UNKNOWN 3.0*** (but barely)
If you go in expecting a nice ride with a couple of twists somewhat similar to, but not as good as "Taken”( the excellent thriller movie also starring Liam Neeson"), you'll get what you want. But if you go in expecting more, you’ll be disappointed. How the story ends is somewhat cliché and the movie includes the almost always mandatory never-ending car chase that we’ve all seen so many times before… although it is fairly good. The movie would have been great if "Unknown" had actually dealt more in-depth with the terror of memory loss and identity theft .
Originality definitely isn't a problem for this film because of its vast ambiguity. Therefore, that aspect will not disappoint those looking for an original film. Also, there are fine performances by Diane Kruger and Frank Langella, and a standout performance by German actor Bruno Ganz. But it is Liam Neeson, who makes the movie.. The reason Liam Neeson is an A-list actor is his ability to play very balanced roles. He always goes as far as he can with a role without overdoing it and thus making himself relevant and believable. He plays Dr Martin Harris, a researcher invited to a bio-technology congress in Berlin. After arriving at but before checking in the hotel with his lovely wife (January Jones) ,he realizes he left his briefcase at the airport and jumps in a cab to return to get it only to have the cab get involved in a near fatal accident. He suffers a bad concussion and is in a coma for 4 days. And if his week had not been bad enough, it culminates in his wife no longer recognizing him and, instead, she acknowledges another man as her husband. Talk about a major identity crisis and theft !
“Unknown" tries way too hard to be ambiguous and original when a better and clearer plot development would have helped. Too many twists and turns sometimes send the plot into nearly opposite directions. Unfortunately the film concludes leaving numerous loose ends which causes a lot of things to remain "unknown."
“Unknown” is good, but not great. It's worth a go at the theatre, but if you're expecting “Taken”, you’ll be disappointed..
Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of violence and action, and brief sexual content.
Clark
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
BARNEY’S VERSION 4.0****
An imperfect life perfectly told. Take an amazing and fascinating ride through the life and memories of Barney Panofsky, a hard-drinking, cigar-smoking, foulmouthed 65-year old hockey fanatic and television producer, as he reflects on his life's successes (few) and failures (many) as shown through well done flash backs and flash forwards leading up to the final chapters of his life .The film is essentially a series of humorous vignettes but also has its share of moments of tenderness and high drama (showcasing Alzheimer's, for example). There's usually at least one laugh in every scene, and there's every kind of humor: sarcastic, mordant, sexual, ironical, satirical and slap stick. To put it another way: If you leave without having laughed, then you need a big dose of “sense of humor” meds.
As Barney,Paul Giamatti is absolutely stunning. . He is one of the most talented and underrated character actors around and continues to prove his worth and excellence here. Barney's life is an emotional roller-coaster, and Giamatti gives his all to make the audience really feel for this pathetic, misguided, adolescent shell of a man. No matter what emotion or word he is trying to convey, you will hang on every sound and look. He should have been nominated for Best Actor for the Oscars. The rest of the cast is solid, no matter their screen time. Rosamind Pike, as Barney's third wife is wonderful, as is Minnie Driver as the overbearing, Jewish 2nd wife. But they are all overshadowed by Dustin Hoffman in the role of Barney's father Izzy. He steals all the scenes he appears in providing more gusto and depth than he has in years. His antics and behavior at the Jewish Wedding/Reception are hilarious as is his final scene in the movie.
Give yourself a night off, forget about your problems and find out about Barney's problems and his friends problems, and his wives’ problems. It will make your life seem much, much better and you’ll laugh along the way, probably several times. For poor Barney, nothing seems to turn out the way he wanted. Even though he is successful in business, he is really miserable and doesn't know how to fix it. An unexpected turn of events, and voilà, his worst problem is solved. But in an instant, he messes up again and is suspected of murder. The answer to the murder mystery isn't revealed until the very end of the movie and even then you have to be really sharp to figure it out..
This is an Independent film that will be hard to find at the theatres.. but find it or rent it.. in other words, don’t miss it. It is a jewel of a movie.
Rated R for language and some sexual content.
Clark
An imperfect life perfectly told. Take an amazing and fascinating ride through the life and memories of Barney Panofsky, a hard-drinking, cigar-smoking, foulmouthed 65-year old hockey fanatic and television producer, as he reflects on his life's successes (few) and failures (many) as shown through well done flash backs and flash forwards leading up to the final chapters of his life .The film is essentially a series of humorous vignettes but also has its share of moments of tenderness and high drama (showcasing Alzheimer's, for example). There's usually at least one laugh in every scene, and there's every kind of humor: sarcastic, mordant, sexual, ironical, satirical and slap stick. To put it another way: If you leave without having laughed, then you need a big dose of “sense of humor” meds.
