News
Boring Weekend!
- Posted by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- News date
- Friday, February 28, 2003
Have fun!
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Review
Moonlight Mile
- Director
- Brad Silberling
- Year
- 2002
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- Review date
- Thursday, February 27, 2003
Joe (Jake Gyllenhaal) has just lost his girlfriend and is trying to coup with it by staying some days with her parents (Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon). Of course they’re also trying to deal with the situation, so they all try to help each other go through it. Meanwhile Joe meets Bertie (Ellen Pompeo), a beautiful and intriguing woman quite a story of her own.
It is well-known by now that writer/director Brad Silberling lost his model girlfriend murdered by a fan about a decade ago. He based some of the stuff in this movie on what he went through at the time. You would think it would be a more honest and touching movie because of that, but instead Silberling fell prey to every cliché imaginable. His movie comes from Disney, and it really shows. Everything is so fake, so protracted, so not real.
The problem lies, most of all, in the script. We are never able to fully sympathize with Joe. His parents-in-law are like caricatures. The romance between him and Bertie just doesn’t work. In a nutshell, we don’t care. I got bored and I felt the movie became unwatchable at times. To top it all, there’s even a trial involved (with Holly Hunter in hand to help) and the manipulative final scenes are just too much to bear. I wanted to puke.
That’s too bad, because the actors involved are top-notch. Jake Gyllenhaal is ok. Dustin Hoffman is good, although his character really becomes somewhat annoying. Susan Sarandon comes off the best mainly because her character is the more colorful one. And Ellen Pompeo kind of shines, but is not able to takeover such bad a script.
When the movie started and a Thomas Newman-like score began to play I thought the tone was all wrong for a movie like this. As it continued to play I realized there was no solution to it. Sure, there are scarce moments that work, but mostly it’s a huge failure.
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Morris wrote at 3/1/2003 12:53:04 PM:
Well, there are people who liked it (Ebert gave it four stars, for instance), but I'm glad you trust me because it's baaaad. Those movie you saw at Berlin sure seem to be much better! Jacinda wrote at 3/1/2003 8:21:01 PM:
4 STARS?!?! What the heck?! L'Ebert must have been on dope then.. Groucho wrote at 3/1/2003 8:39:59 PM:
LOL! I promise, I'LL BE DARNED if I understand the way Ebert thinks. I sure respect the guy 'n all, but he's absolutely unpredictable, and not always coherent!!New comments are temporarily disabled
News
BAFTA Winners 2003
- Posted by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- News date
- Thursday, February 27, 2003
Best film
The Pianist
Other nominees:
Chicago
Gangs of New York
The Hours
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Best British film
(Alexander Korda award for the outstanding British film of the year)
The Warrior
Other nominees:
Bend it Like Beckham
Dirty Pretty Things
The Hours
The Magdalene Sisters
Best director
(David Lean award for achievement in direction)
Roman Polanski - The Pianist
Other nominees:
Rob Marshall - Chicago
Martin Scorsese - Gangs of New York
Stephen Daldry - The Hours
Peter Jackson - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Best actor in a leading role
Daniel Day-Lewis- Gangs of New York
Other nominees:
Adrien Brody - The Pianist
Nicolas Cage - Adaptation
Sir Michael Caine - The Quiet American
Jack Nicholson - About Schmidt
Best actress in a leading role
Nicole Kidman - The Hours
Other nominees:
Halle Berry - Monster's Ball
Salma Hayek - Frida
Meryl Streep - The Hours
Renee Zellweger - Chicago
Best actor in a supporting role
Christopher Walken - Catch Me If You Can
Other nominees:
Chris Cooper - Adaptation
Ed Harris - The Hours
Alfred Molina -Frida
Paul Newman - Road to Perdition
Best actress in a supporting role
Catherine Zeta Jones - Chicago
Other nominees:
Toni Collette - About a Boy
Queen Latifah - Chicago
Julianne Moore - The Hours
Meryl Streep - Adaptation
Make-up and hair
Frida
Other nominees:
Chicago
Gangs of New York
The Hours
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Special visual effects
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Other nominees:
Gangs of New York
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Minority Report
Spider-Man
Best sound
Chicago
Other nominees:
Gangs of New York
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Pianist
Editing
City of God
Other nominees:
Gangs of New York
The Hours
Chicago
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Costume design
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Other nominees:
Catch Me If You Can
Chicago
Frida
Gangs of New York
Production design
Road to Perdition
Other nominees:
Chicago
Gangs of New York
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Cinematography
Road to Perdition
Other nominees:
Chicago
Gangs of New York
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Pianist
Best music
(Antony Asquith award for achievement in film music)
The Hours
Other nominees:
Catch Me If You Can
Chicago
Gangs of New York
The Pianist
Best film not in the English language
Talk to Her
Other nominees:
Y Tu Mamá También
City Of God
Devdas
The Warrior
Original screenplay
Talk to Her
Other nominees:
Y Tu Mamá También
Dirty Pretty Things
Gangs of New York
The Magdelene Sisters
Adapted screenplay
Adaptation
Other nominees:
About a Boy
Catch Me If You Can
The Hours
The Pianist
Carl Foreman award for special achievement in first feature film
Asif Kapadia - The Warrior (writer and director)
Other nominees:
Simon Bent - Christie Malry's Own Double Entry (writer)
Lucy Darwin - Lost In La Mancha (producer)
Duncan Roy - AKA (writer and director)
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Review
The Crime of Father Amaro
- Director
- Carlos Carrera
- Year
- 2002
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- Review date
- Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Amaro gets in trouble of his own when a beautiful and very devoted young woman (Ana Claudia Talancón), actually the daughter of Father Benito’s lover, falls for him. His own feelings are not exactly opposed to hers. (Who’s to blame him? Talancón is riveting!)
El Crimen del Padre Amaro is a plain, but at times funny and insightful parody of the Church as seen from the point of view of a small Mexican town, aiming against religious organizations and fanatic people of all sorts. Based upon the 1875 Portuguese novel by Eça de Queirós, some material is shocking, some is offensive, but there are many levels at work here, from the questioning of the celibacy of Priests, to the human nature and weaknesses of the ministers of God on Earth. While power corrupts people, it sometimes translates to good deeds, and vice versa. It’s all very interesting.
However, so many exaggerated characters are thrown in the formula that at times the story looks like a caricature, but still, lots of good material for reflection can be found. I personally enjoyed quite a bit the scenes involving Father Natalio (Damián Alcaraz) and his struggle to help his peasant people; he’s the best character of the film. Other enjoyable moments feature Amelia (Talancón) and her confusion concerning her inevitable attraction to Amaro. Amaro is not that well-developed however, but he’s extraordinarily well acted by García Bernal, leading an all-star cast of Mexican actors where many characters are more important and more real than the main one. Watch out for Luisa Huertas as a fanatic! Sure gave me the chills.
Controversy is this movie’s ticket to glory, especially in its home country, but still, there’s lots of entertainment going on here. Towards the end, the story gets almost unbearably suspenseful! Sadly, it’s far from unforgettable. But it sure is worth a look.
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Review
The Hours
- Director
- Stephen Daldry
- Year
- 2002
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- Review date
- Tuesday, February 25, 2003
The movie is based on a novel by Michael Cunningham that tells three parallel stories, all connected to Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway”. In the 20’s, Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman) is struggling to stay alive, as her life has become a burden to others and to herself. Strange illnesses and depression have taken over her life, while her husband (Stephen Dillane) tries to maintain a quiet, happy life. As it happens, Woolf is writing a book at the moment. That very same book is the one Laura Brown (Julianne Moore) is reading at her L.A. home in the 50’s as she wakes up to congratulate her husband (John C. Reilly) and embarks on a quest to prepare him a cake with the help of her little son (Jack Rovello). Seems like a perfect life, but Laura thinks otherwise, and she doesn’t know what to do about it. Meanwhile in New York 2001, Clarissa Vaughn (Meryl Streep) is preparing a party for her dying friend Richard (Ed Harris) in Mrs. Dalloway-style.
