As of today I have only seen 52 films released in 2006 (a staggering drop from last year's 79). That is largely due to the massive decrease in free time I’ve had since leaving college. Overall 2006 was one of the weaker cinematic year's in recent memory; however, it was relatively saved by some strong films released during the last few months. As usual, the following lists are only reflections of my personal feelings on the year and have nothing to do with any Award Season predictions.
1. The Good Shepherd
2. Apocalypto
3. The Departed
4. Little Miss Sunshine
5. Babel
6. Casino Royale
7. V for Vendetta
8. Lucky Number Slevin
9. Thank You for Smoking
10. Cars
Best Director: Robert DeNiro (The Good Shepherd)
Runner Up: Mel Gibson (Apocalypto)
Best Actor: Jack Nicholson (The Departed)
Runner Up: Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland)
Best Actress: Helen Mirren (The Queen)
Runner Up: Maggie Smith (Keeping Mum)
Best Screenplay: Eric Roth (The Good Shepherd)
Runner Up: Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine)
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Friday, May 05, 2006
2006 Movie Reviews
All films have a U.S. release date of 2006 and are listed alphabetically with a 1-10 rating. Numbers to star equivalents are listed at the bottom.
16 Blocks: 6/10 - Unbearably implausible at times, but it does work as mild entertainment for the most part. The performances are also fun and director Richard Donner shows that he still has a few tricks left up his sleeve.
Akeelah and the Bee: 4/10 - The film is painfully heavy-handed and contrived. The performances are occasionally fun however, and it is conceivable that someone looking for very simple and sometimes cute entertainment could be entertained.
Apocalypto: 9/10 - The most powerful and visceral film I have seen in theaters since Mel Gibson’s last film, The Passion of the Christ (2004). While I do have some minor complaints about the film, I am currently in no mood to nit-pick on what very well may be the best movie of the year.
Babel: 8/10 - Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s third film does not disappoint -- he has yet to make anything less than a great film. It’s a hard film to sum up briefly, in either description or thought; however, I recommend it to everyone for its uncompromised sincerity alone.
Banlieue 13 [District B13]: 5/10 - It would be impossible for the film to make less sense even if all the people involved with the project had the sole goal of making the most illogical movie ever. Having said that, I can also say I was largely entertained throughout by director Pierre Morel’s stylized action sequences.
Borat!: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan: 6/10 - Ultimately, the film is as forgettable as it is funny. Cheap laughs and toilet humor will keep most entertained; however, it by no means lives up to the insane hype.
Blood Diamond: 4/10 - Formulaic, contrived, over-long, and awkwardly handled by director Edward Zwick. However, the entire cast does a good job and is often able to keep the film entertaining.
Brick: 1/10 - It took me about four seconds to realize the movie was being made by a former film major. I hate film majors: what they have in talent, they lack in logic. The plot was far too convoluted and intricate for any high school on the planet and it’s a safe bet that even the young actors involved were lost reciting the all-to-clever words of director/writer Rian Johnson.
Bubble: 7/10 - Director Steven Soderbergh brilliantly creates the quiet desperation of a small, West Virginia town through an extremely minimalist lens. The film was cast with unknowns who all do a great job and I would venture to say that the film was the most introspective experience I’ve had this year.
Cache: 1/10 - A very, very boring French film. While it probably deserves a slightly higher rating, I simply couldn’t bring myself to sit through more than the first 70 minutes.
Cars: 8/10 - Pixar proves again that it can do no wrong. The characters are all great and even when the movie appears to be slowing down we’re shortly after reminded never to question the brilliant Disney filmmakers. I can confidently say that I was truly moved by the conclusion of the film. Also, any “Entourage” fans will be rewarded with a very crafty cameo.
Casino Royale: 8/10 - A near perfect film -- and certainly the best Bond I’ve ever seen. Daniel Craig slides into the role with relative ease and by the second act he had me completely convinced. I am only left wondering what the film could be in the hands of one of the several prominent directors that begged to do it -- namely, Quentin Tarantino.
Clerks II: 2/10 - I’ll start by saying that I loved the first film; it was funny, original, and host to several new and intriguing characters. I’ll end by saying that the sequel is unspeakably bad: poorly written, atrociously acted, and largely non-entertaining.
Click: 8/10 - This is Adam Sandler’s best film to date. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and if you’re even slightly less cynical than me, you might even walk away a better person. Go out and see it.
