Printable View
A British review gives more info that was new to me - Gere was in five Hollywood adaptations of much admired French originals by that time. He also grants Lyne's version has its points, and laments all the British talent being 'wasted' in Hollywood! English movies used to be really great in the Fifties and Sixties - then what happened?
Good review. I really want to see the Chabrol now, to compare.
I reckon it’ll be hard to find on blu-ray…
Thanks.
That's true, about Blu-ray of the film. You can watch UNE FEMME INFIDÈLE free right now on YouTube, but that's without subtitles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKheDEHPsBw
The DVD with subtitles is cheap - $12 (Amazon).
Alright!! I’ll watch that.
THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE (2017)
Niki Caro has made a good holocaust film, one that doesn’t show the horrors implicitly, as critics complained of.
I don’t know what they want, Nazi Brutality on film?
Why do we need images that recoil us. We know how bad it was.
As Kubrick said about his holocaust project Aryan Papers: “How can I film it?? How can I make actors pretend it?”
The Zookeeper’s Wife can be favourably compared to Schindler’s List, in that Polish Jews were successfully saved in the Warsaw Zoo- over 300 in fact. Jan and Antonina Zabinski are real-life heroes for their actions during WW2. Jessica Chastain plays Antonina, and she continues to surprise me with her roles. Jan and Antonina run the Warsaw Zoo at the time of the Nazi takeover, and this film shows us what they had to endure in vivid detail. No, it’s not as horrific as it really was, but as an audience we get the gist.
Daniel Bruhl lends a unique dimension as Hitler’s Chief Zoologist.
Recommended as a sobering history lesson.
I did just that. I understood everything without subtitles. Masterful movie!Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Knipp
It would look really great on blu-ray if they remastered picture and sound.
Unfaithful followed it quite closely, although he wasn’t killed with a snow globe- it was an Egyptian bust. He was tipped off by the big Zippo lighter….
He didn’t dispose of the body in a landfill. It was a bog.
I sensed some Hitchcock in the Chabrol. Glad to have seen it. Thank you Chris.
I'm delighted that you watched it without subtitles and followed it perfectly. I love watching French films in Paris, of course without subtitles, and though I've studied French seemingly forever I often don't understand the dialogue but follow the movies nonetheless. The language of cinema. Of course you could follow the Chabrol also because you'd seen it - the Lyne version. I forgot Lyne is responsible for such gems as FLASH DANCE, 91/2 WEEKS, FATAL ATTRACTION, and the Jeremy Irons version of LOLITA (not the good, Kubrick, one). I watched only a couple of quick hits of the Chabrol film so far but saw Hitchcock in it right a way.
THE GRADUATE (1967)
This is a classic Mike Nichols film.
Who hasn’t heard of The Graduate?
Dustin Hoffman is Ben, who just graduated college and is worried about his future. He gets seduced by an older woman (Anne Bancroft) and makes a comment that he should date her daughter, Elaine. Mrs. Robinson forbids it. He dates her anyway.
Conflict ensues when Elaine is coerced into marrying someone else.
Ben storms the wedding.
Great soundtrack with Simon and Garfunkel songs.
THE GANGSTER (2012)
This movie has some panache, but I felt it was ultimately disposable.
Quentin Tarantino would probably like it.
It’s “Gangs of Bangkok”, set in the 50’s.
There’s stylized violence, rape and gore.
The characters don’t like their lifestyle, but know nothing else.
Illegal rackets, protection money and movies are their daily activities.
They love rock and roll and Elvis, so that’s amusing.
I felt there wasn’t enough here to make it a cult hit or even a hit.
GHOST IN THE SHELL (2017)
I’ve seen the 1995 anime film, which is a masterpiece. This live-action adaptation directed by Rupert Sanders is very good, one of my personal favourites.
Scarlet Johannsen stars as Major (Killian), a cyborg super soldier.
She goes on a quest to find her past, which was stolen from her.
Her body isn’t her own- only her brain. This is the true A.I. film to me, with top-notch CGI and amazing visuals. Major is more than human, more than A.I., as Juliette Binoche’s character tells us… Her “ghost” or soul, survived the corporate creation.
I can’t recommend this movie enough. There’s even a spectacular finale with a Spider-Tank.
TERMINATOR SALVATION (2009)
I just bought this McG Director’s Cut.
My favourite Terminator movie. Wall to wall action, this has everything you want in a Terminator flick. Christian Bale was in the middle of making The Dark Knight trilogy when he signed on to play John Connor. Sam Worthington provides great support as Marcus.
