golem3 Reviews

Serpico (1973)

The Quintessential Cop Film

[10/10 · 22 August 2006]

There is no doubt that Serpico is the greatest cop movie made to date. I cannot imagine a production of a cop movie today that does not pay homage to this film – for Serpico is like the mother of all police problem films, it is the bible which all stories fall under.

Serpico tells the tale of a perfect man (Pacino); a man who enjoys everything good in the world, and fights against the crime that he faces on a daily basis. Pacino not only faces problem at work, but at home with keeping domestic relationships. In a way, the life of a good cop is show to be existential.

The film is elegantly produced, with camera angles that reflect not an action film, but an art film with a certain ethical twang. There are countless scenes where the camera is placed in a way where the viewer can witness two or three interesting actions that relate to the environment of the film. This is unique in a film; especially in a film made in the 1970's.

There is a desolate and foreboding feeling about the New York that Serpico revels in. He enjoys his job, and the viewer enjoys seeing him enjoying it. The emotional experience is transcended when the problems that he faces are spilled offscreen, and the viewer takes the emotional baggage.

Needless to say, this isn't a movie that needs much introduction or talk through a review. I just suggest you see it.

RATING: 10/10

"The reality is that we do not wash our own laundry - it just gets dirtier."

Pay It Forward (2000)

The Ponzi Scheme of Kindness

[8/10 · 22 August 2006]

Movies, especially modern ones, love to show how life is interrelated no matter how untrue this is in reality. Maybe it is true, to some extent, but in Pay It Forward, the interrelatedness of life means that altruism is in all of our best interests.

Pay It Forward chronicles the life of a young boy, Trevor, and his mother (Hunt). Trevor is able to come up with a phenomenal way of solving the world's problems, assuming that he can get people to do it. The tale unfolds as a sob-story of sorts, and rapidly digresses into a personal story of domestic issues.

On the whole, the ideas are interesting. The movie itself is nothing spectacular – the cinematography is so-so, and arguably it's a vignette of someone's life, aside from the fact that it is based on a novel. It is particularly great that for once a child is the smart, sagacious character of a story. Hollywood tends to have portray children as naggy and misbehaved creatures of almost another species.

The acting is top notch – Spacey plays an oddball teacher who has a great ideal for his class, and Hunt plays a troubled mother who has all the good intentions. All in all, I think that you need a lot of patience to watch this movie. There are quite a bit of troubling scenes and you have to grit your teeth through them. It will probably make you a better movie watcher, though.

RATING: 8/10

"The world is a ****hole; pardon my French and ****"

"You do a good thing for three people. It has to be something really good. Then they do it to three others."

Laura (1944)

Sub-Par Noir

[5/10 · 13 August 2006]

MacPherson is a rude, childish detective. He is the main character of Laura, a film noir classic which is low on noir and far more focused on relationships. With the detective's half-hearted work, the killer of Laura will be known, but not before a lot of boring interludes and stories from past society's more abhorrent of characters. Laura is truly an unusual film – for it is one of the few sub-par film noirs.

The genre of film noir is easily one of the greatest American film genres. I cannot imagine the evolution of film to what it is today without it. Laura unfortunately has been stifled with anti-climactic events and startlingly boring dialogue.

We really don't understand how MacPherson figures out a thing or two, or why he does the things he does. It's not like he is a noble character, either – definitely, he does not have the refine that a Bogart character would have. In the end, Laura is probably worth seeing, if you have an hour and a half to spare.

"Dames always pull the switch on you!"

RATING: 5/10

Ankur: The Seedling (1974)

Seduction and the Seedling

[12 August 2006]

Ankur is literally one the best Indian movies I have ever seen – actually, it ranks as one of my most favorite films of all time. There is something to be said about the Indian Film Industry – while it has altogether crumbled and become wildly glamorous and crass, many of the Indian movies since the advent of cinema and up until the early eighties were stupendous, thought provoking, and wholly a testament to the power of film.

Ankur takes place in rural Andhra Pradesh, where a young man fights his father's wishes to run the family farm. He loses the battle, as all good boys would, gets married, and takes up agrarian life. His switch to that lifestyle is jarring, and he becomes rapidly bitter and enraged – essentially greed takes a hold of him, and he is unable to control himself in many respects. The story continues, largely focused on his housekeeper, Lakshmi (Azmi), and his relationship with her and the surrounding townspeople. His seemingly consistent life of exerting semi-torture and quasi-love for those he encounters is turned upside down when his wife finally arrives.

