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Im Westen nichts Neues (2022)
Gallipoli, but not as Good
Utterly forgettable. Basically, follows the life of a German soldier and his friends through the last year of The Great War. There is a subplot involving a few French and German diplomats, but I found that even less interesting than the main plot. Visually, the film is gorgeous. Auditorily, the soundtrack and sound mixing put you right in the middle of the action. But... the plot and the characters just don't imprint themselves on the mind at all. I couldn't name a single character that was in this movie (except for Foch, and that's because he's an actual historical figure). Their personalities just don't stand out at all. The theme is a bit like the movie Gallipoli (war is hell, and everyone you care for dies in it), but while that movie made you love the characters from the moment they were introduced, this movie shows you a bunch of young boys with huge eyes, and expects that that will be enough to make you care. It isn't, I didn't. I read somewhere that this was Oscars Bait; that sounds about right.
1917 (2019)
Perhaps the Best War Film
Brilliant. It's not often I get to rate a movie as 10/10, but on a second viewing this one earns it. Basically two British soldiers in WWI have to get to a distant part of their trench front, where a whole unit of men are about to walk into a German ambush. The movie is perfectly paced, but not so much that it's predictable; it does a great job of transitioning from quiet scenic moments, where the beauty of the french countryside or the ugliness of the trenches are on full display - to moments of pounding adrenaline. The characters, even the minor ones that only show up for a scene or two, are immediately likeable and distinct. The movie feels real, partly because of the (mostly) continuous shot. The moment of the main character, Will, running down the front of the trench during the charge is one of the best pieces of cinema in the last 10 years. The score is outstanding, the visual effects are well-disguised (there is a moment with an obviously-cgi rat, but its a small gripe). Overall, possibly the best war movie I've ever watched, and I've seen most of the big ones.
In the Heart of the Sea (2015)
You Will Forget this After Watching
Pretty standard modern movie fayre. Basically, a bunch of whalers are caught out at sea by a big whale, get lost in their boats, starve, cannibalism, etc. I read the book a long time ago, so none of this came as a surprise. There isn't anything necessarily atrocious about the movie - it's just not very good. I predict I will have forgotten most of it within a few days. Acting is decent, music is forgettable, CGI is incredibly obvious and overdone, plot is boring and predictable, even the drama/tension between the captain and first mate is so trite it's hardly deserving of the word 'drama'. If you've seen any blockbuster movie from the year 2010 onward, you'll feel a sense of Deja Vu watching this. It's a movie you can throw on in the background, pay no attention to, then jump in 45 minutes in and know exactly how the whole plot has unfolded to that point. "Oatmeal Cinema"; no brain cells required. Overall, dull.
Gallipoli (1981)
Like a David Lean Film
Outstanding WWI film. Basically, two Australian sprinters sign up for the ANZAC division of the Allied armies, are are slowly disillusioned in their romanticism of war as they become involved in the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey. So much of this movie is perfect. The acting is outstanding, despite there being no big-named stars (at the time). The music ties in outstandingly well, and the use of synthetic music during the running scenes helps them 'pop'. The camerawork, and the special effects, and the lighting - it's all done well, especially for something that wasn't box-office hollywood. The highlight has got to be the plot/pacing though. It's a tragedy, and you can feel the tragedy coming, but at no point does the movie come off as trite or predictable. It has the same feeling as a David Lean movie, like Bridge on the River Kwai or Lawrence of Arabia. I don't think the ending is great, and the beginning is a bit slow, but overall this is a wonderful, sad war film.
