Movie Reviews
By Ian Gerard, founder, GenArt
“Watchmen” – YIKES! This was one of the worst movies I have seen in a long time. Let me count the reasons why… 1) Coming from the director of the intense action film “300” there is little action and much of it is lame (including fight scenes between the super heroes which rival the 1960s Batman tv series, 2) The costumes the super duper heroes wear are…lame, 3) Waste of great indie talent who totally underperform – Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson (“Little Children”), and Matthew Goode (“Matchpoint”)- I actually didn’t even realize it was Matthew Goode because of his totally ridiculous blonde dew… 4) the soundtrack is completely off for virtually every scene, and 5) to top it off - its FRIGGIN 2 hrs & 40 minutes of this nonsense. The only good role is that of “Rorschach” performed by Jackie Earle Haley who was nominated for an Oscar previously for “Little Children”. Awesome gravel voice.
"The Wrestler” – I ad seen Milk previously and thought that Sean Penn’s acting was top notch. I had heard that Mickie Rourke was giving him a run for the Oscar (and Micky did win the Golden Globe). Don’t get me wrong – The Wrestler is a great film. Its totally moving (and depressing), and the performances by Marisa Tomei and Micky are definitely Oscar worthy. But it was definitely not the same stretch of acting for Mickey – a washed up formerly good looking lead actor who was an unsuccessful professional boxer for many years, with serious substance abuse and spousal abuse in his past, to know where to reach down for this character. He does an awesome job, but I still don’t know where Sean channeled Harvey Milk from…
“Sunshine Cleaning” – This is a very solid Sundance type film. Intimate portrayal of a small group of well performing actors built around a simple, yet amusing concept. I thought that Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Steve Zahn and Alan Arkin were all solid. And I must admit I definitely just enjoy watching Emily do whatever. The pacing is a little slow, so for those of you who are more ADD, take that into account. Otherwise, this is a moving family drama based around what you might call an unconventional family business.
“Slumdog Millionaire” – Yes, I suck. It took 5 Oscars, a slew of Golden Globes, over 100 million in ticket sales, and the praise of critics worldwide for me to get off my duff and see this film. Clearly expectations were high, but I had also heard criticism of excessive violence against children and other claims. I found the film to be very powerful. The means by which the story is told is very well done and keeps the pacing of the film fast. The three sets of actors are impressive and while of course the ending is somewhat Hollywood, or should I say Bollywood, it is a film that you leave feeling good about. Regarding the violence, I did not find it excessive or there just for kicks, it is integral to the story and paints what is probably a realistic life for many of India’s more unfortunate children.
“The Class” – nominated for Best Foreign Film, and the winner of the Palme D’or at Cannes Film Festival, this is a powerful film. It chronicalizes in almost documentary style, the 9 months of one class of students at a French high school. The class itself represents the challenges that France is facing as it becomes a much more non-homogenous country. The students and teacher are very impressive and their characters are very multi-dimensional. You will not find stereotypes here. It also makes you appreciate the challenges facing teachers with teenage students.
“He’s Just Not That Into You” – Didn’t read the book, but everyone is aware of the phenomenon of people convincing others or themselves that there is some other reason why your potential mate is (a) not calling/texting you back, (b) not giving you more bedtime action, (c) or not providing any other of your needs…So, it might seem like this might be a one joke movie. Fortunately, for me and the 800 ladies in the screening with me…there is more (including a good dose of hope…a little too much Hollywood hope for me…but if there was less, I might have been stoned on the way out of the theater!). Film was actually fun, enjoyable, mostly on point and with an amazingly big celeb cast who all pretty much hold there own and in some cases more. For those looking for a lighter film, definitely worth the ticket – even if just for the post screening discussion.
“MILK” – This is hands down one of the best movies of 2008. An unbelievable transformation of Sean Penn from his usual rough and tough persona to something quite the opposite - and he is 100% believable. The movie successfully shows that it is never too late to make a change in one’s life, or even to change the world. For anyone who has ever felt lost or that their life is passing them by, you must see this movie. Sean Penn definitely deserved Best Actor Oscar.
