Title
Sweet Sixteen
British made film, set in Scotland. Apparently, the Amerian release is subtitled to help with the accents and dialects, but I watched the UK version, and it was tough. Probably caught about 2/3 of the dialog at most. It was still pretty easy to follow, a bit wierd, a bit slow, not sure how much sense it all made, but was still pretty good. (2003-06-19)
They (Wes Craven)
It sucked. (2003-06-17)
Finding Nemo
In the realm of these new adult-ish animiated movies, this doesn't make the top tier (Shrek, Monsters Inc., Chicken Run) but is as good as some of the others (Ice Age). Definately has its really funny moments, but is probably best as a rental. (2003-06-13)
Mighty Wind, A
Christopher Guest (This is Spinal Tap, Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman) comes back with another great mockumentary, this one about a 60's folk band reunion. It may not be as perfect as Best in Show, but the same crew comes back for another hilarious movie. Funniest movie I've seen this spring. (2003-05-25)
Matrix: Reloaded
Matrix sequel. While I though the plot twists and overall writing were very good, as witty as the first, overall the movie struck as much more cliched. It reminded me of other movies at several points, fight scenes from Couching Tiger Hidden Dragon or Mummy, and a lot of Star Wars-esque moments. And a few dreadful dialogs made it uncomfortable at points. And I'm not a big fan of the 'to be continued' ending, but still a good action flick. (2003-05-23)
X2
The X Men sequel: top notch action film, with cool effects and decent story line. (2003-05-16)
Rabbit Proof Fence
Based on the true story of three Aboriginal girls who crossed Australia to return to their family after being seperated because of racial control in the 1930's. An honest telling of an extremely fantastic occurence, and a beautiful movie. (2003-05-11)
Un h‚ros trŠs discret (A Self Made Hero)
Great French film about a guy who fabricates a history of being part of the French Resistance. A bit of a "Catch Me If You Can" but styled as a Mocumentary. Mathieu Kassovitz (Amalie) does a great job in the lead. (2003-05-03)
Amandla
Documentary about music in the anti-Apartheid struggle. I had high expectations for the movie, and it may have fallen short a bit, but definately did have lots of interesting bits, and was very enjoyable to watch because of all the music. Definately helps to know a lot about the struggle going in; I wish I had known more. Does a great job of including a variety of perspectives, exiles, militants, peaceful opposition, jailed dissidents--try and keep track of who's who. Well worth seeing. (2003-04-13)
Nowhere in Africa
Amazing. About a German family that flees Nazi Germany to live in Kenya. A great story, and though it has some cheesiness to it, also does some things different. The characters really captured me, weren't flat, and sometimes act like you wouldn't expect. One of the best films I've seen this year. (2003-03-31)
Steamboat Bill, Jr
1928 black and white silent classic. Its a pretty hilarous slapstick story, with some totally outrageous stunts and gags. I saw it at MIT with live piano accompiment by Professor Music Martin Marks, a really special treat. (2003-03-07)
10,000 Black Men Named George
Loosely historical account of A. Philip Randolph's work in organizing train porters under Pullman company. A great story on an important part of labor history. Well-done movie. (2003-02-16)
City of God
About one of the favela's in Rio, from the 60's through the 80's. Does some things very well, but not everything. Its one story among many that could be told about the favela's, and I'm not sure its an interesting one. But it does show very well the way the favela changes over time, and some of the scenario's that are played out around poverty, race, drugs and police. But don't read too much into it, there's a lot more to the story, or at least, there are other stories. (2003-02-16)
Bread and Roses
About the Justice for Janitors campaign in LA. Overall pretty good, had some stupid Hollywoodness to it, but did capture some of the reality of that particular fight, and the struggles of low-wage immigrant workers more generally. Not necessarily accurate in the specifics, as far as I know, but does show about the campaign tactics that is true. Overall a good movie, especially to learn more about contemporary labor concerns. (2003-02-10)
Pentagon Wars, The
A great satire about the ridiculousness of military spending, especially around high-tech weapons. A hilarious account based on a largely true story. I'd say one of the top satires out there, see this if you can. (2003-01-27)
Pianist, The
Good, not as amazing as I heard it might be, but maybe thats becuase I'm enmeshed in Holocaust writings right now. A good telling of a complicated story. Though this account emphasizes the arbitrary nature of the oppression, over the organized/calculated nature, in a way that I'm not is wholly fair. The characters are done very well. (2003-01-17)
After Life (Wandafuru Raifu)
Great Japanese movie, very quirky, but fun and different. People dying are asked to take one memory with them, but its not morbid at all. Its realy quite intelligent and funny. (2003-01-15)
Along Came a Spider
The things you get suckered into watching HBO... It was just alright. A super double trouble back reverse double cross plot. The acting was mediocre. (2003-01-05)
25th Hour
