durantsteven Reviews

Ultraviolet (2006)

Skip this and go play a video game

[24 January 2019]

Ultraviolet is a prime example of how computer effects will never trump good old narrative storytelling no matter how sophisticated they come to be. One problem with this film is it tries to be pretentious and yet does nothing but dazzle us(read: hit hard over the head) with style. The tone of the movie is one of high art, but it stinks like a landfill. It doesn't matter that the acting is wooden, the storyline is incomprehensible, and the action sequences are plodding. All the filmmakers care about is that there's a dash of panache to the proceedings. It's hard to argue that Ultraviolet has a unique look. The live actors appear as computer generated as the backgrounds. Considering the lack of humor and emotion displayed by the performers, one might assume that their only participation was to allow their three-dimensional images to be programmed into a computer and reproduced. MillaJovovich- never a strong actress- is at home here but even she can't salvage much. Ultraviolet is a waste of time.

Cold Mountain (2003)

Good war film but a tad bit overlong

[8 January 2019]

This is an artistic take on the ravages of war. Cold Mountain was adapted from the long, complex novel by Charles Frazier, and clearly proved to be a challenge for Minghella to capture on film. The movie has its share of structural problems, and may be a little longer than seems necessary, but it rarely lost my attention. I would not place this in the top echelon of end-of-the-year motion pictures, but it's certainly a successful adaptation, features numerous memorable performances (mostly by the supporting players), and is worth a post-holiday expenditure of time and money. One thing that cannot be denied is the effectiveness of the film's look. This is a gorgeous film to watch, with deserved credit given to cinematographer John Seale.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

A psychopath killer's journey

[20 December 2018]

By my count this is the third film based on the Tom Ripley character created by Patricia Highsmith. I still feel that the Alain Delon starrer Purple Noon is the best and if anyone wants to see the films based on the book I suggest they start with that movie. However this film is pretty good in its own right as well. The Talented Mr. Ripley is in the same category as movies like The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, where a psycho befriends a character before turning murderous. The Talented Mr. Ripley aims a little higher than most of these cut-and-slash motion pictures, since the focus is on character interaction and the cat-and-mouse game Tom plays with the authorities, rather than on cheap thrills. Despite Damon's weak performance, a running time that's about 15 minutes too long, and a certain over-familiarity of some plot elements, The Talented Mr. Ripley still manages to be of passable entertainment value. It's not a great thriller, but, for the most part, it will hold a viewer's attention.

Never Say Goodbye (1956)

Decent Rock Hudson flick

[18 December 2018]

Rock Hudson plays a military doctor who falls in love with nightclub pianist, Cornell Borchers. They marry and have a baby and all seems right. That is, until Hudson's seething jealousy wrecks everything that they had established. Tragedy tears the couple apart and Hudson must raise their daughter alone. Years later, fate brings the couple back together and their daughter (played surprisingly well by a young Shelley Fabares)must come to grips with the mother she had never known.

Nacho Libre (2006)

Contains some funny sequences but not enough

[9 November 2018]

If you're a fan of Jack Black's overacting antics, you may find what Nacho Libre has to offer to be palatable. For me, the film dragged. It's only 90 minutes long, but it seemed longer. I laughed a few times, usually at physical gags (such as what happens when Nacho makes the mistake of challenging a bull), but too little of the film's humor worked its magic. Neither the romance nor the friendship between Nacho and Esqueleto has an effective emotional payoff, and attempts to humanize the Nacho caricature make parts of the film feel awkward. Too much in Nacho Libre doesn't work to enable me to recommend it to anyone except a card-carrying member of the Jack Black fan club.

