jordathan Reviews

Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

Surprising in the Most Delightful Way

[8/10 · 22 November 2013]

i attended a pre-screening of "Saving Mr. Banks" last night in Dallas. while i had been looking forward to the film, i had my reservations. after all, Johnny Hancock (director) was behind "The Blind Side," which i found much too schmaltzy and watered-down for my taste. also, this was a movie about Walt Disney being produced by his company - so how honest would it be about the story behind the making of the masterpiece "Mary Poppins"? would it settle for predictable mellow-drama (yes, i meant to spell it that way) and glorify dear Uncle Walt as perfect and demonize Mrs. Travers as a cold, soulless spoilsport? thankfully, the answer to that is a resounding "no."

while it surely takes artistic license with history, the film as a whole is surprisingly great. there's not a weak moment throughout, not a second where i wasn't entertained and wanting to find out what would come next. this film (rated PG-13) surprises with many of the thematic issues it tackles, including alcoholism, loss - and we even get a brief glimpse of a smoking Mr. Disney (hey, it was the 60s).

Emma Thompson has always been a strong performer though her screen time has waned over the last decade and a half, but here she gives a performance that is worthy of awards attention. As Mrs. P.L. Travers, she is an author as protective as her life's work as a mother is for a child and is dealing with demons nearly forgotten. Mr. Hanks too carries his own playing the iconic and visionary Disney at the top of his game, trying to honor a promise to his daughters while also add to his impressive repertoire of cinematic achievements.

this is not really a film to take your Poppins-loving tykes to. this is the Disney film for mom and dad to enjoy. "Saving Mr. Banks" will probably be remembered as one of the best films of 2013, and for good reason.

The Iron Lady (2011)

an un-biopic

[8/10 · 21 May 2012]

"The Iron Lady" is an unconventional biopic, and it's hard to describe why until you see it for yourself. just know that if you go into it expecting something along the lines of a traditional true story profile of a famous individual, you will be disappointed.

for example, little time is given to Lady Thatcher's first elected position as MP for Finchley and almost as little time is devoted to the process of her actually becoming PM.

the film focuses primarily on the thoughts of an aging Lady Thatcher, and so the flashbacks on much more episodic than what is usually expected in this type of picture.

but Meryl Streep provides all the quality the film needs (not to mention the outstanding makeup work), and more than makes the film worth watching. Jim Broadbent is fantastic (as always) as Lady Thatcher's late husband Denis, but not let's kid ourselves that this is anything but Meryl's show.

My Week with Marilyn (2011)

Scintillating

[9/10 · 18 November 2011]

some reviewers on here have complained about this not being a biopic of Marilyn Monroe. of course it's not. it's called "My Week With Marilyn," not "My Life With Marilyn." so get over it.

that being said, this film was so much better than i had expected it to be. i expected a Michelle Williams showcase, but the film entire is top-notch. the entire cast is fantastic, the direction by Mr. Curtis is superb (i don't expect him to get awards or anything, but for a first feature, it was incredible), and the screenplay manages some keen observations on the nature of celebrity obsession, the art of acting, and depression.

it is too bad Mr. Branaugh will not be getting much awards buzz for this film - i found him fantastic as Sir Lawrence Olivier and he had some fine moments. but, of course, the show really belongs to Ms. Williams, who completely disappears into Marilyn and brings an authentic tenderness to the icon. one moment, you'll be basking in her glow, the next moment, your heart will be breaking.

easily one of the best films of the year.

Babies (2010)

baby, oh, babies

[7/10 · 5 May 2010]

I just got back from a screening of this documentary that examines (sans narrative, thankfully) the first year of four babies, one from mongolia, one from tokyo, one from namibia, and one from san francisco, more accurately representing the world population than if it were four western babies.

though the film as it stands is worth watching and is an entertaining piece of cinema, it never quite reaches the moment it seems to want to build towards: the humanity of all people. it settles instead for being a cute, fluff piece for the audience to coo over with numerous "oohs" and "awwws."

don't get me wrong, though-the babies themselves are great, and watching their different personalities operating in different cultures is the driving force of the film. it's a very watchable film, just not as poignant as it could (or maybe should) have been.

Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)

Not his best...

[7/10 · 10 October 2009]

i have never been a fan of Michael Moore...but i have always been a fan of Michael Moore films.

Bowling for Columbine continues to move me no matter how many times i see it, and i LOVED Sicko all the way through and even convinced my super-conservative dad to watch it (he liked it). but there was just something lacking in his newest doc scrutinizing the current state of the economy, the banking industry, and the economic system that is to "blame" for bringing it all about.

the problem with this film that the talented Mr. Moore doesn't have in his other films is that it lacks FOCUS. the segments are delivered messily and it just doesn't seem to flow well, and the entire movie felt an hour longer than it actually is (at least to me).

not that the film is awful. far from it. Moore continues to make us think and asks good questions as he does in all his films. but i just expect a lot more from him. maybe i went in with too high of expectations. oh well.

Julie & Julia (2009)

"Bon Apetit!"

[8/10 · 10 July 2009]

i never really liked Meryl Streep that much until "Doubt" last year. and i've always been in love with Amy Adams. so when i found out the two were in yet another film together, i jumped at the chance to go to a prescreening.

i expected the film to be good, but it was even better than expected. humor was one of the driving forces of the film, but that didn't take away from some more serious moments- rather, it accentuated them and made them all the more poignant and even heartbreaking.

Ms. Streep is nothing short of perfect as cooking personality Julia Child. in fact, it may be the best performance yet i've seen from her. hilarious, lovable, passionate, and tender, she hit every note perfectly.

Ms. Adams, likewise, was superb as Julie Powell, a government worker who decided to tackle Julia Child's 500+ recipes in her groundbreaking cook book in a year's time while documenting online the whole process in a blog.

the two true stories are perfectly balanced, and the screenplay (adapted by the director Nora Ephron) strikes some wonderful parallels between the two women, and paints, or rather, cooks up two great ingredients to become one delicious dish.

there is a bit of a lag in the second half of the movie, but this is forgiven by the fact that the movie never becomes distracted from its purpose. excellent cast, fantastic story-telling, and wonderful direction. Julie & Julia will have you holding out your dish begging for more.

Away We Go (2009)

Meet the Family...

[7/10 · 27 May 2009]

i just got back from a pre-screening of this in Dallas, and i must say i really enjoyed it. it seems like the whole audience enjoyed it as well, the theatre was often filled with laughter throughout this wonderful film.

i'm a fan of Sam Mendes' work, and his work excelled here in the realm of comedy. John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph shared great chemistry as a couple expecting their first child and trying to decide where to settle down and raise their family. it's a bit of a coming-of- age story about people who should have already come-of-age, as we travel across the country along with them meeting quirky parents, friends, and old schoolmates.

it's not all laughs, though. there are plenty of serious and introspective moments and my hat is off to Ms. Rudolph, generally known for her skills in comedy, for adding fine dramatic moments to her character. in the end, this movie doesn't offer any solutions to life's quirks, but it looks at them and even celebrates them.

it's not Mendes' best film, but it's a very enjoyable film with a great cast and lots of laughs, and should appeal to a pretty wide audience. it's a breath of fresh air from all of the Hollywood flash and crap that will be slopped across theater screens this summer. go see it!

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

wonderful

[9/10 · 22 January 2009]

i saw this film before it went into limited release at a special screening with director Danny Boyle. my initial reaction to the film was that it was good, but not that great.

then, over the next couple of weeks, the memory of the film stayed with me and it continued to grow on me until i felt strongly compelled to go see it again (something i don't do often). i found myself catching so many beautiful moments the 2nd time around, and was moved to tears in several different scenes.

this is a powerful film, and don't let the more fable-like qualities of it distract you from the amazing sounds and visuals. Mr. Boyle describes this as a "love song for Mumbai," and that is exactly what it is: a love song. this film, from Mr. Boyle's delightful direction, the amazing cinematography & editing, the incredible score by R.A. Rahman, and some compelling performances by delightful unknowns Dev Patel and Frieda Pinto, is one of the best films i have ever had the pleasure of viewing.

this is, in my opinion, the best film of 2008. with drama, romance, humor, action, and lots of heart, it has something for everyone. wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. don't miss it on the big screen.

