« May 2006 | Main | July 2006 »

The Best and Worst of 2006 - So Far.

Half way through the year! Surprisingly enough, I've seen five definite good movies, and five rather horrible movies, which I can guarantee are worthy of seeing or skipping.

WORST MOVIES OF 2006... so far

#5- BASIC INSTINCT 2

#4- THE BREAK-UP

The marketing blunder of '06.
I'm guessing the advertisers tried to make it out to be a comedy because it's obviously a really, really misguided and poor drama. A slob and a witch get together and complain for nearly 100 minutes. Is it funny? Hell no. And is it enjoyable? Still, no. File this under annoying junk with awful writing. I'm surprised this didn't go straight to video.

#3- THE DA VINCI CODE

#2- HOSTEL

#1- WHEN A STRANGER CALLS

An exercise in truly awful filmmaking, and the obvious intent of a remake made for people with low brain mass- yes... TEENAGERS. It's so sad that this pile of rehash was even slightly related to the brainy and scary original WHEN A STRANGER CALLS, which had Carol Kane (yes!) as Jill - but now, the amazing first 10 minutes of that movie has been elongated to the 82 minute dreck that is this. Ms. Jill in this version is anything but intelligent, has issues with dumb boys, and is often berated stupid drunk friends. Should I be surprised? No. The association of this film insults all classic horror - it puts shame upon the legacy that people like Jamie Lee Curtis have previously done to the genre.
Yes, there's going to be a sequel to this one - based upon the EVEN BETTER film WHEN A STRANGER CALLS BACK - if a remake like WASC can be made, we live in a cruel, evil world.

And now the better films...

*Best* Movies from 2006... so far

#5+ AMERICAN DREAMZ

So many movies that come out are branded "safe" and easy for the average viewer. American Dreamz is absolutely NOT for everyone, nor is it even a comedy. It's an "out there" take on the current state of American culture - what our nations priorities are, as well as what people value in themselves and other. Perception is always a key element in the film, as Hugh Grant's character constantly bickers behind the scenes, and everyone else otherwise loves him... because they don't know the real him. And being real is now a concept that the re-elected president, played by Dennis Quaid, would like to adopt into his aura. Mandy Moore is perfect as the hick chick with pipes who manipulates everything for her own gain - something that Grant's lead adores in her.
Then there's Omer - the real dreamer in all of this. The most honest and least hateful character in the entire bunch, and the one that most people in the movie wouldn't like to admit they loved, outside of his quirky singing. He represents the good in everyone, which many would rather discard for popularity, and he is victimized by Hollywood - but it is his dream which gives purpose, and absolute reason for this insult fest of satire.

#4+ TRISTRAM SHANDY : A COCK AND BULL STORY

#3+ V FOR VENDETTA

#2+ UNITED 93

#1+ HARD CANDY

Posted by madamczyk at 01:54 PM | Comments (0)

The Omen in '06

In our current times, we are at war in the middle east, there is a lack of trust for our own nation's leader, and most people are scared about the rise of gas prices affecting their own funds. Plenty of worry from these facts can be placed upon the average person, but that all is nothing compared to the evil forces contained in the remake of the 1976 film The Omen. The birth of the "beast" himself has come into the world on the fateful day of June 6th, and in the very same hospital lies the future parents of another child born around the exact same time - but the father of this child is a person of power, as the United States' Ambassador for Italy, and he has been alerted that his own newborn child has died. And to add more insult to injury, his wife probably won't be able to conceive in the future. So what does this father do in a fragile situation? He takes the advice of a priest in the hospital, and places the child born to an unwed mother who has no known relatives in the hands of his wife, claiming it to be their son. This son is the perfect child - Damien, the Antichrist himself - and it just so happens that Damien's genes come from jackal, providing his presence at all times to be evil as hell (literally).

Does this sound like an absurd plot? Absolutely. And it still is today on film as it was nearly 30 years earlier with the release of the original film. Back then, The Omen starred Gregory Peck and Lee Remick, as Robert and Katharine Thorn, the unsuspecting parents, and they are now replaced by Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles. Schreiber's Robert isn't as full of presence and frustration as Peck was, and it's quite obvious that Julia Stiles was miscast as Katharine, but neither is as faulty as the casting of Damien himself. Harvey Stephens gave looks that could kill as Damien in the original, but the remakes devil child, played by Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick, doesn't seem to have a grasp on looking truly chilling - he more often looks constipated instead of unholy. But casting difference and letdowns aside, the remake of The Omen isn't a bad film at all, especially considering that the original material isn't something I consider to be either scary, nor truly well-made.

