Chinatown is the type of film that's perfect by the books, but just lacks that one thing that really hooks you and keeps you interested. The acting is outstanding, the plot is interesting with great twists and turns, and the sets and locations are beautiful and almost flawless. But once I began to watch the film, I found myself becoming bored from time to time from lack of action. Often the story just seemed to be moving so slow, almost like realtime. And realtime in the life of a private investigator doesn't move too fast. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the movie, but I'm not going to lie, it took me two times to get through it because of the slow pace.
The film takes place in 1937 Los Angeles in the midst of a drought. Mr. Hollis Mulwray, the head of the department that handles the water reservoirs and dam building ends up dead after a false Mrs. Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) hires J.J. (Jake) Gittes (Jack Nicholson) to investigate her suspision that Hollis is cheating on her with another woman. In the process of investigation, Jake ends up falling in love, stumbling upon a murder, and uncovering who really killed Hollis Mulwray. In the end, Jake can't seem to protect the people he loves and his heart is broken again.
Perhaps the most intreaguing aspect of this movie has to do directly with the title. Chinatown is a place Jake used to work when he was with the police force. There, Jake ended up in a situation where he tried to keep a woman from getting hurt. However, Jake's involvment insured she got hurt. We begin to find out that is the very situation that he is thrust into again with the Mulwray case.
Chinatown ends up representing the power that the rich and influential have over everything. In Chinatown, the poor are forgotten, like they never existed. The police in Chinatown had to ignore a large portion of what was going on in order to avoid the power of the rich. Chinatown ends up being a representation of not only this part of L.A., but any hard off city in the world. For all I know the film could have been called "Oakland" or "Philidelphia".
Best quote: "Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown"
My recommendation: If you're a die hard Jack Nicholson fan (like me) you'll probably love this movie. It's definitely a watch alone movie. I tried to watch it with my roommates and got sidetrack really easily.
******** (8/10)
Showing posts with label movie review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movie review. Show all posts
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Eastern Promises (2007)
Synopsis: Anna (Naomi Watts), a midwife at a London hospital, finds a journal written in Russian in the personal belongings of a young teen who has passed away in childbirth. In her pursuit to find the relatives of Christina, the baby born to the deceased teen, she becomes involved with Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen) and the Russian Mafia.
Review: In Eastern Promises, director David Cronenberg dissects the mystery of the often overlooked Russian Mafia. The realness of this film is so stark and so striking, I often found I had to remind myself it was just a movie. The streets of London seem so unsafe from the looming and dangerous presence of the mobsters.
It almost goes without saying, Mortensen was the highlight of this film. His chilling performance as Nikolai sends shivers down my spine and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. His slicked back hair, heavily tatooed body and thick Russian accent give this man the presence to intimadate the unflappable.
My favorite scene by far is the fight scene (not just because Viggo is in the buff, but hey, I'm not complaining). The extreme violence Cronenberg brings to film is something you don't really see these days. I'm a fan of blood and gore and this movie doesn't let me down. I love how Nikolai kills his attackers, the first by shoving his head down on top of a knife and the second by gouging out his eye. Totally cool and totally believable, no SawIII shit here.
I was (and still am) facsinated by the history and story behind each of the tatoos that Nikolai has on his body. The Russian Maffia ink themselves as a way to tell who they are, what they've done, and where they've been. The whole concept of permenently marking yourself with your past is so interesting to me and the symbolism behind it all is something I have never known.
So, if you want to see Viggo Mortensen act his pants off (literally) I highly recommend you see this movie. Stay away if you have any sort of aversion to blood and fighting. You'll probably hate it for the most part!
Favorite quote: "My name is Tatiana. My father died in the mines in my village, so he was already buried when he died. We were all buried there. Buried under the soil of Russia. That is why I left, to find a better life"
******* (7/10)
Review: In Eastern Promises, director David Cronenberg dissects the mystery of the often overlooked Russian Mafia. The realness of this film is so stark and so striking, I often found I had to remind myself it was just a movie. The streets of London seem so unsafe from the looming and dangerous presence of the mobsters.
It almost goes without saying, Mortensen was the highlight of this film. His chilling performance as Nikolai sends shivers down my spine and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. His slicked back hair, heavily tatooed body and thick Russian accent give this man the presence to intimadate the unflappable.