Excellent. This Spike Lee joint has Ed Norton and Rosario Dawson (played Ruby in 'Kids'). Its really an amazing film, especially for New Yorkers. A little wierd cinematically, but does a great job with the material, and the first film I've seen to deal with what it means to do a movie in post-September 11th New York. A must see. (2003-01-01)
8 Mile
I thought it was quite good, a fair mix of romantic and honest, serious and humerous. Not groundbreaking, not as much as I expected, but still a good film. (2002-12-29)
Catch Me If You Can
This was a great film, all the more because its based on real events. Well crafted story, suspenseful and surprising, but not overdone. Good acting. (2002-12-28)
Two Towers
It was amazing. At least as good as the first. A superb story well told and presented. I thought it had a few just amazing and beautiful scenes. No dissapointments. (2002-12-19)
Bowling for Columbine
Very well-made film. Michael Moore did a great job of raising a host of issues around gun violence in the US, made some amazing connections, and presented some interesting claims. Did lump a lot of things together and oversimplified others, but still a very good film. (2002-11-25)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
It was good, at least of the caliber of the first. Its a great fun story that is well acted, smooth effects and such. (2002-11-15)
Dinner with Friends
Well-written and thought provoking. The acting left a bit to be desired though. (2002-11-15)
Death to Smoochy
An all star cast (Robin Williams, Ed Norton, Danny DeVito) comes together for what turns out to be a pretty funny movie about battling kid show stars (like Barney). Good satire, with some good plays on the Irish mafia, the 'non-profit mafia', and vegans. (2002-11-09)
Kung Pow: Enter the First
Totally absurd, nonsensical at points. Supposedly a parody, but that humor was lost on me. Overall pretty bad. (2002-11-02)
Jackass: The Movie
Dumb, stupid, just a long version of the show. But just had some ridiculous stunts/gags that were actually pretty funny. Maybe worth renting. (2002-10-31)
Minority Report
Very good plot twists (never saw it coming), some cool sci-fi stuff, decent acting, but I felt like the plot involved a lot of setup that was overly contrived, Tom Cruise's character acted with a bit too much hubris. A bit long, but pretty good. I decided it was better than studying for my biology exam. (2002-10-27)
Sweet Home Alabama
It was cheesy and overdone. The acting was ok and had some cute scenes, but I went to this movie against my will, and stand by that! (2002-10-23)
About a Boy
Suprisingly good. Really funny, good characters, decent story. Pretty good acting. (2002-10-13)
Red Dragon
No "Silence of the Lambs," but fairly good. Suspenseful, but not grotesque. OK acting. Good plot twists. (2002-10-12)
La Pianiste (The Piano Teacher)
Lets just say if you wondering if an Austrian director could make a French language film so disturbing and twisted that you wouldn't be able to find much redeeming quality in the movie, well, its been done, its called the piano teacher. I definately left with nothing but negative feelings. (2002-09-13)
Welcome to Collinwood
Sarcastic, Witty, well-written, great cast, well acted, all-in-all quite good. I walked in a few minutes late and felt like I missed a lot. I also saw it with the film festival crowd, which I'm not such a fan of, but should be out in regular theatres by 4 Oct. (2002-09-10)
Road to Perdition
It was ok, well acted, but not a very interesting story. (2002-09-05)
XXX
It was absolutely awful. Terrible acting, inane story, ridiculous scenes, no redeeming qualities, sorry C. (2002-08-30)
Read My Lips
Seb found out about it, had a really fabulous trailer. An OK movie overall, of the French blend of movies that are growing on me. Some good jaded characters and themes. But its mostly about a really unhealthy relationship, which wasn't a very great thing to watch. (2002-08-22)
Blue Crush
Overall an OK movie with a pretty solid soundtrack that makes it easy enough to sit through the whole thing. The acting is absolutely horrible, and the surf shots were pretty disappointing, but it had some hilarious minor characters and gags. Definately stay through the credits, there is some funny footage there. (2002-08-20)
Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner)
First Inuit language/staff movie. Long but intensely good. (2002-08-06)
Best in Show
Absurdly funny satire about a dog show. By the same guy as "Waiting for Guffman" Totally hilarious (2002-07-27)
The Graduate
Simon and Garfunkle flick. Wonderful soundtrack, but otherwise just ok. The copy I watched had a few minutes missing too, wierd. (2002-07-26)
Waking Life
Strange artsy movie, where it was filmed on regular budget DV then cartoonists were hired to draw over the film. Not realy much of a plot, just some meandering, pop philosophy. So it comes off a little arrogant, but still fun to watch. (2002-07-24)
Twelve Monkeys
One of my favorites, great sci-fi movie. (2002-07-21)
Total Recall
First time I had seen it, pretty good movie, lousy acting, but interesting story. (2002-07-17)
Y Tu Mama Tambien
Mexican film, a bit of a coming-of-age story for two teenagers, from pretty wealthy families. Very much about sex and relationships. Borders on pornography at points. Overall a very good movie. (2002-07-16)
Spiderman
Pretty good, loyal to comic store story. I was not at all disappointed. (2002-05-23)
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Well, it was a must see, but I was pretty disappointed. Some of the acting was just awful, and story wasn't very compelling, but it was a Star Wars movie. (2002-05-17)
Yum Yum Dim Sum
MIT Student Production. Super funny, a must see. (2002-05-13)