The Lady Eve (1941)

The thing about the older films I have been watching is that they were excellent when they came out. most I find good or at least average. So when I come across one I just don't like at all it makes me wonder how it has lasted so long. This film was just not good, Barbara Stanwyck annoyed me and Henry Fonda as a push over wasn't much fun to watch.

The film is about a a rich kid who just spent a year in the Amazon studying snakes. He is a scientist fresh out of college and plays the dumb rich kid who gets swindled by some card sharks on the ship back to America.

The plot is bad, the acting is bad, and the jokes aren't funny. Maybe they were funny 70 years ago but they aren't now. I think a few scenes were pretty racy for their time... but they aren't anymore so I don't see the appeal.

Fonda is just better at dramas.

Vote: 5/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033804/

Share:

Read More

Paris, I Love You: Paris, je t'aime (2006)

I went into this film knowing that it is a collection of short films. Not just short films, but really short films, we are talking about 18 films in 120 minutes, so when you discount opening and closing credits we at about 5 minutes a story.

The part I didn't know is that it has multiple directors, and good ones. Gus Van Sant, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Wes Craven, and a number of other directors come together to express a small love story based in Paris. The thing about it is you get a feeling like you are at a short film festival with a central theme of romance in Paris. the problem is that some of the stories are really bad... some are really bad at festivals also... but some are incomplete... which isn't good.

Since I have to judge this festival of a film as a whole then it was very very average, where else can I go? A couple might warrant an 8 or 9 [namely the Natalie Portman one and the mail lady on vacation] a couple get a 2 or 3 [namely the mime one and the Maggie Gyllenhaal one]. So it all evens out. Not really worth your time.

Vote: 6/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401711/

Share:

Read More

The Lovely Bones (2009)

This was the most anticipated film of the awards season for me. With a buzz that Peter Jackson was making a film based on this best selling book it was favored to be in Oscar contention (that was before people actually saw the thing). I will use this as a rule of thumb in the future, if a director is not taking his film to film festivals and making everyone think it is amazing... then it probably isn't.

So I'm going to ruin the film for you now... so skip this paragraph if you don't want to know what happens... now that you've been warned... she dies. Not only does the main character die... but she dies in the first 20 minutes of the film. The idea behind the book, and one that no one knew is just how well it would translate to film. The story is of a dead girl looking down from heaven as her family struggles to cope with their loss and the killer who still lives on their block.

The problem with this film is that there is some very adult content, and themes/scenes that kids don't need to be watching. It has a PG-13 rating, yet there are scenes that are geared for a PG audience, then ones that should be R. There isn't an audience that will like this film. It was just awful, things didn't come together, the fantasy of what heaven is like just didn't work either. I feel bad for Mark Wahlberg and Saoirse Ronan for wasting their time on this film, they are more talented than this. Most of all I'm sorry for Stanley Tucci who turned in an Oscar worthy performance on a film that was just awful. People are taking notice and he should get some good parts in the near future. I see that he is already working on 4 more films right now, so we'll see.

Vote: 3/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0380510/
P.S. - Sorry honey for asking you to read this book, thanks for your comparisons throughout the film.

Share:

Read More

Sugar (2009)

The American Film Institute picked this film as part of its top 10 from 2009 and ESPN nominated it for the ESPY for Best Sports Film of the Year. It lost to The Express a film I intend to watch later this year, but fully expect this only lost because no one knew much about it.

It strikes me as odd that this was selected as an American film, the majority of the film is in Spanish. This is a technical issue though, the majority of the run time was in Spanish, but the majority of the dialogue was in English.

So the film is about a young man in a Dominican Republic training camp where MLB scouts look for young talent to bring to the States. The camp teaches them discipline, fundamentals, and baseball terms in English. So several boys are called up to the Kansas City training camp in Phoenix, after the training camp our main character is called up to single "A" ball. As a young pitcher in the middle of nowhere Iowa with very limited English and far from home he struggles to get along with the coaching staff and the family he is staying with.

I was very surprised at how good this film was, there are no star characters, and the film is not exactly quickly paced. Nonetheless, it is a film worth watching, then again I like a good sports film.

