2006 Screening Log

[dvdjunkie]

January 28, 2006

Nanny McPhee

Almost 40 years has passed since Disney's "Mary Poppins" and I don't think anyone has noticed. Emma Thompson did and she wrote "Nanny McPhee" and it has come to the screen in all its brilliance. Just picture a Julie Andrews film festival - without Miss Andrews. Funny, imaginative and just plain entertaining, this movie is is about a magical, 'no-nonsense' British governess who shows up on the doorstep of a distracted widower, played by Colin Firth, to help whip his seven children into shape. Based on the books of the 1960s, 'McPhee' plays like a loving tribute to those Andrews characters that attempts to make them a little more dangerous. Although the spectre of of Miss Andrews hangs over this movie like a child's guillotine perched over the heads of ther dolls, the MVP here is Emma Thompson. She wrote the script and brings warmth, wisdom, and a spoonful of vinegar to her performance in the title role (not that you will recognize her under the warts and the Mediterranean dockworker unibrow). Directed by Kirk Jones' "McPhee" hints at magic - her walking stick seems to have special powers, and it's suggested that she was sent by the children's late mother. But the magic is really a metaphor for aspects of the world that are mysterious to young people. This is a movie for the whole family and as it says in the closing credits "Dedicated to the truly Naughty - and theiir children." It is my feeling that where most children's films imply that young people only deserve movies that are loud and stupid, ths one repects their intelligence and interests. My grade is a solid A.

[Prince Eric]

January 28, 2005

Red Eye
Lots of fun. At least one hundred times better than Flight Plan, which was a huge train wreck...or plane crash. Rachel McAdams and Cilian Murphy are really good actors when they're given something to chew on, and they bite down hard in their first lead roles. I think it's good to cast B-stars in obviously B-movies so that the aura of celebrity doesn't distract from the needed conventions and formulas of genre movies. I stayed with the whole thing and it provided the suspense I needed to by into the plot. A pretty good time, indeed. Grade: B-

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

January 15, 2005
The Nightmare Before Christmas
I never thought a first-time viewing of a supposed animated classic could induce so many yawns.

FOR MONTHS you have been telling us TNBC was one of the most overrated animated films of all time. Now you're telling us you saw the movie for the first time a couple weeks ago? Wonderful film critic you are!

Since I'm posting anyway, I might as well stay on topic:


Glory Road: Yes, it's another sports movie, but an enjoyable one at that. Josh Lucas does a great performance and the story was still very entertaining and thrilling, even though we knew that would win. Too bad the cinematography was surprisingly awful. 7/10

EDIT: I had more reviews, but I deleated them as those were just films I didn't see in the theaters, while now I decided to only post here if I see movies at the theaters.

[Prince Eric]

January 15, 2005
The Nightmare Before Christmas
I never thought a first-time viewing of a supposed animated classic could induce so many yawns.

FOR MONTHS you have been telling us TNBC was one of the most overrated animated films of all time. Now you're telling us you saw the movie for the first time a couple weeks ago? Wonderful film critic you are!

quote]

I have seen the movie many times network television. This was the first time I have seen the movie in one full seating, without commercials. Any more questions?

[Maerj]

FOR MONTHS you have been telling us TNBC was one of the most overrated animated films of all time. Now you're telling us you saw the movie for the first time a couple weeks ago? Wonderful film critic you are!

quote]

I have seen the movie many times network television. This was the first time I have seen the movie in one full seating, without commercials. Any more questions?

Yeah, one question. Why watch it again, without commercials and I am assuming on DVD, if it bores you that much?

[Prince Eric]

Yeah, one question. Why watch it again, without commercials and I am assuming on DVD, if it bores you that much?

To give the movie the benefit of the doubt and give it the screening ALL movies deserve. Duh.

[Maerj]

To give the movie the benefit of the doubt and give it the screening ALL movies deserve. Duh.

I think that Timon/Pumba Fan called you on this and that's why you are getting so defensive about it, but I guess that's just another DUH moment.