Okay, so, here's the deal. This version of The Omen is a well-shot, swiftly composed, and thoroughly explained. Clarity of reason for events is executed plainly, and it's quite easy for anyone without biblical familiarity to understand why Damien is just so evil. But why should you see this movie if you already like the original? Two reasons : Death scenes, and Mia Farrow. Firstly, the death scenes are what I like the best out of all of the movies in The Omen trilogy. And mostly, the remake gets them right, keeping the disturbing impact intact. But a few deaths are still disappointing/overdone, and one major death completely discards all of the elements that made the same scene great in the original. Either way, decapitations, hangings, etc... I find a strange pleasure in all of them (maybe because of the attachment of the original and its enjoyment from my youth).

And Mia Farrow. Rosemary herself slides in the backdoor of the Thorn's home as the new nanny Mrs. Baylock. What makes Farrow so scary isn't the force or stare of her character, but her seemingly innocent love for taking care of children. Her vacant eyes paired with her wide smile will create chills up and down your spine - and her means to protect Damien, when his future role as the Antichrist is threatened, are devilishly enjoyable. It's the kind of casting and performance execution that any film fan can applaud.

Now with the positive aspects to the film itself, there are some directorial issues. The pacing of the first half of the film is a bit rushed, and lacks the unveiling of events that the original contains, having more obvious anticipation for negativity, instead of an organic tone of uncertain fear for the characters. Seemingly safe-bet Pete Postlethwaite's Father Brennan is a really tired character who drains the life off the screen - Postlethwaite isn't right for the role at all - his character is too concerned, instead of truly furious over the capabilities of Damien. However, in a supporting role, David Thewlis is actually quite good as the photographer Keith who discovers scary things in his photos, which are taken of those who's lives are at risk.

Dislikes aside, The Omen is a surprising remake. It's chills, thrills, gore, violence, and satanic undertones work quite well. The film has almost everything you need for a convincing horror movie - and it's production values aren't very cheap at all. It may not be the greatest horror movie made, nor does it even majorly improve upon the original. And there's absolutely no reason for this version of The Omen to exist, but even when all parts aren't exactly up to par, in the end, it's a damn good time.

Posted by madamczyk at 03:53 PM | Comments (0)

SummerFilm at The Music Hall

Alas, Summertime is here. And with that comes films both new and old, all presented at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH. Usually, TMH is the one place in southern NH that is always playing smaller indie american/foreign/hard-to-find films, and SummerFilm fest seems to have the right mix of "gotta see" films that almost any film fan would like. But in my own quest to see almost everything worthwhile, I feel a bit let down by the content this year. I won't bore you with my rants, but anyway... here's the best of the bunch - the sure fire bets - and some really disappointing choices (well, in my opinion).
Want the official listing in one file? Download the PDF : Full Schedule

MUST SEE FILMs

Despite being well-recieved films, don't think of waiting 'til DVD for some of the following, because these will probably be lost in the shuffle at Blockbuster, or maybe just not be available for general renting there at all (psst... get Netflix!). See these films now while you still can!

Tsotsi - Playing June 2nd [7pm & 9pm], and 3rd [2pm, 7pm, & 9pm].
(Winner- Best Foreign Film - Academy Awards 2005 - It may be hitting DVD next month, but this film is going to be great on the big screen.)

Best of Youth Pt. 1 - Playing June 19th and 20th [7:30pm both dates]
Best of Youth Pt. 2 - Playing June 25th and 27th [7:30pm b.d.]
(Yes, this long Italian feature has two parts, which are just about three hours each, but it's supposed to be well-worth the investment.)

L'Enfant - Playing July 9th-11th [7:30pm all dates. 2pm showing on July 11th]
(Palme D'or Winner at Cannes - 2005 - Hey, even though I'm not that interested in the plot, I'm still going to see it!)

Umberto D. - Playing July 26th - [7:30pm]
(So what if it's on Criterion DVD. 50s Italian Cinema on the big screen? Why the heck not.)

An Inconvenient Truth
August 17th - [7:30pm *FREE SCREENING*] - Aug 18th and 19th - [7:00pm and 9:15pm - $]
(Sadly, one of a few documentaries on the entire schedule (what gives?), but definitely worth seeing, even though it's playing here nearly three months after it's initial limited release.)

Saraband - Playing August 23rd - [2pm and 7pm]
(Did you see Ingmar Bergman's Scenes From a Marriage? Yes? Well, here's the sequel, which absolutely doesn't have the same motivation as the other Hollywood sequels being released these days.)

Safe Bets

They've got familiar faces, straightforward plots (maybe), and should be pretty easy to swallow. A lighter fare for the average viewer.

