Kimputer's Weblog

It’s nice to go see a movie with confidence. Confidence in the director (Chris Nolan, with a wonderful track record of Memento, Insomnia and Batman Begins) and confidence you’re gonna figure out the plot before the end. Of course, at the end, you’ll figure out you’ve pulled the wrong end again, and on top of that, you’ll get a wonderful intricate rivalrous story for extra depth.
It goes without saying there will be people who don’t get the plot, and there are some that will take theories far beyond the movie, but that’s what you usually get with these gems.7½.

Based on true events, this small-time thriller-ish personal drama plays out in Ugunda during the reign of Idi Amin. And it’s an interesting chain of events, but plays a bit different than Hotel Rwanda, mainly because of the point of view. Judging this purely as a thriller, only the second half matters, but no worry, Forest Whitaker strikes fear into you like you can’t imagine. Unpredictable behaviour combined with a booming voice and maniacal stare, and you’d better not move a micro-inch. Definitely worth a Globe, and maybe an Oscar.
As a whole movie though, it’s nice for once, but not really a mind-sticker.7+.

Not only have we Smith Sr. vying for another Oscar, now we have Smith Jr. too (though only “lower” awards). Granted, acting is pretty good in this movie, which is supposed to be uplifting. Be prepared though, mostly it’s pretty dark drama, and you’ll watch it with a knot in your stomach. Of course, in the end, you will also feel jealousy, the story being based on a certain multi-millionaire’s memoirs.
While the movie seems to run a bit long, the continuous pressure and light hearted breaks will keep the momentum going, all the way to the big *sigh* of relief during the last piece to warrant the title feel good movie.7½.

Another star studded crime flick, where multiple parties want the same thing. With so many characters to introduce, it takes almost half of the movie, and not in a positive way. When the action finally kicks in, only an anti-climax is waiting for you. There are some good bits here and there, but the boring superficial stuff takes the overhand. Also, star studded usually means, most of them are reduced to cameo sized appearances, you’d better not get your hopes up if you go especially to see one or two actors.7.

Idiocracy: Pretty funny future piece for a low budget side project of Mike Judge (creator King of the Hill, now in its last season).7+.
Flyboys: A bit low action for a World War movie, and the aerial tricks are not the eye candy you’d hope for from a project from producer Dean Devlin (previously Stargate, Independence Day and Godzilla).5.
DOA: Dead or Alive: Being based on a fight tournament game, it’s more banal than most Jean-Claude van Damme products, even if it’s now focused on mostly females (and visually it stinks of rip-off, like a bad copy of Kill Bill or Charlie’s Angels).2.

An a-typical little drama this is, but strange isn’t always bad. Nor is it always good. This movie starts off with the strangest narrative (like, literally lifted from the book), and makes you wonder where this is all heading to. Then there’s the lingering feeling it doesn’t amount to anything (also due to the long running time), and in the end, it’s still puzzling as to what exactly the message was, if there’s any at all. In general, this movie has many parallels with last year’s Crash (story, build-up, finale, though a little less drama), but without any clear intent or direction. You can always go for the acting though (Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson and Jennifer Connelly are quite sparkling it off the screen)7.

Well, bloody hell, the second movie in a year where the presence of Leonardo DiCaprio didn’t really bother me at all (the first being The Departed). Heck, a few more, and I might just go see a movie because he’s in it.
Mainly, of course, the man behind the camera (Edward Zwick) did it for me, and while I don’t think this is the way he should go, it’s still an above average movie. I like his slow moving, always deepening, with a personal touch kinda dramas, like The Last Samurai and Courage under Fire. This movie is character-wise a bit more predictable, and focuses more on the civil unrest (or rather, cruel terror), making it more of an action drama than the previous movies. That’s not to say there isn’t drama, because there is. It’s just not the same kind you’d come to expect. To top it off, this is probably the first movie coming from him to bear a message, something to think about, even though it doesn’t apply to me (or 99.9% of the population).7+.

It’s basically everything you would expect from a typical Jack Black movie, wrapped in a tinny script, including the usual singing cameo with oral guitar riff. Everything is done in the highest form of silliness that Jack can get away with clean. It’s not masterful comedy, but light entertainment nonetheless. So be it.7-.

