Thoughts: The battle for Iwo Jima as told from the perspective of the Japanese. Much like Flag of Our Fathers, the war scenes were extremely realistic. However, Flags was told in flashback format and focusing more on what happened to a few soldiers once they got back home. Letters From Iwo Jima was told in present time and focused more on what the men were fighting for – their country and family. The acting was strong and it gave a personal view of the war.
(M) Amazing Grace. (Michael Apted, 2006) Grade: B-
Thoughts: An idealist, William Wiberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), pushes his law into British Paraliment in the 19th century to end British transatlantic slave trade. It was an interesting movie about this real life character and what he did to try to end slavery for England. The cast was filled with many well-known British actors. Oh and note the director is the same guy who did the whole Up series.
(M) Days of Heaven. (Terrence Malick, 1978) Grade: B
Thoughts: Bill (Richard Gere), his girlfriend Abby (Brooke Adams) and younger sister Linda (Linda Manz) are wanderers who find work on a farm in Texas. There the rich and ill farmer (Sam Shepard) takes an interest in Abby and Bill convinces her to marry him so they can have access to his fortune. It was a quiet film that focused more on character study and scenery. The cinematography was amazing and it ended up winning an Oscar for it.
(M) 300. (Zack Snyder, 2006) Grade: B
Thoughts: Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller, “300” is about the 300 Spartans lead by King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) who try to defeat the Persian king Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his massive army in 480 B.C. The history aspect was interesting but for the most the movie was about cool ways of chopping up a body, watching heads fly and buff male bodies. I did find it odd that Xerxes looked like a giant drag queen. I would have appreciated the movie so much more on IMAX. Oh well it was still entertaining.
(M) My Own Private Idaho. (Gus Van Sant, 1991) Grade: B-
Thoughts: Mike (River Phoenix) and Scott (Keanu Reeves) are two male hustlers in Portland, Oregan. Mike suffers from narcolepsy, is searching for his long-lost mother and is in love with Scott. Scott is a rebellious son of a wealthy political family who turns his back on the hustler lifestyle when he falls for a woman. The film was a deep character study, probably would have made for a great play. Actually much of Scott’s storyline was taken directly from Shakespeare’s play Henry IV, even the dialogue. The film did show what great potential River Phoenix had. He was talented and extremely good-looking even in scenes where he was suppose to be unattractive.
(M) Mon Meilleur Ami (My Best Friend). (Patrice Leconte, 2006) Grade: C
Thoughts: Francois Coste (Daneil Auteuil) has a comfortable life as an antique dealer, however he has no friends. His business partner Catherine makes a bet with him that he cannot produce a “best friend” within 10 days. By chance he befriends taxi driver Bruno (Dany Boon) who tries to teach him how to make friends. This was a feel good forgettable French movie; the best part of the whole thing was Dany Boon.
Movie Count: 125
2 comments:
300 a B-? Kinda harsh... With Gerard Butler as the lead... at least a B+.... He was wayyyy hot.
Okay I'll give it a B. But I think I would have given the movie an A if I saw it in IMAX because on TV they looked too cartoonish or something. Oh well.
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