As Barney,Paul Giamatti is absolutely stunning. . He is one of the most talented and underrated character actors around and continues to prove his worth and excellence here. Barney's life is an emotional roller-coaster, and Giamatti gives his all to make the audience really feel for this pathetic, misguided, adolescent shell of a man. No matter what emotion or word he is trying to convey, you will hang on every sound and look. He should have been nominated for Best Actor for the Oscars. The rest of the cast is solid, no matter their screen time. Rosamind Pike, as Barney's third wife is wonderful, as is Minnie Driver as the overbearing, Jewish 2nd wife. But they are all overshadowed by Dustin Hoffman in the role of Barney's father Izzy. He steals all the scenes he appears in providing more gusto and depth than he has in years. His antics and behavior at the Jewish Wedding/Reception are hilarious as is his final scene in the movie.
Give yourself a night off, forget about your problems and find out about Barney's problems and his friends problems, and his wives’ problems. It will make your life seem much, much better and you’ll laugh along the way, probably several times. For poor Barney, nothing seems to turn out the way he wanted. Even though he is successful in business, he is really miserable and doesn't know how to fix it. An unexpected turn of events, and voilà, his worst problem is solved. But in an instant, he messes up again and is suspected of murder. The answer to the murder mystery isn't revealed until the very end of the movie and even then you have to be really sharp to figure it out..
This is an Independent film that will be hard to find at the theatres.. but find it or rent it.. in other words, don’t miss it. It is a jewel of a movie.
Rated R for language and some sexual content.
Clark
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
THE SOCIAL NETWORK 4.0**** out of 4.0****
“The Social Network” is not as much about the phenomena of Facebook as it is about Mark Zuckerberg and the people associated with him and the consequences that arise from the birth and evolution of Facebook. In an even broader sense, it's about friends being driven apart due to money and betrayal. Because of this, it's no surprise that some have compared it to “Citizen Kane”. And it's not just the similarities in themes, it's also the quality of the film.
What makes the movie so good is the wonderful screen writing of Aaron Sorkin ( he was the force behind and writer for the brilliant TV drama, “West Wing”). The film is filled with crisp dialog that just sucks you in. Director David Fincher also does a great job keeping the audience captivated with a consistently fast and mesmerizing pace.
Several points stand out. First the film makers have rather ingeniously used as a framing device two separate court cases dealing with who really invented Facebook. In both lawsuits Zuckerman is being sued for really big bucks. Second, Jessie Eisenberg's performance as Zuckerberg is uncanny. It may or may not be true to life but it is absolutely convincing. His Zuckerberg is a genius but an enigma, a superficial friend but also a want-to-be-friend, and yet somehow we connect with him. Third, his opponents in one of the cases are the arrogant Winklevoss twins, two of a vanishing breed – handsome, rich WASP with an unshakable belief in their entitlement to privilege. Amazingly they are played by the same actor (Armie Hammer) who puts in two seamless performances. Fourth, Zuckerberg's treatment of his good friend to him and collaborator Eduardo Saverin, who is the other one suing Zuckerman, is outrageous.
This is a film which simply shouldn't work, but it does. . A convoluted story of conflict between the originators of new type of web site, Facebook, that since 2003 has come to be valued at 25 billion dollars and have 500 million members.. The movie succeeds because it is not about the technology but about creativity and conflict and about friendship and betrayal. It succeeds because of a magical combination of accomplished direction, scintillating dialogue and superb acting.
It has been nominated for Best Picture for the Oscars along with other nominations for Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Director etc.
Clark
“The Social Network” is not as much about the phenomena of Facebook as it is about Mark Zuckerberg and the people associated with him and the consequences that arise from the birth and evolution of Facebook. In an even broader sense, it's about friends being driven apart due to money and betrayal. Because of this, it's no surprise that some have compared it to “Citizen Kane”. And it's not just the similarities in themes, it's also the quality of the film.
What makes the movie so good is the wonderful screen writing of Aaron Sorkin ( he was the force behind and writer for the brilliant TV drama, “West Wing”). The film is filled with crisp dialog that just sucks you in. Director David Fincher also does a great job keeping the audience captivated with a consistently fast and mesmerizing pace.
Several points stand out. First the film makers have rather ingeniously used as a framing device two separate court cases dealing with who really invented Facebook. In both lawsuits Zuckerman is being sued for really big bucks. Second, Jessie Eisenberg's performance as Zuckerberg is uncanny. It may or may not be true to life but it is absolutely convincing. His Zuckerberg is a genius but an enigma, a superficial friend but also a want-to-be-friend, and yet somehow we connect with him. Third, his opponents in one of the cases are the arrogant Winklevoss twins, two of a vanishing breed – handsome, rich WASP with an unshakable belief in their entitlement to privilege. Amazingly they are played by the same actor (Armie Hammer) who puts in two seamless performances. Fourth, Zuckerberg's treatment of his good friend to him and collaborator Eduardo Saverin, who is the other one suing Zuckerman, is outrageous.
This is a film which simply shouldn't work, but it does. . A convoluted story of conflict between the originators of new type of web site, Facebook, that since 2003 has come to be valued at 25 billion dollars and have 500 million members.. The movie succeeds because it is not about the technology but about creativity and conflict and about friendship and betrayal. It succeeds because of a magical combination of accomplished direction, scintillating dialogue and superb acting.
It has been nominated for Best Picture for the Oscars along with other nominations for Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Director etc.
Clark
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