Kimputer's Weblog

A tiny drama based on a real story, executed very well by second time helmer Gary Ross, who also worked on the screenplay. A slow beginning is necessary, and parts in between seems a bit slow too. But in the end, you get attached enough to care what really happened. Not only do you get a piece of American history, you also get see what impact just one horse had in that time. The drama part doesn’t overtake the story, and thus keeps a good balance with reality, and the acting makes it all worth it if you don’t care much for a history lesson.7+.

Spiderman 3 is a fact (I can hear you saying, “I haven’t seen Spidey 2 yet”). But not only Marvel and Sony have faith in themselves, also a whole bunch of financial analysts say the next two movies will be highly profitable.
Interesting fact though, Marvel and Sony still haven’t resolved the ongoing lawsuits between them (mostly about money going into the wrong pocket).
So, will you go see Spidey 2 ? And will you go see Spidey 3 ? (Just helping the financial analysts a bit with more data)

It’s all controversy at the box office top this week. From an independent movie, a self financed Mel Gibson pic (he pulled some $25 million out from his own pocket), to a much critised screener, to a smashing box office. The Passion of Christ, supposedly to start off as a small limited release, pre-sales and feedback indicated more and more copies were necessary to be shipped. It grew to a massive 3000+ release, equal that of a Matrix or Spiderman release. Have faith, someone must have told Mel. An angel was sent to the box office to collect no less then $76.3 million for the weekend. Un unusual opening at Monday means the total is currently at $117.5 million.
More down to earth was 3rd week’s 50 First Dates at number 2, with $12.6 million. Number 3 was the premiere of the thriller Twisted, with $9.1 million. Second week for Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, it takes in another lousy $6.1 million, good for a number 4 spot. And last, a sorry excuse for a sequel was Dirty Dancing Havana Nights at number 5, with $5.9 million.

The line between fantasy and reality is harsh. Mixing it together, can be that much harder. And that’s exactly what Tim Burton is trying. The exaggerated stories serve well as light entertainment. With no real content, it’s still interesting enough to run its course towards the end. The reality part is only touching in the lightest sense. As the character dynamics demand great distance, it’s hard to feel close to them. And the mix ? Well, as I said, it’s hard. Chosing the middle road, it ends up being quite predictable. With the disrespect that Tim Burton has built up in me now, this movie tips the balance back a bit, though it is only a small amount. And even then, most of it is deserved by the actors.7-.

This week, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King become the second movie to break the $1 billion mark for the worldwide box office. First is still James Cameron’s Titanic with $1.8 billion. Totals for the three combined is currently at $2.8 billion. The last part of the trilogy, of course, doesn’t have enough steam left to take over the first spot. If only Elijah Wood screamed “I’m the KING OF THE WORLD !!!” on the top of mount Doom, maybe, then maaaybe, it had a chance.

50 First Dates finished first again, while dropping to $21 million, 47% down last week. The total (some $72 million) is still inspiring for any romantic comedy though. Second is the premiere of Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, a Disney movie for the teenage girls, with only $9.2 million. Third is Miracle with $8 million. Fourth is another lacklustre premiere, Welcome to Mooseport with Gene Hackman and Ray Romano, with $7 million. Another premiere at number 5, Eurotrip, took in a measly $6.6 million. Even worse, at 8, is Meg Ryan starrer boxing biopic Against the Ropes with $3 million. Definitely a slow week.

If your brother has free, almost expiring, tickets for this MTV production, there’s no polite way to say no. Knowing from previous MTV productions, you shouldn’t expect anything too much from this. With that mindset, the experience is not that bad. If you leave out the silly story, ignore the dialogue, and only watch the beautiful Beyonce act quite mediocre, all that’s left is a long video clip with mostly gospellish music mixed with some R&B and rap. The music is in the experienced hands of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and as a result, it’s not half that bad. I guess gospel really makes people happy then, because though the movie kinda fails, the music will keep the grade high.6½.

