better hero. Bravo. Jason Cope as the alien, Christopher Johnson, was lovable in a prawny way. Trivia: Not quite 30 year old director Neill Blomkamp was born in South Africa and moved to Vancouver with his family when he was 18. His background is in digital effects and advertising. He and star Sharlto Copley have been friends since they were young. Copley has never really acted before and this is his first film. I am sure there will be many more to come. Predilection: I like science fiction and I like thrillers. Critters: Chickens, pigs and cows. Food: Cat food is a big featured item as are goat and cow carcass’. Sex Spectrum: Yikes, none. But human/alien sex is a tabloid topic. Blatant Product Placement: 0 Soundtrack: I don’t remember but it must have not been overwhelming or I would have noticed. Opening Titles: A mentioned above, the introduction gives us a recap, in documentary style of the alien aircraft’s arrival. Visual Art: Harsh lighting and the city and slums of Johannesburg make for quite the visuals. Theater Audience: About 20 guys a few women and us. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: Inhumanity, racism and xenophobic behavior make me squirm. Drift Factor: The final battle scene could have been shorter but other than that, I was totally engaged. Predictability Level: Moderate. Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: Sure. Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure. Length: Under two hours. LOBO HOWLS: 8
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Movie Review: Lorna’s Silence (Le silence de Lorna) August 12, 2009
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| Movie Review: Lorna’s Silence (Le silence de Lorna)
Alternate Title: I Married the Mob Story: Call me dense- but I did not know what the heck was going on in this award winning film for the first hour. The writing and directing Dardennes brothers ( Jean-Pierre and Luc) are known for their films about the underclass and struggles with moral issues. This slow paced film features Lorna who has somehow gotten herself involved in a marriage for citizenship and money scheme with Albanian, Belgium and Russian mobsters. For about an hour we watch Lorna go through ordinary life chores. We see Lorna iron, walk to the store, make a phone call, buy stuff, walk home, look in her mail box and go to sleep. Excited yet? Well into the film we start to see that Lorna’s world is filled with people whose entire existences are for sale. Sex, marriage, life and honor. Is there no one with a conscience in Lorna’s world? When I finally figured out what was happening the story took on some semblance of action. Sadly, by that time I lost interest in almost everyone. You want to root for Lorna but her choices in the film make it very difficult. This is not a film for most people. You should probably be serious devotees of the Dardennes brothers. Check out the trailer here:
Acting: Arta Dobroshi as Lorna reminded me of an older Ellen Page (Juno). She has recieved kudos for this role, but I was not moved. Jérémie Renier Claudy, had the only part that required emotion and he was over the top. Trivia: In 1999 the brothers Dardenne had a hit with Rosetta, that won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Festival. The movie tells the story of a blue collar worker with an alcoholic mother who tries to have a better life in a small belgium city. Read my review of that 1999 film here and check out how few categories there were in my reviews 10 years ago. Predilection: None Critters: None Sex Spectrum: Female nudity Soundtrack: The Dardennes brothers usually do not use soundtracks. Visual Art: The details of life in this part of town was depressing. Theater Audience: Six other comatose people Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: 0 Drift Factor: I looked at my watch often. Predictability Level: Did not care Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: This film won Best Screenplay at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. Big Screen or Rental: Neither Length: Under two hours. LOBO HOWLS: 4
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Movie Review: Bruno July 15, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Review Archives, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: Bruno
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| Movie Review: Bruno
Alternate Title: Cruel and Unusual Punishment Story: This quite possibly was the worst film I have ever seen. The only reason we did not walk out was because we were going out for dinner after the movie and it was too early to eat. The film (and I use that term loosely) was borderline pornographic with even less of a plot than most triple X films. It was an insulting train wreck. A meandering, directionless (credit to director Larry Charles), sophomoric, scattershot piece of crap. The only good news was that it was short. Sacha Baron Cohen reintroduces one of his characters, Bruno, from his Ali G days. Bruno is a flaming, Austrian stereotypical, homosexual. Cohen attempts, as in Borat, to expose prejudice (this time homophobia) through social satire. It does not work on any level. Yes, there are a few laughs (my favorite involved a scene with the Bruno character confusing Hamas with Hummus) but mostly it was a jaw dropping nightmare. Stay far, far away. Watch the trailer:
