Month: July 2020

Today’s quick review: Life Is Beautiful. In Italy in 1939, Guido (Roberto Benigni), a cheerful Jewish man, falls in love with Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), a schoolteacher whom he charms with his sense of humor. The couple soon get married and have a son, Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini). But as Italy descends further into fascism, life grows difficult for Guido and his family, and he must use all of his cunning to protect them from the horrors of the Holocaust.

Life Is Beautiful is a comedic Italian drama set during World War II that chronicles the transformation of Italy from a relatively free, pleasant country into an oppressive, genocidal police state. The movie contrasts Guido’s kindly spirit and unflagging optimism with the increasingly inhumane society he lives in. Delightful comedy, gut-wrenching drama, superb acting, and a unique mixture of hope and despair make Life Is Beautiful a powerful watch.

Life Is Beautiful has a knack for comedy rivaled by few movies. Guido makes for a near-perfect comedic protagonist: an upbeat trickster whose wit and charm carry him through the peculiar situations that make up his daily life. His courtship of Dora is a storybook romance that’s innocent, carefree, and laced with serendipity. The opening of the film is an idyllic love story that’s buoyed by clever comedy and eminently likable characters.

The romance and light comedy of the early film make its later shift to drama all the more potent. Life Is Beautiful has as firm a grip on its drama as it does on its comedy. It knows how to feed hope to its audience then take it away. The jokes and serendipity of the early film are turned on their head as the story takes a darker turn. In spite of its sugary coating, Life Is Beautiful is a frank and compelling look at the Holocaust and its victims.

Yet for all its bleakness, the movie never loses the twinkle in its eye. No matter how dark the world around them gets, Guido, Dora, and Giosue remain beacons of light, unfailing in their goodness and their devotion to one another. No matter how tragic the story gets, there is still a lifeline of hope and humor for the audience to cling to. The result is a finely crafted, deeply moving film that spans the breadth of the emotional spectrum.

Life Is Beautiful is an excellent choice for fans of stirring drama, innocent comedy, and fine cinema in general. Its heavy story makes it a taxing watch, in spite of its breezy beginning. But those willing to see the story through to its conclusion will be rewarded with an experience that’s alternately delightful, haunting, and beautiful. Steer clear if you’re looking for a straight drama or unadulterated comedy.

For a more overtly horrific portrait of the Holocaust, try Schindler’s List. For a tragic tale of family and survival, try Grave of the Fireflies. For another moving and well-crafted Italian drama, try Cinema Paradiso.

8.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.5 to 9.0 for skilled acting, endearing comedy, and a touching dramatic story.

Today’s quick review: Schindler’s List. In Nazi-occupied Krakow, Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) has a plan to make his fortune: hire cheap Jewish labor to manufacture enamelware for the war effort. With the help of his manager Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley) and Nazi officer Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes), Schindler’s businss is a success. But as Nazi persecution intensifies, Schindler has a change of heart and uses his wealth to save as many Jews as he can.

Schindler’s List is a biographical drama from director Steven Spielberg. Schindler’s List is a harrowing glimpse at the Holocaust through the eyes of Oskar Schindler, a self-centered entrepreneur who eventually takes a stand against the genocide occurring around him. The movie is a finely-crafted portrait of one of history’s darkest chapters. Its stellar acting and direction and skillful treatment of its subject matter make it a modern classic.

Schindler’s List is a justifiedly heavy watch. The horrors of the Holocaust are on full display, from ghettos and persecution to the blithe murder of Jews in the street to the sheer inhumanity of the concentration camps. The movie does not shy away from its subject matter in the slightest, instead presenting each new horror with the same steady nerves and somber tone as the last one. The sheer quantity of human misery portrayed is overwhelming.

The details are part of what makes Schindler’s List so effective. The film pays close attention to the logistics of the Holocaust and what the Jews did to survive. The result is a gut-wrenching catalog of cruelty, ingenuity, and, on rare occasions, human decency. There is no shield of fiction for the audience to hide behind. The events depicted are true; what story logic applies is only included for the sake of cohesion, never to soften a blow.

Schindler’s List finds an able protagonist in Schindler himself. Liam Neeson stars as a greedy, egotistical entrepreneur who uses his charisma to land contracts with the Nazis. For all his faults, Oskar Schindler is a fundamentally decent man, a quality that distances him from his Nazi associates and ultimately pushes him to help the Jews escape them. His transformation from self-interested businessman to hero is one of the high points of the film.

