We are pleased to present below all posts archived in 'January 2009'. If you still can't find what you are looking for, try using the search box.
The film is a collection of well-acted and beautifully painted moments, taking place toward the end of the British poet John Keats’ life, that somehow just don’t stitch that well together... As a whole, the movie feels like a slow, heavy freight train, whose destination is clear from the start, and you sit and watch it making its way, slowly without any surprises, towards its final destination. It may be, at times, beautiful to watch, but it’s so tiresome… Jane Campion whose films I've hardly seen, but that left a good impression with me from The Piano, seems to be attracted to characters of strong women at a time / environment were a strong women would be the exception. But without much of a plot to support it, it just doesn’t stick. Furthermore, the other characters in this film, including the main character's family members, seem to float around purely to illuminate her, like ornaments on a Christmas tree, and as if they have no life of their own. Maybe it was Campion’s intention but for me it didn’t work. I waited patiently for the movie to be over and was quite disappointed as I came all prepared and really wanted to like this film.
Typically not my cup of tea, especially since a Sandra Bullock fan I am not, nor do I usually care for sports films. But given the other poor choices at the local theaters this weekend, and the overall positive reception of this movie by the critics, we gave it a shot. Surprisingly, Bullock actually performs well in this more family than sports movie. Maybe it’s her right calling – playing a control-freak uptight Christian b**ch… Maybe the film struck the right chord with her, or maybe the director had a magic touch. Either way, it works, as well as the subtle and thus effective performance of Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher – the main character. The little kid, S.J. Tuohy, is well-played by a promising Jae Head, bringing joyful moments in good timing. So all in all, a borderline 4-star movie, timed exactly right to warm the hearts this holiday season.
Despite all the hype and the great style of jerky stop-motion animation, as well as the cleverly delivered lines and decent plot, this film just didn’t do it for me. I am a big fan of animation, not to mention the ever-shining Meryl Streep, the favorable George Clooney and the other good members of the cast, and was very much looking forward to seeing this film. Yet, in all honesty, I just didn’t care… I didn’t care for the characters nor for the story. And if a movie cannot move me, despite anything fancy in it, I cannot vouch for it. My kids, whom I took to see the movie, liked it but I didn’t see them talking about it much after it was over. A sign they were not moved either.
I didn’t think this will happen but it did! I have finally got to see a movie that wins a single star! The status of a film so bad that its almost good… Ninja, not to be confused with Ninja Assassin (which I don’t intend on seeing, and would probably win no more than 2 stars on my scale…), is, well, maybe I should explain first that I got to see this flick with a friend, and thought what the heck – its a martial arts movie, how bad can it be? Well… its bad. Expect for the fighting scenes which are mostly decent. The film reminded me of a porn movie (I guess this is to serve as an admittance I had seen porn movies – well, when I was younger…:-) The film enjoys a non-existent plot to serve as an invisible vehicle for delivering what everyone came to see but are compelled to be made believe that they actually came for the storyline as well… Next time these filmmakers, whom I rather not mention by name, are better off just stitching the fight scenes one to another and skip the parts in between…
This Werner Herzog film, as some of Herzog’s other movies, is uneven. Original and daring at parts, well-played by the cast, led by a convincing Nicolas Cage, the film moves you from attentiveness and interest to watching your wristwatch impatiently. At two hours it’s way too long for its own good, but the length is not so much the issue as the plot. On the upside, Herzog presents an interesting and mostly realistically-felt exploration of human nature, painted in a spectrum of shades. A Touch of Evil it is unfortunately not, despite having elements of that masterpiece and elements of film noir. Yet I have no doubt that cinematically it beats the hell out of formulated Vampire movie “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”, which led the sales in the box-office this weekend. Too bad quality is not measured in box-office success but then again, there is nothing new under the moon…
A movie that starts great but loses steam and direction somewhere two thirds of the way… It’s one of those movies that could have been much more. And when I say much more I mean the greatness of Zorba the Greek. Clooney is a pleasure to watch. The other distinguished members of the cast perform decently but the nice buildup leads nowhere. Still, if you want a few good laughs, a few quirky acts, and do not mind a letdown ending, it’s a movie you may enjoy.
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Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, to a screenplay by Mark Perez, Game Night is a comedy-action thriller, that delivers jokes while...
If I had to sum-up the experience of watching this film in one word, it would be: impressive. Although, not without hiccups. The Last Jedi counts as ...
A bio-drama, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women tells the story of psychologist William Moulton Marston, and the two women in his life. Martson, a...
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Who would have guessed that in Japan, especially post-WWII, American country music, including Bluegrass, will have not just fans, but actual talented ...
Blade Runner 2049, or BR 2049 for short, is a 2017 neo-noir sci-fi film, directed by Denis Villeneuve to a screenplay by Hampton Fancher and Michael ...
An indie bio-drama, Maudie follows the life of Nova Scotia painter Maud Lewis. The film, a Canadian-Irish production, shot to a small budget of $5.6mm...
The Guardians Vol. 2's storyline is as thin and infantile as a young twig, yet it serves one purpose – delivering perfect punchlines. And yes, the special...
Franz tells the story of a German woman named Anna, beautifully portrayed by Paula Beer, who, in post-WWI Germany of 1919, while grieving Franz, her fianc...
Directed by James Mangold, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Frank and Michael Green, Logan is based on a story by Mangold. Logan introduces us to...
Re: Logan (2017) ***
I agree about the relationship with Logan and Charles - added a lot of depth, especially with the next...
-- ed
Re: Eye in the Sky (2015, UK) *****
Great Review Ronen!
-- Scott
Re: Top Five (2014) ***
wonderfully expressed review and very accurately describing the movie...
-- Zoes mom
Re: Begin Again (2014) ***
such great performers - would have expected more of.... very disappointing to hear....
-- mother of four
Re: Waltz with Bashir (2008) *****
Stunned. Speechless. This is a powerful movie. Its objectivity and lack of judgment IS its power, and...
-- Monroe Movie Lover
Re: Inception (2010) ***
Special effects are more than ever present even in drama movies, its almost normal that an action thriller...
-- Alvaro
Re: The Real Dirt On Farmer John (2005) ***
Interesting though i was expecting more of the film.
-- rondnor
Re: Midnight Run (1988) *****
great movie indeed
Re: The Bounty Hunter (2010) *
wont bother then
-- superair
Re: Stardust (2007) *****
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this movie :-)watching Robert De Niro in a dress what could be better.Enjoy
-- YRD