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
An Easy to Like War Movie
A beloved movie from childhood, albeit, sometimes cheesy in a late-90s/early-200s kind of way. Basically, the battle of Stalingrad during WWII, from the perspective of two snipers - one Russian, one German - playing a game of cat and mouse among the ruins. The acting, pacing, cinematography, and music are all good or better. None of the actors nail every single scene, but the overall performances are solid. The movie slows down a little in the second half, but it's not so long that it becomes insufferable. There are some obvious over-uses of CGI, and the music is just James Horner copying his score for Braveheart, but overall the effect is decent. The best part of this movie is the thriller/tension-theme whenever the two snipers are watching for each other, or trying to outsmart the other. The love-triangle part could be completely thrown out, and this movie would be none the worse. Overall, fun and easy to watch, not especially deep.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Executionally Perfect; One Thematic Flaw
Good, but not really focused on the 'science' aspect of the bomb. Basically a biopic epic about Robert J. Oppenheimer and The Manhattan Project. First off, from a technical standpoint, this movie is basically perfect. The acting is outstanding - and I think Cillian Murphy's performance here has cemented him as one of my favorite actors. The pacing is easy to follow, despite being told in non-linear fashion (it is confusing for about 15 minutes, but you get the hang of what's happening after a while). The stakes, the cinematography, the special effects - all outstanding. The music wasn't especially memorable, but nor was it distracting. My biggest qualm with the movie is this: the central conflict that threads throughout the narrative revolves around politics (whether Oppenheimer is a communist, and/or loves his country) rather than about the actual effort of creating the bomb, which takes second stage. I don't care about politics. It's boring. It brings this move down from a 10 to an 8. That's it. Otherwise, stellar.
Bleak House (2005)
Maybe the Best Dickens Adaptation
Outstanding - after getting past the odd, non-Dickensian editing and cinematography. Basically, Dickens' originally book, fairly faithfully adapted, that does a good job of keeping all the important elements while cutting out the chaff. The series brought many of the characters to life for me: I will always picture this series now when I think of Esther, Mr. Guppy, John Jarndyce, and the hateable Harold Skimpole. The pacing was good too; I knew how the story ended (having read the book), but the payoff of the mystery was built up strongly enough that each episode flew by. The weird music stings and sudden cuts to other scenes were a little odd at first, but I got used to it after a while, and by the end they were an indelible part of the story. Overall, fantastic.
Little Dorrit (2008)
Great Drama; The Dorrits get on your Nerves though
Loved it, though not as much as the Bleak House serial. Basically, yet another fairly-faithful adaptation of the book. They did leave out a little of the nuance surrounding the circumstances of Arthur's and Amy's births, and the importance of Amy uncle Frederick in the plot. To be honest, I think they could have found some way to simplify it even more; that element was always a little too convoluted in my opinion, even in the original book. The cinematography, acting, and music were fantastic (essentially it was the same music as Downton Abbey). The pacing got a little tiresome after a while; basically, it gets old watching Amy getting repeatedly dunked on by the rest of the odious Dorrit family. I never liked any of them (particularly William Dorrit) in the book, but here it became overbearing. Otherwise though I highly enjoyed this period piece - I'd watch it again in the future, after I've forgotten all about it.
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Definitive
Having watched both this and the 2005 version at about the same time, this is the definitive one. Exceptionally well-produced, well-acted, and well-paced. It's been a long time since I read the novel, but it seemed faithful to the original. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth are both outstanding in their roles (as is Alison Steadman who played Mrs. Bennet - annoyingly hypochondriacal and gossipy, but never crosses over the border into insufferable). The setting and cinematography were wonderful, they made me want to go to the places where the series was filmed. If I have one critique, it's that the ending did not quite leave me emotionally satisfied. It's faithful to the novel, and it's not like I expect (or want) some steamy sex scene, but the attraction/love between them just didn't come completely across at the finish line. Not bad, just not complete. Otherwise, phenomenal.
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Not bad, but inferior to 1995
Inferior to the 1995 version, though not bad on its own. This adaptation is less faithful than the 1995 series, though the parts they cut out / alter are not hugely significant. The acting is good - I like Macfadyen just as much as Firth in the role of Mr. Darcy, although his acting was admittedly not quite as nuanced. The emotions and acting were, on the whole, more melodramatic than the 1995 version, and definitely inductive of a few eye-rolls throughout the film. The music was good. I guess it's a decent movie on it's own, but... forgettable, where the 1995 version is not. To me, there is no comparison between the two. This movie is a nice one to put on in the background and be pleased to look at now and then; but the 1995 version sucks you in from the start, and will. Not. Let. Go.
