Recently Seen Movies

The past few weeks I have seen several DVDs, none of which have truly impressed me. Here is a review of my recently seen movies.

• Robin Hood (C+)

I remember at first impression this film appeared to be an instant drama classic, perhaps the next Gladiator. I must sadly admit though that it did not deliver in typical Ridley Scott/Russell Crowe fashion. Perhaps my expectations were too high, thinking the two would once again create a classic as they did with Gladiator or American Gangster. Yet not even the shinning Cate Blanchett could save this dry film about the legend of Robin Hood. Unlike its many fictional predecessors, Ridley presents the story of Robin Hood in a more historical aspect . I give him high praise for doing this, as well as managing to blend in some good comedy into the story, however the story ultimately lacked any pull.... Furthermore the ending was extremely disappointing... The entire movie builds and builds and builds, and finally at the end it leaves you hanging without the real action... The movie is basically a prequel about the life of Robin Longshore before he becomes the Robin Hood we all know him as... I think that the only way to redeem this film, would be if the producers could come out with a sequel, with all the same actors, to continue the story...

• Broken Embraces (B-)

This Spanish film, also known as Los Brazos Rotos, helped me understand why Pedro Almodovar is one of the greatest Spanish directors of all time. The film is about a blind screenwriter, and his past love with one of his actresses, played by the stunning Penelope Cruz. The movie jumps back and forth, from the screenwriter telling the story to his son, to flashbacks of his love affair with Penelope Cruz. Along with this main plot, are also several sub-plots that all smoothly tie together in the end. Overall amazing, artistic, and passionate directing from Pedro Almodovar.

• Greenberg (C)

Every now and then Ben Stiller tries to treat us with something new, yet can never quite break away from his typical compulsive character. In this comedy-drama directed by Noah Baumbach, Stiller plays the lead role of a man in his 40s, recovering from a nervous breakdown. He decides to put aside all his ambitions, do absolutely nothing for a living, and somehow manages to find love throughout his new lifestyle. Stiller suceeds in creating a serious character, however does not create an awe-inspiring original character. The film has a decent soundtrack and some memorable parts, yet all together is nothing to rave about...

• The Road (C)

I remember often seeing Viggo Mortensen's name in the list of Oscar Potentials for his role in this post-apocalyptic fiction directed by John Hillcoat. It's a story about a man and his son trying to live in a wasteland, after an unexplainable event wipes out all of humanity. Viggo gives a memorable performance, as an extremely intense and protective father. The film brings up interesting concepts of survival and social interaction, however is somewhat dry and lacks any real inspiration...

• The Wolfman (C-)

I've never gotten into the Gothic craze of Vampires and Werewolves, however when I first heard about this film, I thought it might be able to pull me in. I was unaware of the story, yet the film had a dark appeal to it, especially with Benecio del Toro as the lead. However early into the movie I quickly concluded that Benecio del Toro was simply wrong for the part, and perhaps the film's biggest downfall. Emily Blunt managed to bring some light to the dark mystique, yet still couldn't save the overall ridiculousness of the film. It's a typical gory Horror film, that tries to add some dramatic quality, yet fails miserably.

• The French Connection (B)

Now here's a classic film, I've been meaning to watch for some time now. It's been considered one of the greatest of crime-films, with high praise on Gene Hackman's performance. So I finally got the chance to sit through it, and try to understand what makes it such a classic. Gene Hackman plays the hard-noised narcotics detective Jimmy "Popeye" Boyle, out to make a name for himself. He and his partner, played by Roy Scheider, go on an undercover hunt around New York City to bust a group of French smugglers. Major props go out to director William Friedkin for creating an extremely suspenseful chase scene through downtown Brooklyn. The camera takes you for a speedy and destructive ride, inside Jimmy Boyle's car, as he pursues the NYC Transit. The film achieves high marks in unpredictably, acting, and general filming and is definitely worthy of being a classic...