Reviews: Atonement / Murderball / Gone Baby Gone / Eastern Promises
201. Atonement (2007)
There's a lot to love about Atonement, such as:
- Excellent acting. Notably, Vanessa Redgrave pulls off a Hal Holbrook by convincing you that she deserves a nomination with only 10 minutes of screentime.
- Excellent score. I love how the composer finds music in a typewriter. Currently my favorite score of 2007.
- Excellent directing. The Memento-like moments were pretty nifty. I also liked how the director and composer seemed to be in cahoots in a few scenes, like the flickering lights on the train.
And there's a lot to love about the first portion of the film. Being a writer, I just immediately connected with the little girl.
But then it started becoming less about "the little girl and her writing" and more about "two lovers and the war." I kept thinking it was going to turn around, and when the "little girl" reappeared I figured it was about to, but instead she started going, "Ohhh-hoho I'm sooo sorry. Forgiveness please!" Now I know there had to be some sorta atonement coming, but it just seemed like a cop out. What was she apologizing for? For breaking up a superficial paper-thin affair? Honestly, I was actually pretty relieved when she did. I just didn't buy the romance, it barely had any build-up, seemed more about lust, had zero chemistry and I just didn't trust the guy's intentions, even at the end. I thought Cecilia was nuts to fall for such a perv.
The movie I wanted would've been more along the lines of Notes on a Scandal. The focus would (and should've been) on the little girl as she manipulates the household into a story she's created. I recall her saying something about how hard it is to get people to act in her stories, so she'd be taking her fiction into the real world. The problem is my version wouldn't be called Atonement anymore. :P
BTW, WHY ON EARTH did they stick an unskippable car commercial before the DVD menu?? If this was Tokyo Drift, I'd understand, but 1930s Atonement?? 7 out of 10
202. Murderball (2005)
It's funny, when I see the MTV logo, I instinctively think, "Hoo boy, this is going to suck." And yet, for the second time in a row, I was surprised at how good its film was. In fact, this may be the best documentary I've seen so far. Don't judge a studio by its movie awards?
This film was an eye-opener for someone who knew nothing about the Paralympics (heck, I actually confused it with the Special Olympics until I wiki'd it). I'm sure many people think that Olympic athletes are the best in sports, but Paralympic athletes train just as hard and their games are just as exciting.
For instance, I was surprised how exciting murderball was for someone who hadn't even heard of it before. The crew couldn't have found a better time to film . . almost every game had a one point ending, and the rest of the narrative outside the games just falls perfectly in place too.
I like how this documentary takes a different route from the norm. For one, no Bush jabs! He is there, but shown in a positive light. Complete shock, I think that's a first in doculand. The other is that while documentaries are often grim and depressing, this one is full of high energy and hope. None of the men complain, some even say that their disability has given them an advantage. I think most paraplegics will find this film empowering. (Or at least Paraplegic Men. Where are the female murderball players?). Though on the flip side, the movie also makes you think twice about putting your neck on the line . . it's incredible what these guys are able to do, yet some things of the simplest things that we take for granted, like opening an envelope, pose a greater challenge to them. 9 out of 10
203. Gone Baby Gone (2007)
When I learned that this film was about a missing kid, I figured it would have a lot of sappy moments involving mom and dad running and screaming, their perfect suburban life shattered? I mean, who would kidnap a kid from the poor? Well, this movie did, and that surprised me. It focused more on the bad side of town and on a family far from perfect. I thought most of the film had a realistic edge to it, which is why I was disappointed by its end game when it decided to go for an unrealistic and confusing conspiracy twist.
That aside, I thought the movie did many things right. The performances were excellent -- Amy Ryan is particularly memorable as Crack Mama. Casey Affleck continues to impress me and I think he's headed for an Oscar win someday. And after an unsuccessful run as an actor, his brother Ben surprises me as a much more talented director. The film works great as a thriller with some really suspenseful moments, yet it also takes breaks for introspection which I liked.
