Flash2Film
Film Reviews
HOW TO TRAIN A DRAGON
Animated feature. The animated dragon’s character is well done. Hero’s journey with a happy ending. The sparring of the aspiring dragon killers with the dragons has several witty comments and repartee.ROBIN HOOD
The backstory to the legend of Robin Hood. Russell Crow and Cate Blanchett play Robin and Maid Marion. They excel. Ridley Scott portrays great battle scenes with an aesthetic turn.ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Tim Burton’s vision is impeccable. Delightful intricate costumes and set design are a visual feast. Johnny Depp brings his best in playing the Mad Hatter. He simultaneously shows his vulnerability and nerves of steel. From the instant that Alice falls down the rabbit hole and is told she’s probably not the right alice and she denies she’s been there before, the story captivates and mesmerizes. Mia Wasikowska plays Alice with a mix of innocence, brashness and bravery. It’s a wonderful redrawing of the classic story.A SINGLE MAN
Stunning designer eye candy. Script has a wonderful symmetry with a structure of flashbacks that create a flow. The exploration of grief is complex, painful and very well done. The camera makes its presence known in a bold way with extreme close-ups of eyes that seem natural. They are held for an extremely long time, so long that you become aware of it. Then they stop. Composition is lyrical and textured with varied color filter changes. Something about the combination of all these factors in this film is new – we’ll call it a designer film.LIFE IS TO WHISTLE
Incredibly beautiful. Intricately woven script. Lyrical camera.SHERLOCK HOLMES
The best thing about this film is the spin of the interpretation of Holmes’ and Watson’s style as swashbucklers. Lags in places. Guy Ritchie’s direction is very well done.PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE
stunning.IT MIGHT GET LOUD
Probably one of the best documentaries of musical performers I’ve seen and one of my favorites. Simply showing The Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White in one room is amazing, but watching them play “The Weight” together is pure delight. It is rare that the mechanism of the creative process is revealed in a film, or anywhere for that matter, and this film does exactly that.PRECIOUS
PRECIOUS goes beyond any film I have seen on the subject of incest. Relentless and unflinching, PRECIOUS portrays a welfare mother and her dominance of her pregnant high school daughter. Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe as Precious, gives a stunning first-time performance. Her emotional range is formidable and she plays it effortlessly. Mariah Carey understates her stage persona as a plain, hard-edged social worker.Precious’ journey is gripping and emotionally tearing, right up to the final wrenching scene.
ALIENS AND DEMONS
Great beginning – great finish. In between – a lot of “it must be this place – no, this isn’t it – on to the next.” Makes you wonder why they didn’t go to the last one first – but of course, they couldn’t because they’re sequential clues.THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD
Melancholy little tale with an upbeat ending.ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD
Quirky, even for Herzog. Beautiful, breathtaking pictures of life under the ocean in Antarctica. Thumbnail sketches of the unique “traveler” personalities that work there. Their passion for their work is evident.FROST/NIXON
Excellent film. The film reveals in slow motion Nixon’s humanness. The supercharged political climate of the moment is painted with brilliance and authenticity.LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE
Interesting collection of blues performances. The vintage film footage interspersed throughout the film containing striking silver nitrate images is a gift.GI JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA
Amazing film. Adaptation of the comic book GI Joe. Uber violence at its best. Some scenes feature needles and facial disfiguring that are over the top. The action sequences are long, beyond extended, and riveting. Nonstop action for a long, long time. At times, the action is so amazing that the figures seem to be, literally, flying off the pages of a comic book that has come to life. It is such an amazing film that when I came out of the theater, images were in higher resolution.DEPARTURES
A Japanese film directed by Yojiro Takita has a rare depth in silence as the scenes of “coffining” (preparing the dead for burial) unfold with loving care to detail. Mashiro Motaki as the main character rejects his absent father and deals with his wife’s rejection of his choice of a taboo career. The composition of the frames and the quiet, measured progression of the scenes create a formidable commentary on death. The film was not so much about emotion, but more of a calmness that permeates the soul.WALL-E
Wondrous. The film had a $180 million budget with an accompanying mile of credits. The credits included one for shot lighting. Great story, special effects and conceptual design. I was a bit annoyed when I went to my favorite movie database and saw a popup over the text of Wall-E - looked like a rusted R2D2. Apparently R2D2 was the prototype for Wall-E.
