A Prairie Home Companion was actually better than I was expecting it to be. It is not far from the standard Altman path with an incredible ensemble cast and the actors constantly talking over one another. All in all I thought it was kind of charming but incredibly niche. I think unless you actually listened to the show that it is about or have a huge love of silly NPR-like shows then you are not its target audience. There are definitely some cute and clever moments but not sure if this will carry an entire film for non radio or Altman fans.
Mrs. Movie
Friday, June 30, 2006
The Break-Up
The Break-Up was a pleasant surprise, I was curious but had
Pretty much convinced myself that I wasn't going to like it as I assumed it would follow the standard Romantic Comedy equation. Which of course is Great Beautiful Successful Woman meets Unemployed, Crazy or Loser Man - Women rearranges entire life in order to create a scenario where she can be with the Loser Man - They Live Happily Ever After?????? Barf! This definitely does not fit that bill. I would hazard a warning to anyone that has actually recently gone through a break up - this might not be a good film for you as it will certainly be poring some salt in the wounds. All in all I was happy to not be beaten over the head with the unrealistic saccharin endings that Hollywood seems to damn fond of!
Mrs. Movie
Pretty much convinced myself that I wasn't going to like it as I assumed it would follow the standard Romantic Comedy equation. Which of course is Great Beautiful Successful Woman meets Unemployed, Crazy or Loser Man - Women rearranges entire life in order to create a scenario where she can be with the Loser Man - They Live Happily Ever After?????? Barf! This definitely does not fit that bill. I would hazard a warning to anyone that has actually recently gone through a break up - this might not be a good film for you as it will certainly be poring some salt in the wounds. All in all I was happy to not be beaten over the head with the unrealistic saccharin endings that Hollywood seems to damn fond of!
Mrs. Movie
The Road to Guantanamo
This is a Docu-Drama in the same vein as Touching the Void - but with a lot less edge of your seat tension. This is the story of a few young British/Pakistani men that go to Pakistan for a friend's wedding and decide it would be a good idea to venture over to Afghanistan to see what it is really like and how they might be able to help the people - in late September of 2001. Not the brightest of ideas most people might think. A number of things go wrong and ultimately they get arrested by the American Army and transferred to Guantanamo Bay. This is definitely a disturbing tale - and somewhat timely with the recent Supreme Court ruling. While I was definitely interested in the telling of this horrible story I can't say that I ever was as invested as I was hoping to be. I am not sure this is the best made film but it certainly is relevant.
Mrs. Movie
The Lake House
Hmmm, I have to start with the fact that I am not a Keanu Reeves fan - especially when it’s not an action film. This is also not my favorite genre either so it did already have two strikes against it before I even stepped into the theater. The premise is pretty out there and then the film doesn't even pretend to stay within the limits of the absurd boundaries that it sets up. If you want a totally schmaltzy romantic melodrama and have no issues with suspension of disbelief than this is your film.
Mrs. Movie
PS: Whoever decided on the hairstyle for Ms. Bullock should be fired!Thursday, June 29, 2006
District B-13
District B-13 is an exploitation film. Think “Electric Bugaloo,” and not “Satan’s Cheerleaders.” The exploitation is of a newer extreme sport called “Parkour,” it’s Urban trick running. In B-13 the gated community has taken the ultimate turn and just gated the ghetto in. Buildings each have their own boss, or protector. Damien is the good guy, and he can basically run up to a second story window, jump through it, run around the room on the walls and kick the henchman into the evil Boss Leito. Which is really cool to see.
Mrs. Movie and I discovered some time ago that there was always a little extra leeway in foreign films for cheesy stuff. District B-13 so abuses this leeway that I think from here on in, all foreign films must be as dreary and unfanciful as American Films. We must call it when we see it. Pretentious instead of deep, moronic instead of direct, childish instead of whimsy. This means you to Hong Kong and Japan. All because of some really really crappy adolescent speeches in “B-13.” Which is otherwise a rocking kick-ass movie. Graceful elegant violence, that doesn’t look like it’s all on the end of a wire.
Let’s face it Luc Besson has a flipping great eye for what is cool.
Mr. Movie
Parkour: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkour
Electric Bugaloo: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086999/
Satan’s Cheerleaders: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076665/
Mrs. Movie and I discovered some time ago that there was always a little extra leeway in foreign films for cheesy stuff. District B-13 so abuses this leeway that I think from here on in, all foreign films must be as dreary and unfanciful as American Films. We must call it when we see it. Pretentious instead of deep, moronic instead of direct, childish instead of whimsy. This means you to Hong Kong and Japan. All because of some really really crappy adolescent speeches in “B-13.” Which is otherwise a rocking kick-ass movie. Graceful elegant violence, that doesn’t look like it’s all on the end of a wire.
Let’s face it Luc Besson has a flipping great eye for what is cool.
Mr. Movie
Parkour: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkour
Electric Bugaloo: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086999/
Satan’s Cheerleaders: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076665/
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