At last, something good after all the rubbish I've seen recently. 17 cameras, all focused on Zizou throughout a Real Madrid match. The assembled footage makes him look like an existential hero, as cool as Alain Delon. He plays well, but most of the time the camera just watches him as he moves about, looking for the ball, or anticipating where it will be. And then towards the end he loses the plot, just like he did in the World Cup Final, by taking a running jump at an opponent. Red card. But him walking off the pitch on his own suits him.
Priceless, the best review of this irritating French comedy comes if you click on the link.
I turned it off half way through, both characters were supremely unattractive. Bond note: our mate Fekkish turns up as the older wealthy fellow.
Haven't seen the movie, but that review is hilarious!:D
"Christ, I miss the Cold War."
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
edited March 2009
THERE WILL BE BLOOD
Not a bad film IMO, it just wasn't as impactful or multi-layered as No Country For Old Men. However, actor Daniel Day-Lewis was very deserving of his Oscar win seeing that he carried the film throughout. At the moment, I cannot think of another actor who could've exuded that kind of intensity and still make TWBB a viable candidate for Oscar consideration.
I found the musical score terse or curt at best and this movie is unintentionally funny thanks to the Plainview character's little quirks. )
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Priceless, the best review of this irritating French comedy comes if you click on the link.
I had no idea that Mark Kermode had a sense of humour, he usually seems so far up his own arse that it's a suprise he saw any of the movie. That however, was funny.
1- On Her Majesty's Secret Service 2- Casino Royale 3- Licence To Kill 4- Goldeneye 5- From Russia With Love
However, actor Daniel Day-Lewis was very deserving of his Oscar win seeing that he carried the film throughout. At the moment, I cannot think of another actor who could've exuded that kind of intensity and still make TWBB a viable candidate for Oscar consideration.
Day-Lewis, whom I love, was mostly brillaint throughout the film, however IMO he ceased to be impressive in the final scene before redeeming himself at the very end.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Coming-of-old-age drama, in which a brother (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and sister (a not very recognisable Laura Linney) must step in to find their Dad a decent nursing home after his long-term 'girlfriend' dies and leaves him homeless. It's good stuff, though the Desperate Housewives music makes it a bit generic and you get the feeling the writer has been coaxed to make the most of the drama=conflict method of writing a play, the conflict being between the siblings.
The dad has early Parkinsons diagnosed, though I have to say that dementia is not necessarily a Parky's symptom, though the drugs can bring on hallucinations, however the shuffling walk and slowness certainly is.
Basically this is Rocky 6 for the spandex set, but it has a remarkable performance from Mickey Rourke. Pity the Academy decided to award Sean Penn's mincing instead.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
edited March 2009
"Mutiny On The Bounty"
The 1935 version, starring Charles Laughton as Capt. Bligh and Clark Gable as Fletcher Christian. I'd never seen it before---and I was riveted. In fact, I watched it twice, over a period of a few days, before I sent it back to Netflix.
An engrossing depiction of one of the great real-life sea dramas of all time. The performances were excellent; Laughton and Gable's odd chemistry of opposites was most effective. The consequences of this mutiny---both intended and otherwise---were far-reaching and tragic. Captain Bligh's seamanship, in navigating HMS Bounty's launch some 3,600 miles to its desination, was nothing short of astounding...and the fate of the mutineers is poignant. The reform it spawned amongst the navies of the time---particularly that of the British---echoes to the present day.
My favourite scene: the five solid minutes of footage of orders being given, crewmen scurrying up ratlines, hoisting sales and crawling along yardarms---intercut with odd, angular shots of Bligh's watchful observation---was nothing short of brilliant.
Great stuff. I'm going to watch the 1960 version, with Marlon Brando and Trevor Howard, next B-)
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Classic film, Loeff. Always did prefer Gable without the mustache.
Good luck with the Brando version. (you'll need it) It encountered production problems ala Cleopatra and is pretty forgetable. Have you seen the Mel Gibson/Anthony Hopkins one yet? It's much better.
Basically this is Rocky 6 for the spandex set, but it has a remarkable performance from Mickey Rourke. Pity the Academy decided to award Sean Penn's mincing instead.
