Peter Ericson: Mostly Movie Reviews
Friday, July 03, 2009
Strangely fascinating, sumptuously photographed—the multicolored Christmas lights that can be seen in several scenes look gorgeous—and deliberately paced film with intriguing characters, a multilayered and unpredictable story that is open to interpretation, and a sense of mystery to it. The emotionally charged and excellently acted bedroom scene is memorable, as are the orgy sequence, the sequence that takes place in a costume store, and the long billiard-room scene. Tom Cruise's and Nicole Kidman's impressive performances capture all the subtleties and nuances of their characters; Sydney Pollack, Marie Richardson, and Rade Serbedzija deserve a mention for playing their parts very well. Masterfully directed by Stanley Kubrick, this film, which he also co-wrote and produced, is a fitting end to Kubrick's magnificent career. Based on the novella Dream Story by Arthur Schnitzler (Amazon.com/AdLibris.se).
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Friday, June 26, 2009
Solid and positively delightful film by Hayao Miyazaki. Although Miyazaki's storytelling magic is not in full force here, the meaningful and timely story has depth and develops in a way that is consistently interesting. The protagonist's personality, resourcefulness, strength, and independence make her an engaging and sympathetic character; the other characters are well drawn and nuanced. The insects, plants, and trees that inhabit the Sea of Decay/Toxic Jungle are characterized by admirable imagination and creativity. As expected, the animation is very beautiful.
Original title: Kaze no tani no Naushika; Swedish title: Nausicaä från Vindarnas dal.
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Driven more by characters than by plot, this gorgeously photographed film is intellectually interesting and has an attractive epic quality to it, but it is seldom emotionally engaging. At 153 minutes, this is a long movie; however, the original cut clocked in at almost four hours, so a lot of material has been left out of the final cut. While the meditative pacing never becomes tedious, it takes some effort to get into the narrative flow. The voice-over narration works in favor of the film rather than—as is often the case—against it. Splendid performances by Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck in the lead roles, and the two actors have more than a few intense scenes together; the supporting cast is nothing short of excellent. Written and directed with restrained passion by Andrew Dominik. Based on the novel The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford by Ron Hansen (Amazon.com/AdLibris.se).
Swedish title: Mordet på Jesse James av ynkryggen Robert Ford.
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Friday, June 19, 2009
Directed with a sure hand by Steven Soderbergh, this is a solid and engaging based-on-a-true-story film with several funny moments. The scenes that show the assertive and sympathetic protagonist's life as a single mother give the proceedings an additional dimension that is at least as interesting as the court case; the film strikes a good balance between the main character's personal and professional life. Julia Roberts gives a vibrant and effective performance, and her interaction with the reliably excellent Albert Finney is one of the highlights of the movie. Warm cinematography and a noteworthy score.
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Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Gripping and affecting but never manipulatively sentimental, the film has both an engaging story and characters that the viewer genuinely cares about. Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington give top-notch, nuanced performances; Antonio Banderas does a good job as the boyfriend of Hanks' character. The pivotal and most memorable scene in the film involves the two lead actors and the opera aria "La mamma morta" sung by Maria Callas, and it is spine-tinglingly brilliant and powerful. Jonathan Demme's direction is appropriately straightforward. Nice soundtrack (Amazon.com/Ginza.se).
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Saturday, June 06, 2009
Forgettable in every aspect and not at all frightening, this Brothers Strause–directed movie features a paper-thin and often predictable plot, one-dimensional characters, bad acting, and questionably dark lighting. The fundamental flaw of the movie is that the two iconic monsters should never have been pitted against each other in the first place, and having them battle it out in a small town on Earth does not work in terms of creating an effective horror-movie atmosphere.
Swedish title: Aliens vs Predator 2.
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Wednesday, June 03, 2009
While the movie is entertaining enough, it is never particularly engaging on a deeper level and occasionally feels unfinished. The largely familiar story attains a certain freshness by means of its unconventional take on vampires. Even though it is not evident at first, there is chemistry between Kristen Stewart as Bella and Robert Pattinson as Edward, but the romance between the two somewhat underdeveloped main characters is not satisfyingly portrayed. Among the noteworthy things about this movie are the scene in which Bella meets Edward's family and the beautifully decorated pavilion at the end. The handsome, rather cold cinematography sets an appropriate visual tone for the film. Catherine Hardwicke's direction is unremarkable. Based on the novel Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (Amazon.com/AdLibris.se).
