April 2005 Movie Recap.
Published May 05, 2005
I figured I would try something new. I have been wanting to start a quick movie reference for visitors to check, a comprehensive list of films that I have watched. I thought the best way to start it off would be to do monthly recaps of the films I have seen theatrically. They will consist of brief thoughts and a star rating. I hope it helps. I plan on starting a more comprehensive list as time permits. If you have any thoughts as for formatting, or anything else you may be interested in from me, just let me know!
Best of the Month: Sin City
Worst of the Month: The Amityville Horror
- The Amityville Horror. Not good. Dull and boring would be a good start. I didn't really care for the original, but I had hopes for this one. The film is shot well, it has a nice washed out look. The acting is flat, and the scares non-existent. **
- Beauty Shop. An entertaining spin off from the Barbershop films, but the story was little on the lightweight side. It ended just as it was gaining momentum. Colorful characters abound and Queen Latifah did a great job carrying the film. **.5
- Downfall. From director Oliver Hirschbiegel comes this incredible film about the fall of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich. WWII from the German perspective, unlike any of the past films I have seen. Bruno Ganz's performance is fantastic. ***.5
- Fever Pitch. The Farrelly Brothers get out of their slump and hit one out of the park. Jimmy Fallon also rebounds from the wreck that was Taxi. A surprisingly touching film that offers genuine insight to relationships. ***
- Gunner Palace. Interesting documentary about an artillery unit stationed in Uday Hussein's bombed out palace. Gives a different view of the war and a great way of seeing what the troops are like and what they have to deal with on a daily basis. The voice over sounds a but funny, but definitely worth seeing. ***
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Absurdist cinema is alive and well. It has been years since I read the book and my memory of the details is fuzzy, but I felt like there were chunks of detail missing. It was Monty Python-esque in it's humor, although the narrative isn't terribly strong. Enjoyable but ultimately weak. **.5
- The Interpreter. Highly enjoyable political thriller. It is cleverly plotted, and has an intricate road map of players and destinations. I liked how Sydney Pollack sidesteps the typical Hollywood cliches of this film type. Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman bring life to their roles, and the supporting cast fleshes the whole film out. ***
- Kung Fu Hustle. This, now this was an incredible film. Like a Tex Avery cartoon come to life. A 1940's era throwback involving gangsters and kung fu, with a liberal dose of humor. It is so masterfully put together, you cannot help but be sucked in. ****
- Look At Me. French relationship comedy only has middling success. It is sweet and relatively light hearted, but there are a few too many relationships to keep focus and a little too slow to hold interest. There is something to like here, but not enough to recommend. **.5
- Millions. Danny Boyle's family film is wonderful. A great film that hits all the right marks. Giving us the tale of a child who has visions of saints and always wants to do what is right, while confronting the world at large. Very good film. ***.5
- Off the Map. An interesting tale about a family that is reaching a crossroads, instigated by the arrival of an IRS agent who is there to audit them. It features some fine performances, especially from Joan Allen who plays the matriarch. It is good, but does not always feel genuine. **.5
- Oldboy. From Korean director Chan Wook Park comes this brutal tale of revenge. It is such a twisted take on a character study that it has to be seen to be believed. It is not for faint of heart, but comes highly recommended. ****
- Sahara. An enjoyable romp. I expected something akin to National Treasure (which I didn't care for), the actual result was more entertaining. It was not all that smart, but it was an enjoyable adventurous romp. **.5
- Sin City. Hands down the best film I went to this month, and the best film I've seen this year. Robert Rodriguez has given us a film which is unlike anything to be seen on the big screen for a long time. Simultaneously mining film history while looking to the future of the medium. Simply incredible. ****
Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about entertainment when he isn't sitting in a movie theater. He is known around the office as the "Movie Guy" and is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Interests include science fiction, horror, and metal music. His writings can be found at Draven99's Musings, as well as Film School Rejects. - April 2005 Movie Recap.
- Published: May 05, 2005
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Part of a feature: Movie Recap
- Writer: Chris Beaumont
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Comments on this articleComments
I'm at 46 for the year, 48 if you count the 2 I've seen twice. 15 for this month, I saw Sin City 2x.
I have the other monthly recaps ready for this year, they will becoming out soon.
i'm not envious. 90% of those movies are crap.
actually, 90% is high... let me revise that to about 70%
8 of 14 a *** or better, that is actually a pretty good ratio. But everyone has their opinions. :)
I have seen about 5 movies since the beginning of the year, I can't seee how you have seen so many, you must live in a snow state.
I was disappointed in Fever Pitch in that only 2 people in speaking roles had actual Boston accents.
The accent thing didn't really bother me, of course I wan't really listening for it. THe book it was based on was set in, I believe, England, and it was about a soccer team!
Fever Pitch: A surprisingly touching film that offers genuine insight to relationships.
I have to disagree - this wasn't about relationships, it's about being a fan. The relationship was just a backdrop against which the compromises and twists a person goes through in being a fan were highlighted. And it's pretty spot-on in that regard. I haven't read the book, but I assume that these are the elements of the book that were used for the rest of the story, because outside of the very thorough, often times touching exploration of fandom, there really wasn't much to the story. But that fan-related stuff was perfectly done.
Yeah....Fever Pitch was just another romantic comedy with the same basic plot as the rest of them. The baseball part was interesting, but more from the standpoint of having been there. But then I tend to not really like most romantic comedies as they usually don't develop the characters as much as other genres.
I lived in Boston and NEw England for several years, and the movie failed to capture any regional feel. The scriptwriters cut out the regional expressions you hear dozens of times a day, as well as the distinct speaking style and wry humor that is so common there. The movie could have been shot on a backlot in Cali for all the Boston it hasd in it. As for Fandom, the first 5 minutes are the best of it.
I know it was just a simple comedy, but I hate to see so much potential wasted.
just wanna say this is a great idea chris. look forward to more.
i loved Oldboy, and i loved Amityville too. it was just a whole heap a fun.
Thanks Duke.
I have them written for March, February, January, and December '04. I plan on posting over the next week or so.
Amityville? I actually prefer House of Wax.
Thanks Duke!
I have them written so far, for March, February, January, and December '04. I plan on getting them up over the next week or so.
Amityville? Ugh, not too impressive. But then I enjoyed House of Wax this afternoon.
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You saw 14 movies in the theater this month? Jesus Christ. I'm jealous.