Ten minutes into the movie I already thought it was brilliant. Director Stephen Daldry begins the movie hitting a weird note and then goes back to show us our three leading ladies as they start a new day. The way the movie cuts from one period to another, the way the music plays in the background, the way it is all put together... perfect. I was hooked.
But then we slowly start to know more about these ladies. It’s funny how the movie has three different storylines yet the three main characters are extremely well defined from the beginning. They’re such rich characters that you can’t help but praise David Hare for his masterful screenplay and the way he was able to blend such heart-breaking moments into a whole.
Because, you see, it is a heart-breaking movie. Some people have called it the “feel-bad movie of the year”. Well, I wouldn’t argue with that, but when the movie was over, my feelings were completely different. I was devastated, I was affected, I was touched, I was kind of in a trance. It was as if a beautiful tragic poem had just been read to me and I was left speechless. I most of all had that feeling of richness when you’ve seen something that has left you something that you know you won’t forget. It was also a feeling of happiness for having just seen one of the best movies I’d seen in a long time.
What if your apparently perfect life is anything but perfect to you? What if you were trapped in a society that doesn’t understand you? What if you had to leave that thing you love the most in order to seek happiness? What if you became your worst enemy? What if you only lived for others and never paid attention to yourself? What if you never realized what happiness is? What if you felt like you don’t belong anywhere? What if you had to suddenly let go of a very strong relationship? What if?
The Hours is such a beautiful movie. It is full of great moments, just as Meryl Streep’s character mutters at a certain point. It is also expertly directed by Stephen Daldry, gorgeously photographed by Seamus McGarvey and skillfully edited by Peter Boyle. Then there is Philip Glass’s score, which is integral to the overall mood of the movie. It felt like an orchestra to me. It was just the perfect score and always at the perfect moment. Beautiful.
And the performances… I’d need an entire review to make the performances justice. Nicole Kidman wore a prosthetic nose all right, but her performance is a lot more than that. You can feel the pain through her eyes. Julianne Moore is just radiant and heart-breaking. Watch that scene in the bathroom while talking to her husband. The way she uses her face, ugh, it even hurts. And Meryl Streep delivers one of the best performances of her career. I’m not kidding. She’s fragile, yet trying to be alive for others. She’s just a joy to watch.
But wait, there’s even more amazing performances. There are a lot of characters in the movie that appear for only 10 to 15 minutes, yet they all leave a strong impression. Ed Harris is superb as Clarissa’s writer friend who is dying of AIDS. He’s only in two scenes, but boy does he take the best out of them. Toni Collette has one scene and she’s absolutely marvelous. John C. Reilly, Claire Danes, Allison Janney, Jack Rovello, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Dillane, Jeff Daniels… talk about a cast. And there’s not one single false note in any of anyone’s work in The Hours.
A movie that leaves a lasting impression.
“Leonard, always the years between us, always the years, always the love, always the hours.”
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Comments
Jacinda wrote at 2/25/2003 6:29:37 PM:
Your review gave me the shivers. I agree on every word you said.This movie hit me so hard I can't even try to explain what it means to me.
You came pretty damn close to it though. I think the only movie that had a similar effect on me was 'Magnolia'. I didn't leave the theater with a bad feeling. I felt cleansed from all the sadness that is life...
Coffee wrote at 2/27/2003 6:37:52 AM:
I'm pretty sure that literary critics and english professors are also going to be delighted about the Hours. The way the three main charcters are connected through literature is a fascinating approach, although I'm afraid I could appreciate this even more if I'd actually read Mrs. Dalloway ;-)New comments are temporarily disabled
Review
The Women
- Director
- George Cukor
- Year
- 1939
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- Review date
- Monday, February 24, 2003
Outstanding, historical look at cattiness, relationships and the role of women in society, featuring an all-female cast (and not a very reduced one at that!). Shearer is good in the lead but topped by a first-rate supporting cast, with Rosalind Russell as her mischievous friend, Mary Boland a veteran divorcée, Joan Fontaine and Paulette Goddard young victims of divorce, and of course Joan Crawford, as the girl of Mr. Haines.
At times outrageous, at others fascinating and at others hilarious, this comedy is a triumph, based upon the play by Clare Boothe, who allegedly identified most with Crystal Allen, the bad girl of the story, played by Joan Crawford. Twists and turns abound in a story full of clever lines and poignant observations.
Oh, and Joan Crawford steals the show, by the way, in one of her best roles! She’s bitchy, she’s smart, she’s gorgeous, she’s amazing.
The fashion show scene is in mesmerizing color.
“He almost stood me up for his wife!”
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News
Top 10 of 2002 Update
- Posted by
- a.k.a. Gon
- News date
- Sunday, February 23, 2003
Here’s our current top 10:
- Catch Me If You Can
- Frida
- Adaptation.
- The Hours
- Y Tu Mamá También
- Gangs of New York
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- Road to Perdition
- Spider-Man
- Minority Report
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Groucho wrote at 2/23/2003 10:57:37 PM:
Oh damn it! So now I feel guilty! Morris, you shoulda voted higher for '8 Mile', man! Look what you've done!!!LOL, just trying to share the guilt ;)
Morris wrote at 2/23/2003 11:06:11 PM:
Mmmh, I still feel worse about "Signs", lol.By the way, this is exciting!!!
Coffee wrote at 2/27/2003 6:43:02 AM:
Well, after finally seeing Catch Me If You Can two days ago I'll have to go along with you. I'd place it at the top but maybe not in the first spot (tough choice there as usual). I'm just happy that by now I've actually seen most of the films... except LOTR that is :-( Morris wrote at 3/1/2003 12:56:03 PM:
Well, Groucho and I have just seen "Chicago", so we'll see how that affects the list. Everything keeps moving as we continued to watch all the important movies of the year. Oh, and Cornelius, I can't wait to hear what you thought of "LOTR 2"! Groucho wrote at 3/1/2003 1:17:53 PM:
Move out, 'cause the jazz is coming!!!! :D Jacinda wrote at 3/1/2003 8:27:58 PM:
Now he's exposed us.. we must be the only people on planet Earth who haven't seen LOTR 2 yet.. I feel so bad about it.. I wanted this to be soo special and I was looking forward to seeing it in my favorite theater all year. They were renovating the theater and didn't finish in time so we would have to go to a fucking multiplex with no atmosphere. So we waited for our trip to Berlin to see it in a veery nice theater but it was used for the film festival. When we got back home, we tried the multiplex but it was filled with jerks throwing popcorn - so we left before the movie. Ugh.. it's a long journey to the perfect LOTR experience. We're still trying.. :) Sorry had to tell the story..BTW, still interested in our Top of 2002 lists? ;) I can send them over again..
Groucho wrote at 3/1/2003 8:32:54 PM:
You may be the only two people who haven't seen it, but I may be one of the very few to tell you this: The movie is not a big deal AT ALL! It's good of course, but nothing compared to the MANY awesome movies from 2002. You should see it, but don't even feel anxious, it might disappoint you! (Then again, it might not!). Gon wrote at 3/1/2003 8:34:42 PM:
Jacinda,As I told you when you sent me the lists, I highly appreciate them and would love to add them to the overall top 10. Nothing like four voters instead of two. Unfortunately, as I pointed out, there are movies in your lists that neither Groucho nor Morris have seen, 'cause they haven't had access to them, thus the films can't be added to the overall list. I know you'll think I'm looking for excuses to get you and Coffee back (boy, would that be awesome!) but if you would be willing to write reviews for the movies that haven't been reviewed, then of course we would change the list. So, what'll it be??
Gon
Morris wrote at 3/2/2003 6:36:39 PM:
Don't listen to Groucho folks, "LOTR 2" is AMAZING!!!LOL.