Acting: Insultingly awful. Trivia: Sacha Baron Cohen studied History at Christ’s College, Cambridge. In contrast to his characters, he is a soft-spoken, gentlemanly Cambridge man who considered pursuing a PhD before going into comedy. He gave 2004 Harvard class day address in character as Ali G. Predilection: I thought it would be good for some needed laughs. Critters: A photo of a dead rabbit. Food: A scene with oodles of desserts when Bruno tries to commit carbicide. Sex Spectrum: Way too many images of penis’, asses and simulated sex. Soundtrack: Loud Opening Titles: Graphically interesting. Visual Art: Blech Theater Audience: About 30 or so people scattered about a large theater. To our horror, a woman brought her ten year old son into the theater and plunked themselves down right behind us. After telling them to keep quiet a few times, the mother disappeared and the kid was left to watch for himself. I wanted to call child services and report her. They finally left about half way through the movie. Squirm Scale: 8 Drift Factor: I looked at my watch more than I looked at the screen. Predictability Level: Could not care less what happened to anyone. Oscar Worthy: Ha! Big Screen or Rental: Neither Length: 90 minutes LOBO HOWLS: For the first time in my 11 years of movie reviews I give this garbage a 0.
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Movie Review: Sunshine Cleaning March 25, 2009
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 Movie Review: Sunshine Cleaning
Alternate Title: Life is Messy Story: Wouldn’t it be great if the messiness of life could be cleaned up as easily as calling in a toxic waste crew to polish, rub and wax away the trauma and scars that have accumulated while living out our day to day lives? This heartfelt, honest new film directed by New Zealand’s Christine Jeffs (Sylvia) and written by Megan Holley made me care deeply about all of these scarred, vulnerable characters. Poor 30-ish Rose is in a nowhere relationship with a married man, has a seven year old son she is raising alone, a troubled younger sister who cannot hold a job and a father that needs tending as he goes from scheme to scheme trying to earn a dollar. She tries to hold it all together with daily affirmation post-its. Her quiet desperation is infectious. Rose and her sister start up Sunshine Cleaning, a business that goes in to remove body fluids, toxic debris and biohazard materials after a crime. Messy business indeed. How Rose and her sister Norah find and seal that special bond that only sisters share is a nice moment to view. The film is not a comedy but has some funny moments that will surely make you smile. The characters are real, the emotions raw and like life, the film does not tie up all of the loose ends. The scars of life’s experiences are like the stains in a carpet. They are very hard to remove but when accomplished – it is very satisfying indeed. If you like slice of life films, check this one out.
Acting: Amy Adams as Rose, was a gem. I never think I am going to like her very much and then she surprises me. Brava. Emily Blunt as Norah, was equally as engaging and both of these two young women were a treat to watch. Alan Arkin as Joe, the father, played the same character that he has been playing for awhile. I happen t like this character so it did not bother me at all. Jason Spevack as seven year old Oscar was adorable. Steve Zahn as philandering Mac, is always good as was Mary Lynn Rajskub as Lynn and Clifton Collins Jr. as Winston. Trivia: English actress Emily Blunt was named Best Female Scene-Stealer for her performance in The Devil Wears Prada (2006) by Entertainment Weekly. Her ex-boyfriend Michael Bublé’s wrote the hit single Everything for her. She is also on his album Call Me Irresponsible where she sings briefly at the end of the song Me And Mrs. Jones. Amy Adams was born in Italy to American parents Kathryn and Richard Adams, while her father was a U.S. serviceman. She was raised in a Mormon family of seven children in Castle Rock, Colorado. Predilection: None Critters: A sweet kitty. Food: Candy Corn, pizza and chocolate cake. Sex Spectrum: Some simulated fumbling sex. Blatant Product Placement: Coke Opening Titles: A nice sequence that introduces us to the two sisters. Visual Art: The details in the crime scene cleanups were amazing. I got lost in the tchotchkes. Theater Audience: About 20 popcorn munching viewers Weather: The weather in Albuquerque was sunny. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 2 Squirm Scale: The blood and gore might bother some but I like all of the CSI TV shows, so I was fine with it. Drift Factor: I was attentive throughout. Predictability Level: High Tissue Usage: I welled up a few times. Oscar Worthy: No Big Screen or Rental: Support the Indies. See it on the big screen. For some other films with Sunshine in the title you could rent: Sunshine, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Little Miss Sunshine, The Sunshine Boys, Sunshine State, California Sunshine, Sunshine Hotel, Everybody Loves Sunshine, Little Mary Sunshine, A Million Miles to Sunshine, The Sunshine Deli and Grocery, Good Morning, Sunshine, Ray of Sunshine, Walkin’ on Sunshine. Length: 90 minutes LOBO HOWLS: 8
