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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Brilliance - drop the ball - Brilliance - drop the ball...
Whew!!! Did the beginning rock your insides or what?! It was fabulous and dark and brain cell burning fast! Quidditch was outstanding, my nose hairs quivered! I wanted more more more! The dementors/flowers-to-ice scene was incredible! I love Dawn French!!! And THEWLIS is the man...Rickman is still my love.
Theeeeeeeennnnnnn - what happened? Looks like Cuaron ran out of steam and gimmicks. Looked like a man proud of those pumpkins, Emma, and of the colors pink and orange, who tortured his audience briefly by exhausting us with the "going back in time sequence." We were punished because they mucked up the construction of the shrieking shack (a scene mutilated and short). Cuaron, HEY, you're brilliant BUT, 1) This movie shouldn't have been a tribute to yourself and Mexico 2)I saw way too much YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, THE MEANING OF LIFE, CITIZEN CANE, SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES, etc. influence and 3) It's not about symbolism.
I was heartbroken with the odd character alterations: The Dursleys' were almost sedate; Flitwick looked like revenge on Mexico's President Fox; Hermione wasn't stressed. What about her near breakdown? I saw only a sprite creature who was handed all of Ron's lines. Speaking of Ron, he acted as though he were a ventriloquist's dummy. He looked like Cuaron's punished child for not completing the assigned essay. His bravery and support of his friends - gone; Julie Christie was barely visible; and Mr. Weasley, WHAT a waste of talent! I tried theater after theater, but could barely hear the man at all. He suddenly became a hip and cool dresser (for a dad); and what happened to GOYLE? Who was the skinny guy occupying my GOYLE time? Not a bad actor, but I want my GOYLE. And what's this TOM/Quasimoto?
The "pea soup" and constant rain were a little to trite.
Hollywood says movies 1 and 2 were "too long". I sat through HP2 five times in theater full of toddlers and kids and they were enraptured the entire time. In HP3 the children became restless and the adults, bored early.
God I'm scared for HP4!!!! KLOVES, what's WRONG WITH YOU? The Goblet needed to be 2 movies! Are you tired of the whole project? YES, Quidditch is important and so is everything else. I understand artistic license. Cuaron used it brilliantly! Give us back OUR Harry Potter....
CHRIS COLUMBUS: I MISS YOU AND I THANK YOU!
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Brilliance - drop the ball - Brilliance - drop the ball...
Whew!!! Did the beginning rock your insides or what?! It was fabulous and dark and brain cell burning fast! Quidditch was outstanding, my nose hairs quivered! I wanted more more more! The dementors/flowers-to-ice scene was incredible! I love Dawn French!!! And THEWLIS is the man...Rickman is still my love.
Theeeeeeeennnnnnn - what happened? Looks like Cuaron ran out of steam and gimmicks. Looked like a man proud of those pumpkins, Emma, and of the colors pink and orange, who tortured his audience briefly by exhausting us with the "going back in time sequence." We were punished because they mucked up the construction of the shrieking shack (a scene mutilated and short). Cuaron, HEY, you're brilliant BUT, 1) This movie shouldn't have been a tribute to yourself and Mexico 2)I saw way too much YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, THE MEANING OF LIFE, CITIZEN CANE, SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES, etc. influence and 3) It's not about symbolism.
I was heartbroken with the odd character alterations: The Dursleys' were almost sedate; Flitwick looked like revenge on Mexico's President Fox; Hermione wasn't stressed. What about her near breakdown? I saw only a sprite creature who was handed all of Ron's lines. Speaking of Ron, he acted as though he were a ventriloquist's dummy. He looked like Cuaron's punished child for not completing the assigned essay. His bravery and support of his friends - gone; Julie Christie was barely visible; and Mr. Weasley, WHAT a waste of talent! I tried theater after theater, but could barely hear the man at all. He suddenly became a hip and cool dresser (for a dad); and what happened to GOYLE? Who was the skinny guy occupying my GOYLE time? Not a bad actor, but I want my GOYLE. And what's this TOM/Quasimoto?