The cast is also noteworthy. Liam Neeson is an excellent pick for the role, capturing both Schindler’s personable charm and his buried goodness. Ben Kingsley delivers an understated performance as Itzhak Stern, Schindler’s manager and the man who sets him on the path of mercy. Ralph Fiennes rounds out the lead trio as Amon Goeth, the sadistic Nazi officer in charge of the Plaszow concentration camp and the embodiment of the Nazis’ callous evil.

Schindler’s List is a must-see for fans of dramatic cinema and a heavy but rewarding pick for those willing to invest the time and emotional energy. For its scope, subject matter, and raw craftsmanship, Schindler’s List earns its place among the best dramas of all time. For another masterful tragedy with a smaller, more personal story, try Grave of the Fireflies. For a less overwhelming, more hopeful tale of perseverance, try The Shawshank Redemption.

8.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 8.5 to 9.0 for superb craftsmanship and a moving story.

Today’s quick review: The Nines. After a bad breakup and a worse breakdown, TV star Gary (Ryan Reynolds) is placed under house arrest, with only his publicist Margaret (Melissa McCarthy) and his neighbor Sarah (Hope Davis) to keep him company. As Gary’s sojourn wears on, he begins to experience bizarre visions that make him doubt his sanity. Gary presses Margaret and Sarah for answers, only to uncover a shocking truth about his reality.

The Nines is a surreal comedy mystery about a man on the verge of a revelation. The movie switches back and forth between the mundane humor of Gary’s life and his mounting worry over the strange things happening to him. The Nines uses these clues as a springboard to launch into a larger mystery involving Gary and two alternate versions of himself who lead very different lives. However, mixed execution leaves the film with untapped potential.

In spite of an intriguing premise, The Nines never quite hits its stride. The comedy scores a few laughs, thanks mainly to the pairing of Ryan Reynolds and Melissa McCarthy, but it never shines. The mystery invites the viewer to search for clues alongside Gary, with tantalizing hooks and a couple of chilling moments thrown in for good measure. But the answers are merely adequate and the film’s world and characters aren’t rich enough to invest in.

Watch The Nines if you’re interested in an unusual story that peels back the layers of reality. The Nines doesn’t have the finesse, the sense of pacing, or the insight needed to make the most of its premise, but it does make a credible attempt with the tools at its disposal. Those who like movies that go beyond a single story will get something from the film. Those looking for a straight comedy or thriller may want to skip it.

For a cleverer, more skillfully executed collision of realities, try Adaptation, Stranger Than Fiction, The Truman Show, or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. For a surreal fantasy romance with similar themes and a broader plot, try The Fountain. For a sci-fi mystery that dabbles in a similar space, try Dark City. For a film with mixed execution that delves into its lead’s psychology in similar ways, try Revolver or The Singing Detective.

6.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for decent comedy, a mysterious premise, and shaky follow-through.

Today’s quick review: The Hateful Eight. Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson), a bounty hunter on his way to Red Rock, Wyoming, hitches a ride with John Ruth (Kurt Russell), a fellow hunter taking his bounty (Jennifer Jason Leigh) to be hanged. After picking up a Confederate sheriff (Walton Goggins), the travelers hole up in a lodge with four other strangers (Demian Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, and Bruce Dern) to wait out a blizzard.

The Hateful Eight is a Western crime drama from writer and director Quentin Tarantino. The Hateful Eight features a large and talented cast, a simple premise, and a complicated plot that dives deeply into the circumstances that have brought the eight travelers together. The movie is a deliberate watch that takes its time setting up its plot hooks and suspicions. The payoff is an engrossing mystery punctuated by Tarantino’s trademark violence.

The Hateful Eight is the epitome of a slow burn. The film runs nearly three hours, and it splits its time evenly between setup and a tightly controlled escalation to the finish. The slow story works only because its particulars are so intriguing. The characters are colorful and full of surprises, while the film’s subtle plot hooks and thoughtful direction make its scenes interesting to watch even when very little seems to be going on.

The Hateful Eight is missing many of Tarantino’s stylistic quirks. The dishonorable characters, the dark tone, and the degree of violence all match his modus operandi, but he seems content to let the story speak for itself, with only the odd stylistic flourish. Fans of Tarantino’s perky, ironic style will find The Hateful Eight to be more sober than usual but no less skillful. The violence is likewise extreme but saved for when it’s needed.

