Posts Tagged ‘adventure movie’
Friday, August 20th, 2010
Review:
Until the End of the World was a passion project for director Wim Wenders, who spend 14 years on it, filming in a dozen countries on four continents along the way. The story is both incredibly simple and extremely complex. Solveig Dommartin falls in love with hitch-hiker who robs her William Hurt and follows him around the globe, while also being pursued and followed by several other people, including her ex Sam Neill. So the first two-thirds of the film are basically a global road movie, set in the distant future of 1999 (the film was finished in ‘91) where a malfunctioning nuclear satellite threatens the world. But it’s not only a road movie, but also a science fiction story about that ever popular theme of the influence advanced technology has on our humanity. The film is deeply flawed, riddled with plot holes and bad acting (everyone aside from Max von Sydow catches that bug), both too simple and too complex for its own good. But the film is also deeply poetic, filled with incredible moments of natural and human beauty and memorable scenes that make you forget the film surrounding them and appreciate them on their own. The film moves at its own pace and the story is often only an excuse to showcase the director’s world and imagination, which the film does admirably. This is not a film for the masses, it’s hardly for anyone but the director and maybe his cast and crew, but if you can forget that for a while, you can get lost in the film, which maybe is the best thing cinema has to offer.
Random Observations:
Bis ans Ende der Welt at the IMDb
This review is based on the 280 minute director’s cut, not the significantly shorter theatrical release. And yes, I saw all three parts of the trilogy in one sitting.
The version I watched was also lacking subtitles (despite Italian, which is not one of my strong languages, to put it mildly), so I’m not really sure I fully understand all of the French dialogue scattered throughout the film.
Naturally, Wim Wenders’ favourite actor Rüdiger Vogler, is also in this film. And in an unprecedented turn, he is actually extremely tolerable in this film.
My favourite scene/sequence is probably in the last part, when the impromptu band is formed. It’s oddly emotional.
I’m not a big fan of the score (because to me it all sounds the same), but the soundtrack of the film is amazing, especially coupled with some of the scenes.
The film features an amazingly accurate satellite navigation system in an unusual bit of actually guessing the future right. It also features, however, video phones, which basically every sci-fi concept ever has and which have never and will never catch on.
Tags: 1991, Adelle Lutz, adventure movie, Australian Film, Bis ans Ende der Welt, Chick Ortega, David Gulpilil, Drama, Eddy Mitchell, english, Ernie Dingo, French film, German Film, Jeanne Moreau, Jimmy Little, Justine Saunders, Lois Chiles, Max von Sydow, Michael Almereyda, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Paul Livingston, Peter Carey, Rhoda Roberts, road movie, Rüdiger Vogler, Sam Neill, sci-fi movie, Solveig Dommartin, Tom Farrell, Until the End of the World, William Hurt, Wim Wenders
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Review:
Married Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr travel across early 20th century Australia with their teenage son. He works as a drover, going where the work takes him and enjoying the restless life, while she and the son long for a home to call their own. They are joined by Peter Ustinov for one job who then decides to stick around when they take jobs on a sheep farm for one season. There, all manner of entertaining drama happen, while the two sides struggle to convince the other of their lifestyle choice. The film is less of a single coherent story and more of a collection of wanderings, creating the feeling of restlessness very successfully. It’s not a great film - to little happens for that - but it’s a good story well told.
Random Observations:
The Sundowners at the IMDb
A sundowner, as one character thankfully explains to another, is an Australian term for people without a home, who just camp wherever the sun goes down, making their home there.
This is one of those typically understated Mitchum performances. You don’t really realize its impact until afterwards, when the whole nuances of his character become clear in retrospect.
Director Fred Zinnemann reminded me a lot of Terrence Malick with his focus on nature and wildlife in some shots. Sure, Malick has elevated this to a new art form, but Zinnemann certainly was a forebear for him.
The film shares many themes with Australia, but is much better (and subtler!) at exploring them.
