The Rundown (2003)

3/5

I was always kind of interested in this movie because I like The Rock, Seann William Scott, and Christopher Walken. The movie succeeded as an entertaining action movie with clever recurring comic interludes and surprisingly fleshed-out characters. The action throughout most of the movie was really really cool, although the first fight sequence was a bit too hard to comprehend due to the strobe lights. The fighting was never overedited, with long, medium takes so you can always tell what's going on. It wasn't extremely funny, but it was funny enough for an action movie.

The acting from all parties was nothing to write home about; even Christopher Walken was pretty stale. Every so often it looked as if he forgot his lines and was trying to remember them. The plot was predictable and some characters' motivations were unconvincing. The special effects were cheesy when present, although thankfully it only happened twice. Overall, though, it achieved what it set out to achieve. I recommend it for anyone who is looking for a funny movie with developed characters and excellent action.

Disclaimer: I saw this on network TV, so it was edited for content and length.

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0327850/

Curse of the Golden Flower (2006)

3/5

Coming out of the theater, I had no idea what I just spent eleven dollars and two hours of my life watching. I found almost no point to this movie and no real meaning, theme, or message. Or any pleasure in its viewing. After thinking back on it, talking about it, and trying to analyze it, I see much more depth than I first gave Zhang Yimou credit for. He has made some of the best movies China has to offer and he definitely knows what he's doing here. There ended up being several pretty significant and ubiquitous themes that I initially missed. There are laws on this earth that cannot be changed, you cannot take by force what isn't given to you, and no matter how big familial quarrels are, history will continue on unchanged--we are small and meaningless in the long term. However, it was not the kind of movie I thought it would be, so there was a severe difference between my expectations and what the movie offered. I think the movie is also at fault to some extent, as it tries to be both an action movie/martial arts epic and also drama of family intrigue.

There were a couple of absolutely blissful shots in the beginning and end. This was no doubt aided by the stunning set design. The music was nearly flawless; it added tension from the start and an operatic, epic mood throughout that worked perfectly. The acting was also fantastic; Chow Yun Fat has such a commanding presence and Gong Li simply owns the camera. The movie attempted to be a Chinese Hamlet, with insanity, familial deceit, a slow disintegration of order, and everybody dying at the end. It actually pulled it off pretty well.

The action in the beginning was really cool, but it wasn't sustained. The editing style was unexpectedly non-traditional, bizarre, and jarring; I couldn't understand the point and therefore didn't appreciate it. Some scenes and some of the acting was a bit too theatrical for me and didn't really fit within the movie. I didn't like the large battle sequences; they didn't feel real and were unnecessarily time-consuming. I was also pretty sad that Chow Yun Fat didn't get much screen time. It's actually a pretty good movie if you can get into it; just don't expect something like Hero or House of Flying Daggers.

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0473444/

Invincible (2006)

3/5

There were some surprisingly well-crafted long tracking shots and well-carried out editing. Mark Wahlberg's acting was actually pretty good. It was, all in all, a pretty entertaining underdog inspirational movie. It didn't last too long and probably wasn't in violent disagreement with reality (at least when it came to football). It was what I expected from a Disney movie.

It got extremely saccharine several times and ludicrously so. These moments were not only sappy (slow motion smiling and laughing and longing looks), but also overlong. The music made it even more melodramatic sometimes, although other times it was used effectively. It seemed to end too quickly, and yet I have no idea where it would have gone afterwards without completely forgoing facts. It seemed to go in many different directions and not really understand its point, so there were a lot of loose ends left open. It ended somewhat abruptly, like this review.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0445990/

The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)

4.9/5

This movie is a searing indictment of how our society functions when we take the law into our own hands; how we try to one-up each other in mob groups and decide we can't back down until we do something we regret; how we jump to conclusions and information gets distorted when emotion gets in the way of communication. But more importantly, it's a powerful, unforgettable portrayal of innocence and injustice, making mistakes and living with regret.

The camerawork, shot composition, and editing were well-done throughout, with some scenes of exceptional flourish and one in particular that blew me away (a long tracking shot after the titular moment that ends on shadows on the ground). The acting was also quite good by Henry Fonda, but also by some lesser-known actors. The minor characters were so richly developed and the town was magnificently textured, much in the same way as Rear Window (how there were intricate stories for the tenants being watched).

It seems like some scenes were added for no real reason (for example, the scene where Rose comes back to town married). The plot was also somewhat predictable; you knew what had to happen for the message to have any power or meaning. Even so, it was a tense 75 minutes, hoping and praying the men don't make the wrong decision.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036244/

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

4/5

This movie is an unforgettable icon and the peak of the adventure genre: traveling around the world solving ancient puzzles and just barely avoiding death, all while having the time of your life. Every scene is unforgettable and stays with you years and years after you first watch the movie. Watching it once again, a certain electricity spread throughout my body that allowed me to relive the adventure once more and ignore everything going on around me. Repeat viewings do not diminish the experience, but enhance it. The pacing is splendid, the musical score memorable, and the fun ubiquitous.

Technically, the editing and camerawork was only slightly above average and not very noteworthy. The plot is predictable and the action, while flashy and exciting, isn't very tense due to the comic flair they add to every scene. Also, it really isn't anything more than an adventure movie; there is no message or theme or emotion in this movie. But that just adds to the fun of it all! This movie is pure joy.

