Ok, who’s gone to the movies lately? What’s the Baristaville Buzz on any recent films you’ve seen?

38 replies on “Film Critics”

  1. well, I thought Narnia was lovely and we recently watched Finding Neverland, Maria Full of Grace and What Becomes of the Broken Hearted (the follow up movie to the brilliant Once Were Warriors). All of those were great.
    And, I have to admit watching some real crap while I was home from work on Monday (this is why I usually only take days off when I’m going somewhere!).. Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity and Down with Love. All of which were just as bad as I expected… yet I watched them anyway. Go figure.

  2. Most recent movie I saw in the theater was “The Island” and I actually liked it (but not the needless Michael Bay dramatics of explosions and chase scenes). I guess I’m part of the national statistic that saw fewer moviegoers in 2005. Part of the reason is lack of time, lack of convenience, and many more entertainment choices on cable television and internet sites as a diversion. Personally, I think going to a movie theater will become an occassional “special night out” to see an appropriate movie on a large 100-ft screen, IMAX-style (no home theater can replicate that experience. or at least not yet.)

  3. Thoroughly enjoyed the new King Kong* … and realized that the original probably was the first movie to instill in me a sense of wonder. Thanks, Kong!
    *A love story? Only if you believe those mostly old-time movies in which guy and gal, after only minimal interaction, are head over heels and absolutely sure they must get hitched. Or, maybe you need a different sense of wonder for this shtuff.

  4. munich. wow. powerful and thought provoking. i would recommend if you have a strong tolerance for violence.

  5. Syriana and Good Night,Good Luck were refreshingly intelligent and thought provoking.
    I felt just about every emotion during King Kong. Would have liked more time in the jungle, less in the city.

  6. I must be the only person alive who really disliked “King Kong”.
    The first hour was boring & the second hour had too many special effects (if that is possible). The third hour was OK, but I did not cry.
    Am going to see Syriana, Munich, Matchpoint & Narnia this weekend.
    My top ten movies list for the year-
    1) BBMtn
    2) Junebug
    3) History of Violence
    4) Cinderella Man
    5) Wedding Crashers
    6) Capote
    7) Good Night & Good Luck
    8) The Squid & the Whale
    9) Batman Begins
    10) Pride & Prejudice
    Honorable Mention
    Walk the Line
    Upside of Anger
    Crash
    Worst
    Must Love Dogs
    King Kong

  7. Why is I find that the acting in many of the recent movies far exceeds the writing?? I thought the acting in Capote was superb (particularly Hoffman and Cooper) but the writing was pretty contrived. Same was true of “Good Night and Good Luck” — Straitharn was fantastic but well, I felt the writing was weak and I couldn’t figure out why they included many of the side stories (wasn’t Murrow’s conflict with The Evil Senator enough drama??) Even Brokeback Mountain — a gorgeous film — was far better in the acting category (all were super) than the adaptation of Annie Proulx’s wonderful short story.

  10. Here is the opening graph of my son’s review of several movies at the Dubai International Film Festival.
    Dubai International Film Festival brings variations on everyday suffering
    By Oliver Mosier
    January 6, 2006 in Voices
    It’s difficult to categorize the cross section of humanity that calls film festivals its home. Sure, the rich and famous lurk in every corner, but often their stories are the least compelling. It’s those desperate people—beings who frequently check their dignity and shame at the door—who interest me. Sadly (ye t predictably), their journey usually begins and ends at the red carpet with a view obscured by a security guard’s hand over their faces
    Here I was in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Part Las Vegas and part Martian space colony. Construction was everywhere. The not-so-old joke goes that the national bird of Dubai is the crane. While Albert Brooks looks for comedy in the Muslim world in an upcoming film, I may have found it in all its Arabian banality.
    To read the entire story go to: https://maroon.uchicago.edu/voices/articles/2006/01/06/dubai_international_.php