For me, the best performance of the year was by Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino while IMO Frank Langella in Frost-Nixon gave the best of the nominated performances. I love Rourke but I don't think he wa quite good enough to have won the Oscar. Penn's performance wasn't among his very best, but I do think it wa the second best of the nominated performances, and I very much love him. (Plus, in the acceptance speech, his line about how hard he has made it to appreciate him was IMO a classic. ) )
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Good luck with the Brando version. (you'll need it) It encountered production problems ala Cleopatra and is pretty forgetable. Have you seen the Mel Gibson/Anthony Hopkins one yet? It's much better.
That's a great film. {[]
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
Good luck with the Brando version. (you'll need it) It encountered production problems ala Cleopatra and is pretty forgetable. Have you seen the Mel Gibson/Anthony Hopkins one yet? It's much better.
I've heard things about the Brando version, but I'm looking forward to it nevertheless. I've heard it was shot on a 'replica' ship, which intrigues me, as I'm in a very 'nautical' phase right now I'll watch the Gibson/Hopkins version after Brando.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
If you love classic ships, Loeff, rent the Sea Hawk with Flynn. I know you and the boys recently watched Captain Blood and this one's just as great. Some wonderful replicas used and adventure for the entire family.
Another great one for model ships is The Black Swan with Tryone Power. I've played my dvd so many times it's ridiculous. LOVE that film!
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
If you love classic ships, Loeff, rent the Sea Hawk with Flynn. I know you and the boys recently watched Captain Blood and this one's just as great. Some wonderful replicas used and adventure for the entire family.
I actually did watch Sea Hawk a couple of weeks ago. That opening battle scene (20 solid minutes!) is fantastic B-)
Another great one for model ships is The Black Swan with Tryone Power. I've played my dvd so many times it's ridiculous. LOVE that film!
[makes a note] I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip!
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Not being familiar with the comic bo... sorry graphic novel, I didn't know what to expect.
I was anticipating an action movie in the mould of X-Men. I'm still not sure how to define Watchmen, but I was blown away. One of my films of the year so far that has inspired be to read my first graphic novel
1- On Her Majesty's Secret Service 2- Casino Royale 3- Licence To Kill 4- Goldeneye 5- From Russia With Love
Francis Ford Coppola goes mad with a bewildering tale of an old man who's struck by lightning and becomes 40 years younger. It makes an interesting companion piece with The Curious Case of Benji Button because, actually no wait, it doesn't at all. Because it is so boring. So, so boring. Matt Damon turns up as a journalist. The cinematography is quite nice. Tim Roth's ageing remarkably well. Er, dum de dum de dum. With the emphasis on the dum. ZZZZzzzzzzzzzz.
NightshooterIn bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
Watchmen.
Not sure how I feel. Loved the comic, the movie was just a little disappointing, although I'm hard-pressed to say why, other than the few changes that were made were unnecessary.
Shot brilliantly, acted mostly well (Rorschach was perrrrrrfect), it just seemed a little cold to me. I don't know why. It left me cold.
Check it out definitely, especially if you haven't read the book- it is a faithful adaptation of the graphic novel, but it isn't something great, and, as many have said, maybe it should've stayed as a graphic novel - the story just movies better that way.
Stoner comedy with Anna Farris high on cup cakes cooked by her sinister sci-fi loving flatmate. Gregg Araki (Mysterious Skin)directs with style, and there's some classic 80's synth music on the soundtrack. Sadly, Smiley Face is really not that funny, unless you're watching it baked I suppose.
Not sure how I feel. Loved the comic, the movie was just a little disappointing, although I'm hard-pressed to say why, other than the few changes that were made were unnecessary.
Shot brilliantly, acted mostly well (Rorschach was perrrrrrfect), it just seemed a little cold to me. I don't know why. It left me cold.
Just got back from seeing Watchmen myself with my brother and we had the opposite reaction to you.
I've always been cool to the comic but absolutely loved this movie. I thought everybody did a very good job with Rorschach, the Comedian and Ozymandias coming across as especially strong characters (and Malin Ackerman = :x :x :x). As to the slightly altered climax, I actually thought it worked better than the comic. The interdimensional squid was always something of a deus ex machina device to me but the film's climax ties into events we saw earlier and was also more global (and thus more plausible) in scope.
