Post by Eric T. Jones on Mar 30, 2008 17:10:19 GMT -5
Cloverfield- The first film of 2008 is already one of its very best. This is one case where the hype WAS warranted (contrary to popular belief, leading to it being on my "Underrated" list); it's one of the scariest, most realistic films you'll see. (my rating: ****)
In Bruges- The trailers made it look like an excellent black comedy with biting dialogue. It's not- from the opening sequence it's clearly established as being a tragedy, but one with amazing literary meaning sprinkled throughout by its well-rounded, fascinating characters. That being said, it DOES have some hilarious, politically-incorrect dialogue exchanges which still manage to be completely natural. (my rating: ***1/2)
Be Kind Rewind- Michel Gondry is a voice to be heard... but I think it's far more about his later films than his "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", which is on countless Top 10 lists (of all time). "Be Kind Rewind" is sometimes an irritating film, but also a very charming and inspirational one which is tailor-made for both cynics and dreamers alike. Okay, so outside the theater, I'm cynical as can be- but inside I sure don't want to see that mirrored on the screen, so "Be Kind Rewind" got along VERY well with me! Its ending will also satisfy both demographics, but I wasn't happy with it since it involved this movie ending. (my rating: ***1/2)
Funny Games- Sure to be the most-discussed film of the year, "Funny Games" is a most hypocritical examination of our movie-watching habits, and how we absorb screen violence for impact. While I despise the message and how the film carries it out (if you want to tell us about how bad violent movies are, don't make a violent movie Mr. Haneke), it's still extremely fascinating to read all the points of view on the film- and there are those who still think Haneke unintentionally created one of the few effective horror films out there. That he did, as for days after I was still edgy after watching it. (no rating)
Stop-Loss- Kimberly Peirce covered touchy transgender issues in her debut feature, "Boys Don't Cry", which was thoroughly fascinating but with an almost ambiguous message, making it a movie for people on BOTH sides of the fence since one could just as easily interpret the story as a cry for tolerance as they can a cautionary tale. Her next movie, "Stop-Loss", has just that same ambiguity with only a couple of remotely-clear messages, the rest being deliberately muddled for audience interpretation. I wish it were a better movie, but there's no denying that her "Stop-Loss" is thought-provoking. (my rating: **1/2)
Leatherheads-George Clooney's screwball comedy about football. For some odd reason, now I find that trailer funny. It was merely okay and mostly forgettable. (my rating: **1/2)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall- I snubbed this one because I had enough of Apatow's movies about sex after seeing "Knocked Up" and "Superbad". But that turned out to be a big mistake- this movie about break-ups is everything that was great about "The 40-Year-Old Virgin"-- earnest script with lovable characters-- and an utter lack of self-indulgent ad-libs. It's a piece of cinema magic that I would love to see again, and among the best romantic comedies. (my rating: ****)
Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay- For once, social commentary in the movies doesn't suck! Seamlessly integrated in the main plot and characters, "Escape from Guantanamo Bay" makes all its political points without the heavy-handedness or preachiness that infects all the other political films. In fact, it's an even better political movie than it is a comedy; this has enough good laughs, but if that's what you're after, see the even funnier and wackier original. (my rating: **1/2)
Speed Racer- Looks AWFUL! With one of the funkiest color schemes in history, "Speed Racer" at least promises to be something. Who knows- maybe this will be another surprise like "Beowulf", which actually didn't suck!
(5/18) Well, whaddya know? It WAS a "Beowulf"-like surprise. "Speed Racer" is one of the many reasons that 2008 so far has been a great year for movies, or at least, one of the best starts for a movie year. We have "Cloverfield", "In Bruges", "Be Kind Rewind", "Forgetting Sarah Marshall", and this cinematic equivalent of a kid with ADD who just consumed a box full of sugar cubes.
Both respectful to the original but with enough of the Wachowskis' own stamp to proudly call it their own, "Speed Racer" will be brought up and discussed long after the "Matrix" sequels are forgotten. Whether that says something good or bad about our future, I don't know. But its box office failure has sealed the cult status of yet another flick. (my rating: ***1/2)
Mamma Mia!- I love musicals, and I've seen "Mamma Mia!" twice on the stage. A delightful and fun jukebox musical taking the hits of ABBA (and inspiring numerous ripoffs from other bands), it promises scenery but will it take the overly-stagy doom as "The Producers"? The use of the original stage director could be a sign of trouble.
(8/12) The stage director does make the film wild and over-the-top, but never shrill and grating. The arrangement of songs is loose from the original play, but maintains its level of fun throughout. In fact, the only real difference is that, while it can be taken easier up-front on stage, the movie version never stops being under the influence of some very heavy narcotics. (***1/2)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull- DUH!
(6/28) Becoming marginally underrated, the fourth "Indiana Jones" surprisingly underwhelmed at the box office (being Indy 4 it should have shattered records). Good-spirited big screen fun that resembles the originals. (my rating: ***1/2)
WALL-E- ...and nobody is gonna miss the new Pixar film, of course. Everyone's waiting to see when Pixar is gonna flop, and the closest they've gotten was when everyone thought "Cars" was like that straight-A student coming home with a B.