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News
Box Office Results
- Posted by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- News date
- Sunday, February 23, 2003
- Daredevil
- $18.9M, $70.3M total - Old School
- $17.5M, $17.5M total - How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
- $11.8M, $64.9M total - The Jungle Book 2 - $8.6M, $25.1M total
- Chicago - $8.5M, $94.3M total
- The Life of David Gale - $7.1M, $7.1M total
- Shanghai Knights - $6.4M, $44.4M total
- Gods and Generals - $4.7M, $4.7M total
- Dark Blue - $3.7M, $3.7M total
- The Recruit - $3.5M, $44.4M total
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News
Back to Normal
- Posted by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- News date
- Friday, February 21, 2003
The Life of David Gale - Alan Parker directs Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet and Laura Linney in this thriller involving Death Penalty. Somehow it seems to me we've seen this movie before (True Crime anyone?) although this time it's with a different twist. Apparently that's not enough, since the movie is getting scathing reviews. That's disappointing considering the talent involved.
Gods and Generals - Those of you out there who couldn't wait for a prequel to Gettysburg do not dispere. Here it comes with most of the original cast (Jeff Daniels, Bill Campbell) and lots of historial events to tell. Critics mostly agree that the movie is sleep-inducing, yet it's also spectacular and well-mounted.
Dark Blue - Kurt Russell returns in full force by starring as a detective living in a world of corruption and racism. His performance is generating kudos, but the movie is not convincing critics as a whole.
Old School - Suprisingly generating the best reviews this weekend is a movie starring Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson and Vince Caugh as three guys who want to relive their early days of glory at college. The movie is said to be funny and not as raunchy as most teen comedies out there. Sounds good to me!
Four movies for your enjoyment. Go out and have fun!!!
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Review
Hannah and Her Sisters
- Director
- Woody Allen
- Year
- 1986
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- Review date
- Thursday, February 20, 2003
Our story begins at a Thanksgiving party Hannah (Mia Farrow) is throwing. She is a good-natured woman who easily stands as the pivot of the family. Hannah is married to Elliot (Michael Caine), who happens to have a crush on Lee (Barbara Hershey), one of his wife’s sisters. The other one, Holly (Diane Weist) is a rather extravagant woman who wants to become a writer. Then there’s Mickey (Woody Allen), Hannah’s ex-husband, who is going through some crisis of his own.
Hannah and Her Sisters is a lot of things. You could say the movie is divided between two storylines. The first one involves, no pun intended, Hannah and her sisters. Writer/Director Woody Allen entangles a web of love, relationships and human feelings that rings as true as anything he’s done in his career. I especially found Elliot’s character the most intriguing, as his feelings ring the truest. You understand what the guy is feeling because he’s a full-fleshed human being with common needs easy to identify with. Lee also makes for an extraordinary character, and the relationship between this two holds the movie together.
There’s also Hannah and Holly, who have a special relationship of their own that is not always on the peaceful side yet it never ceases to impress because of the way they’re both so honest and true to themselves, not always thinking the same, but attached by something greater.
The second storyline involves Mickey and his misadventures which are more on the funny side. Woody Allen plays his character mostly for laughs and he gets them, giving the movie a weird light-weight tone that always comes off from nowhere.
As always in the director’s movies, the performances he gets from his actors are outstanding. This time it’s Caine, Hershey and Weist who steal the spotlight. Also watch out for Maureen O’Sullivan and Max Von Sydow in brief, but great roles.
An adult movie worth remembering.
“You gonna start knockin’ my hobbies?”
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Review
About a Boy
- Director
- Chris Weitz
- Paul Weitz
- Year
- 2002
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- Review date
- Wednesday, February 19, 2003
The previous paragraph is of course intended to capture how Will feels, or how he wants to believe he feels, or how he wants the world to believe that he feels, or… You get the idea.
When Marcus (Nicholas Hoult) comes into Will’s life, it all change. This is a 12-year-old boy whose suicidal mother is driving him mad, plus he’s so weird that he’s unpopular at school and has no friends at all.
A series of unpleasant misadventures take Will and Marcus into the same path. Will is not willing to become anything else than an island, but as circumstance dictates, Marcus influences his life in ways that he never expected, and a change begins to happen. Marcus’ existence is affected also. No clichés though…
In fact, this story so much lacks clichés that it’s even unsettling and absolutely unpredictable. That’s not merely a bad thing, on the contrary, it’s good, only that the story is not always interesting. The process has a lot of heart and sophisticated comedy, and the characters of Will and Marcus are not the most appealing but still they’re irresistible in many ways.
Personally I didn’t love the process of the movie because I wanted to believe the way Will lived in the beginning was the most convenient way to live life. Thus I suffered along with him as life presented him options that he didn’t necessarily like but had no more choice than to take. The ending made up for that though, and the trip had been worthwhile. I evolved along with Will.
I really liked the way the script (by the directors and Peter Hedges, based on a novel by Nick Hornby) presents us the story, with Will and Marcus narrating it at times, always with the point of view of their characters at the present scene. Some scenes are riotous, and some are quite dramatic. Check out Toni Collette as Marcus’ mom: she’s outstanding. Grant also shines in one of his best roles to date.
Great music by Badly Drawn Boy wraps all up appropriately. All in all, this is one worth watching!
“I am an island. I am bloody Ibiza!”
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Morris wrote at 2/19/2003 4:42:06 PM:
You've going some great points, my friend. Toni Collette is definitely oustanding, and there are a lot of riotous scenes. Hugh Grant manages to create one of the more memorable characters of his career.Then again... not enough for me. I rated the movie just like you, but somehow the feeling I had after watching it was not the most joyous one. The movie is good, but it didn't get to my heart, so to speak. I never really liked the kid character. For me he was mosty an annoying kid with a bad hair cut. Not always, but mostly. And then there's the "musical" ending, which only works if you've really fallen in love with the characters because it's really cheesy. And well, it didn't cut it for me.
All in all, as you say, a good movie, just not a favorite of mine. :)
Jacinda wrote at 3/1/2003 8:23:37 PM:
I love this movie.. maybe because I had read the book before so I did know what to expect. Too bad they didn't include the Kurt Cobain story in the movie though. I really could relate to that time.. *sigh* Groucho wrote at 3/1/2003 8:38:16 PM:
Jacinda, tell us more about the Kurt Cobain story! I'm intrigued, how was it included in the novel???
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Review
Catch Me If You Can
- Director
- Steven Spielberg
- Year
- 2002
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- Review date
- Tuesday, February 18, 2003
Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) always worshipped his father (Christopher Walken), even when the latter had trouble with the IRS and was forced to take his family to a dusty apartment which didn’t resemble the fancy upbringing they were familiar with. That strong family basis became apparent throughout his life as he was deeply affected by his parents’ divorce yet he never lost hope about a reunion between the two. As a teenager, Frank developed a hobby that would make him a rich man: falsify checks. While FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) kept chasing him, Frank successfully took the identity of a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer, all before he was 21. This is a true story.
Catch Me If You Can is one of Spielberg’s best movies, period. In a career that has seen the director tackle all sorts of themes, this movie stands out because it’s so different yet so expertly done. There are several layers that can be found here, one of which is a Spielberg trademark: family values. Frank is a guy that always had a strong connection with his father. Everything he does, everything he thinks, is always about his father. Frank never lets go of that bond that haunts him for the rest of his life, that affects him. He watches as his father becomes this person he never wanted him to become, while he seems to have success in what he does. Yet life starts to separate them more and more, and that’s how Frank starts seeing in Carl Hanratty some kind of a fatherly figure. A strange bond starts to grow between the two of them as they battle their own demons.
Did I say the movie is also a lot of fun? Spielberg pays so much attention to detail that he perfectly knows how to play with the era in which the movie takes place: the 60’s. Frank’s life is a continuous adventure, whether it’s tackling different professions or romancing women wherever he goes. He even has time to establish a serious relationship with a nurse (Amy Adams) that shows more of his tender side. It’s a cat-and-mouse game in which the audience comes off as the winner.
The acting in this movie couldn’t be better. Leonardo DiCaprio excels like no other actor of his generation. He’s got the charisma, the good looks, the acting chops and the cool factor all to his side. He is the man. But then there is Christopher Walken, who delivers one of the most stirring performances of the year in an against-type role. Hanks, Adams and Jennifer Garner in a small appearance also leave a strong impression.
Last but not least I want to highlight John William’s superb jazz-inspired score. It suits the movie to perfection, specially during the winning opening credits.