Zack Snyder really knows how to shoot these movies. Like 300, many shots were framed to be a carbon copy of the comic - especially the confrontation at Ozymandias' Antarctic lair. Despite the film's nearly three hour running time I thought the film was very briskly paced and I was never bored or looked at my watch. I also loved all the little touches (like the Outer Limits on TV) peppered throughout the film.
I'm more convinced than ever that DC should give one of their crown jewels to Snyder as he could definitely do the characters justice.
Overall, an entertaining and visually striking movie that gets very enthusiastic and satisfied thumbs up from me.
I was also, on the whole, very pleased with Watchmen. I can understand, though, why fans of the graphic novel and maybe moviegoers in general might be disappointed or even put off by it. For the fans, there will be something you love that didn't make it into the movie: the pirate story (yeah, I know, it's going to be on the DVD), the rich backgrounds of the characters, all the information about the Minutemen. . .my own favorite stuff from the graphic novel were the insertions from other "sources," such as Hollis's autobiography, that created a kind of metafictional critique of the comic genre--pointing out how comics could supposedly make kids violent, sociopathic, gay, or all three.
For the general viewer, they should beware that this is a hard R-rated movie. When punches land, bones break and rip through the skin; blood and gore get splattered and ooze; Dr. Manhattan's blue dingaling is on display throughout the movie; and there's one of the most graphic sex scenes ever done for a comic book movie (not that I'm complainin'). Even though I've read the graphic novel and pretty well knew what was coming, I was kind of surprised by the amount of carnage, some of which wouldn't be out of place in a Saw movie.
That said, this is perhaps the most operaic of the comic book adaptations--a very long, often slow, and always somber look at the twilight of the gods (Gotterdammerung). Visually it's stunning and the acting is extremely good, especially from Jackie Earle Haley, who flat-out owns Rorschach. I was also impressed by how much of the graphic novel did make it into the film and how well this material worked, both visually and dramatically. Zack Snyder managed to compress a lot of background material into the clever title sequence, all done to Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin';" and he also creates his own "critique" of the superhero-film genre by referencing earlier anti-war movies, such as Apocalypse Now and Dr. Strangelove. It's as if he's saying, "Don't get too carried away by the razzle-dazzle: war is still ugly and absurd."
My complaints are that at times the movie seemed kind of flat, and at times I was looking at my watch. I also thought that the presentation of Richard Nixon was ludicrous--the actor looked like he was wearing a Halloween mask, and I never bought him as Tricky Dick. I was also definitely unimpressed by the actor playing Ozymandias, who seemed slight and frail, and who spoke with a lisp. Otherwise, the Golden Age of the Comic Book movie goes on, untarnished! Three and a half out of four stars.
Vox clamantis in deserto
NightshooterIn bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
Thank you Hardy - FLAT is exactly the word I was looking for.
I love German crime thrillers based on the writings of Edgar Wallace. Starting in the late 50s to early 60s there were a wave coming out of the Rhineland. Mostly directed by Alfred Vohrer and starring Joachim Fuchsberger as Wallace's intrepid Inspektor Higgins, they were dubbed krimis and are slightly tamer then Italy's gialli. I can't get enough of the swanky jazz scores, moody black and white cinematography, shady trenchcoat characters, and Uber babe victims.
The last week or so, while recovering from out patient surgery, I watched a plethora of them including,
Der Mönch mit der Peitsche (The Monk with the Whip)
A later entry with superspy and Batman mania infuences. Colorful 60's whodunnit with mysterious killings by red robed monk at a college girls dormitory. Essential red herrings applied and Bond gadgets galore, including a bible which sprays nerve gas and futuristic silly string poison gun.
Die Toten Augen Von London (Dead Eyes Of London) One of Wallace's best known stories which had already been filmed in 1939 with Bela Lugosi. Bodies are popping up in the Thames with brail notes. Authorites are naturally upset. How is a preacher's home for the blind involved?
