Post by Eric - Washington GM on Feb 22, 2006 1:09:29 GMT -5
My friends went up to Canada this weekend, Casino Niagara to be specific. I didn't go, because I'm saving for a trip this summer. anyway, I ended up watching about 6 movies. Some I haven't seen, others I haven't seen in a while.
25th Hour
Stars: Edward Norton, Rosario Dawson, Barry Pepper, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Brian Cox
MY TAKE: The movie is a slow paced drama, dealing with human reaction to a drug arrest and jail sentence. Although the movie is slow paced, it is well acted by some of the better talent in movies today. A strong, powerful movie that is reccommended for anyone who knows someone involved with drugs.
RATED: 4.5/5
Annie Hall
Stars: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton
MY TAKE: Been a long time since I've seen this movie. This time I remember it being funnier and less of a date-type movie. Woody Allen reminds me of Larry David in this one (or should it be visa versa?). His cynical nature is hillarious, as he goes through life as a neurotic stand up comedian. The part where he is poking fun at people in the park, based on their appearence is a classic moment. I think this is still one of his better movies.
RATED: 4/5
Crash
Stars: Everyone available that weekend... too many to list.
MY TAKE: A movie that received a lot of acclaim in the past couple months. I guess you could say it deserves it. It's by no means a bad movie, I just think the message was lost a bit. A movie with a racial theme is by no means an easy task, as it never leaves everyone happy. However, I think the racial stereotypes the movie tried to portray were over-used. And I'd like to think that it could have been a more powerful movie if the roles were reversed. They tried to show every story has two sides, and that there is more to everyday life than meets the eye. Crash could have benifited more if it relyed on equality, rather than the depicted racial diversity. Crash could have provided a better message that racism is out there, but at the same time everything happens to everyone, not one distinct race. I think that could have conveyed a better message.
RATED 3.25/5
Unbreakable
Stars: Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson
MY TAKE: Been a while since I saw this movie, so I decided to rent it. I'll try not to give too much away, but Bruce Willis plays a character who is the closest thing to a super hero that the world has seen. The move is not over done, as the tone is taken to a more serious stance. Willis is not flying all over the place, using x-ray vision, running at the speed of light. Instead he displays more natural, believeable traits that he excels at. This movie is slow paced, but it is done Brilliantly. The 6th Sense is sometimes credited as M. Night Shyamalan's best work, however I think Unbreakable gives it some serious competition. The drama in this movie is something most "drama's" fail to grasp.
RATED: 5/5
Wicker Park
Stars: Josh Hartnett
MY TAKE: Went into this movie thinking it was going to be a psychological romance thriller, which I was excited about. And I wasn't really disappointed. I think the director did a great job of not getting sappy like typical romance movies. But, relying on the message that "Love makes you do crazy things." In this movie (without giving too much away), you'll hate what is happening sometimes but you'll understand and relate to it. It's a great movie that leaves no loose ends, and gets the message across crystal clear.
RATED: 4.75/5
Well there you go. I actually got half off rentals from a local video store for 2 weeks, so I plan on raiding them tomorrow, again. Can't beat 6 movies for only $3
25th Hour
Stars: Edward Norton, Rosario Dawson, Barry Pepper, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Brian Cox
MY TAKE: The movie is a slow paced drama, dealing with human reaction to a drug arrest and jail sentence. Although the movie is slow paced, it is well acted by some of the better talent in movies today. A strong, powerful movie that is reccommended for anyone who knows someone involved with drugs.
RATED: 4.5/5
Annie Hall
Stars: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton
MY TAKE: Been a long time since I've seen this movie. This time I remember it being funnier and less of a date-type movie. Woody Allen reminds me of Larry David in this one (or should it be visa versa?). His cynical nature is hillarious, as he goes through life as a neurotic stand up comedian. The part where he is poking fun at people in the park, based on their appearence is a classic moment. I think this is still one of his better movies.
RATED: 4/5
Crash
Stars: Everyone available that weekend... too many to list.
MY TAKE: A movie that received a lot of acclaim in the past couple months. I guess you could say it deserves it. It's by no means a bad movie, I just think the message was lost a bit. A movie with a racial theme is by no means an easy task, as it never leaves everyone happy. However, I think the racial stereotypes the movie tried to portray were over-used. And I'd like to think that it could have been a more powerful movie if the roles were reversed. They tried to show every story has two sides, and that there is more to everyday life than meets the eye. Crash could have benifited more if it relyed on equality, rather than the depicted racial diversity. Crash could have provided a better message that racism is out there, but at the same time everything happens to everyone, not one distinct race. I think that could have conveyed a better message.
RATED 3.25/5
Unbreakable
Stars: Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson
MY TAKE: Been a while since I saw this movie, so I decided to rent it. I'll try not to give too much away, but Bruce Willis plays a character who is the closest thing to a super hero that the world has seen. The move is not over done, as the tone is taken to a more serious stance. Willis is not flying all over the place, using x-ray vision, running at the speed of light. Instead he displays more natural, believeable traits that he excels at. This movie is slow paced, but it is done Brilliantly. The 6th Sense is sometimes credited as M. Night Shyamalan's best work, however I think Unbreakable gives it some serious competition. The drama in this movie is something most "drama's" fail to grasp.
RATED: 5/5
Wicker Park
Stars: Josh Hartnett
MY TAKE: Went into this movie thinking it was going to be a psychological romance thriller, which I was excited about. And I wasn't really disappointed. I think the director did a great job of not getting sappy like typical romance movies. But, relying on the message that "Love makes you do crazy things." In this movie (without giving too much away), you'll hate what is happening sometimes but you'll understand and relate to it. It's a great movie that leaves no loose ends, and gets the message across crystal clear.
RATED: 4.75/5
Well there you go. I actually got half off rentals from a local video store for 2 weeks, so I plan on raiding them tomorrow, again. Can't beat 6 movies for only $3