Million Dollar Baby **

An undergog story with a tragic ending. You don't see that combination very often. If you take those two apart, each of them follows a predictable arc. But that is not the case and as a result, the end product is quite effective. Hillary Swank's acting is excellent.

I agree. I remember when Don Vercetti used to roam these parts I believe this was his favorite movie. I've only seen it once and while I remember liking it, it wasn't that impressive. I think I'm due for another visit however

Sounds like a saturday night in Melbourne.

It's a tad toned down for the big screen, though. True Australians cut themselves in the midst of sex. Ever watch an Australian porno? You'll never see so much flesh, blood, and bodily fluid in your life.

svsg, how come Le samourai disappoints, Million Dollar Baby impresses, but they're both reduced to the same star score?

And in relation to that question, how much do people grade a movie based on how well it fit their expectations? I know Irish, for one, does so a lot; and I don't think anybody outright doesn't.

I went back re-read my reviews and they do convey information somewhat different from what I feel. I liked Le Samourai better than MDB. Asked for a revisit, I will definitely choose Le Samourai over MDB. But it is nowhere as impressive as I expected it to be. You were right on that. The two stars reflect the expectations as well. I had none at all for MDB.

Ok for all of you movie buffs. I have a question. Several times now, I have seen "The Bourne Identity" with Matt Damon. It always is on very late and I can never stay up to finish it. I was really into it and would love to see it in it's entirety. I keep saying I'm gonna rent it one day but haven't yet.

Anyway I didn't realize there was a 3rd Bourne film coming out Bourne Supremecy I think). Can't say I was ever a Matt Damon fan, and I can only speak for the first one but I really liked it. Anyone else have any opinion on this series of films.

Thanks

TIS

Bourne Identity is followed by Supremacy and 3rd movie Ultimatum.

I don't like the movies. The action is fun, but otherwise the movie doesn't pull me in. I've more like: 'oh well, finally the movie is over'. They stretched the movie to long. 1 or maybe 2 was good enough.

But...they still have many people who like it, thus the sequel will be made....so here it is: Bourne Ultimatum.

Thanks MM. I know the movie is very long which is why I never get to finish it. It did draw me in though and hopefully I'll be able to finish it one day.

Btw MM Floors. It's so nice to see you back. If I remember correctly you were in the military no????? How are you? I hope all is well.


TIS

*grafiti scrawled in NYC Subway*

MM Floors LIVES!

Anyway TIS, THE BOURNE IDENTITY is a pretty good action-ticket, but the sequel is superior, and probably easier to watch.

If the first film is a mystery-thriller, the sequel is a revenge-thriller shot by a much-better director.

(NOTE: SUPREMACY has some sub-plot about baddie Russians and their Oil grants, but don't concentrate on it too much. Just flow with the movie.)

I agree. I always found the movies overrated, particularly by a few fellow Blockbuster workers of mine. They're alright but I wouldn't run out to see them. You could do much better.

Like FANTASTIC FOUR 2?

ZODIAC
(Second Viewing)

A serial killer in the San Francisco Bay Area taunts police with his letters and cryptic messages. We follow the investigators and reporters in this lightly fictionalized account of the true 1970's case as they search for the murderer, becoming obsessed with the case. Based on Robert Graysmith's book, the movie's focus is the lives and careers of the detectives and newspaper people.

A great investigation and look into the many different suspects of the Zodiac killer. Jake Gyllenhaal, Anthony Edwards, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo (yes, romantic comedy "superstar" Mark Ruffalo) were all enjoyable. I'm really happy to see Robert Downey Jr. kicking a$$ onscreen. This movie just makes me wanna see next year's IRON MAN film even more now. As for Mr. Fincher, I'd rank this as my third favorite film of his behind FIGHT CLUB and SE7EN.

Zodiac is a knockout. Just thinking about it gets me excited. I think Fincher is one of the most promising directors currently working; he seems fully aware of existing film technologies, visual grammar and the possibilities of CGI and digital. It's definitely the best film of the year so far.

THE SIMPSONS MOVIE 1/2
(First Viewing)

When Homer mistakenly pollutes the river with toxic waste from the power plant, he loses his job and forces evacuation from Springfield, possibly forever.

Ok, we're in the clear. The movie didn't tarnish the memory left by the show. I was skeptical going into the film with the likes of SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT and FAMILY GUY PRESENTS: STEWIE GRIFFIN - THE UNTOLD STORY as other benchmark films. And while most of the jokes were jammed in at the beginning to get the viewer hooked, it was most definitely a treat to be able to sit in a theater with other fans of the show and enjoy it collectively. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing this in the theater again and if you're a fan of the show, I'd say it's your duty to see it on the big screen.

