DVDizzy Forum

February 10, 2006

The Pink Panther

Steve Martin is no Peter Sellers, and his poor imitation of Inspector Clouseau can't find the laughs in this waste of time. Peter Sellers was Inspector Clouseau and Steve Martin is trying to be Peter Sellers being Clouseau. It doesn't work. Not that a reasonably sane person approaches the new remake of "The Pink Panther" with anything like the hope of discovering a new comedy masterwork. Heck, even I will admit the original "Pink Panther" movies were pedestrian affairs made memorable only by Sellers' gloriously inane comic inventiveness. Borrowing mannerisms and character traits from Sellers, Steve Martin is barely able to keep the guffaws coming at a rate of delivery that prevents boredom from totally setting in or sneaking up on us. This doesn't make "Panther" a good movie. It's a bad movie with a few satisfying laughs, and plot? What plot? The coach of the French national soccer team is murdered in front of thousands of fans and his priceless ring, the Pink Panther, vanishes. Chief Inspector Dreyfuss, ineptly played by Kevin Kline, who can't decide whether he should have a french accent or not, assigns the case the country's most inept cop. This being a "Panther" for the new millenium, we get fart jokes and viagra jokes along with tried and true slapstick bits involving a huge metal globe set in motion by the clumsy inspector. The saving grace for this film, although only minute compared the failings of the film itself, is we get Henry Mancini's great theme music and the anmated Pink Panther during the opening credtis. I will give this film a soft D, but it deserves less.

dvdjunkie wrote: we get fart jokes and viagra jokes

Yes the fart joke (NO "S" AS IT WAS BUT ONE) was dumb but there was no real joke to the Viagra. It was merly a set up for the slapsticky part.

You apparently saw the movie and from what I can see didn't pay any attention to what was going on. There are three stinky jokes and not enough slapstick for you say the Viagra joke was a set up for a slapstick piece. You probably enjoyed the movie because it suited what you were looking for. If you haven't seen all the Peter Sellers "Panther" movies, in their correct order, then I suggest you do so, then you will see why this new 'Panther' movie is a very poor substitute for a movie - it is not even a good tribute to the memory of Peter Sellers.

dvdjunkie wrote:You apparently saw the movie and from what I can see didn't pay any attention to what was going on. There are three stinky jokes and not enough slapstick for you say the Viagra joke was a set up for a slapstick piece. You probably enjoyed the movie because it suited what you were looking for. If you haven't seen all the Peter Sellers "Panther" movies, in their correct order, then I suggest you do so, then you will see why this new 'Panther' movie is a very poor substitute for a movie - it is not even a good tribute to the memory of Peter Sellers.

There is one fart joke and they make a jokey comment on Viagra. And it's not a remake, it's a prequel.

Cover yourself up, your lies are showing.

I made an exception to my 'cinema only' rule for this one. Viewed it on DVD, but given it is my first viewing of an Oscar nominee, I'll include it here.

Crash (Viewed February 10): I had avoided this at the cinemas because the trailers simply didn't appeal to me. It may have been close-minded, but I don't have an unlimited supply of money. So DVD has given me my first taste of Crash. Within minutes of viewing the film, two things are obvious: the film had something very definite to say about race relations, and it was going to be an incredibly well-written ensemble piece. While I felt that, at times, the script was a little heavy-handed in its assertions about race relations (every character seemed to be speaking straight out of a sociology text-book), the way it gradually weaved the audience in and out of the lives of these diverse group of people was cleverly done. While we never get too close to any of the characters - something Don Cheadle's character talks about in the opening scene - we do feel enough of a connection to care about what happens to them. At a mere 108 minutes, this film is both epic and intimate in scope. Perhaps the only thing letting the script down, as mentioned, was the constant and sometimes heavy-handed assertions about race, and somewhat 'too neat' ending (a criticism I made of Haggis' Million Dollar Baby script). Otherwise a fine piece of work.

Rating: B

dvdjunkie wrote:You apparently saw the movie and from what I can see didn't pay any attention to what was going on. There are three stinky jokes and not enough slapstick for you say the Viagra joke was a set up for a slapstick piece. You probably enjoyed the movie because it suited what you were looking for. If you haven't seen all the Peter Sellers "Panther" movies, in their correct order, then I suggest you do so, then you will see why this new 'Panther' movie is a very poor substitute for a movie - it is not even a good tribute to the memory of Peter Sellers.

