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Post by ZapRowsdower on Sept 15, 2004 18:56:22 GMT -5
Garden State (July 30th, 2004)
Let me start by saying I have looked forward to this movie ever since I saw that trippy-ass trailer that told me nothing about the movie back in February. In fact, I walked in not knowing what the movie was about... but I was reeled in by the likes of Natalie Portman and Ian Holm. Yes, this was a blind viewing for me... much like Lost in Translation.
For the first time in months, I feel as though I've seen a movie that didn't kill my brain cells. After all the vigilante Steven Seagal-type B-movies they've been shoving down our throats (Paparazzi, Cellular, Resident Evil... even though I must admit I enjoyed all three), Garden State is like a breath of fresh air. I am reminded once again what makes a great movie.
Natalie Portman has come a long way since Padmé. Her character had so much energy, so much life... her performance was absolutely beautiful. Newcomer Zach Braff, who also wrote and directed the movie, MY GOD MAN! This guy has more talent in his little finger than many of the Hollywood big-shots put together. The guy can act, the guy can write, the guy can direct. I'm keeping an eye out for this guy in the future.
There were moments of greatness in the movie, too. It toys with your emotions. Not that it brings you to tears or anything, but there are moments when even though there is music playing in the background, all you hear is silence. That's power.
Anyway, this is the longest review I've actually written on this thread, so I'm going to stop now. All I have to say is, GO SEE THIS MOVIE. Quite simply, it's one of the best movies of the year.
THE SMITTY NOT ONLY APPROVES, BUT DOWNRIGHT ORDERS YOU TO GO SEE THIS MOVIE. Yes, it's that good.
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Sept 16, 2004 3:36:19 GMT -5
Taegukgi hwinalrimyeo (Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War) (September 10th, 2004/February 6th, 2004 Korea)
A very powerful film about South Korean soldiers who were drafted into the military during the Korean War. The actors were brilliant, the movie was visually spectacular, the music was beautifully composed, and the story itself is very compelling and tragic. Unfortunately, this fell victim to the limited release. If there is any theater near you playing this film, go see it.
Think We Were Soldiers meets Schindler's List in Korea.
THE SMITTY APPROVES.
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Sept 17, 2004 12:26:38 GMT -5
Mr. 3000 (September 17th, 2004)
I love Bernie Mac. He has a certain style that few comedians have today. That's why this movie disappointed me a little bit, they toned down him down big time. Then I realized, this isn't one of those comedies. This isn't slapstick, this is a realistic comedy. In fact, there are some really dramatic scenes in the movie. But I laughed, though. That should say something. I saw this with some friends; as we were walking out, one of them said he gave it a 7/10, and we were all in agreement. That does sound about right.
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Sept 17, 2004 18:52:36 GMT -5
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (September 17th, 2004)
What style! What visuals! What... retro...
Seriously, I was blown away by this movie. It was fantastic. I've been looking forward to this movie since December when I first saw the teaser trailer. I thought I was setting myself up for disappointment. This is the best sci-fi action movie since Star Wars. Lots of old-fashioned aerial warfare, fantastic visuals, snappy dialogue, interesting premise, and some really good chemistry between Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow.
One of the best movies of the year? Yes, definitely. If you like the old fashioned comic books from back in the day (*cough*FLASHGORDON*cough*) you'll love this movie.
And for those who don't know, the late Lawrence Olivier makes a nice cameo appearance.
THE SMITTY MOST DEFINITELY APPROVES.
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Sept 17, 2004 19:22:48 GMT -5
This is the best sci-fi action movie since Star Wars.
High praise indeed. Gonna try to see this one this weekend for sure. The trailers have looked great!
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Sept 19, 2004 22:53:10 GMT -5
Re: SKY CAPTAIN
I saw it and thought it was pretty good, but not the knock-out I thought it was gonna be based on the trailers. It starts out great, but kinda loses steam in the second half. The look is very cool, part METROPOLIS, part old FLASH GORDON serials and it also reminded me of those old animated Fleischer "SUPERMAN" cartoons from the forties. The story is not that strong, but considering it's paying homage to those old "FLASH GORDON"/"BUCK ROGERS" serials, I guess it's about as strong as it should be. The problem is that with those old serials you only sat through a little bit at a time, so you didn't mind the weak story, here you get the whole thing in one sitting. It does start to get a little old after awhile. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and STAR WARS are much better homages to those old serials. If you're a genre fan though, there are lots of cool in-jokes throughout the movie. 7/10
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Sept 21, 2004 0:56:32 GMT -5
Wimbledon (September 17th, 2004)
If you like movies like Bridget Jones' Diary and Love Actually, you'll like Wimbledon. Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst have great chemistry, and what can I say? Doesn't everybody love British humor?
