Be a movie critic ...

[Halo_n_horns]

Perhaps I'm just giddy because I went to see my favorite childhood super hero on the big screen this week... Alright. He's my favorite adulthood super hero also...

Anyway, leading up to the new Batman movie, I was listening pretty closely to the reviews and interviews that were being played all over the place. One critic was pretty harsh on the movie, while all the others that I heard were giving rave reviews.

Then it dawned on me: How often have I heard a review that I just didn't agree with after seeing the movie? How often has everyone else experienced the same thing?

So, here's something that any author hanging out in the AH should be able to do: Give a review of a movie or of multiples of movies that you just didn't agree with the critics on after seeing.

I'll give two to start...

"Sideways" starring Paul Giamatti as Miles Raymond, Thomas Haden Church as Jack, Virginia Madsen as Maya.

The critics raved about this movie. It won awards. It bored me to the point of becoming onle the second movie ever that I chose to shut off without watching it all the way through. If there was comedy in this movie it was so dry that it was blown away by that tiny little fan that helps to keep my DVD player cool. Was this movie supposed be some sort of euphimism? Or was it supposed to be a bunch of over-used wine cliches? By the end of the first half hour I was wishing they had spent the film watching a bottle of wine age rather than attempting to make me age for two hours that I would never have gotten back were I to watch the entire movie. Perhaps I'm not fantazmagorically sophisticated enough to have easily gotten a grasp of that movie and what it's storyline was doing. I just don't know, and probably never will. That movie was coming across about as fulfilling and coherent as this review. I just couldn't get my head into it.

"Batman Begins" starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Michael Caine as Alfred, Liam Neeson as Ducard/Ra's Al Ghul, Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes, Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon, Cillian Murphy as Dr. Jonathan Crane, Tom Wilkinson as Carmine Falcone, Rutger Hauer as Earle, Ken Watanabe as Ra's Al Ghul (imposter), Mark Boone Junior as Flass, Linus Roache as Thomas Wayne, Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox.

Here was a super-hero movie brought down to Earth! Batman is perhaps one of the greatest super heros (THE greatest by my way of thinking) simply because he possesses NO super powers. He's a man with will power and the ability to make a difference through very unconventional means, as vigilanty as they may be. Batman Begins gives us all of the man behind the hero without losing the man in the pop-culture icon that was the weak driving force of the previous Batman films. This was a super hero made real through gritty acting, story and just the right amount of artistic liberties. Anyone familiar with the writing style of Frank Miller (This is at least his third storyline to be brought to the big screen from the comic books) knows that his writing style can sometimes get lost in the mind's translation of it. Thankfully, that doesn't happen here in any way.

Since a near-fatal childhood tragedy of my own, when I was four, I have have been a fan of the Batman. I have no regrets about this movie, save one: Though it was poorly done in one of the previous films, it would be interesting to see Batman in the gray and blue costume of the comics just once. Aside from that, this is one of the very few movies that has come along that I will probably see on the big screen at least one more time before looking forward to wearing out the DVD when it hits the stores.

 

[LeahLo519]

I hated "Sideways" too! That movie was ridiculous, not even funny at all. And everyone loved "The Bridges of Madison County" but I thought it sucked. I'm the same way with music though so I guess I just have bad taste.

 

[Songcatcher]

I slept 2/3 of that movie!

 

[JamesSD]

"Sideways" starring Paul Giamatti as Miles Raymond, Thomas Haden Church as Jack, Virginia Madsen as Maya.

The critics raved about this movie...

Sideways was dry, a bit slow at times, and slightly overrated. That said, I enjoyed it. There were some really funny moments, such as when Thomas Haden Church dumps the spitoon (or whatever it's called) over his head. I also enjoyed the subtle reference to his work on "Wings".

I've heard it described as a middle aged buddy comedy, and I don't think that's totally inaccurate. Coincidentally, most film critics are middle aged men.

 

[Guest]

Buttman movie is hyped up to the max.

K1 is better.

 

[Seattle Zack]

Batman is a good one, I will say. Saw it tonight.

I like that director, Nolan. "Memento" was an awesome debut, and I'm quite impressed with his style.

Good stuff. Highly recommended.

 

[Op_Cit]

OK....

I actually liked 1941 .

And I thought Schindler's List did not nearly do justice to the whole holocaust thing (and I didn't like it as a movie---like what the fuck was the pink thing in the middle?). (Did you know Kubric was going to do a movie on the holocaust but canned his plans when he heard Spielberg was doing one?)