The Da Vinci Code: 6/10 - I enjoyed reading Dan Brown’s novel in part because of the fast paced and fun (and over-the-top insane) plot, but more so due to the frequent conversations and thought-processes revolving around history and the catholic church. The film counterpart does a fairly good job at reflecting the novel; so much so, that I felt as though I had already seen it. Now it would be unfair to claim the film is not good because I read the book; however, I can’t help but think of how frequently I wanted to leave the theater and instead spend my time reading or viewing something concerning the very ideals the story masks with its inconsequential plot.
The Departed: 9/10 - An overall improvement to the 2002, Hong Kong original. Unfortunately, it would have been impossible for the film to meet up to my impossible expectations; nonetheless, it stands as a triumph in both acting and direction (although it often seemed to lose the feel of a Scorsese film) and is the best film thus far this year.
The Devil Wears Prada: 3/10 - An awful, awful movie with a wonderful performance from Meryl Streep. It never escalates past poor sit-com writing and overused, trite themes -- avoid it.
Dreamgirls: 3/10 - A few solid performances amidst the sloppiest Oscar season pretender in years.
Find Me Guilty: 4/10 - The film works as lukewarm entertainment...but that’s it. Everything about the movie is misplaced from start to credits. I like Vin Diesel, but as an actor, he has still yet to prove himself -- his performance here is mediocre at best. I also love director Sidney Lument; however, he took on too grand a subject and the end result is essentially a minor failure.
Friends with Money: 6/10 - The writing is very often unbelievable, but I would recommend the film for the deeply rich characters and intriguing perception it casts on men and women. It’s a dramatic, thought-provoking version of HBO’s “Sex and the City.”
Game 6: 1/10 - Not for a moment did I ever feel that I wasn’t watching a movie. The writing just doesn’t work.
The Good Shepherd: 10/10 - Roger Ebert once said: “No good movie is too long and no bad movie is short enough.” I spent nearly three hours viewing The Good Shepherd...and I would have gladly spent three more. It was an experience that reminded me of why I grew to love movies to begin with. I have no desire to even see another movie this year for I know there could be no better ending to 2006.
Happy Feet: 1/10 - So inconceivably pathetic I sat through most of it in complete shock and disgust. I previously thought it to be impossible to make a film about such adorable creatures so unbearably bad. It is both the worst film of the year and the worst animation I have ever seen...by far.
Hard Candy: 3/10 - Extremely over-the-top and often way too clever for its own good. It’s also the most sadistic and uncomfortable movie experience I can recall...even more odd, however, was my reluctancy to turn away.
Hollywoodland: 5/10 - Director Allen Coulter’s film debut is an interesting failure. Coulter seems to make no attempt to rise past his TV roots and tells the story as bland and dry as it could be. It is never a good thing for one to leave a theater thinking Ben Affleck was the best part of the film.
The Illusionist: 4/10 - The title of the film is not only a reference to the profession of the lead character, Eisenheim (Edward Norton), but also to that of the film’s writer/director, Neil Burger. The film is an illusion -- a cheap, amateurish trick that breaks some of the most principle rules of screenwriting and leaves no one entertained.
Inside Man: 5/10 - Not only is Spike Lee a racist degenerate, but he is also a horrifically overrated, untalented director. The combination of his amateurish directing style and the grossly distracting cinematography was enough to curb what could have been a very unique attempt at the bank robbery plot. Even more upsetting is Spike Lee's constant need to involve race issues at every available turn. Clive Owen and Denzel Washington do provide moderate entertainment, yet there is no reason to think one can't wait until the DVD to view this film.
Keeping Mum: 6/10 - A quirky (and very English), black comedy with some extremely bizarre -- but amusing -- casting decisions. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t work until it begins to come together in the third act; however, Maggie Smith is wonderful as always and the film does teach us that if one ever has a problem with a person (or animal), murder is a perfectly acceptable solution.
The Last King of Scotland: 6/10 - Forest Whitaker’s brilliant performance alone is enough to warrant everyone to go and see this film. It’s unfortunate that the rest of the film is so mediocre.
Little Children: 6/10 - The film is a who’s who of some of the worst possible members of society -- a very unsettling fact that I wrestled with through much of the movie. The film is good though...kinda...it just makes too many critical mistakes: namely, the mysterious third person narrator and the neatly scripted last ten minutes.
Little Miss Sunshine: 9/10 - An absolutely adorable and hilarious film. The characters and plot devices are often over-the-top; yet, it’s impossible not to get sucked into the simple world directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris create. Steve Carell and the rest of the cast are great -- I can’t say enough about it; go out and see it.