HOME MOVIE
Does your home define your psyche or the reverse?PAPRIKA
Reality shifts at 24 frames per second. Great anime.THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
Rarely does the third film of a trilogy surpass the first two. This one delivers in a mighty way. THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM features extremely fast cutting, some of the fastest I have seen, and includes some lyrical choreographed montage. The action sizzles without a break. The audience in the theater expressed their approval by clapping when the film ended.
ONCE
The story centers around the Guy and the Girl (actual character names) who are songwriters and performers. The Guy is Glen Hasard, in real life a member of popular Irish band, The Frames. The Girl, Markéta Irglová, is a songwriter in real life. Shot for approximately $150,000, it is a music-driven film with a nuanced, delicate love story emeshed in the songwriter-makes-good story. The director, John Carney, Hasard and Irglová had collaborated on music projects, leading to a relaxed relationship during the making of the film. The lead of the film dropped out a week before principal photography began, resulting in the director choosing to use Hasard, who had been writing the songs for the film.10 ITEMS OR LESS
From the opening shot, this film is a fresh voice. Morgan Freeman plays a movie star and Paz Vega acts as a grocery store clerk in this hybrid film. Director Brad Silberling characterizes this film as difficult to categorize with a theme of people connecting. The reflexivity of Morgan Freeman's character is clever. The story behind the film is almost as interesting as the film itself. 10 ITEMS OR LESS is a low budget independent feature shot in 15 days by a big budget crew. A fascinating documentary, shot during the making of the film, is included in the bonus features.HOT FUZZ
An English takeoff on LETHAL WEAPON and several other genres, HOT FUZZ is humorous with over-the-top violence - think gushers. Clearly a spoof from the beginning, with sick jokes and an edge. Great stuff. Standard disclaimer applies. Excellent combination to clear the mind.WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR?
A thorough documentary examines the short-lived electric car manufactured and leased by GM in California in 1996 for six years.LAND OF PLENTY
Wim Wenders paints a landscape of post-9/11 as only Wenders can. The genius lies in the space provided for the viewer's projections onto the storyline.THE WORLD
This Chinese film directed by Zhang Ke Jia is a story about showgirls in the World Palace theme park in Bejing. It's a slice of life about contemporary relationships. There are some delightful scenes in the film. One centers around cell phones. The scenes are innovative and mimic the world we go into when we answer our cell phones. Jia has made four films. This is the first that has been made with the permission of the Chinese government and the first of Zhang's films that has been allowed screening in China.MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
Beautiful cinematography and costuming. Lush visual images.JARHEAD
Exceptional psychological study of war, effectively and graphically portrayed with unusual camera work and sound.V FOR VENDETTA
The Wachowski brothers latest endeavor paints a bleak, unvarnished picture of a future now. Some distracting subplot themes, but the overall picture is clear.CINDERELLA MAN
Uplifting, old-fashioned underdog and love story.WAR OF THE WORLDS
Great special effect of the aliens and alien machines. Occasional hysterical one-liners. Spoiler
CRASH
Tightly written LA drama lays bare personal and societal racial stereotyping. Ironic background of Christmas juxtaposed against human pain and suffering emphasizes the fragility of the human condition. Excellent editing, cinematography and acting. The second viewing was even better than the first.ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM
Insider view of Enron debacle emphasizes the people involved and their behavior. Interviews are skillfully edited with actual video footage and audio tracks.GLORY ROAD
Great film. Racial tension erupts in the south in 1966 when Texas Western basketball coach Don Haskins recruits black athletes and wins the national championship. Humorous moments are woven into an inspirational and moving film. Great 60s soundtrack.GRIZZLY MAN
Werner Herzog narrates and directs this film within a film. Timothy Treadwell lived among the grizzly bears in Alaska for over ten summers. He and his girlfriend, Amie Huguenard, were killed by a grizzly in 2003. Treadwell's often spectacular film footage is interspersed with interviews. Tragic, yet mesmerizing.MURDERBALL
Documentary of wheelchair rugby Paralympic competitors. Refreshing candor. Warning: explicit and graphic language; nudity.KUNG FU HUSTLE