I was in there for every second of that film and I stand by what I said. Also I have seen all 9 (YES I DO COUNT ARKIN'S!) of the Panther flicks and I can say that ether Curse (altou not bad but more avarge) or trail were the wosrt. Also I am sick of people saying "Sellers must be spining in this grave". HE HAD HATED IT SINCE THE START! HE WOULD NOT CARE NOW BECAUSE HE HE NEVER CARED ABOUT THE PANTHER (or Blake for that matter)! I do think he was a genius and I love many of his films but "Being There" was the (nearly) the only film he actually liked of his.

When A Stranger Calls
This was the most hilarious movie I've seen in a while. But that isn't a good thing, considering this is supposedly a horror movie. The acting was so dreadful that I would burst out in laughter during the movie. The plot was also terrible with tons of holes. Really, why are Americans buying this crap?
Grade: F

Goodnight, and Good Luck
I had high expectations going to see this movie. Thankfully the expectations held out. The movie was definately something. The cinemtography took me right into that time period, which few movies do. The ensemble was also right on the money, richer than Crash. However, the movie won't win Best Picture, however it is definately nomination worthy. Grade: B+

Capote
I had no idea how this movie would be when I went to see it. I was greatly suprised. I liked this movie a lot. The acting by both Hoffman and Keener is oscar worthy. The screenplay and tone of the film fits the setting. The movie is also very close to best picture worthy, in my opinion. But yet again, I'm biased, I usually like all biopics a lot(except Ray, lol). I still havn't seen Brokeback Mountain, but if Brokeback wasnt' there, my vote would go towards Capote or maybe Munich. Grade: A

Next up: Elizabethtown, Pride and Prejudice

Wow. Do I have some catching up to do!

January 12, 2006:

Last Holiday



The film, while wildly predictable, is an incredibly enjoyable romp. It almost makes you want to cash in all of those bonds and go around Europe in style, yourself.

January 21, 2006:

Hostel



Acting is almost hilariously bland except for when the actors are being "tortured", in which you actually feel a twang of sympathy..until we get a delicious closeup of fingers being sawed off, and our feelings are flushed down the toilets.

January 28, 2006:

Walk the Line



Joaquin, you had us from "Hello everybody, I'm Johnny Cash." Phoenix's portrayal of the Man-in-Black is absolutley enthralling to witness. He embodies Cash, he sings like Cash, and makes the audience feel for Cash. Not to be outdone, Reese Witherspoon sparkles as June Carter capturing a feisty spunk, finally showing the world that she is not the cutesy as she portrays herself in films such as Legally Blonde and most recently Just Like Heaven. While the story does seems incredily similar to every other about a musician, Walk the Line's performances liven up the film to unimaginable heights. You are not watching actors - you are watching Johnny and June.

February 10, 2006:

Junebug



Amy Adams, who plays Ashley, recently receieved a Academy Award nomination for this performance, and it is well deserved. She provides a phenomenal portrayal of a woman almost directly opposite of the family she lives with. Adams is one of the best things in Junebug because she has not been touched by whatever it is making the family so melancholy. Ben McKenzie, as Johnny, lets his talent fly with the wind, and succeeds remarkably, barely controlling his emotions into a fraile and frustrated person. If I was a member of the Academy, McKenzie would have received a nomination in a snap in my book.

Next Up: Capote

*tlm

February 12, 2006

Firewall

Harrison Ford is back on the screen in the great crime thriller about a security agent whose family is being held for ransom, forcing him to loot his own bank, and then when he tries to abort their plans for killing his family it looks like he is involved in an embezzling scheme. Directed by Richard Loncraine, whose most recent directorial effort was "Wimbledon", winds up the story and doesn't let it go till the very end. This edge-of-your-seat thriller stars Harrison Ford as Jack Stanfield as a bank security expert in Seattle, Washington. Virginia Madsen plays his wife, and the bad guy is brought to the screen with venom by Paul Bettany (Wimbledon, Master & Commander). The film is well photographed, and the soundtrack is very unobtrusive. Supporting cast players include a brief, but effective, role by Alan Arkin, as Ford's boss in the bank, who suspects that Ford is embezzling funds to support a gambling habit. This is a very good film, and I give it a B+.

