Change Your Image
rbanerji
Reviews
Munich (2005)
Apologist garbage
MUNICH is Steven Spielberg's film about the alleged squad of deep cover Mossad agents sent out by Golda Meir and Israel to assassinate 11 people believed to be behind the Black September Hostage crisis at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Either all the reviewers who saw this movie saw a different cut of it than I did, or they are simply drawing conclusions that are neither argued by the film nor realized by the main character.
This is one of the most boring and disappointing movies of Spielberg's that I have seen in recent years. And that is after THE TERMINAL and WAR OF THE WORLDS.
However, because of the wretchedness of the script and general waste of the actors (who all attempt to elevate the awful material) it is apparent that this is one of Director of Photography Janusz Kaminski's finest works.
The use of "70s" styles in zoom, color palette, movement are combined skillfully with more modern techniques. However, all this is in service of an apologist diatribe about why Israel should behave like animals because they're "enemy" is willing to sink lower. However, the film instead ended up being proof positive regarding the "righteousness" of the Israeli revenge.
Not a good movie. Not worth seeing. Shameful, really.
The Girl Next Door (2004)
"almost good enough to be made in the 80's"
That's a compliment folks. I've been waiting for this director to make his debut and it is a smart one. It's nice to see Elisha Cuthbert act. Her role was quite surprising, because, honestly, I didn't think she was hot enough to convince me she was a porn star. But more surprising was Emile Hirsch, who I genuinely enjoyed seeing as the main character. Unlike other movies I've seen recently (THE PERFECT SCORE, to be exact), Mr. Hirsch is actually quite interesting as the main character, which only serves to make his cohorts and supporting actors more interesting.
All in all, an excellent film, for what it is, a teen comedy that's not holding back from situations that any teen comedy should be gunning for. I'm happy somebody made one.
Infinity (1996)
Very Disappointing
I'm at odds with this film. I first launched myself into physics because of the books that feynman wrote (well, spoke) and i received the full set of the feynman lectures before i started college.
Matthew Broderick has always been one of my favorite actors. I liked his nerdiness and i could relate. So he was one of my reasons for deciding to branch off from physics and start a film career.
In the end, though, i see why i always have a little regret for not sticking with physics. Film could never fully realize what it means to be in love with science. I understand that Feynman loved his wife, but he loved everything, that's what made her so important, he could never tire of learning to look. just like her.
But this film really doesn't get that across. Plus, instead of relying on smart direction and good editing they give the game away in the opening titles, which are ridiculously lame.
**SPOILER** (please it's a real story go read the book)
The intercut to the parallel line of the Trinity test explosion is a neat idea, but ultimately poorly executed and timed. But i see where they were going. But they missed it. Because the explosion for feynman is when he sees the dress, not when she dies. remember that great advice, you can call it whatever you want in a thousand languages but that doesn't mean you know it. When feynman sees the dress, he *knows* what it means for arlene to die. He can't share with her anymore, that is what her death *is*. and that should have been the point. you've got to learn what a thing is before you can tell someone else. Feynman was a great man, but he had his flaws. However, the number of people he has influenced is incredible. And i'm glad that somebody made a film about him. However, Feynman's clipped style of speech, what made him so unique and distinct, is not available to the viewer and it cheapens it.
I'm sorry to say that i did not like this film. In fact, it made me a little angry to watch it and see my hero stripped of his unique story.
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Very happy to see that filmmaking is still alive...
I must say that i enjoyed this movie immensely. I saw it in a local theatre crammed with enthusiastic people and i went with a few kubrick critics. They remarked on the lighting, cinematography, the acting, and the dialogue. But as i watched i found that it was interesting to watch, a fascinating film. Colors dominate the scenes, the stop down camera work, the over bright shots. The plot was just downright weird.
Bill (cruise), a doctor, and Alice (kidman), a former art gallery curator (?), Harford live in New York and have a kid. They appear to be pretty good at this. Then they go to a party and their perceptions regarding their relationship and love are tested when Alice reveals an encounter (purely non physical) to her husband. This leads Bill on an odyssey of self discovery (haha couldn't help it). But in the end, well you just have to see it.
i had a great time, i enjoyed the story, kubrick made this real interesting. If you liked clockwork you will probably enjoy this, of course that's just my opinion. The acting is really quite good, however, some of the dialogue was a bit repetitive (literally). The movie is a bit long but that was easily the fastest 159 minutes of my life and Eyes Wide Shut has a lot in it so pay attention...thanks.
NOTE: There is a digitally altered scene in the movie to prevent US audiences from seeing graphic material, the UK and other country versions do NOT contain these alterations.
The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)
Engaging film but ending is odd...
I thought this movie was fabulously done. The movement between the two plotlines really kind of scared me at first, like my dad had switched the video's or something. But then slowly, the contrasts between the two plots and the visual movement started to mix nicely. Like Maltin said, jarring, at first. But I think that the ending was a little weird, but chalked up to the time the film was made. Hey, we can't all have movies get up to speed just by watching them now.
thanks