Share taichi425's profile
taichi425
taichi425's stats
- Review count6
- Helpfulness votes2
- First reviewMay 9, 2010
- Last reviewApril 6, 2011
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.2
taichi425's Reviews
Overall rating
4
/
5
The Next Generation Jane Eyre
PostedApril 6, 2011
taichi425
from New York, NY
If you like beautiful people, see this movie. If you like compelling drama, see this movie. If you like Jane Eyre as written by Charlotte Bronte, see this movie. If you don't match up with any of those, try it, you might like it.
For those unaware of the story, it goes like this: Jane Eyre has a miserable childhood, tortured by her cousins and sent to an awful boarding school. Due to the hardship in her life, she becomes strong willed and, after taking a position at Thornfield Hall as a governess she meets the darkly handsome Mr. Rochester. Drama ensues.
The cast in this movie is excellent, Mia Wasikowska owns the role of Jane while Michael Fassbender makes a powerful impression as Mr. Rochester. Dame Judi Dench also makes an appearance as the simple maid of Thornfield, Mrs. Fairfax. All in all, the cast could not be better and the chemistry between Wasikowska and Fassbender is believable and endearing.
The cinematography is also divine, with long steady shots of the English countryside giving you a sense of Jane's internal feelings. The score also needs to be mentioned, as it's been done by Dario Marianelli who has previously scored Joe Wright's movies, specifically, Pride & Prejudice and Atonement. The haunting violin that is present in all of the tracks enhances the cinematography further.
The main problem with this movie is that there is much in the book that is, understandably glossed over. This may create some confusion as to what, exactly, is going on. Early in Jane's childhood, for example, she meets Helen Burns, a kind girl who passes on due to consumption. This plot point is kept in the movie (in the book it's important to Jane's growth as a person) but we barely hear Burns' name at all. Other things are also rushed but the overall pacing of the movie is fine; it's only jarring, really, if you're familiar with the book.
Still, this is one of the finest adaptations of Jane Eyre, rare for a movie version, and it's exciting to think that this is Cary Fukunaga's first feature film. It is encouraging to think that though this may not be his best work, it is surely not his last and it makes for a powerful debut.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Cult Classic in the Making
PostedAugust 14, 2010
taichi425
from Houston, TX
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is more successful than The Other Guys, Dinner for Schmucks, Date Night, The Expendables or any other movie claiming to be an action and/or comedy (romantic or otherwise) movie at those respective genres. While the movie is billed quite heavily as a primarily for the nerd subculture and containing many references, even those not inclined to the bleeps and bloops of the 8-bit age will still have a fantastic time with this movie. Visual and audio gags fill up the screen at every turn and those who ARE of the nerd variety, especially those between the ages of 18 and 30 will fall instantly in love with the throwbacks to the arcade and 8-bit systems. Fun, imaginative, and a pastel portrait of video game movies compared with the earlier summer comic book adaptation Kick-Ass, Scott Pilgrim is full to bursting with craziness that you want to get yourself wrapped up in. This is a movie that stays with you the same as Inception and Toy Story 3 did, if only for some of the amazing imagery that Edgar Wright provides us. This film is something that, like the previously mentioned Inception and Toy Story 3 will become a classic, a must watch for both film nerds, classic geeks, and even those on the outer rim of the subcultures that are simply in it for a good time.
Oh, and for those who hate Michael Cera, I would love to argue that he really does seem to play against his own grain but that'll probably fall on deaf ears, instead, I will say this: he gets beaten up. A lot.
And the soundtrack absolutely rocks, for anyone who says they love Alt-Rock at all, the soundtrack is an absolute must own.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
1
/
5
The Straw That Broke the Camel's Back
PostedJuly 6, 2010
taichi425
from Houston, TX
Okay, this movie is gorgeous. The special effects are fantastic and there are times when the music is heart-breakingly gorgeous.
The rest of the movie is bad. Really, really, REALLY bad. If you've seen even a single episode of the television series, you will hate this movie. There is no acting in the movie, there is reading from an absolutely horrific script that someone, somewhere along the line should have said is awful and needs more than just a few re-writes. For the most part the movie feels likes its dragging along when it's actually rushing along at break-neck speeds. The story is simple and the original series is funny, sweet, and genuinely charming: this movie loses all of those aspects, especially the funny part. Now that's not saying the movie ISN'T funny because it is but that would be due to just how bad it is.
