j_kurzyn Reviews

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Fantastic But Tough to Watch

[10/10 · 22 October 2023]

Ignore the reviews that complain about overacting and length. These reviewers don't understand character development and the pacing that is involved because of it.

The direction is stellar and the sparse use of music and score add to the drama. It doesn't give the audience an escape.

Some may find the lack of comeuppance disarming as it doesn't resolve the conflict but I feel that's the point. There was never really a coda to the story which makes this all the more brutal. You can tell Scorese put a lot of thought and emotion into this.

It's really unclear what DiCaprio's true motives are for his character. I particularly enjoyed the radio play at the end as an interesting choice to lighten the load. There could have been more to the epilogue. 10 out of 10 for sure. Go see it!

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

Better Than Typical Nolan Fare!

[10/10 · 21 July 2023]

Not your typical Nolan pic but that's a good thing.

Beautifully acted and shot. Fantastically expansive and engaging. Saw it in IMAX though it was not necessary. Wonderfully cinematic score. Love the use of percussion.

Highly recommended for history, cinephiles, and Nolan fans. I predict accolades all around and if this doesn't sweep awards season I would be SHOCKED.

Fun fact, no CGI. Everything is practical affects. The film is long (3 hours) so choose your breaks in the first hour.

Wonderfully surprised by the political story as well. I had no idea. Nolan did a great job of making him human and not judging.

The Little Mermaid (I) (2023)

Don't Believe the Haters

[8/10 · 8 July 2023]

Truly, this is a good movie. In comparison to other live action Disney remakes, this is by far the best. Halle Bailey brings a vulnerability that is exquisite and her vocal chops are great.

The added songs are meh. I wish they have given Ursula all of her song and used some additional songs from the Broadway production.

I'm not a fan of the naturalistic CGI in this context and I think Rob Marshall could have adapted Les Poissons without Sebastain. The live settings are great and I especially enjoyed the Queen's performance. She reminded me of Lynn Thigpen from Carmen Sandiego. Overall an enjoyable fill and I would recommend it.

Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai (2022– )

Very Satisfying for Fans

[10/10 · 23 May 2023]

As a huge Gremlin fan ever since I was a kid ( I had the novel and the story records), this series strikes a wonderful balance between expanding on the lore while paying fan service. The callbacks to the first two films are copious. I really enjoyed all the references and the actor doing Gizmo hits it on the head! I was a little worried this would have been dumbed down but I found myself invested about 2 minutes in. The animation is beautiful. I just wished they dropped all 10 at once.

Hopefully this will get the VIPs motivated to continue to expand the universe with another live action film (no CGI) or a live action series (again, no CGI please).

Dear Evan Hansen (2021)

Don't Mind the Haters

[8/10 · 27 September 2021]

I was prepared to hate this but I was pleasantly surprised.

Fans of the show I think will like it and those who had not seen the stage production (like me) will enjoy it.

I wish the producers recorded all of the songs and released them as bonus content. I did miss "Anybody Have A Map."

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

This is a strong recommendation.

[10/10 · 22 December 2007]

Wow!!

What I think is most amazing about this movie is that it successfully uses all sorts of great contemporary artistic minds to produce one fine product. You have a commercial celebrity directed by an off-beat, visual genius, singing one of the greatest scores off all times. I love how the fluffy pop-culture types will be exposed to Stephen Sondheim and I love how the stuffy snobs will notice how fantastic Johnny Depp is. I think that's why Tim Burton made such a fine director: he was the most appropriate bridge between these two worlds as he himself straddles both the avant-garde and commercial worlds. Accessibility.

Before starting on my review, I believe one needs to have an open mind and appreciation for (or better yet understanding of) musical theatre, melodrama, and old film noir/horror films and actors. This movie does not cater to the brutish. I don't mean this to sound elitist but the level of art going on here (visual, acting, music) is significant and requires participation by the audience. If you're passive you won't enjoy it.

