What I Watched, What You Watched: Installment #48
A Best Picture winner and John Wayne's last
I am going to begin trying something a little different with this column starting next week. Instead of revealing everything I watched on Sunday each week I am going to do individual listings throughout the week and then on Sunday do a complete recap of the week. It will add a little bit of variety to the weekly grind of movie news, trailers, pictures and editorials and hopefully give us a little something different to discuss. Then, on the weekend I'll list everything once again and the conversation can continue as normal. It will just be a trial period to see how things work out, but I have a feeling it will work.
As for this week's edition of "What I Watched," one movie I forgot to mention a couple of weeks back was yet another viewing of Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless and this week I also watched half of the Marx brothers' Duck Soup, a little bit of Teen Wolf and Coyote Ugly was playing on E! in in the background while hanging out with some friends.
| All the King's Men (1949) |
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| QUICK THOUGHTS: In 2006 Steven Zaillian (writer of Schindler's List and Gangs of New York) co-wrote and directed a remake of this Oscar-winning film (Picture, Actor, Supporting Actor) and it starred Sean Penn, Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins, Patricia Clarkson, James Gandolfini, Kate Winslet, Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins. Suffice to say, it was awful. Until only a few days ago I had never seen the original and man-oh-man it's wonderful. Zaillian and crew must have tried hard to mess it up. I am now tempted to watch the remake again just to get a better understanding of what went wrong, although I have an idea based solely on the casting. Primarily, the casting of Sean Penn to play the role of Willie Stark may sound like great casting when given an outline of the story, but Penn just isn't the kind of actor to take on a role if you're looking for the same impact Broderick Crawford brought to this country bumpkin turned dirty politician. The dirty part works just fine, but Penn is no country bumpkin and it's a necessary trait when balancing the two faces this character portrays. There is a slight bit of innocence Crawford brings to the character that Penn's all-too-serious acting can't attain. What I probably found most striking about this film, though, was how dark it is. A lot of people die or get hurt in this picture and it's the kind of people that make up the list of victims that makes it so dark and the frequency with which it happens quite surprised me. If you've yet to see this one, give it a shot, it's well worth the time. I caught my viewing on TCM. | |
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| The Shootist (1976) |
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| QUICK THOUGHTS: January of last year I wrote an article comparing John Wayne's The Searchers with Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino and in the commments someone suggested Wayne's final film, The Shootist, may serve as another decent comparison and I've been meaning to see the film ever since. So, while checking the TCM line-up this week this one also jumped out at me and I set the DVR to add it to the queue. I haven't seen enough of Wayne's films to call any of them his "best" and I wouldn't say this is the best Wayne film I've seen, but it is a good one and well worth checking out. What was probably most affecting with this film was TCM's Robert Osborne and his introduction to the film as he points out how it was Wayne's last film and how Wayne pretty much knew it was his last film. There's a certain solemn nature that surrounds the picture to start with considering the story content, but you add on this extra layer and it changes things a bit. With 172 screen credits listed on IMDb, to think this was Wayne's last film and to know the nature of the film as he plays the notorious gunslinger J.B. Books as he learns he is dying of cancer (the same disease that would ultimately take Wayne's life three years later) is a very sad truth to be sure. Wayne's joined in this film by Lauren Bacall, James Stewart and a young Ron Howard. I definitely recommend this one to just about any movie watcher. Oh, and as for the comparison to Gran Torino, I still think The Searchers works much better. | |
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There you have it. Now share your weekly recaps and weigh in with any thoughts you may have on the films I saw. And remember to connect with my Netflix queue by clicking here, I have already added several titles from those that have already linked up.
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Death Proof – D
I didn't get this film and found it totally boring. But then I'm not a fan of B-movies.
Sex and The City 2 – D
A total waste of time. I didn't even have fun like you did Brad, I was just completely annoyed most of the time.
American Psycho – B
This week I read the book first and then saw the film. I think the book is much more subtle in telling the truth. Movie made it pretty clear that he was just plain old crazy and not a homicidal maniac at all. Christian Bale does amazing work.
Vera Drake – B
A little slow but has some superb acting. At first I was chuckling a bit at seeing Dolores Umbridge being nice to people. I had not seen Imelda Staunton in any other movie than Harry Potter before this. That feeling soon evaporated as she performed extraordinarily as Vera. There is one scene especially where you can see every imaginable feeling on her face and can feel nothing but empathy for her.
