Mudcat
yap
- Since
- Jan 27, 2010
- Messages
- 32,603
- Score
- 440
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Amelie (2001) - First time I have seen this since it came out.
I have a good friend who rolls his eyes at the mention of this movie and did not watch it through to the end. If I had to put his objections into words, I would say he found it too aggressively quirky and found a forced whimsy to it, perhaps to the point of being sickening.
Personally I love it. All the stylized, contrived stuff works for me in the framework presented. I find it wonderfully absorbing and creative and romantic. 7.9 out of 10.
Curious to know what people here think.
The illusionist - French film from last year that was nominated for the Best Animated Feature Oscar (losing to Toy Story 3). It is odd to have the two films in the same category, they are so different. Unlike most American animation which is aimed at kids with maybe a few bits thrown in to keep the adults interested, The Illusionist would not be for kids at all. It is an exercise in moodiness and melancholy. It is by the same director who did The Triplets of Belleville a few years back. I liked Triplets quite a bit but The Illusionist just didn't work. It looked nice but the characters didn't mesh and a weak job was done of selling the general theme which was supposed to be (as far as I can tell) magic is disappearing and the world is cruel. I don't think I was as sad as I was supposed to be.
4.4 out of 10.
Blue Valentine - I know someone here really loved this (Jello, I believe). I am much less enthusiastic. I just saw a story of a relationship and how things start out one way and go another way. Everything was plausible and realistic but not particular remarkable. I was like, "Yup, relationships often go like that. Uh huh - they sure do." I'm not sure this particular bundle of specifics deserves a feature movie though. It's not a bad movie by any means. Relationships are an important thing in the human condition. No doubt the performances of Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams were very good. But it just kinda left me wondering why I was being shown what I was being shown
5.7 out of 10.
Primary Colors (1998) - This was better than I remembered. Not flawless but I really enjoyed it. There were many sharp, astute observations about political processes. 7.1 out of 10.
I have a good friend who rolls his eyes at the mention of this movie and did not watch it through to the end. If I had to put his objections into words, I would say he found it too aggressively quirky and found a forced whimsy to it, perhaps to the point of being sickening.
Personally I love it. All the stylized, contrived stuff works for me in the framework presented. I find it wonderfully absorbing and creative and romantic. 7.9 out of 10.
Curious to know what people here think.
The illusionist - French film from last year that was nominated for the Best Animated Feature Oscar (losing to Toy Story 3). It is odd to have the two films in the same category, they are so different. Unlike most American animation which is aimed at kids with maybe a few bits thrown in to keep the adults interested, The Illusionist would not be for kids at all. It is an exercise in moodiness and melancholy. It is by the same director who did The Triplets of Belleville a few years back. I liked Triplets quite a bit but The Illusionist just didn't work. It looked nice but the characters didn't mesh and a weak job was done of selling the general theme which was supposed to be (as far as I can tell) magic is disappearing and the world is cruel. I don't think I was as sad as I was supposed to be.
4.4 out of 10.
Blue Valentine - I know someone here really loved this (Jello, I believe). I am much less enthusiastic. I just saw a story of a relationship and how things start out one way and go another way. Everything was plausible and realistic but not particular remarkable. I was like, "Yup, relationships often go like that. Uh huh - they sure do." I'm not sure this particular bundle of specifics deserves a feature movie though. It's not a bad movie by any means. Relationships are an important thing in the human condition. No doubt the performances of Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams were very good. But it just kinda left me wondering why I was being shown what I was being shown
5.7 out of 10.
Primary Colors (1998) - This was better than I remembered. Not flawless but I really enjoyed it. There were many sharp, astute observations about political processes. 7.1 out of 10.
Captivating, romanticized view of Paris. 8.9 Matty Rains.
