The first 90 minutes has Luhrmann doing what he does best, with inspired editing, camerawork and terrific use of music.
But as we approach the end, the pace slows and the direction get a lot more conventional, with Luhrmann increasingly spoon-feeding his points to the viewers and making those 158 minutes felt. This may mirror Elvis' own journey from pioneering artist to yesterday's news - but it doesn't make it any more engaging.
I'm not entirely convinced by Hanks' take on the role, but Austin Butler is nothing short of sensational in the lead. He's worth the price of admission.
Coming hot off an excellent effort on The Last Duel, Ridley Scott delivers in some areas but is let down by a meandering, unfocused script and editing which leaves the film half an hour too long. Some terrific performances from Driver and Pacino, but also some less impressive ones. Jared Leto is downright dreadful, and Salma Hayek's silly turn as a psychic is a fine example of the film's tonal inconsistency.
The film elegantly weaves DA's career and wildlife experiences into a larger, disturbing narrative. Things are looking grim, and he's been there along the way to witness it.
The uplifting part is that he offers advice on how to - at least partially - lessen the effects on our planet.
Of course, the risk is that he's only preaching to the choir. After all, the film has been produced in collaboration with the WWF. But here's hoping that it gains a large audience. With every risk of sounding like a broken record, I think this is an important film.
The animation is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, but this is easily Laika's weakest film yet. Dull characters, a by-the-numbers plot and so many missed opportunities for jokes and character development.
A fun, well-executed concept which would make for a terrific 80 minute picture. However, it decides to outstay its welcome by 40-45 minutes and really drags in several places.
I don't know.... technically the movie works really well, but the majority of characters are fairly bland (with Aldrin being the standout exception). The fact that Chazelle devotes some much needed attention to the otherwise overlooked wives and children of these space pioneers is commendable, but still the movie wasn't as riveting as I'd hoped for.
Easily the weakest film from Aardman yet. I walked into the screening with an open mind, but came out again underwhelmed. The whole concept just seems a bit ...tired. On top of that, the characters (including our leading man) are unusually forgettable for an Aardman production.
There are some fun bits, and of course the animation is impressive, but it's not really until the final 30 minutes that the story really hits its stride.
As a sort-of mixture between Room and Dogtooth, with a dash of The Truman Show thrown in, Brigsby Bear shows a lot of promise. I just don't think it delivers.
The cast is fine, but I kept thinking that the result was a bit "off" somehow. As a drama the emotions ring false almost the entire time, and it's not funny enough to deliver as a fullblown comedy. The theme is certainly interesting, but it's as if the director was hesitant to explore it fully, instead going for low-key and way too sweet humour.
aka Revolution of Sound.
The cinema version (which I saw) runs for 88 minutes rather than an hour.
It's an interesting look at a band which has deserved a larger spot in the annals of music history. A lot of people related to the band and former members are featured - Johannes Schmoelling, Peter Baumann, Jerome Froese, as well as Brian May, Jean Michel Jarre and others. Notably absent is Chris Franke, who (according to the director, who was present at the screening) declined to participate but has given the film his blessings.
It does have its shortcomings, though - both because it would have been nice to hear from younger musicians who have been inspired by TD, and because the film has a tendency to gloss over most conflicts and obstacles which Froese et.al. encountered. But all in all a worthy portrait.
Subdued but fascinating drama, with the first and third segment coming out the strongest (I found the second one, with the couple, a bit limp). Impressive performances by Jared Harris and Lily Gladstone.
However, a jarring bit which I thought stretched credibility was the sequence where
Laura Dern's character is sent into the arms of a hostage taker, who may or may not be armed for all the police knows.
Mostly comes off as derivative of many other similar, but better films. The characters are bland, and the apocalyptic setting could have been interesting if it didn't seem more like window dressing than anything else.
It does have a few, neat tricks up its sleeve, and the ending is well thought-out, but it's not enough to shake off the feeling of a very generic movie.
I didn't have any major expectations but still came away rather disappointed. For all its endless high-speed chases, quick-cut fights and poring over computer screens, the film ends up committing the worst summer movie offense of all: it is dull for long stretches of time.
The script gives us little reason to root for any of the characters (least of all Jason Bourne), and the endless globe-hopping and sometimes spectacular stunts do little to hide the fact that the story is just running in circles:
- move to new metropol
- look at screens
- CIA shouting and frowning
- launch SWAT team
- let Bourne take them down.
- repeat
Admittedly, the opening shows Greengrass doing what he does best, and there are some neat bits here and there, but by and large there are a lot of talented actors here just running on auto-pilot. The inspiration from Snowden is a welcome addition but never amounts to much - the all-seeing, all-knowing CIA could stick bugs up his nostrils and Bourne would still be able to evade them, like a modern day McGyver always being able to grab something nearby and override the systems.
