What Makes a Good Movie
Although there has been a number of critics lamenting the number of of good movies that have come out over the the last few of years, and the focus has been on the incredible amount of rehashed duds that have been produced, there have also been some real gems, worthy of praise, some that have received little or no billing in the press or through word of mouth; the latter, in my opinion, the best measuring stick on which to make a decision on wheather or not to watch a particular movie.
One of my favorite movies of the last couple of years has been, "The Illusionist" starring Edward Norton. I never saw it on the big screen, but several friends told me that it was a must see. I came away very impressed with the story and the characters. The movie has an ending that cannot even be imagined. It reminds me a bit of "The Usual Suspects" in that regard.
"Vanilla Sky" is another movie that I had heard about, but the title threw me off. I couldn't get a grasp on what the movie could be about and I was too lazy to investigate. "Vanilla Sky" stars a very convincing Tom Cruise. Cruise if often thought as a movie star rather than an actor, but in this movie, he really shows his chops. It's a skilled portrayal of a man with wit, looks, charm and money, who finds that a significant personal tradgedy nullifies those things he has used to coast through life with and causes him to re-align himself with what was, at the expense of his soul. Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz are also featured. Excellent all the way around.
I'm glad "The Departed" won best picture and best director for Scorsese. It's plain and simply riviting to watch beginning to end. It's as good as "Goodfellas" a movie I thought could not be equaled in this genre. I saw it twice in a week, something I rarely do, and would have no problem seeing it again. It's a movie that will go down as one of the best crime/police/gangster dramas ever filmed. A contemporary classic.
Other great movies that I've seen and have enjoyed the last year or two were: "The Shooter" with Mark Walberg, "Blood Diamond" with Leonardo Decaprio and "Troy" with Brad Pitt.
On the subject of movies, the two worst movies ever made include, "The Alamo" (the new version with Billy Bob Thorton) one of the most poorly edited, over directed, boring movies every put to the big screen. At one point I started gauging out my eyes, thinking I'd rather be blind then subject myself to another minute of this excuse for a movie. The other, and the only movie I have ever walked out of in my life, was "1969" with Bruce Dern and Robert Downey Jr. What a miserable experience. It was more predictable than the after affects of drinking a bottle of laxitives. What was everybody thinking? I mean everybody, ever the set designer. I hardly recommend it.
One of my favorite movies of the last couple of years has been, "The Illusionist" starring Edward Norton. I never saw it on the big screen, but several friends told me that it was a must see. I came away very impressed with the story and the characters. The movie has an ending that cannot even be imagined. It reminds me a bit of "The Usual Suspects" in that regard.
"Vanilla Sky" is another movie that I had heard about, but the title threw me off. I couldn't get a grasp on what the movie could be about and I was too lazy to investigate. "Vanilla Sky" stars a very convincing Tom Cruise. Cruise if often thought as a movie star rather than an actor, but in this movie, he really shows his chops. It's a skilled portrayal of a man with wit, looks, charm and money, who finds that a significant personal tradgedy nullifies those things he has used to coast through life with and causes him to re-align himself with what was, at the expense of his soul. Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz are also featured. Excellent all the way around.
I'm glad "The Departed" won best picture and best director for Scorsese. It's plain and simply riviting to watch beginning to end. It's as good as "Goodfellas" a movie I thought could not be equaled in this genre. I saw it twice in a week, something I rarely do, and would have no problem seeing it again. It's a movie that will go down as one of the best crime/police/gangster dramas ever filmed. A contemporary classic.
Other great movies that I've seen and have enjoyed the last year or two were: "The Shooter" with Mark Walberg, "Blood Diamond" with Leonardo Decaprio and "Troy" with Brad Pitt.
On the subject of movies, the two worst movies ever made include, "The Alamo" (the new version with Billy Bob Thorton) one of the most poorly edited, over directed, boring movies every put to the big screen. At one point I started gauging out my eyes, thinking I'd rather be blind then subject myself to another minute of this excuse for a movie. The other, and the only movie I have ever walked out of in my life, was "1969" with Bruce Dern and Robert Downey Jr. What a miserable experience. It was more predictable than the after affects of drinking a bottle of laxitives. What was everybody thinking? I mean everybody, ever the set designer. I hardly recommend it.
posted by Luciano at 3:12 PM
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