Well, Grim, I still love explosions, guns, and brutal hand to hand fights as much as the next guy. Plus, these are actors who were in movies I was raised on: Die Hard, Rocky, Rambo, Total Recall, Hero, etc. Looking around the theater, it was mainly guys around my age watching this movie and chuckling at the self-mocking jokes and meta humor.
Haha, even if it is a completely transparent film, it's an obvious catch to get the biggest actions stars of the last 2-3 decades (because honestly, it feels like it's all
super heroes these days) -- but the point is it's just awesome, grilling entertainment.
I've been on a bit on an animated movie kick; so bear with me:
Sinbad Legend of the Seven SeasBrad Pitt is a great actor, but not much of a voice actor. *Stunning* and fluid animation, and the 2D/3D mix is pretty nice. Great music (the theme song is amazing), surprisingly good romance, amusing action, great fun. Catherine Zeta Jones' voice is hot. She can't do wrong.
Beauty and the BeastI watched a version that had a song that was cut from the original -- it should have stayed cut. I think this Disney classic is *nearly perfect*, but honestly the whole anthropomorphic household items kind of take away from the more majestic side of the story by being silly. That fucken castle must have had a population of 50k if every goddamn fork, knife, and spoon were made into things. Some of the film's elements are really childish, it works for the audience, but has me trouble taking seriously any actual serious moments. Still, I think the music and that prologue is out of this world. Belle looks better with her hair down.
AnastasiaI like Don Bluth! I love Secret of the NIPH quite a bit, gets me nostalgic (which reminds me to scout Finding Nemo). Anyways, like how Sinbad was an alright combo of 2D and 3D, this one isn't. It's awkward. Meg Ryan has a terribly uncharming voice, and it's weird saying John Cusack did better... But the movie is pretty good. The plot is kind of hilarious given the "alternate reality" of sorts it is. The Grand Duchess Anastasia was confirmed dead 2 years (IIRC) after the siege on her family; and even if it wasn't known back in 1997, there was little evidence still that she was actually alive. Great animation, looks like rotoscoping... which reminds me...
PocahontasI was really happy this one didn't make the animals talk, and it was only two (the bird and racoon) instead of the entire goddamn forest of furry pals. Poca HAS to be one of the prettiest Disney "princesses", certainly one of the most realistically drawn (which, IIRC, IS indeed rotoscoping, she looks to perfect not to be). Yeah, the history has been botched, but most of Hollywood is the story of the film and the related-people who hate it. Christian Bale in a really early role here, I didn't even realize it was him!
We Need to Talk About KevinSomewhat confusing, and I totally sympathize with Eva (but I can't imagine how torn she was -- or what it's like to be a parent and have to constantly question if she loves or hates her son). I do wish she had the she-balls to slap Kev every so often for being a constant and living tumor. Actually, that has to be the one thing that bugged me, I don't recall *ANY* sort of punishment come his way for the awful things he grew up doing, Eva just never really knew what to do. I did get the impression he felt vulnerable in the end, I suppose he may understand the gravity of his actions by the end -- but there's no denying he was a sociopath from day 1. But I guess parental love is weird like that (and well, they had another kid, I'm guessing because she
really needed one to relate with). I was confused on some details, the "eye injury" was vague but I think I understood, and some of the motives for the "grand finale" are obscure. But it was definitely an excellent film, and really amazing combination of horror and drama and definitely leaves you thinking on it. John C Riley is totally underused as a dramatic actor (I guess that
somewhat goofy mug of his doesn't help), so I was super happy to see him here.
Only question lingering: who on earth allowed Kev to wear shirts that were a Kids Large? You also see him shirtless enough to wonder why he's shirtless.
Anyways, I'm just gonna leave this here:
Catch and ReleaseDisappointing. A shame because there really is a TON of potential for a plot like this (fiancee husband left secrets behind just before he died, and almost-wifey find them out) but it doesn't play out; the character development sucks ass (which can potentially be excused if their "character growth" was better), and the romance didn't feel inspired. Kevin Smith surprisingly did alright for a full acting job.
Sin CityI didn't even plan on watching this, I was just testing a stereo system. But goddamn, this movie casts a spell on you as soon as you turn it on. The strong narrative and excellent characters help you look passed the almost draining about of filth and grunge of the city and some of its inhabitants. If you haven't watched it, do it, if you have, watch it again because it's definitely worth it.
Tokyo Godfathers (RIP Satoshi Kon), Secret of Kells (
Look at this trailer, JUST LOOK AT IT, tell me you wouldn't want a game to look like this, I can't IMAGINE how it missed my radar), and the Iron Giant are next.