Das Rätsel der roten Orchidee (Secret Of the Red Orchid) Two rival American gangster syndicates invade London! Scotland Yard calls in American expert Christopher Lee! Marissa Mell :x is blackmailed by Klaus Kinski, while two gun Chris applies his pistol expertise on the criminals.
The Fellowship of the Frog, a 1920s Wallace story about a secret criminal organization known as the frogs. A young freelance detective becomes involved with their ghastly killings.
I was hoping for something more. I like Shia LaBeouf (loved Transformers) and it started well, but went down hill about half way through. Apparently inspired by Hitchcock's 'Open Window' LaBeouf's character finds himself under house arrest after struggling to coming to terms with his father's death a year earlier. (And I have to say the opening scenes depicting how his father dies, was very good, but unfortunately it lulled me into a false sense of security....) His mother (played surprisingly by Carrie-Ann Moss of Matrix fame) turns off his Xbox and itunes, as she is sick of him thinking he's just on a 'holiday' - so he is forced to find entertainment elsewhere, which leads him into spying on his neighbours. This leads into a rather unhealthy obsession with 'the man next door' who's actions make him believe he's up to no good. Coupled with reports in the news of a 'murderer who preys on women' Labeouf reaches the conclusion that it's this neighbour who is the culprit.
The idea was sound, and some of the execution was very good, but the last quarter (the scary suspenseful bit) was just laughable. Shame, as it started so strongly.
2 out of 5 stars
(oh and is it wrong to have a teeny crush on Shia - who's 14 years my junior ;% ? )
She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
Someone was slagging off this Luc Besson film a few pages back but I liked it. Paris looks lovely in black and white (and devoid of tourists - they must have got up early to film) and it's all along the lines of It's a Wonderful Life in that a suicidal man is on a bridge when an angel comes down to save him, in this case she looks a lot hotter than old Clarence.
Nice to watch with a glass of wine if you don't expect too much.
Forty minutes into this dull 'caper' movie I switched off, I could find nothing to redeem it save some pretty panoramics of Istanbul. The two leads must be the dullest, most uncharismatic heist leaders of all time, and then there's Peter Ustinov popping up with his 'hilarious' depiction of a clueless, bumbling local.
Terribly drear, and the sort of 1960s films that finds national stereotypes awfully funny, quite why Pierce Brosnan would want to remake this I have no idea, unless he's following the principle that you should only remake rubbish films.
The X-Files: I Want to Believe. I wanted to believe, too. I wanted to believe that the poor box-office showing of this film was because of bad marketing, and that the lousy reviews were from snobby critics who just didn't "get" The X-Files. Oh, dear. The whole thing turned out to be a sorry exercise. The chemistry among the characters is all wrong--sorry, Mulder and Scully should never be a lovey-dovey couple; and why even have Skinner in the movie at all if he just shows up for a deus-ex-machina cameo?--and the plot comes off as a bizarre cross between Silence of the Lambs and They Saved Hitler's Brain. And who was behind this mess? Chris Carter, who created the series! The truth is here: the movie is not good.
I have to agree. My wife and I went to see it a while back, as she is a major X-files fan. But she came away from the experience so dissapointed I have a hard time getting her to go see any movie in the cinema now.
Furthermore, I'm a huge Billy Conolly fan and usually love everything that he is in. But here I found that the fact that he was playing the priest only further distracted me from the plot.
I was thinking "Come on, Billy! You're my hero! I want you to be great!" but both he and the movie were not.:#
Furthermore, I'm a huge Billy Conolly fan and usually love everything that he is in. But here I found that the fact that he was playing the priest only further distracted me from the plot.
Now that you bring it up, Mr. White, Connolly's pedophile priest and the film's use of the stem cell debate both left a bad taste in my mouth. I guess you could say it was brave of Carter to put these elements into a genre film, but to use them in a hokey, cheesy, Grade-Z plot just trivialized the issues (and is it just me or was there a definite hint of anti-Catholicism in the movie?); and they struck me as sort of antithetical to the show. Mulder and Scully are about hunting aliens and monsters and uncovering bizarre conspiracies, not hunting serial killers and pedophiles. What's next? James Bond battles abortion clinic bombers?