Tags: 1960, adventure movie, American Film, Australia, book adaptation, Chips Rafferty, Deborah Kerr, Dick Bentley, Dina Merrill, Drama, english, Ewen Solon, Fred Zinnemann, Gerry Duggan, Glynis Johns, Isobel Lennart, John Meillon, Jon Cleary, Leonard Teale, Lola Brooks, Max Osbiston, Mercia Barden, Mervyn Johns, Michael Anderson Jr., minute movie review, Molly Urquhart, movie review, Movies, Peter Carver, Peter Ustinov, Robert Mitchum, Ronald Fraser, Terrence Malick, The Sundowners, Wylie Watson
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Friday, August 6th, 2010
Review:
New York advertising men Cary Grant is mistaken for somebody else and set up to be killed. He barely escapes, but nobody believes his story. As things move along, he gets more and more drawn into the plot, desperately trying to both find out what is going on and simply staying alive. The script was written especially for Alfred Hitchcock to make “the Hitchcock film to end all Hitchcock films” and it largely succeeds. It perfectly showcases Hitchcock’s humorous and fantastic side, while also being an excellent thriller.
Random Observations:
North by Northwest at the IMDb
This is the 21st Alfred Hitchcock film I’ve reviewed for this here publication. It’s also the first Hitchcock film I ever saw, many years before I ever decided to write my opinions on films down.
Saul Bass is probably the most underrated “signature” artist of the 20th century. The moment I saw the opening titles, I knew he had designed them. And this despite the fact that his titles for different films never look the same, he just has a very unique style.
This concludes our four week marathon of American Cinema of the 1950s. And what a high note to go out on!
Tags: 1959, action movie, Adam Williams, adventure movie, Alfred Hitchcock, American Film, Cary Grant, Drama, Edward Binns, Edward Platt, english, Ernest Lehman, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Jessie Royce Landis, Josephine Hutchinson, Ken Lynch, Leo G. Carroll, Les Tremayne, Martin Landau, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, North by Northwest, Patrick McVey, Philip Coolidge, Philip Ober, Robert Ellenstein, romance, Saul Bass, Thriller
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Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
Review:
In a small Panama town, Cary Grant commands an airline, focusing on delivering the mail. Life is rough and death is ever prominent, when Jean Arthur comes to town and falls in love with Grant. But Grant is married to his dangerous work… The film has some more dramatic twists, but the story is not really the point. It’s the characters of the fearless pilots, who flirt with death, and the incredible aerial footage that makes the film worthwhile. Director Howard Hawks reportedly was disappointed with Arthur’s performance, later recapturing her character for Lauren Bacall in To Have and Have Not, and while the later film works much better, this is still an interesting piece of film history.
Random Observations:
Only Angels Have Wings at the IMDb
1939 was not only a banner year for Hollywood, but also for Thomas Mitchell. In addition to this film, he also appeared in Stagecoach, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Gone with the Wind.
The film is part of the tradition of World War One flying films, except that here the commander is not sending his pilots off to die in battle, but in rough weather. I guess the public didn’t want to see another WW I film with war once more looming in Europe.
While Cary Grant is a much better comic actor, he actually is believable enough in his dramatic turns as well.
Tags: 1939, adventure movie, Allyn Joslyn, American Film, Cary Grant, Donald Barry, Drama, english, Gone with the Wend, Howard Hawks, Jean Arthur, John Carroll, Jules Furthman, Lucio Villegas, Maciste, Milisa Sierra, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Noah Beery Jr., Only Angels Have Wings, Pat Flaherty, Pat West, Pedro Regas, Richard Barthelmess, Rita Hayworth, romance, Sig Ruman, Stagecoach, Thomas Mitchell, To Have and Have Not, Victor Kilian
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Friday, June 4th, 2010
Review:
In 1931, butterfly Steve McQueen and counterfeiter Dustin Hoffman are sent to a penal colony in French Guyana, where they bond. Over the next decade, they repeatedly try to escape, succeeding to varying degress, while the brutal establishment tries to break them. The film is a beautifully photographed drama about the inhumanity of this justice system, and about a man who tried everything to fight it. It is, however, overly long and many of the themes, especially the struggle for personal freedom, are underdeveloped. Fine performances elevate the story somewhat, but not enough to make it worth watching.
Random Observations:
Papillon at the IMDb
Last entry in Dustin Hoffman Week. Dustin Hoffman is actually such a good actor, that his week has nine days…
The film is based on the book by Henri Charrière, who claimed it was autobiographical. Since the release in 1969, however, significant doubt has been cast on this assertion. In the best case, the book was inspired by some real life convicts and their stories.
