Still Alice garnered one of my favorite actresses a best actress Oscar. Here's the problem. This was an obvious makeup year, because Patricia Arquette's "supporting" role in Boyhoood was miles ahead of Moore. Moore played someone with a disease though and we know how the academy loves those types. Still Alive is depressing, but it's not poignant and it's biggest failure, is in the irony of its title.
Locke is one man show. It is being hailed a great psychological drama and the "eegads" cliche, that even someone close to me used, Tour de Force, is being thrown around recklessly. It's a silly film, with Hardy's restraint being hailed as genius. As someone who believes Hardy is one of the three or four most exciting actors in the world, this film does nothing to embrace his charisma. In fact, the absolute disgrace of the film is that we never feel empathy towards Ivan Locke and that kills the entire movie.
Europa Report is one of those films, that has gotten a lot of positive publicity. The odd thing for me is that what it praised in the film, isn't present. There is no revelation, their is no pretentious lesson and there is nothing other than this is us and this is what's out there and never shall the two meet. I know you could dissect it and find little sparks, but the movie runs its course with very few peaks and valleys and in the end, we wonder why they told us all we needed to know in the first eight minutes.
The Blue Room is a French crime drama that all starts with a torrid affair. Not an original idea, it plays out like Body Heat on a slower burn. The film shows open crotches shot, a dangling penis and a lot of driving. It sounds awful, but the reality is, for fifty minutes, it's pure brilliance. It's carefully told in flashbacks and we feel for everyone involved and we sense there's so much more to everyone's story. Then there is a crucial scene that sets the plot spinning. We sit forward in our chairs, expecting fireworks, sexual tension and lustful deeds and what we get is a final fifteen minutes of courtroom drama that leaves us utterly flat. What's even more impressive than how cheated we feel, is how many people loved it, thinking the end was something it wasn't. At 70 minutes, it's not going to make you too mad, but pay attention, because color play a huge part in this film.
The Rover is equal parts Mad Max, Animal Kingdom (also directed by Michod) and another movie, I won't mention, because it gives away the ending. Here's the thing. This film is so beautifully filmed, the acting is solid and the script, while simple and at times repetitive, works in many ways. The music, yes even that silly song, works perfectly. The problem however is the absolutely ludicrous plot, which when the big reveals takes place, will leave some clawing their eyes out and others miffed. Of course there will be some who knew it all along and will either laugh like I did or take something personal away from it. The movie is 100 minutes, but feels no more than an hour. If you're going to hate it, because of Pattinson, don't watch, because it's easy to dismiss his portrayal, but he works it perfectly.
I have so many movies I really want to write real reviews for. Fruitvale Station, La Heine and The Mirror to name a few. I might also have to get my hands on Under Her Skin again. It's still rattling around in my brain and won't let me sleep. I can't even see Scarlett Johansson for the amazing beauty she is, because of this film. She's an actress now and one of the highest quality.
Locke is one man show. It is being hailed a great psychological drama and the "eegads" cliche, that even someone close to me used, Tour de Force, is being thrown around recklessly. It's a silly film, with Hardy's restraint being hailed as genius. As someone who believes Hardy is one of the three or four most exciting actors in the world, this film does nothing to embrace his charisma. In fact, the absolute disgrace of the film is that we never feel empathy towards Ivan Locke and that kills the entire movie.
Europa Report is one of those films, that has gotten a lot of positive publicity. The odd thing for me is that what it praised in the film, isn't present. There is no revelation, their is no pretentious lesson and there is nothing other than this is us and this is what's out there and never shall the two meet. I know you could dissect it and find little sparks, but the movie runs its course with very few peaks and valleys and in the end, we wonder why they told us all we needed to know in the first eight minutes.
The Blue Room is a French crime drama that all starts with a torrid affair. Not an original idea, it plays out like Body Heat on a slower burn. The film shows open crotches shot, a dangling penis and a lot of driving. It sounds awful, but the reality is, for fifty minutes, it's pure brilliance. It's carefully told in flashbacks and we feel for everyone involved and we sense there's so much more to everyone's story. Then there is a crucial scene that sets the plot spinning. We sit forward in our chairs, expecting fireworks, sexual tension and lustful deeds and what we get is a final fifteen minutes of courtroom drama that leaves us utterly flat. What's even more impressive than how cheated we feel, is how many people loved it, thinking the end was something it wasn't. At 70 minutes, it's not going to make you too mad, but pay attention, because color play a huge part in this film.
The Rover is equal parts Mad Max, Animal Kingdom (also directed by Michod) and another movie, I won't mention, because it gives away the ending. Here's the thing. This film is so beautifully filmed, the acting is solid and the script, while simple and at times repetitive, works in many ways. The music, yes even that silly song, works perfectly. The problem however is the absolutely ludicrous plot, which when the big reveals takes place, will leave some clawing their eyes out and others miffed. Of course there will be some who knew it all along and will either laugh like I did or take something personal away from it. The movie is 100 minutes, but feels no more than an hour. If you're going to hate it, because of Pattinson, don't watch, because it's easy to dismiss his portrayal, but he works it perfectly.
I have so many movies I really want to write real reviews for. Fruitvale Station, La Heine and The Mirror to name a few. I might also have to get my hands on Under Her Skin again. It's still rattling around in my brain and won't let me sleep. I can't even see Scarlett Johansson for the amazing beauty she is, because of this film. She's an actress now and one of the highest quality.
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