Boy oh Boyle...

Danny Boyle first showed up in my life in "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio, which was a more of a lame story with an odd thrill to it. I wasn't sure why I was feeling the thrill, or even a thrill, but in the failed film it was still present. The acting in the film was solid, but its just too bad you don't care about any of them. The story is just the biggest crap shoot surrounding the film. Perhaps the reason is there is about 10 genres wrapped into 1, and the film doesn't focus on any one of them throughout the movie, creating a mess.

"The Beach"

5.5 / 10

After that was "28 Days Later" which could be considered the best zombie movie ever, but I don't think outside of George Romero, there are many zombie films to even look at. If you were to place the film into a suspense genre, it would be far above the average "good". The styles used in this film, the sound, and actors, really set up for a really unique style of film-making which seems to be a trend some directors desire to go, and almost universally admired by the film goers. By this point in Danny's list of achievements it seems to me he is beginning to identify himself with good and bad styles, and beginning to run with the good. The no name cast performed pleasantly, with a new technique of sound, all around a very interesting story. The one flaw that sticks out like a sore thumb for me, is really just because I have been such a huge fan of zombie ideas, that I feel that realism is missing from the zombies themselves. It is one, if not the first time I have seen fast zombies, but I want to see zombies which have a variety of body conditions. When I think zombie, I think flesh eater, and it didn't seem like the zombies wanted to consume so much as convert the living.

"28 Days Later"

7 / 10

Next on the list of Boyle... 2007's "Sunshine". This was the first time, and perhaps the only time Chris Evans can be seen in a good performance. Danny also brought back Cillian Murphy from his work in "28 Days Later" with a superb role. Cillian Murphy at this point proved his value as an actor. The film was a slight let down as I allowed it to be built up a bit more than I should have. The cinematography was between good and great, and the special effects were solid. Considering the flaw, its really only bits of the story here and there, or maybe even the hope I personally held for the film which drags it down a bit. I could go into the story, but for spoiler sake I won't. Still, I feel this was a slight upgrade to "28 Days Later".

"Sunshine"

7.5 / 10

His next... affiliation... was a sequel to his original zombie flick, "28 WEEKS Later". Fans after the first film were dieing for a sequel, and a sequel they got. The problem was that his affiliation to the film was merely the producer, so the styles were off, and it didn't hold up to a faithful addition to the now, series. The actors were a let down, sound, cinematography, and most of all the story. I felt this one belonged more with the Resident Evil series than the 28 series.

"28 Weeks Later"

5 / 10

Danny's most impressive showing so far in 2008 was his latest work, "Slumdog Millionaire". This film really opened peoples eyes to foreign films, even though it would hardly be considered foreign. Stories outside of America, and not medieval, can also be interesting. I haven't had a problem with that concept before but I feel like its a general perception. The performances of the film were memorable and the way the story was captured was even more so. The music was captivating, and the cinematography was great. Everything just felt right. When I grant points to films I also evaluate the ability and desire to revisit the film as part of the process, and that I think is where the film falls slightly. The film was so good, because of the style of journey Boyle took me on, but I don't know that the power of that journey can be revisited anytime soon.

"Slumdog Millionaire"

8.5 / 10

And now, in 2010, his most recent film... "127 Hours". Before this film, if someone were to ask me if I was familiar with Danny Boyle, I would say the name sounds familiar, and with helpful reminders of his work, I would then be able to connect the dots... but now he is etched, etched in my brain. He is etched because he may have provided the best film of 2010, if not, top 2 or 3 or 2010, while providing the top 3 best performance by James Franco. The power of this film was extraordinary. The film in its few moments of hilarity could cause kidney failure. The character's decisions would cause Mr. T to "pity the fool" and the moments of sadness would cause James Dean to rethink himself when he said "dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." This film is as ridiculous as my last sentence, the film is just ridiculously good. When I try to think of the flaws, and there are some, they just aren't big enough to be seen without a special lens. The performance in this film should project James Franco to another level. The thrilling nature of this film will have you not on the edge of your seat, but sliding down your seat. To think of this movie having been done better feels like an impossibility. It was nearly perfect, I go back and forth trying to decide the final half point between a 9 out of 10 and a 9.5 out of 10. When I think of the films I put in the 9.5 category vs. the 9, I think it should sit right below the likes of "There Will Be Blood" and "No Country For Old Men" at 9.5, and should be a solid 9.