I just felt like watching the movie again!
“Sometimes it’s easier to live the lie.”
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News
Top 10 of 2002 Update
- Posted by
- a.k.a. Gon
- News date
- Tuesday, February 18, 2003
- Catch Me If You Can
- Frida
- Y Tu Mamá También
- The Hours
- Gangs of New York
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- Spider-Man
- Road to Perdition
- Minority Report
- 8 Mile
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Morris wrote at 2/18/2003 7:31:22 PM:
It feels terrible that a movie I love "Signs" had to leave the top10 because of me and my even greater love for another movie ("The Hours"). It's like thinking that Salma put Meryl Streep out of this year's Best Actress race. Meryl is just so good, but Salma has her place well-earned. That's how I feel. Groucho wrote at 2/18/2003 8:26:45 PM:
I know what you feel Moe. Well, no I don't, 'cause I'm glad 'Signs' is out!!Just kidding... But yeah, sometimes it sucks when it's your own fault that a movie you like has to leave the list. Anyway, I think the list is shaping up just good, huh? I'm loving the way our top 10 is getting to look. And to think there are so many changes to come! Let's just hope it's ready before the Oscar ceremony...
Groucho wrote at 2/18/2003 8:31:15 PM:
I just realized this: Neither of us have voted for 'Chicago', 'The Pianist', 'Adaptation' and others. That means that if we don't disagree with the whole world, at least three movies will be kicked out of the list because of them. Those would be '8 Mile', 'Minority Report', 'Road to Perdition' and more, probably! Prepare to feel guilty, friend!!! Morris wrote at 2/19/2003 4:40:20 PM:
DAMN!New comments are temporarily disabled
News
Box Office Results
- Posted by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- News date
- Monday, February 17, 2003
Meanwhile movies with Oscar nominations got a boost from last Tuesday's announcement and previous holders continued to perform well. A good weekend overall!
- Daredevil - $43.5M, $43.5M total
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days - $19M, $47.7M total
- Chicago - $12.9M, $81M total
- The Jungle Book 2 - $11.9M, $11.9M total
- Shanghai Knights - $11.4M, $34.6M total
- The Recruit - $6.8M, $38.8M total
- Final Destination 2 - $6.2M, $36.1M total
- Deliver Us from Eva - $4.3M, $12.2M total
- Kangaroo Jack
- $4M, $57.9M total - About Schmidt
- $3.5M, $53M total
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News
Valentine's Day Weekend
- Posted by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- News date
- Friday, February 14, 2003
Daredevil - Ben Affleck puts on the leather suit to become blind superhero Daredevil. He's accompanied by Jennifer Garner, Michael Clarke Duncan, Colin Farrell and many others. Reviews are generally mixed, ranging from good to simply terrible. At least it looks visually interesting!
The Jungle Book 2 - The beloved Disney movie gets a sequel that isn't getting too many love letters either. Kids will like it though.
Have fun!
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Review
S1m0ne
- Director
- Andrew Niccol
- Year
- 2002
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- Review date
- Thursday, February 13, 2003
Viktor Taransky (Al Pacino) is a Hollywood director in trouble when his leading lady (Winona Ryder) quits before finishing his latest movie. But that’s just the latest of a series of missteps in the guy’s career, so the head of the studio (Catherine Keener), who also happens to be his ex-wife, is forced to end his contract. His bad luck ends when a man inherits him his latest creation: Simone (Rachel Roberts), a virtual actress that astonishingly resembles a real human and who quickly becomes a worldwide sensation.
Andrew Niccol, the director of Gattaca and writer of The Truman Show (1998), is the man behind Simone, a movie that reminded me a lot of the aforementioned movies. Not only does it share some of their visual style (which is fantastic), but some ideas from those also resonate in this story.
Movies about Hollywood are nothing new in this town, but once in a while one or two appear that are able to bring a fresh and different spin to the formula. The story of Simone has never been told before, but then again, it isn’t as much the story of the girl as it is the director’s. The movie tells the story of how Viktor faces the success of his latest creation and how it slowly starts to take him over. It’s a story about how Hollywood creates its stars and how it keeps them alive in a town that has short memory and always forgives. It’s also the story of the public’s fascination to larger than life figures.
These themes resonate even more in a time when Hollywood is starting to create more and more computer-generated characters. We’re not that far away from creating realistic human characters with the technology available. The issue is in the air and it will get even more controversial. Will we be able to accept these computer-generated characters? Will they eventually replace real actors? How far will this go?
The movie boasts great performances, especially from Al Pacino and Rachel Roberts, a luminous star on her own. It also has an intelligent script worth savoring and a really great score courtesy of Carter Burwell.
Don’t believe the hype, Simone is definitely worth a look.
“No Viktor. She made YOU.”
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Comments
Groucho wrote at 3/9/2003 10:50:48 PM:
I owe it to you man, you recommended it and I saw it... and how I suffered! Nothing personal buddy, I just feel like blaming somebody, lol.I really hated the film. Nothing about it seemed right. To begin with, it was always so fake, and I don't mean about Simone herself, I mean that was probably the most credible thing, but everything around seemed very ficticious, I simply couldn't go with the fantasy.
The performance of Pacino was over-the-top quite often, and I mean it in a bad way, and the story took paths that it couldn't afford, and then it became overlong, and it simply dunked. I hated it. Too bad for Andrew Niccol! Ironic how Pacino's character couldn't make good movies after making some fine ones. I still have faith in Niccol though, at least as a scriptwriter.
Morris wrote at 3/9/2003 11:21:59 PM:
Oh pal, that's so bad, but I guess you should've been warned by that first paragraph of my review: everyone hated the movie and for me it was more of a guilty pleasure, lol. Still, too bad you hated it THAT much. I kinda' liked it! Groucho wrote at 3/9/2003 11:24:31 PM:
I knew it anyway, but still I was curious and I thought "Morris liked it, so why not?". Obviously my appreciation didn't change because of that. Plus, I had the pleasure to watch Evan Rachel Wood, though she was still a kid in this movie! Guess it was shot years ago or something.New comments are temporarily disabled
Review
The Fly
- Director
- Kurt Neumann
- Year
- 1958
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- Review date
- Wednesday, February 12, 2003
Wonderful sci-fi saga of a man who goes so far in his experiments, that he destroys more than himself. No much can be spoiled of this movie after decades of its release and even a famous 80s sequel, but still I won’t say that much. You should know however, that there is a mingle of atoms going on here, those of a man and those of a fly. The result is a man-fly and a fly-man, separated after an exchange of parts of their bodies. That’s a genius premise, not because the story works better because of that, but because it makes up for one of the chilliest scenes in history of cinema: the white-headed fly trapped in a spider-web. The experiments of Andre Delambre (David Hedison) sure are outrageous, and were probably impossible to believe for the audiences back then, but today, they are more believable, thus the movie works differently (and somewhat better) for audiences today. Otherwise, the story works conventionally but fine, with Owens convincing first as a loyal wife to the end, then as an obsessed widow. Price is good support as the good-willing brother-in-law.
By the way, what’s with all the names and those mannerisms and words every now and then? Is the story set on France? Why is that? (No complaint, pure curiosity).
“Help me! HELP ME!!”
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Review
8 Mile
- Director
- Curtis Hanson
- Year
- 2002
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- Review date
- Tuesday, February 11, 2003
Jimmy “Rabbit” Smith (Eminem) lives in Detroit, his hometown, where he just broke up with his girlfriend (Taryn Manning). He works at a nearby factory with no future. As a matter of fact he is a struggling artist who has the rare gift of being excellent with words, a talent he uses to create rap music. His friend Future (Mekhi Phifer) directs a competition held every week that involves two guys facing each other for 45 seconds and insulting themselves using rap as a device. But B-Rabbit doesn’t find it easy while trying to prove himself in a world ruled by African-Americans, where battles between gangs take center stage and where you can trust no one. To make matters worse, his mother (Kim Basinger) cares a lot more about her ridiculous romance to a younger lad instead of taking good care of B-Rabbit’s little sister. Things might change when he meets a beautiful woman (Brittany Murphy) with whom he forms a relationship.
