This was my Two Jakes review from earlier this year.
The Two Jakes: 5/10. The sequel to Chinatown directed by Jack Nicholson. It wasn't completely infuriating, only mostly. Competently directed, but too many unnecessary call backs to the first film. Sometimes, literally, as in they put some shots from Chinatown in it. It's also essentially the exact same story only replace water with oil. Really could have been something if they distanced themselves and just made a new detective story. I did think the return of the hall of records guy was a nice touch.
Funny how one of Hyams' most popular films constantly gets ripped on because of every little scientific error it features. He's had an interesting career, certainly.
Didn't the other employees at the Daily Planet see Superman and Lois make out? Then they're not suspicious of the dude who looks just like him and flirts with Lois Lane?
The action sequences were pretty cool, definitely glad I saw it on the big screen instead of home video.
Funny how one of Hyams' most popular films constantly gets ripped on because of every little scientific error it features. He's had an interesting career, certainly.
Just saw Man of Steel. Really wanted it to be good, but... :/
So it was basically three movies:
1. Krypton, scifi capital of the universe!
2. Clark Kent, drifter.
3. Punching! Repeatedly, and very hard.
The second part was awesome, and could've easily been the core of a great movie. The rest, not so much. I guess there's only so much you can do when your superpower is punching stuff really hard.
I just watched Oldboy, and I am speechless. I loved every minute of it, and as it went on and things were unraveled, I found myself appreciating how beautifully told it was. I'm getting goose bumps just remembering how much I enjoyed it; I don't think I've had this strong a reaction to a film in a long, long time. Wow. I fucking loved it.
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance was kinda meh for me, but Oldboy... my god. What a movie.
Saw Scott Pilgrim vs the World again, this time when a new family came over to the house as guests. Perfect to test out the surround sound and blu ray quality. Man, it's too bad this and Speed Racer being perfect visualisations of other mediums (Scott Pilgrim for videogames, Speed Racer for cartoons) were box office flops. It's kind of crazy how much magic realism there is and no one bats an eyelid at the insanity. You just kinda have to go with the idea "if life was a video game" where people suddenly have super moves, they can burst into coins (perfect for movie's rating!), and that there's very little fall damage.
Masterful transitions, editing, fight scenes, humor, and music. Hilarious that a comedy-action movie with hipsters has better fight choreography than most action movies. Edgar Wright is great at the smaller, British stuff with Nick Frost and Simon Pegg, but it must have been disheartening for his first non-UK film where he branched out with American/Canadian talent to fail. Hey, at least Ant Man is coming along.
but it must have been disheartening for his first non-UK film where he branched out with American/Canadian talent to fail. Hey, at least Ant Man is coming along.
The Place Beyond the Pines - I was with the film until Bradley Cooper's story turned from being about his guilt to about crooked cops and his rise through the ranks (I think I get why this was necessary but it still felt out of place). I didn't have too much of a problem with the third part but the ending didn't live up to all the build up (not referring the very last scene which was great along with the song). Some of the characters actions seemed rather inexplicable though.
Yeah that's one major reason why Ant Man will be the best comic book film since TDK. Probably surpassing that too and giving Spiderman 2 a run for it's money.
Yeah that's one major reason why Ant Man will be the best comic book film since TDK. Probably surpassing that too and giving Spiderman 2 a run for it's money.
Wasn't feeling this too much until the last half, but then the ending happened. :|
An ambiguous ending to a story dealing with mental illness just really rubs me the wrong way. I get that it's not meant to be taken literally and there is more going on, but I can't get over that hang up.
Wasn't feeling this too much until the last half, but then the ending happened. :|
An ambiguous ending to a story dealing with mental illness just really rubs me the wrong way. I get that it's not meant to be taken literally and there is more going on, but I can't get over that hang up.
Isn't an ambiguous ending more suited to something about mental illness? There are no clear answers in any mental disorder. It's either the natural disaster is real, and they'll all die together. Or at least he now knows his family will be with him every step of the way to tackle his schizophrenia (if people think the whole last scene is a dream since the daughter and wife can see the tornado).
Isn't an ambiguous ending more suited to something about mental illness? There are no clear answers in any mental disorder. It's either the natural disaster is real, and they'll all die together. Or at least he now knows his family will be with him every step of the way to tackle his schizophrenia (if people think the whole last scene is a dream since the daughter and wife can see the tornado).
Treating mental illness can be difficult to varying degrees but solutions exist. They may be hard to find and/or implement, but they exist. We are (or should be) past the days of mystifying, for the lack of a better word, mental illness.