Watch The Hateful Eight when you are in the mood for a dark, gory mystery with plenty of secrets to hide. The combination of well-drawn characters, a confined setting, and tight direction makes the movie a tense, satisfying watch from start to finish. Those who are at all sensitive to language or violence, those hoping for an action movie, and those who prefer stories with heroes will want to steer well clear.

For another Quentin Tarantino movie in the same vein, try Reservoir Dogs, Inglourious Basterds, or Django Unchained. For a lengthy Western with less violence, a more balanced tone, and excellent acting and direction, try The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. For a crime thriller with a confined setting and dark secrets, try Bad Times at the El Royale.

7.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for skillful storytelling that never takes its eye off the ball.

Today’s quick review: Se7en. With just seven days to go until retirement, Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) is partnered with David Mills (Brad Pitt), a recent transfer eager to cut his teeth on a high-profile case. David gets his chance when the two detectives are assigned to a series of grisly murders patterned after the Seven Deadly Sins. As the victims mount, Somerset and Mills must unravel the killer’s bizarre clues to solve the case.

Se7en is a dark crime thriller from director David Fincher. Se7en takes place in a bleak, crime-ridden city that becomes home to a deranged serial killer bent on punishing sin. The movie pairs a crafty but world-weary homicide detective with a young, keen partner who has yet to see the worst the job can dish out. Skillful acting, a winding mystery, iconic plot twists, and top-notch craftsmanship make Se7en a gripping and disturbing watch.

Se7en has a simple premise but takes it farther and executes it with more skill than nearly any other crime thriller. Its graphic content and dark tone set it apart from the safer entries into the genre, while its nuanced characters and complex mystery make it more than just a vehicle for gore and cynicism. Se7en has all the pieces it needs to assemble a fascinating puzzle, all backed by rock-solid writing, acting, and direction.

Se7en is not for the faint of heart. Its gruesome imagery begins in the opening credits and remains a constant until the final scene. The murders are deliberately shocking, and the tension ratchets up as Somerset and Mills draw closer to the killer. With that said, Se7en is not a full-blown horror movie. It has only one or two scares, and its gore, tension, and bleak tone are all in service of the story, not pursued for their own sake.

Se7en is well worth a watch for anyone who can stomach its violence. The movie excels at exactly what it should: atmosphere, mystery, and anticipation, with enough variety in its story beats to keep the plot interesting. Its only major weakness is its dedication to its vision: Se7en is an unflinchingly dark movie that will not be to every viewer’s tastes. Those who are intrigued should give it a shot; those who are put off should steer well clear.

For a gripping crime drama from the same director, try Zodiac. For a less violent but similarly well-crafted crime movie, try L.A. Confidential. For a superhero movie with a similar plot and atmosphere, try The Dark Knight trilogy. For a moody mystery that’s even more mind-bending, try Shutter Island. For a crime thriller with a similar premise and a less elaborate story, try The Bone Collector.

8.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for strong acting and directing and a tightly assembled plot; your score will vary considerably with taste.

Today’s quick review: The Sixth Sense. After a violent encounter with a former patient, child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) struggles to pick up the pieces of his professional life and his marriage. Hoping to make up for his failure, Crowe takes the case of Cole Sean (Haley Joel Osment), a moody nine-year-old boy who shows signs of abuse. But as he grows closer to Cole, Crowe uncovers a secret that’s stranger than he could have imagined.

The Sixth Sense is a mystery thriller from writer and director M. Night Shyamalan that examines the relationship between a psychologist and a troubled child. Precise acting, tight cinematography, and a careful plot allow The Sixth Sense to hook the audience and draw them into the film’s mystery. The reward for their invesment is a well-told story with masterful plot twists, sympathetic chracters, and a tone that’s unnerving and touching in turn.

The Sixth Sense assembles a fascinating story out of mundane pieces. The movie’s bread and butter are the thoughtful, lonely, and occasionally beautiful moments of everyday life. Malcolm and Cole spend the bulk of the movie just talking. But slipped in among these ordinary moments are hints at something mysterious and frightening. Cole’s odd habits and the inexplicable incidents that surround him all point to a deeper truth, if only Crowe can find it.

Like many of Shyamalan’s movies, The Sixth Sense is a slow burn. The movie takes its time to establish its characters and situation before it lets slip any major revelations. It is a testament to the quality of the film’s execution that it is able to keep the audience’s interest long enough to reach its payoff. But the hooks are strong, the characters are nuanced, and the writing is meaningful, making the film’s slow build-up feel just right.