Lucky Number Slevin: 8/10 - Pulp Fiction (1994) meets Snatch (2000) -- a film that is always cool no matter how ridiculous it ever is. All the characters are over-the-top, delivering dialog that is so pretty you can almost see it on a page; nonetheless, Paul McGuigan pulls it all together to make one of the most entertaining movies of the year.
Miami Vice: 3/10 - Writer/director Michael Mann supposedly spent endless hours in an editing suite attempting to fix what many initially considered to be unsalvageable. It seems the early boo birds were right, since I spent the majority of the film’s overlong running-time feeling embarrassed for Mr. Mann.
Mission: Impossible III: 4/10 - The most linear, plot-driven film I have ever seen. Newcomer Abrams drifts through on autopilot and the cast does what they can to keep the time spent somewhat entertaining -- but none of that really matters because the film is empty to its very core. It’s often over-the-top and always illogical -- oh, and worst of all, it’s one good moment turns out to be nothing more than a slight of hand by the screenwriters.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest: 7/10 - Most of the fresh feeling that accompanied the original is long gone; however, the film is still good-hearted, summer entertainment. It is always difficult to rate an incomplete film(in this case, the trilogy will be resolved next May), nonetheless, I have no reservation in recommending it to anyone who enjoyed the first installment...and I imagine that’s everyone.
The Queen: 7/10 - Informative and intriguing, the film chronicles the days in the life of Queen Elizabeth surrounding the days of Princess Diane’s death. Although it does often turn somewhat dry, Helen Mirren’s performance is worthy of all the praise she is currently receiving -- including the early Oscar predictions.
Rocky Balboa: 6/10 - Despite the film’s countless mis-steps it is still a chance to see the greatest character in the history of cinema one last time. For nostalgia alone, it’s worth the trip to the theaters.
Running Scared: 7/10 - Director Wayne Kramer takes a big turn from his previous - and mediocre - film, The Cooler (2003), by creating a gritty, stylish, and unbelievably shocking action/thriller. The film’s frequent lack of coherent logic and Paul Walker’s unbridled overacting do little to slow down one of the most fast-paced, high-throttle films I’ve seen in years.
The Sentinel: 3/10 - It’s rare one gets the opportunity to watch a film unravel so quickly. While the film’s base is a promising, adult thriller, it rapidly turns into a dumb, unintentionally hilarious, debacle.
Somersault: 1/10 - The film follows the life of a very confused, sexually promiscuous Australian girl in search of what I can only assume to be some level of acceptance. I’m not sure what is more unfair, however, me reviewing a film I only saw a little more than half of or me presenting the film as one with some sort of recognizable plot.
Superman Returns: 2/10 - Don’t buy into the hype; the film is absolutely awful. Much like last year’s King Kong, the film is long, boring, and painfully unrealistic. The casting director was also a colossal failure in the creation of what was probably the least charismatic group of people assembled since the 1904 yearly Parliament meeting.
Thank You for Smoking: 8/10 - A great satire with a perfect cast. I thoroughly enjoyed the film from start to end and I’m confident it will stand as one of the best films this year.
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada: 4/10 - Tommy Lee Jones’ directorial debut just doesn’t work. He over-thinks the project at every turn and transforms what is essentially a very simple story of two very two-dimensional characters into a very complicated and often confusing affair.
Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story: 5/10 - A movie about the attempt at filming an unfilmable book. I’m very hesitant at leaning one way or the other on this film because at times I was able to see glimpses of brilliance matched only by Spinal Tap...and then at other times I sat in uneasy boredom.
Tsotsi: 3/10 - The greatest challenge a director has in making a film from the perspective of a “bad guy” is always one of two things: making the person likable -- Tony Montana in Scarface (1983) -- or casting a heavy social commentary over the film -- City of God (2002). Director Gavin Hood attempts both of these methods and fails miserably. The end result is a very loathsome movie experience.
United 93: 6/10 - I went into this film with a very open mind and very low expectations. I have held the belief that flight 93 was shot down by US military over Pennsylvania rather than overrun by heroic passengers since the crash -- the country needed a group of heroes that day just as strongly as they needed a villain (in Osama bin Laden); however, director Paul Greengrass’ failure does not come with vision, but rather with scope. The film is brilliantly shot and scored and possesses the feel of a documentary for most of the running time; yet, Greengrass manages to let his vision and objectivity skid into an emotional downward spiral towards the conclusion. The film felt incomplete to me -- almost as if its last 30 minutes were butchered in the studio days before the release -- and because of that I can only applaud the attempt and potential, rather than the final product.
