Kyle's Critique

The Holiday (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 03:10:00 +0000

Chick Flick Alert: Yes, I watch these. So sue me. I enjoyed The Holiday...mostly. It was an odd little film, with many subplots that I found extraneous and one subplot that I thought could have been a movie all by itself. Why does Jack Black have a girlfriend? Boring and redundant. I don't care about him and his girlfriend whom we never really meet. I care about him forming a relationship with Kate Winslet. As for Cameron Diaz, she does okay in her role, but Jude Law is the one that makes that relationship interesting. Both of these stories are okay, but nothing we haven't seen before. And what was up with all the self-indulgent movie stuff? Wow.

The best part of the movie for me was seeing the relationship between Eli Wallach and Kate Winslet. That was sweet.

Anyway a good movie to watch on a rainy afternoon.

Pros: Eli Wallach, Cute
Cons: Nothing special, No real resolution

Clash of the Titans (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:40:00 +0000

Clash of the Titans is a type of film that doesn't get made that often anymore. A giant mythological, epic that isn't horrible (I'm looking at you, Troy.)

I really enjoy watching old films and appreciating them for what they were. This movie was a spectacle. It had great animation and neat special effects. Watch the Medusa scene and tell me that isn't cool. It also has some wonderful overacting from some of the titans of cinema.

The story resembles some of Greek mythology in that all the names are fairly correct, but beyond that there are some vast departures. That however, is the nature of the movies, so I forgive it.

The best thing I can say about this film is that I wish I could see more of it in Hollywood today.

Pros: Animation, Epic, Actors
Cons: Mixed Myths, Acting

Meet the Robinsons (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:10:00 +0000

Meet the Robinsons was the first movie I've ever seen in Disney 3D, and that part of it was amazing. And it was also tiring. Having my eyes forced to focus on certain things wore them out after awhile. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the visual feast of the movie. It was quite colorful and inventive in its scenery and character design.

As for the story. This is where we see the differences between Pixar and Disney. This story is predictable and weird at the same time. All the plot twists are visible to anyone over the age of 10, so it should stop trying to be so clever. This material was covered better by the Back to the Future trilogy. The humor was forced and mostly sight gags (nowhere near Dreamworks Animation levels, thank God.)

Anyway, its good for kids. I would have loved this movie as an 8 year old. That is why I am giving this movie a positive rating.

Pros: 3D, Visual style
Cons: Humor, story

I Return

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:09:00 +0000

After a month long sabbatical I return.

Stranger Than Fiction (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 04:32:00 +0000

Stranger Than Fiction is a really good movie. It's witty. It's smart. It's insightful. It's cute. I liked it, a lot. Having said that, there are things that people won't like.

It moves a little slowly. The jokes are subtle. This is not a laugh-a-minute movie like some other Will Ferrel movies. This movie is careful with its humor and doesn't let it encroach on its plot. At times the film delves into the dramatic, which isn't its strongest suit.

Despite all that. I love this movie. I like Will Ferrel and I love Maggie Gyllenhaal. Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman are brilliant as well.

The movie balances on the issue of fate. What is fated? What can be changed and what can't? Should things be changed? Sometimes these are explored adequately, other times they are left dangling most likely to let the viewer decide for themselves. Some people will like that, others will not.

It's a good movie. I recommend it.

Pros: Witty, Interesting, Maggie
Cons: Long?

Borat (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 18:27:00 +0000

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan was funny, but...it wasn't that funny. It is by no means the funniest film of the year. I think it got way over-hyped.

On one hand you have a man exposing people's ignorance and own bigotry by presenting them with an aloof outsider. The bits in the movie where Borat was interacting with real people was hilarious. It is amazing to see what people will say or do. The scripted bits were on the other hand a bit forced and often focused on gross out or shock humor. I think the film would have been better had it not relied on these moments so heavily, but it does.

I still cannot believe this got nominated for best screenplay. I mean come on. It's a series of bizarre vignettes strung together. That's part of its charm, but it's certainly not Oscar worthy. That's a slap in the face of every writer out there.

Anyway I enjoyed the film. It was amusing, enlightening and really, really stupid all at the same time. Will I revisit? No. This comedy is best viewed once.