 

[Songcatcher]

OK....

I actually liked 1941 .

And I thought Schindler's List did not nearly do justice to the whole holocaust thing (and I didn't like it as a movie---like what the fuck was the pink thing in the middle?). (Did you know Kubric was going to do a movie on the holocaust but canned his plans when he heard Spielberg was doing one?)

Schindler's List makes me cry at a few parts. Everytime. What's 1941 aboot?

No. I didn't know the Stanley thing.

 

[Guest]

OK....

I actually liked 1941 .

And I thought Schindler's List did not nearly do justice to the whole holocaust thing (and I didn't like it as a movie---like what the fuck was the pink thing in the middle?). (Did you know Kubric was going to do a movie on the holocaust but canned his plans when he heard Spielberg was doing one?)

I liked 1941. In fact, I like everything Spielberg has directed.

Schindler's List is a powerful movie but I don't believe anything could come close to representing the true horrors of the Holocaust.

The pink? That is the coat of a little girl who is attempting to hide. That represented hope.

 

[CharleyH]

Perhaps I'm just giddy because I went to see my favorite childhood super hero on the big screen this week... Alright. He's my favorite adulthood super hero also...

Anyway, leading up to the new Batman movie, I was listening pretty closely to the reviews and interviews that were being played all over the place. One critic was pretty harsh on the movie, while all the others that I heard were giving rave reviews.

Then it dawned on me: How often have I heard a review that I just didn't agree with after seeing the movie? How often has everyone else experienced the same thing?

So, here's something that any author hanging out in the AH should be able to do: Give a review of a movie or of multiples of movies that you just didn't agree with the critics on after seeing.

I'll give two to start...

I have not seen 'Sideways'. I keep looking at it on the shelf, and keep thinking the box cover gives away it's dullness, so keep passing it bye. I am very much looking forward to the newest Batman, though. I am drawn to dark noirish films. I just hope Tom Cruise was not on the set during the making, and that Katie Holmes does not giggle TOO much.

'Basic Instinct' was totally gay bashed, as in bashed by gay critics. I thought it was a totally unique film from a theoretical standpoint. It did a lot to posit a strong female POV/subject and break down the male spctatorial position in Western cinema, but that's my take.

Otherwise, I don't really read review of films, except here at Lit so that I can agree or disagree. It's more interactive than a newspaper.

 

[Liar]

I just saw Napoleon Dynamite.

Sad, pathetic fucktard of a film.

It tried to be the more intelligent 'Revenge of the Nerds'-alternative, and reviewers seems to buy it. But in fact it fails miserably. I usually like the misfit youth theme in a movie. That is when it's done with some kind of warmth, spine and wit. This was not. I want my 82 minutes back.

#L

 

[Kassiana]

Seriously, why did anyone like "Being John Malkovich"? It was all about people being mean assholes to each other. I didn't care about any of them. They could all have been dumped in the ocean and died at the end.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Shaun of the Dead fucking rocks.

The world is crammed with lame movies that try to be more than they are, like Oliver Stone laboriously explaining his damned sheep symbolism in the commentary to Natural Born Killers. Yeah, Olly, we GOT it, and it's not really effective symbolism if you have to explain to everyone in a self-adoring voiceover when you're already presented it in as banal, flat, and gratingly obvious a way as possible.

Shaun, on the other hand, is a delight because it claims to be a great deal less than it is. I believe the cover of mine promises "A smash romantic comedy. With zombies!" It never pretends to be more than a goofy little zombie movie spoof, which makes it all the more rewarding when you realize that it actually has great little running gags and resurfacing subplots, genuine and intriguing symbolism passed off as silly gags so as to mute the immediate effect and let it sink home later, and some really excellent acting on the part of the two male leads. Highly recommended.

Shanglan

 

[maggot420]

i was about to watch sidways...maybe later

spielberg directed a movie called 'Empire of the Sun' starring christian bale(of the new batman film) when he was just a kid. i though it was amazing. based on the life of JG ballard.

as far as comics made into movies...long list of failures but 'Hellboy' was actually better than i thought it would be.

'Galaxy Quest' with tim allen, sigourney weaver, alan rickman, tony shaloub, sam rockwell, looked like it was going to be stupid but it made me laugh hysterically

harold and kumar go to white castle - a chinese guy and an east indian guy in the heart of america. ha.

'The Winter Guest' with emma thomson, phylidia law, directed by alan rickman is a beautifully shot film if a little slow. still a personal fav.

'Saving Grace' staring craig ferguson is hilarious. just the premise makes me laugh.

