Presumed Innocent - 6 stars out of 10
"Presumed Innocent" is like the Jekyl & Hyde of cinema. The first hour of this film is incredibly boring (and could have easily been condensed into 30 minutes or less), but once the accusation is made and the trial begins, it becomes an unpredictable, exciting film. There is an unnecessary amount of time spent introducing the characters and the case and a lot of it felt like filler. Shifting back to the second half of the movie - the entire trial (with all of its twists) was very well-developed and had excellent acting to support it. Harrison Ford thrived in the "angry role" that he does so well, while Brian Dennehy was despicable, Paul Winfield was way cool, Bonnie Bedelia ends up with a moment to shine, and Raul Julia played a very convincing attorney. The payoff is the ending which keeps you questioning the innocence or guilt of the main character, ending in an incredible slight of hand that alluded me the entire film. This film has a great, realistic court sequence, but don't spend too much time on the first half of the film as it only divulges a few important facts in a very longwinded way.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Karate Kid Part 2 - 5 stars out of 10
The Karate Kid Part 2 - 5 stars out of 10
There was a lot of the "Kid" but not enough "Karate" in this movie. Pat Morita was very entertaining but the story paled in comparison to the original. Karate Kid II is more focused on the Japanese culture and concept of honor than it is on Karate. I was very upset when I realized that there might be a cheesy ending in place of a big fight, but the movie surprised me and had a satisfactory ending. If you loved the original, you will enjoy the sequel but there are definitely better action and martial arts films out there. If in doubt, watch the last half hour and you will see all of the best moments in this film.
There was a lot of the "Kid" but not enough "Karate" in this movie. Pat Morita was very entertaining but the story paled in comparison to the original. Karate Kid II is more focused on the Japanese culture and concept of honor than it is on Karate. I was very upset when I realized that there might be a cheesy ending in place of a big fight, but the movie surprised me and had a satisfactory ending. If you loved the original, you will enjoy the sequel but there are definitely better action and martial arts films out there. If in doubt, watch the last half hour and you will see all of the best moments in this film.
The Karate Kid (1984) - 10 stars out of 10
The Karate Kid (1984) - 10 stars out of 10
"The Karate Kid" is an inspirational story to which any kid that has ever been bullied can relate. Although the premise might make this story appear to be geared toward teens (particularly the love story), this is actually a very impressive example of dramatic cinema from the 80's, pairing unexpected heroes like Mr. Miyagi against those villains that we have all encountered. I also realy appreciate the slice of real life that displays how teenage jerks grow into mean-spirited adults who then influence their own children to follow in their footsteps. As a 22-year-old, Ralph Macchio showed wonderful acting maturity while his boyish features allowed him to convincingly play a high school student. It is wonderful that Pat Morita earned an Oscar nomination and I'm glad that it gives the movie some critical acclaim as it is more than just another family film. The martial arts are impressive but most importantly, this story is a heartwarming reminder that even when you're totally against the wall, anything is possible if you believe in yourself.
"The Karate Kid" is an inspirational story to which any kid that has ever been bullied can relate. Although the premise might make this story appear to be geared toward teens (particularly the love story), this is actually a very impressive example of dramatic cinema from the 80's, pairing unexpected heroes like Mr. Miyagi against those villains that we have all encountered. I also realy appreciate the slice of real life that displays how teenage jerks grow into mean-spirited adults who then influence their own children to follow in their footsteps. As a 22-year-old, Ralph Macchio showed wonderful acting maturity while his boyish features allowed him to convincingly play a high school student. It is wonderful that Pat Morita earned an Oscar nomination and I'm glad that it gives the movie some critical acclaim as it is more than just another family film. The martial arts are impressive but most importantly, this story is a heartwarming reminder that even when you're totally against the wall, anything is possible if you believe in yourself.
The Karate Kid (2010) - 9 stars out of 10
The Karate Kid (2010) - 9 stars out of 10
How can you compare any movie to the original Karate Kid? Fortunately, you do not have to with this remake. The newest version of the Karate Kid is not a remake as much as it is a re-imagining of a classic story. The writers of this film were smart to make is so different that little comparison could take place. With a different setting, different characters, different ages of characters, and using Kung Fu in place of Karate, this movie completely seperates itself from the original. Jaden Smith is just incredible, again bringing raw emotion to the screen and forming an immediate connection with the viewer. All of his fighting is kick-butt and I had to keep reminding myself on the ride home that the fighting in the tournament was not real. For the duration of the movie, I never considered that they were not actually fighting each other. The emotion in Jackie Chan's performance really surprised me, especially in the car scene. The first few scenes make you expect an unemotional performance that would be saved by his incredible martial arts, but then he lit up the screen as I never imagined that he could. The teaching sequence was great, and I was glad that they came up with new ideas and didn't rip off "wax on, wax off" from the original. A lot of people look toward "The Karate Kid" with skepticism because it is a remake but when you finally give it a chance, you'll find that it was one of the best films of the summer and that you won't feel like you won't have to choose between the original and the remake.