The character of Lakshmi – an young, largely oppressed by still happy worker is not at all unlike the realities of life in India (especially at that time). Benegal uses her exceptional beauty as a sort of scaffold for the viewer – not only are we sympathetic to her social predicament, but we are because of who she is, her kind words and fidelity.

The most powerful aspect of the film is the director's play on family dynamic, caste, and power. These themes are so interwoven and densely packed into the film, that it is hard to imagine it all coalescing so beautifully in just under two hours. Benegal's films, sometimes noted in the Indian 'New Wave' movement, are generally as such. There is no doubt that this movie has many aspects that are far ahead of its own time – and far too advanced for the people who watched it when it was released.

Benegal's ability to deal with such vital themes makes the movie all the more amazing. Of course, from a simple entertainment standpoint, the movie is rife with short humor and phenomenal close up shots. In fact, there are many off screen elements to the movie that throw hints at the viewer about what is happening; Benegal almost emulates the great Thomas Hardy, except in film.

RATING: 10/10

The Lady Vanishes (1938)

A Masterpiece in Film

[10/10 · 7 August 2006]

Hitchcock had singlehandedly masterminded the thriller genre in film. It is no surprise that he set the highest standards for it, and The Lady Vanishes just so displays his mastery.

The Lady Vanishes is one of those amazing films that existed well before its time. In an era without special effects, how had Hitchcock produced such a gem? It just goes to show that technology is not at all a precursor to good film – something nearly all critics and connoisseurs have realized for the drama genre, but rarely recognized for mysteries and thrillers.

The Lady Vanishes combines all the power of black and white film and somehow manages to evoke a tremendous sense of emotion and camaraderie. Hitchcock presents multiple 'couples' who are journeying from the mountainous regions of Europe, and their odd "eventful" twists and turns that arrive on board their train journey.

It is evident that Hitchcock had just been weaned off silent films, because the initial shot is practically silent, and we don't hear any sound until over a minute into the film. To make such a transition from silent movies to a talkie that speaks so powerfully decades after it was made is something remarkable.

The plot is far from predicable. The kinds of events that transpire are the most innovative ones, and it just goes to show how much of a literary genius Hitchcock was. This auteur master had figured out all the small pieces that fit together – to show that the protagonist was indeed not suffering from amnesia as the audience is told to believe.

The kind of characters that Hitchcock makes are tremendously endearing – not just because they are outrageously courteous, thoughtful and intelligent, but they have almost basic qualities that were once considered normal, that we rarely see today. They are people who love life, have passions, and harbor humor sensibilities beyond the inane.

In a sense, The Lady Vanishes is a perfect film. Nearly every element of what we enjoy in a film is encapsulated in those ninety-nine minutes. What is to be truly admired is how it was done in 1938.

RATING: 10/10

"She just can't vanish! They do it in India all the time – the old Rope Trick Are there pictures of that?? "

Frantic (1988)

Amazingly Unfrantic

[9/10 · 4 July 2006]

Frantic, a film by Roman Polanski is largely unnoticed. He is credited for pictures such as Chinatown and The Pianist, but certainly his best action-adventure flick is this one.

The film stars Harrison Ford, who plays a idiotic doctor who cannot figure out his way through Paris, where he has lost his wife to a conspiracy. The film is entirely shot in France, and the scenery, use of backgrounds is phenomenal. Polanski has a way with the camera that mimics Hitchcock in some sense, but it is entirely his own style.

The film is wrought with the oddest of humor, almost slapstick at times, but at its core it is a solid action film surrounding a kidnapping, terrorist threats and formulaic Hollywood-esquire twists. It rises above the normal thriller that is plagued with senseless violence, characters we could care less about, and bald-faced innuendo. Frantic is the kind of movie that shouldn't be missed.

An interesting thing about Frantic is that it combines European and American sensibilities and humor all at once – this is certainly not an easy task, but Polanski pulls it off very effectively.

RATING: 9/10

Man on Phone: What number are you calling from? Richard Walker: How should I know? I... I'm in a café, the Paris Midi. Man on Phone: How do you spell that? Richard Walker: How do you... with an "S" for shithead!

