Reviews

For whatever reason, I had completely missed Season 3 of the Wire. Maybe I was in school or something. Just finished it for the first time...wow.

Amazing, just like every other season. The theme of this one was clearly reform, and how futile it can be when there's an established program. So flawlessly executed, and such amazing character arcs...every film and television director/writer needs to see this...this is how you make drama.

Was particularly moved by Bunny Colvin. The whole series, you knew that his amazing Hamsterdam experiment was going to end badly, and when the **** hit the fan it got on everyone. Humiliated, demoted, loss of a high paying job after retirement. And all because he knew what had to be done, and knew that it was the right thing to do.

Also surprisingly moved by Stringer. Hard to believe that I was feeling a level of sympathy for the despised, cold-blooded killer. I mean, he ordered the death of kids...and I still felt for him when his time came. He honestly wanted to get out of the game, and was doing it in the best way he thought possible. What he didn't realize, and what Avon did, was that you can't be a semi-gangster. You have to go all the way, or completely get out the way Cutty did. Avon thought he could bring order to chaos, and in the end it cost him everything.

I can't say enough about the acting/directing/writing/general feel of this show. Nothing like it on television, and doubt there will ever be again. Truly genius in every sense of the word. Funny, heartbreaking, intellectual, technical, true-to-life, and above all, engrossing. I will miss the Wire the way I don't even miss my favorite other shows that got canceled, like the Sopranos, and the Shield. Television is worse off without the Wire.

I enjoyed Terminator: Salvation for what is was: an exciting, decently-acted (could have actually been better, in my opinion, considering the quality of actors that are Christian Bale and Sam Worthington), action-filled Terminator movie. While not as enjoyable as T2, Terminator: Salvation tells an intriguing story that draws on elements of the first 2 Terminator movies stylishly.

The most intriguing aspect of 'Salvation' is the story it tells of Marcus Wright, a convicted murderer who is given a second chance at redemption. Marcus Wright's subtly powerful performance (well, not so subtle at some points, but overall...) is the best thing about the movie. Recommended for fans of the action genre, and extremely recommended for fans of the Terminator series of movies. This movie far exceeds T3 in every aspect.

Watchmen is one of the greatest novels I have ever read, certainly one of the greatest Graphic Novels in the history of the genre (personally, I think From Hell may have been the superior work by the author, but that's neither here nor there). From the moment I first read this inspired piece of literature, I imagined the Watchmen Movie. I heard the characters voices, Rorshach staring down the surrounding inmates at Sing-Sing prison, while declaring "None of you understand. I'm not locked up in here with you. You're all locked up in here with me!" Dr. Manhattan monotonely asking Laurie Jupiter/Juspeczyk "Why should I save a world I no longer have any stake in?" Dan Dreiberg absent-mindedly reminiscing about past battles with ally Rorshach: "Those were great times, huh Rorshach? Whatever happened to them", and the simple and callous reply from his old friend as he walks away: "You quit".

I would hear these voices, but I resigned myself to the fact that Watchmen was, as Alan Moore has said, unfilmable. The superheroes are made up for this one particular story, based on golden and silver-age heroes that most of the Spider-Man/X-Men movie-going crowd has never heard of. The story is awash in brutality, sex, philosophy...and there is no catharsis; no simple solution to humanity's problems at the end. The real enemy is not a purse-snatch or a "serial supervillian" that can be defeated through superior fighting skill, but rather the ever-growing spectre of nuclear destruction. The enemy in Watchmen is the complete and utter destruction of the human race! What role can a costumed vigilante possibly play in such a scenario? And how can this be made into a live-action movie?!?! The brilliant Zack Snyder has answered these questions for me, and turned me into a lifelong fan and admirer for the faithful, classy, stylish, and overall brilliant way he has brought Watchmen to the movie screen. This is a movie with tons of heart, and you can feel the love in each and every scene. Snyder's passion for the source material is evident in each frame, each action scene, each line of dialogue. The characters sound like I imagined they would sound, and they look the way that Dave Gibbons drew them. From the god-like Dr. Manhattan, to the uncompromising (in every sense of the word) Rorshach, to the beautiful Silk Spectre, I may have never seen a truer translation of a graphic novel, at least not since Sin City.