La Môme (2007)
VERY LOUD
Not a badly made film, but insufferably... LOUD. Basically, the life of Edith Piaf, told in a non-linear narrative (thanks for that tool, Homer), from her birth in the gutters of France, to her death as a star. To begin with, the acting, costumes, cinematography, filming, score (mostly Edith's music), even the plot - they're all up to snuff. The plot is a little disjointed and its easy to get lost where in Edith's life we are at, but the movie is structured so that the ending feels inevitable, and the rest of the story answers "how did we get here?" - in other words, the disjointedness is not terrible. The real problem with this movie - and it is pervasive THROUGHOUT the movie - is just how unlikeable and loud Edith Piaf is as a character. I mean, this is basically a 2 hour session of someone being drunk, moody, and screaming. Nothing against Marion Cotillard, she deserved whatever awards she got for the performance. It's just not any fun to watch. Overall a well-made movie, but not one I'd ever watch again.
Joyeux Noël (2005)
A Hallmark Movie
Not bad, a little too "feel goody " to be an effective WWI movie. Basically, Scottish, French, and German soldiers all agree to a ceasefire during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. After the ceasefire ends, nobody important dies, because they are all upbraided by their superiors and sent to other places. The music, the set pieces, the cinematography, the acting; all those were good or better. The plot was just a little too bit like a hallmark movie: something good happens, something else good happens, something bad is about to happen but it turns out that something good happens instead. I get that the Christmas Truce is a touchingly human moment, but good movies involve tension, loss, and drama, and this lacked in all three departments. Also: too many characters for any one of them to be memorable. Overall, forgettable.
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)
Decent Characters, Weird Plot
Not bad, though the pacing and themes of this story could use a little focus. Basically, the life of a military man through the three big British wars of the early 20th century (The Boer War, WWI, WWII). The characters are emotionally well-defined and likable: the main character is just reckless enough for you to root for him without going too far and looking unrealistic, the German antagonist is relatable, the multiple characters portrayed by Deborah Kerr add a nice "love triangle", while giving the movie a surreal quality. I like the color, like the music, like the set pieces. But the plot/pacing/theme feels mixed up; like they couldn't decide on a message they wanted to express. I guess you could say the final message is "the British army needs to be adaptable," but it doesn't ring home strongly. The ending feels a bit limp. Overall still a good movie and good acting; but... weird.
Tôkaidô Yotsuya kaidan (1959)
Forgettable J-Horror
Not the best 50s/60s J-horror I've seen. Basically, an unlikeable, unscrupulous samurai manipulated his wife into marrying him by secretly killing her father, then kills her in turn, whereafter he is haunted to death by her ghost. There is a side plot with the samurai's thug helper and the sister of the ghost woman, but the whole tone of the story is gruesomely violent. Not in a good way. There are few likeable characters in this movie; the men are evil, the women are weak. The ending, where one of the sons who they killed comes back, was a little more satisfying, but overall this was a dull, forgettable plot. A shame, because the practical makeup and cinematography were both exceptionally well done.
Gokseong (2016)
Atmospheric Horror-Thriller
Almost perfect - except for the ending. Basically, a murder-mystery in South Korea, combined with supernatural horror. Lots of cultic/religious/buddhist themes throughout. The main policeman character is incredibly likeable. The plot/pacing is outstanding - it's not jarring, but nore did I have any idea what was going to happen next at any given time (a frequent problem with modern movies). The cinematography was pretty grand too, lots of awesome landscape shots, combined with close, dark, gruesome murder scenes. There were a few animals that CGI, but that technology was used pretty discretely for a modern films. The horror rarely sinks to jumpscares; it's an atmospheric kind of scary. Only bummer was the ending. I'm fine with tragic/sad endings, but only when it feels deserved/earned by the film. The good guy or his family should have lived here; they never answered the question "What did he do to deserve this?" in a satisfactory way. This sort of ending is common in eastern films, and I guess one of the themes is that the devil isn't choosing specific victims - still, it left a sour taste this time around.
