not_the_real_george Reviews

The New World (2005)

A visual poem

[8/10 · 8 March 2012]

One of the advantages of Malick's films is that they allow a lot of(personal) interpretation of the main theme. One theme is for certain the purity and simplicity of the "naturals" compared to the modern world. The conquering of the new world comes in a subtler way here through the character "Pocahontas" , so they don't have a final battle as you see in every film, because it isn't necessary. Her new clothes which don't suit her, and those artificial trees at the ending(remember the Indian's look) all lead to a sort of defeat. No battle is needed- no major battle was fought.

Some may not agree on my love story interpretation- but I believe maybe there was a defeat "inside her" also. Her first love was spontaneous, simple and in the end she accepts(she truly accepts, without sad feelings) John. She enters the modern world completely.

The monologue voices are very Malick like, very similar with The Tree of Life, and so is the camera movement. I saw many people complaining about the editing, but it was supposed to be like this. I guess it doesn't want to be like the continuity of a story, but rather details in a large world where you're just the observer.

Very good, another visual poem !

Blue Valentine (2010)

Social drama

[7/10 · 6 March 2012]

There is a lot of truth behind the movie, it just paints reality: the way in which an apparently good looking relationship falls into pieces. This kind of instability is so characteristic in today's society. The fake impression of Dean that he isn't good enough or that Cindy is the perfect girl is a common illusion we all have been/are going through. So I love, for example, the scene where she wants to do abortion and talks about her number of partners and so on with the nurse followed by the scene where he decides to raise her baby. Another element is the comparison between the father, a very aggressive man, and Dean, who was still in love with his wife after all. Not to take sides(too much), but I think this shows her superficiality. I know the title is inspired by a song, but another meaning I thought about is an ironic one : Valentine means the ideal love, a part of the movie, and Blue is the other side, the color which is in that future hotel room.

Frequency (2000)

Really disappointing

[5/10 · 4 March 2012]

I don't know why I watched this movie- probably because of the idea, cast, director but it's just average(and below) in any possible way you can think of. The storyline is that of a classical thriller and makes sure not to stand out one bit. The only thing that should be new is this time-line thing, but even that is 100% predictable.

I don't usually notice such things but the editing sucked as well: some moments are in slow motion, some artsy scenes just seem to be without a purpose- I mean this isn't a musical video is it? The special effects, as one would expect, had no purpose whatsoever and were overused. Some directors should not be allowed to use them- perhaps then they'll think more creatively.

The acting was good...except for the lead actor!!!(Jim Caviezel), who was way too emotional for this role.

Certain aspects of this story were completely neglected, like the romantic life of Johnny, which is just shown introductory and that's it. It's just action and action and that is it. No time to breathe. And after seeing Primal Fear, I at least expected a decent ending. Who writes these kind of scripts ?

Don't watch it.

The Artist (I) (2011)

Good in it's simplicity, but...

[6/10 · 3 March 2012]

First of all, from 2008, the movies which won best picture shifted directions: instead of going towards the masterpiece original movie they are going towards the commercial type. I hope this is the climax of these 4 years, although I have serious doubts.

The critiques say The Artist is just a mix of clichés, a compilation of scenes from other films. How does that affect me, why would I care(asks the casual viewer) ? Well, the answer's simple : this film lacks depth. Badly. I mean it's fun to watch, it's well made...but it just doesn't have like other layers of meaning hidden below the surface, imagine an egg which is empty inside. I don't think in those times films were like that!

The story is fine for entertainment, but doesn't even come close to, say, The Aviator. I did like the moment when the music stops and we can hear some sounds which are briefly related to the story, it makes you more intuitive. The acting is indeed good- and the movie is good, but overall it just doesn't bring anything new. It just stinks of Hollywood, and not the old one !

I could tell you 100 films like this one, but could hardly name 3 like, for example, The Tree of Life.

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2003)

60% deep, Hollywood ending !?

[7/10 · 16 February 2012]

This movie tries to be a Zen story and leave you changed after viewing it, but for whatever reason it couldn't go all the way.

