May 10 2007
Some Movies I’ve Seen in 2007 (as of May 6th)
This a cannibalized post from Mud Songs.
Cinema Paradiso (SE) — This expanded version of the film is an improvement over the original North American release and will definitely please anyone who is already a fan. I watched about an hour of it every night for three nights, and I loved it. The last half has a different rhythm that almost makes it feel like another film. But that’s a minor criticism of what I now realize is a great film.
Dark Days — This documentary about a group of homeless people who live underground in abandoned subway tunnels in New York City, and shot entirely on film by someone with no previous film experience, is one of the most incredible achievements in filmmaking I’ve ever seen. Be sure to watch the “making of” bonus material too.
The Last King of Scotland — Holy jesus, man, was I shook after watching this movie. It’s about a young and foolish doctor from Scotland who goes to Uganda in 1970 just after a military coup and becomes the personal physician of the president — who might seem like a nice guy at first but isn’t. Straightforward but effective filmmaking. It took me for a ride and left me feeling quite unsettled.
Radio Days — I laughed out loud all throughout this Woody Allen movie that is unapologetically nostalgic. It provides a glimpse of what life was like before television. Woody narrates but doesn’t act, and those who do act are so damn good — and funny — it’s a pleasure to watch them. (I’ve been on a Woody Allen kick for the past few months, and I’m loving it.)
Bridge to Terabithia — A Peter Pan message about the power of imagination, this movie is geared more towards kids than adults. However, the story eventually diverges enough from the normal sugar-coated Walt Disney production that I can recommend it for adults too.
Junebug — An ensemble piece with remarkably realized characters. This is good acting. A genuine yet entertaining portrait of the family unit and all its peculiarities. I can relate to it.
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans — This silent film from 1926 has a split personality: a purely cinematic story (having no sound kind of forces the images to do their job), powerful, dramatic stuff — and about 20 minutes of hijinks in the middle that, for most viewers, will be a complete waste of time. Otherwise, highly recommended. An excellent introduction to silent films.
Broadway Danny Rose — A departure from his NYC intellectual scene, this may not be the best 8/10 Woody Allen movie, but it’s funny without being stupid, something that can’t be said about most comedies made today. The more Woody Allen I watch, the more I appreciate him as a writer and director. He is one of the best.
Another Woman — Yet another Woody Allen film that could easily get lost in the mix of all his other New York intellectual films, but shouldn’t. This is a good stuff. It’s compelling, it’s funny and filled with real people. One of Woody Allen’s best films.
The Devil and Daniel Johnston — A documentary about a mentally unbalanced guy who can’t play or sing worth a damn, but is a brilliant songwriter. His music may be hard to take (I wouldn’t want to listen to him sing for more than 5 minutes), but the film is a well-told story of the relationship between creativity and mental illness.
Babel — The correct title for this film is Deeply Unhappy People With Extremely Bad Luck. If you’ve seen Crash, then you know what I’m talking about. Both are well-made films; everything from acting to editing is top-notch. But beyond the dire immediacy of the situations, there are no profound revelations. It’s empty drama.
Grindhouse — This double feature of exploitation B-movies — one a zombie movie, the other a car chase/revenge flick — does not elevate either genre to the level of great cinema (as some might argue is the case with Kill Bill). A mild thumbs up for me.
Zodiac — Convincing performances by every actor in the cast make this a watchable thriller. Can’t complain much about David Fincher’s direction either (it does the job), but the unfocused manner in which main characters come and go from the storyline makes it difficult to care about them. Well-acted but probably forgettable.
Spider-Man 3— This movie takes itself too seriously; the story is all over place and goes nowhere; the special effects are special effects, not characters you care about; at 2.5 hours, the movie is an hour too long — and it’s boring. It’ll make boat loads of cash, of course, but even die-hard Spider-Man fans may be disappointed with this one.
Bon Cop, Bad Cop — The look and feel of this movie reminded me of every CBC-TV crime drama I’ve seen in the past 15 years: too clean and brightly lit to be gritty. I wanted to like it (it’s not all bad), but it did nothing for me.
Notes on a Scandal — It may have two Oscar-nominated performances from Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, but the movie is a waste of time. I nearly walked out of the theatre.
Night at the Museum — I bought a ticket to see Bridge to Terabithia, but the theatre was packed when I got in. So I went out and asked if I could get my money back. I was told nope, tough luck, but I could see any other movie that was about to play: Norbit or Night at the Museum. I can’t believe I sat through an entire Ben Stiller movie. Let us never speak of this again. Ever.
Have I told you yet that you should see “Night Watch”? It’s a Russian action movie in the same vein as Underworld or the Blade movies, but so much better. The story is complex, the effects are fantastic, and it’s the first part of a trilogy.
No, Rebecca, I don’t recall that title, but I’ll check it out. One of your recommendations, “The Squid and the Whale,” was my favourite movie from last year.