Now, I've said that there is horrible acting and, for the most part, there is but there are a couple of exceptions, Dev Patel does an exceptional job at bringing Zuko to life though it feels as if he only has one emotion and that emotion is anger. Shaun Toub also does a first rate job as Zuko's uncle, Iroh, and every scene the two actors are in together steal the show though, unfortunately, that's not saying much.
This movie is possibly the best for aspiring screenwriters/directors in what NOT to do as far as making a movie goes. Everything is TOLD instead of SHOWN and, while I may not be a director or screenwriter myself, this is something that even the most amateur filmmaker should know, you show not tell and all this movie does, in an insane amount of words (like this review) is tell.
It feels as if I've really glossed over the problems this movie has but, seriously, it's bad. I was with friends and one of them was dragged to Eclipse by his girlfriend and he said that felt like less of a waste of his life than this movie. I might dare to say just wait for Predators or the sure to please Inception.
A little patience and this plague of fairly awful summer movies will end. Hopefully.
Now, I've said that there is horrible acting and, for the most part, there is but there are a couple of exceptions, Dev Patel does an exceptional job at bringing Zuko to life though it feels as if he only has one emotion and that emotion is anger. Shaun Toub also does a first rate job as Zuko's uncle, Iroh, and every scene the two actors are in together steal the show though, unfortunately, that's not saying much.
This movie is possibly the best for aspiring screenwriters/directors in what NOT to do as far as making a movie goes. Everything is TOLD instead of SHOWN and, while I may not be a director or screenwriter myself, this is something that even the most amateur filmmaker should know, you show not tell and all this movie does, in an insane amount of words (like this review) is tell.
It feels as if I've really glossed over the problems this movie has but, seriously, it's bad. I was with friends and one of them was dragged to Eclipse by his girlfriend and he said that felt like less of a waste of his life than this movie. I might dare to say just wait for Predators or the sure to please Inception.
A little patience and this plague of fairly awful summer movies will end. Hopefully.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Funny and Sweet Adventure
PostedJune 19, 2010
taichi425
For all the crudeness, and there is much of it, there are just as many sweet and poignant moments as well. The music is surprisingly great and there are many funny moments. Brand and Hill have great chemistry and watching them work together is part of what makes this movie so fantastic. The rock and roll highlights of each main city the pair visits is also a treat for anybody that loves rock and/or that has been to the cities. It's a great comedy for the older people in the family who don't feel like Shrek.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Best Family Movie of Sumer 2010
PostedJune 19, 2010
taichi425
Fun, funny, and packs a wallop of an emotional punch. The last 10-15 minutes WILL make you tear up if not right out cry. It's a fantastic movie that all ages will enjoy to their fullest.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Best way to start off summer movie season 2010
PostedMay 9, 2010
taichi425
As with any fantastic opening movie, Iron Man 2 has a lot to live up to and for the most part, it totally does. The casting of Mickey Rourke as new villain Whiplash and, as his his corporate counterpart Justin Hammer, Sam Rockwell are not part of the problem. Both are fantastic actors and seeing them bounce off of each other is great.
The biggest problem, I would suppose, would be the jittery nature of the movie, instead of focusing on anyone problem, the movie instead goes everywhere all at once and seems to spread itself just a tad too thin. I would blame much of this on the fact that Iron Man 2 is suffering from a simple case of sequel-itis and it's simply doing too much at once.
Oh, and I think it would be bad not to mention the AMAZING performance by Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow. Her action scene is definitely a show stealer. And I would be remiss to remind everyone: stay after the credits. While maybe not 5 stars, this is definitely the strongest 4 1/2 ever, which totally bumps it up.
The biggest problem, I would suppose, would be the jittery nature of the movie, instead of focusing on anyone problem, the movie instead goes everywhere all at once and seems to spread itself just a tad too thin. I would blame much of this on the fact that Iron Man 2 is suffering from a simple case of sequel-itis and it's simply doing too much at once.
Oh, and I think it would be bad not to mention the AMAZING performance by Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow. Her action scene is definitely a show stealer. And I would be remiss to remind everyone: stay after the credits. While maybe not 5 stars, this is definitely the strongest 4 1/2 ever, which totally bumps it up.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.