Saturday, November 20, 2010

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows : Part 1

Dramatic and dark, the seventh installment in the Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows : Part 1, is an exciting ride. The characters are on a quest to find the horcruxes. It is dangerous, they are chased, they are tortured, they triumph. The special effects are amazing, the editing is sharp, the acting is skilled. My favorite scene is a wand shoot-out in a coffee shop. The film makes me want to read the book, but I'll wait until I see Part 2 so I don't ruin the ending for myself. As this series goes on, the films just get better. Well done.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Friday Flick Picks 11/19/10

For a change, I will not be bitching about the movies opening this weekend. Shock and joy!! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, The Next Three Days and Fair Game open in RI theaters. In art houses? Tamara Drewe, Nowhere Boy and Inside Job. Other stuff in theaters Unstoppable, Red and Conviction. Enjoy!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Unstoppable

What makes Unstoppable a successful thriller?

The big bad train is angry, red, loud and menacing.
The rescue train is steady, blue and at the ready.
The menace is caused by carelessness and poor decisions.
The camerawork and editing kept me on the edge of my seat.
The electric smiles of the co-stars come at just the right moments to break the tension.
Based on real events, a great ride!



Friday, November 12, 2010

Friday Flick Picks 11/12/10

The march of the mediocre movies continues. Morning Glory, Skyline and Unstoppable are all billed as "likeable" *sigh* Though Unstoppable is praised for the action. Enter the Void opens at the Cable Car and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest and the documentary Inside Job are playing at the Avon. Looks like I'll get the the yard raked this weekend.

Sunday, November 07, 2010

For the Love of Movies

The Cable Car Cinema was kind enough to run For the Love of Movies with a Q&A with director Gerald Peary today. The history of film criticism is chronicled and a look at the present and future of the same is touched on. The impact of the Internet and young critics and bloggers are explored. An interesting documentary.

The Karate Kid (2010)

I was skeptical about a remake of The Karate Kid, but I was wrong. The latest version is well paced, well acted and sentimental. Though a bit too long, the characters develop nicely and react realistically. A good rental.

Saturday, November 06, 2010

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

In the last installment of the story of Lisbeth Salander, we see recovery and revenge with growth and closure. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is the last film in Steig Larson's trilogy. Lisbeth is recovering from a near death beating and faces attempted murder charges. Still not as good as the first, but better than the second, this film focuses on her will and brains to a satisfying end.

Friday, November 05, 2010

Friday Flick Picks 11/5/10

The march of the mediocre drivel out of Hollywood continues with the release of Due Date. Megamind is another animated comedy about aliens, and scientists and blah, blah, blah. The only redemption is The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest in art houses and The Cable Car is showing For the Love of Movies on Sunday with a Q&A with the director, Gerald Peary. The Social Network is the best film in RI theaters right now. When does Oscar season start?

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Conviction

The love and devotion of siblings are at the core of Conviction. The story of a man, Kenny Waters, who is wrongly incarcerated for murder, and the work of his sister Betty Ann to free him, is told well in this film. Based on real events, this film tells the story quietly and methodically. Betty Ann becomes a lawyer to work to get her brother free. The film spans a time frame of over 40 years, which is conveyed well through clothing, hairstyles and technology. Well structured and well acted, we grow close to the characters and the situation as the events unfold. A good film about a compelling story.

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Metropolis (2010)

I saw the silent film Metropolis (1927) years ago. A video rented from the library blew my mind, as I watched the birth of sci-fi on my TV. Years later, I learn that there is found footage of this German masterpiece so I headed to the Cable Car Cinema to see it on a big screen. An amazing score accompanied a film rich with drama, action, love and a moral. Glad I had the opportunity. Thanks Cable Car!