nootch23 Reviews

Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013)

One of the most emotionally intense, powerful movies of the year

[10/10 · 27 December 2013]

I saw this film on the last night it was playing at my local theater and I jumped on the opportunity. Once it was over I realized how smart of a decision it was. I read a review of the film that said something along the lines of, "the trouble with this film being 3 hours is that you want to watch it for several more." I couldn't agree more with that statement. The story, along with its characters, moves the film along to the point where it didn't feel like 3 hours.

This film was probably the most emotionally intense and powerful movie I've seen in a very long time. You believed everything you were seeing and it forced you to feel it along with the characters. As much that has been written about this film, the acting can not be overstated. These two actresses are a revelation in this movie.

It seems that whenever the topic of homosexuality is covered by a film it usually contains some sort of hate crime or bias against homosexuality somewhere in the story that the film's characters have to face and overcome. What's refreshing about this film is that there is a dash of that but its in the beginning of the film and never becomes the focus of the conflict with the characters. The film acknowledges that bias is there but brushes it aside to say that there is something bigger and more important at play with the characters. Really nice to see that in a film.

This movie ranks as one of the best films I've seen this year and am so happy I had a chance to see it.

This Is Martin Bonner (2013)

Decent film

[6/10 · 4 November 2013]

I came into this film expecting a character driven story without much action and that is exactly what I got. Overall, I liked the film. Each character's back story helped guide the audience into understanding what was currently going on. The characters are so well explained that I was able to relate to them and empathize with them. Travis is such a heartbreaking character that you almost feel relieved Martin comes along into his life. I can't leave out that beautiful 360 degree pan the camera takes in the hotel parking lot. Really effective method to help put yourself into the character's position of confusion and being at a crossroads, not knowing where to go or how to proceed. The only thing that left me a little unsatisfied with the story was that it kind of felt the relationship between Martin and Travis was simply one way. I don't feel Travis' character gave anything to Martin's character. That was the only thing I had against the film. Paul Eenhoorn and Richmond Arquette gave exquisite performances. Pretty decent film and can't wait to see how this director continues to develop as he continues to make movies.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

A rare Woody Allen film that wasn't for me

[4/10 · 1 August 2013]

Let me start with what I liked about this movie. I liked the sexual tension that the movie had and every actor played their respective character extremely well. I loved the dialogue even though at times it seemed a little much. The camera movement and angles were fantastic and I've always loved how Woody uses the city (no matter which city) and its landmarks to the point where they become a character in its own right.

What I disliked about the film was the narration. I like narration when it gives an extra insight to a singular character(s) but I don't like narration to be used to tell me the story as if it was a book. To me, that is taking the easy way out of making a film and it tends to cheapen the actors skill in telling the story through the characters. The narration I feel makes the characters interactions feel almost like filler. I didn't like the introduction of Vicky's classmate character who gets the wrong impression about their spending time together. That character offered nothing to the plot or to any development of Vicky's character. Even Vicky's husband, played by Chris Messina, I felt wasn't used properly. I didn't hate Vicky for her indiscretions and nor did I hope they would remain happily married once she made up her mind. I was left very complacent about the characters.

I felt very disappointed in this movie because I wanted to love it. I wanted it to be the next Woody Allen film that I would really love but was very disappointed.

Killing Them Softly (2012)

Excruciatingly bad

[3/10 · 29 April 2013]

I really had high hopes for this one based on the trailers I saw but it really took a nose dive the longer it went on. It started with the intro flashing back and forth from the scene to the opening credits, like a strobe light. It was so annoying. Everything was very drawn out. Even the killing scenes took its time, focusing more on using cool effects then moving the story along. There wasn't any action and the conversations between Brad Pitt and James Gandolfini were confusing, pointless and horribly long.

In an effort to avoid being completely negative, there were a couple of good things about this film. The robbery scene to kick start the plot of this film was pretty good. There was a good amount of tension to it and the camera work helped with that. The political speeches of the time interjects throughout the movie which I thought was fitting with the plot. They talk about the economy and saving the economy and I thought it related well to the robbery and how it affected the economy of the mob who got robbed. The dialogue between Brad Pitt and Richard Jenkins was really good, offering a bit of a point of contention between Pitt and those that have hired him, even though it never goes anywhere.

That is the main problem with this movie, it never goes anywhere. James Gandolfini's character is the worst character ever in mob film history. He whines, complains and tries so hard to have an emotional angle that the character gets lost in it to the point where he becomes irrelevant. All the conversations that take place in this film never goes anywhere and nothing is resolved. Really disappointed in this film.