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Monday, June 01, 2009
Watching this fascinating, Oscar-winning documentary about the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, which took place between August 15 and August 18, 1969, is an immersive experience of a rare kind. At 216 minutes, it is the longest film I have seen in a theater thus far (I recently had the opportunity to see it on the big screen at a special screening); however, I was genuinely surprised at how fast the hours went by. Historically and culturally significant, the film strikes a nice balance between stirring musical performances and interesting interviews and behind-the-scenes sequences, successfully capturing and conveying some of the atmosphere of the festival. Directed by Michael Wadleigh; Martin Scorsese and Thelma Schoonmaker served as assistant directors and editors.
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Friday, May 29, 2009
This mood-over-story film is subtly intelligent and powerful, wonderfully stylish, and positively mesmerizing from the first minute to the last, with some outstanding scenes (e.g., the shower scene). Aesthetically pleasing, documentary-like cinematography. The dialogue is natural and completely believable. Gabe Nevins gives a first-rate, low-key performance in the lead role, and the character he plays feels real and is engaging and sympathetic. Expertly and sensitively directed by Gus Van Sant, who also wrote the screenplay and edited the film. Based on the novel Paranoid Park by Blake Nelson (Amazon.com/AdLibris.se).
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Wednesday, May 27, 2009
This biopic about French singer Édith Piaf is conventional but well-made, even though the non-linear storytelling interrupts the narrative flow of the film. After the first act, which is only mildly interesting, the film gradually becomes more engaging, ending on quite an emotional note that is accompanied by the most appropriate song imaginable: "Non, je ne regrette rien." Unsurprisingly, the great soundtrack (Amazon.com/Ginza.se) includes several well-known Piaf songs. Marion Cotillard's deservedly Academy Award–winning lead performance is splendid, impressive, and thoroughly convincing, as is her old-age makeup, for which the movie also won an Oscar. Directed with care and respect by Olivier Dahan, who wrote the script together with Isabelle Sobelman.
Original title: La môme.
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Monday, May 25, 2009
The premise has potential, the story contains some interesting elements, and the cemetery scene and the titular character's nightmare at the end of the film are memorable, but the inclusion of a police-detective subplot is detrimental to the movie because it distracts the viewer from the main storyline and feels out of place. The rather bleak cinematography and the ominous score (Amazon.com/Ginza.se) create an atmosphere that fits well with the dark theme of the proceedings. Kevin Costner does a commendable job in an uncharacteristic role, eliciting a kind of morbid sympathy for Mr. Brooks; William Hurt is perfectly cast as Marshall, the main character's alter ego, and the movie is at its best when Costner and he are interacting; Dane Cook gives an appropriately creepy performance as Mr. Smith; Demi Moore is okay in the role of Detective Tracy Atwood, and it is not her fault that the subplot about her character is the most problematic aspect of the film. Ably directed by Bruce A. Evans.
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Spellbinding and sometimes emotional story; however, it is not entirely satisfying because it leaves some things insufficiently explained. Engaging characters that the viewer cares about. Beautifully animated, with a number of visually impressive scenes. The voice actors do a commendable job, imbuing their characters with personality. Goro Miyazaki shows promise, ably bringing the story and the characters to life on screen, but this film is not as fascinating and masterfully realized as those of his father, Hayao Miyazaki. Based on Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series (Amazon.com/AdLibris.se).
Original title: Gedo senki; Swedish title: Legender från Övärlden.
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Monday, May 18, 2009
Serviceable entertainment with a fairly interesting plot that provides a morsel of thematic depth and a glimpse into the workings of the Vatican, but the film is ultimately inferior to The Da Vinci Code. The puzzle-solving aspect of the movie feels rushed and is unsatisfying, failing to create a real sense of mystery. Inelegantly delivered exposition. There are a few exciting and viscerally effective sequences, the most notable of which is the film's unexpectedly affecting climax. Accomplished cinematography, great location work, and impressively constructed sets, featuring some of Rome's historical sites and making me want to visit the city again (I was there in November 1999). Powerful and atmospheric score (Amazon.com/Ginza.se). Tom Hanks gives an adequate but rather uninspired performance as Robert Langdon, the protagonist; at his side, Ayelet Zurer has little to do; Ewan McGregor's performance turns out to be the acting highlight of the movie; Stellan Skarsgård and Armin Mueller-Stahl make the most of their roles. Directed by Ron Howard. Based on the novel Angels & Demons by Dan Brown (Amazon.com/AdLibris.se).
Swedish title: Änglar och demoner.