Big Mommas House 2- I really didnt want to see this. Me and my friend wanted to see When a Stranger calls but it was sold out and this was the only movie playing around the same time. Never seen the first one. The previews didnt look good. So I walked in thinking that this would be a bad movie and I was correct. It tries to be The Pacifier meets Mrs Doubutfire but it just doesnt work. Sure I laughed a few times but It was not worth 10 dollars. The acting was good in it though but It just had a bad story and it was not funny. The film would have been better if they had better writters. What a great way to start of the movies of 2006. I wont be surprised if this is the worst film this year.
Overall Big Mommas House 2 gets a F

The Pink Panther- Well we all knew it wouldnt be as good as the original but it was still a hilarious film. The movie really makes you laugh. Steve Martin was really funny and Beyonce Knoles and Kevin Kline did good as there parts. Sure the movie had jokes that tried to be funny but I was laughing about 95% of the film. If this film was to be release in 05 It would have been my favorite comedy of that year. In conclusion the Pink Panther was hilarious and I think that everyone should see it. It wasso funny that I wont be surprised if its in my top 10 films this year. The Pink Panther gets an A-
________
Suzuki Gsx 650 F History

February 12, 2006

Firewall
Action movies are supposed to be overstuffed, overblown, overdone circuses of entertainment. So when you have audience members falling asleep during the first half of the movie, you know something is wrong. The script is overused trash, much in the vein of last year's Flightplan and the whole Hollywood-icon-saves-family-from-peril conceit is really annoying. Harrison Ford has always been a one-note actor as this movie proves. He's either angry or cool or both. The musical composition for this movie is so overbearing, it's enough to jar the audience out of the picture. I love Virginia Madsen and I love Paul Bettany and the proved the only sane reasons to see this film...er, movie. I was just so happy that Harrison saved his family because that meant only one thing of importance: the movie was finally over! Grade: D

January 9, 2006

On the Outs
February 9, 2005

On the Outs
Realism and portraiture are wonderful things in cinema...if you can find them. Both are present here, telling the intertwined stories of three troubled New Jersey women - an addict, a runaway, a dealer - and the lives they alternately live in juvie and "on the outs." What happens in the movie is definately real, right down to the phallic performance for a whiff of drugs. A producer with a script this raw and edgy could have found some heavy financing, but the crew decided to stay with digital photography and authentic sets. The camerawork is shaky, but never mares the films message. Like a painted portrait, the film successfully captures the physical and psychological make-up of its three femme fatales. By the end of the movie, two of these young women will end up back in juvie, but nothing is concrete. The only definitive answer here is that these three women, and all the girls just like them, will continue to lead an undefined existense. Grade: B

January 3, 2006

In Her Shoes
Cameron Diaz is not the sex kitten she's made out to be. She's a talented actress, and prior to this had a string of critically lauded performances. She adds another to her impressive roster in her essayed role of a hot, but dumb (of course), Manhattenite who constantly smooches off her sister and lovers-of-the-moment for cash. It's a sad existense, but there's one perk: the shoes! Toni Collette and Shirley MacKleine are wonderful to watch, but the real triumph of this movie is how loving and understanding it is, something most chick flicks are not. The script doesn't condescend to it's audience and the director, knowing he has smart-than-average material, doesn't try to go over their heads either. A very nice combination for a very nice movie experience. Grade: B

There goes Prince Eric again. What movie did you see that you confused it with "Firewall". If you read the two reviews it is like you copied your review from some local newspaper and didn't bother going to see the movie. I disagree with you that Harrison Ford is a one-dimensional actor. Have you seen "Regarding Henry"? How about "Presumed Innocent"? He is far from being one-dimensional. He has made two movie that were the same except for the Star Wars Trilogy when he portrayed the same character, Han Solo. Like someone else in this thread is questioning whether I actually go to that many movies a week or have that many movies in my collection, I will tell you I don't review something that I haven't seen at least twice. And I do pay to get in most of the movies I see.

Prince Eric, do you fancy yourself as a future Gene Siskel or Roger Ebert? I hope not, because they were always so one-sided about their reviews.

Have you ever gone to a movie for just the entertainment value, and not looked for how it stands up against all the Academy Award nominated films in this world?