Pros: Really funny bits with real people
Cons: The other stuff, plot?

Amateur Hour by Beabo

Saw III (-)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 22:13:00 +0000

Ugh, there is going to be another one? At this point I feel like I've already put enough time into this series that I need to see the end. But I don't really know why.

Jigsaw is a cool villain. I like his whole, "the victims punish themselves thing" and "enjoy life or I will make you." Unfortunately he is trapped in a bad movie series with spastic directors. These are directors that like to run around in circles with the camera while cranking up the speed. They also zoom in on blood and guts in what has been affectionately called "torture porn." These directors suck and make the films more laughable and irritating then shocking and scary.

Saw III is a continued horrible addition to a series I don't know why I continue to watch.

Also, I don't remember anything with teeth. So why was it featured so heavily in the marketing?

Pros: Intriguing premise
Cons: Everything else

Save the Last Dance 2 (-)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 22:02:00 +0000

Save the Last Dance 2 had "the illest moves" I have ever seen. In fact it made me go "coco-Nuts!" Those quotes are just some of the awesome examples of the great dialogue this movie has. The addition of non-actors was a welcome change. I enjoyed the plot contrivance that allowed the ballet blonde to get a new hip-hop, black boyfriend. Then I was really upset at the uber-realistic fight that occurred when she found out that his mother was the white ballet teacher. I hope I didn't ruin that totally rad twist. It was so Shamaylaman, Shamaladong? Whatev. I just totally heart this movie. The best part was the dance scenes. They were great because they were moves that I could do at home, which will allow me to do cardio to this movie everyday. I think they let the non-actors do their own non-dancing. It was really cool. I just love this movie. Yummers. Til next time at the review blog thingy.

Pros: None
Cons: It was like totally rad.

Volver (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 16:15:00 +0000

The best way to describe Volver is that it is like a Spanish version of Desperate Housewives. I say this not in terms of quality (which Desperate Housewives lost after Season 1) but in terms of content. Volver features women in dark soap opera-like comedy. Each women is dealing with death in some fashion. Some are visited by someone they long thought dead, some are dealing with an unexpected death, some are dying themselves and trying to find answers to questions from long ago. It's not the kind of material you think you would find yourself laughing at, but you do laugh.

The characters are just so charming and endearing. The film really just wins you over with smiles and jokes. By the time the plot twists start rolling around, you care about the characters and their reactions. It's a good little film about death that makes you laugh.

Pros: Charming characters, Funny situations, Twists and Turns
Cons: Too Soap Opera-like?

The Science of Sleep (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 15:32:00 +0000

The Science of Sleep is not for everyone. I'm not even sure it's for me. I loved the quirkiness of its visual style. In fact, its visual style is the reason that it is getting a positive rating. I loved the way this movie looked. I loved the interplay of dreams and reality. It's so refreshing to see a film do special effects this way instead of just some sort of lame CGI land with bright flowers and crystal buildings. The visual effects in the film and the inventiveness of the dreamscape are the two main reasons to see this film.

The story is where I have problems. Characters are introduced and not resolved. Plot points are dropped. Things are forgotten. There are characters who act bizarrely, and expectedly so, but then they act out of character as strange as that may seem. I felt it was a little sloppy. I think partly I'm unfairly criticizing this film, because as neat as it is, it doesn't hold a candle to Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind.

Overall its a film worth seeing, seeing being the operative word, but doesn't leave the impression that it's predecessor did.

Pros: Visual Style, Inventive Dreamscape
Cons: Overall story, Distractingly quirky characters

The Proposition (-)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 23:45:00 +0000

I wanted to like The Proposition. Guy Pearce is awesome and I like westerny type movies. Ultimately it just moved too slow and I cared too little about the characters. The premise was intriguing. One brother sent to hunt his older brother in order to save his younger brother. That part of the film was mostly interesting. But then the film got caught up in the story of the sheriff and his wife. He wants to protect her from the world and keeps her away from town. That was dull and it slowed down the rest of the film which was already taking its time. It was a bit sad because I really wanted to like this film.

