June Movie Reviews

17 reviews here (way too many for one month!) for the blog that probably nobody ever checks these days. To help you understand my ratings, if a movie has a B or higher, that means that I have some interest in possibly seeing it again. If it is an A- or higher, then I'm pretty open to a second viewing. This may not apply in every case though, since sometimes really good films just don't seem worth watching again. Hope that helps.

Bowling for Columbine (2002): C+

I'm torn on how to review this. As a film, it was quite entertaining and often comical. Yet, this movie also beat out what I believe should have won for best documentary that year, Winged Migration (which I give an A rating). Additionally, while I realize no documentary is "purely objective," it's embarassing just to watch some of the ways in which Moore presents "the facts."

Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004): C-

As with the last one, again you have a pretty well presented and entertaining documentary. The problem comes with the facts, which I find considerably more disturbing in this film, because of the way it presents the United States and our President to American citizens and the world on such significant issues. Keep in mind also, that I never really supported Bush in going into Iraq. I'm just not a big fan of wacko conspiratorials. Additionally, I think Moore could have made a decent film with legitimate arguments criticizing the Iraq War; so, I have a hard time comprehending why he went the route he did, unless (1) he really is nuts or (2) he's a cold rational man in it for the money, and knew that the bigger the conspiracy, the greater the sales.

Under the Tuscan Sun (2003): C+

I haven't read the bestselling book, but I wish I had. All I really enjoyed from the movie was Italian music and beautiful landscape from Tuscany and Italy in general.

The Godfather (1972): A+

Awesome movie about the problems of evil and corruption and the difficult choices we are sometimes faced with in life. A fascinating portrail of the mafia, to say the least!

The Godfather, Part II (1974): A

Despite what many critics say, I don't think this one lived up to the first (a very difficult task, I must admit). Nevertheless, it was an excellent film, raising some of the same issues as the first, just not as dramatically.

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004): D

I somewhat enjoyed the first Bridget Jones, but I should have at least looked at reviews before seeing this sorry sequel. A 27% rating on RottenTomatoes.com says it all.

Closer (2004): C

Excellent acting in a seemingly meaningless story just didn't do it for me.

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004): B+

Awesome special effects, and honestly, the history behind the film and the fact that the whole project came from the mind of a novice filmaker, led me to enjoy it even more. The story clearly could have been better, but the movie's still a good light-hearted entertainer.

The Godfather, Part III (1990): B

I do agree with critics in general that this was the worst of the three, which is sad to say, because I honestly think it had potential to be as good as the first, the way the Godfather's children were brought into the story and all. What sounds nice in theory didn't play out as well in picture though.

Calendar Girls (2003): C

Interesting true story. However, I didn't need to see it told over a 90 some minute film; a single page news story would have sufficed.

The Notebook (2004): A-/B+

First, I must say that the book is better, but I did enjoy the movie. An excellent story about love in way I haven't seen done before.

Wilde (1997): B-

I've been reading a lot of Oscar Wilde's works lately, also listening or seeing a number of his plays performed. This biographical movie wasn't as good as his writings, though it has it's good points. My main two complaints were (1) the dry acting at times and (2) lack of emphasis upon his struggles with Christianity (something even a cursory reading of his work reveals to be central to his thought).

War of the Worlds (2005): C+

I've now realized this H.G. Wells' story would have been much more reasonable to folks at the start of the 20th century rather than the 21st: there are just too many problems in light of the technological developments we've had over the last 100 years. For Spielberg to go ahead then and (1) make it for a 21st century audience and (2) set in a 21st century time period, is complete idiocy. Still, the special effects were often stunning, and I must also admit that I was pretty captivated throughout the whole film, even if frustrated at times (especially by the fact that the boy didn't die after going over the hill into that inferno of gunfire and bomb explosions!).

Total Eclipse (1995): C+

After watching Wilde, I decided to take on another historical portrayal of a literary figure (at the request of a co-worker), this time the famed 19th century French poet named Arthur Rimbaud (known to some especially for later influencing The Doors), focusing on his affair with fellow French poet Paul Verlaine. While I hope people know about Wilde, I have a feeling few having heard of these two men, their poetry, or their homosexual love affair. (I have a strong hunch this was the movie that led to so many calling diCaprio "gay.") Perhaps akin to Calendar Girls, while I found the movie to be a fascinating window into aspects of the 19th century I knew little or nothing about, I didn't need a feature-length film on it, at least not one of this quality. Their poetry may be excellent, but as Ebert I think notes correctly, "To write great poems is a gift. To be interesting company is a different gift, which neither Verlaine or Rimbaud exhibits in Total Eclipse. [Note: both were often incredibly obnoxious, rude, and seemingly prideful gentlemen] One admires the energy and inventiveness that Holland, Thewlis and DiCaprio put into the film, but one would prefer to be admiring it from afar."

Superman Returns (2006): B/B-

I think I'm giving this one a better review than the majority, perhaps because I'm often partial to comic-based films. My initial thought simply was that, while it wasn't great, it was good enough to see again in the future, but that might just be nostalgia taking affect. Any fuller review for this one, including a possible grade change, will have to wait until I've watched the very first Superman (and perhaps the second), which I haven't seen since I was a kid.

Big Fish (2003): B-

Okay, this post is getting lengthy, so I'll keep these remaining two reviews short and sweet. Big Fish was a creative story, full of imaginative tales to wonder at, and definitely worth seeing once, but I didn't find anything in the film that was so lasting that it'd be worth viewing again. Still, it was enjoyable in its own way.

Super Size Me (2004): B

This was a solid documentary that was both informative (and largely fair in its presentation of the facts--take note, Mr. Moore) and entertaining. I highly recommend it, though I see little need to watch it again for myself. Oh, and by the way, I had a nice medium McDonald's french fries while viewing this one, and I savored every bite!


All of that being said, the moral of the story appears to be, I need to start watching better movies! Any recommendations people? (Steve or Brad, I'd really like to get that list Steve put together--please email it too me if you can.)

posted by Chris @ 9:36 PM 3 comments