Kung fu film style parody. Showtune musical meets CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Stephen Chow stars, directs and writes.MAD HOT BALLROOM
New York grade school children compete for first prize in ballroom dancing competition. A film of the transforming power of dancing and competition.BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Breakthrough film. Honest, unflinching story of two cowboys who love one another.WALK THE LINE
Not your typical musician tour biopic. Great love story. Tightly focused storyline combines with the chemistry/performances of Witherspoon and Phoenix and solid supporting cast make this an exceptional film.CAPOTE
This film is riveting. It appears to be, at this point in time, a contender for several Oscar nominations. Hoffman IS Capote. Clifton Collins, Jr. as Perry Smith holds his own with Hoffman. Keener as Nelle Harper Lee gives a powerful, subtle performance. Chris Cooper, as usual, brings strength to his portrayal of the Kansas lawman. The contrast between the bleak Kansas flatlands and the New York literati is well drawn. Carefully crafted, it is a haunting and cautionary tale. Spoiler.GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
In an uncanny timing of release, GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK recounts the historic newscast of Edward R. Murrow on the CBS "See It Now" news program in 1954 unveiling Joe McCarthy. Actual archival footage of McCarthy and a HUAC hearing is shown in the black and white film, capturing the climate of tension and fear. Strathairn and Clooney as Murrow and Fred Friendly exhibit great camaraderie. The audience sat through the entire list of credits.THE FAMILY STONE
Quality, humorous film. Perfectly captures the family dynamics of holiday gatherings.THE ICE HARVEST
Veteran director Harold Ramis' dark comedy is an enjoyable though uneven mix. Christmas Eve bar scenes are gratifying and funny; violent scenes are deadly serious - mostly. Midwest setting of Wichita appears authentic (filmed in Illinois). The absence of ice on icy streets in most scenes is a minor persistent annoyance.CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Elegant production design and cinematography are aesthetically sublime. Sharp, crisp composition and lines. Punk version of the original.TWILIGHT OF THE ICE NYMPHS
Classic Guy Maddin film. Fantasy sets of gorgeous saturated color. Warped but visually stimulating.HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
Special effects at opening have the same effect on the stomach as the downward slide of a roller coaster. Quite dark film. Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort is masterful.NO DIRECTION HOME
If you're a Dylan fan, it's worth seeing for the pristine archival footage alone.THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Cinematographer César Charlone, Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles, and editor Claire Simpson combine talents to make this adaptation of John LeCarre's novel fast- paced and intelligent. The pacing of the plot struggles near the end of the film. However, the saturated colors, stunning footage of African landscapes and unusual use of sound create a beautiful film.MAX ERNST
A biography/documentary of the life of Max Ernst, influential dadist/surrealist painter. The film combines footage of Ernst, his works, his homes, photographs of fellow painters and his personal life.KONTROLL
Hungarian thriller by director Nimród Antal, filmed in its entirety in the subway system in Budapest. Excellent composition and cinematography with an electronic soundtrack by NEO.
SCHULTZE GETS THE BLUES
German film focusing on Schultze's retirement from the salt mines, his discovery of love for Louisiana zydeco music and the resulting delightful adventure.THE WEDDING CRASHERS
Genre-bending screwball comedy. Over-the-top and graphic, treading the fine line, and doing it well. The dialogue between Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn is clever.THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU
Zany, as in humorous, film with Bill Murray. Kept my interest.THE MARCH OF THE PENGUINS
Beautiful scenes of pristine Antarctica open this documentary of the lives of Emporer penguins, from the 70-mile journey inland to reproduce during the winter through the births in the spring. Stunningly beautiful underwater shots are included. The English version is narrated by Morgan Freeman.KUROSAWA: A DOCUMENTARY ON THE ACCLAIMED DIRECTOR
An interesting technique is used with voiceover narration, flashing back on periods of Kurosawa's life, showing the director sitting silently, framed by a beautiful natural background. At some points, he appears to be reacting through facial expression to the memories presented. (Apparently, no imdb entry is available.)