8 Mile is not a movie based on a true story, as the filmmakers have so passionately insisted, but it certainly can’t escape feeling autobiographical. Whatever the case, Curtis Hanson’s movie can stand on its own as a work of art of its own. The story is good and the script is well written. And there’s no question Eminem succeeds in making the leap from music to the big screen.
There’s a lot of things I liked about the movie and a couple of stuff I didn’t. To start with the good I have to mention the battles that take place throughout the movie. Not only the battles themselves, but every time anyone starts singing and making rhymes the movie suddenly wakes up and becomes exhilarating. I also liked the story with Brittany Murphy’s character, which is touching and rough at the same time. We never know if B-Rabbit and her are attracted because they’re supposed to and because there’s nothing exciting in their lives other than to be around each other, or because they really feel something for each other. And let’s not forget every scene between Eminem, his mother and his little sister. Good stuff.
On the other hand there were times when I felt the movie was too monotonous for its own good. Sure, these guys’ lives are monotonous, but that doesn’t mean the movie has to become slow or repetitive to show that. If you look closely, the story goes as follows: B-Rabbit goes to work, B-Rabbit hangs out with friends, B-Rabbit and his friends get into a fight, B-Rabbit goes home and has a confrontation with his mother. And this format keeps repeating itself all over again and again.
Good thing the characters are very interesting to hang around for two hours. Eminem shows impressive charisma in his first break as a lead in a movie. I don’t know if he really is a good actor, because in some ways he’s playing himself here. I think it’s a case of the right person in the right role in the right movie at the right moment. But that’s good to me, because he’s excellent.
But as good as Eminem is, I think it is the ladies that steal the movie from him. I’m referring especially to Kim Basinger, who is starting to look her age while still being as gorgeous as ever. She should only do movies with Curstin Hanson, because the guy knows what to do with her. Brittany Murphy is also exceptional and very sexy, I must say. Really good work.
Rodrigo Prieto’s cinematography and Eminem’s original score only add to the fun. I must also say I loved the utterly realistic ending, especially when “Lose Yourself” started to play. What a moment!
“Here. Tell these people something they don’t know about me.”
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News
Oscar Nominees 2003
- Posted by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- News date
- Tuesday, February 11, 2003
Best motion picture of the year
Chicago (Miramax)
A Producer Circle Co., Zadan/Meron Production
Martin Richards, Producer
Gangs of New York (Miramax)
An Alberto Grimaldi Production
Alberto Grimaldi and Harvey Weinstein, Producers
The Hours (Paramount and Miramax)
A Scott Rudin/Robert Fox Production
Scott Rudin and Robert Fox, Producers
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (New Line)
A New Line Cinema and Wingnut Films
Production
Barrie M. Osborne, Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson, Producers
"The Pianist" (Focus Features)
An R.P. Productions, Heritage Films, Studio Babelsberg, Runtime LTD. Production
Achievement in directing
Chicago (Miramax) Rob Marshall
Gangs of New York (Miramax) Martin Scorsese
The Hours (Paramount and Miramax) Stephen Daldry
"The Pianist" (Focus Features) Roman Polanski
Talk to Her (Sony Pictures Classics) Pedro Almodóvar
Screenplay based on material previously produced or published
About a Boy (Universal) Screenplay by Peter Hedges and Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz
Adaptation. (Sony Pictures Releasing) Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman
Chicago (Miramax) Screenplay by Bill Condon
The Hours (Paramount and Miramax) Screenplay by David Hare
"The Pianist" (Focus Features) Screenplay by Ronald Harwood
Screenplay written directly for the screen
"Far from Heaven" (Focus Features) Written by Todd Haynes
Gangs of New York (Miramax) Screenplay by Jay Cocks and Steve Zaillian and Kenneth Lonergan
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (IFC/Gold Circle Films) Written by Nia Vardalos
Talk to Her (Sony Pictures Classics) Written by Pedro Almodóvar
Y Tu Mamá También (IFC Films) Written by Carlos Cuarón and Alfonso Cuarón
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Adrien Brody in "The Pianist" (Focus Features)
Nicolas Cage in Adaptation. (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Michael Caine in "The Quiet American" (Miramax and Intermedia)
Daniel Day-Lewis in Gangs of New York (Miramax)
Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt (New Line)
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Chris Cooper in Adaptation. (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Ed Harris in The Hours (Paramount and Miramax)
Paul Newman in Road to Perdition (DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox)
John C. Reilly in Chicago (Miramax)
Christopher Walken in Catch Me If You Can (DreamWorks)
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Salma Hayek in Frida (Miramax)
Nicole Kidman in The Hours (Paramount and Miramax)
Diane Lane in Unfaithful (20th Century Fox)
Julianne Moore in "Far From Heaven" (Focus Features)
Renee Zellweger in Chicago (Miramax)
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Kathy Bates in About Schmidt (New Line)
Julianne Moore in The Hours (Paramount and Miramax)
Queen Latifah in Chicago (Miramax)
Meryl Streep in Adaptation. (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Catherine Zeta-Jones in Chicago (Miramax)
Best animated feature film of the year
Ice Age (20th Century Fox)
Lilo & Stitch (Buena Vista)
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (DreamWorks)
"Spirited Away" (Buena Vista)
Treasure Planet (Buena Vista)
Achievement in art direction
Chicago (Miramax) Art Direction: John Myhre
Set Decoration: Gord Sim
Frida (Miramax) Art Direction: Felipe Fernandez del Paso
Set Decoration: Hannia Robledo
Gangs of New York (Miramax) Art Direction: Dante Ferretti
Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Art Direction: Grant Major
(New Line) Set Decoration: Dan Hennah and Alan Lee
Road to Perdition Art Direction: Dennis Gassner
(DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox) Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh
Achievement in cinematography
Chicago (Miramax) Dion Beebe
"Far from Heaven" (Focus Features) Edward Lachman
Gangs of New York (Miramax) Michael Ballhaus
"The Pianist" (Focus Features) Pawel Edelman
Road to Perdition Conrad L. Hall
(DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox)
Achievement in costume design
Chicago (Miramax) Colleen Atwood
Frida (Miramax) Julie Weiss
Gangs of New York (Miramax) Sandy Powell
The Hours (Paramount and Miramax) Ann Roth
"The Pianist" (Focus Features) Anna Sheppard
Best documentary feature
"Bowling for Columbine" (United Artists and Alliance Atlantis)
Michael Moore and Michael Donovan
"Daughter from Danang" (Balcony Releasing in association with Cowboy Pictures)
Gail Dolgin and Vincente Franco
"Prisoner of Paradise" (Alliance Atlantis)
Malcolm Clarke and Stuart Sender
"Spellbound" (THINKFilm)
Malcolm Clarke and Stuart Sender
"Winged Migration" (Sony Pictures Classics)
Jacques Perrin
Best documentary short subject
"The Collector of Bedford Street"
An Alice Elliott Production
Alice Elliott
"Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks"
A Tell the Truth Pictures Production
Robert Hudson and Bobby Houston
"Twin Towers"
A Wolf Films/Shape Pictures/Universal/Mopo Entertainment Production
Bill Guttentag and Robert David Port
"Why Can't We Be a Family Again?"