My favorite scene by far is the fight scene (not just because Viggo is in the buff, but hey, I'm not complaining). The extreme violence Cronenberg brings to film is something you don't really see these days. I'm a fan of blood and gore and this movie doesn't let me down. I love how Nikolai kills his attackers, the first by shoving his head down on top of a knife and the second by gouging out his eye. Totally cool and totally believable, no SawIII shit here.
I was (and still am) facsinated by the history and story behind each of the tatoos that Nikolai has on his body. The Russian Maffia ink themselves as a way to tell who they are, what they've done, and where they've been. The whole concept of permenently marking yourself with your past is so interesting to me and the symbolism behind it all is something I have never known.
So, if you want to see Viggo Mortensen act his pants off (literally) I highly recommend you see this movie. Stay away if you have any sort of aversion to blood and fighting. You'll probably hate it for the most part!
Favorite quote: "My name is Tatiana. My father died in the mines in my village, so he was already buried when he died. We were all buried there. Buried under the soil of Russia. That is why I left, to find a better life"
******* (7/10)
Monday, December 1, 2008
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Synopsis: R.P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), lovingly called "Mac" by his friends in the insane asylum, thinks he can get out of jail time by pretending that he's crazy. While in the institution, he attempts to liven up the place with games of blackjack, betting cigarettes, and impromptu imitating of the World Series. However, the head nurse, Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher) has it in for Mac, making his stay more difficult than intended.
Review: Every time I watch this movie, without fail, I fall in love with Mac, the Cheif, and Billy over and over again. As do I love to hate the evil Nurse Ratched. The emotion present in this movie hooks you from the get go as you feel for each of the characters, all of their ups and downs. It's so easy to become invested in these characters, it's hard to see how they are treated inside the nut house.
I also like the idea behind the movie, the commentary on the individual versus the system. How is it Mac can weasel his way into the institution without immediate detection of his deception? I don't want to give away the ending, but there are so many events that take place in the film that suggest such harsh repremands on behalf the system that seem so unfair and cruel. It makes for a most interesting perspective on the topic.
If you haven't noticed yet, I'm on a bit of a Jack Nicholson stint. I've just watched The Shining a few days ago and I have Chinatown at the top of my Blockbuster Queue. There's something about the guy that just appeals to me. He's so freaking good at what he does, it scares me and intreagues me. I've made it a goal to see every Jack Nicholson movie out there just to see the master at work. Especially in this movie, I can never tell if the character he is playing is actually Jack Nicholson or just a character that lives in the movie. I have to believe though that every character Nicholson touches has a part of him in it. It astounds me and I will always be facinated by his work.
Back to Cuckoo's Nest, I am blown away every time by his performance in this film. He's charasmatic as Mac, and you can 't help but to root for him, even though we know his crimes are deplorable and a man like that surely deserves to be in jail. There's something about ole Mac that draws you in.
My favorite quote also comes from my favorite part in the film when Mac cons his way onto a fishing boat with all the 'boys' form the ward:
Also, fun fact, it was filmed at the Oregon State Hospital in, you guessed it, Oregon!
Now, go to Blockbuster, find this movie, and rent it. If you don't have a Blockbuster account, go to Fred Meyer and buy it. If you're broke, borrow it, but whatever you do, see it. You won't be disappointed.
********** (10/10)
Review: Every time I watch this movie, without fail, I fall in love with Mac, the Cheif, and Billy over and over again. As do I love to hate the evil Nurse Ratched. The emotion present in this movie hooks you from the get go as you feel for each of the characters, all of their ups and downs. It's so easy to become invested in these characters, it's hard to see how they are treated inside the nut house.
I also like the idea behind the movie, the commentary on the individual versus the system. How is it Mac can weasel his way into the institution without immediate detection of his deception? I don't want to give away the ending, but there are so many events that take place in the film that suggest such harsh repremands on behalf the system that seem so unfair and cruel. It makes for a most interesting perspective on the topic.
If you haven't noticed yet, I'm on a bit of a Jack Nicholson stint. I've just watched The Shining a few days ago and I have Chinatown at the top of my Blockbuster Queue. There's something about the guy that just appeals to me. He's so freaking good at what he does, it scares me and intreagues me. I've made it a goal to see every Jack Nicholson movie out there just to see the master at work. Especially in this movie, I can never tell if the character he is playing is actually Jack Nicholson or just a character that lives in the movie. I have to believe though that every character Nicholson touches has a part of him in it. It astounds me and I will always be facinated by his work.