[Prince Eric]

I think you are making an issue out of a non-issue. How is explaining to you my purpose for watching a movie getting defensive. If anyone called anyone out, it was me pointing out meaningless posts.

[Disney-Fan]

Anyway... Back on topic:

Munich - I wasn't exactly all hyped up about seeing this one, but since Narnia was all sold out (yes, on its 5th week, still sold out), and I was supposed to see Brokeback Mountain with a friend, I decided to view this. Boy was I in for a surprise! Spielberg sure knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat. The scene with the phone and the little girl was intense! It was also fun seeing a hollywood production speak Hebrew, which is my other main lanuage. And don't even get me started on all the moral issues presented. I don't know who's worse in the fight for "peace". The Arabs? Israelis? Americans? It really got me thinking, which is always a good sign for a movie! We all contribute to the society we live in, for better and worse. Eric Bana was a joy to watch. He surprised me, especially since his performance in The Hulk was so dreadful. It was also nice to see Israeli actors such as Gilla Alamgor on screen with some big names. My main complaint was the conclusion. I felt the last scene was forced and unecessary. It should've ended with the renacting scene. Apart from that it was a joy to watch, from the moment the titles appeared. The grittiness, the bitter ending, the suspense, and some great acting made for a great feature from Spielberg. A

[dvdjunkie]

January 29, 2006

The Matador

With all the publicity about why Pierce Brosnan didn't want to be James Bond anymore and his search for a project that would break his type-casting as 007, I was very pleased to see the release of this Weinstein Company & Miramax Pictures release. Of all the independent movies out there right now, I was apprehensive to go see this, but the trailers for it had me curious. Brosnan plays an alcoholic-burned out hitman who is looking for that preverbial day off. Perhaps I shouldn't smear dissipated Julian Noble (Brosnan) by calling him a hit man. For this guy, who swaggers up to the hotel bar and staggers through its lobby in his speedo, styles himself, in his words: "a fatality facilitator". Greg Kinnear plays a meek, struggling businessman who happens into the same bar where Brosnan is a patron. After a verbal exchange of insults, mostly from Brosnan, Kinnear becomes clearly curious about what Noble does for a living, and how he does it. The film, written and directed by Richard Shepard, boasts a bawdily entertaining performance by co-producer Brosnan, whose work here has prickliness and heat not typically associated with the blandly smooth actor of Remington Steele and Thomas Crown. This crisply written film takes its title from the corrida where Julian observes to Kinnear that hit men, like matadors, should complete the kill in one swift jab. What I found refreshing about "The Matador" is that it combines the pungency of "Sexy Beast" with the poignancy of "Sideways" and doesn't adhere to the beats of the opposites attract comedy. It is an opposites transform comedy, but unpredictably so. "The Matador" gets a B.

[Maerj]

I think you are making an issue out of a non-issue. How is explaining to you my purpose for watching a movie getting defensive. If anyone called anyone out, it was me pointing out meaningless posts.

It seems defensive when you answer the question with a "DUH" and an eyeroll. That's all... that's all...

[JiminyCrick91]

January 28, 2006

Nanny McPhee

Almost 40 years has passed since Disney's "Mary Poppins"...

Actually MP came out in 1964 it is OVER 40 years has passed not almost.

[Prince Eric]

Final Oscar Predictions:
The names/movies are listed in descending order in terms of probability of getting nominated. The bottom row of each category is the list of alternates, also in descending order of probability.