First of all, I loved the season structure(meaning a life cycle) and the photography. The decision to have very little dialog is also inspired for this certain kind of picture. The Zen master is just perfect for the role, every time I saw him I had the feeling a real master is shown on screen. Everything he says or does is as it should be. Some may not understand his actions, based on "accepting whatever comes", but they were pretty authentic. As long as he was around, everything was good.

But the winter season just made no sense to me. First of all, what is the purpose of all that Wushu practice ? It was just thrown in there, for the sake of the show. Those high kicks in the middle of the winter(learned from a book ?) without much clothes are, I believe, made just for their visual. If he was practicing as a child, or taught directly by the master, there was at least a connection. Then he went on climbing the mountain with a big stone tied to his back. This was pointless, it made sense when he was 10 since it was a punishment from his master... I know some of you are going to say he was actually dropping his past and so on, but I believe this is commercial rubbish. From what I've read : As you progress in Zen you do less, not more(so it would have made sense if he practiced more meditation). Even the soundtrack is more intense and tries to stand out in the ending scene, whereas in the rest of the film it is just subtly hiding in the background !

I do recommend you to watch it, the movie is good, but the last 20 minutes or so are just lower quality.

J. Edgar (2011)

A fine acting performance

[7/10 · 11 February 2012]

First of all, let's get real : J Edgar is not a bad movie. The way I would describe it is : the average biographic movie, which keeps you constantly interested, with ups and downs, but it just doesn't have that something. If I were to put the blame on someone, it's the screenwriters fault. The only problem were your big expectations, given the fact that Dicaprio's latest like 10 movies were masterpieces and I would say the trailer is too promising as well.

The movie has 2 layers : the present where Edgar is old and the past, where his story is revealed. With the storyteller talking about the event before it happens, they did create quality tension in some scenes. As always, Leo makes a very authentic intense role. In fact, he is the main reason I'm telling you to give this movie a try.

Primal Fear (1996)

Quite good

[7/10 · 7 February 2012]

I'll admit it : I wanted to watch this movie because of the actors. So at first I thought I could anticipate the main plot, but fortunately, the movie surprised me. We're talking about the classic American thriller in many ways, because it doesn't take one step outside the patterns, but instead it just does its job very well. As you would expect, the actors are not only playing at their best, but also got the charismatic suit on and the lines are smart. I enjoyed watching it, and it is fun for a night when you're sick of too much fancy intellectual stuff or "original approaches". A good film, but don't expect it to be more than it is.

Enter the Void (2009)

A superficial approach to something potentially big

[6/10 · 7 February 2012]

Gaspar Noe's films try to be more of an experience than other movies out there. Indeed, Irreversible is a original masterpiece, but was it just luck ?

The first 30 minutes of Enter the Void hooked me. We got the character perspective, which is quite rare(in some films we have the "camera perspective", but not the "protagonist perspective") and the environment is just so real. The apartment, then the night clubs and streets in Tokyo. No doubt, I would have loved the whole film just going on like that...

But then Oscar dies and comes the much expected "out of the body" part. Now this isn't about believing in reincarnation or not... The question is : if your mind doesn't exist anymore, just how "personal" can those experiences get? Somehow our hero keeps floating over the main events that keep unfolding after his death(this is how the plot goes on), has insights into the past and sees "Nirvana(?)". The fact that the blood pact the brothers made at 10 years old counts in the after life is just pure commercial superficiality. Leaving that logic aside now, the way to describe the continuity of the plot is : one thing after another, hardly any emotional content tying it all together, no protagonist and a lot of useless city landscapes and sexuality.

The visual aspect is very important in this film. I should mention I loved The Tree of Life where the plot is strong and the visuals kind of make sense. Here I've said a few things about the plot and the visual seems to be just for the sake of it. You just look at it, and you don't feel anything. It's just computer effects, OK some are really good, but how good can they be on their own ?

There is a lot to be said about sexuality in this film, but I would narrow it down: it's simply too much. The characters(and the whole world really) seem to be in a constant sexual trance, only living for body pleasures. Nothing out there but clubs, bars and naked woman. Where is the daylight ? Our hero observer seems to be quite discriminating, as if he would have a mind to discriminate with.

In the end , there is no real message, but rather a fairytale ending. Nothing bad about those kinds of films, I love watching good fairy tales, but not ones who think they are deep.