Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

Rivers drops the wall & reveals her vulnerability, desperation & fragility in this moving documentary. 4/5

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work on Netflix

The Good, the Bad, the Weird

Tweet 1 - Korean homage to Leone's epic that manages to remix spaghetti, classic westerns and wuxia.

Tweet 2 - Odd to see story cues from Ugly translated to early 20th cen. Manchuria but it was all there. 3.5 stars

Follow-up - I was oddly glad that amongst all the crazy flying around and bad guys that can't hit the broad side of a barn with 6,000 bullets, the movie did not amp up the sound of the gunshots. Handguns made a small pop, as they do, and only the shotgun had a deep boom. It grounded the madness somehow, and was just the thing this crazy movie needed to help you accept what you were seeing.

Now what amuses me is that Donna slagged Leone's Fistful, but she praised this thin-as-tissue-paper script which gave almost nothing in the way of character whatsoever. It's essentially one giant kick-ass set piece with massive, complex running gunfights from start to finish.

STOP HATING ON EASTWOOD, DONNA! It's tainting your view of an entire pantheon of classic cinema!


DONNA RESPONDS: Hey, now! It is entirely true that I don't dig on Eastwood as an actor. Never have and I doubt I ever will. However, that wasn't even close to my biggest problem with "Fistful" and you know it. I actually liked Eastwood far more in "Fistful" than I have anywhere save maybe Gran "Torino". I think you were dead right in saying it's a genre clash - I just don't seem to get westerns. "The Good, The Bad, The Weird" was only half a western, and it was the half that *wasn't* a western I liked the best. I found more character development in this film done subtly and with that textbook Asian nuance I adore than I did in "Fistful". If we were to believe this movie took place in "the real world" I would be crying about logic flaws, but this wasn't really "the real world", and it never violated it's own rules. I can't say the same about "Fistful". And, quite honestly, I thought the direction of "The Weird" outclassed Leone in "Fistful". So shoot me, but it did in my oh-so-humble opinion.

Okay, I'll get out of your post now. ;)

The Good, The Bad and The Weird at Netflix

Exam

A familiar story told in an original(ish) kind of way - Cube meets Nine but with style. I liked it & didn't guess it. 3.5/5

Exam on Netflix

A Fistful of Dollars

Sorry Jim, but this did nothing for me. Plot? Character? Motivation? Sorry, not in this film. Seriously, there were plot-holes I could drive a truck through & it wasn't nearly pretty enough to forgive all the weaknesses. 2/5

ADDED: Okay, to break this down a little more. I wanted to know something about The Stranger. I found out next to nothing. I wanted to understand the two sides of the battle. I found out next to nothing. I wanted to know what drove the characters. Naw, not that either. REALLY thin on the motivation front, which for me is always important in a film, and that was my biggest disappointment. The logic flaws really killed me. How did The Stranger know the shortcut back from The Small House when the Rohos didn't? If your enemy family was THAT easy to kill off, why hadn't they done it already, especially since not a one of the Rohos had any sort of conscience? If shooting a guy in the heart seven times isn't killing him - AND he's taunting you about it - why not try the head? I mean come on! And I'm sorry, I really did try, but the bad over-dubbing really got to me, as did Eastwood's acting. I've never been a fan of Clint's acting and I'm still not. I can't really explain it but he just rubs me the wrong way. This, sadly, was no exception.

Was it pretty? Sure. But I've seen so many better shot movies that it simply doesn't make up for everything I found lacking. Hell, I saw at least two films in the last two weeks that were shot FAR better than this was. I'm hoping that I'll have a better reaction to the next in the series but honestly I'm not holding my breath.

Oh, and Jim, for the record, I was right about the visual similarities to Herzog - they definitely shared a vision. Leone loved his deserts and Herzog adored his water. But, for my money, this was on par with Herzog's weaker works and Eastwood was never and will never be a Kinski. I'd put this up against Herzog's "Cobra Verde", which is IMO the weakest of his Kinski collaborations. Both Herzog and Kinski were well off their game and it showed, so while it was beautiful it suffered from the same logic and character flaws this film did. So, in your opinion, if this is Leone's "Cobra Verde", what's his "Fitzcarraldo"? Where does Leone shine the most and have his best collaborative work? That I'll be curious to see.