Real Genius (1985)

In the Labs of Maniac Teenagers

[9/10 · 2 July 2006]

This is one of those movies that rarely fits into any category. All at once, Real Genius attempts to be a high school type movie, with its obvious parties, crude humor and wacky behaviors. All at once it wants to be a drama about reality, politics – the Reagan administration, and about science, at its core.

The film surrounds extreme nerds – or more accurately, young students recruited into a life of scientific slavery, for the villainous professor who seeks to devise a weapon of mass destruction. The hilarity of the film stems from the eccentricities of the students and the method they devise to foil his plot while passing their classes.

Sadly, there has never really been a follow-up to the "college drama." The truth is that the college experience is by far too diverse to have real similarities, and so Real Genius stands alone, incorporating action and drama, suspense and comedy.

This film may very well be the first computer and tech driven action film. The intensive use of computers and circuits to drive plot was never really used before – it had no place before the late 80's, when the promise of computer technology was not yet seen.

Val Kilmer plays the head genius, who has turned into a wild character through his years under the oppressive tutelage of his head professor. His "Bill-and-Ted" type idiosyncrasies are planned, predictable after around five minutes but are a satisfying opposite of his best friend who is just fresh out of high school.

Let's just say you shouldn't miss this movie.

"It's a moral imperative"

RATING: 9/10

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

wonderful recount of an experience in war

[9/10 · 6 June 2006]

Possibly, Spielberg's seminal work. I don't think that there have been any of his movies worth watching since Saving Private Ryan. This film was made at a time when Spielberg had great ideas, and knew how to utilize the camera without selling out completely to Hollywood standards. Nevertheless, Saving Private Ryan is very much Hollywood, but that being said, it's a very eloquent rendition of that.

If you remember anything about war movies, it's the anti-war ones that make a difference and are the ones remembered. I firmly believe that Saving Private Ryan is up with the best of that genre: namely Full Metal Jacket and Platoon.

Tom Hanks plays his role marvelously. He is forced to act as a liaison between his crew's demands with the orders given to him, and it is certainly isn't an easy task. This movie is probably one the most accurate vignettes of the American World War II experience yet made.

RATING: 9/10

"Please tell me that I am a good man, and that I have lived a good life" – Private Ryan

Match Point (2005)

The Rare Genius of Woody Allen

[10/10 · 6 June 2006]

Once in a while, in the midst of the movies Mr. Allen produces annually, one will stand out and shine. Match Point is just such a film, and the story is quite perfect. Finally, Mr. Allen has come to his senses and put aside the stupidity of the art world, the false coffee shop philosophy, and his own pretentiously fidgety idiosyncrasies to create a movie about not-so-legitimate modern life issues.

Match Point is about the confluence of yuppie life and criminal behavior. In this movie, there is no difference, for pushing ahead and striving for the first task means an inevitable downfall into the second path. This is exactly what has been done well, and this is what makes this film worth seeing.

Unlike Mr. Allen's other movies, he takes a dive into attacking elitism. This is carefully done, without overcooking, and we see that the whole movie begins to surround greed and lust, common trends in films, from the very beginning. No doubt, Mr. Allen's camera angles are evident throughout – highlighting his passion for the characters and who their inner personality really is.

It seems almost impossible to separate the ideas that are presented in this film. Truly, Mr. Allen's departure from his normal work is a positive sign, for he hasn't lost his touch at all. In fact, his touch is sporadic. There are some sporadic moments of genius in most of his films, but the rare genius of Mr. Allen is not so often a continual presence in his movies.

The film stars Scarlett Johannsson as the seductive Nola, and no one else is important enough in Hollywood to be noticed. Rated R, I am sure, for a film in the vein of realism.

RATING: 10/10

"Sometimes, you just need a little luck"

Troy (2004)

Enamored with Ego, and other macho mood swings

[3/10 · 19 May 2006]

This is a movie about men with egos, and excessive ones at that. I can't speak for its historical accuracy, since it only superficially covered the realities of what might have happened.

It's a Hollywood movie to keep the average bloke happy for their seven or eight bucks. You can spend two and a half hours watching this movie, and feel none the better.

Now the ego theme is fine, and most movies have it, but what we have here is it taken to the point where that's all the plot it. Men with egos who are not only no afraid to show it, but they kill in the hundreds of thousands to display it. They talk wildly about themselves, look to gods and animals for military strategy, beat women, oppress others randomly, kill and drag people, and carve wooden toys for their children. You know, average kind of stuff we all do.