 

[cloudy]

'Saving Grace' staring craig ferguson is hilarious. just the premise makes me laugh.

Agreed. One of the funniest movies I've ever seen.

"No more Mr. Cuddly Toy!"

 

[CharleyH]

Batman Begins ... at 1:00, so I am off! And will report back. Its 2 hours and 20 minutes? Better pile up on popcorn

Cheers all.

 

[rgraham666]

Seriously, why did anyone like "Being John Malkovich"? It was all about people being mean assholes to each other. I didn't care about any of them. They could all have been dumped in the ocean and died at the end.

Seconded! Loathed that movie.

Haven't even gone to any of the other movies by the same people.

Although I did like the puppets in "Being John Malkovich".

 

[CharleyH]

"Batman Begins"

Quite enjoyed it, indeed.

 

[Halo_n_horns]

Shaun of the Dead fucking rocks.

Shanglan

I'm right there with you on that one. The movie took a pair of complete misfits and stuck them in the middle George Romero's psyche. I was completely able to see so many people I've met who, in that situation, would make it through only by sheer luck! The twist at the end, how the zombies were treated, was great!

 

[SeaCat]

I too liked Shaun. (Way too many of my co-workers and neighbors were shown in that picture not to like it. Then again I know a lot of Zombies. )

Schindlers List, what can I say?

I will never again watch anything by the director of Kill Bill or Once upon a time in Mexico. His movies remind me of some bad trips I had as a teen.

Cat

 

[maggot420]

I too liked Shaun. (Way too many of my co-workers and neighbors were shown in that picture not to like it. Then again I know a lot of Zombies. )

Schindlers List, what can I say?

I will never again watch anything by the director of Kill Bill or Once upon a time in Mexico. His movies remind me of some bad trips I had as a teen.

Cat

i loved shawn of the dead too. hilarious.

kill bill was directed by quentin tarentino.
i would be happy never to see him act in a movie again...he irritates me. but hes a good writer of film i think. 'True Romance' was written but not directed by him and its a great film.

once upon a time in mexico was directed by robert rodriquez. he made it as the 3rd movie in a series (el mariachi, desperado being the other 2) at the urging of his friend quentin tarentino. but i think his best film is called 'Road Racers' starring david arquette and salma hayek.

 

[Liar]

Rodriguez is kind of odd. He has directed two movied that are up this summer. One is the über stylish, ultra dark noir violent Sin City. The other is the not-so dark kid flick The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D. Well, you can't blame him for not trying to broaden his horizons.

 

[maggot420]

Rodriguez is kind of odd. He has directed two movied that are up this summer. One is the über stylish, ultra dark noir violent Sin City. The other is the not-so dark kid flick The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D. Well, you can't blame him for not trying to broaden his horizons.

i heard somewhere that his 7 yr old came up with the story for
sharkboy and lavagirl. he also did Spy Kids so maybe he tries to do his films and then films for his kids as well.

 

[LadyJeanne]

The English Patient won a bunch of Oscars, but I couldn't wait to get out of that theater. Nearly three hours of mind-numbing, dreary story-telling about unlikeable, boring characters. And sand.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

i loved shawn of the dead too. hilarious.

kill bill was directed by quentin tarentino.
i would be happy never to see him act in a movie again...he irritates me. but hes a good writer of film i think. 'True Romance' was written but not directed by him and its a great film.

once upon a time in mexico was directed by robert rodriquez. he made it as the 3rd movie in a series (el mariachi, desperado being the other 2) at the urging of his friend quentin tarentino. but i think his best film is called 'Road Racers' starring david arquette and salma hayek.

Tarantino was one of the people involved in Natural Born Killers, partially in the development of the story or some such thing. His other movies impressed me well-enough, but Kill Bill Vol. 1 (haven't seen Vol. 2) didn't really impress me at all, simply because of the type of movie it was supposed to be. His character development went to hell in that one, it seemed. I give him props for some fo the work he's done, but no, I don't want to see him act any more either.

Once Upon a Time in Mexico... well, I watched it once all the way through, and once I kept falling asleep during it. I wasn't impressed, mostly because it didn't really make much sense the way the characters moved and the choices they made. Long story short, Desperado (along with Johnny Depp) made me think I was watching a movie worth watching. I was mistaken.

For my own movie input: The Village has taken a bad reputation for little reason. The movie was well-filmed and very suspenseful. Very well-acted as well as well-written. Why are people so convinced that the only part of the movie that matters is the last five minutes?

Q_C