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Thursday, May 14, 2009
The movie is entertaining enough and can be appreciated on some level, but neither the story nor the characters are sufficiently developed for the film to be emotionally engaging more often than not, although it does feature a few great, rather impressive sequences. There is at least one scene early in the movie that effectively highlights the scientifically correct absolute silence of space—a small detail that made me smile. Excellent cinematography and first-rate special effects. Solid and well-matched cast; Zachary Quinto as Spock and Karl Urban as Leonard "Bones" McCoy stand out positively among the protagonists; an almost unrecognizable Eric Bana exudes malice in the role of Nero, the villain; Leonard Nimoy makes a nice but somewhat gimmicky appearance. While this film does not make me want to watch the TV series or the previous movies, to which I have had very limited direct exposure, I am looking forward to seeing what the very talented J.J. Abrams and his team will do with the franchise.
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Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Rather conventional but solid and intellectually stimulating movie in the investigative-journalism genre that effectively uses relatively simple means to build suspense (the best example of that is the sequence that takes place in an underground parking garage) and manages to be engaging even when the viewer is—or at least thinks they are—one step ahead of the protagonists. Somewhat disappointingly, the final piece of the puzzle comes by way of one of the oldest tricks in the book: someone demonstrates knowledge of something they should not know. Russell Crowe shines in the lead role and is very nicely complemented by Rachel McAdams; while Ben Affleck's performance is fairly good overall, there are scenes in which it does not quite work; Helen Mirren is expectedly professional but has little to do in a limited role. Directed with appropriate restraint by Kevin Macdonald. Based on the British miniseries State of Play (Amazon.com/Ginza.se).
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Saturday, May 09, 2009
Action set pieces connected by a thin and clichéd plot, where the latter is in the service of the former, rather than the other way around. All the characters are two-dimensional, so there is little emotionally involving material in the film. The excellent, powerful opening-credits sequence is memorable. Major annoyance: the ultimate mutant solider—who is sadly underused, by the way—is remote-controlled by computer commands. In the end, the movie feels somewhat pointless, since the insight it gives into Wolverine's origin is superficial. Hugh Jackman's and Liev Schreiber's forceful performances in the lead roles drive the movie; Danny Huston is well cast as William Stryker. Gavin Hood is not an obvious choice to direct a film of this kind, but he does it relatively well. There is an extra scene during the first part of the end credits and one at the very end; unfortunately, the film copy at my local theater had the less significant scene of the two different second extra scenes that exist.
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Thursday, May 07, 2009
Effective action sequences, especially the climactic shootout. The storyline is not strong or fresh enough to keep things interesting throughout the film's 134-minute running time. A couple of scenes are unnecessarily drawn out. Wonderful cinematography that really captures and makes the most of the various beautiful locations. In the lead roles, Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx make a very good duo and their characters are sufficiently developed so as to seem like real individuals; John Ortiz and Ciarán Hinds are well cast as Jose Yero, the main villain, and Fujima, an FBI agent, respectively. Stylishly directed by Michael Mann, who has a knack for setting the perfect mood for his movies.
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Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Somewhat fascinating premise, suggestive opening credits, fairly promising beginning, and the sequences that visualize the novel as the main character is reading it are nicely realized and stylishly shot; however, the story is barely serviceable while the film is unspooling and quite preposterous in afterthought, the characters are largely uninteresting, and the exposition is unsubtle and much of it is not really necessary. Jim Carrey does not hit all the right notes to be completely convincing in the lead role; an underused Virginia Madsen does what she can with her character. Directed by Joel Schumacher.
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Friday, May 01, 2009
Timely, technically well-crafted, and cinematographically pleasing spy thriller with some exciting and well-staged action/suspense sequences, an authentic atmosphere, and a nice scene involving two kids and food; however, the film is too familiar to be consistently engaging, the story is intricate but not particularly insightful, and the love story feels contrived. Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the lead character with appropriate intensity; Russell Crowe gives an adequate performance in a seemingly undemanding role for an actor of his caliber; Mark Strong is excellent as Hani; Golshifteh Farahani is likeable as Aisha. Competently directed by Ridley Scott. Based on the novel Body of Lies by David Ignatius (Amazon.com/AdLibris.se).
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Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Entertaining British drama comedy with a great soundtrack (Amazon.com/Ginza.se), decidedly colorful characters, more than a few funny moments, a mild but admirable anti-establishment component, and a fairly effective ending; however, the plot is thin and, at 134 minutes, the film is too long. Splendid cast performances; Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, and Rhys Darby are particularly noteworthy; Kenneth Branagh and Jack Davenport are quite good in the villain roles, although the former's character is underdeveloped and the latter's character is underused. Written and directed with nostalgic enthusiasm by Richard Curtis.
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