In my opinion, your review of "Firewall" was a review either not seen by the writer, or done by someone who has an axe to grind with the movie industry as a whole and this is your way of not liking general release movie. Whichever, it is the wrong way to review a movie. Even the worst critics in the world have something readible to say about a film.

dvdjunkie wrote:
In my opinion, your review of "Firewall" was a review either not seen by the writer, or done by someone who has an axe to grind with the movie industry as a whole and this is your way of not liking general release movie. Whichever, it is the wrong way to review a movie. Even the worst critics in the world have something readible to say about a film.

At least he dosn't give a summary of the film, which is basically what you did. In reviews you should critique, not summarize.

castleinthesky wrote:

dvdjunkie wrote:
In my opinion, your review of "Firewall" was a review either not seen by the writer, or done by someone who has an axe to grind with the movie industry as a whole and this is your way of not liking general release movie. Whichever, it is the wrong way to review a movie. Even the worst critics in the world have something readible to say about a film.

At least he dosn't give a summary of the film, which is basically what you did. In reviews you should critique, not summarize.

Thank you. Enough said.

Prince Eric wrote:In Her Shoes
Cameron Diaz is not the sex kitten she's made out to be. She's a talented actress, and prior to this had a string of critically lauded performances. She adds another to her impressive roster in her essayed role of a hot, but dumb (of course), Manhattenite who constantly smooches off her sister and lovers-of-the-moment for cash. It's a sad existense, but there's one perk: the shoes! Toni Collette and Shirley MacKleine are wonderful to watch, but the real triumph of this movie is how loving and understanding it is, something most chick flicks are not. The script doesn't condescend to it's audience and the director, knowing he has smart-than-average material, doesn't try to go over their heads either. A very nice combination for a very nice movie experience. Grade: B

Great review Eric! I think In Her Shoes is positively one of the most underrated films of 2005. I thought Cameron Diaz's Maggie was phenomenal. Fabulous.

*tlm

February 17, 2006

The New World
Terrance Malick is a visual genius! Unlike Rob Marshall (who pretty much set fire to Japanese culture in Memoirs of a Geisha), Malick doesn't sacrifice plot or character development for shallow beauty. This movie bombed big time, and performed below expectations even with critics, but I'll say this once: It's their loss. This is a movie that only the sophisticated viewer of film can even remotely appreciate. There is no cohesive dialogue or a progressive plot outside the one that we all know by heart. It's a visual narrative aided along by a beautiful classical soundtrack. It's a flawed pieces, but in being so, it's a reflection of the movie's theme, that of bad decisions with good intentions gone wrong. This movie isn't perfect, but neither is life. Q'arianka Kilcher is absolutely stunning as the Native American princess who becomes involved with men - and a world - innately alien to her. She's the lifeforce behind the movie's beautiful camera work. The production designs are the heart of the movie, but this wonderful actress is its pulse. Grade: A-

Prince Eric wrote:The New World...Grade: A-

Looking forward to that. It doesn't come out here until a bit later this year, but from what I've seen - and heard - it looks amazing.

Speaking of amazing...

Syriana (Viewed February 18 ): While many may feel that Syriana is a piece of propaganda, this is not the case. It definitely has something to say, and it uses a number of stories and incidents to convey this. In this respect it is similar to Crash, or more precisely, writer/director Stephen Gaghan's 2000 film, Traffic. This film is even more pertinent on a global scale than those two films, as "oil and big business" seem to have taken over racism and drugs as hot political issues. Without making any grand speeches or joining all the dots for the audience, Gaghan's script - a fictionalised account of Robert Baer's books - shows us how it affects the lives of everyone involved. Even the most 'innocent' of characters are tainted by the corruption, with the final few scenes leaving us with a powerful message. There is nobody slcaking off in this cast, and although Clooney is getting all the attention, it is great to see Christopher Plummer in a deliciously slimy role once again. Just the film we need at the moment.

Rating: A

Here are my picks for the movies of 2005:

Best Motion Picture
Capote
King Kong
Munich
Memoirs of a Geisha
Walk the Line

Achievement in Directing
Peter Jackson, King Kong
Peter Spielberg, Munich
Hayao Miyazaki, Howl's Moving Castle
Terrence Malick, The New World
Bennett Miller, Capote

Best Actor
Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line
Eric Bana, Munich
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Colin Ferell, The New World
Adrien Brody, King Kong

Best Actress
Naomi Watts, King Kong
Joan Allen, Upside of Anger
Zhang Ziyi, Memoirs of a Geisha
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Q'Orianka Kilcher, The New World