"127 Hours"

9 /10

Danny Boyle, the whole film world is waiting for your next move. His next move outside of directing is in the work of "Paani" directed by Shekhar Kapur who has a filmography which includes: Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Four Feathers, and Elizabeth.

Review: James Dean in 'Rebel Without a Cause' (1955)

When I think of James Dean, the marketing for 'Route 66' always shows up in my brain, with all the artists portraying him alongside Marilyn Monroe and Elvis. But to consider James Dean in the same breath as Monroe and Elvis always felt, fraudulent. So, I finally sat down to examine one of the more iconic Dean films, the rebel.

The film started off well, with a few hiccups, but well nonetheless. It was hard to see Dean as anything less than 21 years old, but here he portrays a more youthful character with obvious flaws. I think the perception of ourselves in high school is not what we see when we encounter a schooler today. I think we would, or at least I would like to think of myself as adult as Dean was in this film. Hollywood I think has portrayed adults as children for much too long, distorting realistic portrayals of that culture. You could make the same arguments against "Grease", "Carrie", "Fast Times at Ridgemont High", etc. These films clearly have adults portraying children, and for my brain, it never works. "Napoleon Dynamite" wouldn't work except it adds to the hilarity of everything happening, as opposed to what is happening in other films whether a comedy or not.

When I think of films that do, I think about "E.T." in the moments of all the children throughout the film and portraying real youth filled desires throughout the ages shown. I am not a huge fan of the Harry Potter series, but it does capture a bit more realistic take on the personalities of children. I think "American Graffiti" is another successful take, I think it borderlines on a few levels, but portraying the shift from high school to college, it does a superb job in capturing a culture.

James Dean's acting was really mediocre as well, and I don't see from this performance how he could generate enough ability to carry a film like so many others. He definitely doesn't have the ability on camera that Elvis does with a microphone. Maybe famous tragedy is just enough to project someone into the halls of glory eternally, at least on this rock, but I just don't make the connection. He is no more than a decent actor with mediocre charm.

The film is really sporadic, not really identifying itself in one or even 2 patterns. Instead the film turns down a different road every few moments, so much that I would just ask to be dropped off. I think that this film will keep fading as it is tested by time, and the truly great or even good films will make it through.

As bad as I feel the direction was in the film, Dean's presence was pretty much the only bearable part of the film. Really too much melodrama with things I have never seen before or believe exist in any form. It was a marketing film, a film to project Dean as a Hollywood prop for women.

"Rebel Without A Cause"

6 / 10

Review: Edward Zwick's 'Defiance' (2008)

If I would have found myself in the theater seeing this film on opening day without having seen the trailer or having heard any reviews, it might have been like a blind man leading himself off a cliff. Instead, I saw the trailer and read reviews, and all signs pointed to a flop. So what did I do? I did what a lot of Netflix lovers did, noticed it was free and instant, and all I needed was 2 hours of my life. I won't say it was a cliff, and I surely wasn't blind, but by the end it was clear I was naive, so it was more like an embarrassing. It was like being caught with your zipper down, everyone knows it happens, it sucks when it happens to you, but its just something you shrug off and forget about...

Defiance stars a couple people who solid B grade actors who sometimes pull off some good solid performances. This movie doesn't make for many moments of good performing, and actually feels like a long silent war documentary which concentrates on showing us trees and snow, then the 2 minutes of action. When I think of World War II, I think of terrifying action and terrifying drama, and normally both are happening in the midst of each other. This film isn't really convincing me of anything, ever.

This movie is supposed to be based on a true story, but if this was true, I don't know what to think. The things that happened in the film, or try to happen, would seem much, much more dramatic than they occur. But like so many American action movies, they seem to carry along enough spark to get the viewer all the way to the credits. What was the spark? I think the spark was wondering what in the world Liev Schreiber's character was going to do, and unfortunately he waits to the last breath in the film to reveal the ounce of excitement.

Edward Zwick, the director, had previous work such as Glory (overrated), Blood Diamond (solid), The Last Samurai (Solid), Legends of the Fall (Solid)... so I don't expect this director to keep failing on this level...

This movie could have been made better in a 30 second short film by Christopher Nolan... maybe 15 seconds... because surely this film had no need to be as long as it was.

