Tonight I attended a screening of Superbad, which stars Michael Cera and Jonah Hill.
It was the topic of Cinebanter #38, and the direct download of that show is available here.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Rescue Dawn
Today I saw Rescue Dawn, starring Christian Bale and Steve Zahn.
I hate to say it, but I'm so immune to war movies these days, this one barely meant more than the last handful I saw.
And I'm not implying it was a bad movie—it wasn't—but I'm so tired of the story and the torture and the horror and the injustice that I don't feel like watching it anymore.
This particular film tells the tale of Deiter (Bale), an American pilot who goes down in Laos and becomes imprisoned with others who have been there for years by the time he arrives (and he gets there 'before' the war starts). He concocts a successful escape plan, executes it (along with some prison guards) and finds himself wandering the jungle with one of his fellow prisoners, Duane (Zahn).
The best part of this movie is the friendship that develops between these two.
Of course we expect that Deiter will survive, and when he does, his rescue is nothing short of inspiring, but we're still left with flashbacks of the carnage left behind, on both sides of the conflict.
Herzog made a good, solid movie—I just wish he'd have chosen a less-popular topic.
I hate to say it, but I'm so immune to war movies these days, this one barely meant more than the last handful I saw.
And I'm not implying it was a bad movie—it wasn't—but I'm so tired of the story and the torture and the horror and the injustice that I don't feel like watching it anymore.
This particular film tells the tale of Deiter (Bale), an American pilot who goes down in Laos and becomes imprisoned with others who have been there for years by the time he arrives (and he gets there 'before' the war starts). He concocts a successful escape plan, executes it (along with some prison guards) and finds himself wandering the jungle with one of his fellow prisoners, Duane (Zahn).
The best part of this movie is the friendship that develops between these two.
Of course we expect that Deiter will survive, and when he does, his rescue is nothing short of inspiring, but we're still left with flashbacks of the carnage left behind, on both sides of the conflict.
Herzog made a good, solid movie—I just wish he'd have chosen a less-popular topic.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
The Bourne Ultimatum
This morning I saw The Bourne Ultimatum, starring Matt Damon and Julia Stiles.
This was definitely the best film of the trilogy. The first one lacked sentiment, the second one was simply a 'setup' device for the third, but this one had everything: action, suspense, drama, comedy and heart.
The heart is what really sets it apart from its predecessors.
In a very brief, yet pivotal scene, Nicky (Stiles) conveys more love for Bourne (Damon) than Marie (Franke Potente) did in either of the two movies. A twist I (and hopefully the rest of the audience) didn't see coming.
And while their 'love' story is never defined, her loyalty to him essentially saves him and vice versa.
Another standout in the film is David Strathairn as Noah Vosen, a bitter government big shot hell bent on burying Bourne and anyone who stands in his way from doing so. He's pitch perfect in this role because he's evil without being menacing and makes it easy for you to side with the assassin.
This film is also less dizzying than part two and the story moves at a more comfortable pace (read: I didn't feel like throwing up because of the camera work in this one).
My only gripe would be that it had a wink of an ending that almost begs for The Bourne Resurrection.
Let's hope they just let sleeping assassins lie.
This was definitely the best film of the trilogy. The first one lacked sentiment, the second one was simply a 'setup' device for the third, but this one had everything: action, suspense, drama, comedy and heart.
The heart is what really sets it apart from its predecessors.
In a very brief, yet pivotal scene, Nicky (Stiles) conveys more love for Bourne (Damon) than Marie (Franke Potente) did in either of the two movies. A twist I (and hopefully the rest of the audience) didn't see coming.
And while their 'love' story is never defined, her loyalty to him essentially saves him and vice versa.
Another standout in the film is David Strathairn as Noah Vosen, a bitter government big shot hell bent on burying Bourne and anyone who stands in his way from doing so. He's pitch perfect in this role because he's evil without being menacing and makes it easy for you to side with the assassin.
This film is also less dizzying than part two and the story moves at a more comfortable pace (read: I didn't feel like throwing up because of the camera work in this one).
My only gripe would be that it had a wink of an ending that almost begs for The Bourne Resurrection.
Let's hope they just let sleeping assassins lie.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
The Ten
Today I saw The Ten, starring Paul Rudd and Winona Ryder.
It is the topic of Cinebanter #37, which is available for download here.
After you listen, be sure to leave us comments on our site or e-mail us at cinebanter@gmail.com.
It is the topic of Cinebanter #37, which is available for download here.
After you listen, be sure to leave us comments on our site or e-mail us at cinebanter@gmail.com.
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