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mekane
Reviews
Valhalla Rising (2009)
A true epic
I watched this movie after hearing multiple reviews. The basic gist I got from said reviews was similar to what's on the DVD box: "A trippy nightmare of savage poetry". That may be an apt description, but it does not describe my experience with this film.
As others have said, the cinematography, landscapes, and sound are all fantastic. I took care to notice and appreciate all of those things. What really turned me on about the film was that I was able to immerse myself in the narrative without actually hearing anyone talk. The actors' expressions, the environments / settings, and the limited amount of speech gave me plenty to digest. I never felt myself questioning the plot because the plot almost doesn't matter. I think the key to enjoying this movie is not to worry about the big picture, but to keep living in the present. Whether you focus on the hardships of the period, the brutal violence, or the frequent symbolism, the movie is never slow or boring. One-eye certainly embodies that spirit - he just keeps trudging along, and I felt myself being swept up in his momentum along with the rest of the characters.
Ultimately this movie succeeds because it is brilliantly filmed, carefully directed, and deeply engrossing. Given all of those, I don't need it to tell me what is happening from moment to moment.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Life-alteringly good
I wish it were possible to retire a franchise in the way that sports teams retire the jersey numbers of their all-time best players. Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy should be enshrined in a hall of fame and no one need ever re-make a Batman movie. I thought "The Dark Knight Rises" was as close to perfect as I could ask for. The story was far, far better than my expectations, and the ending was amazing.
Ironic that Spider Man just got rebooted, and there was a trailer for YET ANOTHER Superman movie shown before I saw Dark Knight Rises. I hope that when someone in the future inevitably starts re-making Batman they give it the same care and level of excellence as we have seen here.
The Grey (2011)
This Movie is a Lie
I expected good things from this movie. I respect Liam Neeson both as a gifted actor and as somewhat of an action star, so I was primed to like The Grey. Unfortunately, it failed to deliver in any meaningful way.
The intro was nice and bleak, but didn't really follow through. We were only given a few glimpses of the desperate nature of life on the rig (or wherever the hell they were) - not enough time to empathize with our protagonists motivations. From then on, it was mostly cliché, mixed with an unrealistic portrayal of the Wolves.
*** I shall now describe my disappointment with the Wolves *** Really, I would have been fine with the wolves just being a faint howling in the distance. That was creepy enough. The few shots of wolves running straight towards the characters in the haze of snow were all the creep factor I needed. Instead, we had "Jaws" with a Wolf's head. I actually got tired of seeing the wolves, and wished we had a few more "glowing-eyes-from-the-darkness" moments. The parts where the Wolves howled "messages" from just over the rise were really outstandingly ridiculous.
At a certain point in the movie I realized that the Wolves were just another force of nature. They were just as meaningless and uncaring as the wind, cold, and snow. They appeared from out of nowhere and struck with equal randomness. Thus the ending was both completely rational and completely dissatisfying.
P.S. Was anyone else thrown off and/or bothered by the transition to higher-speed film and color as the party progressed through the wilderness? I was nearly driven to distraction.
Le voyage dans la lune (1902)
Very Creative
What I love about this movie is the director's creativity - from seemingly out of nowhere, Melies innovated so much. The first outstanding piece is the richly-painted background of the astronomers' meeting hall. In scene after scene we see very detailed and well-proportioned backgrounds. Clearly the director had a vision and demanded quality in attaining that vision.
The second achievement is the acting. The pantomiming is both whimsical and at the same time believable. The costumes are relatively lavish, which adds depth to the story. The idea of these men voyaging to the moon in suits and top-hats is amusing in a sort of enlightenment-era, gentleman-scientist way.
Lastly, the number of predictions about trans-lunar travel that turned out to be quite prescient are surprising. From the detailed construction, to the cold temperatures, to the ocean splash-down, there are some interesting details. Barring, of course, the more fantastical elements such as the man-in-the-moon being shot in the eye.
This movie is a gem among its peers, because of its very rich production and story. It was well ahead of its time.
Chimpanzee (2011)
Sort of Confusing, but Endearing
I walked into this movie not knowing what to expect. I am more of a "serious" moviegoer, and I generally don't see films geared towards children. I would describe this movie as half brilliant documentary and half cheesy kids movie.
I had issues with the color timing in parts, which made the film look almost animated and artificial. I wasn't quite sure what to believe was natural footage and what was some sort of staged animal wrangling or CGI. As the movie progressed it became pretty clear that it was all authentic, but Tim Allen's narration combined with the almost-too-convenient dramatic story arc still kept me at arm's length.
Ultimately this movie delivers a touching story of a young primate and his tribe. Though somewhat contrived at times there are many, many moments of genuine intimacy that tug the heartstrings and also make you wonder how in the world they got these shots. Thankfully there's a bit of explanation at the end.
Do I regret seeing it? Not at all. Do I wish it had been made as a more traditional documentary? Yes.
I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (2009)
First laugh at 13:30
I loved Tucker's web site and the book was a great collection of stories. I laughed my guts out all the way through it. The movie was a different story. Too much filler and story, actually. I didn't laugh until 13:30. Considering the script was written by Tucker Max, that's not right.
Jesse Bradford's Drew is the highlight of the movie. His dry delivery is well done and does most of the comedic lifting throughout.
Hilarity aside the production quality is great, especially considering it's an independent film. The three male all give excellent and convincing performances. The pace is good and the movie is actually pretty engaging.
Ultimately I left wishing the jokes had been a little more plentiful. Tucker's style of writing didn't quite make it on to the screen, unfortunately.
Trust the Man (2005)
An enjoyable watch
My wife and I both enjoyed this movie.
If you're married or have been dating someone for a long time I think you'll appreciate it a lot more.
The movie takes a refreshingly direct approach to telling the stories of its characters - none of them are perfect. There are a couple of moments that seem contrived or silly, but for the most part I was able to actually relate to the main characters.
I appreciated the writing, and the way they told an honest story of real people, relationships, and sex, without using graphic language or nudity.
I definitely recommend that you watch this movie with your spouse / significant other.
Lucky Number Slevin (2006)
The buildup was too slow and painful for the payoff
Reading the reviews on the back of the movie at the video rental store I thought this movie would be incredible. The cast is full of stars, and the premise sounded good. That's why I found it so disappointing when the movie opened so slowly. After just over an hour if watching I paused it and looked to see how much was left, and considered turning it off. I kept waiting for something to happen, other than endless discussions that seemed to go nowhere. The scenes that finally made the movie enjoyable came almost too late for me to care. The ending was good, and I came away not as negative as I had been earlier, but overall I thought the movie developed too slowly, and at times seemed to be going nowhere.