"Defiance"

4.5 / 10

Review: Semi- "Funny People" (2009)

Why should I give a long review for this? The movie was pretty funny... took itself serious in the last 20 minutes in which ruined the whole experience, the end.

"Funny People"

5.5 / 10

Review: "20 Years After" (2008) ... was how I felt when it ended...

It has made its way to my 'Worst Ever' list. I could say some things about this movie, but why? It already consumed too much of my life. I'll say it was one of the cheapest low budget films I have ever seen, with some of the worst acting I have ever seen, among other long lists of worst things ever seen... If you find yourself watching this, maybe you would want to start rubbing the dull portion of a spoon along your wrist... heck, just to see what happens...

I was interested in post-apocolyptic stories, that is how my fingers and eyes made contact with this movie. From that moment, I was so sorry. Maybe the only context for this has no chance of happening... but IF it could, it would be done by the crew over at MST3K.

"20 Years After"

1 / 10

Review: Terrence Malick's "Badlands" (1973)

Ok, its time to get something off my chest... what in the world was Sissy Spacek's parents doing with their lives when they raised their daughter?! She plays a highschool girl at the age of 24 in 'Badlands' with high sexual content. Then again in 1976 in 'Carrie', which practically starts out as a pedophiles dream porn. I read an article the other day, not sure of the website, but it claimed that GQ magazine was wrong for photographing actors and actresses who play high school characters in a television show (Glee)... at first I thought they were dumb, as the actors and actresses are ACTING as these characters, but are realistically not these high school "children". I still think that situation is a bit different, and justified by both sides. One is careful and considerate, which is weighing heavy on the side of caution, as our generation seems to spot light pedophilia more and more, growing our subconscious. But, in a film, portraying a high school character, and WHILE playing as that character, or characters, with such sexual content, it just doesn't give me a good taste in my mouth, and as a critic, fully biased to my subjections, cannot award a filmmaker or actor for doing these things, instead, they become penalties.

Now, having gotten that off my chest, this film is no less than great. Martin Sheen proves to me time and time again why he is among the top. Just great performances by every actor in the film, fulfilling their roles perfectly. I mean, what else can someone say to build up a performance? Perfect. Its too bad James Dean came first, because I would love to say James Dean looks like Martin Sheen in this film, the superior actor, playing a character that identifies better with what James Dean was trying to do, but never really did.

Terrence Malick definitely sells his greatness in this film as he wrote and directed this great movie.

Just an all around enjoyable film. I am pushing this one on anyone and everyone, a must see film.

"Badlands"

9 / 10

Review: "Bullitt" (1968)

Well, I went into this film having heard just a few things, one of them being that this film has one of the best car chase, or just car scenes in all of film. So, I sat down, pushed play, and wow. Wow. What a slow slow drift, all the way to the "great" scene.

The film may not have been easy to make, but they sure didn't try and make that not apparent. The hardest thing I thought they did was hiring a popular actor in Steve McQueen, or wait, did this elevate him? Eh, never the less, another hard part was the destruction of great cars, and great they were indeed. There were moments during the car chase that were good or even great, but the film leading up to that was just, awkward. The director tried to tell me Steve McQueen's character was a great cop without convincing me. It kind of reminded me of all the Chinese food spots around my house, all mom and pop owned, claiming they are the best ever. You can buy sticker, and place them in the window of your business, but you better LOOK the best and TASTE the best, to BE the best. 'Bullitt' never built McQueen until the car chase scene, then to the airport.

Uggh.

And talk about a director who hasn't done much...

Now, I know I am falling into a minority group when I stand on the opposing line for this film, but, its just inconsistent with itself. I was excited a few times, but just disappointed.

Maybe there aren't many car chase movies which earn greatness, but this shouldn't be one just based on the chase itself, or else you let in the beasts like "Fast and the Furious' run rampant... which I enjoy, but to put it in ANY "great" category feels wrong.. and same goes for 'Bullitt' in my mind.