The first time McQueen is put in solitary, it truly feels like two years. The second time, the five years last less than a minute.
Isn’t it amazing that the woman in the native village that takes McQueen in after his second escape has tan lines despite obviously being supposed to be always topless…?
Tags: 1973, adventure movie, American Film, Anthony Zerbe, based on true story, Bill Mumy, biography, book adaptation, Dalton Trumbo, Don Gordon, Drama, Dustin Hoffman, Dustin Hoffman Week, english, Franklin J. Schaffner, George Coulouris, Gregory Sierra, Henri Charrière, Lorenzo Semple Jr., Mills Watson, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Papillon, Ratna Assan, Robert Deman, Ron Soble, Steve McQueen, Val Avery, Victor Jory, Victor Tayback, William Smithers, Woodrow Parfrey
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Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Review:
Mr. Fox has gone straight since the birth of his son, but he still wants nothing more than one last big heist, taking on the hen houses and cider cellars of his three human neighbours. They, in turn, decide to retaliate, and so the war is on. Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, this stop-motion animation by director Wes Anderson is a fun extension of the story, a funny film that is fun to watch. Anderson’s signature style, a combination of a bright palette, a lot of whimsy and something to far removed from words, lends itself perfectly to the animated format. The film doesn’t have the depth that his best works - Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums - have, but it’s simple good family entertainment.
Random Observations:
Fantastic Mr. Fox at the IMDb
Saying “cuss” instead of “fuck” or “shit” might have done wonders for the rating, but is damn annoying. (This post has been rated “R” by the MPAA.)
Some great talent is voicing the characters, including George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman.
Who does Eric Anderson, who voices Kristofferson, sound like? He reminded me of another actor, but for the life of me I can’t figure out who.
The film has only 12 frames per second (compared to the usual) 24 to ensure that everybody recognizes the stop motion technique.
Tags: 2009, Adrien Brody, adventure movie, American Film, animation, Bill Murray, book adaptation, Brian Cox, British Film, Comedy, english, Eric Anderson, family film, Fantastic Mr. Fox, George Clooney, Helen McCrory, Hugo Guinness, Jarvis Cocker, Jason Schwartzman, Juman Malouf, Karen Duffy, Mario Batali, Meryl Streep, Michael Gambon, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Noah Baumbach, Owen Wilson, Roald Dahl, Robin Hurlstone, Roman Coppola, Rushmore, stop motion animation, The Royal Tenenbaums, Wallace Wolodarsky, Wes Anderson, Willem Dafoe
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Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
Review:
After the success of the first Iron Man film, a sequel was quickly produced, once more attempting to create a mixture of light-hearted, comedic entertainment and a gritty action film, which means that the film is on the middle ground and doesn’t really work as either. This time around Robert Downey Jr., who plays the narcissistic Tony Stark with his usual charm, thus easily being the best thing in the film, sadly has to surrender some screen time to villain Mickey Rourke and a large big-name supporting cast. Through all this, he develops a self-destructive streak that simply doesn’t fit with the tone of the film, thus creating a film that never manages to truly pull the viewer in. The film is often funny and the special effects sequences (that which used to be action set pieces before everything became CGI) are solid, so watching the film is not a waste of time, but it’s also hardly more.
Random Observations:
Iron Man 2 at the IMDb
Don Cheadle replaced Terrence Howard as Iron Man’s sidekick, supposedly over a contract (i.e. money) disagreement.
Some other illustrious cast names: Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson as well as director Jon Favreau.
Marvel is really pushing that whole “one gigantic franchise” thing. The film references several of their other comic book superheroes, all in the set-up for the 2012 release of The Avengers.
Tags: 2010, action movie, adventure movie, American Film, Clark Gregg, comic book movie, Don Cheadle, Don Heck, english, franchise film, Garry Shandling, Gwyneth Paltrow, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Jack Kirby, John Slattery, Jon Favreau, Justin Theroux, Kate Mara, Larry Lieber, Leslie Bibb, Mickey Rourke, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Paul Bettany, Robert Downey Jr., Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, sequel, Stan Lee, Terrence Howard, Thriller
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Saturday, April 24th, 2010
Review:
In 1914, Central Africa is besieged by the war in Europe. Drunken captain Humphrey Bogart, commanding a rusty 30-footer, and missionary Katherine Hepburn, are thrown together and decide to undertake an impossible journey downriver to sink the German ship preventing the British Army from crossing a lake. The story (and most of all the ending) is patently silly, but director John Huston and the real African scenery - shooting in such exotic locations was unheard of at the time - almost make for an entertaining film, but it’s not nearly as good as everyone claims it is.
