Winter in Wartime. Disappointing, but passable. I wouldn't go out of my way to watch this one (I know most wouldn't, even if it were brilliant). I hope Glorious 39 turns out better.
Snake Eyes. A solid first hour that went rapidly downhill soon afterwards. People had big expectations for this De Palma and sadly it didn't deliver. Still, I think the credits are quite memorable!
Currently watching: Family Matters Marathon on Nick@Nite
Haven't seen this show in forever, if only Nick@Nite still showed Fresh Prince more often or back to back with it. It would be like Saturday mornings after cartoons ended when I was a kid.....now where are me Lucky Charms.....
My Consoles:
Genesis - Nomad - SegaCD - GameGear - Sega Saturn - Dreamcast - NES - SNES - N64 - Gamecube - Wii - Playstation - PSone & LCD - PS2 - PS3 - Xbox - 3DS
Niode wrote:Send him a dodgy cheque. Make it out to Scammy McScammerson.
Watched Edge of Darkness last night, the newer one with Mel Gibson. While it definitely had its flaws, I thought it was a very solid movie. The story had me hooked from the very beginning.
Its also nice to watch a movie that didn't get watered down to a PG-13 rating.
Featured some damn fine performances from Mel Gibson and Ray Winstone.
I've been clearing some stuff off the DVR, which always results in a mixed bag...
Role Models (2009) – This movie was a nice surprise, and even though the score below might suggest otherwise, I had quite a few chuckles and thoroughly enjoyed this by the numbers comedy. Paul Rudd is one of those people that can either completely annoy me or make me laugh, and he is always better when he plays a sleazy role like he does here. McLovin’ shines in the role of a LARPer, and the other kid is the perfect foil for Sean William Scott. Yes it is predictable and sappy, no there’s nothing especially memorable about it, but dammit I laughed at it more than I had at the last few comedies I’d watched.
Grade: 3/5
The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) – This movie was a perfect reminder of two things. 1) It is possible to have a movie with great talent – Tony Scott, Denzel Washington, John Turturro, and James Gandolfini – and still produce a film that is much less than the sum of its parts and 2) John Travolta ruins almost every movie he is in. I am not sure why I thought this one might be different than Travolta’s other* shitty action films, but I had high hopes. And though some scenes are decently shot, Gandolfini’s mayor is interesting, and the predictable story moved briskly, overall the film just wasn’t very good. I suppose I should see the original some time – is it any better?
Grade: 2/5
*excludes Pulp Fiction and Face Off
The Unborn (2009) – I wasn’t sure what to make of this one after it was over, as there were some parts I really liked – the Jewish angle on mysticism/exorcism was new to me, there were a few well edited scenes that created a genuine scare, some of the effects/imagery were memorable, and Odette, Oldman and most of the rest of the cast are all competent in their roles (oh, and Odette Yustman is gorgeous!). That said, too much of the film felt uneven, largely due to pacing problems. In other genres these may be more easily overlooked, but a good horror film relies on good pacing, and this 90 minute movie felt like 2+ hours. The “twist” or “reveal” at the end was both obvious and unnecessary, and the film tried to do more than it really needed to at parts. Worth a look for fans of stuff like the American versions of The Ring, The Eye, or even The Grudge, but otherwise you may want to pass.
Grade: 2.5/5
Pride and Glory (2008) – I’m a sucker for a good cop drama, and this is one of the better ones I’ve seen in some time. The story has some interesting twists and turns, lots of scenes for the all-star cast to shine in, and excellent direction that looks invisible (as fits the film). I was a little less than satisfied with the very end (which seemed to leave some unanswered questions). A few scenes in particular – one involving an infant, for example – are especially gripping and tense. It’s good to see Norton in top form again (I felt some of the more recent films he’s starred in were lacking), and overall I can give this film a strong recommendation.
Grade: 4/5
dsheinem wrote:The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) – This movie was a perfect reminder of two things. 1) It is possible to have a movie with great talent – Tony Scott, Denzel Washington, John Turturro, and James Gandolfini – and still produce a film that is much less than the sum of its parts and 2) John Travolta ruins almost every movie he is in. I am not sure why I thought this one might be different than Travolta’s other* shitty action films, but I had high hopes. And though some scenes are decently shot, Gandolfini’s mayor is interesting, and the predictable story moved briskly, overall the film just wasn’t very good. I suppose I should see the original some time – is it any better?
Grade: 2/5
*excludes Pulp Fiction and Face Off
Agreed, I thought it was a weak remake. There was a big fan of the original here but it seems he hasn't posted in a while.
