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Across the Universe (2007)
A stunning, original and charming musical
During this decade, something that I have noticed is the lack of proper and serious musicals. One of my personal favorites, "Rent" was a nice adaptation of the play but the whole merit was Jonathan Larson's (R.I.P.) "Mamma Mia!" was very amusing to watch, and I kept singing Abba songs for weeks. But, when the purpose of the movie is to maintain catchy songs that already existed, along with the image of the scene in your brain, "Across the Universe" wins the jackpot. Before watching this movie, my only memories of the Beatles' songs were those of Mom's Day Festival at elementary school, singing "Obladi-Oblada" in front of a small auditorium, shaking like I was in the Antarctica when I saw everyone was looking at us. Those certainly weren't good memories. "Across..." made me a Beatles' fanatic, and still now, 2 years later, when I listen to "Come Together" I remember my favorite scene of the entire film: JoJo arriving at New York, while executives, bums, pimps and prostitutes were singing and dancing. That is the whole credit of Taymor's masterpiece: take old Beatles song that were already famous and make you remember them in a completely different context. I'll never listen to "I Want You" without seeing Uncle Sam pointing at me and singing it. The film is stunning from the aesthetic point of view, original because of the whole construction of the storyline based on the songs and charming because of its mood.
****1/2 out of *****
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Another classic provided by Master Kubrick
I'm pretty sure that everyone remembers the looks on your faces the first time yo watched this film. Like me, millions and millions of people were shivering, with shaky hands and had Beethoven's ninth symphony on their heads for weeks after leaving their nearest cinema or after watching it on VHS or DVD for the first time ever. "A Clockwork Orange" is a movie that will remain on your memory during your entire life, not only for the film's brutal violence scenes, but for the entire social criticism. I mean, few films or few directors know how to transmit their messages like "Clockwork.." or dear old Stanley. Even a 12 year old (it is not recommendable though, unless you want a traumatized boy for the rest of his life) can understand the big picture of the film: the alarming fact that the society has become a hostile, violent ecosystem based on drugs, alcohol, popular music and sex. It is such a shame that most of the films of the 21st Century are based on these facts. And sometimes I must admit that I was afraid of Kubrick at sometime because in two of his films: "2001" and "Clockwork" had very accurate predictions about the not so far future. For example: in 2001, Clarke and Kubrick said that in the 21st century man kind would live in outer space and explore the entire Solar System. Also they described a very intelligent, autonomous computer with its very own feelings. Just think about it: we have the technology (I bet Apple and Microsoft already have their versions of HAL-9000 in development), what we need is the money and the motivation to do it. "Clockwork" is even more accurate about this century: hijacks, terrorism, 9/11, drug-dealers in every street of Mexico, Colombia and Central America... it's all there. Well, anyways, I loved the film. Highly recommendable (for all those who are mentally apt to watch it).
¡Que viva México! Da zdravstvuyet Meksika! (1979)
A beautiful portrait of Mexico by a Russian genius
It's unbelievable how everything can be art when you look through the eyes of a genius. Sergei Eisenstein: the master of editing, the great father of Russian cinema, a role model for other famous directors like Charlie Chaplin or Andrei Tarkovski; author of cinematic masterpieces like Battleship Potemkin, Ivan the Terrible and Alexander Nevsky. Now we have his version of his Mexican adventure: "Que Viva Mexico!" an epic semi-documentary lost in time. Why was it lost in time for decades? Because no one in Russia or in the USA trusted this film enough to show it. Eisenstein was a nobody when he arrived in the USA to plan another project, the soviet authorities didn't want him in the USSR due to his polemic point of views of the October Revolution and the czarism. Sergei adored Mexico because of its beauty and its hospitality. Famous Mexican painters like Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and David Alfaro Siqueiros, along with his Russian partner Trotsky, helped him to inspire. Eisenstein filmed his version of the Mexican traditions and he was very close. As a Mexican, I didn't realized how magical these traditions were until I watched this film. A really good film maker knows how to show the real life in a fantastic way. Now, do I have to say the name of this really good film maker? I don't think so, I think you already know. "Que Viva Mexico!" highly recommendable, Mexican fellows: watch it, this is your real country.
About Schmidt (2002)
A great study of the human aging
Dear Ndugu: I watched a very good film today called "About Schmidt". I must say that it's one of the most original comedies of all time. Now, you may ask why am I saying this. Well, there are certain aspects that I found that made this film successful. Of course there's the superb performance of our dear old friend Jack Nicholson (I think it's one of his greatest roles along "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "The Shining"). Secondly, we have the good pace and rhythm that Alexander Payne gives to the movie. Then we have an extraordinary screenplay based on a great book. What else can yo ask from a film? I hope that, when you grow up, after having survived all those problems of the African nations, you'll know how to appreciate movies like this, and I hope this film maintains as a landmark on cinematic history. Sincerely yours, David Muñoz, your fan.
