Cybertoad's Blog

It has been a looooooooooong time since I last reviewed any movies I owe you a lot of reviews (3 months worth). Since I have over a dozen to catch you up on, I am going to break it into two entries. Here is the first part of the reviews…

The Prestige (movie theater): This was one that slipped by quietly in the theaters. It was good but I guess since it was not an action-packed drama adventure it did not catch the attention of the mainstream crowd despite a star-studded cast of Ewan MacGregor, Scarlett Johansson, Hugh Jackson, Michael Caine and Christian Bale. It follows two rival magicians’ career ups & downs in the early 1900’s. It’s a well filmed movie and the acting was not bad. The set and costumes are well done and David Bowie even does a wonderful cameo as the infamous inventor Tesla. Good movie to watch on a lazy weekend night with the older kids (it’s a bit dark and does has mature subject matter).

The Crow (on TV): I saw this ages ago and caught it on cable one Sunday afternoon. I had forgotten what a great movie it was. The ultimate Gothic movie with a great story line and great characters. Classic at the same time as it is modern and urban. Also heartbreaking to lose such a talented actor as Brandon Lee at such a young age before we had seen more of him.

Casino Royale (movie theater): I grew up with James Bond and was very disappointed to see Pierce Brosnan replaced so quickly so I came in with much skepticism that Daniel Craig could live up to the job. Plus, the 007 films were not really thrilling me as much as they used to so I was very happily surprised to come out of the movie feeling that the 007 legacy had been reinvigorated. Daniel Craig brings a different look and feel to the Bond character but it is not “bad different”. It’s a good change and the fundamentals of the character are still there. And yes, Daniel Craig is probably the most fit Bond yet and looks damn good without a shirt on. Oh, and he looks nice in a suit as well.

By the way, this film starts off at the very beginning of the 007 era. James Bond receives his “license to kill” at the beginning of the movie.

Pan’s Labyrinth (Angelika movie theater): This is the most recent movie we saw at the theater and wow. It is a Spanish film (with subtitles) and it is set in the dark part of Spain’s past, the time surrounding Franco’s dictatorship. Specifically, it is set right after the bloody civil war in 1944 when there is still unrest out in the country. It is a fantastical story of a little girl trying to cope with the horrors around her. It is an extremely dark film, both in the cinematography and in the story line. It is unexpectedly gruesome and suffice to say you don’t walk out of the theater feeling good. Heck, I don’t think you smile throughout the entire film!

Still, despite this, it is amazingly well done and the little girl is talented beyond her years. Kenny was very disappointed because the previews gave you the idea that it was more light-hearted so I warn you know. I recommend it but not for the kids at all.

Clerks II (at a friend’s house): I have seen all of Kevin Smith’s films starting form the original Clerks way back when. Clerks II did not disappoint and wrapped things up neatly. Great dialog as always. It is beyond being raunchy and depraved but hey, what can you expect? It never has been nor will be a family film. I warn you, you will see things on screen that will probably scar you for life (if you’ve seen it, you know what scene I am talking about) but hey, you’re a strong person, right? You’ll get used to that twitch in your eye. LOL.

OK, I’m working on a second entry with all the movies we’ve rented so be on the lookout for that!