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schlipp
Reviews
The Last Airbender (2010)
taken on it's own, one of the better of it's ilk
Taken on it's own, as a tween/ager targeted fantasy film, compared to the usual drivel fueled by stereotypes, caricatures, and fart jokes, This film is a stunner. Fairly rich story, characters with some depth, beautiful worlds, engaging action, and great effects.
I've yet to see a negative review that wasn't targeting it compared to the TV series. I've seen both, I like both. They're different. And that'll happen when you translate something with 20+ hours to tell a story, down to 2 hours. Much like turning a novel into a film.
So if you're the type so precious about the series as to whinge at a change in eyebrow shape or what not, then no, you likely won't enjoy the movie.
But if you're willing to relax, realize it's all just TV and movies, and take this for what it is, then it's well worth your time.
Chronicle (2012)
a story about who we grow into ... but with super powers.
It's easy to try and judge it alongside things like Blair Witch and Cloverfield because of the way it's primarily shot, but just as those two are very different films in regard to story, so's this. If I had to compare it to anything, it'd be Shyamalan's superhero origin movie Unbreakable. In as far as it tells a story of power, responsibility, and the ties between heroes and 'villains' without the gloss and explosions of the typical blockbuster superhero fare.
That said, the shooting style shifts in Chronicle. Away from such a strict 1st person telling to something more 3rd person. But it still maintains it's very personal hand-held quality. It just becomes more 'man on the street' footage vs. lead footage. And the story isn't so black and white in regard to heroes and villains. There's empathy and growth, apathy and undoing on both sides.
All in all, it didn't fit any one genre perfectly, a good sign in my eyes. It was superhuman but only to serve human story, it was equal parts heart wrenchingly dramatic and laugh out loud funny. It wasn't perfect. There were moments of student film-ness that could've been better. But overall the story was there made up for any failings. Like listening to an old cassette demo of a great band.
Lathe of Heaven (2002)
not bad, different ... and commendable.
let me preface by saying ive seen the 1980 version, and ive read the book.
no movie will ever be exactly like the book it originates from. so why compare. its a rare occasion that an author gets behind the camera (kudos to clive barker) which means that the director gets dibs on interperitation. and books, like music, like visual art, are open to interperitation, every one takes what they want from them. i put this in the realm of american psycho, solaris, and dune. complex novels, different screen visions. when directors take on novels, they bring out what they want, and can, in the time they have.
that said, i think haas did an excellent job. the whole concept behind the story has plenty to grab from. haas chose the elements he wanted to excentuate and illustrate and did so admirably. im not saying its a perfect film. i thought the penny character was totally overdone. and while i would find myself taking issues with some of the inconsistencies, i decided to except them on grounds that its the nature of this world. each waking presents a new reality. so i have no ground to argue the nitpicky stuff. i thought lukas haas was an excellent george orr, but had difficulty pairing him with lisa bonet, thus making thier relationship less believable.
all in all worth seeing as a fan of speculative fiction. i would someday like to see a longer version that has a chance to dig a little deeper into the bits that matter more. making the less relevant bits less obtrusive.