The Perfect Host (2010): A criminal on the run cons his way into the wrong dinner party where the host is anything but ordinary. (6.7)
Director: Nick Tomnay
Writers: Nick Tomnay, Krishna Jones
Stars: David Hyde Pierce, Clayne Crawford and Nathaniel Parker
This movie has several unexpected twists. It is suspenseful thriller and a black comedy. I didn't read too much about it as I stumbled across it on Netflix. If you plan to watch, don't read about it as it will spoil the whole thing. David Hyde Pierce is superb. Just a few main actors, but they carry the whole thing so well. My Rating: 7.0
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
In the Mood for Love (PG) 8.0
In the Mood for Love (2000) Fa yeung nin wa (original title): A man and a woman move in to neighboring Hong Kong apartments and form a bond when they both suspect their spouses of extra-marital activities. (8.1)
Director: Kar Wai Wong
Writer: Kar Wai Wong
Stars: Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung and Ping Lam Siu
Language: Cantonese (w/ English subtitles)
This is said to be the second of the informal trilogy by the director. The other two are Days of Being Wild and 2046. I followed the 3, 1 and 2 sequence, but since they are not related--story-wise--I didn't miss anything from it. However, I certainly noticed the thematic, cinematographic, and acting patterns. All three tug at the emotion sides but with varying degrees and varying storylines. This is a beautiful movie with a nice story, great camera work from Christopher Doyle, great acting, etc. And, great "hour-glass" figures, oh my. My Rating: 8.0
Director: Kar Wai Wong
Writer: Kar Wai Wong
Stars: Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung and Ping Lam Siu
Language: Cantonese (w/ English subtitles)
This is said to be the second of the informal trilogy by the director. The other two are Days of Being Wild and 2046. I followed the 3, 1 and 2 sequence, but since they are not related--story-wise--I didn't miss anything from it. However, I certainly noticed the thematic, cinematographic, and acting patterns. All three tug at the emotion sides but with varying degrees and varying storylines. This is a beautiful movie with a nice story, great camera work from Christopher Doyle, great acting, etc. And, great "hour-glass" figures, oh my. My Rating: 8.0
Monday, January 2, 2012
The Civil War (TV-G) 9.0
The Civil War (TV mini-series 1990): This highly acclaimed mini series traces the course of the U.S. Civil War from the abolitionist movement through all the major battles to the death of President Lincoln and the beginnings of Reconstruction. The story is mostly told in the words of the participants themselves, through their diaries, letters, and Visuals are usually still photographs and illustrations of the time, and the soundtrack is likewise made up of war-era tunes played on period instruments. (9.5)
Director: Ken Burns
Narrator: David McCullough
Stars: Sam Waterston, Jason Robards, Morgan Freeman, Garrison Keillor, Arthur Miller
This is an epic documentary series that's taken longer to make--five years--than the actual civil war itself. 9 episodes; lots of famous actors to give voices to key figures. It uses lots of period photographs (such as they were during 1861-1865 time; made on glass plates, fuzzy and blurry) intermixed with beautiful scenery shots from today. Even though I've been a US citizen for 20+ years, I still view the US history, specially the civil war time as an outsider looking at someone else's family squabble. I'd read a couple of Lincoln biographies, some material on the civil war, yet I learned a lot from this series. The numbers alone are staggering. The historian Shelby Foote says in the 9th episode: "Before the war it was said as 'United states are' ... after the war it was always 'United States is' ... sums up what the war accomplished. It made us an 'is'." From this point on, I'd always think of Robert E. Lee whenever someone asserts states rights ... just imagine what would have happened had Lee agreed to command the Union army instead of going with his state, Virginia. It took me 9 nights to watch all the episodes, but I think I will watch it again. I highly recommend this documentary series. My Rating: 9.0
Director: Ken Burns
Narrator: David McCullough
Stars: Sam Waterston, Jason Robards, Morgan Freeman, Garrison Keillor, Arthur Miller
This is an epic documentary series that's taken longer to make--five years--than the actual civil war itself. 9 episodes; lots of famous actors to give voices to key figures. It uses lots of period photographs (such as they were during 1861-1865 time; made on glass plates, fuzzy and blurry) intermixed with beautiful scenery shots from today. Even though I've been a US citizen for 20+ years, I still view the US history, specially the civil war time as an outsider looking at someone else's family squabble. I'd read a couple of Lincoln biographies, some material on the civil war, yet I learned a lot from this series. The numbers alone are staggering. The historian Shelby Foote says in the 9th episode: "Before the war it was said as 'United states are' ... after the war it was always 'United States is' ... sums up what the war accomplished. It made us an 'is'." From this point on, I'd always think of Robert E. Lee whenever someone asserts states rights ... just imagine what would have happened had Lee agreed to command the Union army instead of going with his state, Virginia. It took me 9 nights to watch all the episodes, but I think I will watch it again. I highly recommend this documentary series. My Rating: 9.0
Saturday, December 31, 2011
The Dancer Upstairs (R) 7.5