The action is great, the story moves at a good clip, and there’s no Arnold! He’s only seen Very briefly. Highly recommended.
NOAH (2014)
I call this a masterpiece, even though many may disagree.
Darren Aronofsky gives us a modern biblical epic, and its glorious.
A perfect cast and fine acting stand out, especially from Ray Winstone and Jennifer Connelly.
Critics and bible scholars will take issue with the creative liberties- the Watchers, referring to God as the Creator, the look of the ark itself.
The ark was built with no frills, except for a woodstove. It was designed to float, nothing more.
It's a raft with a roof.
Russell Crowe is fine as Noah. He's steadfast, is unsure from time to time. I was expecting God to talk to him, but it didn't happen. He's guided on what to do thru dreams and miracles.
I loved every minute of this movie. It will make you think.
I've never liked Aronofsky, not even his critical successes, and this isn't particularly one. Read my review, if you feel like it. If you don't make it to the end you may still like the part about the shorter "Christian friendlier" studio cuts that got abandoned for the director's cut.
Darren Aronofsky's greatest "critical success" is THE TERRITORY, which he produced, the great doc about the Amazon by Alex Pritz that came out this summer and is I think one of the best movies of the year. Another critical hit he produced: JACKIE. He also produced THE FIGHTER, which you commented on recently.
Maybe many will not think it's a masterpiece but this movie got ONLY one negative review out of 45 (metacritic). It's got some very favorable reviews by serious, veteran critics like Scoot Foundas, Richard Corliss, Todd McCarthy, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Johann
You're absolutely right. I may have overstated the negativity of the critical response. It was mixed. There were some top critics who liked it. But many were a bit on the "meh" side apparently to result in an overall estimate of 68%.
Your review is great Chris. It’s an accurate report.
The only part of the movie that seemed preposterous was the Watchers, or rock monsters.
That was tree-beard Lord of the Rings-type shit.
Overall the movie works. It’s dramatic when it has to be and it makes you think of God and how He operates.
IN THE NAME OF THE KING (2007)
This is the second Uwe Boll film I’ve seen, after Bloodrayne: The Third Reich.
He is a schlockmeister, with low production values, terrible acting and laughable plots.
When this movie began I thought it might be good: Jason Statham and Ron Perlman are actors of some repute, the visuals weren’t bad and there was a glimmer of a promise that the action would pay off in spades. Alas, it was not to be.
As the story plodded on it became clear that this was a bad movie.
Leelee Sobieski, Ray Liotta and a totally ridiculous Burt Reynolds round out the cast of this bomb.
The “Krug” ripped off the Orcs from Lord of the Rings!
Thanks.Quote:
Your review is great Chris. It’s an accurate report.
Aronofsky is a discussable director. Much argument there. I decidedly dislike his bents. Not simpatico. The celebrated dance film BLACK SWAN I hated. As I said before he tends to turn everything into a horror movie (not Noah, but Mother). Oh how I hated REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, and I am sure I shall hate WHALE. PI was okay. THE WRESTLER had its points.
Noah is my favourite Aronofsky, hands down
I enjoyed The Wrestler, Jackie and Black Swan.
I didn’t like Requiem for a Dream.
He seems to go for the sensational, while trying to be “art”…..
RANGO (2011)
Hoo Boy, I must be in the minority because I didn’t like Rango.
I didn’t laugh once.
Johnny Depp voices a lost chameleon. The animation is decent enough, but everything feels forced and lame.
Depp is truly cartoonish with his voice work. I wasn’t buying it.
I can’t see children loving this and I’m amazed it won the Oscar for best animated feature.
Thumbs down, Mang.
THE GOOD LIAR (2019)
Oh what a tangled web we weave….
Bill Condon’s The Good Liar is a showcase for veterans Helen Mirren & Ian McKellen.
I’m not going to spoil anything for those who haven’t seen it, but it is ICY COLD…HAHA Brrrr!!!
All I’ll say is McKellen plays Roy, a career con man, and his mark is Helen.
Great movie.
SCHINDLER’S LIST (1993)
I hadn’t seen this in over 25 years, and it was a stark reminder of how inhuman the Nazis were.
The Warsaw ghetto, work camps, forcing Jews out of their homes and to wear the Star of David, taking their valuables and property, sniping Jews…. the injustices are plenty.
Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes are very effective here.