The "pea soup" and constant rain were a little to trite.
Hollywood says movies 1 and 2 were "too long". I sat through HP2 five times in theater full of toddlers and kids and they were enraptured the entire time. In HP3 the children became restless and the adults, bored early.
God I'm scared for HP4!!!! KLOVES, what's WRONG WITH YOU? The Goblet needed to be 2 movies! Are you tired of the whole project? YES, Quidditch is important and so is everything else. I understand artistic license. Cuaron used it brilliantly! Give us back OUR Harry Potter....
CHRIS COLUMBUS: I MISS YOU AND I THANK YOU!
L.A. Story (1991)
Wow...Steve Martin's brilliance shines through.
This Film is not simply about the great city, but about love on many different levels: art, L.A., sunshine, life, people, literature, philosophy, and of course, relationships (aka true love). Artfully depicted are passion, searching, and the play of serendipitous events coupled will sheer willpower, on our mortal existences.
The direction of L.A. Story is incredible, but the real art of this film is in the writing. Steve Martin is a subtle genius whose profundity is such that only a few can see beyond his proverbial surface. For he who is larger than life, this film best captures at least some of his facets. I close my eyes and dream...
Novocaine (2001)
Difficult as it is to imagine that a great cast and great concept can be mal-delivered, Novocaine proves it possible.
Steve Martin has either grown more talented and brilliant with age or we are now having more opportunities to witness this. His subtleness and incredible face are alluring. The entire cast deserves kudos for a great ensemble. On the other hand, the writing and directing do not.
Unlike the cast members who were top rate, the direction was simplistic, not in a minimalist fashion, but in a puerile attempt: first this happens, then that, now everyone act vaudevillian. The direction appeared to be confused between stage and film. The writing was weak with annoying one liners and non-clever phrases. Not enough credit was given to the intellect of the audience and too much was spelled out for us. None the less, I managed to finish the film and was rewarded with a unique and sweet ending.
Ma vie en rose (1997)
Truly a Pity Fest which Failed to Accomplish the Goal
The most special individuals in society have qualities that make them unabashedly unique and remove them from the crowd. The trauma of being a young outcast and the thrill of triumph over one's own wiring, often provide an incredibly rich canvas onto which the artist can paint the moving still of his/her life.
This film was rich in color, conceptually sound, and beautifully cast. Yet with all the talent and obvious creativity, the film failed to accomplish the intended goal,"we were born this way". Instead, the film developed into a pity fest and made unintentional mockery of the subject matter. The sympathy for the character never came. One of the rules of writing is that the audience need be on board with protagonist. Instead, I found myself thinking the boy needed a swift kick.
The Others (2001)
Substance defeats flash!
In this new century and millennium, a return to intellectualism has made movie goers more demanding and raised the bar for movie makers. The director/writer of THE OTHERS has answered the call and created a mental masterpiece. This movie provides all the hair raising thrills that a true psychological artwork should. What are missing are the tiresome effects that have dulled the viewers' senses and their wits. Nicole Kidman outdoes herself and shows everyone not only what a great beauty she is (an uncanny resemblance to Grace Kelly in this flick) but also what a truly great actress she is. The art and mood in this film are superb. Each moment is filled with a cerebral nibble. Don't miss this one! Regards, Jeneria.
Der Krieger und die Kaiserin (2000)
Excellent piece of work. The bar has been raised on the genre of "subtle profundity".
Excellent piece of work. The bar has been raised for the genre of "subtle profundity". All of the elements were there: perfect casting, excellent directing, transcendent cinematography, great story writing, awesome score, actors who understand their craft, and editing that brings together all of these elements to form true art.
This movie is definitely a challenge to our great American independent film makers who can "go to school" on this one.
Dark Summer (2000)
I want to see more from this director. Prepare for a special ride.
This movie was directed by someone with a masterful eye for art.The darkness of the story is sublime and not oppressive. Ms. Archer carries the role the with the powerful grace that is uniquely her. I hope we see more from the director. His technique is refreshing in the too often staleness of the screen.