As a fan of the first three entries in the series, this is a disappointing and pointless new chapter.
Mindblowing! I'm not really sure what's going on, though :)
Of course, the synopsis for the original 22 minutes running time makes more sense:
Jack Torrance takes a new job as senior chief night manager for “Charbay’s Chicken World” —a state-of-the-art, volcano-fried, fast-food poultry production facility and resort strategically built on an active volcano. Jack travels to the remote facility with his wife, Wendy, and 42-year-old man-child son, Danny.
During orientation, Mansturd Nurlman (regional manager of Charbay’s) mentions a new experimental product that is currently under development: “The Shiny” — a brand new BBQ sauce created in the research laboratory deep within the radioactive volcano. Strange things start happening to Jack after he tries the sauce, and he slowly begins morphing into a chicken creature and becomes unstable and aggressive.
Scatmok (a hyperdimensional alien) conspires with Danny and his little friend Tony (a snarky Italian man who happens to be Danny’s index finger) to steal the recipe for “The Shiny” but their plan is compromised when they realize the horrific side effects of the experimental BBQ sauce. Danny and Scatmok decide they must destroy the BBQ sauce pipeline in order to stop the spread of this condition that has mutated Danny's father.
Meanwhile, Jack has learned some of the restaurant's darkest secrets from some of the other employees, including a potential cure for his condition. In the end, the restaurant is destroyed in a spectacular exploding BBQ sauce conflagration, with Wendy, Danny, Tony, Scatmok and a now-cured but frozen-solid Jack, who grumpily curses his former employers as they drive off in the Beak-Machine into the sunset.
I mostly enjoyed it, particularly Tatum O'Neals performance and the period details.
But somehow Ryan O'Neal didn't come across as very convincing, and though his chemistry with his daughter is great, I have a hard time seeing him as a bonafide con artist.
Craig has certainly made the role his own at this point, and I really enjoyed Mendes' ability to tie the earlier entries in the reboot into the storyline. M, Q, and Moneypenny also get their chances to shine.
But it's like Sony thought that, riding on the success of Skyfall, they'd really put the pedal to the metal this time around and show all the copycats in town who the king of action thrillers is. With a reputed budget of $300 million and a running time of 2½ hrs, this is a perfect example of less being more at times. Both opening and finale are thrilling, and there's a terrific car chase and another excellent setpiece featuring a plane and a car - but really, if this had been trimmed by 20 minutes (and $50 million), I think the film would have been improved.
Beautiful visuals and Silver makes for a really interesting character. But the pacing is tiresome, the supporting characters are forgettable at best (and downright annoying in the case of B.E.N.), and the whole thing just worked better when it was called Titan A.E.
Like everybody else, I just wanted to say thanks for your extensive work :) I'm really sorry to hear that you are leaving, but as the owner of a community website, I'm very familiar with the feeling of "fun becoming work". And when you get to that place, it's probably time to look for a new pastime :)
ICM has been an indispensable resource for my film hobby for several years, and I can't image that will change anytime soon.
As for you, Marijn, I can only hope and cross my fingers that you don't find anything better to do with your time :D Keep up the amazing work - it's really appreciated!
Came away disappointed. This has all of Ingrid Bergman's classiness and elegance, but seems afraid to really dig into the areas that made her so controversial - her children do start a few times saying something along the lines of "It wasn't always fun living without your mother", but then revert to the same pattern of "... but of course she was ever so charming and she should be allowed her freedom". I'm not asking for scandals, but for her Hollywood-pioneering way of life, I think this documentary comes off as fairly ordinary.
Oh, and don't get me started on the ever-present Michael Nyman score.
Fun for a bit, then runs out of steam in the middle before ending with a bravura finale.
Still, if it were 20 minutes shorter I would have enjoyed it a whole lot more. The gore is delightfully over the top, but after a while you've seen what there is to see.
Comments 1 - 25 of 62
Movie comment on Elvis
Gunness
The first 90 minutes has Luhrmann doing what he does best, with inspired editing, camerawork and terrific use of music.But as we approach the end, the pace slows and the direction get a lot more conventional, with Luhrmann increasingly spoon-feeding his points to the viewers and making those 158 minutes felt. This may mirror Elvis' own journey from pioneering artist to yesterday's news - but it doesn't make it any more engaging.
I'm not entirely convinced by Hanks' take on the role, but Austin Butler is nothing short of sensational in the lead. He's worth the price of admission.