The camerawork is stunning- vivid black and white that looks amazing on blu-ray.
It’s an uncomfortable movie, but an important one.
BLADE RUNNER (1982)
I'm happy that I saw The Final Cut, the only version Ridley Scott had creative control over.
It's visionary no doubt, but it's also slow and odd.
I didn't know what to make of this as I watched it.
One thing's for sure: it was ahead of it's time. The visuals are amazing and should be applauded.
Based on a Philip K. Dick novel, it tells of a weary cop and his tracking down of "Replicants".
Quality sci-fi.
I was also very happy to see Kubrick alum Joe Turkel in a small role.
The music by Vangelis was also tremendously atmospheric.
ADRIFT (2018)
This is a powerful story of survival, set in 1983.
Tami (Shailene Woodley) is a young free spirit who travels around on boats doing odd jobs.
She lands in Tahiti and meets Richard, a handsome British sailor with his own boat.
They develop feelings for one another, and when Richard gets offered a job to sail a yacht to San Diego he agrees, if they pay for return airfare to Tahiti for Tami too.
The trip goes well until they enter a hurricane, flipping the boat and causing flooding.
Richard is also lost in the ocean, which sets up an interesting part of the movie where Tami rescues him...or did she dream it?
Great acting from two unknowns, beautiful camerawork means two thumbs up.
This was a true story- Tami survived at sea for 41 days until rescued.
DRIVE (2011)
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, this is a pretty good action/heist film.
Be warned tho: there are scenes of graphic violence, with one in particular in an elevator being notorious.
Ryan Gosling plays a hollywood stunt driver who also does work driving for the criminal underbelly of L.A.
Bryan Cranston is his only ally.
He's attracted to his neighbor (Carey Mulligan), and he helps out her newly released from jail boyfriend. He owes protection money, and they set out to rob a pawn shop.
Things get botched, and the movie takes a wild turn.
Good performances, a nice car chase in the middle and interesting support from Ron Perlman and Albert Brooks as gangsters.
YESTERDAY (2019)
Himesh Patel stars as Jack Malick, a musician who wakes up one day in an alternate reality, one where The Beatles never existed. He proceeds to re-introduce the songs as his own.
I didn't like this movie. I don't like Danny Boyle films. Patel is unappealing, and I didn't like the idea of pilfering the Beatles' legacy, even if they supposedly don't exist.
The songs are performed ok, I just can't stand the premise. This is labelled as a rom-com but I felt it was neither. The Beatles deserve better. These aren't just "some songs"...these are some of the best songs ever written!
THE APPALOOSA |(2008)
This is the Ed Harris directed western, not the original with Marlon Brando.
An entertaining/engaging western, I enjoyed The Appaloosa.
Ed Harris stars as Virgil Cole, recently appointed Marshal.
Viggo Mortenson is Everett Hitch, his deputy.
Renee Zellweger plays Allie French, the love interest of Cole.
Jeremy Irons is the villain of the piece, as Randall Bragg, in custody for murder.
Allie has trouble being loyal to her man, the city is under threat because of the arrest of Bragg and Cole's methods for keeping the peace don't help matters.
Recommended.
THE BATMAN (2021)
Matt Reeves made a disappointing Batman movie.
I’m sick and tired of the “motorcycle suit” Batman.
He’s supposed to be so physically tough that he doesn’t need body armour.
I couldn’t care less about both The Riddler and Robert Pattinson’s Batman.
One was a shrill freak in a green gimp suit and the other was a brooding wooden Dracula.
The things I liked were Penguin, Catwoman and Gordon. The Batmobile was nice too.
But everything else was just sour boring window dressing.
The ending was hopeful, so we’ll see what the sequel brings.
THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU (2014)
When their father dies, 4 adult children move back into their mother’s (Jane Fonda) house for a week.
Family dysfunction takes over.
This is a comedy and there are laughs, but I felt they were trying too hard to get us to feel for the characters.
Starring Jason Bateman, Tina Fey and Adam Driver, this was a one time watch.
ALL EYEZ ON ME (2017)
This is a fantastic biopic directed by the aptly named Benny Boom.
We get the sum total overview of Tupac Shakur’s short but brilliant life.
He’s played by Demetrius Shipp, and it’s a great performance.
The music is super-cool. Hearing those songs again took me back to the mid-90’s.
Highly recommended.
We get his youth, legal troubles/ jail time, early career with the Digital Underground, superstardom, acting career, hanging with his peers Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre, his time at Death Row records and his untimely death.