P.S. My rating: ****1/2 out of 5
2010 (1984)
A great sequel forgotten by the time
The 80's were a very crazy decade. They were called "the cancer of the twentieth century". Sure, when we still listen a song from 1984 we think: "What the heck is this?" We watch a 1984 film and we see drugs being consumed like candies, the Russians are the public enemies and computers are governments' new toys. "2010" is still considered as a dumb, unnecessary sequel made to win up some extra money, explain things that we don't want to know and give Peter Hyams another silly project about star ships and conspiracy theories. They might be right, but let me give my point of view. "2010" is a visually stunning film, well-made, well-handled and with a great atmosphere. Do I need to say more? Well this goes to the ones that think that I'm nuts: 1.- If you still think that it's a bad movie after several times you have watched it, please just take "2001" out of your mind (I know it sounds pointless, but it works) and watch "2010" again. 2.- I repeat: the 80's were some wacko times. They thought that in 2010 we will be living on the Moon. So, watch "2010" open-minded. 3.- I know I repeat "2010" a lot, so be patient with me, I'm Mexican and I do my best to write a critic in English. 4.- If you still hate "2010", it's OK, I did my best to convince you.
My rating: ****1/2 out of 5
12 Angry Men (1957)
Simple yet complex, basic yet superb
Great films don't need to be multi-millionaire productions to be remembered for the rest of the eternity by everyone who has seen them(or by everyone who has seen all the spoofs on TV). This movie is a major proof of this principle. "12 Angry Men" is theater on the big screen: one single scenery during most of the film (except at the end), real-time narrative, 12 characters involved: 1 is your favorite because he represents all the good ideals (honesty, loyalty, etcetera) and the philosophy of Descartes: doubt about everything they tell you. By the other hand, there's also the complete opposite of this hero: racist, closed, liar and cold-blooded. Simple basic theatrical characters, written to make people think. Why does this work in this film? Because the script is so well written that you don't care about anything else than being on Henry Fonda's side during the entire feature. And of course, trying to enter to the movie and shoot Lee J. Cobb's character. Usually, when I watch a movie, I try to pay attention to every detail: direction, writing, editing, photography, etcetera. But this one kept me on the edge of the seat the whole time, waiting for the final verdict to come. You don't even care if the film is in black an white or whether it has no music at all. Well, my final verdict: 1 charge for being entertaining through and through, another charge for being impeccably written and directed, and 2 extra charges for being very good acted.
Bronenosets Potyomkin (1925)
A breathe-taking and innovative film
Silent cinema has a special delight because sometimes you can't express with dialog an idea that can be shown in a single frame. In "Battleship Potemkin" we find a young and inspired Eisenstein that wanted to do something for the upcoming anniversary of the October Revolution. The famous case of the rebel crew of the Potemkin and the Odessa massacre looked like the perfect plot for a director with unique vision. This film took Eisenstein to glory and to hatred. Why? Foreign film critics considered the film as a work of art (which it is) but the Russian people and politicians hated it because it gave "a bad image" of the USSR. After some good but forgotten films ("October" is a nice example), Eisenstein ran away from his detractors and finished his life filming some ambitious films in Mexico and Japan. Sergei became the European version of Orson Welles: no film of his after "Potemkin" became as famous or recognized. Something curious happens with this movie: every time you watch it you find something new and fascinating about it. After 20 times I watched it, I realized that not only is the finest editing work in the history of cinema, is one of the greatest and spectacular war films of all time. By the way, I read the trivia few days ago and I learned that it was Chaplin's favorite film. Now I understand why.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Sci-fi and cinema changed forever with "2001"
Some people consider this film a complete non-sense, some consider it as a great trip after taking some LCD, and lastly, we find a group of people (including me) that consider this movie as the greatest sci-fi of all time. This group is growing larger every year, but why? One possible explanation is that Kubrick was considered as an ambitious young director at the time, that made some critically and popularly acclaimed films (The Killing, Paths of Glory, Lolita, Spartacus, Dr. Strangelove) but never tried the sci-fi genre at all. Another cause might be that, in 1968, the public wasn't used to watch a movie in which nothing happened during 15 minutes. Sure, they had some Bergman's or Buñuel's but 2001 was distributed world-wide, like a commercial film. Even though it had a moderate success in the box-office, very few people could walk out of the cinema saying that they understood it. Actually, nobody can say that they got the point meaning it. Not even Kubrick nor Clarke (R.I.P. for both) could've really explained the world they have created. Some interpretations say that its about human's position in the Universe, the evolution of man, how the real aliens must be etcetera...Don't let yourselves to be fooled with these: "2001"'s meaning is as dark as it could be, but no one will really get it. Why? Because everyone watches this movie from a different point of view, and that's the magic of cinematographic industry: everyone has a different way to watch films.