Valentine's Day-4.5/10
This movie was not close to the 'F' you gave it, Brad. Even though many scenes were implausible, it is still a fun, light film that was less edgy than recent films (even though those are better films). But many subplots, ESPECIALLY the phone sex operator one, felt tired after an hour. Interesting how SATC2 was given a much higher rating. Grrr!
P.S. I had to watch it twice to come to my score.
Dogtooth – A Greek film that i had never heard of before. A very strange movie-watching experience…hysterical, disturbing, shockingly intense, but above all, it is a film that displays brilliant originality. I am glad that I knew nothing of this movie going in, as it made the experience more powerful. B
Bad Boy Bubby – A disurbing Australian film that begins off in a promising fashion, but starts to stumble on itself as it goes on and becomes repetitive and predictable towards the end. C+
Psycho (rewatch) – I think everything about this one has already been said. A
Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus – 5/10
Family Plot – 6
Opal Dream – 6
Topaz – 5
The Desert Rats – 6
Priest of Love – 6
Kokoda – 5.5
Kangaroo – 7
Sons & Lovers – 7
Take Away – 3.5
Nine – 4.5
Erkinsville Kings – 7
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus – 5
Shutter Island – 6.5
Lou – 6.5
Boxing Day – 6.8
The Year of Living Dangerously – 6.5
Tom White – 7
Sea of Sand – 6
The Hours ~ Very good movie with strong work from Kidman, Moore, Streep and Harris. 4/5
Strangers on a Train ~ One of Hitchcock's best. 5/5
Shutter Island ~ Holy SHIT, that was both messed up and brilliant. 5/5
Collateral ~ Fucking awesome. 4.5/5
If you liked The Hours, read the book. I think the movie was an excellent book adaptation.
Imaginarium of dr Parnassus – C-. Gilliam dissapointed
(500) Days of Summer – B+. A great romantic film
Hot Tub Time Machine – 3.5/5 – Fun film.
She's Out of Your League – 4.5/5 – I think this could be the best rom com of the year. great performances, some genuine laugh out loud moments.
Hot tub time machine- loved it, funny and very enjoyable and no slight cheesiness added. B
Funny people (rw)- my least favorite of Apatows three films but i still very much enjoyed it. B+
Battle royale- I read the manga fiorst that was intense disturbing and awesome. too bad i felt somewhat let down by ther movie. but not enough to make me shut it off or not care. Manga A Movie C+
The Killer Inside Me – 3.5/5
Ninja Assassin – 2/5
Trucker – 3/5
A Room For Rome Brass – 3.5/5
Arthur – 3/5
THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES……2009's Oscar winner for Foreign Language film boasts a finely tuned, told story that spans 25 years in the life of a criminal court worker who finds himself obsessed and haunted by the rape of a young girl. This mixes genres to perfection. It is also a political thriller, a love story, and police procedural. Unexpected pleasures – like the sweeping camera tracking at a soccer game, the eye-opening finale, among others – are examples of the care and detail foreign films have been known for. This one deservedly won the Oscar, and is a reason why the best movies are now being made NOT in this country but abroad. Wake up Hollywood……..A-
THE KARATE KID…….ahh, a remake that does more things right than wrong. This retelling takes an unusual "epic" approach to its story about Dre, a fatherless boy who moves to China with his mother who's just been offered a job at a car factory. There, he gets bullied by some tough Chinese kids and meets a friendly maintenance man, played by Jackie Chan. We all know where the story goes from there. A bit overlong – some scenes should've been trimmed – however, its pleasures are plenty. In some ways, this update is a throwback to the 70s and 80s films and how they took their time to tell a story and concentrate on character. This one does just that, along with the roaring fight finale……B+
EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES…..caught up with this one on DVD. Harrison Ford plays a doctor who comes to the aid of a family whose children are suffering from a debilitating muscular-distrophic like disease. Based on a true story, the film at times can't escape its similarities to a TV movie of the week feel. Some bits are hearfelt, while others crash with a thud. Uneven, but well-intentioned…..B-
NOWHERE IN AFRICA……also saw this one (finally) on DVD. Oscar winner for Foreign language film back in 2001, this German film explores the struggles of a Jewish family who flees Nazi Germany and settles in Nairobi. A beautiful, emotional journey for the characters and the audience. Again, a great foreign film that outshines most of what Hollywood does. See this, along with Out of Africa, and compare. Two great films set in the dark continent……B+