Revolutionary Road (2008)

The Best Family Film of 2008!!!

[9/10 · 31 December 2008]

wow, this movie was great!!! this movie about a young, idealistic couple living in a 50s suburban community is sure to grab hold of you! Leonardo DiCaprio is amazing (as always) playing the husband, Frank Wheeler, a man who is disgruntled with his job, but trudges on to provide for his family. sure, he's not perfect and makes mistakes along the way, but who doesn't? i truly felt for this guy as he reaches out to connect with his wife at their hardest moments.

And Kate Winslet, oh, Kate Winslet. she radiates in this movie as April Wheeler, the young wife who wants her husband to be happy while coping with her own personal issues. like her husband, she is also not perfect, but they enjoy great chemistry together on the screen! her dialog delivery is perfect, and it is hard to tear your eyes from hers, as a thousand different emotions fly through them at any given time.

Michael Shannon is also worthy of noting, playing John, a poor, disturbed man who visits the Wheelers with his realtor mother (played wonderfully by Kathy Bates), as he copes with his mental breakdown that has landed him in an asylum. his scenes are at once amusing and heartbreaking.

alright, to be serious now. Sam Mendes has yet to make a bad movie, and this one is no exception. dark? yes. depressing? yes. Revolutionary Road is paved with harsh truths and difficult moments, but it is a beautiful film. Thomas Newman's score may be the best of the year, and Kate Winslet delivers what may be the best female performance of the year. go see it with an open mind, and let it haunt you afterwards.

Seven Pounds (2008)

well, maybe 3 and a half pounds...

[5/10 · 22 December 2008]

despite lackluster reviews, i decided to go see this movie because i have always been a fan of Will Smith and love his work, especially in more dramatic roles. this is the type of movie where i have to say, it wasn't horrible, but it could have been much better.

the story is on-again-off-again, sometimes engaging and sometimes too slow. the basis of the movie is a great idea and could have evolved into a great film, but it never gets there because of a few too many "that's totally improbable" moments.

there is some good acting going on in this film. Smith, of course, it great, and is surrounded by a solid supporting cast, but the direction is too heavy-handed and the script too bumbling to carry the performances very far.

like i said, this could have been a great movie with a different director and some major screenplay revisions. but, at the same time, it still is pretty interesting and Smith is great. but for a movie striving to do so much, it achieves little in the end.

P.S. Hollywood, please stop putting pop songs as filler in movies. there are much better ways to make a scene interesting and let us know what the characters are thinking besides some crappy, over-sentimental lyrics set to guitar and piano.

Australia (2008)

I'll Sing You To Me

[8/10 · 1 December 2008]

as a fan of baz luhrman, nicole kidman, and hugh jackman, i've been expectantly waiting for this movie for a while now. i was disappointed when the initial reviews came in rather lackluster, but i was resolved to see it anyway and have no expectations.

this movie is wonderful.

the visuals are dynamic, stellar-even the obviously fake backgrounds help evoke that particular "classic" look baz was going for. the story, accused by some of being too much, in my opinion, succeeds in doing exactly what it was trying to do: be human.

the music in this film is also superb, and hugh jackman succeeds as the Drover and everyone should be enchanted by the character of Nullah, the "mixed-blood" Aborigine boy. the weakest part of the movie, i admit, is the romance plot between Kidman's Sarah and the Drover, but even that, i feel, was not terribly misguided. after all, it's hard to beat the romance baz formerly directed in moulin rouge! and romeo & juliet, so i don't think that was what he was trying to serve up as his main dish for this visual feast.

in short, go in to Australia with no expectations and with an open mind. you just might find yourself pleasantly surprised.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

This is what?

[5/10 · 1 December 2008]

i remember my excitement when i heard they were finally releasing a 4th Indiana Jones movie. i mean, they've been talking about it for as long as i can remember and now it was finally seeming to come true. i couldn't go see it while it was in theaters, which frustrated me, because i really wanted to see it, so finally i borrowed a friend's copy of the DVD to watch it.