The U.S. vs. John Lennon: 4/10 - A very basic documentary that simply doesn’t have enough intriguing or new information to warrant a feature film. The life of John Lennon was fascinating and his death very tragic, but unfortunately, even after viewing the film, I can’t claim to know anything more than that.
V for Vendetta: 8/10 - I strongly believe that terrorist is a synonym for patriot; a concept that has been clouded throughout history by naive, religious fundamentalists (…as if there were another kind). This film works more so for its ideals than its cinematic accomplishments and because of that, I suspect it will receive mixed reviews as critics attempt to weigh all of its parts equally. The filmmakers and actors are simply vessels to carry a message...and they succeed marvelously.
Winter Passing: 5/10 - A stereotypical indie film with plenty of interesting characters and not an once of depth or purpose. The film’s exposition is wonderful and it is unfortunate that newcomer, writer/director, Adam Rapp was unable to progress the film with the same grace in which he began it.
World Trade Center: 4/10 - I didn’t know it was possible for me to be so emotionally detached from a film centering on 9/11. Director Oliver Stone reaches deep down to uncover a few flickering moments of greatness; however, they sadly pass by as inconsequential within the scheme of the film as a whole.
X-Men: The Last Stand: 6/10 - On par for the franchise. It was solid entertainment all the way through and director Brett Ratner took over with no mis-steps. If you enjoyed the first sequel, you’ll enjoy this one.
You, Me and Dupree: 5/10 - An amusing opening act, an entertaining middle, and a very disappointing and ridiculous third act left me thinking that while the film had the potential of last year’s Wedding Crashers, it was never in the cards for it to quite match up.
Rating Breakdown:
10 = 4 Stars (Masterpiece)
9 = 4 stars
8 = 3 1/2 stars
7 = 3 stars
6 = 2 1/2 stars
5 = 2 stars
4 = 1 1/2 stars
3 = 1 star
2 = 1/2 star
1 = No stars (I was unable to finish viewing it)
I'll continue to update this page as I see more movies released this year.
16 Blocks: 6/10 - Unbearably implausible at times, but it does work as mild entertainment for the most part. The performances are also fun and director Richard Donner shows that he still has a few tricks left up his sleeve.
Akeelah and the Bee: 4/10 - The film is painfully heavy-handed and contrived. The performances are occasionally fun however, and it is conceivable that someone looking for very simple and sometimes cute entertainment could be entertained.
Apocalypto: 9/10 - The most powerful and visceral film I have seen in theaters since Mel Gibson’s last film, The Passion of the Christ (2004). While I do have some minor complaints about the film, I am currently in no mood to nit-pick on what very well may be the best movie of the year.
Babel: 8/10 - Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s third film does not disappoint -- he has yet to make anything less than a great film. It’s a hard film to sum up briefly, in either description or thought; however, I recommend it to everyone for its uncompromised sincerity alone.
Banlieue 13 [District B13]: 5/10 - It would be impossible for the film to make less sense even if all the people involved with the project had the sole goal of making the most illogical movie ever. Having said that, I can also say I was largely entertained throughout by director Pierre Morel’s stylized action sequences.
Borat!: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan: 6/10 - Ultimately, the film is as forgettable as it is funny. Cheap laughs and toilet humor will keep most entertained; however, it by no means lives up to the insane hype.
Blood Diamond: 4/10 - Formulaic, contrived, over-long, and awkwardly handled by director Edward Zwick. However, the entire cast does a good job and is often able to keep the film entertaining.
Brick: 1/10 - It took me about four seconds to realize the movie was being made by a former film major. I hate film majors: what they have in talent, they lack in logic. The plot was far too convoluted and intricate for any high school on the planet and it’s a safe bet that even the young actors involved were lost reciting the all-to-clever words of director/writer Rian Johnson.
Bubble: 7/10 - Director Steven Soderbergh brilliantly creates the quiet desperation of a small, West Virginia town through an extremely minimalist lens. The film was cast with unknowns who all do a great job and I would venture to say that the film was the most introspective experience I’ve had this year.
Cache: 1/10 - A very, very boring French film. While it probably deserves a slightly higher rating, I simply couldn’t bring myself to sit through more than the first 70 minutes.
Cars: 8/10 - Pixar proves again that it can do no wrong. The characters are all great and even when the movie appears to be slowing down we’re shortly after reminded never to question the brilliant Disney filmmakers. I can confidently say that I was truly moved by the conclusion of the film. Also, any “Entourage” fans will be rewarded with a very crafty cameo.
