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The Grey (2004)
Interesting story, but too many technical gaffes
You don't see many movies about cockfighting, so right away one is drawn into an unfamiliar world with interesting possibilities. Indeed, the first hour or so is mildly entertaining. But it loses it in the third act with unrealistic story twists, and the many technical gaffes throughout (such as film equipment reflections and wildly varying boy's hair length for a story taking place in the course of one day) are quite distracting. A good but flawed effort.
Sacred Hearts (1995)
Well made coming of age story
TiVo grabbed this for me, thinking it was the other Sacred Hearts from 1984 starring Katrin Cartlidge. Anyway, once I started watching it slowly drew me in further and I couldn't stop. A couple of the actors weren't very good, but some of them did a fine job. The story and direction were good too. I was fascinated to learn from the end credits that it was filmed in the Evansville, Indiana area where I had lived for a few years. You don't find many movies that hail from Southern Indiana.
Gumnaam (1965)
Unusual musical sequences out of place in routine triller
Interested in all things related to Ghost World after seeing that great unhyped movie last summer, I recently stumbled across Gumnaam which was available via Indiaweekly.com at a very reasonable price. It arrived yesterday, and I had intended to pop it in the DVD player just to check it out for a minute or two -- instead I was drawn in, and watched the entire 2 1/2 hours straight through.
This colorful movie is basically a routine thriller in which each member of a group of strangers is mysteriously murdered, one after another, until we find out who is ultimately responsible and why. What makes this movie stand out are the very unusual musical numbers, especially the first one entitled "Jaan Pehechaan Ho" which was featured prominently in the opening sequence of Ghost World. I can't recommend this movie overall, but that one particular bizarre Sixties Hindu rock dance number is worthy of praise. Thank you, Ghost World!
The Fast and the Furious (2001)
Vin Diesel leads a thrilling summer popcorn movie
I saw this movie at the Circle Centre in Indianapolis, and the enthusiastic audience really seemed to get into it. You have to be in the right frame of mind: If you can check your brain in at the door and just want to sit back, relax, and watch things crash, this is a fine summer popcorn movie. Vin Diesel is on a good streak (after Saving Private Ryan, The Iron Giant, Pitch Black, and The Boiler Room) and it will be interesting to see what comes next. ***
All About Eve (1950)
Bette Davis leads a wonderful ensemble of actors
I saw this movie at the beautiful Louisville Palace as part of their summer 2001 Classic Movie Series. This was my first time seeing a movie starring Bette Davis at her prime, and I was highly impressed. I liked the ensemble of actors used here, and, unlike many older dramatic movies, it didn't seem too unrealistic. It was fun to hang out with these characters for a couple hours, and catching an early appearance by Marilyn Monroe was a treat as well. Thelma Ritter gives her usual funny character-actor turn, though her unexplained disappearance halfway through is a bit puzzling. ****
Phantom of the Opera (1943)
Classic Claude Rains and nice visuals, but it doesn't work
I saw this movie at the beautiful Louisville Palace as part of their summer 2001 Classic Movie Series. This was my only exposure to any version of Phantom of the Opera, so I can't compare it to others, but I must say the story here seems weak and unrealistic. However, there is some stunning cinematography and set design here, and it is always a treat to see the great Claude Rains in action. **1/2
Grand Hotel (1932)
Garbo leads nice ensemble of actors in a grand Best Picture
I saw this movie at the beautiful Louisville Palace as part of their summer 2001 Classic Movie Series, after first seeing it at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. ten years earlier. This is truly a fine ensemble feature, with Greta Garbo slightly outshining the others as a famous but depressed ballerina. The entire movie takes place in one weekend at the Grand Hotel in Berlin, and with interweaving storylines you really get a sense of the place. The dramatic style of the day is slightly over the top by modern standards, but it is nonetheless highly entertaining. ****