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0097576/

Swingers (1996)

4/5

Swingers is the epitome of the guy equivalent to a chick flick, and it is hilarious. Like Pulp Fiction, it thrives on pop culture references. It captures both a generation and a perspective flawlessly. There are some extremely effective scenes (when Mike decides to call Niki, the awkwardness was palpable--I literally squirmed in my seat). Unlike most comedies, this movie actually has a solid foundation, plot-wise and message-wise. And it succeeds: it's funny.

Some scenes go on for too long or don't really have much of a point (for example, the swing dancing). Also, the movie doesn't age well; it digs itself deep in 90's culture and gets stuck there, in terms of language, clothing, and references. The filmmaking becomes a little self-indulgent sometimes. Overall, a very effective, character-driven comedy that very accurately looks at the dating world through guys' eyes.

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0117802/

Apocalypto (2006)

4/5

Apocalypto is a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat action movie. The pace never lets up, and the action sequences are on par with some of the best moments from Miami Vice. The violence is raw and gruesome, but never too much to handle. Much of the filmmaking is old school and calculated, such as the build-up of tension and even the action itself (taking out enemies one by one). Something I respect about the movie is that Gibson doesn't make this just an action movie; it is also a statement about society. One thing I like is how minor details are brought back later on in important ways--it really hits home Gibson's message about fate and destiny. It was really cool to see Jaguar Paw "become" a jaguar and also change from being the hunted to the hunter.

Well, I went in thinking it would be an epic story, but it turned out to be a simple action movie (albeit a very good one). A lot of situations seemed to go on too long, although individual scenes worked extremely well. The camerawork and editing overall were somewhat unimpressive and uninspired, but there were several key shots that were just stunning (for example, when the priest holds up the heart in front of the crowd after the first sacrifice). Also, Gibson had this strange fascination with slowing down the video in the most bizarre of places, which made for a really jarring effect sometimes. Taken as a whole, though, this is a fantastic action movie and highly recommended.

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0472043/

Mysterious Skin (2004)

4/5

This movie is first and foremost incredibly gay, but that is just the necessary backdrop for an emotional journey into the lives of two tormented youths. The editing often faded from one boy's face/body to the other's to give the impression that they were somehow connected, if not the same. Yet they both react to the same situation in two vastly different ways, one with ignorance and the other with embrace. I may have slightly "ruined" the ending, but I don't think what happened was really a mystery; it's merely the end of a journey of self-discovery, which is really the heart of the film. And this journey is expressed vividly by amazing acting all around.

Being so exquisitely and flamboyantly gay, it limits its message to a very specialized audience. While the movie was effective, I wasn't quite sure what its point was with a lot of scenes. It seemed like there was a gratuitous amount of unnecessarily explicit sexual encounters for the sake of either making you disgusted or depressed at the depth of depravity in our society. Some characters, like some scenes, didn't really have points and were just there to change up the scenery. The editing was extremely artsy and made the movie feel pretentious, which took away from the feeling of the story being realistic and raw. Even so, I think it's an extremely well-made movie, but definitely not for everyone's palate.

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0370986/

Monsieur Verdoux (1947)

4.9/5

Charlie Chaplin's movie are always sublimely entertaining from start to finish, and Monsieur Verdoux is no different. It is, however, extremely different in style from his silent comedies. There's no real body humor to speak of, which is certainly Chaplin's strongest aspect. But who would've thought that the silent master was also so adept with words? The wit in this movie shines--it is on the same level as Kind Hearts and Coronets. The plots are also very similar, but being a Chaplin movie, Verdoux has an important message as well: the world is tumbling downhill, but a little kindness can make it all seem worth it. The two most important scenes arise from the same plot device, the first being one of the most tender, delicate scenes of emotion I've seen in any movie, the second being the most side-splittingly hilarious scene I've seen in a long time. The way Chaplin is able to pull this off with such ease in the same movie is a testament to his ability as a filmmaker.

It starts off a little wobbly; it just sort of sets the stage without really being very funny. The movie also feels a little bit jumpy, moving from one story to the next in a sometimes erratic fashion. M. Verdoux's real family is introduced somewhat suddenly and ignored almost equally abruptly. To be more nitpicky, it was a bit bizarre to see Chaplin with a French mustache instead of his signature stubby one, but I thought it worked well and was incredibly funny. It was also a little off-putting to see so little physical humor in a Chaplin movie, and not something you'd expect, but Chaplin is able to make the change with style and panache, and is equally able to ensure that you don't regret it.

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0039631/

The Man Who Would Be King (1975)

4/5

The Man Who Would Be King is a rousing adventure movie, one of the few in the genre. It was able to be serious and funny, epic and personal, adventurous and thought-provoking. There is some real emotion on screen because the acting by all parties was excellent. Huston's direction (The Maltese Falcon, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre) was equally impressive. Some of the shot compositions were just unreal. I really liked how the plot fit together so well; seemingly minor details were brought back later on in big ways.

It does feel a bit dated, with oversaturated colors and bizarre language. The vernacular is somewhat off-putting at first, but you slowly get used to it and it helps put the entire picture in a different world. The music chimed in at weird places sometimes, or it felt like it wasn't the right mood. Sometimes the editing was a bit too blunt. As an adventure movie, it must inevitably be compared to Indiana Jones and, unfortunately, I don't think it's nearly as good, but it's still a really entertaining movie!

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0073341/