Gojira -1.0 (2023)
Standard 21st-Century Plot, but Well-Done
Not bad for a modern movie. Basically, the same as the 1954 version, but with more of a focus on emotionally driven characters. That focus is a vast improvement on the original, which left me in the lurch when it comes to connecting to any part of the movie. This one had a focused main character with good motives, and a tight plot (albeit, one that's a bit by-the-numbers). The soundtrack was fantastic - faithful to the original, but with quality improvements. The CGI was not worth an award, it looked pretty bad in places, especially during the first sighting of godzilla and in the water scenes. I get that practical special effects are looked down upon today, but how can people prefer this fake garbage? Overall, solid 8/10.
Bôrei kaibyô yashiki (1958)
Descent, but it's no Kwaidan
Descent but forgettable early J-horror. Basically, an evil-cat spirit living in a mansion haunts the new owners and tries to kill the consumptive wife. Some interesting use of non-linear narrative in this film, with three distinct periods shot in three different modes of color. Most of the middle time-period (the bluescale) story was engaging and great for a horror movie. When it jumped back to the past (in color), it changed tone pretty heavily and became more of a samurai slasher flick. This was less engaging. Also, the resolution was not satisfying. Appreciated the practical special effects and the soundtrack which reminded me of old universal horror movies. A decent 7, probably not worth a rewatch though.
The Night of the Hunter (1955)
Mitchum's Best (and Scariest) Performance
Awesome; concise; influential. Basically, a woman-hating preacher learns of a pair of kids who know the secret location of stolen money, seduces their mother, and terrorizes the children. This movie is fast-paced; it doesn't waste a second on worthless plot points, or slow scenes. The actors are pretty good across the board; some of them were duds, but Robert Mitchum and Lillian Gish were both at the top of their game. The score itself wasn't anything special, but the use of biblical hymns throughout was well done by Laughton. I liked the theme of this movie (the corrupted religious evil) as well as the slightly-unpredictable ending and pacing which still managed to stay fast. I especially liked the german-expressionism-inspired camera-angles, scenes, and makeup. Overall, one of the best film-noirs I've seen, and worthy of the horror genre too.
Poltergeist (1982)
Spielberg Driven Horror
Good - definitely Spielberg-influenced. Basically, the spirits on the land under their house come out of the TV set and start haunting this suburban, middle-class family. The special effects look pretty goofy today, but considering that it's an 80s movie I wasn't too bothered by them. None of these actors were big names, but the performances were stellar across the board. The little girl especially was equal parts creepy and cute; she would have been a masterful actress. The score was nice, and of course it's the ever-fantastic Jerry Goldsmith. I thought the plot was good, but the last 15-20 minutes of the movie were literally just there to show off the director's WaCkY SpEcIaL eFfEcTs. It was pretty pointless. Overall, I enjoyed the movie; I never once forgot that Spielberg was behind it, but that's not a bad thing. The guy knows how to make a good flick.
The Fog (1980)
One of Carpenter's Best
Better than I remember - probably one of John Carpenter's best; behind The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China, Escape from New York, maybe Prince of Darkness. The score might be his best overall; the main theme isn't as good as some of his others, but there aren't any did tracks in this one. The plot is extremely tight - no wasted time, and the special effects are his usual, top-of-the-line, practical style. There are a few downsides. Jamie Lee Curtis's character had no purpose in this plot, and Jamie herself gave a pretty lackluster performance. In fact, the performances overall were pretty B-movie across the board. Adrienne Barbeau and Janet LEigh did a good job, but the rest seemed like they were reading off a script sheet. I did like the New England fishing town setting and the theme of ghost-pirates better than some of the supernatural plots in other movies. Overall, top marks.
