More readers check out a couple of upcoming films including "Passion", "Girl Next Door", "Hidalgo", "Dawn of the Dead" and more:
"Anchorman" (script) "Rough around the edges though it may be, "Anchorman" at the very least walks with a strut and isn't presenting anyone's ideas but its own. It's more than good enough, to say the least, that I think McKay, directing his first feature, will give us a fine time at the movies later this year in the summer of '04..." (full review)
"Blueberry" "Let’s get one thing straight : this is no western. I would even go as far as to say that this is a true UFO in the cinema landscape. You have never seen and probably never will see a movie quite like “Blueberry”. Which doesn’t mean that it’s a masterpiece, far from it, but the vision (no pun intended) of the director is truly unique, and that’s why I really encourage everyone to go and see the movie to support this project..." (full review)
"Dawn of the Dead" "Dawn actually lived up to...and in some cases surpassed...my highest of expectations. The action crackles with pulse pounding intensity in just the proper dosage. Just enough to keep me satisfied. Sarah Polley delivers a grade A performance as the strong but vulnerable nurse who can clearly take care of herself but feels compelled to help those around her..." (full review)
"The Girl Next Door" "The movie was cute, quaint, and humorous; Greenfield did a nice job there. Although it felt like it ended about three times too many and had a few plot holes, it was wrapped up nicely in the end, almost too nicely. This is Hollywood though, where porn stars can become normal people again, where you can lose $25,000 and end up making millions, where you can have a life-changing experience AND get the girl, all in two weeks. Just remember that going into the movie, because this is definitely not based on a true story..." (full review)
"Hidalgo" "A strong and well performed script propels Hidalgo along, but a more consistently creative eye behind the lens might have made this something more. Still, this is a solid flick for horse lovers, with the picture's charismatic steed taking a wonderfully large chunk of its screen time. It's nice to see a movie about horses that's actually interested in letting us connect with its animal lead, instead of just using him the way Tony Hawk uses his skateboard. For that, Hidalgo gets a positive review and the assurance that though it isn't the sparkling epic it might have been, Disney has ground out an agreeable winner..." (full review)
"Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" "One of the most clever independent genre films made in the new millennium, Lost Skeleton of Cadavra is witty, smart, and creatively funny. Larry Blamire has created a film that makes fun of science fiction while showing off his great directorial and acting talents. The rest of his cast is marvelously professional and funny as well..." (full review)
"The Passion of the Christ" by 'Paul Fischer' It is easy to approach this controversial fi8lm with a degree of scepticism. Accusations of anti-Semitism are rife, yet plainly absurd. Is it an accurate depiction of historical events? Probably not. Is there a degree of artistic bias? Possibly. But The Passion of Christ is first and foremost a movie, one man's interpretation of a Biblical record that has remained the subject of fierce debate for decades. This doesn't preclude it from remaining on its own as a singularly significant and impressive piece of cinema that takes these events and imbues them with a contemporary tone, broadening the work beyond an obvious audience. The Passion of the Christ is, in a word, magnificent. With this extraordinary film, director Mel Gibson is confirmed as a unique visionary, a cinematic master who delves deeply into both a spiritual journey and a powerful exploration of the nature of persecution. His is a brave, haunting and powerful work, with its Aramaic and Latin dialogue intrinsically resonant, adding a credible dimension to an often familiar tale. Gibson cast his film as precisely as he directed it, with the superb James Caviezel, gloriously effective as Jesus. Looking at the film as cinema, Gibson's film is a visually breathtaking and stunningly crafted masterwork, that keeps one engrossed and transfixed throughout. One doesn't have to be Catholic or even Christian to appreciate its depth and power. From the sublimely evocative music by John Debney, to the crisp cinematography of the magnificent Caleb Deschanel, The Passion of the Christ transports the viewer into a world that is harshly political. To accuse the film of being anti-Semitic is to miss the point of Gibson's work, but so rare is it for a film to emerge that fosters debate and discussion, that it merely enhances one's appreciation of what the film's Oscar-winning director has achieved. His is a personal odyssey, and his own passion comes through with every frame unspooled.
The Passion of the Christ is a film that is both profoundly moving yet chillingly realistic and honest, both to Gibson's vision and the period he so strikingly recreates. There have been many films depicting the last days of Christ, but none as powerful or as unforgettable as this passionate, cinematic triumph, and a film not to be missed.
"The Game of Their Lives" by 'Big Balls' Let me just preface my review by saying I am both a soccer player/fan and a film student. Most of my enjoyment of this film comes from the side of me that is a soccer fan.
Here's a basic summary (containing SPOILERS): Film opens in a St.Louis neighborhood called The Hill. We meet the players and find out the World Cup team is having tryouts the next week. Six St.Louis players and some "from the east" are selected and go to train in New York. There is friction between the East players and the St.Louis players. They play against some semi-pro teams and lose. They pick up Joe Gatjaens. They play a team on tour from England that includes only one player from England's World Cup team--Stanley Mortensen. They get beat bad. The action then goes to Brazil where the US team finds out they are heavy underdogs against the England team. They fend off an English onslaught in the first half, with Gatjaens scoring a goal for the US side. Halftime. They come back out, fend off the England attack again, and win. The ending titles tell us the went on to lose to Spain 3-1 and to Chile 5-2 (if I recall correctly). END SPOILERS
I just got back from the test screening. The movie was a "work in progress" as we were informed: unfinished opening credits, unfinished music, no end credits, and missing FX. And it was pretty good. The production design and production value was very good. And even if it was just temp music, Goldsmith's score was excellent. The filmmakers are hit with a double whammy of having to be historically accurate and also trying to get the audience to share in the drama on the field.
The performances from the actors varies depending on how big their role was. Gavin Rosdale was excellent as Stanley Mortensen. Zachary Ty Brian was better than I expected, though his screen time was slight. Wes Bentley was good, but not American Beauty good. Jimmy Jean-Louis was an unexpected and pleasant suprise. But the main characters are played by Gerard Butler, Jay Rodan and Louis Mandylor. All three of these performances have peaks and valleys. Deep valleys and short peaks.
The unfortunate thing for this film is it's similarity to Miracle, the movie about the US Hockey Team that also had to face powerful foe. And the experience would be down right ruined should the trailers and commercials for this film give away the ending.
I'd say this film is in the same vein as Remember the Titans and will definately score well with people who liked that film. But just like 50 years ago, no one really cares about soccer in America. The film seems destined to mirror the subject: nicely done, but ultimately ignored.