Back to Cuckoo's Nest, I am blown away every time by his performance in this film. He's charasmatic as Mac, and you can 't help but to root for him, even though we know his crimes are deplorable and a man like that surely deserves to be in jail. There's something about ole Mac that draws you in.
My favorite quote also comes from my favorite part in the film when Mac cons his way onto a fishing boat with all the 'boys' form the ward:
"You're not an idiot. Huh! You're not a goddamn looney now, boy. You're a fisherman"I love this part because Mac genuinely sees these men as whole, complete and perfect and does not see the point in treating them like inferiors because they are in a mental hospital and Mac's quote in this part sums up every bit of his character in the way he treats his ward-mates.
Also, fun fact, it was filmed at the Oregon State Hospital in, you guessed it, Oregon!
Now, go to Blockbuster, find this movie, and rent it. If you don't have a Blockbuster account, go to Fred Meyer and buy it. If you're broke, borrow it, but whatever you do, see it. You won't be disappointed.
********** (10/10)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
The Shining (1980)
Synopsis: The Torrence family heads to The Overlook Hotel, isolated in snowy Colorado. The evil forces of the hotel persuade Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson) to lose his mind in the most terrifying way. Danny Torrence (Danny Lloyd), Jack's son, has horrific psychic visions from the hotel's grisly past and demonic spirit.
Review: I can honestly say, I have never been as scared watching a movie as I was when I watched The Shining. Jack Nicholson is the scariest crazy person I've ever seen. I always knew he was creepy, but this movie brought it to a whole new level for me. I shudder when I think about it!
I read Stephen King's book before I watched the movie. I was expecting the movie to be similar, but it turned out to be very different, much to my dismay. I thought knowing what was coming would make it less scary. Yeah, no. It was different enough that I was officially freaked out the whole time.
I just have to say, Stanley Kubrick, the director, is a freaking genius. The camera angles he used made the film a million times more suspensful that it would have been without that type of innovation. The music was essential in the scare factor as well. I often found myself extremely tense and jumping at nothing because of the music! Very masterful use, and very scary.
If you like scary movies, this will not disappoint. This goes on my list as my favorite scary movie of all time. That's right, number one. On a separate note, read the book too, I've never been that freaked out by a book before!
********* (9.5/10)
Review: I can honestly say, I have never been as scared watching a movie as I was when I watched The Shining. Jack Nicholson is the scariest crazy person I've ever seen. I always knew he was creepy, but this movie brought it to a whole new level for me. I shudder when I think about it!
I read Stephen King's book before I watched the movie. I was expecting the movie to be similar, but it turned out to be very different, much to my dismay. I thought knowing what was coming would make it less scary. Yeah, no. It was different enough that I was officially freaked out the whole time.
I just have to say, Stanley Kubrick, the director, is a freaking genius. The camera angles he used made the film a million times more suspensful that it would have been without that type of innovation. The music was essential in the scare factor as well. I often found myself extremely tense and jumping at nothing because of the music! Very masterful use, and very scary.
If you like scary movies, this will not disappoint. This goes on my list as my favorite scary movie of all time. That's right, number one. On a separate note, read the book too, I've never been that freaked out by a book before!
********* (9.5/10)
Thank You For Smoking (2005)
Synopsis: If you've ever heard of a spin artist, Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) is Michelangelo. Working for big tobacco companies, Naylor travels the country, spinning the harmful reality of cigarettes into a world of roses. Naylor brings his young son Joey (Cameron Bright) along to learn what it means to be a great debator.
Review: A hilarious satire on the world of big tobacco, Thank You For Smoking was one of the funniest I've seen in a while. The actors lent a lot to the film, my favorite being the Merchants of Death, Nick Naylor, Bobby Bliss (David Koechner) and Polly Baily (Maria Bello) and the ever increasingly funny BR (J.K. Simmons). The script is smart, the actors deliver it flawlessly making the film brilliant.
Perhaps my absolute favorite part deals with the MOD squad. Sitting in a booth bullshitting over drinks, they begin to discuss which of their buisnesses is most deadly, guns, alcohol, or cigarettes. Hilariously, Naylor makes alcohol and guns look like stubbed toes next to the killing power of tobacco!