SANJURO
Sequel to YOJIMBO. Some delightfully comedic moments make this one of Kurosawa's lighter films. One scene calls to mind a technique used in the restaurant massacre scene in KILL BILL, VOL. I.JACK JOHNSON: THE SEPTEMBER SESSIONS
Another surfing movie that is directed and filmed by Johnson, with some music written and performed by Johnson. Nice mix of surfing footage with music to set the tone.LADIES IN LAVENDER
Judi Dench and Maggie Smith portray two sisters living together in a country cottage. The film features steady character development and local color as they welcome a stranger into their home. A moving film on several levels.MR. AND MRS. SMITH
A steamy thriller that is a cross between WAR OF THE ROSES and the gun scene in THE MATRIX. Actually quite a clever plot.MILLIONS
A film about a boy, his relationships with saints (some of the funniest lines in the film) and the value (or lack of it) of money.THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL
Excellent documentary with one of the cleanest story lines I have seen. Director Judy Irving tells the story of Mark Bittner, a San Francisco man who feeds a flock of parrots, developing relationships with them.THE INTERPRETER
A thriller with some white knuckle scenes. As usual, excellent performances by Kidman and Penn.THE SEA INSIDE
A moving portrait of the emotions and complexities of Spaniard Ramon Sampedro's fight for his right to end his life.I HEART HUCKABEES
Great existential film. Will either love it or hate it for navel-gazing tendency skillfully interwoven with the theme of transcendence into oneness with all.WILLIAM GIBSON: NO MAPS FOR THESE TERRITORIES
No Maps for These Territories is a rare film. Science fiction writer and visionary William Gibson talks candidly about his life, his work and his creative process. The film is a mesmerizing synthesis of images, music, sound and dialogue. The weaving is masterful; the substance profound. The filmmaker appears to pay homage to PASADENA FREEWAY STILLS.LUMIERE AND COMPANY
Forty international directors are asked to film a 52-second clip with a replica of the 1895 Lumiere Cinematograph camera. The directors are asked three questions: Why did you agree to use the Lumiere camera? Why do you film? Do you think cinema is mortal? Responses to the questions range from the simple to the profound. The clips are equally diverse, from simple to complete feature film productions - in 52 seconds. Alain Corneau's color tinted piece is striking.MICROSOMOS
Microsomos shows the world of insects filmed with a microscopic camera. Insect fights, births and the effects of a rainstorm on their world are shown with some musical background, but primarily actual recorded sound that underscores the revelations revealed.SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW
Very film noorish and very, very fun. Wise-cracking dialogue between Paltrow and Law is reminiscent of those great 1940s films. Action sequences are riveting with Angelina Jolie at her best.HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS
A story of passion and love featuring a beautiful backdrop of bamboo forests and lush trees. Many intricately choreographed battles and aerial duels. The main characters engage in passion and the bloodlust that can accompany romantic rivalry. Beautifully done.BEING JULIA
Stunning performance by Annette Bening.SAHARA
Excellent fun romp, after setting it up with a slowness in some parts. Excellent action sequences. The wise-cracking Matthew McConaughey and Steve Zahn provide many smiles while the bullets fly.SHREK
A delightfully fractured fairy tale. Fun music, too. Masterfully orchestrated breaking of the stereotypes of fairy tales.THICKER THAN WATER
A surfing film about Jack Johnson and friends. Very nice soundtrack overlaying surfing footage. Laid back, mellow, amazing film created by the editing of music and footage.
(c) Faye Riley. 2005-2010. All
rights reserved.
Disclaimer
Filmography links courtesy of The Internet Movie Database (IMDb).