Another typical Jackie Chan movie. Low on story and characters, a bit of action, a bit of humor, a bit of stunts. Actually, for the past few years, the rule, seen one, seen them all, applies. In this case, if you’ve seen The Tuxedo, you probably have no need to see this one. That rule alone, will make the upcoming Around the World in 80 Days a movie to look forward to.6+.

Like Face/Off, a bit of the future mixed with very current old-style action sequences. Obviously shot in less time and with a lower budget, it’s still a typical John Woo movie that scores above average. It’s mainly the story-driven style that keeps it all going. With the clues all laid out and waiting to be solved, all the way to the end. The beginning has some rushed scenes, as is the end. There are also scenes that drag on just a bit too long. The score from John Powell is also uneven throughout the movie, almost seemingly jumping from track to track. And of course, in any movie involving time, be it forward or backwards, there are holes to be found. But as a brainless just sit back movie, it’s entertaining.7+.

For most non-US viewers, it’s hard enough trying to live into the moment, not knowing the full weight and impact of the Civil War raging for 4 years in 1861. It’s even harder when not only the title is cold, but also the relationship between the two main characters (Jude Law and Nicole Kidman). The story plays out more like a fairy tale than a civil war drama, but there are subtleties to be appreciated. As a drama it does not succeed fully, but save a few characters, there are performances to be remembered (mostly that of Renee Zellweger). Another minus is for the type casting. Short roles for Philip Seymour Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Giovanni Ribisi and Donald Sutherland, all playing the roles we’ve known them to perform best. All in all, not Oscar material, just average.7-.

A record setting comedy is 50 First Dates (opens here 24 Jun) coinciding with the Valentine’s Day weekend, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Earning $41 million, good enough for the first place. Previous best comedy opener was Runaway Bride ($35.1 million).
Second place was for Barbershop 2 with $15.6 million. Third is for Miracle, with $14 million.

My ranting on the British a few days ago, still stands. The BAFTA (British Academy of Film) awards totals were:

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – 5 (YAY! Film, Adapted Screenplay, Visual Effects, Cinematography and People’s Choice)
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World – 4 (Director, the insanity !!)
Lost in Translation – 3 (YAY! Bill, Scarlett and Editing)
Cold Mountain – 2

As you can see, Master and Commander ranks second !!

Labeled as an erotic mysterious crime thriller, it’s none of the above. From the very beginning, it’s nothing but dialogue that makes no sense. The director doesn’t know which direction to shoot, and hence, all the scenes and events happening don’t make much sense either. After 30 minutes, it starts getting on your nerves, and you just don’t care anymore. The basic storyline is simple at best, and they try to “thicken” it with the aforementioned nonsense dialogue. But put simple and shit together, and you end up with shit. The clues for the mystery and thriller part are too obvious and guessed within seconds when in sight. Cartoons in the newspaper cut, shifted, and pasted together have more coherence then this whole movie. So, a low grade, but then higher, for all the full frontals of Meg Ryan. Yeah, I can appreciate that.3.

Showing off a new haircut is this week’s number one, Barbershop 2: Back in Business (Opens here unknown) with a nice price tag, $25.1 million. It beats out the $20.1 million opener 2 years ago.
Olympic Ice Hocky movie, Miracle (Opens here unknown), gets a silver medal. Based on a true story, Kurt Russell plays coach Herb Brooks in the 1980’s Olympics. Having been blessed with good reviews, it earns $19.4 million.
You Got Served drops 2 places, and ends up at 3 with $7.7 million.

Fast action, or serene silence. It seems the director knows how to shoot every scene with so much passion, it almost knocks you down. This movie combines it all. Fluid martial arts, immersive storytelling and stunning visuals. The director knows how to catch the audience with simple things. Color, motion and music. Subtle use of wind and objects, camera moves and intense acting. All this highten the emotionally laden story with psychological and philosophical twists.
While there have been rumors of a 20 minute longer cut for quite a while now, I can assure you that there’s absolutely no argument not to see this “normal” version in the theatre.8½.