Also like Shyamalan’s other work, The Sixth Sense walks a fine line between thriller and horror. The movie does dip into horror territory as it shows what Cole is going through, including one or two shocking moments and some effective suspense. But The Sixth Sense never takes the plunge into pure horror, instead using it as a tool to tell a personal, dramatic story. The resulting watch does have tension but won’t overwhelm most viewers.

Give The Sixth Sense a shot when you’re in the mood for a deliberate mystery with excellent craftsmanship and effective emotional core. The Sixth Sense is M. Night Shyamalan at his best, delivering a combination of thoughtful writing, artistic presentation, and keen plot twists in just the right proportions. Those looking for a fast-paced thriller, a full-blown horror movie, or a feel-good watch should hold off.

For a darker mystery from M. Night Shyamalan, try The Village. For one with a slightly lighter tone and a focus on family, try Signs. For an even tenser psychological thriller, try Shutter Island. For another unusual, heartfelt relationship between a psychiatrist and a patient, try K-PAX.

8.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for a great story and polished execution.

Today’s quick review: The Five Venoms. Obeying the wish of his dying master, Yang Tieh (Sheng Chiang), the last student of the House of Five Venoms, sets out to hunt down the school’s five other pupils and keep them from using their extraordinary martial arts prowess for evil. His search takes him to a village where the five incognito warriors have gathered, each one with his sights on a fortune guarded by an old friend of their master.

The Five Venoms is a martial arts action movie that pits five fanciful styles of kung fu against one another. The plot revolves around one unassuming warrior’s quest to uncover the identities of his master’s other students, determine which ones have become corrupt, and ally with the good ones to stop them. The movie combines fast-paced martial arts action, impressive stunt work, and a surprisingly intricate story to make for a solid popcorn watch.

The Five Venoms is at its best when it’s actually embroiled in martial arts. The fights are fast-paced and cleverly choreographed, while the unique skills of the five wayward pupils add some flavor to the combat. The film is on shakier ground when it’s actively trying to impress. The pupils’ skills work just fine in combat, but the flashy demonstrations of them fall flat. Fortunately, The Five Venoms lets its fighters prove themselves directly.

The Five Venoms also does more with its story than might otherwise be expected. The movie takes a contrived premise and weaves it into a satisfying mystery revolving around the unknown identities of the House’s students. The students’ attempts to learn the identities of their colleagues, gain an advantage over each other, and locate the money lead to some good twists. The plot is not high art, but it manages to be engaging throughout.

Watch The Five Venoms when you’re in the mood for some martial arts action with a dash of plot. Neither the story nor the characters can match the best the martial arts genre has to offer, but they do make The Five Venoms a viable pick for fans of the genre. For another martial arts movie in the same vein, try Sword Masters: Two Champions of Shaolin. For one with even more high-flying stunts and better execution, try Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a good mix of action and plot.

Today’s quick review: Four Weddings and a Funeral. Charles (Hugh Grant) and his friends are frequent guests at weddings but never seem to have any of their own. With Charles’ history of failed long-term relationships, he doubts that will ever change, at least for him. But when Charles hits it off with Carrie (Andie MacDowell), a charming American woman, he finally finds someone to spend the rest of his life with, if only he can get the timing right.

Four Weddings and a Funeral is a British romantic comedy about love, marriage, and the obstacles in their way. As the title suggests, the movie takes place primarily at weddings, jumping forward months at a time to pick up with Charles and his friends at the next one. The romance involves Charles and Carrie, a natural match who only get to see each other on these rare occasions, making it hard for them to establish any sort of relationship.

Four Weddings and a Funeral is built on a sharp and observant script. The movie has a firm grasp on what’s funny, what’s not, and when to switch between the two. It puts this talent to good use in portraying the speeches, the awkwardness, and the minor crises that come with attending weddings. The result is a movie that sparkles in even the most mundane situations. Each wedding is imbued with the life, humor, and charm it needs to stay interesting.

The script is backed by a vivid and likable cast. The film rotates between characters frequently, flitting between Charles, his friends, and the guests of each wedding. The characters are easy to get a feel for even with limited exposure. Their personalities shine through clearly and provide the film with a reliable source of humor. The extended cast also helps flesh out the story and provide other perspectives on romance than just Charles’.

Watch Four Weddings and a Funeral when you’re in the mood for a funny, optimistic look at romance. A witty script and a skilled cast give the movie what it needs to tell an engaging story, while its musings on romance are broad and insightful enough to make the movie fulfilling. Skip it if you’re looking for something dramatic or cynical.

