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kwahamot
Reviews
The Hurt Locker (2008)
Old School
This film really breaks the mold while maintaining artistic integrity, and human dignity. It's a slice of war, like "Saving Private Ryan," but devoid of cliché. It's a war movie but with a human face, however veiled. In "Platoon," the real feel of combat is portrayed. In "Full Metal Jacket" you get the dark side of youth in the military. In "Apocalypse Now" the genre took a new turn, yet maintained its integrity for an era. So much emotion and conflict packed into such a tight package is what makes this movie great. In my opinion, it ranks in the top 5 war movies of all time. However, it's not simply a war movie. It's something else.
Enchanted (2007)
Incredibly Great Film!
Yes, I totally agree. I didn't expect it to be this good, but afterward I realized I haven't been so easily moved by a film in a long, long time. The acting was exceptional, the story priceless, and the effects superb. When a movie makes it so easy to suspend my disbelief I can't help but enjoy it. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie! We too were singing and dancing all the way to the mall (for Christmas shopping). ;) I am a film major with emphasis on screen writing, but I'm studying all aspects of film-making. This movie is hitting on all cylinders, so to speak. I kept thinking back to when I first watched Titanic and how moving and believable it was, but to capture that feeling in the "fairy tale" genre, really seems to be an impossible feat. This movie made the girls (4 and 8) and the adults (mid forties) laugh out loud, almost cry, and smile a ton throughout.
The Baxter (2005)
Excellent
I really feel like this movie makes a statement, too subtle for some to hear, but nevertheless a statement for those of us who came of age in the 80's. I kept having flashbacks to the late 80s early 90s while watching this. Maybe it was the reticence or shyness of the leads, or the haunting score, or the theme of missed opportunities and compromises in love. Something about this movies strikes a chord in me and my broken heart. It chimes with Sideways for me somehow. It is a great, great film. Just know, that however tough life seems, you don't know what you've got till it's gone. Be sure you watch the credits to the end...the very end. There are surprises!
Sideways (2004)
Sideways fan
I second treedcub's review. I think Sideways is an exceptional movie and it is one of my favorites of all time, and Paul Giamatti is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. He captures and expresses so much of my personal human experience and frailty in his portrayals. Especially in American Splendor and Sideways.
Not everyone "gets' Sideways, but it's very theatrically rich when examined closely. As a film student, I really appreciate the complexity of the movie, its style, editing, the screen writing, and on and on.... and the story itself is wonderful. It's an excellent adaptation of a "nicely done" book. I have an even greater acting respect for Sandra Oh, Thomas Haden Church, and Virginia Madsen as a result of this movie.
I Dream of Jeanie (1952)
Entertaining film despite obvious Hollywood stereotypes
An interesting film, despite the slightly overblown sentimentality and romance. Great music and ballads. Disturbing slave-era imagery, and even more disturbing, but historically accurate black face performances in the portrayal of Christy's Minstrels.
The one thing I would like to know is how accurate are the portrayals of E.P. Christy and Stephen Foster? Christy's Minstrels was a black face troupe, and their performances are among the more disquieting moments in the film...you want to enjoy the music...but can't due to the irreconcilable racist undertones.
All in all it's an enjoyable film, but be cautioned that your kids might ask "why are those people wearing black paint?" an honest question and worthy of in-depth dialog to help "foster" respect for all people in upcoming generations.
It feels like a film from the early thirties, surprisingly it's from '52. I bought it for the performance of "Beautiful Dreamer."