Vote: 8/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0990413/

Share:

Read More

LFR Top 100 of the 2000's (60-41)

As we start part 3 of the top 100 of the decade, you will notice that from here on out we are down to 9/10 and 10/10 films. What is the difference from this point? Personal opinion. As I have said before... a 10/10 is something I would like to own, a 9/10 is a great movie... you might not be happy with the order, but I trust you can't find to many problems with the collection as a whole. Lets get going:

60. Fearless: Huo Yuan Jia (2006) [9/10]

A biography of the Chinese Martial Arts Master Huo Yuan Jia starring Jet Li. This to me was a more enjoyable film that Hero which is probably considered by many to be the best film he has been in. This however features more martial arts and a biography rather than a fantasy such as Hero is more entertaining to me.

59. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009) [9/10]

Probably a surprise to see on this list, this was the most fun kids movie since Ratatouille. Run with the fantasy and laugh at the kids jokes. I loved it because any age can watch this film. There isn't a villain that will scare the really young ones. Plus there is no talking dog tangent, just a really fun watch.

58. Man on Wire (2008) [9/10]

A fascinating documentary about a tightrope walker, Frenchman Philippe Petit, who made it his goal to walk between the Twin Towers in NYC. The documentary reflects on how he went about deciding to do it, and the steps it took to prepare and illegally climb to the top to set up. The documentary answers all the questions about how they did it about as fast as I could think them up. Great story, great filming and editing.

57. Pitch Black (2000) [9/10]

The first film with Vin Diesel as the main character. One of the... if not the only... films by Diesel that is really worth watching. The sequel is crap, but this Sci-Fi film about a group of marooned space travelers is action packed and scary. Watch it in the dark...

56. Million Dollar Baby (2004) [9/10]

The sports movie that was more than a sports movie. A female boxer, her trainer, and the difficult decision he has to make when she is seriously injured. Clint Eastwood proved he can both Direct and Act at the same time with this Oscar Best Picture winner.

55. Sicko (2007) [9/10]

With all the talk about health care these days and the actions congress is going through, all naysayers to a public option need to watch this film. Real people with real problems. Sure they glorify other countries plans, but the fact that this country is so screwed up makes this a must watch. Michael Moore is over the top, so take some thing with a grain of salt...

54. Elf (2003) [9/10]

Ok, Will Ferrell I'll give you one film on my list... with almost 30 films this decade I had to pick one, it was either this or Old School. And since there are plenty of drunken college movies already out there, I went with a genre that is lacking for good films... Christmas! This is a cute story about a boy that is adopted by elves and enters the real world as a very confused young adult. Might be a little high on this list... but I liked it none the less.

53. Super Size Me (2004) [9/10]

What is a good film? I have spent a lot of time thinking about that when I rate films. Two things, does it make you change how you live? Do you relate to a scene multiple times in your life well after watching it? This film changed how I live. I have had McDonald's twice in 6 years since watching this... both were situations were it was it is or eat nothing... A documentary that shows you just how bad fast food is. Is it fair to single out McDonald's and not other fast food restaurants... well no, but I rarely eat any fast food now either.

52. The Lookout (2007) [9/10]

A film I just watched last month starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jeff Daniels about a young man dealing with a tragic event he is fully responsible costing two of his their lives. This was a surprisingly good film.

51. Ray (2004) [9/10]

The biography of Ray Charles starring Jamie Foxx is his best role to date. This one two Oscars and has to power to be remembered for years to come. Excellent film all around.

50. Requiem for a Dream (2000) [9/10]

Director Darren Aronofsky has not made many films, but this one Pi and The Wrestler were all good films. It follows the lives of 4 different people all struggling with different drug problems. Ellen Burstyn is fantastic as the mother. Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans all turned in their best performances in a movie that is quite a downer.

49. Seven Pounds (2008) [9/10]

Director Gabriele Muccino and Will Smith teamed up on the successful The Pursuit of Happyness, this follow-up two years later was considered a flop by many. The story is of an IRS agent set to make up for some mistakes earlier in his life in a very unique way. You might find it depressing, I love it though...

