Tuesday, August 19, 2003
The Shop Around the Corner is a romantic comedy from 1940 that is more known now for being the basis for You've Got Mail. It has the same basic plot as You've Got Mail: Jimmy Stewart plays a man that works in a little shop in Budapest as a clerk, Margaret Sullavan plays a woman needing employment that comes to work at the shop and the two don't get along at all, but what they don't know is that they are secretly writing beautiful letters to each other. Eventually the truth comes out and love wins. I have to admit, it's all kinda sappy, but I really enjoyed this movie. Jimmy Stewart is one of the best in history at playing the everyday man that you can identify with (who can forget George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life), and he really makes the audience care about what he is going through. There is also a fine performance turned in by Victor Morgan as the owner of the shop. Interestingly enough, Morgan played the "wizard" in The Wizard of Oz just the year before. The series of twists and turns and subplots keeps the story interesting and at a fast pace, which I liked. Margaret Sullavan was just ok in this film, I certainly didn't like her character as much as I liked Meg Ryan's Kathleen Kelly in You've Got Mail, and she talked way too fast throughout the whole thing, which detracted from the film. But overall it's a heartwarming picture that I would recommend.
Scott's Rating:
The Shop Around the Corner : 3.5 stars
Scott's Rating:
The Shop Around the Corner : 3.5 stars
Monday, August 18, 2003
All I really knew about The Rock going into it is that it was a movie about Alcatraz. I thought that maybe it would be as good as Escape From Alcatraz, the Clint Eastwood film, but it only used Alcatraz as its central location and had nothing to do with a prison break. In reality The Rock was probably one of those typical summer blockbusters that is meant for the mindless entertainment of the audience. The Rock is about a retired general, General Hummel (Ed Harris), who breaks in and steals 15 missiles that are capable of wiping out a large amount of people and then holds 81 people hostage in Alcatraz demanding $100 million from the US Government in a day and a half or he will launch the missiles in San Francisco. Enter John Mason (Sean Connery), who has been locked in prison for 30 years and has a unique knowledge of Alcatraz, and Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage), a FBI chemical weapons expert, to save the day.
Most action films I thoroughly enjoy, but this one was just way too over the top. It jams you down the throat with non-stop action for two hours, most of which is so unbelievable that it really detracts from the viewing. A prime example of this is a long Bullitt-esque car chase through the streets of San Francisco with Connery driving a Hummer and Cage driving a Ferrari. The scene is so completely outlandish with everything in sight being smashed or blown up that there is no suspense at all. I am glad that the movie admits that it's not a very deep, emotionally involved movie, but just a typical action flick, and I did enjoy the performances by Connery and Cage, but it was just way too much and too outlandish for me.
Scott's Rating:
The Rock : 2 stars
Most action films I thoroughly enjoy, but this one was just way too over the top. It jams you down the throat with non-stop action for two hours, most of which is so unbelievable that it really detracts from the viewing. A prime example of this is a long Bullitt-esque car chase through the streets of San Francisco with Connery driving a Hummer and Cage driving a Ferrari. The scene is so completely outlandish with everything in sight being smashed or blown up that there is no suspense at all. I am glad that the movie admits that it's not a very deep, emotionally involved movie, but just a typical action flick, and I did enjoy the performances by Connery and Cage, but it was just way too much and too outlandish for me.
Scott's Rating:
The Rock : 2 stars
Saturday, August 16, 2003
Whew....it's been a while. That's because I spent the past week at the beach. Well while I was at the beach I finished watching my 99th movie on the AFI Top 100 Movies list, Wuthering Heights, the movie from 1939 based on the classic Emily Bronte novel and starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. The story concerns Catherine Earnshaw, and her struggle between her deep love for the impoverished Heathcliff and her desire to be a woman of some status in the world, which can be fulfilled by Edgar Linton(a young David Niven). The plot of this movie is so extensive, and I took a look at Spark Notes for the book, that they have to only show the most important scenes or else the movie would have been 4 hours long like some other movie made in 1939...wonder what that was? Anyway, the plot really is very, very good, and keeps you interested. You really feel empathy for each of the three main characters in a different way. And you know how the story is going to turn out in the beginning so you can watch with this sense of dread at what is going to happen. It truly is a tragedy and is played out very well by its main characters, especially Isabella Linton, Heathcliff's wife, who was played by Geraldine Fitzgerald. It is a very solid movie, which can be owed to Ms. Bronte's story. I actually hope to get the book on tape to listen to on the way down to Tech and explore this wonderful story.
