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Reviews
Funny Games (2007)
Save your money, this movie sucks
OK, I admit it. I'm a fan of psychological suspense films, even if they tend to be frustrating. But Funny Games (US) is, to put it mildly, disappointing. Don't get me wrong, the acting is superb, especially from Naomi Watts (who may well turn in her best performance to date). And I guess Tim Roth must be a tremendous actor, because I've pretty much hated every character I've seen him play.
The problem with this movie is the writing and directing. A mainstay of comedies and musicals is that the characters are free to break the "4th wall" and directly address the audience (or otherwise remind us that we are, in fact, watching a movie). This works OK for comedies/musicals because they're already unrealistic and the mood is already light. But for a psychological thriller to work, it has to be immersive. It has to make us identify with the main characters so that we can mentally put ourselves in their position. In short, a psychological thriller has to thrill us.
The bad guys in this movie break the 4th wall (repeatedly), which ruins the realism (and thus the thrill ) of the movie. And frankly, a thriller that isn't thrilling is just a waste of time. And that's exactly what Funny Games (US) is: a waste of time. I felt robbed of about 2 hours of my life after sitting through it.
Making bad movies should be a crime. And Maneke is a criminal.
Tart (2001)
Just Say No
Eghads, what a bad movie. Tart is perhaps the very worst movie I've seen all year, and I've run across some doozies. There is nothing redeeming about this trash, from the characterization to the direction to the plot. Even the usually brilliant Dominique Swain couldn't save this movie. None of the characters are in the least bit sympathetic, with the possible exception of Eloise (wonderfully portrayed by Lacey Chabert, the only bright spot in this dismal failure).
*******Possible Spoilers********
The main problem with Tart is that it rambles on without saying anything. It staggers about drunkenly instead of leading us along the path of the story. It also introduces numerous potentially tantalizing details (the hypochondriac brother, the mother's possessions constantly being repossessed, the anti-semitic classmate, the other classmate's murderous father) without successfully exploring a single one of them. And just when I finally thought that there might be some sort of resolution for the characters, the movie crashes to an unexpectedly violent end.
I left the movie feeling that it was trying to tell me something, but with the strong impression that the message was forgotten before it could be communicated. This is an obvious first film from a writer/director who really needs to spend much more time working under more established film makers before foisting any more of her work on an unsuspecting public.
I gave this film 1 out of 10, and I'm usually very generous, even with bad films.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Perhaps the best movie ever made.
Peter Jackson has produced perhaps the finest movie ever made. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring is a beautiful, rich movie filled with wonderful performances and excellent special effects. But it is Tolkien's story and character building that make this such an excellent movie.
I am particularly impressed with Ian McKellen's performance as Gandalf. What an incredible actor! But it's difficult to single out any specific actor in this movie, as everyone turns in an incredible performance. There was no one in the movie who didn't become their character. At no point was I disappointed with anyone's portrayal.
I rated this movie a perfect 10. This movie reminded me why there are blockbusters. All other movies that I have seen in the past few years absolutely pale in comparison.