Harrison Ford starred in this movie and everyone in the movie was calling him "Indy" or "Jones," but, as the film went on, i thought more and more to myself, "this can't really be an indiana jones movie! even though the music is the same, there's no way this can pass as an indy movie!" way too much cgi, way too ridiculous plot lines...i mean, come on! the original three all have supernatural plot lines, but except for a very few artistic moments, they never seemed ridiculous. not the case with this alleged 4th indiana jones movie.

anyway, after this way disappointing excursion, i'm going to keep waiting for them to make the REAL 4th indiana jones movie, because this must be someone's idea of a practical joke. except, without any kind of laughing.

Rachel Getting Married (2008)

Excellent

[8/10 · 26 October 2008]

I have to admit, I wasn't overly excited about seeing this movie and mostly went because my roommate talked me into it. Now, I couldn't be gladder I did so.

The acting in this movie is exceptional. When coupled with a stellar script, one gets a film full of well-defined organic, believable relationships. These are real people saying real things. No fluff, no stylized drama. Some people might complain or have a problem with the non-smooth camera work, extreme close-ups, abrupt editing, but, for me, this enhanced the real-life, gritty, down-to-earth feel of the film and made the situations all the more believable. Jonathan Demme's direction seems effortless but is effective and powerful.

I won't go into plot, but this movie is about real people, family, culture, and confronting ones demons. To struggle, to feel isolated, to desire love, to fight, to lie, to cry-these things are human, and these are the things this film deals with. Lots of memorable moments and great dialogue add up to a film that will keep you thinking long after you leave the theatre parking lot. This will be one of the best film's of the year, but will probably be under-seen.

WALL·E (2008)

Extraordinar*E

[8/10 · 30 June 2008]

i had high expectations with this film, as it is written and directed by Andrew Stanton, who helmed "Finding Nemo," my personal favorite Pixar film. i was not disappointed.

who knew an animated film with so little dialogue could keep you so engrossed in the story? you have to hand it to the guys at Pixar, they know what they're doing and they do it well. as always, they are able to imbue the least human of characters with humanity, infusing them with personality, warmth, humor, and empathy. in fact, the robots of this film may be more human than the humans.

the animation has never been better, so startling are the visuals, and Thomas Newman delivers yet another incredible score. what makes this film different than the other Pixar movies is that it doesn't only carry the usual life-lesson moral with it, but also proclaims a social message to where we are now as humans and our reliance on technology and material possessions, and our apathy towards what we are doing to the precious planet we live on.

the film only misfires a tad when the humans begin to have a bigger part of the plot, but the rest of the film is so great, it mostly makes up for this. this should easily be one of the best films of the year.

The Delta Force (1986)

Delta Force!!! Greatest Movie Everrrr!!!

[5/10 · 23 June 2008]

man, how this movie didn't win, like, 17 Oscars, i don't know. this movie has everything...except good acting, good dialog, good direction...but who needs those in a movie that has Lee Marvin and Chuck Norris starring in it!

i mean, come on, it's Delta Force! they spend the first hour and a half of the movie running away bravely whenever danger leers its head...and then they kick major terrorist butt at the end with an unnecessary and gratuitous amount of explosions! never mind the fact that any foreigner in the film has pretty much the same accent, and probably more than one of the Arabs in it are probably actually of Hispanic origin...

Delta Force...they wear their American flag patches with a ridiculous amount of pride, they use blue headlights, they drive vehicles and use equipment that magically appears out of nowhere, and somehow never get shot despite the fact that they have 5,000 rounds being shot directly at them! the main terrorists are quite possibly the worst terrorists ever...i could do a better job hijacking a plane...come on, guys. go back to jihad school. Osama is not happy with your lackluster performances...

if you're looking for a well-thought-through, inspiring film, you won't find it here. if you're looking for laughs and a good time with friends making fun of a very much B-movie...you'll have the time of your life! you'll come away humming the film's pulsing, 80's score, which repeats a good 350 times throughout the film. good times.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)

Mary Shelley is rolling in her grave...