How can you compare any movie to the original Karate Kid? Fortunately, you do not have to with this remake. The newest version of the Karate Kid is not a remake as much as it is a re-imagining of a classic story. The writers of this film were smart to make is so different that little comparison could take place. With a different setting, different characters, different ages of characters, and using Kung Fu in place of Karate, this movie completely seperates itself from the original. Jaden Smith is just incredible, again bringing raw emotion to the screen and forming an immediate connection with the viewer. All of his fighting is kick-butt and I had to keep reminding myself on the ride home that the fighting in the tournament was not real. For the duration of the movie, I never considered that they were not actually fighting each other. The emotion in Jackie Chan's performance really surprised me, especially in the car scene. The first few scenes make you expect an unemotional performance that would be saved by his incredible martial arts, but then he lit up the screen as I never imagined that he could. The teaching sequence was great, and I was glad that they came up with new ideas and didn't rip off "wax on, wax off" from the original. A lot of people look toward "The Karate Kid" with skepticism because it is a remake but when you finally give it a chance, you'll find that it was one of the best films of the summer and that you won't feel like you won't have to choose between the original and the remake.
Frank Caliendo: All Over the Place - 9 stars out of 10
Frank Caliendo: All Over the Place - 9 stars out of 10
Frank Caliendo is an incredibly talented impressionist and he shines in "Frank Caliendo: All Over the Place". Although his celebrity voices are spot on, it is the addition of the facial expressions and mannerisms (particularly George W. Bush and Robert DeNiro) that make him the complete package. I have listened to this performance on CD but it is not the same without his hilarious visuals. His repertoire of celebrities include John Madden, Charles Barkley, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Robin Williams, Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Jeff Goldblum, Jay Leno, Michael Richards, Jerry Seinfeld, and many, many more. His comedy can stand on its own and I didn't feel as if the Terry Bradshaw/Jimmy Johnson/Howie Long intro added anything, but it didn't diminish from Frank's comedy. The form of his comedy is very important. At first, he spends significant time on each impersonation to familiarize the audience with each celebrity. Once they have all been developed, he uses the second half of his sketch to rapidly bounce back and forth between all of them, as if several celebrities were interacting on stage (and the audience can easily follow each one). This particular routine may not appeal to all comedy fans, but if you are familiar with movie stars and famous sports figures, you can't help but roll on the ground laughing when you see Frank in action.
Frank Caliendo is an incredibly talented impressionist and he shines in "Frank Caliendo: All Over the Place". Although his celebrity voices are spot on, it is the addition of the facial expressions and mannerisms (particularly George W. Bush and Robert DeNiro) that make him the complete package. I have listened to this performance on CD but it is not the same without his hilarious visuals. His repertoire of celebrities include John Madden, Charles Barkley, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Robin Williams, Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Jeff Goldblum, Jay Leno, Michael Richards, Jerry Seinfeld, and many, many more. His comedy can stand on its own and I didn't feel as if the Terry Bradshaw/Jimmy Johnson/Howie Long intro added anything, but it didn't diminish from Frank's comedy. The form of his comedy is very important. At first, he spends significant time on each impersonation to familiarize the audience with each celebrity. Once they have all been developed, he uses the second half of his sketch to rapidly bounce back and forth between all of them, as if several celebrities were interacting on stage (and the audience can easily follow each one). This particular routine may not appeal to all comedy fans, but if you are familiar with movie stars and famous sports figures, you can't help but roll on the ground laughing when you see Frank in action.
Un Baiser s'il vous plaít (Shall We Kiss?) - 6 stars out of 10
Un Baiser s'il vous plaít (Shall We Kiss?) - 6 stars out of 10
"Un Baiser s'il vous plait" is a clever French romantic comedy whose story takes place on two different levels. I really liked this narrative story-telling technique, as it gives a reason for experiencing this unfortunate love story. It also allows the camera to cut away before the sex scenes get graphic by returning to the narrator. I also like how a lot of the details fit in with the overall story, such as the great soundtrack of classical music fitting in with Claudio's love for Schubert. I really enjoyed the actors, particularly the gorgeous Virginie Ledoyen and Emmanuel Mouret. Their sexual encounters initially seem emotionless; however, this successfully shows their hesitancy to begin the affair as their chemistry gets better as the relationship progresses. Looking at the other main actors (Bel, Gayet, Accorsi, and Cohen), I wonder if they could have possibly chosen a more attractive cast! The film is punctuated by an unexpected truth that is revealed at the end as well as a cliff-hanger ending that makes a statement about how desire often takes precidence over what we know is right (which is the theme of the entire film). Despite the cliff-hanger, the ending is satisfying as it ties the two stories together and makes you reexamine your own relationships.