Best Supporting Actor
Geoffrey Rush, Munich
Kevin Costner, Upside of Anger
Christian Bale, The New World
Edward Norton, Kingdom of Heaven
George Clooney, Goodnight and Good Luck

Best Supporting Actress
Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener
Gong Li, Memoirs of a Geisha
Tilda Swinton, Chronicles of Narnia
Katie Holmes, Batman Begins
Katherine Keener, Capote

Best Animated Film
Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit
Steamboy
Appleseed
Howl's Moving Castle
Corpse Bride

Best Original Screenplay
Crash
Cinderella Man
Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were Rabbit
Red Eye
Goodnight, and Good Luck

Best Adapted Screenplay
Memoirs of a Geisha
The New World
Howl's Moving Castle
Munich
Capote

Art Direction
Memoirs of a Geisha
Walk the Line
King Kong
Munich
The New World

Best Cinematography
Memoirs of a Geisha
The New World
King Kong
Batman Begins
Munich

Best Costume Design
Memoirs of a Geisha
Capote
The New World
Walk the Line
Batman Begins

Best Documentary
Grizzly Man
March of the Penguins

Best Makeup
The New World
Memoirs of a Geisha
The Chronicles of Narnia
King Kong
Star Wars: Episode 3

Best Original Score
Howl's Moving Castle
King Kong
Kingdom of Heaven
Munich
The New World

Best Original Song
“Wunderkind” from Narnia
"Do the Hippogriff" Harry Potter tGoF
"One Safe Place" The Upside of Anger
There's Nothing Like a Show on Broadway" The Producers
"Dicholo" The Constant Gardener

Best Visual Effects
King Kong
The Chronicles of Narnia
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Star Wars 3
Batman Begins

Best Sound
King Kong
Memoirs of a Geisha
Star Wars 3
Walk the Line
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Best Sound Editing
King Kong
Memoirs of a Geisha
Walk the Line
Kingdom of Heaven
The New World

Best Film Editing
The New World
Memoirs of a Geisha
King Kong
Kingdom of Heaven
Chronicles of Narnia

Nomination Tallies:

12 Nominations-
The New World
King Kong

11 Nominations-
Memoirs of a Geisha

8 Nominations-
Munich

7 Nominations-
Walk the Line

6 Nominations-
Capote

5 Nominations-
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

4 Nominations-
Howl's Moving Castle
Batman Begins
Kingdom of Heaven

3 Nominations-
The Upside of Anger
Star Wars Episode 3
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

2 Nominations-
Goodnight, and Good Luck
The Constant Gardner
Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were Rabbit

Single Nominations-
Steamboy
Valiant
Appleseed
Crash
Cinderella Man
Red Eye
March of the Penguins
Grizzly Man
The Producers
Corpse Bride

I have yet to see Brokeback Mountain, Match Point, Mrs. Henderson Presents, Transamerica, Syriana, Pride and Prejudice, The History of Violence, and the Squid and the Whale, however I only see Brokeback as the only movie that can radically change some of my picks above.

February 19, 2006:

Mrs. Henderson Presents



Dame Judi Dench unleashes an unabashedly cheeky hilariousness which the audience cannot help but fall for. Recepient of an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, Judi is more than deserving - one of the best leading performances of 2005. Bob Hoskins turns the trademark intimidation down to a lower lever and exudes an oddly fatherly, yet as Henderson remarks "Winston Churchill"-ish, aura making Van Dammer overly loveable and a fabulous rival to Dench's Henderson. Martin Sherman's screenplay snaps whilst Frears mixes fabulous musical numbers with comedy, drama, and extremely tasteful nudity."

*tlm

Capote (Viewed February 25): Being the last of the 5 nominated films (for Best Picture) I had to see, I was looking forward to seeing this. I had read In Cold Blood in the lead-up to watching, and I have always been a fan Hoffman's work. He certainly doesn't disappoint in this outing, bringing a likeability to even this unflattering portrayal of an ego-driven writer. It actually helps to know the rest of the tale behind In Cold Blood, or to have at least read the book, as it fills in some of the long gaps between the passing years. With that book having already been made at least twice, it was good to see that this film didn't follow that story so much as Capote's manipulations. As becomes evident throughout the film, the actual killings and killers were secondary to what was happening to Capote. Worth seeing for the performances alone, and I'm baffled as to why Clifton Collins Jr. (playing accused killer Perry Smith) didn't get a nod this year.

Rating: A