Casino Royale: 8/10 - A near perfect film -- and certainly the best Bond I’ve ever seen. Daniel Craig slides into the role with relative ease and by the second act he had me completely convinced. I am only left wondering what the film could be in the hands of one of the several prominent directors that begged to do it -- namely, Quentin Tarantino.
Clerks II: 2/10 - I’ll start by saying that I loved the first film; it was funny, original, and host to several new and intriguing characters. I’ll end by saying that the sequel is unspeakably bad: poorly written, atrociously acted, and largely non-entertaining.
Click: 8/10 - This is Adam Sandler’s best film to date. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and if you’re even slightly less cynical than me, you might even walk away a better person. Go out and see it.
The Da Vinci Code: 6/10 - I enjoyed reading Dan Brown’s novel in part because of the fast paced and fun (and over-the-top insane) plot, but more so due to the frequent conversations and thought-processes revolving around history and the catholic church. The film counterpart does a fairly good job at reflecting the novel; so much so, that I felt as though I had already seen it. Now it would be unfair to claim the film is not good because I read the book; however, I can’t help but think of how frequently I wanted to leave the theater and instead spend my time reading or viewing something concerning the very ideals the story masks with its inconsequential plot.
The Departed: 9/10 - An overall improvement to the 2002, Hong Kong original. Unfortunately, it would have been impossible for the film to meet up to my impossible expectations; nonetheless, it stands as a triumph in both acting and direction (although it often seemed to lose the feel of a Scorsese film) and is the best film thus far this year.
The Devil Wears Prada: 3/10 - An awful, awful movie with a wonderful performance from Meryl Streep. It never escalates past poor sit-com writing and overused, trite themes -- avoid it.
Dreamgirls: 3/10 - A few solid performances amidst the sloppiest Oscar season pretender in years.
Find Me Guilty: 4/10 - The film works as lukewarm entertainment...but that’s it. Everything about the movie is misplaced from start to credits. I like Vin Diesel, but as an actor, he has still yet to prove himself -- his performance here is mediocre at best. I also love director Sidney Lument; however, he took on too grand a subject and the end result is essentially a minor failure.
Friends with Money: 6/10 - The writing is very often unbelievable, but I would recommend the film for the deeply rich characters and intriguing perception it casts on men and women. It’s a dramatic, thought-provoking version of HBO’s “Sex and the City.”
Game 6: 1/10 - Not for a moment did I ever feel that I wasn’t watching a movie. The writing just doesn’t work.
The Good Shepherd: 10/10 - Roger Ebert once said: “No good movie is too long and no bad movie is short enough.” I spent nearly three hours viewing The Good Shepherd...and I would have gladly spent three more. It was an experience that reminded me of why I grew to love movies to begin with. I have no desire to even see another movie this year for I know there could be no better ending to 2006.
Happy Feet: 1/10 - So inconceivably pathetic I sat through most of it in complete shock and disgust. I previously thought it to be impossible to make a film about such adorable creatures so unbearably bad. It is both the worst film of the year and the worst animation I have ever seen...by far.
Hard Candy: 3/10 - Extremely over-the-top and often way too clever for its own good. It’s also the most sadistic and uncomfortable movie experience I can recall...even more odd, however, was my reluctancy to turn away.
Hollywoodland: 5/10 - Director Allen Coulter’s film debut is an interesting failure. Coulter seems to make no attempt to rise past his TV roots and tells the story as bland and dry as it could be. It is never a good thing for one to leave a theater thinking Ben Affleck was the best part of the film.
The Illusionist: 4/10 - The title of the film is not only a reference to the profession of the lead character, Eisenheim (Edward Norton), but also to that of the film’s writer/director, Neil Burger. The film is an illusion -- a cheap, amateurish trick that breaks some of the most principle rules of screenwriting and leaves no one entertained.
Inside Man: 5/10 - Not only is Spike Lee a racist degenerate, but he is also a horrifically overrated, untalented director. The combination of his amateurish directing style and the grossly distracting cinematography was enough to curb what could have been a very unique attempt at the bank robbery plot. Even more upsetting is Spike Lee's constant need to involve race issues at every available turn. Clive Owen and Denzel Washington do provide moderate entertainment, yet there is no reason to think one can't wait until the DVD to view this film.
Keeping Mum: 6/10 - A quirky (and very English), black comedy with some extremely bizarre -- but amusing -- casting decisions. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t work until it begins to come together in the third act; however, Maggie Smith is wonderful as always and the film does teach us that if one ever has a problem with a person (or animal), murder is a perfectly acceptable solution.
