My sister, Em, Julian and I went to Cinemagic the other night to see The Fighter. I love Cinemagic - it's a local business and it has reasonably priced movies and concessions. Plus it's near our house and not usually too packed. So, anyway, we'd been wanting to see this movie - my bro, Christian, really liked it, and my favorite guys (Christian Bale and Marky Mark) are in it! And I always love these type of underdog type movies (think Rocky - all of them are awesome, except I haven't seen the very last one but bet it's at least pretty good, if not better).
So this movie is based on a true story about two brothers (Dicky, played by Christian Bale) and Micky (played by Marky Mark). Dicky is a local boxing legend in this small town that must be near Boston (major Boston accents going on). He's famous for knocking out (or just down, even that is questionable) Sugar Ray Leonard. He's a has-been at this point (I don't want to give away too much) and is training his younger brother, Micky, who is an aspiring boxer. The movie revolves around their extensive family relationships as Micky struggles to actually make it. The family was awesome - so outrageous that they offer a lot of comic relief for a pretty dramatic and intense movie. I loved this move - see it!!
That was not the only comic relief to be found though. About the middle of the movie there was a rather quiet, intense and dramatic part, and all of a suddent some person (I have to think a guy!) farted so loud! We couldn't stop laughing. I heard the people behind us laughing too, but I think most people were "above" that and tried to pretend they didn't hear it. But I bet some smelled it if they were close enough. Near the end, yet another one of the quieter parts of the movie - the guy did it again! Just as loud. By then it really kind of broke the intensity and it felt good to laugh. The person behind us yelled out "I hope you're on a date!". LOL!
Showing posts with label Movie reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movie reviews. Show all posts
Friday, January 14, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Movie review - West Side Story, 1961
Julian went to a metal show on Saturday night. I decided to stay home and watch a movie I knew he wouldn't want to watch with me, West Side Story. This is a movie I'd never seen, although I may have tried once before I think. It came out in 1961, and you can tell by some of the dialog (they use "Daddio" a few times, for instance). I have to preface my review by saying that I really felt I should see this movie, it seemed kind of an essential movie to watch as a person that loves classic films. However, I've never been a big fan of musicals.
I very nearly stopped watching this movie early on, but I persevered and I'm glad. It really does feel like a Broadway musical that was filmed. I've seen plenty of other filmed musicals, but this one really felt different. I can see really liking West Side Story as a live musical. But as a film it was hard to get used to. It was hard to get used to these tough gang members dancing around and singing.
The story revolves around two rival gangs - the Jets and the Sharks. The Jets are the white guys and the Sharks are the Puerto Ricans. The younger sister (Maria) of the head of the Sharks (played by Natalie Wood) falls for a Jet gang affiliate (Tony). These gangs don't like each other to begin with, and there are a lot of racial undertones - they should each be with their own kind. There are some good songs and definitely some great dancing. The outfits are really cool - the Jets are typically dressed in pastels, while the Sharks are typically in black and more primary colors. It was kind of funny to hear Natalie Wood affect a Puerto Rican accent. And a lot of the actors that played the Sharks looked like caucasians that had a lot of dark makeup on. That definitely dated the movie.
Overall I was glad I saw this movie, it was emotional, especially the ending. But I will admit to picking up my knitting project here and there, especially during some of the longer songs.
I very nearly stopped watching this movie early on, but I persevered and I'm glad. It really does feel like a Broadway musical that was filmed. I've seen plenty of other filmed musicals, but this one really felt different. I can see really liking West Side Story as a live musical. But as a film it was hard to get used to. It was hard to get used to these tough gang members dancing around and singing.
The story revolves around two rival gangs - the Jets and the Sharks. The Jets are the white guys and the Sharks are the Puerto Ricans. The younger sister (Maria) of the head of the Sharks (played by Natalie Wood) falls for a Jet gang affiliate (Tony). These gangs don't like each other to begin with, and there are a lot of racial undertones - they should each be with their own kind. There are some good songs and definitely some great dancing. The outfits are really cool - the Jets are typically dressed in pastels, while the Sharks are typically in black and more primary colors. It was kind of funny to hear Natalie Wood affect a Puerto Rican accent. And a lot of the actors that played the Sharks looked like caucasians that had a lot of dark makeup on. That definitely dated the movie.
