jestersaxe Reviews

Midnight in Paris (2011)

The ultimate "dreamer" movie

[14 October 2011]

Totally beautiful movie, one Of Woody's easiest to follow, and I feel he'll get an even bigger audience for this one.

The old "dreams come true" has never been done so perfectly.

Much more subtle than his other works, and I'll def watch again soon.

Owen Wilson is excellent, as are the characters from the past.

I'm lucky in that I share the main characters love of Paris, but anyone who longs for a better time, or who enjoys nostalgia will definitely enjoy this film.

I didn't expect to enjoy the movie as much as I did, and I was pleasantly surprised with the storyline, having only watched it originally for the scenery.

This film has forced me to look back at other Allen movies

Funny People (2009)

Fantastic, but could have been an hour shorter

[10/10 · 3 August 2010]

I thought this was the best comedy I've seen in a long while. It really made me laugh out loud and gasp in awe at Sandler AND Rogen's acting skills. They both play such different parts to their norm, but still at times keep their "Hollywood" charms (so they don't alienate the die- hards).

A very touching subject performed with great subtlety. Sandler comes across as really dark, and takes many a pot shot at the selfish celebrity lifestyle that his character George Simmons has become "addicted" too, while Rogen plays that maybe-soon-to-be-star, both at hugely different ends of the Hollywood ladder. I honestly thought Rogen was a one trick pony, but this, Observe & Report, Knocked-Up, Pineapple Express and even Zack and Miri show he can create different characters that have enough of a distinction to be unique from each other. That distinction isn't always clear as you probably like many others just see and hear the same daft laugh, but it's definitely there. I'd like him to continually test himself because I reckon like Tom Hanks we could see it blossom as he matures more. The naivety he shows in this is done fantastically. Sandler though steals the show, and is brave in taking this role, because he does play an assh**e. The stand up comedy is great, if not a little plagiarised sometimes, and the timing is superb. It has a Curb Your Enthusiasm feel to it imo.

Watch this with an open mind.

Precious (II) (2009)

Powerful and precious movie

[9/10 · 24 December 2009]

This is a very moving story. Some of the previews and trailers do it no justice though, they make it out to be a fairy tale movie, when there's little fantasy about it. Yes she (precious, the lead) wants to be someone else, but she gradually learns life isn't like that and she's stuck with who she is. For those thinking it's a clever piece of a large coloured girl pretending to be white as some trailers may suggest, that plays VERY little in the movie. The trailers should have focused not on her day dreams, but on the 'days'.

This is a fantastic story of a girl, doomed from the very beginning, struggling like no other... and takes it, but slowly starts to think for herself and her actions change as she learns. Very clever writing and acting to perceive this, after all, it's slow moving, as is the rate she educates herself... but on this occasion the speed of the storyline is actually totally relevant to the movie. I don't want to spoil the story but trust me, this is a film which centres around a remarkably challenged individual in every facet of life and shows how she copes. The acting is first rate and totally believable for the situation, which I again stress is totally and utterly an up-hill battle.

To anyone that enjoys proper drama...WATCH THIS MOVIE. Please.

Tenderness (2009)

I haven't read the book. This is plain awful.

[1/10 · 11 September 2009]

Very slow moving. Very predictable ending. If it didn't have Russell C in it, I don't think it would have seen the light of day.

You keep watching for some injection of... anything really! It tries to be very character driven, but you really don't give a toss for any of them because the subject matter is so boring.

Some say the ending is a good old "didn't see that coming"... to them I say "RUBBISH".

Trailer made it look suspenseful, eery, even challenging... none of this comes through. For such a short film you feel like you've been watching it for days.

Me and my girlfriend both thought the other was liking it so neither of us said anything until the end... she broke the silence at the credits, "Well that was pure sh**" lol. I didn't disagree.

The Great Bank Robbery (1969)

Poor man's Blazing Saddles, but still good.

[7/10 · 11 September 2009]

I actually enjoyed this. Saw it on TCM and was glad I stumbled upon it flicking the channels.

It's fun.

It's not as slapstick as BS as I said, but it entertains, and is a little deeper comedy wise than some folk give it credit for. It's meant to be very stereotypical... the story line, characters etc Only the song in the Church i felt was not needed... felt a little Disney-ish.

The lead actress Kim Novac is absolutely stunning, worth watching just to see her. Will def be looking in to other films she made. Reminded me a bit of a cross between Doris Day and Goldie Hawn.