Code 46 (2004)

This is an interesting story that got too ambitious for its own good. I felt there was a learning curve and that I spent too much time "catching up." They needlessly peppered the dialogue with well-known foreign phrases (e.g. "Lo Siento") so that for the first 10 minutes or so I thought I was mishearing what was being said.

I don't know...this story warrants a bigger reaction from me than I could muster. I feel as though they opted to cram too much sci-fi "whoa" specificity in (palels, cover, al fuera, convenience viruses) and, as a result, sacrificed some story power.

B-

Amy (2001)

Um…I'm affectionate toward fragments of this film, but it just doesn't hang together at all.

Little girl loses her ability to hear and speak for three years after witnessing her father's violent, though accidental, death. Her mother is an emotional wreck who's dodging child services wanting to take the girl out of the home. They move to a seedy neighborhood chock-full of characters where they discover that the girl can hear singing and verbalize through song.

The girl's voice is good -- almost creepily so -- as though she's just come off a run as "young Cosette." I just didn't know what to do with this movie. It tries, in turns, for broad laughs, traumatic sentimentality, dark danger, and bland psychological claptrap.

Worthwhile mostly for the musical flashbacks. Overall, however, a failure.

C

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)

Surprisingly engaging for a 3 hour plus movie. Brando's portrayal of Christian is hard to get used to…he's foppish to the nth degree…but, the weird thing is, you do get used to it.

B

Hero (2004)

I was a little worried for the first 15 minutes or so…it looked a lot like a more slowly-moving CTHD with an eye more toward style than story. I'm happy to say that things change rather rapidly and the story becomes the thing…in many different incarnations. The changing color palette was beautiful.

B+

The Forgotten (2004)

Not only was this downright ridiculous - it felt rushed. They should have at least attempted to build some dread or sense of loss. I watched some of the extended version with the alternate ending, and it was the much better cut (in it the weird park ending actually made some sense), but it's still a crappy movie either way.

D-

Whale Rider (2003)

Second time: Made me cry again. Wonderful reminder that we can't dismiss people based on our assumptions about them. God's got a way of using who He wants to use regardless of whether we think it's appropriate. Lovely, lovely story about a dying people coming vibrantly back to life.

A-

Hold Back the Dawn (1941)

Weird movie -- kind of seedy on one hand and kind of lovely and hopeful on the other. The stars are good (except Paulette Goddard -- who really never should've been handed a career in Hollywood. I'm still amazed that she was considered for the role of Scarlett O'Hara). In all, though, the movie just doesn't quite work. It can't be realistic and starry-eyed at the same time...people just aren't that easily redeemed.

C+

The Cutting Edge (1992)

Saw this for the second time for a movie club in which I'm involved. I can't believe this is one of the low percentage of movies I've seen more than once.

I cringed at Moira's huffing, I cringed at the mid-'80s-vibe soundtrack (what was music this bad doing in a '90s flick?), and I cringed at the wooden acting. But my biggest irritation was due to the fact that this is a movie against the beautiful backdrop of figure skating...and the actual competition scenes were filmed in such a way that I couldn't even see the moves clearly -- the camera was either tight-focused on the feet, utilizing quick-cuts, or panning so fast and blurrily that I couldn't figure out what was going on. I get it...I'm savvy...they weren't really able to do the stunts, but that's what body doubles are for, man. Give me some pay-off: I sat through the practice footage, now show me the result, dangit!

And what's with the "I did the really dangerous move during competition just because I looooooove you" lesson at the end? It's only true love if I'm willing to risk paralyzation for my man? Again with the cringing.

So, I could tolerate it -- but I can't imagine there will be a third viewing.

C-

Bright Victory (1951)

Totally square movie. Brazen soldier loses his sight and, after the initial horror, adapts well. And, whaddya know, being blind even makes him a better person and earns him a quality gal. Who'da thunk it?

B-

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Funnier than I remembered - maybe I was a bit too young to "get it" the first time I saw it years ago. George C. Scott is a riot, as are the war room scenes…but the parts in the plane were draggy (and there are quite a few of them).

B

The Safety of Objects (2003)

I almost don't want to say anything for fear that putting anything I feel into words will dispel the aura that's surrounding the film for me. I'll just say that it made me feel it.

A

The Door in the Floor (2004)

First: Elle, honey, you are no Dakota.

The pieces of this film were sometimes ugly and/or depressing. But, when reflected upon as a whole, it was quite effective. Bridges does his usual amazing job and this is one of the films in which Basinger (who can veer from terrible to outstanding, depending on role) was perfect.

B

Goodbye, Dragon Inn (2004)

I can't remember why on earth I was moved to rent this…it may have been one of those times I was duped by Netflix and their bogus "recommendation" system (which I suspect may be more of a "no one's watching these - let's pretend they're right up a few unsuspecting members' alleys!" system). At less than an hour and a half, this film is still 5 times longer than it should be. The action that did occur went out of its way to be "quirky" but just wound up being stupid.

The bulk of the movie attempts to make art out of lingering shots of repetitive or unchanging scenes, e.g. a lame girl making her way up a long flight of stairs...down a long hallway for 8 minutes or so and, at one point, holding a shot on the empty theater (no movement on screen whatsoever) for more than 3 minutes. If you don't have anything to say, you don't have a film -- you've got a photo.

The single interesting scene comes almost at the end of the film, when the stars of the film that just screened during the movie house's closing night see each other in the lobby. Too bad that, by that time, most viewers will have popped out the disc in irritation.

F

Open Your Eyes (1999)

Very interesting movie - did a good job of conveying confusion with purpose (rather than confusion for confusion's sake as in a David Lynch film). I kept wondering, however, WHY the doctors couldn't do a better job on his face. Sure, they're not "miracle workers," but come on...it's like they were trying to humble him.

B-

You Can Count on Me (2000)

I first saw this film at the Frontenac alone (Gary wasn't up for three films in a row, so he sat this one out), then watched it again while making Christmas ornaments in 2004. Yep - it's the kind of movie I can watch three times and still praise to high heaven.

This one feels so natural - so wonderfully real. Makes me laugh and cry and think. Reminds me of my youngest brother and the way I both pity him and am jealous of him. I know I'm not conveying this well, but this one is definitely near the top of the movie mountain.

A+

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)

I loved the beginning…felt like a sarcasm-tinged "Our Town" -- but then it settled down into a spoiled brat grows into a jerk and ruins his mother's life story. Alright - but not anything I'll think about for long.

C+

The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1934)

Laughton does his Captain Bligh routine…didactic father keeps his children under lock and key and makes everyone generally miserable. Shearer is fine as the weak poetess, but March is simply adorable as the poet who comes a'courting, despite the difficulties posed by Elizabeth's health and her father's insanity. Stirred an interest in me for the "real story."

C+

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)

I enjoyed this quite a bit, though I doubt I'd want to watch it again. It was amazing to look at and I enjoyed the old-fashioned banter. Gwyneth, however, looks ridiculous when she runs and there's no way Joe would choose Polly over Frankie. Come on.

B-

The Thirteenth Floor (1999)

Cool idea…the Sims taken to great lengths…but takes this awesome idea and reduces it to a "bad guy" movie. And the girl falls in love with a fictional guy? Um…isn't this a little like taking a blow-up doll on a date?

C-

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (2004)

This movie starts off with a bang - but once the charming bounder is out of the picture (in it's first half-hour), things go a bit cold. I like the way that several questions go unanswered…but, then again, some of the answers we are given wind up being altogether unsatisfactory.

B-