Funnily enough, Connolly played maybe a similar sort of role in the 1970s, opposite Richard Burton of all people. I've not seen it, it's one of those 'when I have nothing better to see' type films.
Whimsical Bill Forysthe movie from the early 1980s; very much of its time as the synthesiser music keeps it sort of dated through trying to be modern at the time; bit like Hitchhiker's Guide.
Too whimsical really, and for English viewers the idea of an outsider showing up in the Hebrides to do a deal with the canny locals puts one in mind of The Wicker Man, indeed it seemed to venture into that territory at times.
Slow moving, watched it over two nights, wound up with About a Boy on Sat night; now that really is a good film and like Four Weddings, I don't think it will date as much.
Comments
At last, something good after all the rubbish I've seen recently. 17 cameras, all focused on Zizou throughout a Real Madrid match. The assembled footage makes him look like an existential hero, as cool as Alain Delon. He plays well, but most of the time the camera just watches him as he moves about, looking for the ball, or anticipating where it will be. And then towards the end he loses the plot, just like he did in the World Cup Final, by taking a running jump at an opponent. Red card. But him walking off the pitch on his own suits him.
Haven't seen the movie, but that review is hilarious!:D
Not a bad film IMO, it just wasn't as impactful or multi-layered as No Country For Old Men. However, actor Daniel Day-Lewis was very deserving of his Oscar win seeing that he carried the film throughout. At the moment, I cannot think of another actor who could've exuded that kind of intensity and still make TWBB a viable candidate for Oscar consideration.
I found the musical score terse or curt at best and this movie is unintentionally funny thanks to the Plainview character's little quirks.
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
I had no idea that Mark Kermode had a sense of humour, he usually seems so far up his own arse that it's a suprise he saw any of the movie. That however, was funny.
Coming-of-old-age drama, in which a brother (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and sister (a not very recognisable Laura Linney) must step in to find their Dad a decent nursing home after his long-term 'girlfriend' dies and leaves him homeless. It's good stuff, though the Desperate Housewives music makes it a bit generic and you get the feeling the writer has been coaxed to make the most of the drama=conflict method of writing a play, the conflict being between the siblings.
The dad has early Parkinsons diagnosed, though I have to say that dementia is not necessarily a Parky's symptom, though the drugs can bring on hallucinations, however the shuffling walk and slowness certainly is.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Basically this is Rocky 6 for the spandex set, but it has a remarkable performance from Mickey Rourke. Pity the Academy decided to award Sean Penn's mincing instead.
The 1935 version, starring Charles Laughton as Capt. Bligh and Clark Gable as Fletcher Christian. I'd never seen it before---and I was riveted. In fact, I watched it twice, over a period of a few days, before I sent it back to Netflix.
An engrossing depiction of one of the great real-life sea dramas of all time. The performances were excellent; Laughton and Gable's odd chemistry of opposites was most effective. The consequences of this mutiny---both intended and otherwise---were far-reaching and tragic. Captain Bligh's seamanship, in navigating HMS Bounty's launch some 3,600 miles to its desination, was nothing short of astounding...and the fate of the mutineers is poignant. The reform it spawned amongst the navies of the time---particularly that of the British---echoes to the present day.
My favourite scene: the five solid minutes of footage of orders being given, crewmen scurrying up ratlines, hoisting sales and crawling along yardarms---intercut with odd, angular shots of Bligh's watchful observation---was nothing short of brilliant.
Great stuff. I'm going to watch the 1960 version, with Marlon Brando and Trevor Howard, next B-)
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Good luck with the Brando version. (you'll need it)
That's a great film. {[]
I've heard things about the Brando version, but I'm looking forward to it nevertheless. I've heard it was shot on a 'replica' ship, which intrigues me, as I'm in a very 'nautical' phase right now
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Another great one for model ships is The Black Swan with Tryone Power. I've played my dvd so many times it's ridiculous. LOVE that film!
I actually did watch Sea Hawk a couple of weeks ago. That opening battle scene (20 solid minutes!) is fantastic B-)
[makes a note]
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Not being familiar with the comic bo... sorry graphic novel, I didn't know what to expect.