The Omen (1976)
Psychological horror at its best
A classic horror film is always defined as the one that leaves a trademark on viewers' minds. But you also need lots of ingredients to make it work: a clever plot, good acting, chilly music, spectacular special effects and, of course, a great villain. And I must say The Omen is my favorite dish in the psychological horror menu. The first time I saw it (it was a Friday night) I didn't think it was a great deal, but when I went to bed, I still had "Ave Stani" in my head and my eyes wide open. Then I decided to watch it once more, but after that time, I couldn't stop watching. Of all the ingredients I listed at the beginning, the most notorious and wonderful of the movie was Goldsmith's Oscar-winning score. But of course, it doesn't steals credit from Peck and Stephens' ever-lasting performances, the well-crafted thrills and the surprising finale. Even though it is considered the less valued of the 70's Horror Holy Trinity (The Exorcist and Rosemary's Baby are the other 2), I think is the most enjoyable of those 3.
***** out of 5.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Disney's successful bet on 21st century cinema
Disney's recipe for a multi-millionaire franchise: Mix some good pirates, with Johnny Depp as the main ingredient, (make sure they're warm-hearted and technically losers), with a few infra-world evil pirates, in a semi-real Renaissance world, spiced with a love story and with lots and lots of laughs. Heat it up for 2 hours approximately and you'll win more than any President would earn in a lifetime.
If that sounded a little bit too rude for you, I assure my intentions weren't bad. "Pirates of the Caribbean" is a very entertaining and funny story about the 4 most appreciated treasures of life: love, family, power and money.
Jack Sparrow is one of the most interesting characters in movie history, an eccentric but in a very strange way, a human being like ourselves. Special effects, make up, music, costume design and art direction are just magnificent. The villain, excellent. Plot and direction are quite good. Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom are just nice.
Even though, we find in "Pirates..." a very different face of Walt Disney Studios, more mature and quite changed for trying to adapt to the 21st century audiences. I must say: Nice way to go, Bruckheimer, keep up the good work and I'm looking forward to watch another high-quality franchise like this.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The film that changed animation for ever
Childish in the surface, but very mature on the bottom. Stop-motion animation finally became a reality and a success on year 1993 with Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas". This movie was destined to reach the top, it had a high-grossing feature manufacture and a critically-acclaimed film nature. Burton's dark and unique view of reality was fundamental and, maybe, the element that made this movie work. Nevertheless, few people give credit to the real element that catalyzed the whole project: Danny Elfman's beautiful soundtrack. Songs were catchy, were deep and were a total hit, not only on movie music's world, but on international level.It was Elfman himself, that gave the unforgettable voice to Jack Skellington. Even though, much of this film's economical success was a consequence of Disney's publicity. "The Nightmare..." has become an unconditional classic, being recommended from generation to generation since the 90's.
Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari (1920)
The true proof that cinema = art
Shall I compare this film to a summer's day? Maybe this Shakespearian quote is the adequate to express the beauty of this work of art. A painting, yes, this movie reminds me of a painting: the viewer makes his own idea, his own plot and his own message from the film. Wiene, a practically unknown director, achieves to capture our attention with exotic settings, marvelous characters and a plot that keeps us at the edge of our seat from beginning to end. Lots of critics admire this work because of its aesthetic value, but the content is even more interesting: hidden references to Nazi regime or Church, plus a surprise ending, gives a little extra spice to the formula for this great and shiny marvel in the world of cinema.
The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
One of Woody Allen's Masterpieces
Let's put Annie Hall and Manhattan aside. The Purple Rose of Cairo is a forgotten jewel on the history of cinema. The idea of someone getting out of the screen may sound ridiculous, but Allen wrote the script so perfectly that you can almost believe it can really happen. We can resume the entire film with one single word: Magical. When Allen was at the top of his career, he knew how to print humor, love and drama in a single movie. Points to consider when you watch this film: photography is sublime and music selection is fantastic.It's a film for romantic people and... well for everyone really. Personally, my favorite movie made by dear old Woody. I highly recommend it.