A Fistful of Dollars on Netflix

Vengeance

Johnnie To's masterpiece is a perfect blend of epic Asian & classic western. Brilliantly shot & acted - perfection. It's VERY rare for me to say I wouldn't change a single frame of a film. I am saying that now. This is just genius. 5/5

ADDED: Seriously... this is amazing. Maybe it's the Asia-phile in me, but the east-meets-west sensibility of To's direction was so damn perfect. Johnny Hallyday was absolutely amazing in the lead role, and at his age it's so rare to see this type of performance. I seriously want to round up the cast and crew of "The Expendables" and force them to watch this on repeat for a couple of days. Hey, Stallone! THIS is how you do an older man's revenge story, you jackass. RENT THIS!

Vengeance on Netflix

That Evening Sun

Hal Holbrook is just phenomenal in this rich, character-driven Southern Gothic gem. Simply stunning. I would have rented this sooner had I known Walton Goggins co-starred and co-produced this. I am so struck by Holbrook's performance - very intense yet understated. A real gem, very atmospheric. 4.5/5

That Evening Sun on Netflix

Holly

This is a truly devastating film about child prostitution made all the more horrible since it was largely a documentary. 4/5

Holly on Netflix

High Plains Drifter

 From the "There are no good guys" school of film, a shoot-y, rape-y tale of (angelic? demonic?) revenge. 4 stars.

Follow-up - When I say shoot-y & rape-y, I mean the Stranger rides into town, finds a bar and buys a beer. Less than three minutes later he shoots three men, grabs a woman, drags her into a barn and rapes her to teach her some manners. And hes the hero. Jesus allegorical Christ this movie ain't easy to like. But that's not the point, liking it or liking the Stranger. The point is don't let corruption and greed lead you to sell your soul, or someday someone might use that very thing to destroy you and everyone with whom you collude.

High Plains Drifter at Netflix

Elf

This really is a cute & funny movie and Will Ferrell is his usual wonderful self. @Jon_Favreau did himself proud. 3.5/5

Elf on Netflix

The Hit

A young Stephen Frears took a shaky script & made it shine with excellent casting, acting & direction. Well done. 3.5/5

The Hit on Netflix

Step Up 3

The story is atrocious, but the dancing is awesome. A step down from the previous two, but okay I guess. 3/5

Step Up 3 on Netflix

The Good, The Bad, The Weird

This awesomely epic Asian western is comedic and still action-packed. Very stylish & cool - it's "Desperado" meets Raimi's "The Quick & The Dead" meets "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". Very awesome. 4.5/5

The Good, The Bad, The Weird on Netflix

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

(Written in 5 tweets)

• This is gonna take more than 140 characters. 1st off, it helps if your hero is likable.
• Scott is, at best, a morally ambiguous self-absorbed douche fighting for someone who isn't worth it.
• Visually it was cool, and did the source material proud. Fun movie, but...
• It's mostly a big fat excuse for treating people like shit and acting like that's heroic.
• 2 stars for the story, 4 stars for fun action-y comic-bookish direction & effects.

Also? I am way, way over Michael Cera. If I never see him in anything ever again I wouldn't feel cheated at all, because Jesse Eisenberg exists and can play Michael Cera in Michael Cera: The Story of a Boy That Squandered A Really Great Thing better than Michael Cera can.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World at Netflix

12 Angry Men

WOW! Peter Fonda was awe-inspiring in Lumet's classic. This movie was sheer perfection from start to finish. Just... wow. 5/5

12 Angry Men on Netflix

Once Upon a Time in the West

In-Progress tweet: The mustaches in Once Upon A Time In The West are...well, spectacular. HELLO I AM BAD YOU CAN TELL BY THE CAT ON MY FACE.