The screenplay was written by songwriter Nick Cave. He should definitely continue to write movies, because there are some real promising bits. He should just avoid side plots. Not surprisingly I liked the soundtrack, but I think it lulled me to sleep during the slow parts. The cinematography was brilliant. The Australian outback looked hauntingly gorgeous.

Pros: Good actors, Premise, Pretty landscape, nice soundtrack
Cons: Side plot, slow

Flyboys (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 23:34:00 +0000

Flyboys is not a good film. So why did I give it a good recommendation? Well, because it's not a bad film either. It's basically a historical pop-corn flick in the same vein as The Patriot. It's the kind of film that is supposed to inspire and blah blah blah. Despite being inspired by a true story it is all very hard to swallow. The plot meanders beyond the skill of anyone involved and the acting is just okay. It does respect the seriousness of the occupation. Early fighter pilots didn't live very long or get very many kills. People died a lot. I hope that isn't too spoilery.

The action was great. I really liked the dogfights. I love dogfights. The special effects were good, if you nitpick em they probably fall apart or if you have a larger screen then my 20' they probably don't look so hot. But I liked them, so sue me.

The real reason I gave this film a positive rating is that I want to see more WWI based movies. WWII movies have been done to death. I can only really remember a few good WWI movies (All Quiet on the Western Front, A Very Long Engagement) and very few biplane movies. That makes me sad. I like this time frame and would like to see more of it on the big screen.

Pros: WWI, Dogfights, Effects
Cons: Story, Rah-rah historical rewrite hoorah

Barton Fink (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 22:52:00 +0000

I love the early Cohen Brothers. Their mastery of quirky dialogue is something to be admired. Where they are and what they are doing now is a mystery to me. Their last great film was O' Brother Where Art Thou. Then they made a bunch of oddly commercial films that were failures. They should stick to what they know: Quirky.

Barton Fink is a good film and an excellent example of the Cohen Brothers at their quirkiest. It follows a playwright who is drafted to Hollywood to write a wrestling picture. He arrives and stays in a common hotel so that he can stay in touch with the people. A few conversations later and the plot has twisted into something completely different. It was a turn that was unexpected and shocked me, but it wasn't the last twist the movie had in store.

I don't want to say too much because that could ruin the journey. I am not sure I entirely agree with how it went or how it ended but it was very interesting while it lasted.

Pros: Dialogue and characters, Quirky
Cons: Overall plot twists

Heavenly Creatures (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 22:37:00 +0000

Heavenly Creatures begins with an intriguing teaser that immediately delves you into the world of two killers. Then the actual movie began and I was a little worried. It seemed overacted and the visual style was a little too kinetic for the subject matter. I didn't understand how this film had helped Peter Jackson snag the Lord of the Rings franchise. But then the film hit its stride.

The actresses toned it down a little and the film fully realized the fantasy that the two children had created. The fantasy world is amazing considering the budget. People made of clay dancing about in an ancient kingdom that only existed in the girls diaries. As the real world falls apart their fantasy world grows. It is a great dichotomy and Peter Jackson balanced it very well for someone who was still considered a novice at the time.

The subject matter isn't for everyone, but if you are willing to take the journey into the mind of two kiwi lesbian killers then this is the one to take.

Pros: Visual Style, Interesting look into the minds of killers
Cons: Acting at times

The New World (-)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:43:00 +0000

This movie is typical of what I've seen from Terrance Malick. Beautiful imagery overwrought with tepid voice over. It was like The Thin Red Line all over again, but set during the 15th century. Movies need to be more than a series of vignettes, yet that was all The New World was. It was just dialogueless scene after dialogueless scene all strung together by inane voice over. I'm sorry Mr. Malick but the world does not think or speak in Haikus. I had to turn this movie off after an hour in. That is my review.

Pros: Great cinematography
Cons: Dull as dirt, boring, blegh

Glengary Glen Ross (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 05:21:00 +0000

David Mamet is a great playwright. (Side note: why is playwright spelled like that?) He is masterful at creating characters that have the gift of gab. They captivate you with their words. That is the reason to see a David Mamet play. If you don't like dialogue then don't tune in. (The dialogue is fairly colorful in this one so also don't tune in if your ears are easily offended.)