48. Munich (2005) [9/10]

Steven Spielberg made this action/drama of the events that followed the 1972 Olympics were 11 Israeli athletes were murdered at the Munich Olympics. Basically a small group of Israeli's seek out and kill the ones responsible, showing how violence perpetuates more violence.

47. I, Robot (2004) [9/10]

This Will Smith action film is not one I expected to get so much criticism for. A fun futuristic cop film with some great special effects. Easy to follow storyline and fun for all ages, not sure what is to dislike about this one.

46. In Bruges (2008) [9/10]

When I saw the movie trailer I though, "This looks like crap." When I watched it I didn't think it would amount to much. This little film starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, and Ralph Fiennes turned out to be one of the best dark comedies of the decade. Farrell is excellent and his interaction with Gleeson and the midget is hysterical. The British slang can be hard to understand and this is definitely rated R for a reason.

45. I Am Legend (2007) [9/10]

Will Smith goes almost an hour as the only person in this film. A horror film about a plague, Smith plays a doctor desperately trying to find the cure for the human race. Scarry at parts, I think I like the alternate ending better...

44. Heist (2001) [9/10]

I love a good bank heist movie, I like one even more when the viewing audience has everything spelled out for them, yet the plan is complicated enough to be interesting. Starring Gene Hackman and Danny DeVito, this film is worth a watch.

43. Walk the Line (2005) [9/10]

One of the best Biographies of all time. Starring Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter. A little long, but an excellent film about a historical music legend. Might have been slightly overshadowed by the previous years Ray.

42. The Bourne Trilogy (2002-2007) [9/10]

Just like the Lord of the Rings, i'm cheating and putting the entire trilogy on here. Also, just like LotR if you were going to watch one and only one, then watch the first one The Bourne Identity. Matt Damon's 5 year project that might even have a 4th film eventually.

41. Across the Universe (2007) [9/10]

A musical that uses all the popular Beatles songs with amazing sets, excellent voices, and a great pace. You won't see a lot of musicals on my list, this is the one to see.

Part 4 coming soon....!!

Share:

Read More

The Nutty Professor (1963)

Written, Directed, and Starring Jerry Lewis. If there is one Lewis film to see, I've been told this is the one to watch. Just barely making it on the AFI 100 Laughs of All-Time at #99, the inclusion seems like they wanted Lewis himself on their list more than this particular film.

This film was remade in 1996 by Eddie Murphy, which had marginally more success due to him playing an overweight character that transforms into a skinny and sexy character. The original is more of a nerd to cool guy spin, when the potion wears off in this version his voice changes back, in the remake he starts getting fatter in different places.

Lewis is creative, funny, and annoying as both characters, and very skilled to do a "transformation" without the use of computers [take this for what you will, I liked it...]. Stella Stevens plays Stella [big stretch on picking a character name here] a student of Lewis's who he hits on as his alter ego. She likes the professor for who he is so it has its cute romantic comedy moments as well. I guess if you have never seen Lewis this would be the one to watch, I'll have to see a few more of his before basing an opinion though.

Vote: 7/10


IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057372/

Share:

Read More

The Princess and the Frog (2009)

Disney returns to its classic animation style. They aren't seeing the profit margins they were hoping for, and the time and effort was much more expensive than a quick CGI Animation. I just hope they realize that these are the animations that will last forever. This is the first Disnet Princess movie in 11 years! Mulan was the last one, and it is great to know that Rapunzel will be out next November.

So what did I think of the movie? Fantastic! Best animation of the year... well maybe... Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was also very good. They out did Pixar this year whether they beat them at the box office or not [more like or not... Avatar kicked their butts, and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel took some money from them as well].

The film centers on an African American family in New Orleans. A prince comes to town and has a run-in with a voodoo doctor, after he becomes a frog the classic story unfolds... or does it?

Disney did a great job putting a spin on the original story, they added a Princess [Tiana] to their collection, and did it without making her friend Charlotte a bad person. Which was nice to see. I really liked this film, thank you Disney for going back to your roots. Be aware that the voodoo doctor scenes might be a little much for really small children, I'll hold out showing this to my daughter until she is at least 5.

Vote: 8/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780521/

Share:

Read More