The Last King of Scotland: 6/10 - Forest Whitaker’s brilliant performance alone is enough to warrant everyone to go and see this film. It’s unfortunate that the rest of the film is so mediocre.
Little Children: 6/10 - The film is a who’s who of some of the worst possible members of society -- a very unsettling fact that I wrestled with through much of the movie. The film is good though...kinda...it just makes too many critical mistakes: namely, the mysterious third person narrator and the neatly scripted last ten minutes.
Little Miss Sunshine: 9/10 - An absolutely adorable and hilarious film. The characters and plot devices are often over-the-top; yet, it’s impossible not to get sucked into the simple world directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris create. Steve Carell and the rest of the cast are great -- I can’t say enough about it; go out and see it.
Lucky Number Slevin: 8/10 - Pulp Fiction (1994) meets Snatch (2000) -- a film that is always cool no matter how ridiculous it ever is. All the characters are over-the-top, delivering dialog that is so pretty you can almost see it on a page; nonetheless, Paul McGuigan pulls it all together to make one of the most entertaining movies of the year.
Miami Vice: 3/10 - Writer/director Michael Mann supposedly spent endless hours in an editing suite attempting to fix what many initially considered to be unsalvageable. It seems the early boo birds were right, since I spent the majority of the film’s overlong running-time feeling embarrassed for Mr. Mann.
Mission: Impossible III: 4/10 - The most linear, plot-driven film I have ever seen. Newcomer Abrams drifts through on autopilot and the cast does what they can to keep the time spent somewhat entertaining -- but none of that really matters because the film is empty to its very core. It’s often over-the-top and always illogical -- oh, and worst of all, it’s one good moment turns out to be nothing more than a slight of hand by the screenwriters.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest: 7/10 - Most of the fresh feeling that accompanied the original is long gone; however, the film is still good-hearted, summer entertainment. It is always difficult to rate an incomplete film(in this case, the trilogy will be resolved next May), nonetheless, I have no reservation in recommending it to anyone who enjoyed the first installment...and I imagine that’s everyone.
The Queen: 7/10 - Informative and intriguing, the film chronicles the days in the life of Queen Elizabeth surrounding the days of Princess Diane’s death. Although it does often turn somewhat dry, Helen Mirren’s performance is worthy of all the praise she is currently receiving -- including the early Oscar predictions.
Rocky Balboa: 6/10 - Despite the film’s countless mis-steps it is still a chance to see the greatest character in the history of cinema one last time. For nostalgia alone, it’s worth the trip to the theaters.
Running Scared: 7/10 - Director Wayne Kramer takes a big turn from his previous - and mediocre - film, The Cooler (2003), by creating a gritty, stylish, and unbelievably shocking action/thriller. The film’s frequent lack of coherent logic and Paul Walker’s unbridled overacting do little to slow down one of the most fast-paced, high-throttle films I’ve seen in years.
The Sentinel: 3/10 - It’s rare one gets the opportunity to watch a film unravel so quickly. While the film’s base is a promising, adult thriller, it rapidly turns into a dumb, unintentionally hilarious, debacle.
Somersault: 1/10 - The film follows the life of a very confused, sexually promiscuous Australian girl in search of what I can only assume to be some level of acceptance. I’m not sure what is more unfair, however, me reviewing a film I only saw a little more than half of or me presenting the film as one with some sort of recognizable plot.
Superman Returns: 2/10 - Don’t buy into the hype; the film is absolutely awful. Much like last year’s King Kong, the film is long, boring, and painfully unrealistic. The casting director was also a colossal failure in the creation of what was probably the least charismatic group of people assembled since the 1904 yearly Parliament meeting.
Thank You for Smoking: 8/10 - A great satire with a perfect cast. I thoroughly enjoyed the film from start to end and I’m confident it will stand as one of the best films this year.
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada: 4/10 - Tommy Lee Jones’ directorial debut just doesn’t work. He over-thinks the project at every turn and transforms what is essentially a very simple story of two very two-dimensional characters into a very complicated and often confusing affair.
Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story: 5/10 - A movie about the attempt at filming an unfilmable book. I’m very hesitant at leaning one way or the other on this film because at times I was able to see glimpses of brilliance matched only by Spinal Tap...and then at other times I sat in uneasy boredom.
Tsotsi: 3/10 - The greatest challenge a director has in making a film from the perspective of a “bad guy” is always one of two things: making the person likable -- Tony Montana in Scarface (1983) -- or casting a heavy social commentary over the film -- City of God (2002). Director Gavin Hood attempts both of these methods and fails miserably. The end result is a very loathsome movie experience.