Bravo and congratulations to Zack Snyder for not dumbing down a complex and sophisticated graphic novel to satisfy mainstream audiences. And though the ending, and the main villain's plan was slightly different than in the original graphic novel, the outcome and effect was the same.

Bottom line: This is the best that anyone could have possibly done in creating a Watchmen movie. I would not have changed a thing. Well, other than make the film run 5 hours. But that might be pushing it.

Let me just start by saying that if you're a BIG Adam Sandler fan then you'll love this movie. If you're a casual Adam Sandler fan and an Israeli or Arab with a sense of humor, you will love this movie. If you are sensitive to Jew/Israeli jokes, humor at the expense of Arabs or Middle-Easterns, then this movie will give you lots to complain about.

************SPOILERS BELOW****************** Zohan is an Israeli Mossad Agent/Counterterriorist. He is the best there is at what he does...but he has a gentle soul, and is tired and exasperated with all the fighting. He longs for a simple life where nobody knows him and he can do what he loves: cut and style women's hair.

That's it. That's the movie. And along the way there's lots of Jew/Israei/Arab humor and an overall positive message at the end. It's silly, filled with toilet-humor, and completely over-the-top so as not to be anywhere near the country called reality. In short, it's a hilarious Adam Sandler movie and I laughed my ass off. And John Turturro plays the Arab Terrorist villain...which is just so great and funny.

********************Spoilers end***************** Go see this movie if you have a sense of humor. YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN!!!

One thing I really like about Brian De Palma is that he'll sacrifice cold realism for artistic and creative pleasure. There are lots of cool things going on in the Untouchables, both visually and verbally. All the actors do a very good job, but the standout (as he usually is) is Sean Connery. Every second that he was on screen made this movie more thrilling and enjoyable. Highlights for me: spoiler warning Kevin Costner throwing Frank Nitti off the building, the horses in Canada, and Sean Connery's death scene: one of the most touching scenes I've seen in movies.

Excellent movie, on several levels.

What sets "Meet the Fockers" above the level of standard comic shtick is the wonderful original performances of Hoffman, Streisand, and De Niro (and De Niro's wife as well, her name escapes me). Hoffman and Streisand completely sell the role of Gaylord Focker's parents. Hoffman in particular is brilliant. He brilliantly conveys the sensitivity, quirkiness and eccentricity that must be inherent in two people who would bestow the moniker "Gaylord Focker" upon their son.

Possible spoilers...

Hoffman's ex-attorney turned stay-at-home father completely fits his comic persona, while Streisand is hilarious as a sex-therapist without going completely over the edge. "Meet the Fockers" is, as its name implies, mostly centered on Gaylord's parents, but Robert De Niro delivers one of the best comic performances of his career as the deadpan, overly serious, control-freak father of Gaylord's fiancé. Suffice it to say, the story itself is not all that spectacular, but the director wisely allows the characters to dictate the comic element of the movie. Good job. I was laughing at every word that came out of Hoffman's mouth.

Fight Club's simple title, aptly chosen by the author, betrays the extremely relevant tones that the film conveys. The film, one of the better adapted movies from a novel, offers social commentaries so scathing and obvious that they will most likely force you to reconsider your daily routine and lifestyle.

Possible spoilers.

The movie's main character, quite appropriately, has no name. He is instead referred to by the pseudonyms that he provides while crashing various self-help groups. His motive for doing so, insomnia, serves as the focal point for the film's plot. The narrator/main character, while seemingly asleep, actually becomes the founder of a national organization of everyday people who defy society in multiple ways: picking fights with innocent people, setting up underground fight clubs, and even destruction of corporate symbols.

The main goal of the film is to take society's clichés and stereotypes and reexamine them, hoping to decipher the truth about why we have so quickly and wholeheartedly embraced them. The places this movie takes you will shock and astonish you in several ways. The plot is only increased by the perfectly appropriate and understated performances of Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, respectively. One movie that everyone should watch once before they die.

