The Importance of Being Earnest (1952) - 9 stars out of 10
It is difficult to go wrong when you have a play as genius as Oscar Wilde's social parody, "The Importance of Being Earnest." Double entendres, ridiculous characters, and obvious materialism will keep you laughing (whether it is a small chuckle or a full-out guffaw) from start to finish. The cast is outstanding, as if the actors possessed their characters' personalities in real life. The peak of ridiculousness appears in the final scene as Edith Evans delivers her lines with an inflection that is amusing, regardless of what the dialogue is expressing. Oscar Wilde's play is at its finest in this 1952 rendition of British high society.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Dracula (1931) - 3 stars out of 10
Dracula (1931) - 3 stars out of 10
Although I like to think that I'm a movie purist who always appreciates the original, "Dracula" just falls flat compared to modern vampire movies. I'm not claiming that "Twilight" is better, but vampire movies have come a long way since 1931. Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Dracula will always be the best, creating angst with each pause in his dialogue. This movie falls short in the real of "vampire effects." In this version of Dracula, we never get see him actually bite a neck, or to see any fangs for that matter. Is it asking too much to see a stake driven through someone's heart? Though the visual effects lack, the film is still a classic. I knew that Lugosi would be amazing with freakish intensity in his eyes but the real surprise was Helen Chandler, whose beautiful looks will convince you that she is incapable of anything devious... until her eyes widen in the best scene of the movie. See this classic, but don't try to compare it to films like "Let Me In."
Although I like to think that I'm a movie purist who always appreciates the original, "Dracula" just falls flat compared to modern vampire movies. I'm not claiming that "Twilight" is better, but vampire movies have come a long way since 1931. Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Dracula will always be the best, creating angst with each pause in his dialogue. This movie falls short in the real of "vampire effects." In this version of Dracula, we never get see him actually bite a neck, or to see any fangs for that matter. Is it asking too much to see a stake driven through someone's heart? Though the visual effects lack, the film is still a classic. I knew that Lugosi would be amazing with freakish intensity in his eyes but the real surprise was Helen Chandler, whose beautiful looks will convince you that she is incapable of anything devious... until her eyes widen in the best scene of the movie. See this classic, but don't try to compare it to films like "Let Me In."
Friday, May 13, 2011
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - 9 stars out of 10
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - 9 stars out of 10
This movie was awesome. It gives the effect of a stream-of-consciouness story (like The Sound and the Fury) as it paves its way through Jim Carrey's mind. The film offers outstanding performances by (but not limited to) Carrey, Winslet, and Wilkinson. It is not often that a film portrays a relationship from end to beginning but this film creates that unique perspective as Carrey's memories are deleted, one by one. I particularly like how the beginning and end line up, though I won't be specific and create a spoiler. Above all, this film is a masterpiece due to its sheer visual beauty as their world literally and figuratively falls apart in front of the audience’s eyes. The filming techniques and constantly altered frames of reference give this story the necessary feeling of a dream. It will take you a bit to wrap your mind around the concept but once you have been drawn into Joel's mind, you won't ever want to leave and risk losing Clementine until you reach the satisfying conclusion.
This movie was awesome. It gives the effect of a stream-of-consciouness story (like The Sound and the Fury) as it paves its way through Jim Carrey's mind. The film offers outstanding performances by (but not limited to) Carrey, Winslet, and Wilkinson. It is not often that a film portrays a relationship from end to beginning but this film creates that unique perspective as Carrey's memories are deleted, one by one. I particularly like how the beginning and end line up, though I won't be specific and create a spoiler. Above all, this film is a masterpiece due to its sheer visual beauty as their world literally and figuratively falls apart in front of the audience’s eyes. The filming techniques and constantly altered frames of reference give this story the necessary feeling of a dream. It will take you a bit to wrap your mind around the concept but once you have been drawn into Joel's mind, you won't ever want to leave and risk losing Clementine until you reach the satisfying conclusion.