Air Force One (1997)

Decent Wolfgang Peterson film

[1 November 2018]

What is Air Force One about? A military partnership between the United States and Russia has resulted in the capture of the dangerous and fanatical General Alexander Radek the self-appointed military dictator of Khazakstan. A group of terrorists, led by the psychotic Ivan Korshunov (Gary Oldman), uses an elaborate ruse to get on board Air Force One for a trans-Atlantic trip from Moscow to Washington D.C. Once the plane is in the sky, Korshunov (with a little inside help) takes over. The President apparently escapes in an emergency pod, but, in reality, he's hiding out in the luggage compartment, ready to do battle single-handedly with the six bad guys, who are holding fifty passengers at gun point, including his wife (Wendy Crewson) and 12-year old daughter. This is a competent summer blockbuster made when Ford was still believable as the ass kicking all American male.

Last Action Hero (1993)

Misunderstood all these years

[24 October 2018]

Last Action Hero was a box office dud and one of the blights in an otherwise flawless run at the BO for Arnie back in the early 90s. There are some reasons why it flopped the main being it was released simultaneously with Jurassic Park which was the runaway box office smash of the year. Many also criticized the pacing of the film and the general consensus was that it didn't know what it was trying to be- an action comedy, a kids movie or a drama. But now, years later the film is gaining its champions. It is likeable enough and the meta aspects are nicely done. Arnold is good and perhaps now it may not be understood how huge a star he was back in the day. Every kid wanted to be him, or at least wanted to shake his hands. This is also a John Mctiernen movie- yes, that same Mctiernen who made Predator and Die Hard.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

The best science fiction film of all time

[8 October 2018]

2001 was a breakthrough in technology, theme and content and is quite possible the finest science fiction movie ever made. To think that this movie inspired everything from Star Wars to Alien and Close Encounters.... science fiction owes a huge debt to Stanley Kubrick and 2001. If you haven't already then please go and watch this film. You won't notice the almost 3-hour runtime I can assure you that much.

Magnolia (1999)

One of the finest films made by this generation's finest auteur

[26 September 2018]

PT Anderson's Magnolia is a fantastic piece of filmmaking. Featuring a top notch cast and an inspiration directly lifted from Robert Altman's many movies (especially perhaps shortcuts) Magnolia is an art film masquerading as a mainstream feature courtesy Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, William H Macy and a few others. Clocking in at over 2 and a half hours though it can be tough to sit through. This is a must watch for any cinema lover.

Cop Out (2010)

A rare blight on Kevin Smith's oeuvre

[24 August 2018]

Copout is a massive disappointment. Maybe the expectations were too high but the film lacks a coherent story, its pacing is atrocious and even the chemistry between Willis and Morgan is pretty much nonexistent. There were high hopes because Kevin Smith is a good filmmaker especially in the comedy genre and both Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan are good at comedy (Check out Willis in Death becomes her). This was a stab at the buddy cop genre and a play on Willis's iconic Die Hard role but the film fails miserably. 3/10 (A rare blight on Kevin Smith's oeuvre

Barry Lyndon (1975)

Kubrick's foray into period drama is exceptional

[24 July 2018]

Barry Lyndon is one of Stanley Kubrick's lesser known films but even a lesser known film from a director like Kubrick is worth finding to watch. This is a great period piece and contains some great cinematography and overall visuals. Ryan O' Neil stars as the titular character who is an opportunist who fools a high-class woman into marriage thus attaining a position in that society. The pacing is slow- as is the case with every Kubrick film but it keeps you invested. The direction is crisp, and some scenes are so good they look like paintings from the renaissance period. The scenes involving candlelight should bring about goosebumps. This is a period drama you should watch.

Being John Malkovich (1999)

Worth a watch for the unique concept and execution but be ready to be filled with existentialist dread

[17 July 2018]

A unique idea but the zaniness is a bit too much to overcome. Not the director's fault though- Spike Jonze's filmography is defined by the offbeat and probably Being John Malkovich could be his most straightforward, or accessible film. But if so was the intention then he could have made this into a more box office friendly film. The drab settings and production design and the bleak outlook dampened the mood. The acting is good throughout and John Malkovich is very good playing a scared version of himself, and as mentioned at the start- the idea is absolutely class.