A Public Policy Production
Roger Weisberg and Murray Nossel
Achievement in film editing
Chicago (Miramax) Martin Walsh
Gangs of New York (Miramax) Thelma Schoonmaker
The Hours (Paramount and Miramax) Peter Boyle
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (New Line) Michael Horton
"The Pianist" (Focus Features) Hervé de Luze
Best foreign language film of the year
The Crime of Father Amaro
An Alameda Films/BluFilms/Foprocine/Gob. del Estado de Veracruz-Llave Production
Mexico
"Hero"
A Beijing New Picture Film Company/Elite Group Enterprises Production
People's Republic of China
"The Man without a Past"
A Sputnik Oy/Pandora Film/Pyramide Prods. Production
Finland
"Nowhere in Africa"
An MTM Medien & Television München Production
Germany
"Zus & Zo"
A Filmprodukties de Luwte Production
The Netherlands
Achievement in makeup
Frida (Miramax) John Jackson and Beatrice De Alba
The Time Machine (DreamWorks and Warner Bros.) John M. Elliott, Jr. and Barbara Lorenz
Achievement in music in connection with motion pictures (Original score)
Catch Me If You Can (DreamWorks) John Williams
"Far from Heaven" (Focus Features) Elmer Bernstein
Frida (Miramax) Elliot Goldenthal
The Hours (Paramount and Miramax) Philip Glass
Road to Perdition Thomas Newman
(DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox)
Achievement in music in connection with motion pictures (Original song)
"Burn It Blue" from Frida (Miramax)
Music by Elliot Goldenthal
Lyric by Julie Taymor
"Father and Daughter" from The Wild Thornberrys Movie
(Paramount and Nickelodeon Movies)
Music and Lyric by Paul Simon
"The Hands That Built America" from Gangs of New York (Miramax)
Music and Lyric by Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen
"I Move On" from Chicago (Miramax)
Music by John Kander
Lyric by Fred Ebb
"Lose Yourself" from 8 Mile (Universal)
Music by Eminem, Jeff Bass and Luis Resto
Lyric by Eminem
Best animated short film
"The Cathedral"
A Platige Image Production
Tomek Baginski
"The ChubbChubbs!" (Columbia)
A Sony Pictures Imageworks Production
Eric Armstrong
"Das Rad"
A Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg GmbH Production
Chris Stenner and Heidi Wittlinger
"Mike's New Car" (Buena Vista)
A Pixar Animation Studios Production
Pete Docter and Roger Gould
"Mt. Head"
A Yamamura Animation Production
Koji Yamamura
Best live action short film
"Fait D'Hiver"
An Another Dimension of an Idea Production
Dirk Beliën and Anja Daelemans
"I'll Wait for the Next One… (J'Attendrai Le Suivant…)"
A La Boîte Production
Philippe Orreindy and Thomas Gaudin
"Inja (Dog)"
An Australian Film TV & Radio School (AFTRS) Production
Steven Pasvolsky and Joe Weatherstone
"Johnny Flynton"
A Red Corner Production
Lexi Alexander and Alexander Buono
"This Charming Man (Der Er En Yndig Mand)"
An M&M Productions for Novellefilm Production
Martin Strange-Hansen and Mie Andreasen
Achievement in sound
Chicago (Miramax) Michael Minkler, Dominick Tavella and David Lee
Gangs of New York (Miramax) Tom Fleischman, Eugene Gearty and Ivan Sharrock
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Christopher Boyes, Michael Semanick,
(New Line) Michael Hedges and Hammond Peek
Road to Perdition Scott Millan, Bob Beemer and
(DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox) John Patrick Pritchet
Spider-Man (Sony Pictures Releasing) Kevin O'Connell, Greg P. Russell and Ed Novick
Achievement in sound editing
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Ethan Van der Ryn and Michael Hopkins
(New Line)
Minority Report (20th Century Fox and DreamWorks) Richard Hymns and Gary Rydstrom
Road to Perdition Scott A. Hecker
(DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox)
Achievement in visual effects
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Jim Rygiel, Joe Letteri, Randall William Cook
(New Line) and Alex Funke
Spider-Man (Sony Pictures Releasing) John Dykstra, Scott Stokdyk, Anthony LaMolinara and John Frazier
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones Rob Coleman, Pablo Helman, John Knoll and
(20th Century Fox) Ben Snow
Tally:
Chicago - 13
Gangs of New York - 10
The Hours - 9
"The Pianist" - 7
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - 6
Road to Perdition - 6
Frida - 6
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Related: Chicago (2002)
Comments
Morris wrote at 2/11/2003 10:45:14 PM:
I am so excited about this year's Oscar nominees. I've only seen two of the five Best Picture contenders. I loved one and half-liked another, but if you look close at the number of nominations you'll realize both "Frida" and "Road to Perdition" were the two movies with the most nominations that didn't get Best Picture. Who cares? Both movies are great, and I just can't be more excited about "Frida". It's a rare feeling of relief and happiness at the same time. Seeing Salma Hayek on that list, wow, wow, it's too much, it's surreal, and it's happening.From now on, please, it's "Academy Award Nominee Salma Hayek". Thank you.
As for other categories, I'm thrilled to see Eminem out there, also Nicolas Cage, all the "Frida" nominations, the Best Actress category (which is filled of a who's who of my favorite actresses), "The Two Towers" as Best Picture (although it clearly underperformed overall), Thomas Newman (who delivered his best score since "American Beauty"), Conrad L. Hall, John Williams, thrilled about the general feel of support to Spanish-speaking people and movies.
And I'm sad for Alfred Molina, Dennis Quaid and Michelle Pfeiffer. Can't have it all. :(
Anyway, this is a time to enjoy!
Groucho wrote at 2/12/2003 11:50:33 AM:
I'm also very happy, like I hadn't been in quite a while concerning these Awards. This is a good year for me, I'm truly getting along with contemporary films!New comments are temporarily disabled
Review
Gangs of New York
- Director
- Martin Scorsese
- Year
- 2002
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- Review date
- Monday, February 10, 2003
That’s all I’ll say about the story. Did you notice how I gave you a general overview of the background first and then I told you some details of the movie’s particular story? Well, don’t take that for the way the movie works. In fact, it does revolve around that story, but while telling it, it digs into such subjects as politics (with Jim Broadbent as a corrupt politician), treason of principles (with John C. Reilly and others as Irish who now belong to the gang of the Natives) and revolution. In a time of Civil War, echoes of it affect every place in the Nation, and even big deals like the one told in this movie, and briefly retold in the first paragraph of my review, mean nothing when compared to the big deal of a whole Nation rising against abuse, racism and poverty. How the little story unfolds into the big one is a beautiful and grand achievement by Martin Scorsese, and all those involved in this amazing, sense-numbing production.
Daniel Day-Lewis is absolutely perfect and unforgettable as a man who never feels that he’s doing wrong, for his principles are well established. His performance is breath-taking for he really transmits the belief and creates a conflict, though it is clear that he’s very wrong in many aspects. Hopefully, many viewers will understand the importance of the metaphor this movie brings to the way of things today. A great cast works around Day-Lewis, with DiCaprio solid in the lead, Diaz and Henry Thomas great in young support, Broadbent, Reilly and Brendan Gleeson excellent as well. Notice Martin Scorsese as the rich man in the house where Diaz “turtle doves”.
As for the technical achievements, there are not enough words. The realism of it all not only is due to the hard work of elaborating a perfect recreation of a particular time and place, but to the dedication of making it real, not only by computer, but brick by brick, giving the audience a true feeling of time-traveling. We’re there, and we can touch every wall, and every knife can hurt us too. The edition by Thelma Schoonmaker, cinematography by Michael Ballhaus and especially the art direction and set decoration are excellent. All tuned to the music of Howard Shore (original score) and Peter Gabriel, which fits to perfection. This is a true epic and all the people who worked at it deserve applause.
If anything, overlength wounds this haunting movie. I truly can’t think of anything else.
“He was the only man I ever killed worth remembering.”
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Other reviews of Gangs of New York (2002): Morris
Comments
Morris wrote at 2/11/2003 10:54:19 PM:
Interesting how we both perceived this movie so differently. I will definitely give it a second look soon, but only because of its pedigree and its amount of Oscar noms. To me it was a disappointment, but I'm glad you saw more to it than I did. Cool! New comments are temporarily disabled
News
2003 Razzie Nominations
- Posted by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- News date
- Monday, February 10, 2003
The Golden Raspberry Award Foundation presents the 23rd Annual Razzie Awards Dis-Honoring Worst Achievements in Film for 2002.
(#) Indicates Former RAZZIE® Winner or Nominee
WORST PICTURE:
The Adventures of Pluto Nash (Warner Bros.)
