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dkiltz
Reviews
Blade: Trinity (2004)
How times make a movie
***Attention, spoilers*** So, Blade 2 was about the dangers of tampering with a species' genome. In Blade 3, we find that the arch-vampire is actually a smart guy from the Middle-East. A real devil. Who'd have thought. Other than that, there is a lot of fine action and effects, as was to be expected. I didn't quite grasp the significance of 'immortality comes to such as are fit for it'. Well, no... and the point ? What about Drake? Is he in any sense 'more immortal' than usual vampires? What becomes of his victims ? They seem to die. Further, I have no problem with Blade having a team on his side. However, the relation between Nyssa and Blade in 'Blade 2' was more complex and, well, interesting than Abigail Whistler's just being another fighting machine. OK, you need to have a tough woman in there too, I know. That bit of family feeling however didn't really hurt. You can't infinitely play on the 'lonesome rider' theme, I think. All in all a rather shallow movie though which, however, doesn't fail to echo current world affairs. That last sentence says it all, doesn't it ? "And of course, the war never ends..."
Love Stinks (1999)
About everything but love
*Potential spoilers* Don't be fooled by the title of this movie. It's not about love in any way. It's about a woman who thinks she ought to get married and a guy who thinks he ought to have sex. When each of them fails to attain their projected goals, hell is unleashed. Reading the comments like 'women want to control men' and 'it's only the guy who is emotionally impotent' gives you an idea what this movie is about: the inability of its characters, the inability to love. Even when, in the end, the two come together and marry, it's not out of love but out of some manic drive to 'get it done'. Hence the title of the film makes about as much sense as if you'd call a film about people starving to death 'food sucks'.
So for all you guys and gals out there who project their fears and inability to love on the other sex: Try loving first. A superfluous film, with irrelevant characters having irrelevant 'problems' and an insult to the very word. As if there weren't any real problems on this earth. Best to be missed.
Around the World in 80 Days (1989)
Great adaption, great actors
*Potential spoilers*
I guess I'm echoing what others have written. This is truly a 'classic' adaption of the book. The characters are, of course, a little over-painted, but that's supposed to be so. It doesn't rely on slap-stick gags or the like but is extremely funny nevertheless. The key story, namely that of Mr. Fogg finally getting out of his corset of punctuality and distance, facilitated by the unconditional devotion of Passepartout and love of the Princess is being put to the audience in a remarkably unpretentious and delicate way. Excellent!
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
Technically well done but...
The film is certainly well done, technically. That is, special effects are pretty good. We got a Terminatrix this time, so some more female appeal in it. Also, the quotes are exactly where you expect them (I'm back anybody?). Still, for me that alone just doesn't make for a good movie. OK, the Skynet thingy wasn't a strong point to begin with, but what's all this pseudo-deep blah about the future and all. I mean, come on... a machine telling that 'Judgment Day' (what has this religious term to do with it all?) is 'inevitable' really pushes the envelope too much. A machine would be programmed to say what it says. It cannot 'know' what will happen, not calculate the future (chaos theory anyone ?). Far less in a situation where things depend so much on human decisions. So, what does the movie want to say ? Well, nothing. There is absolutely nothing. Watch out, machines *will* take over ? I think this movie really sends out a very bad message to kids. 'The future will be catastrophic, it can simply be computed and there's nothing we can do about it, so don't even think about trying to change stuff. Things are just gonna happen. It's well known that some of the ultra-conservative groups in the US see some sort of mass-dying as unavoidable. This kind of movies serve to condition audiences to accept this. Maybe that's the message of the film. Other than that, it's not coherent or plausible. 'Jodgment day iss inevitable'. Yes, sure, take it from Arny, it was the last 'Terminator'.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
While not accursed, this film is definitely no pearl
I'm surprised about the great rating this movie got. It's basically just stereotype and rumination of old themes. It's done in an ok way but there's nothing really special. The effects were up to date as one would expect. And yes, Johnny Depp is a very good actor. But was this movie witty, inventive, creative or... pensive? None. To make it a good movie it should have had some of these qualities. Once the curse is revealed the plot drags on lengthily. Yes, you know right from the start who is at the bottom of it (after all, you don't cast J. D. for nothing). And yes, the 'love' story with the two youngsters and the evil Brit (the villain is British, how new! yawn) is genuinely disingenuous. Don't get me wrong, I always enjoy love stories, this one too, and a young'un that fights for his love is always engaging. But they would have done the actors more justice if they'd missed out on some clichés.
I wouldn't watch it twice. As a friend of mine put it 'it's a silly movie'. Come to think of it, I think that's a compliment.
Astérix & Obélix : Mission Cléopâtre (2002)
Splendid
Eh oui, impossible n'est pas gaulois.
Well paced, highly entertaining film. Pretty good command of the French language and knowledge of modern France (and history) are recommended. I don't think this film really works in any other language. The film is incredibly much better than the previous one (In search of...). Apart from great actors and savvy camera handling it's the wit and firework of allusions, word plays etc. that make for a really great movie. The cartoon vorlage is recognizable but the film is very emancipated. The cost of the film is put to good use. Indeed, all the special effects fit 'naturally' into the movie, you never feel choked by them.
Bref, oui, les 2CVs, ça traîne un peu mais à part cela, Imhotep!
-A neighbour from the other side of the Rhine