Slumdog Millionaire - 10 stars out of 10
Slumdog Millionaire - 10 stars out of 10
This movie certainly didn't disappoint and after seeing all 5 nominees, this definitely deserved to win the Oscar for Best Picture. In this completely unique plot, it overlaps Patel's attempt to win Who Wants To Be A Millionaire with the epic story of his life as a child and search for love. One of the most impressive parts of this story is the amount of screen time consumed by child actors and the fact that, as time passes in the movie and each character is taken on by an older child, the personality and mannerisms for each character stays consistent. Though it did not receive any best actor Oscar nominations, the acting in this movie is quite realistic and truly chilling at times. Your heart will break over and over again as you feel that you are there, experiencing the hardships with these characters. Slumdog Millionaire is a must-see.
The Kid - 5 stars out of 10
The Kid - 5 stars out of 10
Bruce Willis in a family movie? I definitely approached this one with skepticism but was surprised by his versatility. The Kid is geared toward kids, especially with Spencer Breslin's "cute fat kid" prominence throughout the film. The highlight for me was Emily Mortimer - where did this charming actress come from? She was adorable enough to distract me from the weak story and to capture my heart. I wouldn't put this film in my Top 250 but I'll plan on watching it with my children someday.
Blue Valentine - 6 stars out of 10
Blue Valentine - 6 stars out of 10
"Blue Valentine" is the anti-chick flick. Instead of showing a fantasy love story, it explores a torn American marriage and the emotional implications on all who are involved. The story is told out of sequence (mixing the start of the relationship with its current state) to impressivey show how the relationship has changed and even more impressively shows the acting diversity of Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. It's incredibly frustrating as Gosling tries so hard and Williams just won't have it, resigned to her fate of a doomed marriage. The unsteady camera gives the film an effective realistic sensation of watching the lives of these two characters unfold in the first person. The film contains several controversial scenes. The abortion scene was incredibly uncomfortable, in that it is a subject matter which really has not been shown on screen in this way. I applaud the directors for being so brave to show the emotional toll of an abortion on screen. While this film deserves a decent rating for its acting, I would not recommend it due to its upsetting content - it is the ultimate downer.
On another note, there has been a great deal of controversy over the initial NC-17 rating of the film due to an intense no-nudity sex scene, bringing the question "What warrants an NC-17 rating?" The question was raised "How can this film receive that rating while movies like The Human Centipede are rated 'R'?" I agree that this scene is not nearly as bad as "The Human Centipede"; however, instead of allowing every intensely disturbing scene pass with an R-rating, perhaps we should be stricter with what constitutes an R-rating and hand out more NC-17 ratings. The rating system is designed to protect children from movie content and I believe that it is a crime for any child to see a movie like the aforementioned ones.
"Blue Valentine" is the anti-chick flick. Instead of showing a fantasy love story, it explores a torn American marriage and the emotional implications on all who are involved. The story is told out of sequence (mixing the start of the relationship with its current state) to impressivey show how the relationship has changed and even more impressively shows the acting diversity of Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. It's incredibly frustrating as Gosling tries so hard and Williams just won't have it, resigned to her fate of a doomed marriage. The unsteady camera gives the film an effective realistic sensation of watching the lives of these two characters unfold in the first person. The film contains several controversial scenes. The abortion scene was incredibly uncomfortable, in that it is a subject matter which really has not been shown on screen in this way. I applaud the directors for being so brave to show the emotional toll of an abortion on screen. While this film deserves a decent rating for its acting, I would not recommend it due to its upsetting content - it is the ultimate downer.