Best Picture

Brokeback Mountain
Good Night, And Good Luck
Crash
Capote
Walk the Line

Munich The Constant Gardner A History of Violence Memoirs of a Geisha
Cinderella Man

Best Director

Ang Lee
George Clooney
Bennet Miller
Paul Haggis
David Cronenberg

Steven Speilberg Woody Allen Fernando Mierelles Peter Jackson Terremce Malick

Best Actor

Heath Ledger
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Joaquin Pheonix
David Straithairn
Terrence Howard

Russel Crowe Jeff Daniels Ralph Fiennes Eric Bana Viggo Mortenson

Best Actress

Reese Witherspoon
Felicity Huffman
Judi Dench
Charlize Theron
Ziyi Zhang

Kiera Knightley Joan Allen Laura Linney Gwenyth Paltrow Q'arianka Kilcher

Best Supporting Actor

George Clooney
Paul Giamatti
Matt Dillon
Terrance Howard
Jake Gyllenhaal

William Hurt Frank Langella Don Cheadle Donald Sutherland Bob Hoskins

Best Supporting Actress

Rachel Weisz
Michelle Williams
Catherine Keener
Amy Adams
Li Gong

Maria Bello Frances McDormand Thandie Newton Shirley McKlein Scarlet Johanson

Best Original Screenplay

Crash
Good Night, and Good Luck
The Squid and the Whale
Match Point
Syriana

The 40-Year-Old Virgin Cinderella Man Junebug Mrs. Henderson Presents
The New World

Best Adapted Screenplay

Brokeback Mountain
Capote
The Constant Gardner
A History of Violence
Munich

Memoirs of a Geisha Walk the Line King Kong Jarhead In Her Shoes

Costume Design

Memoirs of a Geisha
Pride and Prejudice
Mrs. Henderson Presents
Walk the Line
Good Night, And Good Luck

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The New World Capote Cinderella Man
The White Countess

Art Direction

Memoirs of a Geisha
Good Night, and Good LuckPride and Prejudice
Brokeback Mountain
King Kong

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Walk the Line The New World 2046
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire came out of nowhere.

Best Cinematography

Brokeback Mountain
Good Night, and Good Luck
Memoirs of a Geisha
The Constant Gardner
The New World

Capote 2046 King Kong Jarhead Munich

I didn't think Batman Begins would be their thing.

Best Sound Design

Walk the Line
War of the Worlds
King Kong
Crash
Memoirs of a Geisha

Brokeback Mountain The Constant Gardner Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe Batman Begins

Best Original Score

Memoirs of a Geisha
Brokeback Mountain
King Kong
Munich
Cinderella Man

Syriana The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tim Burton's Corpse Bride Crash

I wasn't even thinking about The Constant Gardner or Pride & Prejudice. Weird.

Best Original Song

TransAmerican
The Producers
Crash
Hustle & Flow ("Hustle & Flow"(It Ain't Over Yet))
The Corpse Bride

The Constant Gardner
Elizabethtown
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Mad Hot Ballroom
Hustle & Flow ("It's Hard Out There For A Pimp")

Best Sound Effects

King Kong
War of the World
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Memoirs of a Geisha
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Walk the Line

Visual Effects

King Kong
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

War of the Worlds The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe Batman Begins Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Best Make-Up

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
A History of Violence
The New World

Cinderella Man Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Mrs. Henderson Presents The Libertine

Best Editing

Brokeback Mountain
Goodnight, and Good Luck
The Constant Gardner
Crash
Munich

Walk the Line Syriana Cinderella Man Pride & Prejudice Match Point

Best Animated Feature

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride
Howl’s Moving Castle

Chicken Little Madagascar Hoodwinked Steamboy Robots Valiant Gulliver’s Travels

Best Foreign Language Film

South Africa
Palestine
China
Finland
France

Korea Hong Kong Russia Mongolia Hungary Brazil Germany Argentina

Should have guessed Italy.

Best Documentary Feature

March of the Penguins
Murderball
Mad Hott Ballroom
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
On Native Soil: The Documentary of the 9/11 Commission Report

After Innocence Rize Favela Rising The Boys of Baraka Unknown White Male The Devil and Daniel Johnston Occupation: Dreamland

Best Animated Short

9
Moongirl
One Man Band
The Fan And the Flower
The Karetegaurd

Milch City Paradise The Mysterious Geographic Locations of Jasper Morello The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper At the Quintel Hotel

Best Documentary Short

God Sleeps in Rwanda
The Mushroom Club
Mr. Mergler's Gift
Abused
The Death of Keven Carter: A Casualty of the Bang Bang Club

Positively Naked
Dimmer
A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin

Best Live-Action Short

Missing
The Man Who Met Himself
Heydar, An Afghan in Tehran
Nothing Special
Lucky

The Intervention
Milk
The Man Who Met Himself
Antonio's Breakfast
Kitchen
Hibernation

ENJOY!