And while the surprise ending was weird, I do like how they show both sides of the coin. I didn't agree with the protag's decision, and neither did someone else who makes a convincing argument for me and all the other disagree-ers out there. I liked how the ending could've gone either way and both ways would've worked out fine. This is a film I'd show to a high school class to set up some great debates . . but I can't because it also sets a new record for curse words in film. Good God, Scorsese would be proud (and jealous). 8 out of 10
204. Eastern Promises (2007)
Viggo Mortensen is incredible. I could not believe this was the same guy I saw in History of Violence. I still can't believe it, it's got to be a mistake! He looks and acts like a completely different actor. In any case, he creates one of the coolest gangsters I've ever seen. I want those sunglasses! Like Capote, this film feels like a one-man show: Viggo's portrayal is such a blinding highlight that he sucks the spotlight from everyone else. But unlike Capote, the character was supported by enough story and style to push it beyond mere intrigue.
The climactic fight is the most memorable one I've seen in years. I laughed, I cringed, I panicked, my jaw dropped . . it was strange, surreal, suspenseful and just masterfully filmed. How the heck could MTV not nominate this for Best Fight of 2008??
On the other hand, I'm a bit disturbed with how Cronenberg keeps the camera on the violence where other directors would pan away. Sure, some of the footage is understandable, but some of it also seems pretty gratuitous. I mean, do we *really* need to see someone's neck get sawed apart with a razor? I don't know, is this just "fan service" or am I missing some kinda deeper meaning in here?
And after a year of watching award nominated movies, you think I'd be desensitized to the common 1-minute endings, but it still bugs me. While the ending was better here than History of Violence's 30 second ending, it still felt like it was missing a few nuts and bolts. And it felt strange that they suddenly wanted you to sympathize with Kirill, when I was never given a reason why I should. Just seemed inconsistent with his character.
Otherwise, Eastern Promises surprised me. I actually figured it was a romance with a title like that but it turned out to be something completely different and something much, much better. 9 out of 10
There's a lot to love about Atonement, such as:
- Excellent acting. Notably, Vanessa Redgrave pulls off a Hal Holbrook by convincing you that she deserves a nomination with only 10 minutes of screentime.
- Excellent score. I love how the composer finds music in a typewriter. Currently my favorite score of 2007.
- Excellent directing. The Memento-like moments were pretty nifty. I also liked how the director and composer seemed to be in cahoots in a few scenes, like the flickering lights on the train.
And there's a lot to love about the first portion of the film. Being a writer, I just immediately connected with the little girl.
But then it started becoming less about "the little girl and her writing" and more about "two lovers and the war." I kept thinking it was going to turn around, and when the "little girl" reappeared I figured it was about to, but instead she started going, "Ohhh-hoho I'm sooo sorry. Forgiveness please!" Now I know there had to be some sorta atonement coming, but it just seemed like a cop out. What was she apologizing for? For breaking up a superficial paper-thin affair? Honestly, I was actually pretty relieved when she did. I just didn't buy the romance, it barely had any build-up, seemed more about lust, had zero chemistry and I just didn't trust the guy's intentions, even at the end. I thought Cecilia was nuts to fall for such a perv.
The movie I wanted would've been more along the lines of Notes on a Scandal. The focus would (and should've been) on the little girl as she manipulates the household into a story she's created. I recall her saying something about how hard it is to get people to act in her stories, so she'd be taking her fiction into the real world. The problem is my version wouldn't be called Atonement anymore. :P
BTW, WHY ON EARTH did they stick an unskippable car commercial before the DVD menu?? If this was Tokyo Drift, I'd understand, but 1930s Atonement?? 7 out of 10
202. Murderball (2005)
It's funny, when I see the MTV logo, I instinctively think, "Hoo boy, this is going to suck." And yet, for the second time in a row, I was surprised at how good its film was. In fact, this may be the best documentary I've seen so far. Don't judge a studio by its movie awards?