Profondo rosso (1975)
Not bad for a Slasher
Not bad, though the plot was dry for my taste. Basically, a murderer murders, and investigators investigate. Like I said, not memorable. This is basically an Italian slasher film in the style of Halloween. The special effects were good (they usually are in italian cinema), although the setting seemed more "british-horror" and drab than what I've come to expect out of over-the-top italian cinema. At times, it was almost like they were filming on a limited budget. I didn't think the acting was anything special either - I can't decide if the line-dubbing helped or hindered the performances in this cas. The music was the standout part of this movie. Same band that did Suspiria (Goblin) with another killer (pun-intended) score for this movie. Some of the death scenes were memorable, and it's cool to spot places where this movie affected later horror/slasher films like Saw. Overall good, except for the plot getting boring in spots.
Burnt Offerings (1976)
Better than Expected
Better than I expected from the average rating - the 70s were the golden age of movies. Basically, a writer and his family move into an old mansion for the summer, and they begin to feel the house affecting their moods. Very similar to The Shining in plot, characterization, and setting; except the mother is the real one who is influenced in this movie. The actors each did a stellar job, but the kid was the breakout star among the three - he really sold the "child who loves his parents and wants them all to be happy" vibe. The staging/camerawork could have been nicer - sometimes it had the look of a direct-to-dvd film. I don't remember any music; there probably was some, but it wasn't any good. I did like the pacing overall, but there were a few beats that weren't necessary (the dad losing his mind, for example, when it was the mother who was the main "victim" of the house). I did like the way the movie ended - very tragic, and with a twist I didn't see coming (though it was obvious). Overall, well done.
Sorcerer (1977)
The Wages of Fear is Better
Good, though not as good as The Wages of Fear. Basically... the exact same movie, but with a Friedkin-esque, Exorcist-like tone. I know the director has said he wasn't inspired by the older 50s adaptation, but the plots and characterizations are so close to each other that it's impossible to tell the difference. Obviously this 70s movie has more production value than the 50s one, but I felt The Wages of Fear had more tension, and better characterization. Two things that this movie definitely did better on: acting and score. Even if the characters were a little "not fleshed out", the people playing them did an amazing job. The synth score is also a huge improvement of The Wages of Fear (I can't actually remember that score, which says a lot). Overall, entertaining, and maybe worth a rewatch someday.
The Keep (1983)
Disjointed
A disjoined 80s movie. Basically, bad guy Nazis and one good guy Nazi unearth an ancient evil at some ruin with the help of a jewish scientist, and some mysterious guy has to show up to fight the monster (except they don't actually fight?). The acting and score of this movie were great, and the set pieces were pretty good overall (except that some of the CGI was pretty bad). The downfall of this movie is the plot/pacing. Basically, the studio cut it down so much that it's almost unwatchable. I'd love for a director's cut to come out someday, but it seems unlikely. Overall, easier to look away from than to follow along.
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
Good, with a midpoint Lull
Not bad... for a silent movie love story. Basically, a man considers murdering his wife to be with a city girl, but changes his mind at the last moment and falls in love with his wife again over the course of the day. Murnau has a good eye for special effects in this movie, from the storm when they are on the water to the traffic when they are in the city. The use of sound at point and the musical score were integrated well with each scene (Side note: silent movies, in general, always make better use of the score than almost any modern movie I've seen - it becomes "part of" the movie, instead of being relegated to background ambience or - in the most egregious use - general hums/drones). I also thought the acting was stellar in this movie; both leads did a good job of showing emotion without being able to speak or make sound. The drag for this movie was the plot. On the plus side, it made use of interstitials very sparingly (which is my preference for silent films). On the downside, the scenes in the middle were brutally slow (the wedding, the city traffic, basically everything between the attempted murder and the storm at sea). If the middle hour of the movie had been cut down to 10 minutes, I'd give this a 9 - which is a lot (from me) for a love story. Overall, entertaining, but with a sizable midpoint lull.