Movie comment on House of Gucci
Gunness
Coming hot off an excellent effort on The Last Duel, Ridley Scott delivers in some areas but is let down by a meandering, unfocused script and editing which leaves the film half an hour too long. Some terrific performances from Driver and Pacino, but also some less impressive ones. Jared Leto is downright dreadful, and Salma Hayek's silly turn as a psychic is a fine example of the film's tonal inconsistency.Movie comment on David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet
Gunness
The film elegantly weaves DA's career and wildlife experiences into a larger, disturbing narrative. Things are looking grim, and he's been there along the way to witness it.The uplifting part is that he offers advice on how to - at least partially - lessen the effects on our planet.
Of course, the risk is that he's only preaching to the choir. After all, the film has been produced in collaboration with the WWF. But here's hoping that it gains a large audience. With every risk of sounding like a broken record, I think this is an important film.
Movie comment on Dcera
Gunness
Wonderful, touching story which utilizes its (relatively simple) animation to full effect.Movie comment on Missing Link
Gunness
The animation is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, but this is easily Laika's weakest film yet. Dull characters, a by-the-numbers plot and so many missed opportunities for jokes and character development.Movie comment on Have You Seen My Movie?
Gunness
A fun, well-executed concept which would make for a terrific 80 minute picture. However, it decides to outstay its welcome by 40-45 minutes and really drags in several places.Movie comment on First Man
Gunness
I don't know.... technically the movie works really well, but the majority of characters are fairly bland (with Aldrin being the standout exception). The fact that Chazelle devotes some much needed attention to the otherwise overlooked wives and children of these space pioneers is commendable, but still the movie wasn't as riveting as I'd hoped for.Movie comment on Early Man
Gunness
Easily the weakest film from Aardman yet. I walked into the screening with an open mind, but came out again underwhelmed. The whole concept just seems a bit ...tired. On top of that, the characters (including our leading man) are unusually forgettable for an Aardman production.There are some fun bits, and of course the animation is impressive, but it's not really until the final 30 minutes that the story really hits its stride.
Movie comment on Garden Party
Gunness
What @ntan said: stellar animation and subtle hints that points towards a very different kind of finale.Movie comment on LOU
Gunness
The animation is (expectedly) top notch, but I found this to be too cloyingly sweet for its own good.Movie comment on Brigsby Bear
Gunness
As a sort-of mixture between Room and Dogtooth, with a dash of The Truman Show thrown in, Brigsby Bear shows a lot of promise. I just don't think it delivers.The cast is fine, but I kept thinking that the result was a bit "off" somehow. As a drama the emotions ring false almost the entire time, and it's not funny enough to deliver as a fullblown comedy. The theme is certainly interesting, but it's as if the director was hesitant to explore it fully, instead going for low-key and way too sweet humour.
Movie comment on Tangerine Dream: Sound from Another World
Gunness
aka Revolution of Sound.The cinema version (which I saw) runs for 88 minutes rather than an hour.
It's an interesting look at a band which has deserved a larger spot in the annals of music history. A lot of people related to the band and former members are featured - Johannes Schmoelling, Peter Baumann, Jerome Froese, as well as Brian May, Jean Michel Jarre and others. Notably absent is Chris Franke, who (according to the director, who was present at the screening) declined to participate but has given the film his blessings.
It does have its shortcomings, though - both because it would have been nice to hear from younger musicians who have been inspired by TD, and because the film has a tendency to gloss over most conflicts and obstacles which Froese et.al. encountered. But all in all a worthy portrait.
Group comment on Filmnoerdens Hjoerne Foerum
Gunness
Yay, et sted mere at debattere :DMovie comment on Certain Women
Gunness
Subdued but fascinating drama, with the first and third segment coming out the strongest (I found the second one, with the couple, a bit limp). Impressive performances by Jared Harris and Lily Gladstone.However, a jarring bit which I thought stretched credibility was the sequence where
Movie comment on ARQ
Gunness
Mostly comes off as derivative of many other similar, but better films. The characters are bland, and the apocalyptic setting could have been interesting if it didn't seem more like window dressing than anything else.It does have a few, neat tricks up its sleeve, and the ending is well thought-out, but it's not enough to shake off the feeling of a very generic movie.
Movie comment on Jason Bourne
Gunness
I didn't have any major expectations but still came away rather disappointed. For all its endless high-speed chases, quick-cut fights and poring over computer screens, the film ends up committing the worst summer movie offense of all: it is dull for long stretches of time.The script gives us little reason to root for any of the characters (least of all Jason Bourne), and the endless globe-hopping and sometimes spectacular stunts do little to hide the fact that the story is just running in circles:
- move to new metropol
- look at screens
- CIA shouting and frowning
- launch SWAT team
- let Bourne take them down.