I was anticipating an action movie in the mould of X-Men. I'm still not sure how to define Watchmen, but I was blown away. One of my films of the year so far that has inspired be to read my first graphic novel
Francis Ford Coppola goes mad with a bewildering tale of an old man who's struck by lightning and becomes 40 years younger. It makes an interesting companion piece with The Curious Case of Benji Button because, actually no wait, it doesn't at all. Because it is so boring. So, so boring. Matt Damon turns up as a journalist. The cinematography is quite nice. Tim Roth's ageing remarkably well. Er, dum de dum de dum. With the emphasis on the dum. ZZZZzzzzzzzzzz.
Not sure how I feel. Loved the comic, the movie was just a little disappointing, although I'm hard-pressed to say why, other than the few changes that were made were unnecessary.
Shot brilliantly, acted mostly well (Rorschach was perrrrrrfect), it just seemed a little cold to me. I don't know why. It left me cold.
Check it out definitely, especially if you haven't read the book- it is a faithful adaptation of the graphic novel, but it isn't something great, and, as many have said, maybe it should've stayed as a graphic novel - the story just movies better that way.
Stoner comedy with Anna Farris high on cup cakes cooked by her sinister sci-fi loving flatmate. Gregg Araki (Mysterious Skin)directs with style, and there's some classic 80's synth music on the soundtrack. Sadly, Smiley Face is really not that funny, unless you're watching it baked I suppose.
Just got back from seeing Watchmen myself with my brother and we had the opposite reaction to you.
I've always been cool to the comic but absolutely loved this movie. I thought everybody did a very good job with Rorschach, the Comedian and Ozymandias coming across as especially strong characters (and Malin Ackerman = :x :x :x). As to the slightly altered climax, I actually thought it worked better than the comic. The interdimensional squid was always something of a deus ex machina device to me but the film's climax ties into events we saw earlier and was also more global (and thus more plausible) in scope.
Zack Snyder really knows how to shoot these movies. Like 300, many shots were framed to be a carbon copy of the comic - especially the confrontation at Ozymandias' Antarctic lair. Despite the film's nearly three hour running time I thought the film was very briskly paced and I was never bored or looked at my watch. I also loved all the little touches (like the Outer Limits on TV) peppered throughout the film.
I'm more convinced than ever that DC should give one of their crown jewels to Snyder as he could definitely do the characters justice.
Overall, an entertaining and visually striking movie that gets very enthusiastic and satisfied thumbs up from me.
For the general viewer, they should beware that this is a hard R-rated movie. When punches land, bones break and rip through the skin; blood and gore get splattered and ooze; Dr. Manhattan's blue dingaling is on display throughout the movie; and there's one of the most graphic sex scenes ever done for a comic book movie (not that I'm complainin'). Even though I've read the graphic novel and pretty well knew what was coming, I was kind of surprised by the amount of carnage, some of which wouldn't be out of place in a Saw movie.
That said, this is perhaps the most operaic of the comic book adaptations--a very long, often slow, and always somber look at the twilight of the gods (Gotterdammerung). Visually it's stunning and the acting is extremely good, especially from Jackie Earle Haley, who flat-out owns Rorschach. I was also impressed by how much of the graphic novel did make it into the film and how well this material worked, both visually and dramatically. Zack Snyder managed to compress a lot of background material into the clever title sequence, all done to Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin';" and he also creates his own "critique" of the superhero-film genre by referencing earlier anti-war movies, such as Apocalypse Now and Dr. Strangelove. It's as if he's saying, "Don't get too carried away by the razzle-dazzle: war is still ugly and absurd."
My complaints are that at times the movie seemed kind of flat, and at times I was looking at my watch. I also thought that the presentation of Richard Nixon was ludicrous--the actor looked like he was wearing a Halloween mask, and I never bought him as Tricky Dick. I was also definitely unimpressed by the actor playing Ozymandias, who seemed slight and frail, and who spoke with a lisp. Otherwise, the Golden Age of the Comic Book movie goes on, untarnished! Three and a half out of four stars.