I won't bore with a synopsis as everyone knows it already so I'll focus on a few points:

I will say that Depp makes the Sondheim anti-hero his own and provides a stellar, introverted interpretation that really delves into the emotional complexity of the character. His performance helps to articulate the kind of severe tragedy this "penny dreadful" is all about. He is truly a chameleon. A pillar to which all commercial, Hollywood actors should rise: a STRONG character actor who takes risk and has broad appeal.

The other performers were great if not all obvious casting choices. Remember, this is a film interpretation of the stage musical not a filmed version of the musical. The fact that Sondheim blessed every decision of this put all of my worries to ease.

The opening credit sequence underscored by "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" was excellent even if it was overly digitized. I thought this framed the film well and provided an appropriate prologue. You knew exactly what the film was about before the first words were uttered. It also shows how cinematic Sondheim's music can be. Many people believe that Sondheim's music is "married" to his lyrics and that they can't be separated. While I believe the former, this proves the later false and amazingly so!!!

I thought that Burton did an excellent job in directing the film. He is truly one of the finest American directors. He made this play his own. This wasn't arbitrary. I love BURTON!!

I thought screenwriter John Logan did an AMAZING job in condensing the source material. Even with the song cuts (as above), he allows the functions of these songs to be expressed in other ways so the story and motivation is clear.

I was so surprised and impressed by this movie. I was initially hesitant given the cast and Depp's pop voice but this movie was absolutely phenomenal! This film accomplished a lot and proved to be an excellent collaboration of great artistic minds specifically Burton, Sondheim, Depp and Logan.

Honestly, please see this film. It will thrill you!

Naked Boys Singing! (2007)

Fair Screen Adaptation of a Fun Show

[5/10 · 15 October 2007]

Before starting I should say that I saw the original show in NYC in 2001 and enjoyed it. What made the stage show unique is that it provided quality musical theatre by nude actors, LIVE. The live quality gets the show a long way. Seeing it on film (with popcorn) is sort of odd.

I saw the film as part of the 2007 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and was surprised to find it to be a filmed version of the live show, taped in LA. The beginning of the film shows the cast members flaunting into the theatre while casually shedding their clothes in preparation for the show. Besides these and a few other cinematic flourishes, the movie version offers little new content or perspective. A treat for fans of the show are new arrangements, orchestrations, and musical settings of the familiar songs. (For example, the song "Nothing But The Radio On" is turned country.) What frustrated me most about the movie was the quality of the movie itself. This is a GREAT show and for posterity sake deserved a great adaptation. The film makers obviously hadn't have experience in filming a live performance. The production quality was more pornographic. The editing was choppy and the pre-recorded vocals were way too loud. The "special effects" were akin to those made by a novice film maker, fresh out of high school.

While the live show may be hard to see for some (especially in rural areas) the film can act as an acceptable substitute (like "Puppetry of the Penis). Most folks will go for the camp and penises. I just wish they were shown it in a prettier frame.

The Stepford Wives (2004)

The Trailer Makes A Better Experience

[4/10 · 8 June 2004]

Ever since having found out about this film, I've been eagerly anticipating its arrival, probably more so then any other film in a long while. The cast alone was enough to send shivers down my spine. Such campy ensembles have been devoid from cinema for awhile since Mars Attacks. Having not seen the original, my knowledge of the film was limited to the seductive teasers and trailers of the re-make and the word of mouth of others familiar with the original story. I was fortunate enough to view a preview screening this week and with the start of the opening credits and Danny Elfmanesque score (is nothing sacred?), I must say, I was engaged. On further noting Frank Oz and Paul Rudnick's collaboration, I was indeed expecting great things. To my chagrin, I was let down.

Without sounding pessimistic and spoiling, for all the "hits" this re-make succeeds, they do not compensate for the misses. Camp and fun are one thing but, the necessary flow and logic (in expositional arc, that is) were just too terribly vacant. It was fun though to see the great cast together in all of its kooky glory and Rudnick successfully created a subtext that echoed the dark themes of misogyny. His comment on gay marriage was also appreciated but seemed a little forced and out of place. I do feel, that this would have made a great musical! A Tim Burton take would also have been cool. Overall, however, one might forgive the creators for their folly and take heart in the heart of the film, however lukewarm.