The people all have opinions, for the gross effect of modernism – but in the Greek era? I would doubt it. "I want a man I can grow old with," or "let him come begging to me," and "you will die deaf and dumb." Maybe the worst infraction of all "All I ever stand up for is my country, my woman and" one other thing, but I can't remember it. Imagine that – a terrible line and I couldn't remember it! At least you got the first two of three – that's enough to turn you off.

Sound effects were odd – Achillies sounds like a jet liner when he trashed people with his sword. Otherwise, decent soundtrack and excellent special effects. These days, all movies can get a two or three rating with a lot of lighting and computer aided stuff.

To sum up here, it's a bunch of Hollywood "hotties" getting together for a long, high budget movie. Sadly, none of is worth your time, but this review saves you from the terror.

RATING: 3/10 (Oh my gosh – it's not a 0! Special effects count toward something, at least. Imagine, if this movie was made in the 50's it would be a -1 or something. At least, in the 50's, if it were Kirk Douglas, the movie would have been good, had a decent plot, had productive dialogue….)

"I want a man that I can grow old with"

Making Mr. Right (1987)

What's Not to Like?

[8/10 · 16 May 2006]

As a tremendous fan of movies, I have yet to see many directed by women. Rarely are they publicized, and rarely are they seen, for many reasons. This movie, Making Mr. Right, is one of the great films of the late twentieth century.

It is a film fraught with ironies and humor, and told from the perspective of a busy working woman, who is in the midst of making her life and keeping up relationships. Her life is changed when she is forced to train an android to learn some people skills.

The movie brings up all kinds of social questions – it feels largely told from a anthropologist's view – a perspective that is completely devoid of the subject at work. This is certainly very interesting, and becomes very engaging when it is forced to look at the way people interact and why.

There are the obvious questions – like can machines think? These conspicuous ones are less interesting to the audience since they are an old hat, something already presented to us by science fiction writers of the 60s and 70s.

The cinematography or other technical elements are nothing to rave about. You don't watch it for the special effects, obviously. John Malkovich puts on a startling real act of a machine, as well as the maddened scientist who cannot interact with the real world.

RATING: 8/10

"One day, when people have figured that out (the problems of love), then they will be more than just machines"

King Kong (2005)

King Kong – the trouble with t-rex, towers and more

[6/10 · 14 May 2006]

One of the few remakes that supersedes the original film, King Kong was the box office blunder of late 2005. Directed by Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy), the film recounts the adventure of the 1933 film of the same name, although taking a different perspective, and fleshing out the details in full.

The original Kong was terrible film, even by 30's standards. It was filled with a lot of anthropological fantasies, screams and eccentric cardboard layouts. There was rarely anytime to explain much of what was happening, and since the film was made in the depression era, the people who watched it in the theater were well versed in the nuances not expressed directly.

Of course, that film was hardly timeless, and so when we watch it today, we feel sick, bored and dissatisfied. It is hardly on par with the gorgeous noir, the drama of Bogart and Brando, and the themes of Hollywood from the studio era. The new remake, however, is a welcomed addition to movie-remaking history. We are presented with a relatively similar plot, but with wonderful use of effects, characters that we can sympathize with, and a pace of action that is not bogged down by cinematography. This isn't to say that the movie is not filled with politically incorrect fantasies about other people, or that there isn't violence which is silly, or that screams are nonexistent. It's just well done – and that makes all the difference. I wouldn't have expected anything less from a director so interested in fantasy and the unknown. Luckily for us, this three hour movie is certainly not a drag. The film becomes almost a Jurassic Park of sorts, with hundreds of dinosaurs pouring out of all ends, eating each other, running and jumping. There certainly seems to be a point of excess about the whole thing – then again, that's the charm of such a film, for it has nearly no basis in reality, apart from the fact that humans are casted as humans.

Certainly there is one intriguing aspect about the old film, which was that we felt the beast loved the woman. This aspect is completely lost, which is very surprising, since the beast is far better done than in the original, thanks to special effects. Instead, we briefly see the necklaces of other women (he presumably killed, but not ate) and he seems to enjoy making his victims fall. This is not to say that the woman didn't love the ape, or have feelings for him, but the ape is just possessive of his property.