Crossroads (Paramount)
Roberto Benigni’s Pinocchio (Miramax)
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (Fox/Lucasfilm)
SWEPT AWAY (Screen Gems)
WORST ACTOR:
Roberto Benigni (Dubbed GODZILLA-Style by Breckin Meyer) Pinocchio *#
Adriano Giannini/SWEPT AWAY
Eddie Murphy/The Adventures of Pluto Nash, I Spy and Showtime#
Steven Segal/Half Past Dead#
Adam Sandler/ADAM SANDLER’S 8 Crazy Nights and Mr. Deeds#
WORST ACTRESS:
Angelina Jolie/Life or Something Like It*#
Jennifer Lopez/Enough and Maid in Manhattan#
Madonna/SWEPT AWAY#
Winona Ryder/Mr. Deeds*
Britney Spears/Crossroads
WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Hayden Christensen/STAR WARS/EPISODE II: YADA-YADA-YODA
Tom Green/Stealing Harvard#
Freddie Prinze, Jr./ Scooby Doo
Christopher Walken/The Country Bears*
Robin Williams/Death to Smoochy*
WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Lara Flynn Boyle/Men In Black II
Bo Derek/The Master of Disguise#
Madonna/Die Another Day#
Natalie Portman/STAR WARS: EPISODE…WHO CARES?#
Rebecca Ramijn-Stamos/Rollerball
MOST FLATULENT TEEN-TARGETED MOVIE (New Category!)
ADAM SANDLER’S 8 Crazy Nights (Sony/Columbia)
Crossroads (Paramount)
Jackass: The Movie (Paramount)
Scooby Doo (Warner Bros.)
XXX (Sony/Revolution)
WORST SCREEN COUPLE:
Adriano Giannini & Madonna#/SWEPT AWAY
Roberto Benigni* & Nicoletta Braschi / Benigni’s Pinocchio
Hayden Christensen & Natalie Portman#
STAR WARS/EPISODE II: SEND IN THE CLONES
Eddie Murphy# & EITHER Robert deNiro# (Showtime) Owen Wilson (I Spy)
or Himself Cloned (The Adventures of Pluto Nash)
Britney Spears & Whatever-His-Name-Was/Crossroads
WORST DIRECTOR:
Roberto Benigni/Pinocchio *
Tamra Davis/Crossroads
George Lucas/STAR WARS/EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE GROANS *
Guy Ritchie/SWEPT AWAY
Ron Underwood/The Adventures of Pluto Nash
WORST REMAKE or SEQUEL:
I Spy (Sony/Columbia)
Mr. Deeds (Columbia/New Line)
Roberto Benigni’s Pinocchio (Miramax)
STAR WARS/EPISODE II: WHAT-EVER (20th Century-Fox)
SWEPT AWAY (Screen Gems)
WORST SCREENPLAY:
The Adventures of Pluto Nash, Written by Neil Cuthbert
Crossroads, Screenplay by Shonda Rhimes
Roberto Benigni’s Pinocchio, Screenplay by
Vincenzo Cerami and Roberto Benigni*
STAR WARS: EPISODE II: THE BOREDOM CONTINUES,
Screenplay by George Lucas* and Jonathon Hales
SWEPT AWAY. Screenplay by Guy Ritchie
WORST ‘ORIGINAL’ SONG
“Die Another Day” from Die Another Day, written by
Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzai
“I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman” from Crossroads,
Written by Max Martin, “Rami” & Dido Armstrong
“Overprotected” from Crossroads,
Written by Max Martin and “Rami”
Tally:
Crossroads – 8 Nominations
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and SWEPT AWAY – 7 Nominations Each
Roberto Benigni’s Pinocchio – 6 Nominations
The Adventures of Pluto Nash – 5 Nominations
Mr. Deeds and I Spy – 3 Nominations Each
Die Another Day and Showtime – 2 Nominations Each
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Box Office Results
- Posted by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- News date
- Monday, February 10, 2003
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days - $24.1M, $24.1M total
- Shanghai Knights - $19.8M, $19.8M total
- Chicago - $10.7M, $63.7M total
- The Recruit - $9.5M, $30M total
- Final Destination 2 - $8.7M, $28.1M total
- Deliver Us from Eva - $7.1M, $7.1M total
- Kangaroo Jack - $5.9M, $52.8M total
- Biker Boyz - $4M, $15.8M total
- Darkness Falls - $3.8M, $26.8M total
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - $3.4M, $320M total
Morris is back from his vacation so he’ll be back at this reports starting next Weekend. But stay tuned, because tomorrow, it’s Oscar nominations time!!
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Shanghai Dates
- Posted by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- News date
- Friday, February 07, 2003
Shanghai Knights - This is the true headliner, starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson, in what seems to be a great action film with lots of good comedy.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days - This comedy starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McCounaghey dating each other for bets is getting a disastrous response from critics, but you’ve got the final word.
Deliver Us From Eva - This one has a similar plot to the last one, but seems to be better. Starring LL Cool J and Gabrielle Union.
See you later then, have a good time at the movies!
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Top 10 of 2002 Update
- Posted by
- a.k.a. Gon
- News date
- Friday, February 07, 2003
Our current top 10 is as follows:
- Catch Me If You Can
- Frida
- Y Tu Mamá También
- Gangs of New York
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- Spider-Man
- Road to Perdition
- Minority Report
- 8 Mile
- Signs
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Review
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- Director
- Peter Jackson
- Year
- 2002
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- Review date
- Thursday, February 06, 2003
The story continues as Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) head to Mordor to destroy the Ring. In their way they are suddenly attacked by the creature Gollum (Andy Serkis), who doesn’t give up on his quest to get the Ring back, yet finds himself serving Frodo and Sam and guiding them through those tumultuous landscapes. Meanwhile Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) manage to escape from those who held them captive and end up in the land of Treebeard (voice of John Rhys Davies), whom they try to convince to go to war against Saruman (Christopher Lee). Of course Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gimli (John Rhys Davies) don’t know they’re safe, so they continue to look for them while getting immersed in the land of Rohan, where Saruman has laid his hands and whose people he plans to attack at Helm’s Deep.
As you can see from the plot description, The Two Towers is actually a movie with three different storylines. Thus that’s the way I want to approach this review, because each deserves to be criticized individually.
The most interesting and effective of the three subplots is the one with Frodo, Sam and Gollum. Much has been said about the landmark that is the character of Gollum. Well, everything you’ve heard is true. The work done with this character is breathtaking, not only in characterization (in large part due to the extraordinary work of Andy Serkis), but also in the way the character feels so alive, both in the way it looks and in the way it behaves. I also found it terribly interesting how Frodo is becoming weaker by the minute and if it weren’t for good-natured Sam he would probably not survive much of what he has to go through. Sam’s speech at the end of the movie is one of many highlights of this character, which I loved to see get more developed.
The second most interesting story is the one with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, as they help the people of Rohan to fight against the forces of Saruman. A love triangle is formed between Aragorn, Arwen (Liv Tyler) and Eowyn (Miranda Otto), the King’s (Bernard Hill) niece that is both touching and full of tension. It could be said that the entire movie builds up for the final hour, in which the battle of Helm’s Deep takes place. Well, I don’t have the words to describe the magnificence of it all. To say it’s huge is an understatement, the battle is colossal! The sheer scope of it should earn Peter Jackson as many awards as possible, because it never ceases to be exciting, impressive and entertaining. A feast for the senses.
The weakest storyline belongs to Merry, Pippin and Treebeard, as their scenes usually slow down an otherwise fast-paced movie. Then again, the last half-hour of that story totally redeems its earlier moments, as the Ents make their appearance and take center stage in astonishing fashion.
Kudos to the entire cast for delivering great performances; to Howard Shore, who offers a variation of his already excellent score; and to Peter Jackson, who is the man responsible for such a spectacle.
I wish second parts were always as good as this one.
“There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for.”
