Well, my fellow Cinefolk, as promised, I did see the new MARTIN SCORCESE flick, SHUTTER ISLAND, and it was a doozy.
We all know the following basics: the film was supposed to open last fall, but it was delayed by PARAMOUNT, until Feb, so they could publicize it properly. The source material is the mystery by ace writer, DENNIS LEHANE, who has 3 movies made out of 3 of his books (i.e. MYSTIC RIVER, GONE BABY GONE and now, SHUTTER ISLAND).
The plot is simplicity itself: LEONARDO DI CAPRIO and MARK RUFFALO, play 2 cops her are summoned to SHUTTER ISLAND - which is an asylum that looks like a less-pleasant ALCATRAZ!!! - to investigate a disappearance. However, all is not what it appears to be, and by the end you're really not sure which way is up. I really can't reveal anymore, as I don't want to ruin, the delicious surprises, awaiting the viewer.
SCORCESE, is a bravura film-maker, and one can feel the influence of such film-makers as VAL LEWTON and STANLEY KUBRICK, on him.
The production values are up to SCORCESE'S high standards. His d.o.p. ROBERT RICHARDSON, is fabulous as always and he works with his usual cutter, THELMA SCHOONMAKER. His cast is flawless: BEN (why so wet baby)? KINGSLEY, MAX VON SYDOW, MICHELLE WILLIAMS, PATRICIA CLARKSON, JACKIE EARLE HALEY, and ELIAS KOTEAS.
The film will haunt u, long after you've seen it and in conclusion, all I can say is Mr. SCORCESE, it was worth the wait.
Until next time, my Cinegoodfellas,
T.T.F.N.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
A WALK ON THE ''BLAND'' SIDE
Good day, fellow Cinelovers, well it seems that the Oscars are drawing neigh and the Academy of Arts and Sciences, has decided to nominate 10, instead of 5 films as per usual, for best film this year, why? heaven only knows. I have a tradition, that every year I see all of the nominees, which is a long way of saying that I went to see JOHN LEE HANCOCK'S THE BLIND SIDE, starring SANDRA BULLOCK, in an already acclaimed and richly rewarded starring role.
O.K. so how was the flick? I guess you can tell from ''the header,'' that I found if fair to midland. To be more precise I found it preachy, manipulative, cloying, simple-minded, and the worst crime a film can be, ''bland."
Yes, SANDRA BULLOCK, is very good playing the spirited matriarch of a family that in real life took in a down on his luck high-school student, who becomes a football whiz, but I feel she does the most with a poorly-written role.
The big surprise is the performance given by TIM MCGRAW, as her husband, it is quite credible. Also, the ever-reliable KATHY BATES, is always good. The worst part is her ''precocious" son, lord save me from preternaturally clever, and cracking wise kids.
The whole film is just to0, pardon the pun, black and white. There is more subtlety, shading, characterization, and revelations in a single episode of LOST, then in this entire film.
I know it's made gazillions of dollars and it's a feel good film, I guess I prefer a more nuanced feel bad film. It's just not, a very interesting film.
However, there is hope on the movie horizon...
Friday brings SHUTTER ISLAND, to provide mid-winter relief.
Until next time...
T.T.F.N.
O.K. so how was the flick? I guess you can tell from ''the header,'' that I found if fair to midland. To be more precise I found it preachy, manipulative, cloying, simple-minded, and the worst crime a film can be, ''bland."
Yes, SANDRA BULLOCK, is very good playing the spirited matriarch of a family that in real life took in a down on his luck high-school student, who becomes a football whiz, but I feel she does the most with a poorly-written role.
The big surprise is the performance given by TIM MCGRAW, as her husband, it is quite credible. Also, the ever-reliable KATHY BATES, is always good. The worst part is her ''precocious" son, lord save me from preternaturally clever, and cracking wise kids.
The whole film is just to0, pardon the pun, black and white. There is more subtlety, shading, characterization, and revelations in a single episode of LOST, then in this entire film.
I know it's made gazillions of dollars and it's a feel good film, I guess I prefer a more nuanced feel bad film. It's just not, a very interesting film.
However, there is hope on the movie horizon...
Friday brings SHUTTER ISLAND, to provide mid-winter relief.
Until next time...
T.T.F.N.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
N'OKLAHOMA
Hello fellow Cineflickers, well I happened to see a brand-new musical recently. You might of heard about it, it's called LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL. You might have also heard that it stars, ole HALF-PINT, herself, MELISSA GILBERT, making her singin' and dancin' debut. Well, this here musical does try very, very, hard to amuse and entertain, and it does to a degree, but sorry it ain't no OKLAHOMA, which is what it really wants to be. Therefore, with apologies, to Messrs. Rogers and Hammerstein may I present...
N'OKLAHOMA
(you know the tune)
IT'S N'OKLAHOMA
THOUGH THE WIND COMES SWEEPING DOWN THE PLAIN
IT'S GOT DANCIN' FEET
YOU CAN SMELL THE WHEAT
BUT IT REALLY JUST AIN'T THE SAME
IT'S N'OKLAHOMA!
AN INFERIOR ITEM THIS IS TRUE
IT'LL NEVER LAST
OR SELL OUT FAST
TO GO TO BROADWAY AVENUE
WE KNOW WE'RE A BIG THEATRE FAN
AND USUALLY WHAT WE SEE IS JUST GRAND
SO, WHEN I SAY -
N'OKLAHOMKA, GO AWAY!
I'M ONLY SAYING -
YOU'RE NOT VERY FINE N'OKLAHOMA
N'KLAHOMA, N'OKEY
F-L-O-P-
N'OKLAHOMA, N'OKEY!
Until next time...
T.T.F.N.
N'OKLAHOMA
(you know the tune)
IT'S N'OKLAHOMA
THOUGH THE WIND COMES SWEEPING DOWN THE PLAIN
IT'S GOT DANCIN' FEET
YOU CAN SMELL THE WHEAT
BUT IT REALLY JUST AIN'T THE SAME
IT'S N'OKLAHOMA!
AN INFERIOR ITEM THIS IS TRUE
IT'LL NEVER LAST
OR SELL OUT FAST
TO GO TO BROADWAY AVENUE
WE KNOW WE'RE A BIG THEATRE FAN
AND USUALLY WHAT WE SEE IS JUST GRAND
SO, WHEN I SAY -
N'OKLAHOMKA, GO AWAY!
I'M ONLY SAYING -
YOU'RE NOT VERY FINE N'OKLAHOMA
N'KLAHOMA, N'OKEY
F-L-O-P-
N'OKLAHOMA, N'OKEY!
Until next time...
T.T.F.N.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)