I keep on thinking of different parts of the movie I want to remark on, but at risk of spoiling the film, I'll refrain. I must, however, share with you my favorite quote:
******** (8/10)
Review: A hilarious satire on the world of big tobacco, Thank You For Smoking was one of the funniest I've seen in a while. The actors lent a lot to the film, my favorite being the Merchants of Death, Nick Naylor, Bobby Bliss (David Koechner) and Polly Baily (Maria Bello) and the ever increasingly funny BR (J.K. Simmons). The script is smart, the actors deliver it flawlessly making the film brilliant.
Perhaps my absolute favorite part deals with the MOD squad. Sitting in a booth bullshitting over drinks, they begin to discuss which of their buisnesses is most deadly, guns, alcohol, or cigarettes. Hilariously, Naylor makes alcohol and guns look like stubbed toes next to the killing power of tobacco!
I keep on thinking of different parts of the movie I want to remark on, but at risk of spoiling the film, I'll refrain. I must, however, share with you my favorite quote:
"That's ludicrous - The great state of Vermont will not apologize for its cheese"Okay okay, one more:
"The rest of you people go slam your fuckin' brains against your desks until something useful comes out"If in need of a good laugh and a great film, go rent it!
******** (8/10)
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Synopsis: This was the film that put Quentin Tarantino on the map. A group of men, not knowing each others names, but instead going by code names like Mr. Pink and Mr. Blonde, get together to pull off a jewelry heist. After the heist fails in a police shootout, they begin to suspect one of their own tipped off the cops.
Review: Every Tarantino film I have seen definitely has its roots dug deep in to Reservoir Dogs. There was not much about the film I didn't like, except for it was at times difficult to follow, but what Tarantino film have you seen that wasn't like that? I have a particular fondness for Mr. White (Harvey Keitel) who risks his life to save the life of Mr. Orange (Tim Roth). Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) was great in that weasely sort of way he is. The whole cast for that matter was wonderful, including Nice Guy Eddie (Chris Pen), the son of the heist's coordinator, Joe Cabot (Lawrence Tierney).
Almost the whole story is set in a wearhouse post jewelry heist. Although the space is confining and is pretty static through out, it does not disappoint. The characters and the story keep the film afloat just fine. In classic Tarantino style, there are numerous flashbacks with simple titles to separate the different chapters of the story.
I love blood and gore, so this movie didn't bother me one bit in that aspect. However, if you have an aversion to blood, this might not be the movie you want to see while you're eating dinner. No gore, but plenty of blood :)
I don't want to give away the ending (which I loved!), so go see the movie. Rent it, or borrow it from me... but do it now!
********* (9/10)
Review: Every Tarantino film I have seen definitely has its roots dug deep in to Reservoir Dogs. There was not much about the film I didn't like, except for it was at times difficult to follow, but what Tarantino film have you seen that wasn't like that? I have a particular fondness for Mr. White (Harvey Keitel) who risks his life to save the life of Mr. Orange (Tim Roth). Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) was great in that weasely sort of way he is. The whole cast for that matter was wonderful, including Nice Guy Eddie (Chris Pen), the son of the heist's coordinator, Joe Cabot (Lawrence Tierney).
Almost the whole story is set in a wearhouse post jewelry heist. Although the space is confining and is pretty static through out, it does not disappoint. The characters and the story keep the film afloat just fine. In classic Tarantino style, there are numerous flashbacks with simple titles to separate the different chapters of the story.
I love blood and gore, so this movie didn't bother me one bit in that aspect. However, if you have an aversion to blood, this might not be the movie you want to see while you're eating dinner. No gore, but plenty of blood :)
I don't want to give away the ending (which I loved!), so go see the movie. Rent it, or borrow it from me... but do it now!
********* (9/10)
Children of Men (2006)
Synopsis: In 2027, a world in shambles, a world where humans can no longer procreate, a woman is found to be pregnant. Theo (Clive Owen) feverishly stands by the pregnant woman to deliver her to the Human Project in hopes to revive the unfertile world and save the future of man.
Review: After seeing this movie, I literally went to the store and bought it hours after I finished watching it. There are so many aspects of the film that I loved, the plot, the actors, the sets, and the list goes on!