Smashed was pretty good, mainly due to MEW's greatness. Shame the shitty subplot kind of soured it. I still couldn't see anyone other than Jesse Pinkman in Aaron Paul's character, though.
so is aaron paul a good actor outside of breaking bad? he's definitely one of the best supporting actors on TV at the moment but does he bring it in films?
so is aaron paul a good actor outside of breaking bad? he's definitely one of the best supporting actors on TV at the moment but does he bring it in films?
he's fine, but his character is drunk for almost the entire movie so he doesn't really get a chance to shine. He's much better in BB, but obviously he has had more time to develop his character there.
MEW is the standout, Paul is decent but not great.
Treating mental illness can be difficult to varying degrees but solutions exist. They may be hard to find and/or implement, but they exist. We are (or should be) past the days of mystifying, for the lack of a better word, mental illness.
Solutions might exist for for less serious mental disorders, but this is schizophrenia which is long-lasting. Drugs might help the delusions and hallucinations, but compliance is terrible. It takes a lot of time, and that's what the ending shows that with the support of his family, they can ride it out.
The film isn't primarily about the mental disorder, it's also about this feeling of constant anxiety which is relevant to modern times and how a family is intertwined in all that.
Wasn't feeling this too much until the last half, but then the ending happened. :|
An ambiguous ending to a story dealing with mental illness just really rubs me the wrong way. I get that it's not meant to be taken literally and there is more going on, but I can't get over that hang up.
Honestly, how I interpreted it was it's actually a REALLY accurate portrayal of mental illness based on the fact that the
ending doesn't change the fact that his delusions and behaviour caused harm to his inner family life and relationships. The fact he was "right' is only incidental I think. Based on whether you believe it was real or not
so is aaron paul a good actor outside of breaking bad? he's definitely one of the best supporting actors on TV at the moment but does he bring it in films?
Honestly, how I interpreted it was it's actually a REALLY accurate portrayal of mental illness based on the fact that the
ending doesn't change the fact that his delusions and behaviour caused harm to his inner family life and relationships. The fact he was "right' is only incidental I think. Based on whether you believe it was real or not
For the ending to be just right, I think it should have been:
when his daughter seems fixated at something in the distance, the father doesn't see anything, and the movie ends. This way, just as his mother was crazy, you'd think maybe his daughter will be too. Or maybe it's all real. The end.
BTW I really recommend watching Triangle. If you like movies like Take Shelter, Memento, etc., watch it. It's really good, especially the ending. Almost no one has seen, but watch it, and don't read anything about it before hand. It's going to be more enjoyable this way
For the ending to be just right, I think it should have been:
when his daughter seems fixated at something in the distance, the father doesn't see anything, and the movie ends. This way, just as his mother was crazy, you'd think maybe his daughter will be too. Or maybe it's all real. The end.
BTW I really recommend watching Triangle. If you like movies like Take Shelter, Memento, etc., watch it. It's really good, especially the ending. Almost no one has seen, but watch it, and don't read anything about it before hand. It's going to be more enjoyable this way
Half Nelson - Really liked this, the whole film felt like a deconstruction of the "white teacher saves inner-black city" neighbourhood trope, which felt very refreshing after the past few teacher films I've watched. The movie does a excellent job of balancing the positive characteristics of the lead as a teacher, while never glossing over his self-destructive nature, definitely one of the best movies about teaching I've seen.
Watched The Sound of Music today. I enjoy musicals a lot, but somehow have never seen this before, or if I have it was as a little kid and remember nothing. It really is an excellent movie, and one of those very long movies that do not feel long at all. Despite being a totally calculated film, it still makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Even Nazis couldn't piss on this parade, usually when those guys show up it's a total buzzkill in any movie. I liked how he ordered the kids around with a whistle. Seems convenient. Definitely a classic.
BTW I really recommend watching Triangle. If you like movies like Take Shelter, Memento, etc., watch it. It's really good, especially the ending. Almost no one has seen, but watch it, and don't read anything about it before hand. It's going to be more enjoyable this way
Not very good, there's a pretty soulless ten minute making of feature, an interview I didn't bother to watch, and the trailer.
As long as Malick refuses to do any interviewers or anything, I think his films are locked to having lackluster special features. At least Tree of Life could go into some detail about the Creation chapter's production.
Nolan's influence can definitely be felt, the story was too big for one film. Snyder's trademark slow mo would have been greatly appreciated during the more intense action sequences.
I thought Kiyoshi Kurosawa would be a good choice. His films are a good example of when genre films can become more interesting because of the added social commentary.
Treating mental illness can be difficult to varying degrees but solutions exist. They may be hard to find and/or implement, but they exist. We are (or should be) past the days of mystifying, for the lack of a better word, mental illness.
the ending mystifying? The way i read it is: the illness it's still there, but they're facing it together this time, meaning his wife and daughter are supportive.
While during the whole movie he's basically fighting alone against it, trying to hide it to everyone else, including himself.
I didn't make that smug face