I'm seeing it today.

Harry Plopper!

I have never seen any episode of this show. Will it make any sense to me if I watch the movie or is it only for the regular viewers of the show?

I'm seeing Chuck and Larry... tonight.

I BETTER not be disappointed, Irish.

A Lesbian friend of mine was insulted by it and called it "Gayface" comedy.

Then again, when was the last time Adam Sandler being a horndug of a retard actually played for the joke?*

*=WATERBOY

THE SIMPSONS MOVIE (2007) - ***1/2

"The movie is funny, sassy and intelligent in that moronic Simpsons' way." - Roger Ebert

Remember my suspicions with EMPIRE Magazine that Paragon of Virtue probed me about?

No? Nevermind.

THE SIMPSONS MOVIE might very well be the most all-around enjoyable movie out of the expected-blockbuster pictures of this summer. If anything, this might be the first since those vaunted Golden Era of Seasons 3 through 8 where I actually laughed at a SIMPSONS joke.

So as a fan of way back in the day during its legendary prime-time top TV run in smarts and cracks, I am very pleased. People hate the stupid jokes, but SIMPSONS always mixed its intelligent gags with their stupid jokes but it works.

Take a favorite that Conan O'Brien* penned, "Marge vs the Monorail." Inbetween all that stuff about the town being swindled by a naughty contractor, you had Homey name the Possums that have nested in his new monorail-conducting job: "I named the big one Bitey!"

If anything, the movie "works" just because the best of the SIMPSONS scripters of the past were brought back into the fold, and they actually seemed to have tried taking time to make decent jokes (instead of this assembly-line process of blandness we've had for at least 10 years with the TV series) and we're rewarded. Truely guys like John Schwartzwelder (who probably wrote the ITCHY & SCRATCHY toon that started this film) never should have left, or been kicked out of, THE SIMPSONS.**

The crowd laughing at Itchy stabbing Scratchy with a flagpole convinced me early on that this will be a winner, and will own this weekend at the box-office at least. Who knows, with its good-laugh time, the show's global fandom, and the movie's short running time....it might challenge SPIDER-MAN 3, HARRY POTTER, PIRATES 3, SHREK 3, and TRANSFORMERS for the summer box-office belt. It just might.

You know what interests me though? I remembered all the rumored-plots of the movie over the years, but the one thing that carried over from first hearing about it 8 years ago to today is this: There was always a plan to permanently kill off a character in the film....and they carried through with it.***

*=Conan O'Brien had shot/voiced a cameo for the movie, but he was cut out. Pity.

**=Hey SIMPSONS TV writing staff, I know Schwartzwelder has anti-authoritarian views compared to your head writers' leftist views, but he's the man and YOU ARE NOT! Hire him back.

***=I won't say exactly who, but Springfield will miss its best botch-doctor in town!

promising?

Fincher is one of the MASTERS of this era in cinema. ZODIAC is Fincher officially fisting without consent against the naysayers.

I think it'll work, because the SIMPSONS fans I went to see it with today were satisfied.

I think Fincher ceased to be promising with Zodiac which is when he made the leap from promising talent who made very good or great movies to one of the best in the world.

I can see Ronnie calling him a master as Fincher has a very good case, but to me master is the best of the best and he's not there yet. He very well someday belong in that upper echelon. Just my opinion.



I'm all for the collaborative nature of filmmaking so it's prudent to bring up the brilliant cinematographers Fincher has worked with so far:

Conrad Hall - in the company of the best of the best; the likes of Nykvist, Storaro, Willis, Toland, etcetera.

Darius Khondji - one of the most influential recent DPs

Harris Savides - one of the best contemporary ones

Cronenweth - very talented

I have to say, not many people would bring up that point about the DPs.

You sir know your film.

I feel like I'm the only person in the world who hates Zodiac.

Thank God.

I also feel like I'm the only person in the world who hates Amelie.

And Boogie Nights.

And Goodfellas.

I just need one person to agree with me, then maybe I can have my sanity back.

I've never even heard of "Amelie", so just for the heck of it. I hate it too.

Happy? Now quit being such a hater! Goodfellas rules... Jerk.

It was hysterical. Kevin James was funnier than Sandler.

Agreed, and he's very outspoken, too; he's a good man to have around, I suppose, in times of complicated technological transition.

What I don't understand, though, is that your hating it is the only criticism you've had of it. "I hate it" isn't a criticism, it's a response. A perfectly valid response, but only with further elaboration. I've praised the film for several things, now, and you've not really countered them.

You hate it despite its rich visual textures, the fact that it looks like film when it isn't, it's unconventional narrative, its expert editing, its thematic infrastructure...