(5/2) I've since seen a little preview of it, and now I'm sold on it. It's a wacky, offbeat love story that I'm sure couldn't be made before all of Pixar's previous successes.
(6/28) Seen it TWICE, and will probably go for two more before it hits DVD. Forget Best Animated Feature- if this doesn't win Best Picture I will be furious. "WALL-E" is, simply put, one of the best movies ever made, and nothing short of the next "Princess Mononoke" will top this. (my rating: ****)
The Incredible Hulk- I didn't see Ang Lee's widely-panned film, and this franchise reboot ignores it entirely. But two words: Edward Norton. I'm so there.
(5/2) I've seen the trailer. Yikes. Really? Hulk and a bad guy running towards each other in a street, is THAT really the showpiece? This looks underwhelming.
Iron Man- Another based on star power; Robert Downey, Jr. is a hilarious person.
(6/28) Overrated. "Iron Man" isn't one of the best superhero movies ever made, but I wouldn't go far as saying it's any bit bad. The problem with this movie is that it's a very promising premise, but taking influence from the wrong movie (the first "Superman". Ugh), "Iron Man" is a 2-hour teaser for "Iron Man 2"... where I gather it will explore the full potential of the character. (my rating: ***)
The Box- The critical (and audience) drubbing of Richard Kelly's hilarious, expensive and hopelessly weird "Southland Tales" isn't gonna render his career kaput just yet. Perhaps this one might become a hit if they don't try the nonexistent release strategy that his films have endured since "Donnie Darko".
("Southland Tales" was widely hyped ever since it got blasted at Cannes 2006, and quietly released in November of last year in a cut version, making me suspect Sony wanted to try getting a DVD sleeper hit out of this one like "Darko", where years after its original release it DID become a tremendous hit and a cult classic)
Quantum of Solace- The weirdest title ever for a Bond movie but... it's a Bond movie.
Tropic Thunder- Ben Stiller already has my full admission paid thanks to a potentially-controversial role for Robert Downey, Jr., which should hopefully make true Stiller's intention for the film to make fun of Hollywood, rather than all the special interests currently boycotting the film. But we'll see who's right, won't we?
Vicky Cristina Barcelona- Woody Allen's latest.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno- Kevin Smith's (Dogma) latest film which just successfully appealed its NC-17 rating to an R. I looked up a clip on YouTube showing an "auditions" segment, and already I agree with the MPAA's original decision. It could very well be Smith's funniest movie yet. It's already Seth Rogen's.
In Bruges- The trailers made it look like an excellent black comedy with biting dialogue. It's not- from the opening sequence it's clearly established as being a tragedy, but one with amazing literary meaning sprinkled throughout by its well-rounded, fascinating characters. That being said, it DOES have some hilarious, politically-incorrect dialogue exchanges which still manage to be completely natural. (my rating: ***1/2)
Be Kind Rewind- Michel Gondry is a voice to be heard... but I think it's far more about his later films than his "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", which is on countless Top 10 lists (of all time). "Be Kind Rewind" is sometimes an irritating film, but also a very charming and inspirational one which is tailor-made for both cynics and dreamers alike. Okay, so outside the theater, I'm cynical as can be- but inside I sure don't want to see that mirrored on the screen, so "Be Kind Rewind" got along VERY well with me! Its ending will also satisfy both demographics, but I wasn't happy with it since it involved this movie ending. (my rating: ***1/2)
Funny Games- Sure to be the most-discussed film of the year, "Funny Games" is a most hypocritical examination of our movie-watching habits, and how we absorb screen violence for impact. While I despise the message and how the film carries it out (if you want to tell us about how bad violent movies are, don't make a violent movie Mr. Haneke), it's still extremely fascinating to read all the points of view on the film- and there are those who still think Haneke unintentionally created one of the few effective horror films out there. That he did, as for days after I was still edgy after watching it. (no rating)
Stop-Loss- Kimberly Peirce covered touchy transgender issues in her debut feature, "Boys Don't Cry", which was thoroughly fascinating but with an almost ambiguous message, making it a movie for people on BOTH sides of the fence since one could just as easily interpret the story as a cry for tolerance as they can a cautionary tale. Her next movie, "Stop-Loss", has just that same ambiguity with only a couple of remotely-clear messages, the rest being deliberately muddled for audience interpretation. I wish it were a better movie, but there's no denying that her "Stop-Loss" is thought-provoking. (my rating: **1/2)
Leatherheads-
Forgetting Sarah Marshall- I snubbed this one because I had enough of Apatow's movies about sex after seeing "Knocked Up" and "Superbad". But that turned out to be a big mistake- this movie about break-ups is everything that was great about "The 40-Year-Old Virgin"-- earnest script with lovable characters-- and an utter lack of self-indulgent ad-libs. It's a piece of cinema magic that I would love to see again, and among the best romantic comedies. (my rating: ****)
Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay- For once, social commentary in the movies doesn't suck! Seamlessly integrated in the main plot and characters, "Escape from Guantanamo Bay" makes all its political points without the heavy-handedness or preachiness that infects all the other political films. In fact, it's an even better political movie than it is a comedy; this has enough good laughs, but if that's what you're after, see the even funnier and wackier original. (my rating: **1/2)
Speed Racer- Looks AWFUL! With one of the funkiest color schemes in history, "Speed Racer" at least promises to be something. Who knows- maybe this will be another surprise like "Beowulf", which actually didn't suck!