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Movie Review: Duplicity March 23, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Review Archives, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Photography.Tags: Movie Review: Duplicity
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| Movie Review: Duplicity
Alternate Title: Cunning Cons Story: I like a good con. The Sting is one of my favorite all time movies. This latest con job was written and directed by Tony Gilroy and to put it mildly, this is no Sting. The plot is really quite simple but the screenplay is not. Two Intelligence agents, one from the CIA and one from MI-6 met in Dubai five years ago, had a one night fling where she drugged him and pilfered his secret documents. Fast forward five years and they meet again, this time in Grand Central Station, NYC. I won’t give more of the plot away but I will say that the simple story line gets uber-complicated by flashbacks that change the scenario every 15 minutes. Just when you think you are following everything, another flashback happens and gaping plot holes open. The good news is that watching Clive Owen for two hours never hurt anyone. Pretty people and pretty locations make for a decent two hour escape. However, if you are looking for a spy thriller in the manner of the Bourne films, look elsewhere.
Acting: Julia Roberts comes out of semi-retirement to play Claire Stenwick, former CIA agent. I have never been a big fan of Ms Roberts (so sue me) and she does nothing especially interesting in this film either. Clive Owen as former MI-6 agent, Ray Koval, brings on the charm and style that we are used to seeing. Tom Wilkinson overacts as one of the corporate heads as does Paul Giamatti. Denis O’Hare, Kathleen Chalfant, Tom McCarthy, Carrie Preston and Rick Worthy all perform more than adequately in their supporting roles. Trivia: Paul Giamatti is the son of A. Bartlett Giamatti, late president of Yale University, major league baseball commissioner and nemesis of Pete Rose. He is a Boston Red Sox fan. Predilection: I like movies about cons and I like Clive Owen. Critters: None Sex Spectrum: There are many bedroom scenes but actual ’sex’ is not shown. Opening Titles: An opening sequence that introduces us to the characters. All the actual titles are at the end. Visual Art: There Will Be Blood’s director of photography, Robert Elswit, shows his talent again. Theater Audience: About 30 other people. Weather: The weather was fine in Rome, NYC, Dubai and Cleveland. Cleveland? Yes, Cleveland. Squirm Scale: 0 Drift Factor: I began to drift after the fourth flashback. Predictability Level: High Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: No Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. For some of screen writer Michael Gilroy’s other screenplays you can rent: Michael Clayton, The Bourne Ultimatum,The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Identity as well as Proof of Life, The Devil’s Advocate and Dolores Claiborne . Length: Five minutes over the two hour rule. The film actually seemed longer. LOBO HOWLS: 6
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Movie Review: Everlasting Moments March 19, 2009
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| Movie Review: Everlasting Moments
Alternate Title: I am a Camera Story: If you have the time and patience to appreciate the slowness of watching film develop in a darkroom rather than the immediacy of digital photography, this beautiful film is for you. Swedish director and writer Jan Troell (The Emigrants) introduce us to the hardworking, loyal, Maria. The film takes place in Sweden, during the years1907 through 1921. Maria labors at raising her growing brood of seven children along with putting up with her skirt chasing, brutish, all too often drunkard of a husband. She discovers moments of beauty and escape through the art of photography. The story is told through the eyes of Maria’s oldest daughter and is based on the life of a real person. It is visually beautiful film with sepia tones, memorable images and moments of ordinary life caught in shadows and light. If you like long period pieces that depict a slice of unfamiliar life this evocative film about a woman who struggle’s to find self-fulfillment through art is for you. If you like films that have lots of action and explosions – stay far, far away.