By a short-shot, this film turned out to be fine. If you are the sort of person who likes action-adventure films, or mystery Indiana Jones type affairs, then this is a definite pick. You just have to look past the cannibalistic people to see the good stuff.

RATING: 6/10

"You didn't love her. You would have jumped if you did"

Better Off Dead (1985)

The hyper exaggerated world of Lane

[8/10 · 5 May 2006]

The hyper-exaggerated world of the high school drama is obviously the crucial element to its half-hearted success, its bitter comedy and cynicism. Better off Dead rarely strays from those themes, and if not, usually adds new and funny elements to them. We have our dysfunction family – complete with wacko brother, insane Sundays and a mad paperboy mafia. We have our central focus of the drama – the hero wishes to take his life since he has lost everything, or so he seems to think. Of course, he finds that life is not lost, that his obstacles can be overcome, and that the hero of the film must win, in the end. Apart from the cheap photographic techniques of the 80's, the movie is largely well done and the comedy is times effectively. The dialogue seems to follow well, and we see that much of the male high schooler's life is mush driven – that is to say, literally and figuratively. Some bold new elements arrive when twists to the storyline and thrown in. For better or for worse, the plot plays out pretty obviously, and Lane (Cusack) realizes that the confines of high school rarely reveal true life.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything. Merci buckets"

RATING: 8/10

Ghost World (2001)

Confronting the Realities of Post Secondary Education

[9/10 · 15 April 2006]

Of course, it's not easy to follow up nearly two decades of high school movies, a genre that had its origins in the eighties. Ghost World nearly reprises many of the issues that Heathers and other fine movies had brought up, but adds this complicated aspect of arrogance, carelessness and general angst about the future that has plagued the most recent generation of high school graduates.

The acting is fantastic – which is so great since much of teenage life is dictated by facial expressions and gestures, and most of all the quirky phrases and lingo they use. There is nothing like seeing colors being used in a dramatic way. We really get to see the eccentricities of teenage girls, and what they like to do in order to stand out.

There is something very endearing about people who have completely lost faith in humanity – at one point Enid and Seamour agree that "give em a big mac and Nike shoes and they're fine," which is so true about the mass homogeneity in American culture.

But we end up sympathizing for all the characters, the two girls (although the director obviously focuses on Enid) and even the washed up old man who waits for the bus. In fact, the Ghost World is the world that people who are disillusioned live in – for those who think they already know it all, for those who think they can make their exact dreams come true.

There are overdone moments in the film that really have no place: "Well if it isn't that Jewish girl and her Aryan friend" is exemplary of that. Aside from those certain overcooked moments, the film truly comes out showing what the screenwriter and director wanted to tell.

The movie tells the viewer something very important. Regardless of how you are, you are probably going to end up the same, so might as well be truthful and real, without affectation and false pretenses.

RATING: 9/10

"I can't relate to 99% of humanity"

Falling Down (1993)

Falling Down from Destitution

[9/10 · 14 April 2006]

This is a movie about a man's fall into his own life, a life of living hell. It's a story about a fall into militarism due to bad society. Falling Down is an absolute classic for the underrepresented genre that exists all on its own, with only it to represent it: 'bleak present' sums it up.

The story is done eloquently, from the beginning scene of high tension from daily routine to the maddening rush of road rage. There are characters throughout the film that are built upon fear. The director has deftly carved out such people such as the ultra-racist, the lonesome old hag, and the need for defense in the simple lives of Americans.

Once in a while a film such as this arrives in Hollywood, with a major star in our case, Douglas, in its title role. It brings up the problems that plague our daily lives, the rut of its cyclic nature, and the need to get away from it all, the latter of which is expounded by Duvall. The overall film is shot like a simple action film, but it takes a wider eye to pick out that it is not your average Bruce Willis film here.

There are some chintzy dialogue issues, as with all films, but mostly we are sympathetic to the cause of the protagonist – a man who has nearly completely reversed his role in life, from defender to offender, and had no choice in this downfall. Is it possible to be good and evil at once? It seems that our main character has become so unaffected by his own wrongdoing to see that he has lost his sight, and it makes him all the dramatic and attractive.

If it were so simple that he was falling indefinitely into villainy, we might not be as thoughtful and attentive, but he has a deep social calling. There are some amazing points that our hero brings out in his adventure. "What are golf courses," Douglas asks at one point, about this waste of space, in the height of his transition into his end.