Actual FTRQ Review: EPIC  visual masterpiece. Could've been edited a bit. Bad men do good things for a woman. 4 stars

Follow-up: Leone, man. Leone. No one has EVER used the vastness of deserts to better effect. Ever. Every frame is a painting, every moment a composition. Today if a directors can do that, they fail at capturing people. Leone did that well too. Camera right in the face of an ugly, dirty, grubby desperado, perfectly framed with some massive, overwhelming landscape behind him. Close in on the eyes of a woman when she sees her man dead on a table. A lone figure riding out of a cloud of dust. Intimate shots of a steam engine but not the traditional wheel/piston shot. Everything was a character, from the cards on the table to the pipes that dripped water. The man knew how things should look, I tell you what.

His fatal flaw is that sometimes, when perfecting a still moment, or using time to build tension, he'd let it get away from him. If that happens once or twice, you only have an extra minute or two in your movie. 20 times and you have much, much more. Do not watch this as your first Leone movie. Work up to it. But it'll be worth it. It's deliberate, carefully paced and only occasionally does it "feel long."

Bone to pick: Not really a spaghetti western. It's really just a western.

Wish it was on Blu-ray. Still beautiful. Leone's work is like painting with moving pictures, I swear.


Once Upon a Time in the West at Netflix

Mother

I normally like Albert Brooks, but I found this insipid, boring, & utterly saccharine. The writing was just bad - meh. 2/5

Mother on Netflix

Micmacs

This film is just a visual masterpiece, beautifully shot & comically written. Very quirky - I enjoyed it a lot. 4/5

Micmacs on Netflix

Mother And Child

This thought-provoking & tragic drama has exemplary acting, direction & writing. Truly moving & heartfelt. 4/5

Mother And Child on Netflix

The Art of the Steal

A entrancing documentary about art that feels just like a suspense-thriller. Astonishing & mind-blowing. 5/5

The Art of the Steal on Netflix

The Cry of the Owl

A completely nonsensical thriller that tried to be twisty & complicated but just ended up boring me. Bah. 2/5

The Cry of the Owl on Netflix

The Kids Are All Right

Hey, world? Infidelity isn't funny. Should've ditched the rom-com and went straight drama. This could have been amazing, but as is it was just average. 3/5

The Great Silence

Life sucks. It's cold. Bad guys win. Kinski chews scenery. Not bad for a spaghetti western. 3.5 stars.


Follow-up - Leone did it all better. Just sayin'.

The Great Silence at Netflix

The Station Agent

If you like sleepy indie movies then this quirky but heartfelt dramedy is for you. Very charming. 3.5/5

The Station Agent on Netflix

The Damned United

The always brilliant Michael Sheen is perfection in this portrait of Brain Clough. Mesmerizing film. 4/5

The Damned United on Netflix

Mary and Max

This amazing claymation is as dark & tragic as it is heartfelt & poignant. Brilliantly done all around. 4.5/5

Mary and Max on Netflix

Made In Britain

Tim Roth is electrifying & stunning in this brilliant film about troubled British youths. Mesmerizing. 4/5

Made In Britain on Netflix

Insomnia

For a Nolan film this was weak for me - big plot holes, iffy writing, some shoddy acting. I expect better from them. 3/5

Insomnia on Netflix

Centurion

Perfectly decent Romans vs. Picts battle movie, but it lacked proper handling of the epic Northern UK landscapes. 3 stars

Follow-up - Donna liked it more than me. I think I took a star away because I've seen so many Leone movies lately, and that man knows how to work the land into his story. This film had that opportunity, but just missed it often. Also overused the sweeping helicopter shot, I thought.


Centurion at Netflix

The Exploding Girl

This poignant indie drama will tug at your heartstrings. A bit slow but honest, tender & very sweet. 3.5/5

The Exploding Girl on Netflix

Shall We Dance?