Acting: Maria Heiskanen as Maria Larsson is perfect in the role. Mikael Persbrandt as her brute of a husband Sigfrid, is a complex character and is well played. Trivia: Nine films advanced to the last round of voting in the Foreign Language Film category for the 81st Academy Awards. Sixty-five films had originally qualified in the category. The films, listed in alphabetical order by country, are: Austria, “Revanche,” Canada, “The Necessities of Life,” France, “The Class,” Germany, “The Baader Meinhof Complex,” Israel, “Waltz with Bashir,” Japan, “Departures,” Mexico, “Tear This Heart Out,” Sweden, “Everlasting Moments,” Turkey, “3 Monkeys,” . Everlasting Moments did not make the cut and Departures was the surprise winner. Predilection: I like to see all potential Oscar nominees. Critters: A wonderful bloodhound named Leo, a beautiful house cat, some unlucky pigeons and a lucky horse. Food: Aforementioned unlucky pigeons, slop and gruel. Sex Spectrum: Fumbling, usually drunken sex produces seven children in this film. Visual Art: The entire film is a visual treat down to the smallest detail. Theater Audience: About ten other people. Sappy Factor: 0 Squirm Scale: 2 – There were times that you wanted Maria to kill her husband because of his brutality. Drift Factor: I did drift a bit. Predictability Level: I was not sure where this film was going. Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: Missed a nomination by just this much. Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. Length: Two hours and 11 minutes. LOBO HOWLS: 7.5
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Movie Review: Two Lovers March 16, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Dogs and cats, Jewish Stuff, Movie Review Archives, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Photography.Tags: Movie Review: Two Lovers
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| Movie Review: Two Lovers
Alternate Title: Contrasts Story: Imagine a contemporary love story that is not filled with stupid boy/girl antics, pratfalls and fart jokes. Director and writer James Gray (along with writer Richard Menello) have created a romantic movie that is an adult, character driven tale of love lost and found (sans stupid gimmicks). It is the fall of 2008, in the colorful community of Brighton Beach. Leonard has moved back home with his loving, devoted, Russian Jewish parents after some difficult experiences with love, depression and an attempted suicide. He meets the uncomplicated, solid, lovely Sandra through filial connections and she is smitten. He then meets the forbidden fruit (a shiksa) Michelle who is unstable, selfish and dating an older married man. She is basically a lot of trouble. Guess who Leonard goes ga ga over? How this three character based story develops is real, dynamic and engaging. I highly recommend this film to anyone who likes character driven stories and wonderfully detailed sets and backgrounds. And did I mention there is brisket?
Acting: It is too bad that Joaquin Phoenix recently announced his retirement from film. I hope he changes his mind. This performance as Leonard is simply terrific. You cannot take your eyes off of him. Gwyneth Paltrow as the forbidden fruit holds her own against a bravura performance by Phoenix. The beautiful Vinessa Shaw somehow managed to come off as plain and did a fine job as Sandra. Isabella Rossellini as Leonard’s mother hit pay dirt. She is terrific as is Moni Moshonov, as the loving father. Trivia: Director James Gray grew up in Queens and wanted to be a painter. This is his third film with Joaquim Phoenix. His grandparents were Russian immigrants. Joaquin Phoenix was born in Puerto Rico to Children of God missionaries John Bottom Amram and Arlyn Dunetz Jochebed (a.k.a. Heart), Joaquin was the middle child in a brood of five. He once refused to wear shoes during a photo shoot for Prada because they were made out of leather. He is a vegan. He announced his retirement from acting and said that Two Lovers would be his last movie as an actor. Stay tuned. Predilection: I like films made in Brighton Beach. It is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Critters: Goldfish and seagulls and a dog (who is never, ever walked). Food: It is a Jewish household. Food is always in the picture. I was particularly taken with the brisket scene. Without blowing my own horn, I must say that my Judy Lobo brisket looks better than the one featured in the film and I dare say, tastes better. Anyone reading this want to testify to that statement? Sex Spectrum: Leonard gets lucky with both of the ladies. Soundtrack: A wonderful track filled with great opera arias. Opening Titles: I cannot remember. Visual Art: The details are visually eye popping. I felt as is I were in my Aunt Minnie and Uncle Larry’s Brighton Beach apartment 40 years ago. Theater Audience: Five other people. Weather: It was a chilly fall and winter in Brighton Beach. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: 0 Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout. Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: Perhaps Big Screen or Rental: Either would be fine. Check out director James Gray’s other films, including: Little Odessa, We Own the Night and The Yards. Length: Under two hours. LOBO HOWLS: 8