The plot is nothing special. It's about a bunch of real estate salesmen forced to work in a scam operation. They are under great pressure and will say or do just about anything to make a sale. This is not what makes the movie good. It's what they say and do that makes the movie. It's how they say and do that makes the movie. It's who says and does it that makes the movie. This film has a great cast: Jack Lemmon, Kevin Spacey, Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin and Johnathan Pryce. All of them are masters and this movie shows why.

Pros: Dialogue, Characters, Actors
Cons: Plot is not the best, nor is the directing

The Wicker Man (-)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 06:10:00 +0000

I really didn't like this movie. And I think it hates women.

But these scenes are hilarious.

How I Met Your Mother: Season 1 (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 05:52:00 +0000

I am as surprised as you are. I seriously thought I would hate this show. It has lots of things I hate one-liners, sit-com cinematography, cheesy plot devices, and chief of all sins, a laugh track. I hate those things. I mean I really hate them. But somehow despite all the odds I actually really like this show.

I think like this show because of the energy it puts off. Its a show that is having fun. The cast is awesome with vets from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Freaks and Geeks, and Doogie himself. The main character is charming as is his leading lady. They all seem to be having fun doing the show and being together. Its mostly a show about people goofing off, which is very infectious. The jokes and plots are actually pretty funny too.

The show also makes a few bold departures from traditional sit-com land. Spoiler-Alert (Skip this paragraph if you haven't seen the show): The very first episode sets up that the romantic lead is not the titular mother. The whole season builds to a relationship that the audience knows is doomed. That's pretty damned bold, because we like the relationship and we are just waiting to have our collective hearts broken.

The DVD is pretty cool. The creators commentaries are pretty funny. The spend a great deal of the time talking about how their lives inspired certain things to plugging their band that wrote the theme song to talking about places they like in New York. I liked them by the end of the DVD set. There is also some behind the scenes footage and stuff like that.

Pros: Great cast, good energy, funny jokes, bold creative decisions
Cons: Traditional sitcom, cheesy plots, bad cinematography, LAUGH TRACK

Les Pacte Des Loups: The Brotherhood of the Wolf(+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 21:01:00 +0000

I honestly didn't think I'd like this movie for two reasons: One, it was well reviewed by Harry Knowles, a man who has horrible taste in films and can't write anything coherently. Two, I thought it was a werewolf movie. Werewolf movies suck, at least most of them do. Well, The Brotherhood of the Wolf is not a werewolf movie. It is a French/ 18th century historical/ kung-fu/ monster/ mystery/ drama movie. Yeah that is a mouthful and if you don't like any of those things then beware. If you do like those things then I can recommend this movie.

It's a long movie at 2 hours and 24 minutes. It's also a French movie so that means subtitles (or dubbing, if you can put up with that. I can't.) But the movie has a lot of things going for it. A good cast. Interesting characters. A twisting plot. Lots of action. A fair amount of drama. I enjoyed it, which really did surprise me. It's also a really beautiful movie. The cinematographer earned his paycheck.

So if you are in the mood for a French/ 18th century historical/ kung-fu/ monster/ mystery/ drama movie then this is the best in the genre.

Pros: Good action, characters, plot, not a werewolf movie
Cons: A tad long, doesn't succeed at all it tries, brothel seemed out of place, CGI monster

Tom Yun Goong: The Protector (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:39:00 +0000

This movie is about a man trying to rescue his elephant brothers after his dad was shot. Then some sort of assassin conspiracy plot is thrown in. Its story makes no sense. The acting is atrocious, especially when it is in English. The direction is usually sub-par. So, why am I giving this movie a positive rating? It's because what Tony Jaa can do with his stunts is amazing.

It takes a good 20 minutes for the first fight scene. It's somewhat impressive but then come the crazy fights. Tony Jaa takes on extreme sports activists in a duel to the death with bmx-ers, roller bladers, dirt bikes and 4-wheelers. Then he storms through 5 flights of bad guys in what seems like one single long shot of the camera. The action scenes are where the direction becomes really impressive. The end fight with 50 guys is also particularly cool.