Scott's Rating:
Wuthering Heights : 4 stars
Scott's Rating:
Wuthering Heights : 4 stars
Tuesday, August 05, 2003
If you want to see some really frightening and suspenseful movies just revisit the Alfred Hitchcock movies of the 50s and 60s, they are the master of keeping you on the edge of your seat, much more so than these modern I know what you did last tuesday crap. I just saw Marnie for the first time, Hitchcock's entry from 1964 starring Tippi Hendren and Sean Connery. The movie is about a woman named Marnie (Hendren), and whatever other alias she decides to use for the day, who is a compulsive thief: she gets a job in an office and after a while breaks into the safe, steals the money, then moves to another city and changes identities. But she is found out by Mark Rutland (Connery), who forces her to marry him and hopes to reform her ways. It is later found out that she had a traumatic incident in her past involving her mother that makes her terribly afraid of men, sex, thunderstorms, and the color red.
I enjoyed the first half of the movie, as there were several moments which had me on edge. Hitchcock usually builds up the suspense in an ever-growing crescendo leading to a wonderful finish so I had high hopes for this. But I grew increasingly impatient with the film as it wore on and I was left so unsatisfied at the end that it spoiled it. Plus, Tippi Hendren really got on my nerves. I am convinced that she has no acting talent (see The Birds for proof) and Hitchcock simply selected her because he liked cool blondes. Well, she was as cool as they come at the start, but as her character began to unravel her performance did too and what little attractiveness as an actress she had quickly wore off. And, at the end, the mystery of the traumatic event was solved, but it still did not provide an answer as to why Marnie was a kleptomaniac, and it did not give any evidence that she would stop that behavior.
I also found myself going through this film looking at Sean Connery in his younger days and saying "well this characteristic is like James Bond" and "that characteristic is like James Bond." Which is all fine, because I enjoyed his performance. I just wish Tippi Hendren and the movie could have followed suit.
Scott's Rating:
Marnie : 2 stars
I enjoyed the first half of the movie, as there were several moments which had me on edge. Hitchcock usually builds up the suspense in an ever-growing crescendo leading to a wonderful finish so I had high hopes for this. But I grew increasingly impatient with the film as it wore on and I was left so unsatisfied at the end that it spoiled it. Plus, Tippi Hendren really got on my nerves. I am convinced that she has no acting talent (see The Birds for proof) and Hitchcock simply selected her because he liked cool blondes. Well, she was as cool as they come at the start, but as her character began to unravel her performance did too and what little attractiveness as an actress she had quickly wore off. And, at the end, the mystery of the traumatic event was solved, but it still did not provide an answer as to why Marnie was a kleptomaniac, and it did not give any evidence that she would stop that behavior.
I also found myself going through this film looking at Sean Connery in his younger days and saying "well this characteristic is like James Bond" and "that characteristic is like James Bond." Which is all fine, because I enjoyed his performance. I just wish Tippi Hendren and the movie could have followed suit.
Scott's Rating:
Marnie : 2 stars
Monday, August 04, 2003
There are certain subjects that I simply don't like to talk about or have a hard time watching in movies. The Holocaust is certainly on the top of that list. It is a period of history that most people try to forget, when so many atrocious acts were committed. The movie Schindler's List was the most disturbing film I have ever seen, and the most difficult to watch. I only made it about 2/3 through and still couldn't sleep that night. I just watched The Pianist, starring Adrien Brody as Wladek, a great piano player, and Jew living in Warsaw at the onset of World War II. He sees his life and his family torn apart as they are put into the Warsaw ghetto. By a friendly hand, Wladek is saved from having to go on the trains east that were certain death for all that boarded, including his entire family. He spends the last 2/3 of the movie going from place to place in Warsaw, relying on the few friends in the city he has, hiding out the remainder of the war.
The thing that strikes me about Wladek in this movie is that he is not a particularly brave man, and doesn't commit that many brave acts: he is just first and foremost focused on survival. He is surrounded by tragedy but manages to keep his spirits up as much as he can within reason and it is not until the later stages of the war that his energy is finally zapped. The both discouraging and heartwarming thing is that this is a true story. Some of the scenes in this movie are very difficult to watch and it is almost unthinkable how cruel the Nazis are. There is one particularly poignant scene in which about two dozen Jews are marching and a German officer stops them and has about 8 of them step out and then lie down, and then goes to each one and shoots him in the head with his pistol. He gets to the last man and shoots but he is out of bullets, and you get a glimpse at the man and you see a glimmer of hope in his eye but then it quickly goes back to the officer who efficiently changes clips and then shoots the man. It is scenes like that that really grip at your heartstrings, and that was director Roman Polanski's intention. His mother died in the gas chamber and he intended to make a Holocaust film like this one.