  11. My favorite drama is on C-Span, called “I Don’t Know Jack” about the life and times of Jack Abramoff and his pal Tom DeLay.
    Even the Trolls have finally heard about him, after their beloved National Review wrote this week…
    “Since 1994 Tom DeLay has led the Republican House majority ably and loyally. Now he needs to perform yet another act of service by not seeking to return as majority leader.”
    This drama is thick with twists and turns as Jack, Tom, Ed Buckham, Ralph Reed, Grover Norquist and the rest of the crew hide their corruption behind organizations with deceptive names like “US Family Network” (buying votes to bail out Russia) and “Christian Coalition,” play upon the fears of NRA members to build their power base, and allegedly defraud Indian tribes. Well, maybe “allegedly” is too much of a hedge word, since Republicans try to shed their contributions from Jack, but in another attempt to deceive give money to charities, rather than return it to the defrauded tribes.
    Sure some Democrats got money, but in the words of Grover Norquist (National Journal circa 1995)… “What the Republicans need is 50 Jack Abramoffs”.
    Isn’t it nice that after benefiting from the corruption to get elected, President Bush announced Wednesday he’s “donating to charity $6,000 of the more than $100,000 Abramoff and his clients contributed to his 2004 re-election campaign.”?
    Audiences are kept on the edge of their seats as they wonder if the corrupt politicians will give back the decisions the money bought?
    As prosecutors gather evidence, one can only wonder what Bush and Cheney will be asking the NSA to listen to. Maybe they’ll hear The Iceman singing “Something happened in here, what it is ain’t exactly clear, there’s a man with an indictment over there, ‘compassionate conservatives’ are messing their underwear.”

  13. buycopy,
    “Audiences are kept on the edge of their seats as they wonder if the corrupt politicians will give back the decisions the money bought?”…funny line!
    Nothing burns my butt more than holier than thou corrupt politicians like Harry Reid and Charles Rangel who won’t give back the money but will cry that the Republicans are crooks.
    Let’s exercise our franchise people and elect in those people not tainted by the lobbyists corruption.

  15. Jeepers, Pam, you really get out, don’t you? Of that entire list, I’ve seen only Kong and Good Night. I thought Kong would have been excellent if they had cut about 45 to 60 minutes–most notably that riduclous and utterly superfluous dinos-chasing-dinos scene. And they really poured it on with those aboriginies–reminded me of old family reunions. Good Night was all right for the atmospherics (ie cigarette smoke) and the acting, but lacked a certain narrative tension. Oh well. The wife is testing my homophobia by suggesting we see Brokeback Mountain this weekened, so I don’t see how I can refuse, though I’d rather see Syriana.

  16. Sadly, I think ROC is right this time. The Dems don’t smell very good in the Abramoff affair either. One can only hope that Tom Delay makes a comeback. Oh, what a rallying cry that would make! Cahm Ahhn, Taaahm, yuu cahhn do whiit.

  17. From what I understand the majority of the actual money went to Republicans even though some Democrats are also implicated. All who were influenced by Abramoff’s tainted money should resign, no matter which party. I think we need a real shakeup in Congress. It’s out of control.

  19. Saw “Brokeback Mountain,” found it awfully slow going the first 45 minutes or so and somewhat unconvincing in that it never really establishes a relationship between the two lads. We have to accept their love on faith but, no, sorry, Jake and Heath just aren’t that accomplished as actors. Heath Ledger especially, especially since he gives the same mumbly, eyes downcast performance he gave in his last 10 movies. Charisma is sorely lacking in this film. They also sit their hores very awkwardly in too many scenes.
    Just watched “Gilda” with Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford on TCM. A real movie, with a real screen goddess who knew the camera loved her. And the scene where Rita’s possessive, justly suspicious husband, George Macready, asks Glenn Ford, after Ford has been out with his wife all night, what he was doing carries in 30 seconds more heat than Heath and Jake manage. Ford says they were “just out…we wound up going swimming.” (Of course they’re both bone dry.
    Macready replies that “perhaps we can go out together soon too…swimming.” But then, Ang Lee is no Charles Vidor and no equivalent to Rita Hayworth exists today.