"Bullitt"

6 / 10

Review: Werner Herzog's "Land of Silence and Darkness" (1971)

Werner Herzog can do no wrong, right? Well, it appears so, so far. This documentary is raw, as all his documentaries I have seen so far. It doesn't always take you to where you want to go, or often where you THINK you want to go, but he does take you to very interesting places. I am not fully satisfied in the places he took me in this film, but I did learn and enjoy very much what he had to show me. He doesn't just show you things you always want to see, but he is giving you his perspective, filming his interests, while not dressing anything up, which becomes intriguing. There isn't very much to say about this film, its sad, upsetting, dark, and just unfathomable. Unfathomable because of the conditions of those he chose to include and the level of relatability you have with them. If you have spare time, and like documentaries, you may be interested in taking an hour and a half of your time to watch this, but I won't be too pushy with this one.

"Land of Silence and Darkness"

7 / 10

Review: Christine Jeffs' "Sunshine Cleaning" (2008)

I am waiting for the minority group of directors to one day step it up... women. Every time I hear a movie is directed by a women, I get discouraged. That did change a bit when Kathryn Bigelow hit the screen with 'The Hurt Locker'. But still, so many women have made the one hit wonder column that I still don't have much faith in the work yet. I know its a matter of time, but I am growing impatient as the majority of Michael Bay directors keep reproducing bad babies. If Sofia Coppola can't start producing better mainstream projects, I will be upset, her father after all has provided the directors silver spoon. . . but that's the end of the list.

Christine Jeffs, the woman who helmed this film, did a decent job in conducting a few interesting moments, but I am baffled at trying to come up with a message. What in the world was she telling me? You can see most moments before they happen... that's called premonition right? No, its called bad directing.

This film makes me want to be in the room of the big company deciders, when it comes time to pick a script to finance. I want to see how they come to their conclusions, because this one had to have a bad pitch. You can't pitch this good. 2 girls, not women, GIRLS, start an amateur business while struggling to remain the same person from beginning to end.

Look, the acting wasn't bad. I don't like putting blame on actors unless their name is Brendan Fraser or they did absolutely absurd, but the main character played by Amy Adams just isn't given very much to work with. Meanwhile the sister gets a few dramatic moments which ends up in a head on collision with a homosexual confrontation. How lame.

Still, with all the ripping, I don't remember myself dreading it till the credits rolled. It did carry to the end like a drop-less log ride, partial anticipation, partial confusion, and nothing in the end.

The tank was on "E" the whole ride.

"Sunshine Cleaning"

5.5 / 10

Review: "School Ties" (1992)

Yup. Just another Brendan Fraser flick. Is it better acted? MAYBE. Is it a better story? MAYBE. Is it helmed by superior talent? Definitely not.

I am tired of these films flooding the market. If you live in a town that still has a movie rental business in it, its not too late to find out what I mean. When you walk the isles, how many movies do you have to look at before your eyes find something interesting? Filtering out subconsciously, all the garbage. Isle after isle, I wonder how in the world people find a way to finance some of these movies.

This movie isn't terrible, its VERY mediocre however. Nothing can be found in this film to be called unique. The film's story was duct taped to the hood of a Lamborghini on an endless road at max speed. I just don't have time to care about anything in the movie. The one thing I was told to feel was dumb, prejudice bad, Jews good. This is the theme in so many films, that I need a good story to tag team this concept, otherwise I can watch 'Schindler's List' and KNOW I will be given something delicious, something convincing, something convicting. Brendan Fraser's character is just so unreal, there is nothing relatable. This film was unable to convince me of anything outside of boredom.

"School Ties"

5.5 / 10

Review: John Hillcoat's "The Proposition" (2005)

John Hillcoat, the man who helmed 'The Road', first helmed 'The Proposition'. After seeing this film its hard to believe the same man directed both films. Not that this was on the opposite spectrum in quality, but just in style differences.

The film just doesn't move passed its fast paced exaggerations. Almost nothing in the film allows for development in the mind of the viewer. The actors really aren't given very much to work with in terms of putting on a show of talent. The story doesn't derail from the common old violence in America, where a gun does all the talking. This style isn't inherently bad, or totally wrong, but how I have seen it executed, it just has been bad every time that I can recall. I think its constant films like this that pushes the genre "western" further and further from good. When people think "western" they think cheesy cowboy films with a lot of horses and bullets, just like this one.

The acting, based on what was asked, is mediocre. I am interested in a few of the actors in this film, just not in these roles, or maybe under this style of direction. The cinematography was decent... but then again, the word decent is just the word to sum up this film.

"The Proposition"

6 / 10