First off, the story is amazing. I have never really encountered anything quite like it and the futuristic world in which England is the last standing nation not plummeted into chaos (something we've seen before in V for Vendetta) appealed to my sense of uncertainty with the world's future. The entire concept of infertility in the future is appealing. It seems government has a vice like grip on all of the actions and goings on in the future world.
The actors dazzled me. Clive Owen was by far the best performance in the film. His dynamic character whom we follow undergoes profound changes as the future of human kind is at stake. The emotion present in his performance moved and touched me. Without giving too much else away, every actor in Children of Men does a spectacular job.
The sets made the film absolutely believable for me. Abandon schools, city-scapes in shambles, and subtle futuristic advances scattered through out add to the feeling of a world set in 2027. Even the music is a sort of weird, futuristic techno beat. The whole film is shot in darker, unsaturated colors, adding to the hopelessness of the time. Pollution hazes the sky and graffiti wallpapers the streets.
Buy this movie!
********* (9/10)
Review: After seeing this movie, I literally went to the store and bought it hours after I finished watching it. There are so many aspects of the film that I loved, the plot, the actors, the sets, and the list goes on!
First off, the story is amazing. I have never really encountered anything quite like it and the futuristic world in which England is the last standing nation not plummeted into chaos (something we've seen before in V for Vendetta) appealed to my sense of uncertainty with the world's future. The entire concept of infertility in the future is appealing. It seems government has a vice like grip on all of the actions and goings on in the future world.
The actors dazzled me. Clive Owen was by far the best performance in the film. His dynamic character whom we follow undergoes profound changes as the future of human kind is at stake. The emotion present in his performance moved and touched me. Without giving too much else away, every actor in Children of Men does a spectacular job.
The sets made the film absolutely believable for me. Abandon schools, city-scapes in shambles, and subtle futuristic advances scattered through out add to the feeling of a world set in 2027. Even the music is a sort of weird, futuristic techno beat. The whole film is shot in darker, unsaturated colors, adding to the hopelessness of the time. Pollution hazes the sky and graffiti wallpapers the streets.
Buy this movie!
********* (9/10)
Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Synopsis: Kym (Anne Hathaway) returns to her family home after a rather long stint in rehab. At home, her sister Rachel (Rosemarie Dewitt) is getting married... hence the title, Rachel Getting Married. While at home, Kym experiences an over-watchful father, a tough love sister, an absent mother, and a new world of experiences with ups and downs. As the family celebrates Rachel's wedding, a most beautiful and spectacular wedding at that, Kym struggles to fit in and become a part of the family after years of isolation and turmoil.
Review: Anne Hathaway was spectacular in this film. Totally believable, I felt for her character the entire story. Her off color humor and dark presence is interesting and the more I got to know Rachel the more lovable she became. The wedding was so beautiful. The merging of two different families in a non-traditional/traditional way really spoke to me. Kym and Rachel's father was perhaps my favorite character. He was so self-expressed and loving to his family and daughters.
I would not be surprised if Anne Hathaway is nominated for an Oscar for her performance. There was never a moment that she was not Kym. The raw emotion in her character was so authentic.
As for the look of the movie, the way it was shot seemed more like you were immersed in the world of Kym. It is filmed very intimately and feels like you are actually a guest at the wedding. The camera was shaky and a bit too much at times, but I still appreciated the thought that went into the style. The set was beautiful, a home in a quaint neighborhood with a expansive lawn and garden. It was simple, yet eloquent.
See this while it's in theaters, it's well worth your $8.
******** (8/10)
Review: Anne Hathaway was spectacular in this film. Totally believable, I felt for her character the entire story. Her off color humor and dark presence is interesting and the more I got to know Rachel the more lovable she became. The wedding was so beautiful. The merging of two different families in a non-traditional/traditional way really spoke to me. Kym and Rachel's father was perhaps my favorite character. He was so self-expressed and loving to his family and daughters.
I would not be surprised if Anne Hathaway is nominated for an Oscar for her performance. There was never a moment that she was not Kym. The raw emotion in her character was so authentic.
As for the look of the movie, the way it was shot seemed more like you were immersed in the world of Kym. It is filmed very intimately and feels like you are actually a guest at the wedding. The camera was shaky and a bit too much at times, but I still appreciated the thought that went into the style. The set was beautiful, a home in a quaint neighborhood with a expansive lawn and garden. It was simple, yet eloquent.
See this while it's in theaters, it's well worth your $8.
******** (8/10)
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