Miscellaneous Movie Musings

Eliza Hodgkins 1812 · 10-01-2007, 07:54 PM

3:10 to Yuma met, then surpassed, my high expectations. I love Westerns and this wasn't in the least disappointing. I immediately wanted to see it again *and* watch The Magnificent Seven. Russell Crowe was in top form, as is Bale, but Bale rarely ever misses and Crowe - though a solid performer - sometimes chooses material that isn't really my cup of tea. But a lovable rogue is something he was born to play - oh my. I will probably go see this again.

I also recently watched on cable Goodbye Mr. Chips, the one with Robert Donat (who won the Oscar that year, instead of Clark Gable for Rhett Butler). And for some reason, I broke into hysterical sobs at the end of it. Donat was fantastic. And the story is FAR more gripping than I would have thought, having only seen the embarrassing version with Peter O'Toole. (I should add that I've never read the book.)

Rounding things out, I watched Sunshine, and Donny Boyle pretty much blew my mind in the best way possible. It was visually astounding and had a well developed story.

Alex · 10-01-2007, 08:45 PM

I loved 3:10 to Yuma. But have not seen the original.

The Kigndom was two good movies that don't go good together. The first part is a serious look at international relations and the difficulties of working on issues of terrorism in conflicted states. The second part is an action movie. Both halves are done well but they don't belong in the same movie and subtract from each other.

Also, the movie ends with a comment on how we're more alike in our base behaviors than we might like to think. Not a horrible sentiment but not at all supported by the previous 120 minutes of movie.

Eastern Promises is good but a bit too understated. The events happen but there wasn't really any investment in them or their outcome. I never felt concern for anybody or doubt about outcomes. That said Viggo's fully nude (without any effort to hide the, quite literally, wobbly bits) was pretty intense.

Eliza Hodgkins 1812 · 10-02-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Eastern Promises is good but a bit too understated. The events happen but there wasn't really any investment in them or their outcome. I never felt concern for anybody or doubt about outcomes. That said Viggo's fully nude (without any effort to hide the, quite literally, wobbly bits) was pretty intense.

That is pretty much exactly how I felt. Though something definitely fell short, I felt my money was well spent for two reasons. Viggo's performance and the bathhouse fistfight. Not just because Viggo was naked - though, bonus! - but because it really was one of the most intense on-screen fights I've ever seen. It was filmed so, so well.

10-01-2007, 07:54 PM	#1
Eliza Hodgkins 1812 Sputnik Sweetheart Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Long Beach Posts: 2,685	3:10 to Yuma met, then surpassed, my high expectations. I love Westerns and this wasn't in the least disappointing. I immediately wanted to see it again and watch The Magnificent Seven. Russell Crowe was in top form, as is Bale, but Bale rarely ever misses and Crowe - though a solid performer - sometimes chooses material that isn't really my cup of tea. But a lovable rogue is something he was born to play - oh my. I will probably go see this again. I also recently watched on cable Goodbye Mr. Chips, the one with Robert Donat (who won the Oscar that year, instead of Clark Gable for Rhett Butler). And for some reason, I broke into hysterical sobs at the end of it. Donat was fantastic. And the story is FAR more gripping than I would have thought, having only seen the embarrassing version with Peter O'Toole. (I should add that I've never read the book.) Rounding things out, I watched Sunshine, and Donny Boyle pretty much blew my mind in the best way possible. It was visually astounding and had a well developed story.
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10-01-2007, 08:45 PM	#2
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I loved 3:10 to Yuma. But have not seen the original. The Kigndom was two good movies that don't go good together. The first part is a serious look at international relations and the difficulties of working on issues of terrorism in conflicted states. The second part is an action movie. Both halves are done well but they don't belong in the same movie and subtract from each other. Also, the movie ends with a comment on how we're more alike in our base behaviors than we might like to think. Not a horrible sentiment but not at all supported by the previous 120 minutes of movie. Eastern Promises is good but a bit too understated. The events happen but there wasn't really any investment in them or their outcome. I never felt concern for anybody or doubt about outcomes. That said Viggo's fully nude (without any effort to hide the, quite literally, wobbly bits) was pretty intense.
	Submit to Quotes