Adrien Brody is very good in his leading role, and won the Best Actor oscar for his efforts. This year's class of Best Actors was one of the best in recent years: besides Brody, Nicholas Cage for Adaptation and Jack Nicholson for About Schmidt were also nominated, both of which had wonderful performances in wonderful movies.
It's hard for me to rate a movie that I find it very hard to watch based on the subject material, but considering the subject it was really well done so I will give it a...
Scott's Rating:
The Pianist : 4 stars
The thing that strikes me about Wladek in this movie is that he is not a particularly brave man, and doesn't commit that many brave acts: he is just first and foremost focused on survival. He is surrounded by tragedy but manages to keep his spirits up as much as he can within reason and it is not until the later stages of the war that his energy is finally zapped. The both discouraging and heartwarming thing is that this is a true story. Some of the scenes in this movie are very difficult to watch and it is almost unthinkable how cruel the Nazis are. There is one particularly poignant scene in which about two dozen Jews are marching and a German officer stops them and has about 8 of them step out and then lie down, and then goes to each one and shoots him in the head with his pistol. He gets to the last man and shoots but he is out of bullets, and you get a glimpse at the man and you see a glimmer of hope in his eye but then it quickly goes back to the officer who efficiently changes clips and then shoots the man. It is scenes like that that really grip at your heartstrings, and that was director Roman Polanski's intention. His mother died in the gas chamber and he intended to make a Holocaust film like this one.
Adrien Brody is very good in his leading role, and won the Best Actor oscar for his efforts. This year's class of Best Actors was one of the best in recent years: besides Brody, Nicholas Cage for Adaptation and Jack Nicholson for About Schmidt were also nominated, both of which had wonderful performances in wonderful movies.
It's hard for me to rate a movie that I find it very hard to watch based on the subject material, but considering the subject it was really well done so I will give it a...
Scott's Rating:
The Pianist : 4 stars
Sunday, August 03, 2003
Watching the latest World Series of Poker, my dad and I became interested in seeing the movie Rounders, which is about the world of poker. Rounders stars Matt Damon as Mike, a man is a brilliant poker player but after getting wiped out by Teddy KGB (John Malkovich, in a horrid Russian accent) decides to quit that life to pursue law school and please his girlfriend Jo (Gretchen Mol). But when his old buddy Worm (Ed Norton) gets out of prison, he is driven back to the fast but very tough life of trying to make money playing poker.
I think the trouble with modern day movies on subjects like poker are lacking because they feel like they must have 3 or 4 different subplots about the characters to make the movie interesting. And the result it's not really a good poker movie. The Cincinnati Kid, which I saw recently, is much better showing you the ins and outs of poker and I think is more thrilling in terms of the actual game.
I also take issue with the fact that Matt Damon's character, Mike, who is obviously the central character, chooses the route that he is not supposed to take. He succumbs to the pressures of his friend Worm and gets back into the life that he was trying to avoid, and we are supposed to feel good about this just because he wins a few hands? I'm not sure what the director was trying to get us to think here, and I was left with an empty feeling as I watched it unfold. As a poker movie, it's not that good. As a movie period, it's ok. The acting is good, with a strong supporting cast, including John Turturro, Martin Landau, and Famke Janssen. It just doesn't really hit the mark.
Scott's Rating:
Rounders : 2.5 stars
I think the trouble with modern day movies on subjects like poker are lacking because they feel like they must have 3 or 4 different subplots about the characters to make the movie interesting. And the result it's not really a good poker movie. The Cincinnati Kid, which I saw recently, is much better showing you the ins and outs of poker and I think is more thrilling in terms of the actual game.
I also take issue with the fact that Matt Damon's character, Mike, who is obviously the central character, chooses the route that he is not supposed to take. He succumbs to the pressures of his friend Worm and gets back into the life that he was trying to avoid, and we are supposed to feel good about this just because he wins a few hands? I'm not sure what the director was trying to get us to think here, and I was left with an empty feeling as I watched it unfold. As a poker movie, it's not that good. As a movie period, it's ok. The acting is good, with a strong supporting cast, including John Turturro, Martin Landau, and Famke Janssen. It just doesn't really hit the mark.