On another note, there has been a great deal of controversy over the initial NC-17 rating of the film due to an intense no-nudity sex scene, bringing the question "What warrants an NC-17 rating?" The question was raised "How can this film receive that rating while movies like The Human Centipede are rated 'R'?" I agree that this scene is not nearly as bad as "The Human Centipede"; however, instead of allowing every intensely disturbing scene pass with an R-rating, perhaps we should be stricter with what constitutes an R-rating and hand out more NC-17 ratings. The rating system is designed to protect children from movie content and I believe that it is a crime for any child to see a movie like the aforementioned ones.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Monty Python and the Holy Grail - 6 stars out of 10
Monty Python and the Holy Grail - 6 stars out of 10
"Monty Python and the Holy Grail" is a series of funny situations strung together (often loosely) by the story of King Arthur and his un-legendary knights. Although I don't always get the British humor, many of the great one-liners in movie history come from this film. I love this film for it's many classic scenes, but dislike the fact that it feels like a series of SNL skits instead of one cohesive unit. Plain and simple: "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" is an entirely unique film and no other film will ever be able to replicate this brand of comedy.
"Monty Python and the Holy Grail" is a series of funny situations strung together (often loosely) by the story of King Arthur and his un-legendary knights. Although I don't always get the British humor, many of the great one-liners in movie history come from this film. I love this film for it's many classic scenes, but dislike the fact that it feels like a series of SNL skits instead of one cohesive unit. Plain and simple: "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" is an entirely unique film and no other film will ever be able to replicate this brand of comedy.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Cats Don't Dance - 3 stars out of 10
Cats Don't Dance - 3 stars out of 10
Filled with great jazz music and tons of 1930's Hollywood references, "Cats Don't Dance" is better than the cover might indicate. The plot and characters are average but the choreography (Gene Kelly's final project before his death) is fantastic! I know that the studio welcomed the opportunity to use Natalie Cole's singing voice, but it really irked me that Sawyer's speaking voice wasn't remotely comparable to her singing voice. It wouldn't be a bad idea to watch the musical numbers and fast-forward through the rest, particularly the second half which really slows down. Favorite part of the film: At the end of the closing credits, it reads "No animals were harmed during the making of this film. Although, some were erased and had to be redrawn." Although the film cannot compare to Disney or Anastasia (the best non-Disney feature film out there), it offers some entertainment value, especially if you're a fan of classic actors and films.
Filled with great jazz music and tons of 1930's Hollywood references, "Cats Don't Dance" is better than the cover might indicate. The plot and characters are average but the choreography (Gene Kelly's final project before his death) is fantastic! I know that the studio welcomed the opportunity to use Natalie Cole's singing voice, but it really irked me that Sawyer's speaking voice wasn't remotely comparable to her singing voice. It wouldn't be a bad idea to watch the musical numbers and fast-forward through the rest, particularly the second half which really slows down. Favorite part of the film: At the end of the closing credits, it reads "No animals were harmed during the making of this film. Although, some were erased and had to be redrawn." Although the film cannot compare to Disney or Anastasia (the best non-Disney feature film out there), it offers some entertainment value, especially if you're a fan of classic actors and films.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The Stepfather (2009) - 6 stars out of 10
The Stepfather (2009) - 6 stars out of 10
"The Stepfather" exceeded my (admittedly low) expectations. Instead of taking the scary movie route, this film thrives as a psychological thriller with a diabolical villain who is almost animalistic in his preying on vulnerable, recently single mothers. The opening sequence is chilling as the music keeps you on edge just enough to be upset by the first twist (occuring within the first 4 minutes of the film). Dylan Walsh makes a fantastic villain, quickly transitioning from caring boyfriend to psychotic antagonist and back again. The film is pretty realistic up until the closing sequence but manages to end with the perfect final image. It isn't your typical "bad" scary movie and is worth looking into.
"The Stepfather" exceeded my (admittedly low) expectations. Instead of taking the scary movie route, this film thrives as a psychological thriller with a diabolical villain who is almost animalistic in his preying on vulnerable, recently single mothers. The opening sequence is chilling as the music keeps you on edge just enough to be upset by the first twist (occuring within the first 4 minutes of the film). Dylan Walsh makes a fantastic villain, quickly transitioning from caring boyfriend to psychotic antagonist and back again. The film is pretty realistic up until the closing sequence but manages to end with the perfect final image. It isn't your typical "bad" scary movie and is worth looking into.