  21. I am no lover of Harry Reid, and believe he has leadership balls the size of a flatworm’s. Nonetheless, in his defense he has been on the Indian Affairs Committee during his Senate career and represents Nevada casinos in his role as Senator from that state. Therefore, he may really believe that the money came from the tribes lobbying for casinos. I’m with walleroo and mauigirl52, it’s time to clean House and Senate (and hopefully elect independents). We should also forbid lobbyists from getting within 1000 feet of politicians and their easily entertained aides. Let them go on C-span to make their “research” points. Keep their crack-like dollars out of the political system.

  22. “We should also forbid lobbyists from getting within 1000 feet of politicians and their easily entertained aides.”
    NEA included? AFL-CIO? MoveOn.org, BluewaveNJ? George Soros? Can we keep all of them out of the lobby too?

  23. Not exactly sure what this means:
    “Nonetheless, in his defense he has been on the Indian Affairs Committee during his Senate career and represents Nevada casinos in his role as Senator from that state.”
    So his bribes are okay then? Aren’t they more obviously bribes because he is on the Indian Affairs committee?

  25. Recently saw Match Point in theaters and loved it (easily his best since Crimes And Misdemeanors) and on dvd I’ve seen The Chumscrubber, Oldboy, Hustle And Flow, Murderball, and Grizzly Man and loved them all. My top 10 of 2005 looks something like this.
    1. The Squid And The Whale
    2. A History Of Violence
    3. Match Point
    4. Munich
    5. Brokeback Mountain
    6. Wallace And Gromit
    7. Syriana
    8. King Kong
    9. Capote
    10. Good Night, And Good Luck.
    Honorable Mentions (In Alphabetical Order):
    40-Year-Old Virgin
    Broken Flowers
    Batman Begins
    Constant Gardener
    Hustle And Flow
    Grizzly Man
    Jarhead
    Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
    Lord Of War
    Sin City
    Thumbsucker
    Weather Man
    Anyways I thought that really it was a very good year for movies.

  26. Just saw Match Point tonight, and I highly recommend it!
    Also loved BBMtn…for the person above who found it slow and didn’t see the relationship enough in the forefront, I think that was a crucial part of the movie! The point is that they couldn’t have their relationship out for all to see, after all…

  27. Favorite movies in order.
    Capote
    Squid and the Whale
    Cinderella Man
    Joyeaux Noel
    West Bank
    West Beyrouth
    Growing up Osama
    Syriana
    Walk the Line
    Until When

  28. ROC, I’m opposed to all lobbying that benefits the wealth or lifestyle of the politician — whether it’s Soros or Haliburton. My father was a lobbyist and provided scientific research and legal arguments to persuade favorable legislation/regulation. (A lifelong Republican, and founder in the 1940s of a county Republican organization, he got so sick at what he saw going on in politics, one of his final votes was for Perot.)
    Currently, there is legal lobbying when money is spent to educate Congressmen and is recorded as coming from the true source(which Reid is claiming these Indian items were) and illegal lobbying when the source is hidden (such as the money funneled from Russia through the US Family Network or given without records such as the real estate exchange that benefited Duke Cunningham)and given with the specific intent of buying a vote. Jack Abramoff tried to go around the legal restrictions in evey way imaginable because he was keeping millions for himself.
    The Chamber of Commerce is the largest “legal” lobbying organization, spending over $200 million followed by Altria (tobacco). The AFL-CIO spends about 1/8 of what the Chamber spends. Visit http://www.publicintegrity.org to see all the money given to recipients from donors who are reporting their contributions as required by law. (Actually lobbying expenses are estimated to be double the total, because of amounts below the reporting minimum or amounts unreported like skybox seats because the politician considers Jack a “friend” not a “lobbyist.”)
    As a business, like Lockheed, you can spend $54 million on lobbying and get $94 million in contracts (73% of which weren’t competitively bid out) and write off the $54 million in lobbying expenses. (Congress creates great rules for those who treat them nicely.)
    I think corrupt politicians should be punished by public flogging on the Washington Mall for the first offense and electrocution for the second offense. This would send a clear message to them that the public will no longer tolerate their behavior. But of course no Congressman has the integrity to introduce such a bill.