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Sept 21, 2004 19:33:29 GMT -5
Criminal (September 17th, 2004)
Good story, great performances all around, the plot structure was nearly perfect, the dialogue was nice, and there are some pretty sweet surprises in it too. My only complaint, it's a lot like Matchstick Men, but this movie has its own good points, too. Check it out if it's playing anywhere near you.
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Sept 24, 2004 15:41:49 GMT -5
Shaun of the Dead (April 9th, 2004 UK/September 24th, 2004 USA)
FREAKIN' HILARIOUS. A completely original concept, and it's about the closest we'll ever get to Monty Python again. Check this one out, it is one of the greatest Zombie movies ever made. It makes Resident Evil: Apocalypse look like House Party 2.
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Oct 5, 2004 0:03:16 GMT -5
Ladder 49 (October 1st, 2004)
Critics, a lesson must be learned. Just because it's a movie about firefighters doesn't mean it's trying to cash in on 9/11. You can tell these people walked in with an "oh please" attitude and wanted to hate it. Yeah, go watch Open Water again, you pricks.
The performers were excellent. I never realized before tonight that I had never ever seen John Travolta elicit emotion. He wasn't half bad, either. He had an excellent monologue at the end which really brought a tear to my eye. Joaquin Phoenix is gradually becoming one of my favorite actors of all time, and it was good to see Morris Chestnut in a movie that doesn't suck.
The fire sequences were heartpounding. You'd never know what would happen next. I don't know how accurate they are, considering I've never been a firefighter. But damn if they weren't very well executed.
I know what bandwagon patriotism is, and believe me, this isn't it. This was a very powerful film. Thrilling, entertaining, and emotional. Everyone involved gave it their all, and dare I say it, this was one of the better movies of the year.
Critics, get over yourselves. Please.
8.5/10
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Post by frankenjohn on Oct 5, 2004 16:49:03 GMT -5
Better than Backdraft?
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Oct 9, 2004 2:50:46 GMT -5
Friday Night Lights (October 8th, 2004)
Never before has a football movie had me at the edge of my seat as much as this one has. Billy Bob Thornton's performance was electrifying. Maybe not worth the actual Academy Award, but definitely worth a nomination.
All of the performances were spectacular, I feel the actual events on which this movie were based were very well presented. The cinematography was a little ugly, but it's very easy to get past that. Without a doubt, one of the best movies of the year.
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Post by Phoenix on Oct 15, 2004 9:09:46 GMT -5
I think so. Saw Ladder 49 last night and I have to agree with Smitty. It was a great movie and despite myself, I was touched. And plenty of great fire sequences. |
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Post by Bartwald on Oct 15, 2004 16:38:09 GMT -5
I never realized before tonight that I had never ever seen John Travolta elicit emotion. He wasn't half bad, either. He had an excellent monologue at the end which really brought a tear to my eye. He had me fighting tears in Phenomenon before. And such shit always happens when I want to play as macho as possible, dammit!  |
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Oct 15, 2004 18:49:09 GMT -5
Team America: World Police (October 15th, 2004)
Fuck Starsky & Hutch, fuck Eurotrip, fuck Anchorman, and fuck Dodgeball. THIS IS HANDS DOWN THE FUNNIEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR. Not to mention in the running for one of the funniest movies ever made. The last time a political satire was this good, it was 1964, and Kubrick released the classic Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.
This is good enough for me to boot Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle off my top 10. I knew that was bound to come sooner or later, but this is too good to pass up.
If you are easily offended, fuck off. You shouldn't be watching movies. All others, prepare for one of the biggest laugh riots you will ever experience.
America.... FUCK YEAH!
OSCAR CHANCES: If the Academy fails to acknowledge this, they should be fucked directly in the face.
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