[dvdjunkie]

Prince Eric, is the comma button on your computer broken? I noticed that you had time to put the colon in, but couldn't hit the comma button between names and titles. What is up with that?

[castleinthesky]

Tristan and Isolde
I would have to say this was a fun movie. The plot is based off a myth about two people who fall in love, but cannot because Isolde is set to marry Lord Mark, Tristan's "father". However, the two fall in love, and get caught, etc. The story is dubbed "Before Romeo and Juliet", which is somewhat appropriate to title it. The acting did have flaws, the plot was sometimes not the best, but overall the movie was good for a "popcorn" flick, and I would definately reccomend it. Grade: B

The New World
I went into this movie with high expectations. However, the part of the movie that shocked me most was the little amount of dialogue. The little amount of dialogue is my only beef with the film. Besides that the acting is very good from Colin Farell (who I had lost hopes with in Alexander), Bale, and Kilcher. The score makes the film, because of the lower amount of dialogue. However, for me, the scenery, costume design, cinemtography make this film as good as it was. Definately a must see, imo. Grade: A-

The Constant Gardener
Like The New World, I went into this movie, with huge expectations. However, that might of made me over-critical. The movie was well done, but not Best Picture worthy. The acting, especially by Weisz, is my favorite part of the film. However the plot was the thing I didn't like, it took me a while to get it, which usually dosn't happen to often. But, the film is definately one to see, but I will not be buying it on DVD. Grade: B+

Madagascar
I usually try to keep up with what all the animation studios are producing, however I may stop soon, seeing that there are 15-20 animated films coming out this year. This is the case with Madagascar, I want to keep up with Dreamworks. I would have to say this movie did have its brightspots, however the animation was not even close to the animation in The Incredibles or even Nemo for that matter. Second, the plot seemed like it had been done somewhere before in a different way. However the thing that I didn't like the most, was the voice acting. The voice acting was attrotious. Whoever thought that the four major actors who voiced in this would fit the characters was wrong. I could barely stand this movie because of this one reason. Final Grade: F+

Next Up: Brokeback Mountain, Goodnight and Good Luck, Capote, Elizabethtown

[Disney-Fan]

YES! I'm so happy Batman Begins got an Oscar nomination! It deserves it!
Anyway, here's my second review:
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - Disney has pulled out of its hat one of their most magical films in quite some time. The story following the four brothers through Narnia was adapted faithfully, though flawed. The acting was great considering what the kids got to work with, and the fact that most of them were performing for the first time. The White Witch was portrayed wonderfully by the actress. Visuals were stunning, and set designs were spectacular. The bad: I felt the drama was pushed a little over the top. Poor Lucy! She was crying every 10 minutes. I was also annoyed by the fact that there was no blood what-so-ever. I know the target audience, but adding even a few stains on the sword would make it all the more believable, and it would also make it much more dramatic when Peter has to kill. It was a bit ridicilous when he stabs someone and the sword stays nice and shiny. I can accept it on a show like Xena, but this is feature film! Anyway, more with the good... The music was stunning, the creatures were very believable and were integrated into the world in a believable manner. Overall, Disney delivers the goods, and has left me satisfied with the final product. This will be a must-buy on DVD! B+

[dvdjunkie]

Somebody please answer me about this puzzlement. I thought the 2006 Screening Log was for 2006 movies - but here are people reviewing old DVD's and fighting over silly things. Can't we take the fights somewhere else, and why do we review "old" movies. Isn't this supposed to be about 2006 movies you have seen in the theater and not on DVD??