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Writers Guild of America Nominations 2003
- Posted by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- News date
- Thursday, February 06, 2003
Original Screenplay
Antwone Fisher, Written by Antwone Fisher; Fox Searchlight
Bowling for Columbine, Written by Michael Moore; United Artists/Alliance
Atlantis/Salter Street Films/Dog Eat Dog Films
Far From Heaven, Written by Todd Haynes; Focus Features
Gangs of New York, Screenplay by Jay Cocks and Steven Zaillian and Kenneth Lonergan, Story by Jay Cocks; Miramax Films
My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Written by Nia Vardalos; Gold Circle Films/HBO/MPH
Entertainment/Playtone
Adapted Screenplay
About a Boy, Screenplay by Peter Hedges and Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz, based on the novel by Nick Hornby; Universal Pictures/Studio Canal/Working Title Films/Tribeca Productions
About Schmidt, Screenplay by Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor, based on the novel by Louis Begley; New Line Cinema
Adaptation., Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman, based on the book The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean; Columbia Pictures
Chicago, Screenplay by Bill Condon, based on the musical play, book by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb and the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins; Miramax Films
The Hours, Screenplay by David Hare, based on the novel by Michael Cunningham; Paramount Pictures/Miramax Films
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Review
The Night of the Hunter
- Director
- Charles Laughton
- Year
- 1955
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- Review date
- Wednesday, February 05, 2003
Suspenseful—at times terrifying—thriller filled with sparks of pure innocence and pure hypocrisy, and the ultimate good and evil inside us, is benefited especially by Mitchum in a haunting performance as the psycho, as well as Lillian Gish in a memorable appearance as a matron who protects homeless kids. Her lines of wisdom make the trip not only pleasant but also redeeming. The ending is heart-breaking.
Laughton’s only film as director is presented quite plainly, but effectively staged and acted. The result is a great film!
“They abide and they endure.”
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Review
Gangs of New York
- Director
- Martin Scorsese
- Year
- 2002
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- Review date
- Tuesday, February 04, 2003
It’s New York circa 1846. A Civil War between the natives and the Dead Rabbits gang is about to take place. Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis) leads the natives’ group, while the Priest (Liam Neeson) is the main guy behind the revolution as his counterpart. When the latter is killed his son witnesses the scene and is deported from the city. Years later Amsterdam (Leonardo DiCaprio) returns for revenge and finds a city in decay, where surviving is the main activity and where he meets Jenny (Cameron Diaz), a beautiful thief who also gets involved in his plans.
Let me tell you without exaggeration that watching Gangs of New York was one of the most frustrating experiences of my life. I mean, it’s a movie, I know, but I live for movies, and so does Martin Scorsese, who has been developing this project for over 20 years. Whatever happened to the guy I don’t know, but the truth is the movie had the potential to be much more. I loved the actors, the setting, the period, the story, the costumes, the photography, and yet there is something missing here. The movie never soars. It is an epic in the truest sense of the word yet it never gives itself the opportunity to reach grandness.
The movie starts and those first 20 minutes are jaw-droppingly good. The first battle, the conversation between Priest and his son, the music, the way it’s shot, it’s brilliant. But from then on the movie goes down. There are individual scenes that work expertly, most of which involve Bill the Butcher, although the first scenes showing the sexual tension between Amsterdam and Jenny are also a joy to behold. But this is one of those movies where the bits work better than the whole. It’s not like we really care for Amsterdam. Jenny slowly becomes only a plot device that doesn’t serve the story in any way. Only Bill the Butcher develops into a far more interesting character than he was in the beginning. Just watch the scene in which he tells Amsterdam about the only honorable man he ever killed.
So what’s the common denominator? This movie works because there’s one character and one performance that elevates it from becoming a worse mess than it already is. As a matter of fact, all the characters of Bill the Butcher’s generation are equally interesting, and John C. Reilly, Brendan Gleeson and Liam Neeson do a magnificent job in their roles. Then again, it is Daniel Day-Lewis who steals the movie and gets away with it. He embodies his character with such gusto and fervor that he disappears into it. Truly amazing work.
Not to say Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz and even Henry Thomas are bad. They’re good, but they don’t have as much to do with their roles as their older companions. And then there’s Howard Shore’s score, which is nothing truly remarkable.
All in all, the movie is good, but not great. It’s spectacular at times but boring at others. It’s rousing and lackluster at the same time. It also has a poignant ending that resonates today more than it would have before. It’s just that it must’ve slipped from Scorsese’s hands at the last moment…
“Each of the five points is a finger. When I close my hand it becomes a fist.”
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Other reviews of Gangs of New York (2002): Groucho
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Morris wrote at 2/18/2003 7:34:03 PM:
You know, I watched "Gangs" again this weekend and it was a completely different experience than the first time. It wasn't "frustrating" anymore because I knew what to expect, and I was able to enjoy it a lot more. I still think it's a deeply flawed movie and I stand behind all of my review's comments. Then again, I'm not as angry at Scorsese as I used to be. Do I think he deserves to win the Best Director Oscar? Definitely not. But if he does I won't mind. After all he's made a good epic spectacular movie that is a little rough around the edges. If anything, Scorses deserves some kind of accolade or mention for his extraordinary work regarding details. If you watch the background there's always something happening in every scene that is true to the period in which it takes place. It's actually really intresting.
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Review
8 Mile
- Director
- Curtis Hanson
- Year
- 2002
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- Review date
- Monday, February 03, 2003
8 Mile is many things: it’s a semi-autobiographical scope at Eminem’s career (in a much minor scale), but it’s also an analysis of racism, fight and more than anything, reality, where what seems the biggest triumph probably means nothing, and vice versa. Rabbit’s fight for respect can be felt deep inside, as he struggles to be somebody in a world where he’s hardly welcome. This film is also a musical in its way, and every scene with rap songs is amazing. The truth is, if you have heard the original song “Lose Yourself” many times before watching the film, it works even better, but still, it’s amazing how good it all works; what about that scene where the guy’s composing the aforementioned song? A bang! This film is also about battles, and those with words are hardly seen in cinema, and a bliss if done right. It has a kind of Rocky feeling, but in many ways it’s just the opposite. I’d say, the unredeeming factors of this film, which leave some viewers cold and frustrated, are exactly this piece’s greatest virtue: what’s the point of telling a happy tale with a happy ending, when all you wanna do is show reality as it is?
Aside from the story, which is great for me (and I include dialogues and situations in that, which are honest and feel real all the time), the film’s technical aspects are great, namely Rodrigo Prieto’s astounding cinematography, and of course Curtis Hanson’s direction, which is magnificent. Whoever is responsible for the whole atmosphere deserves an applause, as does Eminem for his original score.
The performances deserve their own paragraph, with Murphy showing once again what she’s made of, Basinger bravely playing a pathetic woman, and Phifer honestly playing a man who holds with guts the small candle of hope that’s left. Eminem, however, is the greatest standout and biggest surprise, playing a role not unlike himself so honestly, so bravely and so touchingly, that he deserves standing ovation. Even his shady past can be forgotten when seeing him play this character like he does. No way this struggle is not what he’s gone through in real life. Shows us how things are not always what they seem.
“Do you ever wonder at what point you got to stop living up here, and start living down here?”
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Morris wrote at 2/3/2003 6:42:45 AM:
Wow! Great review pal! I see you are quite passionate about this movie. My review is coming soon so you can all see what I thought, but I must say the movie is good and I must say Eminem is fantastic. He rules!!! (and no, I'm not an angry teenager who sees him as an idol). Great job all around.New comments are temporarily disabled
News
Box Office Results
- Posted by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- News date
- Monday, February 03, 2003
- The Recruit - $16.5M, $16.5M total
- Final Destination 2 - $16.2M, $16.2M total
- Biker Boyz - $10.1M, $10.1M total
- Kangaroo Jack - $9M, $45.8M total
- Darkness Falls - $7.5M, $22.2M total
- Chicago - $7.1M, $50.7M total
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - $5M, $315M total
- Just Married - $4.9M, $49.8M total
- Catch Me If You Can
- $4.8M, $151M total - About Schmidt - $4.7M, $44.3M total
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Jacinda wrote at 2/27/2003 4:05:57 PM:
I trust your judgement, Morris! Now I'm glad I didn't spend 10 euro on this movie at the Berlin Film Festival. We were close to seeing it, but somehow I wasn't THAT interested. Lucky me.. Too bad for the excellent actors involved in this project :(