[2/10 · 20 June 2008]

this movie is simply awful. i was forced to watch this piece of fecal matter cinema while taking an English analysis and interpretation class. we were focusing on Mary Shelley's brilliant, terrifying, and splendid novel, and our professor was introducing us to different modern interpretations.

why they called this movie "Mary Shelley's" Frankenstein, i don't know, since it veers off so wildly from the original book, it will make any literature fan's head spin. i know, even the original "Frankenstein" film wasn't close to the book at all, but at least it was done stylistically well and was merely "based" on the book rather than being touted as "the closest adaptation" of the book like this one was.

everything about this movie is bad, except the costumes and makeup. the script is awful, much of the dialogue laughable if nothing else, and even the most "interesting" scenes only inspire boredom. this film has such a great cast: de Niro, Helena Bonham Carter, Ian Holm, Tom Hulce, and director Branaugh...but all fail miserably here...mostly thanks to this monster of a script.

take my advice. stay away. read the book. the original 1818 version. rent the original James Whale masterpiece of the delightful parody "Young Frankenstein" by Mel Brooks. this creature is better left dead.

Forrest Gump (1994)

This Movie Sucks!!!

[9/10 · 11 June 2008]

just kidding. i love this movie. i mean, it makes me cry every time i see it.

Robert Zemeckis has never been better as a director. Tom Hanks has never been better as an actor. the screenplay by Eric Roth absolutely sparkles with imagination. i tried reading the novel by Winston Groom once and couldn't handle it. i thought it was pretty awful compared to the writing of the film.

a multi-generational film, it is an interesting take on the "American Dream" as we have come to know it in the past half century of American history. though 1994's Pulp Fiction is probably the better film of the two, Forrest Gump is clearly more charming and thus an undeniably worthy winner of that year's Oscar for Best Picture.

it's a known fact that the only people who don't like this movie are Osama bin Laden, Captain Hook, Cruella DeVil, and Sauron.

Chariots of Fire (1981)

an underrated masterpiece

[10/10 · 11 June 2008]

so, this may be a little biased since it is my favorite movie of all time, but...i think this movie is quite excellent.

i first saw it when i was in the eighth grade and it has been my favorite movie ever since. i have a lot of difficulty ever seeing any movie take its place.

Chariots of Fire is the inspiring true story of two runners, Eric Liddell, a Scottish missionary- turned-rugby player-turned sprinter, and Harold Abrahams, an intelligent, dedicated student and son of a Jewish immigrant. Liddell runs for God, Abrahams to fight the anti- Semitism he senses in post-World War I Britain. as these two rivals train for the 1924 Olympics, the audience comes to know their strengths and weaknesses and the people who were important to them in their personal lives.

many people give up on this film within the first fifteen minutes because of the unique storytelling at the beginning. the script is brilliant but hard to follow for those not savvy on British culture or history. the movie, as a whole, was truly made to be seen at least twice, so nuanced is the excellent, Oscar-winning screenplay.

the cast is near perfect, the best performance being Ian Holm's Oscar-nominated and dazzlingly humorous portrayal of trainer Sam Mussabini. Vangelis' Oscar-winning score is now considered cliché and is often-parodied, but when seen in its natural element (the film) completely and beautifully fits. it is a shame so many people only know the main theme of the film when the score contains many absolutely beautiful moments.

Chariots of Fire is very underrated and unseen by most in my generation. true, it's not a movie for everyone, and i can see why some don't like it. but all things considered, it is, in my opinion, near perfection in the world of cinema.