Check out the GenArt film festival at www.GenArt.com
“Watchmen” – YIKES! This was one of the worst movies I have seen in a long time. Let me count the reasons why… 1) Coming from the director of the intense action film “300” there is little action and much of it is lame (including fight scenes between the super heroes which rival the 1960s Batman tv series, 2) The costumes the super duper heroes wear are…lame, 3) Waste of great indie talent who totally underperform – Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson (“Little Children”), and Matthew Goode (“Matchpoint”)- I actually didn’t even realize it was Matthew Goode because of his totally ridiculous blonde dew… 4) the soundtrack is completely off for virtually every scene, and 5) to top it off - its FRIGGIN 2 hrs & 40 minutes of this nonsense. The only good role is that of “Rorschach” performed by Jackie Earle Haley who was nominated for an Oscar previously for “Little Children”. Awesome gravel voice.
"The Wrestler” – I ad seen Milk previously and thought that Sean Penn’s acting was top notch. I had heard that Mickie Rourke was giving him a run for the Oscar (and Micky did win the Golden Globe). Don’t get me wrong – The Wrestler is a great film. Its totally moving (and depressing), and the performances by Marisa Tomei and Micky are definitely Oscar worthy. But it was definitely not the same stretch of acting for Mickey – a washed up formerly good looking lead actor who was an unsuccessful professional boxer for many years, with serious substance abuse and spousal abuse in his past, to know where to reach down for this character. He does an awesome job, but I still don’t know where Sean channeled Harvey Milk from…
“Sunshine Cleaning” – This is a very solid Sundance type film. Intimate portrayal of a small group of well performing actors built around a simple, yet amusing concept. I thought that Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Steve Zahn and Alan Arkin were all solid. And I must admit I definitely just enjoy watching Emily do whatever. The pacing is a little slow, so for those of you who are more ADD, take that into account. Otherwise, this is a moving family drama based around what you might call an unconventional family business.
“Slumdog Millionaire” – Yes, I suck. It took 5 Oscars, a slew of Golden Globes, over 100 million in ticket sales, and the praise of critics worldwide for me to get off my duff and see this film. Clearly expectations were high, but I had also heard criticism of excessive violence against children and other claims. I found the film to be very powerful. The means by which the story is told is very well done and keeps the pacing of the film fast. The three sets of actors are impressive and while of course the ending is somewhat Hollywood, or should I say Bollywood, it is a film that you leave feeling good about. Regarding the violence, I did not find it excessive or there just for kicks, it is integral to the story and paints what is probably a realistic life for many of India’s more unfortunate children.
“The Class” – nominated for Best Foreign Film, and the winner of the Palme D’or at Cannes Film Festival, this is a powerful film. It chronicalizes in almost documentary style, the 9 months of one class of students at a French high school. The class itself represents the challenges that France is facing as it becomes a much more non-homogenous country. The students and teacher are very impressive and their characters are very multi-dimensional. You will not find stereotypes here. It also makes you appreciate the challenges facing teachers with teenage students.
“He’s Just Not That Into You” – Didn’t read the book, but everyone is aware of the phenomenon of people convincing others or themselves that there is some other reason why your potential mate is (a) not calling/texting you back, (b) not giving you more bedtime action, (c) or not providing any other of your needs…So, it might seem like this might be a one joke movie. Fortunately, for me and the 800 ladies in the screening with me…there is more (including a good dose of hope…a little too much Hollywood hope for me…but if there was less, I might have been stoned on the way out of the theater!). Film was actually fun, enjoyable, mostly on point and with an amazingly big celeb cast who all pretty much hold there own and in some cases more. For those looking for a lighter film, definitely worth the ticket – even if just for the post screening discussion.
“MILK” – This is hands down one of the best movies of 2008. An unbelievable transformation of Sean Penn from his usual rough and tough persona to something quite the opposite - and he is 100% believable. The movie successfully shows that it is never too late to make a change in one’s life, or even to change the world. For anyone who has ever felt lost or that their life is passing them by, you must see this movie. Sean Penn definitely deserved Best Actor Oscar.
Check out the GenArt film festival at www.GenArt.com
posted by HILARY at
3/16/2009
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