THE MUPPET MOVIE - Playing June 4th - 6th [7:30pm all dates - 2pm showing June 4th]
(Um, it's The Muppets, in their first motion picture. Please, don't tell me you need any other reasons to see it in the theaters -- TAKE THE KIDS!)

KINKY BOOTS - Playing June 29th - July 1st
[7:30pm - 29th] [7pm and 9:15pm - 30th] [2pm, 7pm, and 9:15pm - July 1st]
(It's the typical English feel-good romantic comedy, but with the totally awesome actor Chiwetel Ejiofor - my mom would love this movie.)

BRICK - Playing July 6th [7:30pm] and July 7th[7pm, 9:15pm]
(Teen noir at high school, equipped with lust, murder, and drugs. Might not be as great as it aspires to be, but it's worth a look, especially for Joseph Gordon-Leavitt's broody lead performance.)

THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE -
Playing July 13th [7:30pm] and July 14th, 15th [7pm and 9pm - 2pm showing on July 15th]
(The sexiest biopic of the year, with a truly notable performance by former "It" girl Gretchen Mol.)

NEIL YOUNG - HEART OF GOLD - Playing July 19th [7:30pm]
(It may be a "fans only" concert film, but it's still guaranteed to please.)

ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL - Playing July 27th [7:30pm]
(It's another nonconformist/outsider comedic film from Director Terry Zwigoff (Crumb, Ghost World, Bad Santa), and if you like his humor, this is right down your alley.)

WORDPLAY -
Playing August 3rd [7:30pm] and August 4th, 5th [7pm, and 9pm - 2pm showing August 5th]
(This docu movie has been made a few times before [see SPELLBOUND (Scripts Howard Nat'l Spelling bee), WORD WARS(Scrabble)], but this Crossword puzzle documentary will probably be just as safe and enjoyable as its predecessors.)

THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA - Playing August 9th [2pm, 7:30pm]
(Do you like westerns? This is for you. Tommy Lee Jones is down in Texas, and he's got the taste for justice. Jones' critically acclaimed directorial debut.)

LADY VENGEANCE -
Playing August 20th - 22nd [7:30pm all dates - 2pm showing on August 22nd]
(Director Chan-wook Park lays the groundwork for his final installment of his "revenge" trilogy [Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy] - should be just as similar as the previous, but still enthralling and lovely at the same time.)

A SCANNER DARKLY - Playing August 24th [7:30pm] and August 25th [7pm, 9pm]
(Personally, I LOVE Richard Linklater - he's an exceptionally versatile and talented filmmaker, and this movie has me psyched. If the swirly, vivid animation and use of color [also found in his film WAKING LIFE] hasn't at least got you convinced to see this movie, you might need your head checked.)

ON GOLDEN POND - Playing August 30th [2pm and 7:30pm]
(Fonda and Hepburn, on the big screen once again. Need I say more?)

RISK = REWARD

PLEASE, don't look at most of the following as just "foreign" films. They might not be extremely critically acclaimed, nor be accessible for all viewers, but if you want to give it a try, it might be just right for your taste. Click the titles of the films below for information.

THE TWO OF US - Playing June 14th [7:30pm]

SOMERSAULT - Playing July 17th, 18th [7:30pm both dates]

THREE TIMES - Playing July 23rd - 25th [7:30pm all dates]

I AM CUBA -
Playing July 30th - August 1st [7:30pm all dates - 2pm showing on August 1st]

WATER -
Playing August 6th - 8th [7:30pm all dates - 2pm showing on August 8th]

MOUNTAIN PATROL -
Playing August 10th [7:30pm], and August 11th, 12th [7pm and 9pm both dates- 2pm showing on August 12th]

THE DEATH OF MR. LAZARESCU - Playing August 16th [2pm and 7:30pm]

ARMY OF SHADOWS -
Playing August 27th - 29th [7:30pm all dates - 2pm showing on August 29th]

SKIP IT

Just because it's playing at The Music Hall, doesn't mean you need to see it there.
Here are some films you may and may not know about already - I'm not saying that all of these are bad movies, since I haven't seen all of them myself, but in my opinion, they're not worth seeing on the big screen this time around. Intrigued anyway? Go see it. They might make good DVD rentals in the future... and some of these are on DVD right now.

MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
SYRIANA
TRANSAMERICA
THANK YOU FOR SMOKING
DON'T COME KNOCKING
NINE LIVES
MRS. PALFREY AT THE CLAREMONT
WHY WE FIGHT
ON A CLEAR DAY
THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN
THE LOST CITY
LADIES IN LAVENDER
THE PROMISE
MISSION : IMPOSSIBLE 3

Want some more information about The Music Hall, as well as what other things are happening at the theater? Check out their website : Music Hall Online

Posted by madamczyk at 08:34 PM | Comments (0)