where ideas go to die
The Hustler –Robert Rossen –1961
Sydney Carroll and Robert Rossen writers
***1/2 (out of five)
Fine work. Apart from a few slow stretches, there’s some terrific writing here and the performances by Piper Laurie, George C. Scott and (especially) Paul Newman are all top-drawer. –Be warned though: The Hustler is every bit as bleak as Million Dollar Baby.
I must admit that part of me was worried that The Incredibles would be aced out of the Best Animated Feature Oscar by the higher-grossing (and much inferior) Shrek 2. –Ya did good, academy.
Million Dollar Baby –Clint Eastwood –2004
Paul Haggis writer
***1/2
As anyone who’s seen “Baby” can tell you, it isn’t exactly the feel-good movie of the season –and that’s one of its real strengths. To make a movie this uncommercial took some big balls and I commend Eastwood for that. It’s a very good picture with a couple of minor caveats: 1) Some of the characters are cartoonishly broad (specifically Hilary Swank’s family and her main boxing rival) and 2) Some of the logic seems to have been massaged for the sake of plot development. I don’t know that much about boxing but I have to assume that the behavior of that aforementioned boxing rival would get her not only disqualified but banned entirely from the sport.
These are relatively minor critiques however. It’s a solid story and I admire its dedication to its own truth –however bleak.
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster –Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky –2004
*** (out of five)
A surprisingly good documentary that traces the band’s trip through rehab, group therapy and the making of an album. –You don’t have to be a Metallica fan to enjoy this one.
The Crucible –Nicholas Hytner –1996
Arthur Miller writer
****1/2 (out of five)
Outstanding. Nicely directed, beautifully acted (particularly on the part of Daniel Day Lewis) and, of course, masterfully written.
Peace out, Arthur Miller.
Monsters Inc. –Pete Docter, David Silverman and Lee Unkrich directors
Andrew Stanton and Dan Gerson writers
***1/2 (out of five)
Charming and very clever. Sully and Boo raise the bar a little further in regards to 3D character animation.
Constantine –Francis Lawrence –2005
Kevin Brodbin and Frank Capello writers
**1/2 (out of five)
Constantine suffers from a story that is muddled in places and a lead actor who, let’s face it, couldn’t act cold in the winter-time. If they’d spent a little more time on the script they might have really had something. Some of the moments work quite well but the sum of the parts is lacking. Much of the supporting cast is quite good and the special effects are really terrific.
Wonder Boys –Curtis Hansen –2000
Steven Kloves writer
*** (out of five)
There are scenes in Wonder Boys that feel a little contrived (like the way in which the Michael Douglas character loses his novel) but the film is smart, funny and very well-acted. –Not up to the level of Hansen’s L.A. Confidential but not much is…
A Bug’s Life –John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton directors
Andrew Stanton, Don McEnery and Bob Shaw writers
*** (out of five)
A Bug’s Life certainly isn’t Pixar’s best but it does exemplify what they’re doing right and what Dreamworks is doing wrong. It has a simple story, cleanly told and it’s about something.
Loud music and louder characters are no substitute for this.
Shark Tale –Bibo Bergeron, Vicki Jensen and Rob Letterman –2004
Michael J. Wilson and Rob Letterman writers
** (out of five)
When Shark Tale isn’t being obnoxious (which isn’t often) it’s wholly unremarkable. There’s no real comedy and, most particularly, no pathos to speak of.
I will say that the character animation is just fine and I enjoyed the film’s rich color palette.
I was most embarrassed for Martin Scorcese who, thankfully, is hidden by an animated fish.
I’d like to think at least that Eisner has some sort of master strategy. No one’s this stupid without a reason…
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-pixar11feb11,1,7547317.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Collateral –Michael Mann –2004
Stuart Beattie writer
***1/2 (out of five)
A distinctly better-than-average thriller. The actors are good, the direction is fine (save for a couple of brief flashes of confusing action) and the script is tight (with the exception of a few too-conveniently connected dots). –It’s got excitement, it’s got some nice character bits; it’s a decent night at the movies.
Something Wicked This Way Comes –Jack Clayton –1983
Ray Bradbury writer
*** (out of five)
This film has the feel of a troubled production. Some of the acting is spotty and the ending feels muddled. –This is offset by the fine writing of Mr. Bradbury (may he live forever) and the terrific performances of Jason Robards and (most especially) Jonathan Pryce.
Animal Crackers –Victor Heerman –1930
Morrie Riskind writer
*** (out of five)
I forgot how difficult watching a Marx Brothers movie can be. The plots they come up with to string the sketches together are so flimsy and tedious it makes you wish they hadn’t bothered. –But the antics of the brothers truly win out. There’s nothing like the absurdity of those three guys when they’re on a roll. Groucho was unquestionably a comic genius.
![Animal Crackers [Groucho Marx and Harpo Marx]](http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000EWDIQC.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_V58699346_.jpg)
Sweet Smell of Success –Alexander Mackendrick –1957
Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman writers
**** (out of five)
The dialogue is sharp as a whip and the plot is beautifully constructed. James Wong Howe’s black and white photography is amongst the best I’ve ever seen. –And, oh yeah, Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster are no slouches either.
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