The Fabulous Baker Boys - 6 stars out of 10
The Fabulous Baker Boys - 6 stars out of 10
"The Fabulous Baker Boys" is a unique look into small-time show business, though it sometimes resembles a slow-moving soap opera. The movie features some excellent incidental jazz music throughout. I give a lot of credit to the attention to detail in order to make sure that the Bridges boys appeared to be playing the diagetic piano parts within the movie's storyline. Although the soundtrack was played by someone else, they learned to play all of the pieces on the piano and studied videos of the recording artist's hands. Nothing bothers me more than piano hands that do not line up with the soundtrack and the result is excellent. Unfortunately, by putting Jeff and Beau next to each other on screen, it becomes obvious why Jeff has been the more successful of the brothers. Pfeiffer is incredible, stealing the show with her foul mouth and her seductive scene, singing on the piano. It certainly isn't the best film that I've scene but is worth it for the chemistry between J. Bridges and Pfeiffer, not to mention the excellent jazz.
"The Fabulous Baker Boys" is a unique look into small-time show business, though it sometimes resembles a slow-moving soap opera. The movie features some excellent incidental jazz music throughout. I give a lot of credit to the attention to detail in order to make sure that the Bridges boys appeared to be playing the diagetic piano parts within the movie's storyline. Although the soundtrack was played by someone else, they learned to play all of the pieces on the piano and studied videos of the recording artist's hands. Nothing bothers me more than piano hands that do not line up with the soundtrack and the result is excellent. Unfortunately, by putting Jeff and Beau next to each other on screen, it becomes obvious why Jeff has been the more successful of the brothers. Pfeiffer is incredible, stealing the show with her foul mouth and her seductive scene, singing on the piano. It certainly isn't the best film that I've scene but is worth it for the chemistry between J. Bridges and Pfeiffer, not to mention the excellent jazz.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Hot Rod - 8 stars out of 10
Hot Rod - 8 stars out of 10
"Hot Rod" is the Happy Gilmore of its generation. Idiotic, random, and occasionally disgusting, Andy Samberg is hysterical as this hapless stuntman whose clever dialogue will earn your affections. The scene where he falls down the hill made me laugh harder than I have in years. The movie is incredibly slapstick but manages to deliver a decent plot with the feel of a long SNL skit. With a cleverly comedic cast (including wonderful eye candy in Isla Fisher), the quirky characters will have you rolling on the floor, trying to figure out what has just happened.
"Hot Rod" is the Happy Gilmore of its generation. Idiotic, random, and occasionally disgusting, Andy Samberg is hysterical as this hapless stuntman whose clever dialogue will earn your affections. The scene where he falls down the hill made me laugh harder than I have in years. The movie is incredibly slapstick but manages to deliver a decent plot with the feel of a long SNL skit. With a cleverly comedic cast (including wonderful eye candy in Isla Fisher), the quirky characters will have you rolling on the floor, trying to figure out what has just happened.
Bach's Fight for Freedom - 2 stars out of 10
Bach's Fight for Freedom - 2 stars out of 10
As a music educator, I have been showing this film to my students for several years... not because of the quality of acting, but because it's a way for my students to hear the music of Bach while learning about the social systems of the Baroque period. If there was an "Amadeus" or "Immortal Beloved" that used Bach as a main character (with quality acting), I would immediately trade in this Bach VHS. Every moment of this film feels like a made-for-school-educational-movie but it serves its purpose - "Bach's Fight for Freedom" has its place but does not need to be removed from the music classroom.
As a music educator, I have been showing this film to my students for several years... not because of the quality of acting, but because it's a way for my students to hear the music of Bach while learning about the social systems of the Baroque period. If there was an "Amadeus" or "Immortal Beloved" that used Bach as a main character (with quality acting), I would immediately trade in this Bach VHS. Every moment of this film feels like a made-for-school-educational-movie but it serves its purpose - "Bach's Fight for Freedom" has its place but does not need to be removed from the music classroom.
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