Monthly Archives: May 2005

Scenes, more than films

Posted on 5/15/2005 by reynolds

In the last week, I’ve been catching up. (School’s ended.) Saw three flicks–oddly similar, in terms of content–that I’d recommend, but primarily because they offer up two, three scenes apiece that… well, in terms of acting and dramatic complexity, astonish. … Continue reading →

Posted in (by verdict), (random lists), likey, recently watched | 10 Comments

looking for shylock

Posted on 5/14/2005 by arnab

last night: william shakespeare’s “the merchant of venice” this is a handsome production which will likely finally be remembered only for pacino’s against all odds, restrained performance as shylock, giving us a hint of what might have become of him … Continue reading →

Posted in (by verdict), overrated, well, okay | Leave a comment

Kung Fu Hustle

Posted on 5/12/2005 by reynolds

I saw this, and I recommend it thus: funny, eccentric, energetic, Sith-free fun. There are some beautiful moments, some fantastically funny shtick, some repetitive fighting (a must in most any Kung Fu film), and more gee-whiz pizzazz to the pleasures … Continue reading →

Posted in (by verdict), likey | 6 Comments

David Gordon Green

Posted on 5/11/2005 by reynolds

I was just going to pipe up that “Undertow,” a Southern gothic about boys (including an excellent Jamie Bell) threatened and chased by a nasty death-dealing uncle (Josh Lucas, who resembles John Bruns with a handlebar moustache), isn’t so great. … Continue reading →

Posted in (by verdict), underrated | 8 Comments

noir (film, not drakkar)

Posted on 5/10/2005 by arnab

watched lang’s “the big heat” last night and was struck by a couple of things: (spoiler warnings apply for those who haven’t seen it) 1) michael’s right about the gloria grahame/annette bening thing 2) this is such a tautly shot/narrated … Continue reading →

Posted in (by verdict), the state of things | 3 Comments

Hitchhiker

Posted on 5/9/2005 by reynolds

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that there are at least a few fans of Adams among us, many of whom may be avoiding the potential misfire of this film version. Don’t; it’s well worth seeing, … Continue reading →

Posted in (by verdict), likey | 2 Comments

Region freedom

Posted on 5/8/2005 by john

This originally appeared as a comment to Pete’s Shaun of the Dead post. I’m bringing it back from the dead. Mauer noted that we should keep an eye out for Black Books, but warned us that it’s not available as … Continue reading →

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Pony pics

Posted on 5/7/2005 by john

In honor of Derby Day, I thought I might ask everyone what their favorite horse racing films are (and Michael, I’m not referring to replays of yesterday’s races at Saratoga). Kubrick’s The Killing (1956), The Marx Bros.’ A Day at … Continue reading →

Posted in (by verdict), classic | 5 Comments

kingdom of heaven

Posted on 5/7/2005 by arnab

we watched this last night. i went in expecting to dislike it–the previews and reviews mostly made it seem like a whitewashing of the crusades and i thought its politics would offend me. to my surprise i quite liked it. … Continue reading →

Posted in (by verdict), likey | 4 Comments

Crash

Posted on 5/6/2005 by jeff

OK, this ain’t naturalism–any “three degrees of separation” ensemble drama set in the vast wastelands of Los Angeles has to be a total fantasy, right? Crash‘s politics are of the knee-jerk variety but the performances are strong, the editing clean … Continue reading →

Posted in (by verdict) | 69 Comments