The last week or so, while recovering from out patient surgery, I watched a plethora of them including,
Der Mönch mit der Peitsche (The Monk with the Whip)
A later entry with superspy and Batman mania infuences. Colorful 60's whodunnit with mysterious killings by red robed monk at a college girls dormitory. Essential red herrings applied and Bond gadgets galore, including a bible which sprays nerve gas and futuristic silly string poison gun.
Die Toten Augen Von London (Dead Eyes Of London) One of Wallace's best known stories which had already been filmed in 1939 with Bela Lugosi. Bodies are popping up in the Thames with brail notes. Authorites are naturally upset. How is a preacher's home for the blind involved?
Das Rätsel der roten Orchidee (Secret Of the Red Orchid) Two rival American gangster syndicates invade London! Scotland Yard calls in American expert Christopher Lee!
The Fellowship of the Frog, a 1920s Wallace story about a secret criminal organization known as the frogs. A young freelance detective becomes involved with their ghastly killings.
I was hoping for something more. I like Shia LaBeouf (loved Transformers) and it started well, but went down hill about half way through. Apparently inspired by Hitchcock's 'Open Window' LaBeouf's character finds himself under house arrest after struggling to coming to terms with his father's death a year earlier. (And I have to say the opening scenes depicting how his father dies, was very good, but unfortunately it lulled me into a false sense of security....) His mother (played surprisingly by Carrie-Ann Moss of Matrix fame) turns off his Xbox and itunes, as she is sick of him thinking he's just on a 'holiday' - so he is forced to find entertainment elsewhere, which leads him into spying on his neighbours. This leads into a rather unhealthy obsession with 'the man next door' who's actions make him believe he's up to no good. Coupled with reports in the news of a 'murderer who preys on women' Labeouf reaches the conclusion that it's this neighbour who is the culprit.
The idea was sound, and some of the execution was very good, but the last quarter (the scary suspenseful bit) was just laughable. Shame, as it started so strongly.
2 out of 5 stars
(oh and is it wrong to have a teeny crush on Shia - who's 14 years my junior ;% ? )
Someone was slagging off this Luc Besson film a few pages back but I liked it. Paris looks lovely in black and white (and devoid of tourists - they must have got up early to film) and it's all along the lines of It's a Wonderful Life in that a suicidal man is on a bridge when an angel comes down to save him, in this case she looks a lot hotter than old Clarence.
Nice to watch with a glass of wine if you don't expect too much.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Forty minutes into this dull 'caper' movie I switched off, I could find nothing to redeem it save some pretty panoramics of Istanbul. The two leads must be the dullest, most uncharismatic heist leaders of all time, and then there's Peter Ustinov popping up with his 'hilarious' depiction of a clueless, bumbling local.
Terribly drear, and the sort of 1960s films that finds national stereotypes awfully funny, quite why Pierce Brosnan would want to remake this I have no idea, unless he's following the principle that you should only remake rubbish films.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Furthermore, I'm a huge Billy Conolly fan and usually love everything that he is in. But here I found that the fact that he was playing the priest only further distracted me from the plot.
I was thinking "Come on, Billy! You're my hero! I want you to be great!" but both he and the movie were not.:#
I really think it's over for the X-files now.:(
Now that you bring it up, Mr. White, Connolly's pedophile priest and the film's use of the stem cell debate both left a bad taste in my mouth. I guess you could say it was brave of Carter to put these elements into a genre film, but to use them in a hokey, cheesy, Grade-Z plot just trivialized the issues (and is it just me or was there a definite hint of anti-Catholicism in the movie?); and they struck me as sort of antithetical to the show. Mulder and Scully are about hunting aliens and monsters and uncovering bizarre conspiracies, not hunting serial killers and pedophiles. What's next? James Bond battles abortion clinic bombers?
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Whimsical Bill Forysthe movie from the early 1980s; very much of its time as the synthesiser music keeps it sort of dated through trying to be modern at the time; bit like Hitchhiker's Guide.
Too whimsical really, and for English viewers the idea of an outsider showing up in the Hebrides to do a deal with the canny locals puts one in mind of The Wicker Man, indeed it seemed to venture into that territory at times.
Slow moving, watched it over two nights, wound up with About a Boy on Sat night; now that really is a good film and like Four Weddings, I don't think it will date as much.
Roger Moore 1927-2017