Tony Jaa is a force. He sells his stunts incredibly well, and that alone makes Tom Yun Goong worth seeing.

Pros: Must see for stunt enthusiasts, martial arts fans and action lovers.
Cons: Those looking for an actual movie should look elsewhere.

The Big Sleep (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 17:40:00 +0000

Oh the plot developments in the novel The Big Sleep takes are almost as twisted as the tongue of its lead character and narrator Phillip Marlowe. Raymond Chandler has had some potshots taken at him by todays literary elite, calling his stuff pure drivel, but the man knew how to turn a phrase. The narration in this book is delight for any fan of noir. This is one of the quintessential dame and detective books. The characters are bold and verbose. The mystery is seedy and dark. It may seem cliche this day and age, but I really enjoyed the experience and would definitely recommend the journey to any other sleuths.

Pros: The characters, the narration and the setting are all pure noir.
Cons: Perhaps too predictable or too dated for some.

A Scanner Darkly (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 23:46:00 +0000

This movie is a trip, both visually and mentally. It's hand drawn look pulls you into a world where you are just as unsure of what you are seeing as the characters are. It works really well. I loved it, but if you can't handle a serious cartoon then bail out now.

The story is a very personal one. It's perhaps the most autobiographical of Philip K. Dick's stories. The drug induced paranoia, the suspicion of surveillance, and the crazy friendships are all directly from his life. Knowing all that makes this film really interesting, not that it wasn't interesting to begin with. The plot is really good, even though at first and for awhile it seems like there isn't one. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to ruin any of it. Just be prepared to think about what you are seeing and then rethink about it after you've seen it.

The acting is top notch, especially Robert Downey jr. He is just at the top of his game at the moment. This and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang are both great performances of him. I'm glad he's back, he's just really good.

Pros: The look is both interesting and important to the story, the layers to the story, the characters are very realized, Robert Downey jr.
Cons: The look may be off putting to some, may move too slowly for others

Idiocracy (-)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 23:37:00 +0000

This film's handling is perhaps its most idiotic notion. It had some truly great bits of satire in it. The hospital admittance system with pictures of illnesses for the dimwitted clerk to hit was particularly inspired. I also liked Luke Wilson as an everyman. He's a fairly likable fellow, but has a few bad movies under his belt (see Home Fries.) So the film has a good premise and a good actor. Unfortunately the rest of the film did not fare so well.

I think the main problem lies with the fact the populace was so stupid it was antagonizing. By the end of the film you just wanted everyone to die. Their speech was so annoying. I know it was intentional, but sheesh, it just got way under my skin. Also the jabs at low-brow humor basically turned into low brow humor itself. Kinda like how Larry the Cable Guy became what he made fun of, a bigot; this film becomes a big low-brow comedy which is what it was making fun of. So enjoy if you like lots of body humor and people acting idiotic because that is all this film has to offer. Perhaps its because Fox took it out of the hands of its director (the man who brought us Office Space) but I think the problem was that it was too stupid.

Pros: A few moments of good satire, Luke Wilson
Cons: Too dumb for its own good

Pan's Labyrinth (+)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 23:30:00 +0000

This is a dark haunting fairytale set during fascist Spain pre-WWII. It revolves around a girl whose fantasy becomes real when she is confronted with the grim alternative. Her fantasy world is by no means the typical fantasy of a child. It is not bright and happy. No instead her fantasy reflects the dark reality that surrounds her. This makes for a movie that is a visual feast. It is beautiful in a very unconventional sense. You won't be able to look away even though sometimes you might want to. In the end I recommend this film if you are wanting to see something different and hear something different (the movie is in Spanish).

Pros: Visually amazing
Cons: A tad too dark for some I'm sure, and it is a sad tale.

Black Dahlia (-)

noreply@blogger.com (kylebeabo) — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 21:50:00 +0000

What a mess. You are better off watching the television news version if you want any real insight into the case. This movie focuses mostly on the confusing, convoluted lives of two investigators who allegedly investigated the case. Brian de Palma does his usual over-styled over-directing.

Pros: Good actors
Cons: Makes no sense, a raving, loony whopper of an ending