10/10

Possible spoilers:

I just finished this movie. I was touched not by the graphic displays of violence and murder, but by the humanity displayed in the face of monstrosities too horrible to even consider. Possibly the most moving film I have ever seen. I'm sure that the film takes liberties, but the truly frightening thing is that I am sure that they are few and far between. The scene in the showers may have been the most horrific moment I have ever witnessed in cinema. The violence is so hideous and dehumanizing that it puts the displays of kindness in a unique perspective. The scene on the trains, where Schindler provides water is one example. I knew precisely what to expect from this movie. What I did not expect was the portrait of kindness and humanity that it provides. Everyone in the world should watch this movie at least once.

Possible spoilers ahead...

Saving Private Ryan is a movie about World War II. In this it is not original. Hundreds or perhaps thousands of films have been made about this subject. What makes this film stand out besides the magnificent acting of Tom Hanks (possibly his best role, and that's saying a lot) is the film's plot. A dozen men risk their life and put service to their country on hold in order to retreive a single officer. Not one that is crucial to the war effort, indeed, not one that is even in enemy hands. Just one that is the last surviving son of a mother that has lost all her children in the war. The irony and contradictions of a dozen men risking their lives to locate and retreive a single officer is almost paralyzing, and surely secures Speilberg's masterpiece a place, in my opinion, among the finest movies ever made. Everything about this movie is spectacular, from the acting to the effects, to the dramatic qualities. Possibly the finest of all the World War II films ever made.

Robin Williams, as always is a pleasure to watch; normal, weird, creepy, goofy, serious, insane; the guy just glues you to the screen. This is one of those where you are transfixed on his character and have no idea what he'll do next. Great performance, like usual. That said, the movie ain't that great.

Possible spoiler ahead.... - 0 0 0 0 -

Okay, it's about this creepy cat who works at the one hour photo department of an everyday drug store and gets obsessed with this one family who keeps bringing him photos. That's about it. He gets fired, goes a little crazy, finally snaps, and gets stopped before he does anything that terrible. See what I mean? There's not too much this movie can do. It's a little flat, and the only thing exceptional about it is Mr. Williams. Worth seeing once, I guess. 6/10.

An older Duke, bet not a lesser Duke. Don't be fooled by this movie being made in the latter stages of Wayne's career. This performance is one of Wayne's best. He's tough, strong, and hilarious all in one.

Spoiler--plot summary

The movie centers around Mattie Ross. She is played by Kim Darby. I don't know what I really think of her performance. In some ways, I like it, but it seems way over the top for the most part. Her father gets shot and she goes to a nearby town to enlist aid in tracking down the killer: Rooster Cogburn! One of the greatest characters in Western movie history. They team up with a Texas Marshall named LeBouef. Okay, kill me but I thought the Marshall, Glen Campbell, was really cool in his performance. He's pretentious, quick-witted, and funny.

They eventually find the assassin, and John Wayne shows that he's still got the old Duke grit. He puts the reins in his teeth, shouts "FILL YOUR HAND YOU SONOFABITCH", and charges the 4 gunslingers, reins in mouth, gun in each hand. The outcome is never in doubt.

After beating the bad guys and saving the girl, Wayne returns to the town. Darby remarks "you're too old and fat to jump horses". Wayne, in a classic display, responds "Well, come see a fat old man sometime!" Next, with a "yaa", he jumps the gate and rides off into the sunset.

Again, one of Wayne's best performances ever in a very good movie. A definitive Wayne must-see. The Duke will live forever in beautiful pictures such as this one. 10/10.

If not for the brilliance of the ending, I would have rated this move a 5 instead of a 7.

Spoiler--

The ending with Sofia getting shot was kind of subpar, but what came after it was breathtaking. Pacino's silent scream and the expression on Diane Keaton's face was great, but the true artistry came afterwards. The flashbacks of Pacino dancing with Appolonia, Kay, and Mary suggest that Michael, for all his strength and self-sacrifice to ensure the safety of his family, has lost all the women in his life. Essentially, his whole life has meant nothing because he has lost everything he has ever loved. Then, the death scene was shattering. Michael, great man that he was, ends up dying alone and blind with only a small animal to witness his passing. And the music playing throughout this last scene, magnifico!

Possibly the greatest and most moving ending I have ever seen in any movie. Just a shame that the film itself couldn't live up to it.