This film was an eye-opener for someone who knew nothing about the Paralympics (heck, I actually confused it with the Special Olympics until I wiki'd it). I'm sure many people think that Olympic athletes are the best in sports, but Paralympic athletes train just as hard and their games are just as exciting.
For instance, I was surprised how exciting murderball was for someone who hadn't even heard of it before. The crew couldn't have found a better time to film . . almost every game had a one point ending, and the rest of the narrative outside the games just falls perfectly in place too.
I like how this documentary takes a different route from the norm. For one, no Bush jabs! He is there, but shown in a positive light. Complete shock, I think that's a first in doculand. The other is that while documentaries are often grim and depressing, this one is full of high energy and hope. None of the men complain, some even say that their disability has given them an advantage. I think most paraplegics will find this film empowering. (Or at least Paraplegic Men. Where are the female murderball players?). Though on the flip side, the movie also makes you think twice about putting your neck on the line . . it's incredible what these guys are able to do, yet some things of the simplest things that we take for granted, like opening an envelope, pose a greater challenge to them. 9 out of 10
203. Gone Baby Gone (2007)
When I learned that this film was about a missing kid, I figured it would have a lot of sappy moments involving mom and dad running and screaming, their perfect suburban life shattered? I mean, who would kidnap a kid from the poor? Well, this movie did, and that surprised me. It focused more on the bad side of town and on a family far from perfect. I thought most of the film had a realistic edge to it, which is why I was disappointed by its end game when it decided to go for an unrealistic and confusing conspiracy twist.
That aside, I thought the movie did many things right. The performances were excellent -- Amy Ryan is particularly memorable as Crack Mama. Casey Affleck continues to impress me and I think he's headed for an Oscar win someday. And after an unsuccessful run as an actor, his brother Ben surprises me as a much more talented director. The film works great as a thriller with some really suspenseful moments, yet it also takes breaks for introspection which I liked.
And while the surprise ending was weird, I do like how they show both sides of the coin. I didn't agree with the protag's decision, and neither did someone else who makes a convincing argument for me and all the other disagree-ers out there. I liked how the ending could've gone either way and both ways would've worked out fine. This is a film I'd show to a high school class to set up some great debates . . but I can't because it also sets a new record for curse words in film. Good God, Scorsese would be proud (and jealous). 8 out of 10
204. Eastern Promises (2007)
Viggo Mortensen is incredible. I could not believe this was the same guy I saw in History of Violence. I still can't believe it, it's got to be a mistake! He looks and acts like a completely different actor. In any case, he creates one of the coolest gangsters I've ever seen. I want those sunglasses! Like Capote, this film feels like a one-man show: Viggo's portrayal is such a blinding highlight that he sucks the spotlight from everyone else. But unlike Capote, the character was supported by enough story and style to push it beyond mere intrigue.
The climactic fight is the most memorable one I've seen in years. I laughed, I cringed, I panicked, my jaw dropped . . it was strange, surreal, suspenseful and just masterfully filmed. How the heck could MTV not nominate this for Best Fight of 2008??
On the other hand, I'm a bit disturbed with how Cronenberg keeps the camera on the violence where other directors would pan away. Sure, some of the footage is understandable, but some of it also seems pretty gratuitous. I mean, do we *really* need to see someone's neck get sawed apart with a razor? I don't know, is this just "fan service" or am I missing some kinda deeper meaning in here?
And after a year of watching award nominated movies, you think I'd be desensitized to the common 1-minute endings, but it still bugs me. While the ending was better here than History of Violence's 30 second ending, it still felt like it was missing a few nuts and bolts. And it felt strange that they suddenly wanted you to sympathize with Kirill, when I was never given a reason why I should. Just seemed inconsistent with his character.
Otherwise, Eastern Promises surprised me. I actually figured it was a romance with a title like that but it turned out to be something completely different and something much, much better. 9 out of 10