The Dancer Upstairs (2002): A police detective in a South American country is dedicated to hunting down a revolutionary guerrilla leader. (6.9)
Director: John Malkovich
Writers: Nicholas Shakespeare (novel), Nicholas Shakespeare (screenplay)
Stars: Javier Bardem, Laura Morante and Juan Diego Botto
Layers. Its got layers of stories, confusion, humor, violence by the guerrillas, the disregard for the law or the people by the dictatorship government, etc. In the midst of all of that Bardem's character has internal conflicts. It is said that the story is inspired by true events in Peru in 1992. A great screenplay and it has the right amount of action, humor and intense drama. [Since it was a directed by Malkovich, I thought that it is an English movie; I should have watched it in Spanish w/ English subtitles. I'll do that I watch it again.] My Rating: 7.5
Director: John Malkovich
Writers: Nicholas Shakespeare (novel), Nicholas Shakespeare (screenplay)
Stars: Javier Bardem, Laura Morante and Juan Diego Botto
Layers. Its got layers of stories, confusion, humor, violence by the guerrillas, the disregard for the law or the people by the dictatorship government, etc. In the midst of all of that Bardem's character has internal conflicts. It is said that the story is inspired by true events in Peru in 1992. A great screenplay and it has the right amount of action, humor and intense drama. [Since it was a directed by Malkovich, I thought that it is an English movie; I should have watched it in Spanish w/ English subtitles. I'll do that I watch it again.] My Rating: 7.5
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Astro Boy (PG) 6.0
Astro Boy (2009): Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy is about a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist in the image of the son he has lost. (6.3)
Director: David Bowers
Writers: Osamu Tezuka (manga), David Bowers (story)
Stars: Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage and Kristen Bell
A father-son story, sort of like Pinnochio. This is from a Japanese/HK animation studio, but in the same mold as the US ones. (I guess, I'm seeing that as a slight weakness because I just watched Secret of Kells and saw how an animation could be made differently and uniquely.) I haven't see the original anime series, so I can't compare it. As a cgi movie, it stands on its own. My Rating: 6.0
Director: David Bowers
Writers: Osamu Tezuka (manga), David Bowers (story)
Stars: Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage and Kristen Bell
A father-son story, sort of like Pinnochio. This is from a Japanese/HK animation studio, but in the same mold as the US ones. (I guess, I'm seeing that as a slight weakness because I just watched Secret of Kells and saw how an animation could be made differently and uniquely.) I haven't see the original anime series, so I can't compare it. As a cgi movie, it stands on its own. My Rating: 6.0
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The Secret of Kells (G) 8.0
The Secret of Kells (2009): Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from the isle of Iona carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. (7.5)
Directors: Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey
Writers: Tomm Moore (original story), Fabrice Ziolkowski (screenplay)
Stars: Evan McGuire, Brendan Gleeson and Mick Lally
The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin but I don't know how much of this story is real, myth or just made up for the movie (it doesn't matter to me). This is a beautifully drawn animation. The drawing style is unique for this format, and perfectly suited for the subject matter. (As an aside, this movie tells the story of Norsemen or barbarians invading and destroying the poor defenseless christian churches, but the spread of Christianity did the same to other groups/religions.) Overall, a nice story, nice animation, nice colors, etc. A good contrast against the styles of Pixar and other like animation companies. My Rating: 8.0
Directors: Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey
Writers: Tomm Moore (original story), Fabrice Ziolkowski (screenplay)
Stars: Evan McGuire, Brendan Gleeson and Mick Lally
The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin but I don't know how much of this story is real, myth or just made up for the movie (it doesn't matter to me). This is a beautifully drawn animation. The drawing style is unique for this format, and perfectly suited for the subject matter. (As an aside, this movie tells the story of Norsemen or barbarians invading and destroying the poor defenseless christian churches, but the spread of Christianity did the same to other groups/religions.) Overall, a nice story, nice animation, nice colors, etc. A good contrast against the styles of Pixar and other like animation companies. My Rating: 8.0
Monday, December 26, 2011
HP: Deathly Hallows 2 (PG-13) 6.5
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011): Harry, Ron and Hermione search for Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes in their effort to destroy the Dark Lord. (8.2)
Director: David Yates
Writers: Steve Kloves (screenplay), J.K. Rowling (novel)
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint
This is the second part of the final book of the series. As expected the epic battle between good and evil is depicted. The movie script sticks pretty much to the book, but that doesn't diminish the enjoyment of it. The high rating on IMDB, I think, is because it is a popular movie. It isn't one of the greatest ever; and in time, that rating will go down. My Rating: 6.5
Director: David Yates
Writers: Steve Kloves (screenplay), J.K. Rowling (novel)
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint
This is the second part of the final book of the series. As expected the epic battle between good and evil is depicted. The movie script sticks pretty much to the book, but that doesn't diminish the enjoyment of it. The high rating on IMDB, I think, is because it is a popular movie. It isn't one of the greatest ever; and in time, that rating will go down. My Rating: 6.5
Sunday, December 25, 2011
HP: Deathly Hallows 1 (PG-13) 6.5
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1: As Harry races against time and evil to destroy the Horcruxes, he uncovers the existence of three most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Deathly Hallows. (7.6)
Director: David Yates
Writers: Steve Kloves (screenplay), J.K. Rowling (novel)
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint
As a story, the whole series is superb. But, as a movie, this is okay. The actors have grown to become better as the series has gone on. As expected, this is not a stand-alone movie; a lot of magical things are explained in previous movies. Enjoyable, nonetheless. My Rating: 6.5
Director: David Yates
Writers: Steve Kloves (screenplay), J.K. Rowling (novel)
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint
As a story, the whole series is superb. But, as a movie, this is okay. The actors have grown to become better as the series has gone on. As expected, this is not a stand-alone movie; a lot of magical things are explained in previous movies. Enjoyable, nonetheless. My Rating: 6.5
Winter's Bone (R) 7.5
Winter's Bone (2010): An unflinching Ozark Mountain girl hacks through dangerous social terrain as she hunts down her drug-dealing father while trying to keep her family intact. (7.2)
Director: Debra Granik
Writers: Debra Granik (screenplay), Anne Rosellini (screenplay)
Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes and Garret Dillahunt
An excellent depiction of a teenage girl in the poor south growing up fast under the weight of responsibilities. Along the way, she learns to be tough or quiet or take it on the chin when required. Acting is superb. Story is believable and the screenplay is right on the mark. At times, the action may be slow, but there's lot going on just beneath the surface. My Rating: 7.5
Director: Debra Granik
Writers: Debra Granik (screenplay), Anne Rosellini (screenplay)
Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes and Garret Dillahunt
An excellent depiction of a teenage girl in the poor south growing up fast under the weight of responsibilities. Along the way, she learns to be tough or quiet or take it on the chin when required. Acting is superb. Story is believable and the screenplay is right on the mark. At times, the action may be slow, but there's lot going on just beneath the surface. My Rating: 7.5
Thursday, December 22, 2011
The Tree of Life (PG-13) 6.0
The Tree of Life (2011): The story centers around a family with three boys in the 1950s. The eldest son witnesses the loss of innocence. (7.2)
Director: Terrence Malick
Writer: Terrence Malick
Stars: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain
Um, there's no story in this movie. The cinematography is good; some of the pictures and scenes have been borrowed from elsewhere. The title is all wrong; there's no tree of life here. This is just the author trying to inject his pesky god into the nature. Look, all of the piddly little religions with creationist gods have described silly little stories in their religions but they don't stand up to today's science. This movie is just an attempt to inject something (dinosaurs, asteroids hitting the earth, galaxies, etc.) back into some religious story that some man keeps asking where you were. This makes absolutely no sense. If the director/writer wanted to make a movie about how the universe is elegant AND meaningful AND follows nice patterns etc, just make something about the works of today's physicist like Stephen Hawking or Brian Greene or the evolutionary biologist or something. There's no reason to try to mash up dinosaurs with a 50s Texas family and soap bubbles. His attempt reminds me of this quote from Arthur C. Clarke: "The greatest tragedy in mankind's entire history may be the hijacking of morality by religion." I'd give this 4.5 if it weren't for the beautiful pictures. My Rating: 6.0
Director: Terrence Malick
Writer: Terrence Malick
Stars: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain
Um, there's no story in this movie. The cinematography is good; some of the pictures and scenes have been borrowed from elsewhere. The title is all wrong; there's no tree of life here. This is just the author trying to inject his pesky god into the nature. Look, all of the piddly little religions with creationist gods have described silly little stories in their religions but they don't stand up to today's science. This movie is just an attempt to inject something (dinosaurs, asteroids hitting the earth, galaxies, etc.) back into some religious story that some man keeps asking where you were. This makes absolutely no sense. If the director/writer wanted to make a movie about how the universe is elegant AND meaningful AND follows nice patterns etc, just make something about the works of today's physicist like Stephen Hawking or Brian Greene or the evolutionary biologist or something. There's no reason to try to mash up dinosaurs with a 50s Texas family and soap bubbles. His attempt reminds me of this quote from Arthur C. Clarke: "The greatest tragedy in mankind's entire history may be the hijacking of morality by religion." I'd give this 4.5 if it weren't for the beautiful pictures. My Rating: 6.0
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