Overall I was glad I saw this movie, it was emotional, especially the ending. But I will admit to picking up my knitting project here and there, especially during some of the longer songs.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Grand Hotel - classic movie
I mentioned in my profile that I love classic movies. I definitely got this love of classic movies from my Mom - she loves them and knows a ton about them. When she was in college she actually took a class (or more) on classic movies - cool, huh? I don't recall any type of cool class like that when I was going to school. So she recommends lots of actors, actresses and movies to me. We watched some classics growing up, and she always talked so fondly of these movies when we were kids it rubbed off on a few of us.
Now I love them, they're my favorite type of movie for sure. I used to just rent them when I could, but we've had cable for the past few years and I take full advantage of Turner Classic Movies and record lots of these movies on our DVR. I also have a few classic movie guides and books to refer to. I only have so much time to watch movies, so I try to do a little research to see if it's one worth seeing. Kind of like reading - I'm a slow reader so I put a little research into a book before choosing to read it.
Last night I watched Grand Hotel. It's my oldest movie on our DVR - recorded almost a year ago. I thought I'd seen it before, but after watching it I'm not sure that I have. It came out in 1932 and has one of my favorites in it - Joan Crawford. It also has Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore and Wallace Beery. This is the movie with Greta's famous line: "I vant to be alone".
It was super good. It's set at Berlin's Grand Hotel and revolves around the 4 main characters. Greta plays a ballerina, John Barrymore a jewel thief disguised as a baron, Joan Crawford is a stenographer, Lionel Barrymore is a terminally ill bookkeeper and Wallace Beery is a big industrial tycoon (domineering jerk).
Joan falls for John Barrymore's character, but she's working for Wallace Beery's character (who is lusting after Joan). John Barrymore falls for Greta's ballerina character while attempting to steal her pearls. Lionel just wants a friend after all the years spent toiling in Wallace Beery's factory as a bookkeeper. He's terminally ill and is living out his last few months in style (and aiming to spend all of his savings).
The story intertwines all of these characters in a very engaging way. It has some good suspense as well, especially in John Barrymore's scene where he breaks into Greta Garbo's character's hotel room to steal her pearls.
Plus you can't beat the amazing wardrobes and sets. I absolutely love to watch these movies to see the amazing architecture, furniture, clothes and jewelry of the era.
Now I love them, they're my favorite type of movie for sure. I used to just rent them when I could, but we've had cable for the past few years and I take full advantage of Turner Classic Movies and record lots of these movies on our DVR. I also have a few classic movie guides and books to refer to. I only have so much time to watch movies, so I try to do a little research to see if it's one worth seeing. Kind of like reading - I'm a slow reader so I put a little research into a book before choosing to read it.
Last night I watched Grand Hotel. It's my oldest movie on our DVR - recorded almost a year ago. I thought I'd seen it before, but after watching it I'm not sure that I have. It came out in 1932 and has one of my favorites in it - Joan Crawford. It also has Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore and Wallace Beery. This is the movie with Greta's famous line: "I vant to be alone".
It was super good. It's set at Berlin's Grand Hotel and revolves around the 4 main characters. Greta plays a ballerina, John Barrymore a jewel thief disguised as a baron, Joan Crawford is a stenographer, Lionel Barrymore is a terminally ill bookkeeper and Wallace Beery is a big industrial tycoon (domineering jerk).
Joan falls for John Barrymore's character, but she's working for Wallace Beery's character (who is lusting after Joan). John Barrymore falls for Greta's ballerina character while attempting to steal her pearls. Lionel just wants a friend after all the years spent toiling in Wallace Beery's factory as a bookkeeper. He's terminally ill and is living out his last few months in style (and aiming to spend all of his savings).
The story intertwines all of these characters in a very engaging way. It has some good suspense as well, especially in John Barrymore's scene where he breaks into Greta Garbo's character's hotel room to steal her pearls.
Plus you can't beat the amazing wardrobes and sets. I absolutely love to watch these movies to see the amazing architecture, furniture, clothes and jewelry of the era.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)