(5/18) Well, whaddya know? It WAS a "Beowulf"-like surprise. "Speed Racer" is one of the many reasons that 2008 so far has been a great year for movies, or at least, one of the best starts for a movie year. We have "Cloverfield", "In Bruges", "Be Kind Rewind", "Forgetting Sarah Marshall", and this cinematic equivalent of a kid with ADD who just consumed a box full of sugar cubes.
Both respectful to the original but with enough of the Wachowskis' own stamp to proudly call it their own, "Speed Racer" will be brought up and discussed long after the "Matrix" sequels are forgotten. Whether that says something good or bad about our future, I don't know. But its box office failure has sealed the cult status of yet another flick. (my rating: ***1/2)
Mamma Mia!- I love musicals, and I've seen "Mamma Mia!" twice on the stage. A delightful and fun jukebox musical taking the hits of ABBA (and inspiring numerous ripoffs from other bands), it promises scenery but will it take the overly-stagy doom as "The Producers"? The use of the original stage director could be a sign of trouble.
(8/12) The stage director does make the film wild and over-the-top, but never shrill and grating. The arrangement of songs is loose from the original play, but maintains its level of fun throughout. In fact, the only real difference is that, while it can be taken easier up-front on stage, the movie version never stops being under the influence of some very heavy narcotics. (***1/2)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull- DUH!
(6/28) Becoming marginally underrated, the fourth "Indiana Jones" surprisingly underwhelmed at the box office (being Indy 4 it should have shattered records). Good-spirited big screen fun that resembles the originals. (my rating: ***1/2)
WALL-E- ...and nobody is gonna miss the new Pixar film, of course. Everyone's waiting to see when Pixar is gonna flop, and the closest they've gotten was when everyone thought "Cars" was like that straight-A student coming home with a B.
(5/2) I've since seen a little preview of it, and now I'm sold on it. It's a wacky, offbeat love story that I'm sure couldn't be made before all of Pixar's previous successes.
(6/28) Seen it TWICE, and will probably go for two more before it hits DVD. Forget Best Animated Feature- if this doesn't win Best Picture I will be furious. "WALL-E" is, simply put, one of the best movies ever made, and nothing short of the next "Princess Mononoke" will top this. (my rating: ****)
The Incredible Hulk- I didn't see Ang Lee's widely-panned film, and this franchise reboot ignores it entirely. But two words: Edward Norton. I'm so there.
(5/2) I've seen the trailer. Yikes. Really? Hulk and a bad guy running towards each other in a street, is THAT really the showpiece? This looks underwhelming.
Iron Man- Another based on star power; Robert Downey, Jr. is a hilarious person.
(6/28) Overrated. "Iron Man" isn't one of the best superhero movies ever made, but I wouldn't go far as saying it's any bit bad. The problem with this movie is that it's a very promising premise, but taking influence from the wrong movie (the first "Superman". Ugh), "Iron Man" is a 2-hour teaser for "Iron Man 2"... where I gather it will explore the full potential of the character. (my rating: ***)
The Box- The critical (and audience) drubbing of Richard Kelly's hilarious, expensive and hopelessly weird "Southland Tales" isn't gonna render his career kaput just yet. Perhaps this one might become a hit if they don't try the nonexistent release strategy that his films have endured since "Donnie Darko".
("Southland Tales" was widely hyped ever since it got blasted at Cannes 2006, and quietly released in November of last year in a cut version, making me suspect Sony wanted to try getting a DVD sleeper hit out of this one like "Darko", where years after its original release it DID become a tremendous hit and a cult classic)
Quantum of Solace- The weirdest title ever for a Bond movie but... it's a Bond movie.
Tropic Thunder- Ben Stiller already has my full admission paid thanks to a potentially-controversial role for Robert Downey, Jr., which should hopefully make true Stiller's intention for the film to make fun of Hollywood, rather than all the special interests currently boycotting the film. But we'll see who's right, won't we?
Vicky Cristina Barcelona- Woody Allen's latest.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno- Kevin Smith's (Dogma) latest film which just successfully appealed its NC-17 rating to an R. I looked up a clip on YouTube showing an "auditions" segment, and already I agree with the MPAA's original decision. It could very well be Smith's funniest movie yet. It's already Seth Rogen's.
