ursalaryan Reviews

Agora (2009)

Terrific

[10/10 · 7 June 2010]

I loved this film, it had the perfect balance of drama and intellectualism that stimulates the brain and made you look into your surroundings to see how relevant the things that were in the movie are today concerning religious zealots and the dangers of the mob mentality. Rachel Weisz was stunning as Hypatia, a woman a head of her time and her dilemma was felt heavily though out the movie with her sharp mind and great heart. The sets were amazing and the crisp cinematography was something to behold. Alejandro Amenábar really creates an setting of tension and despair once everything hits the fan and Weisz and her costars really come up to the plate and deliver. See this film in a theater if you can catch it.

My Blueberry Nights (2007)

A noble yet pretty bad effort by Kar Wai Wong

[3/10 · 21 May 2007]

I just got back from the Cannes film festival and I have to say that the negative reviews for this film are spot on. I think Kar Wai Wong is a fine director but he bit off more than he can chew with this film. The screenplay does not feel natural and while I love Nora Jones as a singer, she's not an actress and it's painfully obvious when you see this film. The best performances in the movie belong to the more deserving supporting actors in the film, mainly Rachel Weisz, David Strathairn and Natalie Portman who bring more to the film in acting than it deserves. The film has two major problems going for it, one is the script which does have one decent segment involving a cop (David Strathairn) and his wife (Rachel Weisz) but that's really a testament on how good both Weisz and Strathairn are as actors because they draw you into their character's lives and makes you feel for them but unfortunately the script derail their efforts in bringing more to their roles. Natalie Portman is great as well but she has even less of a story to work with and not a very convincing one at that. Poor Nora Jones is pretty but basically vapid in her role. She tries but lacks the presence to pull the character off. She's supposed to be the viewer's anchor but just ends up more of a piece of scenery than a character.

All and All a noble yet pretty bad effort by Kar Wai Wong

Van Helsing (2004)

The Mummy films are masterpieces compared to this crappy film.

[30 October 2004]

I enjoyed both the Mummy films because you knew exactly what they were and they did not take themselves too seriously. Not to mention then fact that the actors in those movies knew how to act and there was an actually plot to follow. Van Helsing is one huge crappy film that not only does not have a plot but also has lousy acting to boot. Huge Jackman gives the best performance in this film but that's not a complement considering the fact that this is his worse performance. Kate Beckinsale can't act to save her own life, and Richard Roxburgh literally kills the image of Dracula with a really bad performance that makes George Hamillton's version of Dracula from the movie 'Love at First Bite' look scarier.

All of this falls directly on the shoulders of Stephen Sommers who literally kills any excitement or suspends with way over the top special effects that have no rhythm or substances what so ever.

Save your money and rent the Mummy films instead of this.

Mystic River (2003)

Clint Eastwood's best film Since Unforgiven

[10/10 · 11 November 2003]

Mystic River is a real though provoking film that not only sheds light on the nature of revenge and grief, but shows the aftermath of both with a sharp poignancy that is heartbreaking and haunting. This is Clint Eastwoods best movie since Unforgiven, and his most powerful. Sean Penn is amazing, and if he does not get an Oscar nomination for his gut retching role, then there is something wrong in this world. Kudos To Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburn, Tim Robbins and for great supporting roles and you have one of the best movies of the year.

Elf (2003)

Fun for the whole family.

[8/10 · 11 November 2003]

Elf is a fun family movie that the entire family could really go do. Will Ferrell is great as the oversize elf who looks for the family he never knew and like all Xmas comedies, trouble always follows. James Caan also gives a good performance as well as Ed Asner and Bob Newhert. Take your kids and have a good time.