- repeat
Admittedly, the opening shows Greengrass doing what he does best, and there are some neat bits here and there, but by and large there are a lot of talented actors here just running on auto-pilot. The inspiration from Snowden is a welcome addition but never amounts to much - the all-seeing, all-knowing CIA could stick bugs up his nostrils and Bourne would still be able to evade them, like a modern day McGyver always being able to grab something nearby and override the systems.
As a fan of the first three entries in the series, this is a disappointing and pointless new chapter.
Movie comment on The Chickening
Gunness
Mindblowing! I'm not really sure what's going on, though :)Of course, the synopsis for the original 22 minutes running time makes more sense:
Jack Torrance takes a new job as senior chief night manager for “Charbay’s Chicken World” —a state-of-the-art, volcano-fried, fast-food poultry production facility and resort strategically built on an active volcano. Jack travels to the remote facility with his wife, Wendy, and 42-year-old man-child son, Danny.
During orientation, Mansturd Nurlman (regional manager of Charbay’s) mentions a new experimental product that is currently under development: “The Shiny” — a brand new BBQ sauce created in the research laboratory deep within the radioactive volcano. Strange things start happening to Jack after he tries the sauce, and he slowly begins morphing into a chicken creature and becomes unstable and aggressive.
Scatmok (a hyperdimensional alien) conspires with Danny and his little friend Tony (a snarky Italian man who happens to be Danny’s index finger) to steal the recipe for “The Shiny” but their plan is compromised when they realize the horrific side effects of the experimental BBQ sauce. Danny and Scatmok decide they must destroy the BBQ sauce pipeline in order to stop the spread of this condition that has mutated Danny's father.
Meanwhile, Jack has learned some of the restaurant's darkest secrets from some of the other employees, including a potential cure for his condition. In the end, the restaurant is destroyed in a spectacular exploding BBQ sauce conflagration, with Wendy, Danny, Tony, Scatmok and a now-cured but frozen-solid Jack, who grumpily curses his former employers as they drive off in the Beak-Machine into the sunset.
Movie comment on Transport d'une tourelle par un attelage de 60 chevaux
Gunness
Included in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOqeWNK5sDwMovie comment on Paper Moon
Gunness
I mostly enjoyed it, particularly Tatum O'Neals performance and the period details.But somehow Ryan O'Neal didn't come across as very convincing, and though his chemistry with his daughter is great, I have a hard time seeing him as a bonafide con artist.
Movie comment on Spectre
Gunness
Craig has certainly made the role his own at this point, and I really enjoyed Mendes' ability to tie the earlier entries in the reboot into the storyline. M, Q, and Moneypenny also get their chances to shine.But it's like Sony thought that, riding on the success of Skyfall, they'd really put the pedal to the metal this time around and show all the copycats in town who the king of action thrillers is. With a reputed budget of $300 million and a running time of 2½ hrs, this is a perfect example of less being more at times. Both opening and finale are thrilling, and there's a terrific car chase and another excellent setpiece featuring a plane and a car - but really, if this had been trimmed by 20 minutes (and $50 million), I think the film would have been improved.
Movie comment on Treasure Planet
Gunness
Beautiful visuals and Silver makes for a really interesting character. But the pacing is tiresome, the supporting characters are forgettable at best (and downright annoying in the case of B.E.N.), and the whole thing just worked better when it was called Titan A.E.Blog comment on The Departed
Gunness
Like everybody else, I just wanted to say thanks for your extensive work :) I'm really sorry to hear that you are leaving, but as the owner of a community website, I'm very familiar with the feeling of "fun becoming work". And when you get to that place, it's probably time to look for a new pastime :)ICM has been an indispensable resource for my film hobby for several years, and I can't image that will change anytime soon.
As for you, Marijn, I can only hope and cross my fingers that you don't find anything better to do with your time :D Keep up the amazing work - it's really appreciated!
Movie comment on Jag är Ingrid
Gunness
Came away disappointed. This has all of Ingrid Bergman's classiness and elegance, but seems afraid to really dig into the areas that made her so controversial - her children do start a few times saying something along the lines of "It wasn't always fun living without your mother", but then revert to the same pattern of "... but of course she was ever so charming and she should be allowed her freedom". I'm not asking for scandals, but for her Hollywood-pioneering way of life, I think this documentary comes off as fairly ordinary.Oh, and don't get me started on the ever-present Michael Nyman score.
Movie comment on Hero
Gunness
Hero is the US title. It was called Accidental Hero in the UK.Haven't seen it since theatres, but I seem to recall that it was fairly okay.
Movie comment on Tôkyô zankoku keisatsu
Gunness
Fun for a bit, then runs out of steam in the middle before ending with a bravura finale.Still, if it were 20 minutes shorter I would have enjoyed it a whole lot more. The gore is delightfully over the top, but after a while you've seen what there is to see.
Showing items 1 – 25 of 62