Just a question of clarification.

[castleinthesky]

Somebody please answer me about this puzzlement. I thought the 2006 Screening Log was for 2006 movies - but here are people reviewing old DVD's and fighting over silly things. Can't we take the fights somewhere else, and why do we review "old" movies. Isn't this supposed to be about 2006 movies you have seen in the theater and not on DVD??

Just a question of clarification.

I rate any movie that I've seen for the first time in theatres or on DVD, not just 2006 movies. It is the 2006 screening log, not the 2006 movie log.

[Loomis]

As I said above, with a few exceptions, I'm sticking to my theatrical viewings:

Munich (Viewed February 4): Although I was hesitant to see this film, it is nominated for The Big Oscar, and I try and see all 5 nominees before the Oscars. Still, I went in with an open mind. I was immediately put off by the use of the 'wailing woman' on the soundtrack, something that every big-name director seems to have used to death in recent years. Still, I had to give this a go so I gladly ignored it.

After a great opening sequence, in which real-life Munich footage was cut together with recreations, the film gives way to a dull and predictable storyline. We immediately get a plodding introduction of characters, followed by the standard "this guy does bombs, this guy does...". For the next 164 minutes, the film plays out as one of the most emotionless, paint-by-numbers assassination films. Target acquired, "ooh look at the clever bomb", target killed (and we throw in a few boo-boos just to keep you interested). There are often scenes where every cliche in the book is thrown in. When you think about it, all of those assassinations could have been done in one quick montage while concentrating on the characters.

Specific points of baffling sensationalism include the assassination of the naked Dutch assassin, and that final sex scene inter-cut with the murder of the atheltic team. Was that the most pointless bad-taste sex scene - which is also slightly hilarious - that we have seen since Showgirls? It also marks the return of our old friend, The Wailing Woman on the Soundtrack.

Further, the characters are not really ones you ever care about. Bana's performance was fine, but really - his break-down isn't built up. It just kind of happens. Are we also meant to feel for characters simply because we have dinner with them occasionally? This lack of strong characterisation really made the film feel even colder than it already was. In a year when a film about a relationship between a giant ape and a young human woman had more emotional resonance than a "real-life" story, you know that something has gone wrong. Both King Kong and Munich had at least one thing in common - they both could have had at least an hour trimmed and nobody would have noticed.

I should make it very clear that I do no object to the film on its politics. The message - which seemed to be about the futility of the cycle of retribution - was at its heart a good one. However, for a director that is often accused of being over sentimental, this film just left me feeling cold.

Rating: C

[Disney-Fan]

Madagascar - Talk about a mixed bag... So many fun moments that got a laugh, and then so many cringe worthy moments. Madagascar is a film that is both fresh and tired. The good: I loved the penguins and I think they weren't shown enough. It was a shame they didn't get to the island sooner. There were some fun moments, especially with the giraffe character and the monkeys. The bad: So many moments of cliche. The tired buddy comedy with nothing fresh added to it. The potty jokes that have overstayed their welcome in movies. The kick in Alex's private area was especially bad as a gag. I thought it was supposed to be a family feature... The character of Alex the lion was also a tired one, and the voice actors didn't exactly bring in something unique to the film. I also thought the animation was poorly done. The movement seemed forced and unnatural. I guess it was because of its almost slapstick nature. Still, even so it felt out of place in such a movie. Overall, not bad, but nothing good either. D.

Brokeback Mountain - I won't say much about this one. I think the movie speaks for itself. I will comment though on the wonderful acting. The two leads left me speechless by the end of the film. I was feeling the pain as if it was my own. Not many actors can manage to achieve such an effect with such skill. The music was great and felt in-tone with the film, and talk about the views! I was left in total awe. To be honest, if this doesn't get the Best Film award, I'll be through with watching the Oscars. Never have I seen a movie more deserving of the award. Fresh, moving and beautiful. If this isn't worthy of best picture I sure as hell don't know what is! A++