Okay, I'm back from the land of the dead (or at least of the very damn sick), and have more old reviews to share...more than usual, in fact, to make up for my absence. So here goes:
Good Will Hunting
4.5 stars
No matter what Ludo says, you can, unashamedly, watch this movie by yourself. Yes, it can be a "couple flick" but it certainly does not have to be. Robin Williams departs from his usual obscene slapstick to give one of the most moving performances I've ever seen from him. Damon and Affleck, say what you will about their later work, gave an incredible Hollywood debut as both writers and leading actors. There is so much humanity in this movie and you cannot help but relate to it; even the prevalence of the F-word does not detract (much). Like the movie's theme song, "Miss Misery" by Elliott Smith, Good Will Hunting seems normal, almost meandering, until one of its many dynamic moments blindsides the viewer and it becomes unforgettable.
---
Brick
4 stars
Joseph Gordon-Levitt shows his non-slapstick side, and holy crap, who would have guessed it's amazing? A 21st-century film noir detective flick, which believe it or not, now that Brick exists, is not a contradiction in terms. Masterful, thrilling, and just a bit freaky, this movie had me biting my fingernails. It's supporting cast is also more than solid. Well worth a rental or even a purchase.
---
Aladdin
4 stars
I have to place this film as the best Disney movie made during the 1990's. The Lion King got the lion's share of the publicity, but its droll Arabian predecessor really ruled the Hollywood desert, not least thanks to Robin Williams' frenetically funny Genie. Likewise, "A Whole New World" got the main song recognition, but "One Jump Ahead," "Friend Like Me," "Prince Ali" and even Bruce Adler's "Arabian Nights" introduction were amazing pieces of entertainment. A great thrill ride full of laughter and fun. I still go back and watch it from time to time, which is more than I can say for most other Disney animated films made before The Incredibles.
---
Crank
3 stars
How much action, suspense, violence and retribution can you cram into a single hour of life? This movie answers that question, with some drugs and sex thrown in for good measure. Jason Statham is his usual awesomely badass self, Amy Smart is hot, there are a few cool plot twists. Does it have a great story? No way. Do we care? I sure don't, and if you do you're probably watching the wrong movie. This movie is pure adrenaline, and as such it's fun to watch.
---
300
4 stars
If 300 and Sin City are any indications, Frank Miller's penchant for gore-splattering stands second only to his talent for putting all that splattered gore into really awesome stories. Come to think of it, I guess that's the definition of a good graphic novel. Anyway, this battlefield tour-de-force is definitely not for the squeamish. But those who can look through the blood will find a stunning visual spectacle of one of history's greatest battles. Both the 300 Spartans' fighting prowess and their dedicated unity were inspiring to see, the quasi-fantasy elements (monsters, etc) were cool, Lena Headey was both hot and a good Queen, and the agents of Persia were satisfyingly sinister. (Gerard Butler's native Scots accent occasionally crept into his portrayal of Leonidas, but so what?) Also, because I am a nerd, I was impressed that the Spartans referred to the battle site as the Hot Gates--a literal translation of its historical Greek name, Thermopylae.
---
Stardust
4.5 stars
I'm tempted to call this movie the next "The Princess Bride." Neil Gaiman's novel, upon which this film is based, has much the same sense of adventure, whimsy, spoof and romance that the original TPB novel by William Goldman did. The two movies also share very funny scripts, talented casts that are NOT completely full of big names, and a sense of innocence that is in no way naive. So I really hope Stardust follows in the popularity footsteps of its predecessor. I haven't ever been much of a Clare Danes fan, but I loved her in this movie, and Robert De Niro is absolutely priceless. Definitely check this one out.
---
Boondock Saints
5 stars
"We're kind of like 7-Eleven. We're not always doing business, but we're always open." Possibly the most quotable movie since Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It's such a pity the director of this movie was apparently too much of an asshole to make anyone want to work with him again, because this movie deserves at least two sequels. (THE FIRST SEQUEL IS COMING OUT ON OCTOBER 30TH OF THIS YEAR! So disregard the last sentence.) The Boondock Saints is exciting, spiritual, hilarious, bloody, individualistic, unconventional, heart-rending, and a hell of a lot of fun! Willem Dafoe delivers one of the best character roles ever as Agent Smecker, sean Patrick Flannery and Norman Reedus are excellent vigilantes, Billy Connolly is letter-perfect, and David Della Rocco (apparently playing himself?) is hysterical. Gore and profanity aside, this is one cult favorite that everyone should see once in his or her life--if they can limit it to just one viewing! It might even make you feel like river-dancing.
That's all for now. Until next time,
FBS
accomplished