This Japanese original is less witty than the American remake but more charming, honest & lovely. Well done. 4/5

Shall We Dance? at Netflix

For a Few Dollars More

Maybe a better film, albeit less ambitious, than Good/Bad/Ugly. Tense. Wish this one was restored too. 4 stars.

Follow-up - I saw this trilogy in pieces on TV years ago, and  now recently, but out of sequence. In a way I wish I had seen "Few Dollars" before Good/Bad/Ugly. It would have made Angel Eyes even more...sadistic? Bad? More...something. Anyway...Leone had an eye that comes only once in a generation or three, and if you hate his editing and his love of cheesy bit players and his obsession with faces...watch his movies anyway, you won't find a better example of slow, deliberate direction done well. And such majestic scenery, used to frame and in some cases tell the story. Good stuff. Rent 'em all.

For a Few Dollars More at Netflix - All Sergio Leone movies at Netflix

A State of Mind

A fascinating & terrifying look at North Korea's Mass Games & 2 young female gymnasts who performed in 2003. Both scary and beautiful. 4.5/5

A State of Mind on Netflix

Dark City (Director's Cut)

You are what you remember, but also what you decide to be. Some rough acting, but still an amazing film. 4 stars.

The Hangover

Um, no. I don't get the appeal of this movie or of Zack G. This was just pointless & stupid & nonsensical. 2/5

The Hangover on Netflix

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

What kind of idiot chooses Edward after all that? Team Jacob, y0. Still pretty average for my taste 3/5

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse on Netflix

This Film Is Not Yet Rated

Kirby Dick is my new hero with this film that exposes Hollywood's corrupt ratings board. 5/5

This Film Is Not Yet Rated on Netflix

Red Riding Trilogy: Part Three: 1983

A brilliant end to a brilliant trilogy. Masterfully scripted with all the ends tied up. Truly amazing work. 4.5/5

Red Riding Trilogy: Part Three: 1983 on Netflix

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 1 - Welcome to the Hellmouth

DUDE. It's Buffy. Of course it was awesome. What are you, new? 5 stars.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 1 at Netflix

The Expendables

Insultingly bad. I've literally never heard such poorly written dialogue in a professional movie w/a budget. 2 stars

Follow-up: The only reasons it gets two stars are:

• There were some epic action sequences
• The cinematography was nice
• Jason Statham was, well, Statham-y.
• Mickey Rourke had a nice emotive scene

Whatever the situation, there are only so many things you can have a character say in a movie like this. At every opportunity, without fail, if there was an awkward, lame or overly-expository way to say something, that is what they did. I wasn't aware that Stallone was such a hack, so I place the blame on the writer that I know is a hack, David Callaham. Also? Jet Li was wasted, Sly and Eric Roberts should have traded roles and there were plot holes you could fly a Grumman Albatross through. It was shit. Insulting, nonsensical shit. Best part of the experience was the gag reel on the DVD.

The Expendables at Netflix

Dark City: Director's Cut

I forgot how much I loved this film, but I guess it's been too long - couldn't spot the changes. It is a gorgeous film, though, just gorgeous. 4/5

Dark City: Director's Cut on Netflix

Revolver

Holy shit, someone paid a lot of money for Guy Ritchie's marriage therapy session. Some cool stuff, mostly a mess. 2.5 stars.

Follow-up: I keep saying that Guy Ritchie should not be allowed to write. It's true. He should only ever be allowed to direct other people's stories. He just tries so hard, but makes such a muddled mess of things, and for some reason people keep giving him money to write. STOP DOING THAT. Just let him lay his visual style on your existing script, and when he says "No, I want to write it" tell him that he's perceiving the idea of not writing the film as a threat to his ego, and that if he doesn't understand that, watch Revolver a couple more times. Also tell him that David Lynch might have a bone to pick with him....

Revolver at Netflix

Valhalla Rising

This is GORGEOUS - perhaps the most visually arresting movie I've ever seen. Lush, bloody & brilliant with perfect atmospheric music. 4/5

Vahalla Rising at Netflix