"Un Baiser s'il vous plait" is a clever French romantic comedy whose story takes place on two different levels. I really liked this narrative story-telling technique, as it gives a reason for experiencing this unfortunate love story. It also allows the camera to cut away before the sex scenes get graphic by returning to the narrator. I also like how a lot of the details fit in with the overall story, such as the great soundtrack of classical music fitting in with Claudio's love for Schubert. I really enjoyed the actors, particularly the gorgeous Virginie Ledoyen and Emmanuel Mouret. Their sexual encounters initially seem emotionless; however, this successfully shows their hesitancy to begin the affair as their chemistry gets better as the relationship progresses. Looking at the other main actors (Bel, Gayet, Accorsi, and Cohen), I wonder if they could have possibly chosen a more attractive cast! The film is punctuated by an unexpected truth that is revealed at the end as well as a cliff-hanger ending that makes a statement about how desire often takes precidence over what we know is right (which is the theme of the entire film). Despite the cliff-hanger, the ending is satisfying as it ties the two stories together and makes you reexamine your own relationships.
Blue Velvet - 8 stars out of 10
Blue Velvet - 8 stars out of 10
In true David Lynch fashion, "Blue Velvet" leaves you feeling uneasy after its conclusion, engraining several of its disturbing moments into your short term memory. I am not surprised that a lot of movie studios were reluctant to pick up this script due to its strong, twisted sexual content. Amidst the many different aspects of this movie, that content is what left its impression and changed my view of Dennis Hopper forever. He thrives in the role of Frank, a sexually sociopathic criminal whose bipolarity quickly transitions from a violent masochistic rage to sobbing child and back again. He makes an absolutely terrifying villain, with unpredictable violence, his maddening gas mask, and a constant stream of profanity, including an f-word in nearly every line, earning him #36 on AFI's list of top movie villains. Although the film is a vehicle for Hopper's supporting role, all of the actors are great. MacLachlan drives the entire film and I enjoyed this early role for Laura Dern, although her crying looked quite ridiculous. I like that Lynch included Jack "Eraserhead" Nance as one of the henchmen and Isabella Rossellini successfully proved that she is more than just a model. The story itself seems so much different than "Eraserhead" and "The Elephant Man," using a typical small town with a straightforward story. Things get weird but never depart from the realism of this 1980's Americana atmosphere. It is intersting to research the symbolism in the film, particularly the insects, and it will alter the way that I watch the film next time (if I am brave enough to watch the brutal baby/daddy apartment scene again). Although it is disturbing, you can't deny that this is an iconic film whose neo-noir style has influenced countless thrillers that have followed it.
In true David Lynch fashion, "Blue Velvet" leaves you feeling uneasy after its conclusion, engraining several of its disturbing moments into your short term memory. I am not surprised that a lot of movie studios were reluctant to pick up this script due to its strong, twisted sexual content. Amidst the many different aspects of this movie, that content is what left its impression and changed my view of Dennis Hopper forever. He thrives in the role of Frank, a sexually sociopathic criminal whose bipolarity quickly transitions from a violent masochistic rage to sobbing child and back again. He makes an absolutely terrifying villain, with unpredictable violence, his maddening gas mask, and a constant stream of profanity, including an f-word in nearly every line, earning him #36 on AFI's list of top movie villains. Although the film is a vehicle for Hopper's supporting role, all of the actors are great. MacLachlan drives the entire film and I enjoyed this early role for Laura Dern, although her crying looked quite ridiculous. I like that Lynch included Jack "Eraserhead" Nance as one of the henchmen and Isabella Rossellini successfully proved that she is more than just a model. The story itself seems so much different than "Eraserhead" and "The Elephant Man," using a typical small town with a straightforward story. Things get weird but never depart from the realism of this 1980's Americana atmosphere. It is intersting to research the symbolism in the film, particularly the insects, and it will alter the way that I watch the film next time (if I am brave enough to watch the brutal baby/daddy apartment scene again). Although it is disturbing, you can't deny that this is an iconic film whose neo-noir style has influenced countless thrillers that have followed it.
