Ratings and Comentary on a few films...

As it turns out, I see a lot of movies. Given my schedule, I haven't really had the time to write a full review for all of them so consider this an apology and an effort to catch up...

 

Star Wars

Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith was easily the best movie of the new trilogy. It's a bit tedious in parts and Amidala's death seems a pointless degradation of her character from a strong, principled senator to a girl who can't live without her man. Aside from that however, the movie is breath taking. I would rank it above Return of the Jedi but below the original Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back.

 

Batman Begins

Saw this one yesterday and it is absolutely incredible. It takes on the DC Comics storyline of Batman and succeeds admirably. This dark knight is dark and broody but still maintains a sense of justice and kindness at his core. All of the performances are interesting and fresh. The players include newcomer Christian Bale as batman, Michael Cain as the butler Alfred, Ken Watanabe plays as the old master Raz, Liam Neeson is Raz's best pupil and trainer of the young Bruce Wayne, the cast is rounded out by Rutger Hauer, Morgan Freeman, Katie Holmes, and Gary Oldman as Detective Gordon. This is a must see.

 

Angels in America

This HBO mini-series is incredible. It tracks the lives of two homosexual men during the Reagan Era and their struggle with AIDS. Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, and Emma Thompson are the powerhouses of the series though the less well known actors, Marie Louis Parker, Jeffrey Wright, Patrick Wilson, Justin Kirk, and Ben Shenkman all turn in performances equal to and, at times, better than the series greats. It's gritty, irreverent, and wry humor along with it's often poignant scenes of loss and frustration made it impossible for me to get up and do anything else until it was over.


 

Sin City

This movie is one you'll either love or hate. It's done in comic book style. It's entirely black & white with select portions colorized to emphasize certain portions of the film. It's noir, it's pornographically violent, it's unsettling and it will be a cult classic. I loved it.

 

An Officer and a Gentleman

For many of you who may be thinking, "They made a remake?" No. I just saw it for the first time this week - so I get to review it. It's pretty damn good I must say – a little corny in some places but, all in all, a good film. If you haven't seen it, check it out.

RCS