Archive for the ‘Movies’ Category

Underrated Movies

Friday, April 2nd, 2004

Via Simian Design, 100 Movies That Deserve More Love. Among them Equilibrium, Contact, A Knight’s Tale and The Prophecy; some of my more favorite movies. This is a list you will never see in Entertainment Weekly or Hollywood Access. And what’s more, it comes from people who are not paid for their opinions. No, rather these guys say what the want even if it is against the social grain. My kind of critics! It’s about time I found someone I can agree with.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Tuesday, March 30th, 2004

Sunday I went to go see Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. About the only way I can describe the feeling of this movie is imagine that your strolling down memory lane, only to find when ever you look behind you, everything has been erased. This movie required an extreme amount of consentration on my part, I was almost lost early on. But hang in there, it starts to make sense and then the plot hits you in the face.

Quite possibly one of the best movies I have ever seen dealing with the inner workings of human behavior, and what happens if you start to screw it up. One commentators views on the relationships expressed in the film:

He’s [Charlie Kaufman – writer] a masterful writer with a daring mind that knows no boundaries or limitations, and in this film he directs his unflinching genius at relationships – the human need for them, the over-whelming fragility of them, and most profoundly, the pain they cause when we expect another person to fulfill the parts of ourselves that cannot be filled by another person – the illusions we have about each other, the baggage we bring to any new encounter, the neurotic preconceptions that pretty much doom any relationship once it gets past the newness phase.

All-in-all a brilliant film, I deffinetly recommend it.

The Passion of The Christ

Thursday, February 26th, 2004

Last night I witnessed The Passion of The Christ. This movie literally left me speechless. It is so moving. After the movie, I (along with nearly half of the audience in the theater) sat stunned, attempting to digest what I had just seen.

There has been much debate as to whether this movie could raise anti-semtic feelings. I honestly believe this is not the case. Sure the Jewish high priests were the chief architects of Jesus’ death, but if it had not been them it would have been someone else. Jesus came with the sole purpose of dying for all of our sins. In that light, we are all equally responsible for the death of Jesus. Unfortunately there are to many people that want to point the blame. To few who realize what Jesus’ sacrifice means.

Another issue that people have about this movie is the violent content. I feel it was absolutely warranted. Crucifiction was the most brutal form of punishment and death at the time and for many years following. That was life under the rule of the Roman Empire. Jesus’ sacrifice would not have meant near has much as it does had he been afforded and easy death.

Finally I would like to say that everyone should see this movie, and see it without any preconceived notions as to its content. Then, if you have not already done so, go and read the text that inspired the movie, the Bible.

To Mel Gibson, thank you so much for putting forth this so poingant reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Stupid Movie Physics

Thursday, February 19th, 2004

How many times have you gone to a movie and been turned off solely on the fact that the physics portrayed in the movie are completly unrealistic. For me, I cannot count the number of times this has happend to me. For all those who share in my pain at watching these horrid displays of physics, I present Intuitor Insultingly Stupid Movie Physics, a site that gives solid proof that Hollywood has been lying to us about everyday physics. Enjoy.

Movie Review: The Butterfly Effect

Sunday, January 25th, 2004

Just got back from watching The Butterfly Effect. If you ever thought that changing the mistakes in your life would allow you to be better off, then go see this movie. You’ll come out asking a lot of questions.

And not only was the story good, but the acting was top rate as well. I’ve never seen Ashton Kutcher in anything else but to go from comic roles to this is a big jump, and he executed it perfectly. Amy Smart gave an uncommonly good performance given the requirements for her character. I won’t spoil it for you save that she could probably play a convincing schizophrenic after working on this film.

Again, you gotta go see this movie.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Wednesday, December 17th, 2003

Amazing. Simply amazing. Hats of to Peter Jackson and his crew for a job very well done.

I have never finished the third book so seeing the ending was very satisfying. I think I will now go back and finish it so that I can the full scope of Tolkein’s image. If anyone has not yet seen this film (probably very many at the time of this writing) then I strongly encourage you to take part in this history making epic film. I for one consider myself honored to share in Peter Jacksons work.

Yes, it is that good!

Neo and The Architect

Sunday, May 25th, 2003

Via tantek, Simon Jessey has provided a complete transcript of the interaction between Neo and The Architect. Near as I can tell, the transcript is exactly what is in the movie. And I’ve seen it three times so my memory of it is pretty clear.

Anyway, it provides a way for people to, at their own pace, to go back over this very complicated scene and try to make sense of it all. Thanks Simon for this great resource.

The Matrix Reloaded Review

Thursday, May 15th, 2003

Went to the Matrix Reloaded screening last night in Lowell. Let me just say this movie rules on so many levels. The most notable thing is the visual effects. There are some very intense action scenes in here that have never been done before. In an interview, the producer (Joel Silver) said that one fight scene took two years to render! Now that’s a commitment to quality that no movie goer can forget.

The movie also deals with the idea of freedom of choice and what one is willing to do about choices that have already been made. The humans believe there is freedom of choice while the machines believe that choice is only an illusion.

As if that wasn’t enough, Neo, throughout the entire second half of the movie, is slowly discovering the truth about the Matrix. I won’t spoil it for you, but I will tell you that Neo is pitted with an impossible choice.

This movie is so complex that one viewing just won’t do it. I highly recommend seeing it at least a second time. I my self am seeing it again tonight. Hopefully I will see it a few more times before it leaves theaters.

And make sure you wait through to the end of the credits because there is a trailer for The Matrix Revolutions. I am giddy with anticipation for this one as well.

Hannibal Lector Trilogy

Saturday, April 5th, 2003

Last night, I stayed up and watched Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal. I had never seen Silence before and seeing it in context allowed me to appreciate these movies so much more. If you know me, you know I have a passion for mind bending movies. Not sure why that is. There is just something about psycho-thrillers that is appealing to me.

What is wrong with movie critics?

Saturday, March 8th, 2003

Seriously. I generally goto Yahoo! Movies to get showtimes and read the brief descriptions. Then right below that is the “Critics Report Card”. Nearly everytime I read this thing (especially after I’ve seen the movie in question) the critics reviews are so far removed from what I thought about the movie. This goes for every movie I’ve seen, the good (The Matrix), the bad (Jason X) and the ugly (Ali). I thought these people were getting paid to reflect the general populations view on the movie. Now, this could mean one of two things: 1. I don’t fall within the “general population” or 2. Our movie critics just plain suck.

Take for example the review for The Life of David Gale. I thought this movie was fantastic. But what do the critics say?

“…corrupt, intellectually bankrupt and morally dishonest…”

Granted the movie handled a huge moral issue (namely Capital Punishment) but I didn’t think it was presented dishonestly. I guess I’m just gonna have to stop reading these reviews until they start actually relating to real people.