More than one and a half decade ago, Emilio Estevez gives it a try again both with the pen and paper, and behind the camera. Most of this downtime, he has been trying to set his own movie up from scratch, eventually funding it himself.
But not only did he accomplish that, it’s quite a nice story too, and actually star studded to the roof. Basically a whole bunch of short fictionalised stories surrounding the Ambassador Hotel leading up to the true tragic event at the end of the movie, but it’s brought in a nice compact and earnest way. It’s again, light independent drama at its best.7½.

Sherlock once said that if you excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be it. One last sequel. Pretty improbable, grandpa in the boxing rings, but it’s finally here. And whatever Stallone wanted, he got it. Main reason must’ve been a dignified ending to the saga, and to my feeling, even never disliking any chapters from before while also thinking the last one was okay for an ending, I actually think he nailed it (as far as the inspirational underdog story and the Rocky character goes). I think most fans will like, if not love this one too. And for non-fans, it’s not as rock solid as the first Rocky, but it’s almost there. Some here and there feels a bit too rushed, while there are also some blunt edges in the script. But for the effort and the result, it’s definitely two thumbs up, while Bill Conti does an updated score worthy of nostalgia.7½.

Just as it is on TV, people still just can’t get enough of dancing on the screen, and no surprise that Stomp the Yard (troubled teen dances his way to success, what else is new ?) tops the box office this week, opening with $22 million.
Still no closing time in sight for Night at the Musuem though, dropping to number two with a more than admirable $17.1 million in its fourth week of release. Its total may pass the $200 million this week.
The Pursuit of Happyness drops to number three, with $9.1 million it will pass the $150 million mark before its run ends.
Rounding out the top 5 is Dreamgirls and Freedom Writers, resp. with $8.1 million and $7.1 million.

Hectic year for that Mel Gibson dude. So hectic, it drives you to drinking a lot. And then some drunk driving. And name calling. And racial slurs. Ah well, as long as he knows how to make movies.
And that, he still does. Not as provoking as Passion, but I think there are a few subtle hints in this movie. While Passion was in a sense, more thought provoking, this one is only visually provoking (and in a way we’ve seen before). And without giving away too much, it’s basically Commando or Predator, but then old fashioned. Really old fashioned.
On film, a sense of authenticity is only conveyed by using old Mayan language, and hence the necessary subtitles reading is necessary. But by using small lightweight HD cameras (and the according shaking), you only get the feel that’s associated with the current trend. I’d rather have the steady cam serenity to slowly immerse myself in the older times. Gibson however, wanted some high tech close-up follow shots, and deemed the hand held camera the only solution to achieve it.
Ah well, all in all, not a foreign language Oscar contender in my books. While it gets only one thumb up, I’m afraid mr. Gibson’s style is moving towards the Hollywood middle again, even though this movie not recommended for the “normal” crowd yet.7+.

Ant Bully: Very amusing family flick, that even carries a subtle message for the small ones.7½.
Snowcake: Interesting mildly funny indie drama.7.
Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles: A introspective view of an introverted father character exploring social semi-foreign customs, but runs a bit long leaning on the boring side.6.

Comedy Night at the Museum sticks at the number one spot one more week ,with a $24 million run, passing $164 million cume. At two, The Pursuit of Happyness is still doing good business, this week with $13 million and a $124 million cume.
At three, in its first week of wide release, people wanted too see the critically acclaimed (but highly borish) Children of Men, rising to $10.3 million.
At four, the Hilary Swank drama Freedom Writers can chalk down a $9.7 million opening, while Dream Girls rounds out the top 5 (also Oscar buzz, hence the highest average per screen this week) with $8.8 million.

Usually, with pet projects (in this case Bob Yari, almost entirely funding it through his Bob Yari Productions and Yari Film Releasing Group banners), it can be really good, or just good in the eyes of the person petting it around. In this case, it’s somewhere inbetween that, being pretty good, but not award-wowing. Still, with the Painted Veil released and critically acclaimed, it looks Like mr. Yari is the Bruckheimer on the independent side of film making.
This movie is all about subtlety, in story, characters and colors onscreen. And all the while, there’s always a shroud of mystery present, which makes the somewhat slower pace all the better to endure. If you want to be drowned in doubt, be it scientifically or spiritually, this is the movie to see. Despite the small scale setup of this low budget movie (and only a handful of characters to know), you’ll certainly get to experience the full suspense.8-.