Scott's Rating:
Rounders : 2.5 stars
About Schmidt is the story of Warren Schmidt, played by Jack Nicholson. Warren has just retired and does not seem very content with what he has achieved in life. His daughter is about to be married to a guy that he doesn't like, and all of a sudden, his wife dies. He is left with nothing except the African child Ndugu that he sponsors and writes letters to and a Winnebago with which he can travel. As he goes to visit his daughter for the wedding he is left to reflect on what he has done with his life.
The masterpiece about the movie is that it is crafted so well that you genuinely feel sorry for Warren. When is the last time that you felt sorry for a Jack Nicholson character? The answer: never! In most of his movies, I can't help but laugh whenever he opens his mouth or makes one of his many silly facial expressions. He is just one of those people that has that power. And the fact that you are on the verge of tears watching this movie and seeing what Jack Nicholson's character is going through is a great testament to the ability of the filmmakers. And I think that they go to great lengths to send the message that this movie is a drama, not a comedy. Even though there are several parts, most involving Warren's son-in-law's family, that are a bit of comic relief, it is a drama all the way. I think that the turning point in this film is when Warren has to go up and give a toast at the wedding. He starts out somber, and then tells a story, and you are thinking "oh no they're going to ruin this moment with a funny story" but then it turns more somber again in the end, clearly reinforcing the dramatic angle.
I would recommend this movie, I think it is a nice change of pace for Jack Nicholson and shows the brilliance of his acting skills. This leads me to hope that Anger Management was an aberration and he is not on a downward spiral late in his acting career.
Scott's Rating:
About Schmidt : 3.5 stars
The masterpiece about the movie is that it is crafted so well that you genuinely feel sorry for Warren. When is the last time that you felt sorry for a Jack Nicholson character? The answer: never! In most of his movies, I can't help but laugh whenever he opens his mouth or makes one of his many silly facial expressions. He is just one of those people that has that power. And the fact that you are on the verge of tears watching this movie and seeing what Jack Nicholson's character is going through is a great testament to the ability of the filmmakers. And I think that they go to great lengths to send the message that this movie is a drama, not a comedy. Even though there are several parts, most involving Warren's son-in-law's family, that are a bit of comic relief, it is a drama all the way. I think that the turning point in this film is when Warren has to go up and give a toast at the wedding. He starts out somber, and then tells a story, and you are thinking "oh no they're going to ruin this moment with a funny story" but then it turns more somber again in the end, clearly reinforcing the dramatic angle.
I would recommend this movie, I think it is a nice change of pace for Jack Nicholson and shows the brilliance of his acting skills. This leads me to hope that Anger Management was an aberration and he is not on a downward spiral late in his acting career.
Scott's Rating:
About Schmidt : 3.5 stars
Saturday, August 02, 2003
If Meg Ryan is the most endearing actress of our time, I believe that Sandra Bullock is not far behind. She's not the most attractive and feminine actress, has moderate beauty and moderate charm, but there is just something about her that really makes you identify with her. It's almost as if she is the actress for the average person who you can easily fall in love with. I love her movie While You Were Sleeping, and also thoroughly enjoyed Miss Congeniality, Speed, and A Time to Kill. I just finished watching The Net, starring Miss Bullock. I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed. Sandra was not as endearing in this film as she was in any of her other films and the plot simply wasn't very good. Sandra somehow gets involved with this group called the Praetorians that have a program that can tap into just about every database and tamper with information. She almost drowns on vacation in Mexico and comes back to find that her whole identity has been wiped out, and that she is now Ruth Marx, instead of Angela Bennett, her real name. She must trust in her only friend, Dr. Alan Champion (played by Dennis Miller?!?!?!) while running from the police and Jack Devlin (Jeremy Northam) and trying to get to a computer to reverse the damage.
The problem is I just didn't find the plot very interesting. It was very hard for me to get into the movie, and I know it's supposed to be a thriller but I was never "thrilled". Most of the time it is Sandra running from cops, Jack Devlin, and whoever else they found while shooting the film. I really wish I could give this film a good review because Sandra is in it and she is one of my favorites but I just can't.
Scott's Rating:
The Net : 2.5 stars
The problem is I just didn't find the plot very interesting. It was very hard for me to get into the movie, and I know it's supposed to be a thriller but I was never "thrilled". Most of the time it is Sandra running from cops, Jack Devlin, and whoever else they found while shooting the film. I really wish I could give this film a good review because Sandra is in it and she is one of my favorites but I just can't.
Scott's Rating:
The Net : 2.5 stars