Random Observations:
The African Queen at the IMDb
It’s been a while since I have last seen Katharine Hepburn in anything, but I was thoroughly annoyed by her performance here. Considering that she was called “The Queen of Cinema” and has four Oscars to her name, I am probably alone in that judgement, however.
Humphrey Bogart, however, despite the oddity of being in colour, was simply superb, and absolutely deserved the Oscar he finally got for this film.
I was finally getting to like the film in the second half, when the ridiculously stupid Hollywood ending ruined it all over again.
Pretty much all of the cast and crew got sick in Africa, except for Bogart and Huston, who insisted their heavy alcohol intake was the reason.
Tags: 1951, adventure movie, American Film, book adaptation, British Film, C.S. Forester, Drama, english, Humphrey Bogart, James Agee, John Huston, Katharine Hepburn, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Oscar, Peter Bull, Peter Swanwick, Richard Marner, Robert Morley, romance, The African Queen, Theodore Bikel, Walter Gotell, war movie
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Friday, April 23rd, 2010
Review:
Bandit Cobra Verde is employed as a slave master on a sugar plantation in Brazil. His fall from grace follows quickly, though, when he impregnates all three of the owner’s daughters. In retribution he is send to do the impossible - bring more slaves from Africa. But since he is played by none other than mad-man Klaus Kinski, success might just be possible. In Werner Herzog’s last film with Kinski, the director once more tells the story of a man driven by his own demons far from “civilization”. The film features the usual array of impressive cinematography, but this time it is coupled with actual dialogue. The story skips happily along while Herzog focuses on nature and the Ghanaian culture, often creating a film more akin to a documentary than a feature.
Random Observations:
Cobra Verde at the IMDb
The dubbing here is not quite as horribly obvious as in previous films Werner Herzog made win exotic locations with an international cast and crew. But even though I understand why it is necessary, it still bugs me.
Quite possibly the first (non-documentary) film to show pigs mating.
Based on Bruce Chatwin’s novel The Viceroy of Quidah.
Tags: 1987, A. Kwesi Compson, adventure movie, Benito Stefanelli, book adaptation, Bruce Chatwin, Carlos Mayolo, Cobra Verde, Drama, english, German Film, Ghanaian Film, Guillermo Coronel, José Lewgoy, King Ampaw, Klaus Kinski, Kofi Bryan, Kofi Yerenkyi, Kwesi Fase, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Nana Agyefi Kwame II, Nana Fedu Abodo, Pedro Oliveira, Peter Berling, Salvatore Basile, The Viceroy of Ouidah, Werner Herzog, Yolanda García
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Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
Review:
Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald, called Fitzcarraldo by the natives, has the dream of building an opera in the small jungle town of Iquitos at the turn of the century. In order to do that, he undertakes one crazy scheme after another, the latest of which is to exploit rubber trees that can not be reached by water - so he decides to drag his boat over a mountain. Essentially the story of a madman with a vision (so Klaus Kinski is perfectly cast in the lead role), this film by Werner Herzog shines once more with breathtaking pictures and a story of obsession. Ultimately, it drags on a little too long, but some of the scenes are well worth the wait.
Random Observations:
Fitzcarraldo at the IMDb
I watched the film in German since it is a German film. However, the German version is obviously (and very badly) dubbed, while the English audio track uses the sound recorded on set.
The 340 ton steam boat was actually dragged over the mountain by the natives, almost as depicted in the film. In a way, Herzog makes films about himself.
I should really start watching some of Herzog’s nature documentaries, since this is quite clearly his forte.
Tags: 1982, adventure movie, Claudia Cardinale, David Pérez Espinosa, Dieter Milz, Drama, english, Fitzcarraldo, German Film, Grande Othelo, Huerequeque Enrique Bohórque, José Lewgoy, Klaus Kinski, Leoncio Bueno, Miguel Ángel Fuentes, Milton Nascimento, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Paul Hittscher, Peruvian Film, Peter Berling, Ruy Polanah, Salvador Godínez, Werner Herzog, William Rose
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