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Movie Review: Watchmen March 10, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Review Archives, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Photography.Tags: Movie Review: Watchmen
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| Movie Review: Watchmen
Alternate Title: Armageddon Story: While I am sure I was not the target audience for this film based on the graphic novel by controversial author Alan Moore (V for Vendetta) and illustrated by Dave Gibbons I did find a lot to cheer about. I have read that director Zack Snyder and writers by David Hayter and Alex Tse stayed true to the graphic novel (which I did not read) which probably is past and parcel of the good news, bad news. Good news: It is a beautiful film to watch. I was visually hooked from the opening sequence through to the end. It depicts a dark, nihilistic, world filled with despair and gloom (and that is the good news). Snyder stayed true to the graphic novel format and most of the scenes are viewed in a stationary, head on lens.It makes for a very effective film goer experience. The plot is simple. It is 1985 and Richard Nixon is in his fifth term (that was actually the scariest part of the film for me). Soviet Russia and the US are tinkering on nuclear was and there is a serial killer on the loose who is murdering two generations of of masked heroes, whose days of glory are fading fast. Bad news: The simple plot should not have made this film close to three hours long, but it did. Every masked hero has a back story, side story and overlapping group story. Just when I thought the film might be over, more layers of story are revealed. The movie could have been called the Never ending Story. If you like films that are different, innovative and violent, this one is for you.
Acting: Malin Akerman (Laurie Jupiter/Silk Spectre II) was cookie cutter gorgeous and fun to watch. Billy Crudup (Jon Osterman/Dr. Manhattan) was only himself for a few scenes before he turned into the very blue Dr. Manhattan. Matthew Goode (Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias) was scarily vacant. Carla Gugino (Sally Jupiter/Silk Spectre) had a very cool make-up job. Jackie Earle Haley (Walter Kovacs/Rorschach) stole the film as the very creepy Rorschach. Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Edward Blake/the Comedian) was fine and Patrick Wilson (Dan Dreiberg/Nite Owl II) was creepily bland. Trivia: Director Zack Snyder attended Art Center College of Design at Pasadena, California and studied visual art at Heatherlys School of Fine Art in Chelsea, London. He was ranked #25 on EW’s 2007 The 50 Smartest People in Hollywood list. Malin Akerman is the lead singer of a rock band named Ozono, who later changed their name to The Petalstones. Jackie Earle Haley was only 17 years old when he played 19-year-old Moocher in 1979’s Breaking Away. He started acting in commercial when he was six. He has a black belt. Mary Louise Parker (who is not in the film) dated actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Comedian) and has a 4-year-old son with ex Billy Crudup (the two split while she was still pregnant) who plays Dr. Manhattan. I bit icky, eh? Predilection: I like graphic novels brought to the big screen. Critters: Two very mean dogs who come to a bad end (but you do not see it happen). Food: No time to eat when the world is going to hell in a had basket. Sex Spectrum: A terrific sex scene in a flying machine with the sounds of the wonderful Leonard Cohen singing, Hallelujah, in the background. Oh, and the very blue Dr Manhattan is naked for most of his scenes. Soundtrack: How can you go wrong with tunes by Leonard Cohen, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan? Opening Titles: A fabulous opening sequence depicting the demise of masked hero, The Comedian. Visual Art: Terrific. Theater Audience: About 50 people, mostly male. Weather: It apparently rains before Armageddon. Squirm Scale: There is a lot of hacking, whacking and thwacking. Be prepared. Drift Factor: I did drift a bit when I realized that the film as going on and on and on. Predictability Level: I was not sure where this was going. Oscar Worthy: Maybe it will get a technical nod or adaptation. Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure. Length: Two hours and 40 minutes. LOBO HOWLS: 7.5
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