United 93: 6/10 - I went into this film with a very open mind and very low expectations. I have held the belief that flight 93 was shot down by US military over Pennsylvania rather than overrun by heroic passengers since the crash -- the country needed a group of heroes that day just as strongly as they needed a villain (in Osama bin Laden); however, director Paul Greengrass’ failure does not come with vision, but rather with scope. The film is brilliantly shot and scored and possesses the feel of a documentary for most of the running time; yet, Greengrass manages to let his vision and objectivity skid into an emotional downward spiral towards the conclusion. The film felt incomplete to me -- almost as if its last 30 minutes were butchered in the studio days before the release -- and because of that I can only applaud the attempt and potential, rather than the final product.
The U.S. vs. John Lennon: 4/10 - A very basic documentary that simply doesn’t have enough intriguing or new information to warrant a feature film. The life of John Lennon was fascinating and his death very tragic, but unfortunately, even after viewing the film, I can’t claim to know anything more than that.
V for Vendetta: 8/10 - I strongly believe that terrorist is a synonym for patriot; a concept that has been clouded throughout history by naive, religious fundamentalists (…as if there were another kind). This film works more so for its ideals than its cinematic accomplishments and because of that, I suspect it will receive mixed reviews as critics attempt to weigh all of its parts equally. The filmmakers and actors are simply vessels to carry a message...and they succeed marvelously.
Winter Passing: 5/10 - A stereotypical indie film with plenty of interesting characters and not an once of depth or purpose. The film’s exposition is wonderful and it is unfortunate that newcomer, writer/director, Adam Rapp was unable to progress the film with the same grace in which he began it.
World Trade Center: 4/10 - I didn’t know it was possible for me to be so emotionally detached from a film centering on 9/11. Director Oliver Stone reaches deep down to uncover a few flickering moments of greatness; however, they sadly pass by as inconsequential within the scheme of the film as a whole.
X-Men: The Last Stand: 6/10 - On par for the franchise. It was solid entertainment all the way through and director Brett Ratner took over with no mis-steps. If you enjoyed the first sequel, you’ll enjoy this one.
You, Me and Dupree: 5/10 - An amusing opening act, an entertaining middle, and a very disappointing and ridiculous third act left me thinking that while the film had the potential of last year’s Wedding Crashers, it was never in the cards for it to quite match up.
Rating Breakdown:
10 = 4 Stars (Masterpiece)
9 = 4 stars
8 = 3 1/2 stars
7 = 3 stars
6 = 2 1/2 stars
5 = 2 stars
4 = 1 1/2 stars
3 = 1 star
2 = 1/2 star
1 = No stars (I was unable to finish viewing it)
I'll continue to update this page as I see more movies released this year.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
2006 Academy Awards Commentary and Predictions
Earlier this morning the nominations for this year's upcoming Academy Awards were released. Who will walk away with an Oscar come February 26th? More often than not who should win and who does win conflict, that is why I've decided to list out my projected winners in bold and mark who should win (among the nominees) with an asterisk(*). Here are both my picks and predictions - and for all those considering gambling, stay with the predictions.
Best Picture:
*Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Crash
Good Night, and Good Luck
Munich
Best Actor:
*Phillip Seymour Hoffman for Capote
Terrence Howard for Hustle and Flow
Heath Ledger for Brokeback Mountain
Joaquin Phoenix for Walk the Line
David Strathairn for Good Night, and Good Luck
Best Actress:
Judi Dench for Mrs. Henderson Presents
Felicity Huffman for Transamerica
Keira Knightly for Pride & Prejudice
*Charlize Theron for North Country
Reese Witherspoon for Walk the Line
Best Supporting Actor:
*George Clooney for Syriana
Matt Dillon for Crash
Paul Giamatti for Cinderella Man
Jake Gyllenhaal for Brokeback Mountain
William Hurt for A History of Violence
Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams for Junebug
Catherine Keener for Capote
Francis McDormand for North Country
*Rachel Weisz for The Constant Gardener
Michelle Williams for Brokeback Mountain
Best Director:
George Clooney for Good Night, and Good Luck
Paul Haggis for Crash
*Ang Lee for Brokeback Mountain
Bennett Miller for Capote
Steven Spielberg for Munich
Best Original Screenplay:
*Crash
Good Night, and Good Luck
Match Point
The Squid and the Whale
Syriana
Best Adapted Screenplay:
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
The Constant Gardener
*A History of Violence
Munich
Best Cinematography:
Batman Begins
*Brokeback Mountain
Good Night, and Good Luck
