Silver Screen Reviews ⇒
Saw a bunch of movies over the past 30 days or so, very few of them good.
On a plane I saw The Terminal, starring Tom Hanks. This is based on a true story of a guy that was stuck at Charles De Gaulle airport for several years. Although somewhat predictably, Spielberg takes the story to New York, changes the premise, adds a love story and takes out most of the drama!! Is it just me or is Spielberg getting a little soft around the edges lately? Anyway, I wouldn't bother with this movie as none of the performances were memorable and the story was very predictable.
Another disappointing movie was the Stepford Wives, as it has a stellar cast. With Matthew Broderick, Glen Close, Nicole Kidman (man, does she ever do a lot of movies) and Christopher Walken all being directed by Frank Oz, you would think this would be a great movie! Alas, 'twas not. It turns out it is YABR (Yet Another Boring Remake). The plot is thin and the acting is ho-hum. Howver, the houses and cars are very nice and Nicole Kidman is, as always, extra nummy!! Another movie I wouldn't recommend.
Next up is the award winning Les Triplettes de Belville. This was at least an interesting movie. It was the first movie I have ever seen with no meaningful dialogue!! Not only it is a feature length cartoon, but it also was drawn in the classic style. Think orginal Bugs Bunny. It is a story of a mother trying to find her kidnapped son. During her travels she encounters various wierd people and happenstances. Not sure if I would recommend it, but it was very interesting.
Can you believe I had gone this long without seeing that classic spaghetti western, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly? I still don't know what to think. I think I just don't appreciate that particular style of film as I found it slow and corny. But maybe that is its appeal? Clint was his usual steely-eyed self, but other than that I didn't enjoy it much.
Last up is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the latest Jim Carrey movie. I don't know about you, but I prefer Carrey in serious roles and I wish he would do more of them. This movie is about memories and love and how intertwined they be. Kate Winslet, who also does very interesting movies, is Carrey's love interest. They play this couple who have their memories erased, but end up falling in love again. Charlie Kaufman, the screen writer, hasn't done very many movies (5 at last count), but each one is very, very interesting. His previous movies include Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Human Stain and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, all of which were at the very least thought provoking. Finally a movie I can recommend!