Of course, there is the aspect of sacrifice. We all have to surrender something in order to gain something – but at what cost? When does 'economically inviable' turn into a breach of our own values and lives? Falling Down seeks to answer such questions, if not with extremity, then with grace and ethereal sadness.

RATING: 9.5 /10

"I've passed the point of no return. You when that is? That's point in the journey when its longer to go back to the beginning then it is to continue to the end."

Heat (1995)

Heat – Undoubtedly

[9/10 · 31 March 2006]

Heat is a classic thriller film – no, it's not just that, its one of the best cop-action films ever. Story takes place in crime ridden LA – what else does one need to know? With an all star cast, Heat presents a scenario where the robber maxima (De Niro) needs to pull off various heists when he's up against the worst enemy – a cop who's practically his theoretical twin (Pacino) and the heat is on.

What makes Heat so wonderful is that it's a throwback to the eighties, the thirties, and other eras of American history where mobs and gangs ruled the street. Where shootouts and raids were common and where cops had to be on top of things to do their job. The major shootout-getaway scene from the film can only be relived now in video games, such as the Grand Theft Auto franchise, which is reminiscent of another era of raw power, greed, and corruption.

Of course, people are dying for it, so much that they relish the vicarious pleasures of video games and film.

Nevertheless, this is a movie that is filled with relationship difficulties as well as your normal action theme. This movie takes a humanistic perspective on action, which is unusual. Michael Mann has the good cop constantly forming relations with all people, especially the bad ones. In this way, we never feel bad about his actions, regardless of their moral or ethical basis.

Of course, there are the more classical relationship struggles that has been neatly elevated to the point of 'struggle' so rare for this genre of films, where the usual "fuck and flee" formula is followed. We see that all sides of the cop-villain fight is plagued with problems – everything begins at the home and ends at the workplace, and Mann clearly sees that there is no special treatment for the rich or infamous.

RATING 9/10 "Never get attached to something so much you can't leave it in 30 seconds"

Doom (2005)

another thriller, cheapest of all tricks

[2/10 · 28 February 2006]

Science is Pretty Bad in Movies, But This Takes the Pick Usually we don't watch movies for the science. I mean, being trained in science and all, I enjoy watching thriller type movies where the science doesn't really work, but of course, there is a limit.

An extra pair of chromosomes makes your stronger? Invincible? Fight Disease? So since a horse has something like 50 chromosomes, it's a genius that is unstoppable? And the good doctor Grimm says "maybe it's a genetic mutation." To make the monsters? That's SOME mutation? Was it a point mutation or a frameshift, Dr. Grimm? Absolutely crazy, dumb, and hilariously idiotic. A sad way to remember a classic video game. Some video games should not be movies. Actually all movies should not become video games, either. I would NOT waste you time with it.

"Kill them all, and let God sort them out"

RATING: 2/10 (for sheer action and CG effects)

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)

An Ultra-futuristic Past and Not a Hint of the Present

[8/10 · 22 November 2005]

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow seeks to replicate films of a better time in movie history – a black and white era of highly stylized people and clean lines, simply good looks and minimal effects in action. Effectively utilizing popular actors of Hollywood, the director has filmed in a sort of black and white color – sepia overtones dominate, while the beginning of the film is more black and white since it appears earlier in the chronology.

The movie succeeds most in re-making the past through fiction, not unlike Dark City did a decade ago. The plot has some serious weaknesses, but the cinematography and the effort put as far as aesthetics are concerned by far makes up for these issues. The movie takes place sometime between World War I and II, but we see no actual war-like sequences from the time. The most evident aspect of the film is that it is a deja-vu of something we all know and identify with in the USA – the scenes are reminiscent of what Americans have grown up with – planes flying overhead with Wagner in the background, massive electronic devices and super fast, Star Wars-esquire chase sequences. Of course there is the underdeveloped love story, but luckily it doesn't dominate or infringe into the solid action that this movie goes for. Unlike films of the past this movie cannot be either film noir, since it lacks those qualities, and doesn't really gel with old fashioned action. It just seeks to use film stock that emulates the older styles. I definitely recommend this film to those who enjoy seeing a beautifully done action-adventure film without tremendously unbelievable effects, blood, gore and the like.