Following - 9 stars out of 10
Following - 9 stars out of 10
Wow, what a mind trip. Although the non-linear plot structure is not a plot-based necessity to telling the character's story (as it is in "Memento"), it does create several incredibly unexpected twists and create an amazing viewing experience. Since there isn't really a legitimate reason for using it, some people view it as gimmicky, but this gimmick works very well and makes an average story into something worth watching.. I was glad to have the ability to rewind while watching this film, particularly once both main characters had similar haircuts and became difficult to distinguish from the other. It was very clever of Nolan to make the audience mistake each of these two characters for the other, just as Cobb designs them to be viewed. Outside of the cool (but confusing) story, the cinematography gives "Following" a very real feel and shows that even a film with a six-thousand dollar budget should be held to the highest standard of acting. Whether you watching this film before or after you see "Memento," the storytelling styles compliment each other well and will leave you scratching your head as your jaw is dropped and you smile at how misled you were throughout the course of the film.
Wow, what a mind trip. Although the non-linear plot structure is not a plot-based necessity to telling the character's story (as it is in "Memento"), it does create several incredibly unexpected twists and create an amazing viewing experience. Since there isn't really a legitimate reason for using it, some people view it as gimmicky, but this gimmick works very well and makes an average story into something worth watching.. I was glad to have the ability to rewind while watching this film, particularly once both main characters had similar haircuts and became difficult to distinguish from the other. It was very clever of Nolan to make the audience mistake each of these two characters for the other, just as Cobb designs them to be viewed. Outside of the cool (but confusing) story, the cinematography gives "Following" a very real feel and shows that even a film with a six-thousand dollar budget should be held to the highest standard of acting. Whether you watching this film before or after you see "Memento," the storytelling styles compliment each other well and will leave you scratching your head as your jaw is dropped and you smile at how misled you were throughout the course of the film.
Exam - 9 stars out of 10
Exam - 9 stars out of 10
"Exam" is a slow-paced, thought-provoking thriller that unfolds in reverse, revealing the most important detail of the plot (the question) in the final 5 minutes. It is cool (and artsy) that the ten characters in this plot-driven film do not possess names and are referenced based on their different ethnicities/characteristics. It adds to the anonymity that the characters try to assume within the story. This film is very unique in that the truth becomes less clear throughout the film as the characters suggest different hypotheses for the situation, many of which are not true. Questioning whether their diversity is a coincidence and trying to reveal the question on the paper through lighting in the room blurs the truth and furthers adds to the film's mystique. The acting is very strong, no example better than Adar Beck during the interrogation scene. This film has the "12 Angry Men effect," where the film relies solely on acting skill without the option of relying on special effects and scenery. There are no bells and whistles when you watch "Exam" - just great acting, a captivating story, and anxiety for this real-time thriller to draw to a close as it reveals the answer to the question... and the question itself!
"Exam" is a slow-paced, thought-provoking thriller that unfolds in reverse, revealing the most important detail of the plot (the question) in the final 5 minutes. It is cool (and artsy) that the ten characters in this plot-driven film do not possess names and are referenced based on their different ethnicities/characteristics. It adds to the anonymity that the characters try to assume within the story. This film is very unique in that the truth becomes less clear throughout the film as the characters suggest different hypotheses for the situation, many of which are not true. Questioning whether their diversity is a coincidence and trying to reveal the question on the paper through lighting in the room blurs the truth and furthers adds to the film's mystique. The acting is very strong, no example better than Adar Beck during the interrogation scene. This film has the "12 Angry Men effect," where the film relies solely on acting skill without the option of relying on special effects and scenery. There are no bells and whistles when you watch "Exam" - just great acting, a captivating story, and anxiety for this real-time thriller to draw to a close as it reveals the answer to the question... and the question itself!
Law-Abiding Citizen - 9 stars out of 10
Law-Abiding Citizen - 9 stars out of 10
"Law Abiding Citizen" is one of the most intense movies that you will ever see. From the horrific torture scene all the way through Butler's final sinister plan, this movie delivers in-your-face twists, turns, and thrills. It may be a bit farfetched but you'll quickly forgive it because of its many thrills. There is more to Butler's character than meets the eye as this victim of injustice begins to plot his revenge. Since you are unable to predict who the next victim(s) will be, you'll feel as helpless as the characters on-screen as the sadistic scheme unfolds. Foxx (good guy) and Butler (bad guy) have good chemistry as empathy for Butler turns him into the hero. Law Abiding Citizen is among the best action thrillers in recent history - see it.
"Law Abiding Citizen" is one of the most intense movies that you will ever see. From the horrific torture scene all the way through Butler's final sinister plan, this movie delivers in-your-face twists, turns, and thrills. It may be a bit farfetched but you'll quickly forgive it because of its many thrills. There is more to Butler's character than meets the eye as this victim of injustice begins to plot his revenge. Since you are unable to predict who the next victim(s) will be, you'll feel as helpless as the characters on-screen as the sadistic scheme unfolds. Foxx (good guy) and Butler (bad guy) have good chemistry as empathy for Butler turns him into the hero. Law Abiding Citizen is among the best action thrillers in recent history - see it.
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