For another British romantic comedy with a similar sense of humor, try Love Actually. For a tamer romance starring Hugh Grant, try The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain. For a classic romantic comedy with similar wit and characters, try The Philadelphia Story. For a somewhat more bitter take on modern romance, try 500 Days of Summer.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a pleasant blend of character, humor, and heart.

Today’s quick review: Three. After being shot in the head by a police officer, Shun (Hon-Leung Chung), a brainy criminal, is taken to a hospital for treatment. Refusing surgery, Shun bides his time until he can stage an escape attempt with the help of his associates on the outside. As Dr. Qian Tong (Wei Zhao), a driven neurosurgeon, urges him to accept treatment, Inspector Ken Chan (Louis Koo) resorts to unethical means to cover up the shooting.

Three is a Chinese crime drama about a criminal whose head injury poses a problem for doctor and police officer alike. Three is a complex, deliberately paced movie whose premise weaves in a number of interesting plot threads. A tense situation, clever twists, and competent moment-to-moment execution provide lots of raw potential, but the big picture leaves something to be desired. The result is a promising film with mediocre follow-through.

Three has a set of interesting puzzle pieces, but it doesn’t know how to assemble them. Chan’s cover-up of police misconduct, Shun’s manipulation of his captors, and Tong’s struggle with her conscience give the film plenty of drama to work with. The mystery surrounding the shooting, Shun’s ambiguous goals, and the looming threat of the breakout heighten the tension even more. Three has the makings of a complex and delicate thriller.

But Three fails to fully capitalize on this potential. Slow pacing and the lack of a clear source of danger render the film’s drama toothless, at least for the bulk of its lengthy build-up. Shun’s shaky medical condition makes him hard to take seriously as a mastermind, while the plan to rescue him is half-baked. Three also has a tendency to drift into medical drama when nothing else is going on, taking focus away from the criminal side of the plot.

Give Three a shot when you’re in the mood for a slower, more complicated sort of crime movie. Many of its best ideas go to waste, but their novelty, coupled with the sound execution of its individual scenes, make it a reasonable pick for those who are interested. For a minimalistic cat-and-mouse game with a more sinister mystery, try The Interview. For a heist movie about a brilliant criminal, try Inside Man.

6.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for an interesting premise and mixed execution.

Today’s quick review: Sword Masters: Two Champions of Shaolin. Tung Chien-Chen (Meng Lo), a bold young graduate of the Shaolin Temple, joins forces with fellow Shaolin warrior Hu Wei-Chen (Sheng Chiang) to fight the Wudang Clan, a rival school that has sided with the ascendant Qing Court against the Ming loyalists. Tung, Hu, and their allies must use all their skills to defeat the champions of the Wudang Clan and their dangerous fighting styles.

Sword Masters: Two Champions of Shaolin is a martial arts action movie about two feuding martial arts schools and the skirmishes between their students. Sword Masters features skilled, theatrical-style martial arts and a tragic plot that takes place during the rise of the Qing Dynasty. It provides a fair amount of spectacle and showcases genuine athletic skill. However, its eclectic plot and mediocre characters leave something to be desired.

Fittingly enough, Sword Masters’ biggest draw is its action. The film’s distinctive fighting style is more flashy than weighty. Each fight is a rhythmic and elegant series of poses, and the athleticism and choreograhpy on display are impressive. The film does have the genre’s usual conceits, the extraordinary abilities that supposedly come with mastery of kung fu, but its bread and butter is dance-like fighting that relies on pure skill.

Sword Masters does not have as much to offer on the story side. The cast is sprawling, with half a dozen significant characters on each side of the fight, not all of whom deserve the attention they receive. The structure of the plot is an escalating series of episodes in the war between Shaolin and Wudang. The movie has less of an overarching plot that comes to fruition than a point at which each side has played all of its cards.

Fans of the martial arts genre may want to give Sword Masters: Two Champions of Shaolin a shot. The movie does not stand out from its peers, but its athletic prowess and artistic style of fighting give it some appeal. Those looking for gritty, hard-hitting action or rich, character-driven drama will want to look elsewhere.

For a more down-to-earth martial arts movie with a more dramatically effective story, try Ip Man. For a tragic martial arts drama that deals with loyalty and rebellion, try House of Flying Daggers. For a martial arts flick of a similar caliber, try The Five Venoms. For a goofy spoof of the genre, try Kung Pow: Enter the Fist.

6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for graceful stunts and middling story.