"What has begun cannot be stopped. The time for this world is over"

RATING: 8/10

Canadian Bacon (1995)

Pure Political Humour, Paltry Laughs

[6/10 · 21 November 2005]

The largely unknown film produced, written and directed by Michael Moore, Canadian Bacon stars some of the best, and ironically undervalued-played stars of Hollywood history – some including John Candy (who is sadly no longer with us) Dan Akroyd, and Bill Nunn.

But aside from this, Michael Moore's endeavor into the softer side of pure fiction still exemplifies his goal (later seen in all his famous documentaries) that he wants to make a political point at any given moment. This is most evident from start to finish – this satire is going to hit home, and really hard. From the opening scene of loss and deprivation to humor of Canadian personalities and quirks, and presidential rhetoric, the film is fraught with a sort of satire slogan that has to be seen and not read.

I recommend this movie to anyone who is interested in a terribly liberal point of view...a terribly liberal view that tends not to appeal to the average dud. Don't watch it however to get pure laughs because its a lot more meaningful than just that.

RATING: 6/10 (Funny But Could Have Been Funnier) "Bud Boomer is leading the invasion against Canada, just as soon as he finds it!"

The Mosquito Coast (1986)

Life on La Mosquitia – Chronicles of the Fox Family

[10/10 · 17 October 2005]

Mosquito Coast is one of the best books I have ever read, and the movie does super well to do justice to that novel. It is also one of Harrison Ford's best character roles; the eccentricity and opinionated genius of Allie is done to perfection by him. Peter Weir's brilliant direction is to be expected considering his other masterpieces – Fearless, also based on an excellent book of the same name, is one of the best movies yet. His films (Truman Show, Green Card, and Witness come to mind) tend to chronicle troubles and eccentric characters to go out on a limb, literally.

The narration is carefully done, only enough voice-overs to explain the philosophical implications and underpinnings of the characters' thoughts and actions. There are, of course, some mysterious elements to how things happen, which can only be remedied by reading Theroux's book of the same name.

Taking a very Robinson Crusoe-esquire piece of fiction and putting it to film is not an easy process. In fact, this is the kind of novel that can be very easily messed up by the movies with strong action and adventure type Hollywood direction. Luckily, Weir has done an excellent job portraying the characters – not so much the plot – of those who will come to inhabit The Mosquito Coast. In short, not only is Mosquito Coast a film to watch, it should be required.

RATING: 10/10 "We eat when we're not hungry, drink when we're not thirsty. We buy what we don't need and throw away everything that's useful. Why sell a man what he wants? Sell him what he doesn't need. Pretend he's got eight legs and two stomachs and money to burn. It's wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong."

The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

Would You Do A Neanderthal? The Question of the Ice Age

[6/10 · 16 October 2005]

The Day After Tomorrow is a well done action thriller where the world seems to fall at the hands of mother nature. Is it all the fault of the bad climates or do humans have something to do with it all? You will have to watch and see. Apart from the almost unreal consequences that rapidly seem to unfold during the course of the film, there are the usual parallel love stories and funny side characters that seem to have some say in the overall outcome of the story and other small nuances that make the audience laugh, or at the very lease, just smile. Would I have gone to see this in the theatres? No. In fact, I don't think it was in the theatres for very long, probably one of those summer flop films that survive for just entertainment. I do however think that there are some important messages that the US administration has to say at the end of the movie – almost touching, in fact. Aside from its oddly James Bond type title, be aware that the action is more real and the science more Bond-like. Be prepared to say "that's just not true, and wouldn't happen." The special effects are superb and show off what modern CGI graphics can pull off without cardboard cutouts.

RATING: 6/10

"Uh, you guys – there are some books on Tax Law here that we can burn!"

Swades (2004)

Swades: The Land That 'Would' Be His

[9/10 · 4 October 2005]

It seems that director Ashutosh Gowariker, who directed the wonderful Lagaan, has changed the landscape of hit Hindi movies by making meaningful, sensible and all around delightful movies to watch. Bollywood (if you haven't read my review of Dil Chata Hai or Lagaan) tends to follow a general pattern characterized as: plot always being completely inane and logic-less, two, awesomely stupid and confusing dance and song scenes, where generally girls pop out from nowhere, and finally random, crude and graphic beatings of people and/or excessive violence against women, of which the latter is sometimes 'justified' through morbid and chillingly grim societal mores.