GET HIM TO THE GREEK…..get me out of this theater! I thought this one was gonna be alot funnier than it was. Unfortunately, too "crude" only goes so far. And, before the 1st hour is done, the "crudeness" gets tiresome. No Hangover, not even by a long shot, I don't see nothing in this crass R-rated comedy worth liking. A few chuckles, but I stress- only a few. Not nearly enough to compensate for what is supposed to be a comedy……D
SPLICE……often creepy, totally dry sci-fi/horror hybrid about two scientists who put together a new species – half human, half animal. Problem is, the creature is never really totally scary or convincing. It eventually morphs into a hot French actress who gets laid by Adrien Brody. weird things follow..up to its weak ending in which the contrivances outnumber any originality the filmmakers had hoped for…..C
ROBIN HOOD……..Ridley Scott gives us another epic with Russell Crowe. this time the gladiator trades in his club and shield for bow and arrows to play Robin Hood. I dozed off a few times watching the same old-same old. Only the protracted battle sequence at the end woke me from my light slumber. an average Braveheart redux. starts well. fades off in the second act, then comes alive again for the third……B-
SEX AND THE CITY 2………the spoiled rich girls from NYC are back for some fun. This sequel is not as much fun as the original, sorry to say. A long, and I mean long sequence that takes the girls to the Middle East is unnecessary. Does nothing to advance the plot. and at 2 hours and 26 minutes, comedies aren't supposed to be that long!…….C
Fortunately I had a pretty good week with movies, considering I liked about all of them. A lot of the movies were also from the 1980s…
The Karate Kid (1984) – I had only seen parts of this film before when I was younger, but never in it's entirety. I found it for $6 at my local FYE so I decided to pick it up. I really enjoyed the film, despite a few flaws, I was really into it and thought it delivered in nearly every respect. 5/5
Carlito's Way – This was a pretty good movie, suspenseful at parts and had good performances. A little long, but that's just a minor quibble to an otherwise strong movie. Al Pacino and Sean Penn were terrific, as usual. 4/5
At Close Range – I really liked this movie a lot. Sean Penn was excellent, but I think this is the best performance I've ever seen Christopher Walken give. He portrayed one of the most hateful characters I can think of in recent memory. I also really like the score, which was the basis for the Madonna song "Live To Tell", that was used throughout to give the film atmosphere. One of the most overlooked movies of the 80s decade. 4.5/5
Back To The Future – Another that, even though with a few minor flaws, I found to deliver in nearly every respect. I suppose I could have counted this as a re-watch, but it had been so long since I had seen the film that I nearly forgot most of it. A lot of fun to watch, and I look forward to seeing the sequels. 5/5
Red Rock West – A small little thriller that I think was overlooked when it came out. A lot more suspenseful than I ever expected it to be, and all around had solid performances from Nicolas Cage, Dennis Hopper and Lara Flynn Boyle. 4/5
Eastern Promises – I finally got around to watching this movie after all these years. I enjoyed Viggo Mortensen's performance a bit, although I don't know if I'd say I love this movie like most of the critics did when it initially came out in 2007. Still, it's a good thriller and worth seeing. 4/5
Sunday Bloody Sunday – This movie was good, but I don't know if it's the kind of film I'd recommend anybody to go out of their way to go see or a movie that you must buy if you see it in a store. Peter Finch and Glenda Jackson were very good in their roles, although I felt there could have been more screen time for Peter Finch. I'd say it's worth a rental. 3/5
Toy Story 3 – One of the few third movies in a series that actually is just as good, if not better, than the previous films. I really enjoyed this movie a lot, and I'd easily say it is one of the better releases I have seen so far this year. I may even go to see it again. 5/5
Toy Story 3: EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT MOVIE. 10/10
Jonah Hex: Awful. 1/10
The Book of Eli: Good movie with good plot and twist. 7.5/10
Alice in Wonderland: Just didn't work for me. The visual effects is what saves it. 4/10.