TO THE WONDER (2013)
I loved this film, as I love all of Terence Malick’s films.
However if you’re looking for a plot…. You’re out of luck.
Gorgeous imagery/cinematography should keep your peepers locked onscreen.
Ben Affleck stars.
The narrative moves from Paris to Oklahoma, involving Ben’s relations with two women.
This was the last movie Roger Ebert ever reviewed, giving it 3 and a half stars out of 4.
THE LAST RIDE (2011)
Harry Thomason directs Henry Thomas as Hank Williams, in this weak film.
Hank gets driven to his final performances, and he’s a drunken lout!
The whole movie is just him being chauffeured around, from town to town, as a drunk obnoxious git.
There are no original recordings of Hank’s here either- they’re all modern covers.
Big disappointing “tribute” to a true Legend.
ARGO (2012)
Ben Affleck directs this Best Picture Oscar winner, which is very good.
The American Embassy in Tehran, Iran is attacked by Islamists on Nov. 4th, 1979.
Six manage to get out, but 66 staffers are taken hostage.
Enter Mendez (Affleck), a CIA man specializing in rescues.
He concocts a plan whereby the six pretend to be a Canadian film crew, making a sci-fi film called ARGO.
Great film. Tense, nice re-enactments, great acting from Bryan Cranston and John Goodman.
Yes, ARGO was very popular at the time. I was glad for Affleck to have a triumph. But there was debate about the factuality aspects of this "true story" and complications in the falsified last 20 minutes, and the degree of credit and/or responsibility of Canada vs. the CIA. Here is the end of a page-long article, "The Canadian-Less Caper: The Controversy Surrounding Oscar-winning film Argo" (date? current?):See the whole page for the details. In my 2012 review, I admitted to being surprised this was such a huge hit with the critics and to finding aspects of it a bit too "ultra-square" for me. I also pointed out it would play less well in Canada ("but not as badly as it will play in Iran").Quote:
"Affleck’s Oscar-winning film has played directly into perpetual English-Canadian insecurities about the country’s relationship with the US and about its lack of a clear and distinctive identity. These perpetual demons in the psyche of English-speaking Canadians means that Argo will not be preferred viewing for years to come."
I felt that Canada was heroic enough in Argo, that we weren’t lacking in praise for helping in the clutch.
This is a movie and it won’t be 100% accurate anyway.
I was entertained. Affleck didn’t reinvent the wheel here.
But I suppose the Iranians being painted as villains would rankle…..
HULK (2003)
I’ve written about this Ang Lee film here before. I’m one of its Champions.
This is a living comic book!
Ang took the entire of “Hulk Culture” and crammed it into this great movie.
Eric Bana is fine as Bruce Banner and Jennifer Connelly is great as Betty Ross.
Inspired casting with Sam Elliot as General Ross and Nick Nolte as Bruce’s disturbed father.
I loved the Frankenstein-ing of comic panels, flipping and merging images throughout.
When we finally see the Hulk, he definitely smashes… He destroys their lab.
From then on he’s hunted and chased. Great flick. I’m bewildered as to why people don’t like it.
Cameos with Stan Lee and Lou Ferigno.
THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2008)
This is the Louis Letterier reboot, after Ang Lee’s movie got mixed reviews.
Ed Norton stars as Bruce Banner AND he had a large hand in writing the script.
The CGI for the ‘08 Hulk is better, and they tried to give homage to the Bixby TV series.
I don’t know which hulk film I like better-they both have strong points.
William Hurt and Liv Tyler are great as father & daughter.
But it’s Tim Roth as Abomination that really rocks: “Give me a Real Fight!!”
Another Lou Ferigno cameo too.
ARBITRAGE (2012)
Directed by Nicolas Jarecki, this was an intriging thriller.
Richard Gere is the rock of the movie, great performance from him.
He’s a hedge fund magnate, and he’s a huge fraud. He’s also cheating on his wife (a great Susan Sarandon).
He falls asleep at the wheel one night, killing his mistress. He flees the scene and gets a ride home from the son of a friend who gets implicated in the homicide/coverup.
The rest of the movie is Gere in overdrive, doing everything to avoid the law.
Tim Roth shines as a detective on the case.
Yes I too found it exciting and was pretty favorable in my review here at the time. I did rate MARGIN CALL a bit higher for reasons I give in that review.
Good review! Yes, this was Jarecki's first film and it was slick and polished.