Anyway, what Swades has done is present us with is a story of understanding what one's true desires and feelings are rooted with – the motherland, and the people. Shah Rukh Khan plays a successful Indian who has lived in America for much of his life. His return to India brings all sorts of surprises, many of them rooted in sweet sentiments and beautiful personalities.

It might be argued that Swades is a piece on patriotism, but I think that this is such a shallow perspective that it actually might infringe on what the director was trying to convey. Patriotism is defined as a "pride for one's own country" and this was not the case at all for the protagonist. In refraining from revealing plot segments ('spoilers') he is not attached to the land, but the relationships he had made and ones he will make.

Swades is a fantastic film, but if you are new to Bollywood (as I was about a month ago) see Dil Chata Hai and Bride and Prejudice, to understand the mentality of film-making, and how this movie strives to differ from producing a three hour piece to dull out the mind and pass time.

"Mohan you could have gone places. (replies) I am going places."

RATING: 9.9/10 (Because It's Bollywood, and thus inherently at a disadvantage, it gets higher scores – think of it like affirmative action for films)

John Q (2002)

Hostages for Hospital Care – Not at all like the Food for Oil Programme

[8/10 · 3 October 2005]

John Q is one of those kinds of movies that arrives and disappears fairly quietly – not raising a lot of box office ruckus and media hype. It is however, a powerful story about one man's desire to save his son at all costs.

John (Washington) is a character who has little money but a lot of leverage. Mr. Washington plays a fantastic and desperate father who refuses to take no for an answer. Grimes (Duvall) is also well played, albeit filling a clichéd role of a cop.

You will find that there are some touching moments and some where you wonder about who Mr. Q really is, and what his motives are. This is largely because Mr. Washington does such a good job of creating his diverse character that is caring yet brutal at times. One almost sees the intensity of his brutality from his role in Training Day. So in essence, Mr. Washington's role as John Q should have warranted at least an Oscar nomination.

The strong part of John Q is that the supporting characters that surround him are more useful in building and sustaining his character than in most other movies. In any case, don't want to give away too much for those who haven't yet seen this film. This movie is a character movie - the plot is fairly slow and predictable at least by one moment, and then the story must unfold of how things happen.

I mean, at least it was ethical. Right? "I am not going to bury my son. My son is going to bury me." REVIEW: 8/10

Dark City (1998)

A Weird and Disorganized Past, Another Hinting of a Bleak Future

[7/10 · 27 September 2005]

A Weird and Disorganized Past Another Hinting of a Bleak Future

Dark City poses the age old question by insisting (as so many other films have done) that the future will be bleak and full of angst. This is a modern film-noir about noir; blackness that dominates the people's lives because of extraterrestrials that have dominated their minds. Of course, the rules of film noir are broken often… and the premise? Sure it's terrible, but the film is so well made with respect to cinematography and camera that one almost overlooks the plot – looks beyond the cheap and stereotypical view of the aliens with superpowers, the simplistic cop – robber set up, and other such banal Hollywood elements. Just the use of modern and old technologies makes this film interesting – it reminds me of the video game series Myst. Both the game and this movie successfully incorporate the beautiful aspects of the past, and this movie does it very well – the rotary pulse telephone, the old classic cars and the garb on the people gets juxtaposed with the gene extractor-combiner, vending machines of the future and film projector. Very effective, and very eye catching and refreshing. Make sure you see it, but make sure you are patient when you do.

"When is the last time you remember seeing the sun?"

RATING: 7/10

Labyrinth (1986)

A Labyrinth of Lies

[7/10 · 27 September 2005]

Labyrinth is a fun story about a girl, Sarah, who lives her life vicariously through storybook tales and fantasies. She resents having to always do what her parents tell her, but she never realized that she needed to be careful about what she wishes for. After taking a terrible wish, she is forced to undo her own words through actions – complicated ones, at that, that rely on tearing through a web of deceit, a labyrinth of lies.

Sarah is forced to make the oddest of acquaintances into friends she can confide in to achieve her goal of getting to the Goblin King's castle. This movie is directed by the superb puppet maestro Jim Henson and produced in part by George Lucas…and is definitely worth seeing. If you enjoyed the Neverending Story, or loved any of Henson's Muppets, then this movie will undoubtedly strike your fancy. In a way, since it's a short movie with a lot of colors, it is good for young kids…but I hesitate saying that since the ideas are more complicated than what is just on the surface.

"The Labyrinth? It's a piece of cake!" RATING: 7/10