  29. loved capote, loved syriana. not perfect movies, just good, stimulating movies, and in the case of capote, lovely art direction.
    here’s a question i’d like to pose to other posters/cinemaphiles: what’s your take on the ultra-gory, ultra-cruel horror of a movie like ‘hostel’–it’s just been released and i got into a strong argument with my son over seeing it, ultimately forbidding him. he’s 14. i explained that the horrifying, gratuitous cruelty of a movie like this creates dread, terror, anxiety, fills his young soul with sick repulsion and images which become part of who he is. he was mad at me, but the next day he came over, apologized, and said he really didn’t want to see it that much after all. for those who don’t know, hostel is about a group of american teenage boys who are taken prisoner in eastern europe and graphically tortured to death for the amusement of some wealthy people. i saw the previews when i went to see syriana and was sick to my stomach just from the few scenes they showed. i don’t support censorship, but can anybody point out some wonderful justification for making a piece of drek like this? i believe movies like this can give people who are already on the edge some very ugly ideas. furthermore, when compared to genuinely lovely movies, such as ‘gilda,’ described above by cathar, or even a sweet movie like ‘mr. holland’s opus’ which, while not ‘citizen kane’ at least has something edifying to offer, the horror movies seem so….well, lazy.

  30. i’m with you fran. my son 14 also wants to see it and i said i couldn’t let him go. it looks too sickening. if you want some gore, some art, some story….did he see sin city? we took our son to see thumbsucker, broken flowers, and munich. he enjoyed them all.

  31. Buycopy, I wonder how much “education” $66,000 bought Senator Reid?
    Personally I don’t think ANY money or objects of value at all should flow to politicans ever except as donations to their campaigns, and those should be 100% transparent and disclosed.

  32. (Anyways I thought that really it was a very good year for movies.)
    Chris- I so agree with you.
    After seeing Munich & Narnia, I have to add these two movies to my honorable mention list.
    Will see Syriana tonight…
    The movie Hostel sounds like it contains no redeeming value whatsoever.
    The movie History of Violence contained some graphic scenes, but the story of redemption clearly contained a message and the violence was intrinisic to the message. The violence was not gratuitious either.
    Its a tough decision when it comes to teens… I think 14 may be too young for Hostel…

  33. Munich and King Kong were both too long and Kong was pretty intense for the young kids sitting in front of us who were scared out of their wits with the “muching” the dinos and huge bugs were doing on some of the humans, etc.
    Loved Good Night and Good Luck. Great acting.

  34. “The movie Hostel sounds like it contains no redeeming value whatsoever.
    The movie History of Violence contained some graphic scenes, but the story of redemption clearly contained a message and the violence was intrinisic to the message. The violence was not gratuitious either.”
    exactly. I don’t believe in censorship, and i’m not ‘violence-phobic’ if it makes sense for the movie. another good example would be ‘goodfellas’–one of my favorite movies. there is some disturbing violence, but it is part of an insightful, captivating story and it is not, in my opinion, exploited–it is intrinsic to joe pesci’s character. a friend’s teen saw ‘hostel’ this weekend and discussed it with me, describing some scenes. he did find it disturbing, and i can see why. i won’t describe some of the worst scenes but after hearing the story, i don’t see the redeeming artistic value of what they filmed. i guess, also, that i see so much beauty and complexity in the human spirit, it upsets me to see cruelty, degradation, panic and evisceration trotted across a screen as ‘entertainment’ to try and exploit our teens’ disposable income without caring how this garbage might hurt or affect their souls and their view of life and of each other.

  36. (it upsets me to see cruelty, degradation, panic and evisceration trotted across a screen as ‘entertainment’ to try and exploit our teens’ disposable income without caring how this garbage might hurt or affect their souls and their view of life and of each other)
    I agree Fran.
    I just saw Syriana…really enjoyed it.
    It’s very interesting movie that doesnt really take sides. There is one very disturbing torture scene, but clearly it is part of the plot, and thankfully, does not go on too long.
    I found myself really having to pay attention and re-play past scenes in my head in order to keep track of the plot line.

  37. Finally got to see “Walk the Line” and I have three words: awesome, awesome, awesome!
    Great acting, great music (natch), great story! I can see why Reese Witherspoon is up for an Academy Award, although I thought Joaquin Phoenix did a terrific job, too.

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