Memoirs of a Geisha
The New World
Best Editing:
Cinderella Man
The Constant Gardener
Crash
*Munich
Walk the Line
Best Art Direction: (I have no preference as to who wins this catagory)
Good Night, and Good Luck
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
King Kong
Memoirs of a Geisha
Pride and Prejudice
Best Costume Design: (Same as above...)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Memoirs of a Geisha
Mrs. Henderson Presents
Pride & Prejudice
Walk the Line
Best Original Score:
*Brokeback Mountain
The Constant Gardener
Memoirs of a Geisha
Munich
Pride & Prejudice
Best Original Song: (No idea who is going to win this category or how they decide the credentials for a best song)
*"It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" - Hustle and Flow
"In the Deep" - Crash
"Travelin' Thru" - Transamerica
Best Makeup:
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Cinderella Man
*Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Best Sound:
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
King Kong
Memoirs of a Geisha
*Walk the Line
War of the Worlds
Best Sound Editing: (I'm tired of pretending I know what this category means so I have neither a pick nor a prediction)
King Kong
Memoirs of a Geisha
War of the Worlds
Best Visual Effects: (It is disgraceful that Sin City was not nominated)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
*King Kong
War of the Worlds
Best Foreign Film: (Of my many favorite foreign films released this year, none were nominated)
La Bestia nel Cuore
Joyeux Noël
Paradise Now
Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage
Tsotsi
Best Documentary:
Darwin's Nightmare
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
March of the Penguins
*Murderball
Street Fight
Best Picture:
*Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Crash
Good Night, and Good Luck
Munich
Best Actor:
*Phillip Seymour Hoffman for Capote
Terrence Howard for Hustle and Flow
Heath Ledger for Brokeback Mountain
Joaquin Phoenix for Walk the Line
David Strathairn for Good Night, and Good Luck
Best Actress:
Judi Dench for Mrs. Henderson Presents
Felicity Huffman for Transamerica
Keira Knightly for Pride & Prejudice
*Charlize Theron for North Country
Reese Witherspoon for Walk the Line
Best Supporting Actor:
*George Clooney for Syriana
Matt Dillon for Crash
Paul Giamatti for Cinderella Man
Jake Gyllenhaal for Brokeback Mountain
William Hurt for A History of Violence
Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams for Junebug
Catherine Keener for Capote
Francis McDormand for North Country
*Rachel Weisz for The Constant Gardener
Michelle Williams for Brokeback Mountain
Best Director:
George Clooney for Good Night, and Good Luck
Paul Haggis for Crash
*Ang Lee for Brokeback Mountain
Bennett Miller for Capote
Steven Spielberg for Munich
Best Original Screenplay:
*Crash
Good Night, and Good Luck
Match Point
The Squid and the Whale
Syriana
Best Adapted Screenplay:
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
The Constant Gardener
*A History of Violence
Munich
Best Cinematography:
Batman Begins
*Brokeback Mountain
Good Night, and Good Luck
Memoirs of a Geisha
The New World
Best Editing:
Cinderella Man
The Constant Gardener
Crash
*Munich
Walk the Line
Best Art Direction: (I have no preference as to who wins this catagory)
Good Night, and Good Luck
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
King Kong
Memoirs of a Geisha
Pride and Prejudice
Best Costume Design: (Same as above...)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Memoirs of a Geisha
Mrs. Henderson Presents
Pride & Prejudice
Walk the Line
Best Original Score:
*Brokeback Mountain
The Constant Gardener
Memoirs of a Geisha
Munich
Pride & Prejudice
Best Original Song: (No idea who is going to win this category or how they decide the credentials for a best song)
*"It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" - Hustle and Flow
"In the Deep" - Crash
"Travelin' Thru" - Transamerica
Best Makeup:
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Cinderella Man
*Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Best Sound:
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
King Kong
Memoirs of a Geisha
*Walk the Line
War of the Worlds
Best Sound Editing: (I'm tired of pretending I know what this category means so I have neither a pick nor a prediction)
King Kong
Memoirs of a Geisha
War of the Worlds
Best Visual Effects: (It is disgraceful that Sin City was not nominated)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
*King Kong
War of the Worlds
Best Foreign Film: (Of my many favorite foreign films released this year, none were nominated)
La Bestia nel Cuore
Joyeux Noël
Paradise Now
Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage
Tsotsi
Best Documentary:
Darwin's Nightmare
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
March of the Penguins
*Murderball
Street Fight
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