susannacoleking Reviews

National Treasure (2004)

A good, clean, action and suspense-filled film!

[10/10 · 12 August 2007]

I first sat down and watched National Treasure on a bored, and lazy summer day, in which I reasoned I had nothing better to do. I had seen the movie promoted on Disney Channel (my little brother's favorite channel, it's almost always on at home) and racked it up to be just another cheesy kid flick that was hardly worth my time.

When the movie finished, I was a bit dazed, because I wondered how it ended so fast. Hadn't I just started it? This rarely happens to me, when watching a movie. What can I say? I'm a hyperactive, distracted kind of girl and even if a movie is well done, I usually find myself checking the clock at some point during the film's run, but not with National Treasure. This little "Disney kid flick", what I had assumed it to be, had taken my entire focus and attention, and I wasn't even aware it had.

National Treasure has a strong cast that click, and a plot threaded with history without feeling, even remotely, like some afternoon educational PBS program. The movie takes on action, partnered with suspense, and even a little romance, for a ride that will keep the viewer guessing until the end. (At least it did for me; and this is coming from someone who usually spots predictable plots from the movie's trailer).

Rare is the action/suspense film that doesn't have at least a PG-13 rating, if not an R rating. This is one of the few there is, and the only one I have found well worth a viewing…if not a few.

Man on Fire (2004)

Near perfect, if watched on television.

[8/10 · 12 August 2007]

When my dad first rented this movie, we watched the first hour or so together, and when we stopped for the night I was left wondering how it earned an R rating. So far, it'd been nearly clean enough to be a PG film, or at least a PG-13, instead of its harsh R.

Then my father watched the second half, without me, and informed me it was so violent that, pretty understandably, at age 14, I wouldn't be allowed to watch the rest (though he told me how it ended). A couple years later, I caught it on TV and become absorbed once again. I kept waiting for the horrendous violence my father warned me of, but it never happened. That's when I realized most of it had probably been edited out for TV.

That's the beauty of watching engaging films that are peppered with a touch too much violence for the young or the squeamish on TV. If I had seen the rest of the film on DVD, I might have wrote it off as being a bit too rough, but on TV, it was near perfect.

The cast is quite stellar, and I especially enjoyed Denzel Washington (in what I believe to be one of his best performances) and the relationship between his Creasy, and Pita. I also, was quite mesmerized and impressed by Radha Mitchell's solid performance, an actress whose name was unfamiliar to me, at the time.

Just as engaging as the cast though, is the cinematography that is both unique, in a most excellent way, capturing a sort of pressing heat and urgency, as well as, the bustling spirit of Mexico City.

All in all, worth a watch, especially if your fans of any of the main cast who give concrete performances or a fan of director, Tony Scott.

Whale Rider (2002)

Great in theaters, lovely even on TV, and most excellent on DVD.

[9/10 · 12 August 2007]

Whale Rider is admittedly a slow paced film, but sometimes the most wonderful things require patience and sticking with it. In this case, the overall moving drama is worth the wait, and in my opinion, the slow pace actually reflects the tranquility and soft magnificence of the New Zealand community in which Whale Rider was filmed.

Keisha Castle-Hughes is innocent excellence as Paikea (Pai), and is the obvious standout (earning a well-deserved Oscar nomination), though I feel the entire cast is also at their best. The story is moving, if not a bit predictable, and I believe many can relate to the struggle generation gaps can bring, and do in this movie. Pai's desire to impress and be respected by her grandfather though, is the most heart-wrenching element in Whale Rider.

I believe this film can be even better appreciated with a second viewing. The second time I watched this film; I was able to better appreciate certain elements of the film that I had missed the first round.

If you are to rent or purchase the DVD I think you'll find the movie even more enjoyable. The DVD has a good handful of bonus features, and as an aspiring filmmaker, I found the development and process in which the film was made enlightening.

Overall, I've fallen in love with the spirit (and maybe just as much, the cinematography and location) that is Whale Rider: an independent picture worth your time.

America's Next Top Model (2003–2018)

Part Reality, Part Entertainment

[7/10 · 11 August 2007]

Having dabbled in the modeling industry (as a model), I watch this show with a slightly different view than most might. While I admit ANTM can be a fun, and entertaining show, as the seasons go on it seems to continue to drift from any reality.

The show seems to be almost pure publicity for its contestants, seeing that none of the show's winners (or fellow contestants) have made much of a name for themselves out from under of the show's umbrella. Maybe that's because the truth is any girl with real potential to be a high-fashion model shouldn't have too much difficulty submitting to agencies (you can do so via email or snail mail if distance prevents you from attending an agency open call), signing to an agency, and starting a modeling career. Yes, the process does not guarantee success, but apparently neither does ANTM. And participating in a reality show seems to offer less of a boost in the modeling business, than signing to a top or decent agency (which only one contestant each cycle has a guarantee of anyway).

Nonetheless, the show can't hurt, certainly can be amusing, and has a sort of magic that particularly works for teenage girls, I have found. Though, I must add, ANTM may become a tad tiring and dull, after watching several cycles, as it has become for me. And besides some unrealistic situations (each more outrageous than the last) the only other annoyance, is the overuse of "Tyra, Tyra, Tyra!" Tyra seems to genuinely want to guide these girls to success, but is it necessary for each of models' temporary digs to be covered in Tyra pictures; for virtually every panel and challenge to include a story or scenario that "Tyra" experienced and overcame? I think not.

In my opinion, take out a little Tyra, put back in a little more reality, and ANTM could be a 10 star show, instead of a 7.