Est. 1998
Medieval Japan, a land where mankind coexists with the ancient gods of nature. But the world as we know it is about to go belly up, as man grows always greedier and violates the land and its creatures to “civilize” them. The young Ashitaka (voiced by Billy Crudup) is the last of a lost tribe of noble warriors. His village’s fragile peace is disturbed heavily…
Is there another family movie as timeless as this one? I don’t think so, pal. Not that it’s the greatest of cinematic achievements, but it’s packed with memorable places and characters, as well as great songs and a magical story. And now, some 60 years after its first release, the film comes back in theaters with brighter image and sharper sound than ever. But in…
With this second blockbuster of Summer 2009, the exact opposite thing happened for me than with the first one. Whereas “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” started strong then petered out, J. J. Abrams‘s “Star Trek” reboot is a gigantic bore for more than half its running time, but it eventually grows surprisingly involving once the whole cast is assembled and the plot finally kicks into gear. In that…
Movie Infos Title: From Dusk Till Dawn Year: 1996 Director: Robert Rodriguez Dry, hot, dusty Texas. We meet the Gecko brothers, who pulled a daring bank heist which got them enough money to live la vida loca in El Ray, Mexico for many years to come. Except that Seth (George Clooney) was caught and imprisoned, but his bro Richie (Quentin Tarantino) audaciously broke him out…
Movie Infos Title: About Schmidt Year: 2002 Director: Alexander Payne Writer-director Alexander Payne and co-writer Jim Taylor’s third collaboration starts out intriguingly as 66 year old Woodmen Insurance actuary Warren Schmidt numbly stares at the wall clock ticking away the last seconds before his retirement. What’s startling about this weary and tired looking man with a comb-over is that he’s played by eternal smartass 18…
Movie Infos Title: Lawrence of Arabia Year: 1962 Director: David Lean Writer: Robert Bolt, Michael Wilson Starring: Peter O’Toole Alec Guinness Anthony Quinn Jack Hawkins Omar Sharif … Is this an odd film or what? I’m not sure I really got it. I admire the achievement of visionary filmmaker David Lean, but I can’t say that his film involved me all that much. I don’t…
“That can really only happen when a tyrannical system is so well established that it can dominate the entire fabric of society. And the Germans are good at organising. People’s consciences, too.” When does something qualify as cinema? What differentiates visual recording from actual filmmaking? If your uncle shoots you and your little buddies playing Ultimate in the park, is that a movie? What about…
As I write these words, “Watchmen” has just landed into movie theaters, but there’s already a sense that it’s yet another misunderstood film, with some finding it too long and not action-packed enough while others think it’s just another fanboy flick. Both sides are wrong, and I don’t think that can be argued. On the one hand, measuring “Watchmen” up against the expectations one would…
Movie Infos Title: Windtalkers Year: 2002 Director: John Woo In an episode of the 13th season of “The Simpsons”, a rich playboy offers a million dollars to spend a week-end with Marge. Homer accepts but sets his conditions: “No funny stuff! And by funny stuff I mean holding hands, googoo eyes, misdirected woo- which is pretty much any John Woo film.” Witty line, but uncalled…
Movie Infos Title: Valley Girl Year: 1983 Director: Martha Coolidge Starring: Nicolas Cage Deborah Foreman Frederic Forrest Lee Purcell Colleen Camp … Long after Romeo & Juliet, another pair of star-crossed lovers doomed from the start love as their peers try to call the whole thing off. And, hey, it’s 1983! Hence, everyone’s wearing odd hairdos and ridiculous clothes and high school life ain’t quite…