January 7, 2007

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  Movies I've seen recently...

  
  Apocalypto  (2006)  B+

  Despite the errors in Mel Gibson's personal life, he still proves himself as a really good film director with the release of "Apocalypto." Immersive is one way to describe this movie, as I was just sucked in to that past world, with it's surroundings, creatures, in addition to the look and the mayan dialect of the cast (the whole movie has subtitled). The plot progression isn't necessarily standard with a film like this, because for the most part, we are just suppose to experience the events that happens in the film. The character's stories and even some political / social commentaries  are present, but plays more to progress the plot. This film is graphic, violent, and doesn't shy away from showing you things you probably rather not see.

  
  The Queen  (2006)  A

  I saw "the Queen" with rather moderate expectations and came out rather blown away at how great the movie is. Director Stephen Frears and writer Peter Morgan, has made a great film surrounding the death of Princess Diana, and how the country was literally ready to bring down the monarchy, because it seemed like the Royal family didn't care enough about the tragedy. The truth as portrayed here shows that things aren't so simple with a family that is more or less out of touch with the current modern reality of the world. Helen Mirren does an Oscar winning performance as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, showing many different facets to her personality and gives us a character more complicated than normally perceived. Add to that the political relationship between the country, it's Royal family, and the new Prime Minister Tony Blair as wonderfully played by Michael Sheen. Prime Minister Tony Blair is literally caught in the middle of his countrymen and the royal family, and it's pretty educational how that works in a political sense as well as in a personal way. "The Queen" engaged me from start to finish, and definitely ranks as one of the best films ever released.

  
  The Good Shepherd  (2006)  C

  With Robert De Niro as director, Eric Roth as writer, and a smorgasbord of talented actors and actresses, "The Good Shepherd" is undoubtedly a great movie right? Maybe, but damn was I utterly bored watching it. How can a story about the birth of the C.I.A. be so dull and boring? For a movie that's over two and a half hours long, it sure was slow and unexciting. Matt Damon is the main star of the movie, and he is pretty much put to task to create the most boring character ever in a spy film. What's sadder is that's exactly how the character is described as in the movie, boring and dull. I'm sure there's suppose to be a subtle hint of depth or an allegory to how espionage work isn't as exciting as one would think, but still, c'mon now. Yes the espionage itself, the spy talk, the back stabbings, and the plot twists are interesting enough adding a dense depth to the story, but the overall presentation is very flawed.

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