Life Is Beautiful (1997)

a fabulous fable

[10/10 · 11 June 2008]

many have criticized this movie of its "unbelievability" and "unacceptable" use of humor in telling a tale set in a Holocaust setting.

but, as the beginning lets us know...it is a fable. and it is a beautiful one at that.

like all good fables, it has the classic characters: the peasant, the poet, the princess, the wise man, the villain, and the child. like all good fables, it is filled with both joy and sadness. Benigni's concept of making a comedy about the Holocaust was a daring and interesting avenue to explore the courage and hope of the inhabitants of the Nazi concentration camps, one not explored in other excellent Holocaust films like Schindler's List or the Pianist.

everything about this movie is great: the acting, the storytelling, cinematography, musical score. the first half is such a great setup for the second half, and the ending...makes me cry just to THINK about it.

i love movies as literature and entertainment, but this is one of the few films i have ever seen that actually CHANGED my life after i had seen it. it really made me better appreciate the little joys and subtle beauties of life.

if you go into this film expecting a dark and stark realistic portrayal of the Holocaust, you'll probably be let down. that's not what it is. it's a fable. go into it with open mind and open heart and let it sweep you away with its magic.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

More Hits Than Misses

[7/10 · 16 May 2008]

"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" is definitely an adaptation of the beloved children's novel by C.S. Lewis. as a huge fan of both Lewis and cinema, for me, this is both a good thing and a bad thing.

the book upon which it is based is arguably the worst book of the seven-part Narnia series, and is undoubtedly a difficult book to adapt into film as Lewis spends pages and pages talking about sights and sounds that have nothing to do with the actual plot. the first 45 minutes of the film are oddly paced and the cumbersome work of adapting the book shows. the script rushes over some aspects that I think are rather important, such as the personality of Trumpkin the Dwarf, and a new fan might wish they had a copy of the book to consult at times. at other moments, the film dwells too much on subplots that have little relevance to the main themes, including an invented romance plot between Caspian and Susan which is never even hinted at in the book. also, they try to weave in too many spiritual messages that simply are not in the book, as Lewis based Caspian more on pagan mythology than Gospel theology.

there are many successful changes, however. the storming of Miraz's castle, though not in the book, is a fantastic sequence. the liberties taken with making Caspian older than in the book is also forgiven as Ben Barnes turns in a great performance. i was also a fan of the imperial Spanish-based culture given to the Telmarines. the film excels the first in its scope and production value, the sets and costumes are astonishing and the visuals are nothing short of spectacular. the Battle of Beruna is a breathtaking affair, wonderfully realized by Adamson and Co.

the film missteps at times, no doubt, and lacks the emotional punch of its predecessor, but is still very entertaining and a worthy sequel, though a step below LWW. i feel it's a good set up for "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," which is a book heavier on action than on plot. all in all, a good film, but not a great film.

Hard Candy (2005)

brilliant

[8/10 · 10 March 2008]

i mostly wanted to see this movie because i immensely enjoyed Ellen Page in "Juno" just like everyone else in the world did. i had also really liked Patrick Wilson in last year's "Little Children." i can see how many people would not like this movie--it's not easy or comfortable to watch and is frequently awkward, and not in the cute or humorous sense. but it is nonetheless, an extremely well constructed and produced indie film.

from the minimalistic cast to the use of color in the cinematography, this film is simply brilliant. it keeps you guessing, as the predator becomes the prey, and you wonder who will come out in the end. my heart was literally pounding through many scenes, my eyes wide-open, and sometimes holding my breath.

i recommend this film for anyone who really likes to think when watching movies and enjoys a break from the Hollywood assembly line.

The Golden Compass (2007)

Not Quite Golden...

[6/10 · 1 December 2007]

this is a beautifully filmed movie, no doubt about it. but the writing leaves something to be desired. the dialogue is often cheesy and responsible for a rolling of the eyes, and the plot buildup often forced and clunky. somehow, the acting in this film is still really good despite this fact, especially from the actress playing Lyra. the director/writer though is obviously a better director than writer. it does get better as it progresses, though, and the end makes the film not be an utter waste of time. as for the more controversial side of the film, it's preaching of atheism over Christianity...the atheistic elements are still fairly obvious, but not so heavy-handed as to take away from enjoying the film. as a Christian, i think Christians should go see this movie. it has some very interesting things to say concerning the pursuit of truth and how mankind views right vs. wrong. boycotting this film proves nothing to the world, guys. if nothing else, this movie can lead to great conversations. i plan on reading the book, because i felt a lot was left out, and i'm sure the novel is much better written.