New York Minute

one.

A clever idea for a forensics duo gone horribly wrong, I found myself spending my Saturday night watching an Olsen twins movie -- New York Minute.

Complete with all the normal elements of an Olsen flick (dead parent, bad dialogue, cheesy conflict, sisterly heart-touching moment, and of course, hunky guys), the movie was a predictable, shameful flop. Apparently the flick was an attempt to launch the twins into more serious adult acting roles, but I find myself baffled because I can't see anyone thinking that this movie could ever been seen as a mature film. The few moments that were risque were just creepy, and the two girls still look like they're twelve.

Not that their looks have anything to do with the quality of the movie.

New York Minute was characterized by cameos from big-names, but actors such as Eugene Levy, Andy Richter, and Darrell Hammond were unable to show their talent due to such bad writing. The film resorted to very primitive means of carrying the movie forward, with sub par results.

I wonder how much Simple Plan paid to have that nice PR event in the middle of the film?

Across the Universe

four.

I love musicals, so I inherently loved this film.

I'm also a big Beatles fan, so the fact this was a musical based on the songs of the Beatles pleased me even more.

Admittedly the plot was rather unoriginal and predictable, which was a bit upsetting. But it is a film about the 60's, so naturally they would want to involve the major events from that time period. And if that means tapping into the cliche sixties myths, then I understand why they did it.

I thought the filmography was great, and the actors were very real. I've heard some opinion that there was too much singing and not enough acting, but I completely disagree.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

three and a half.

A bitter barber returns to London to seek vengeance on the judge who outlawed him, stole his wife, and now plans to marry his daughter. The film was filled with gore and plot twists, and the repetitive throat-slashing was a bit much for me. I felt it turned to gratuitous violence and a chance to show off some blood-splatter - which, by the way, was much too red for real blood.

Depp's performance was great, however - as per usual. His voice may not be wooing, but he managed the guttural tones that perfected his role as a murderous, maniacal barber. The musical score was mind-blowing, and it was fun seeing the transitions, 180 degree planes, juxtapositions, and other types of editing effects that I learned about in my Mass Media class.

I loved the way that the film combined a very grimy, dingy, dark, and horrific plot with music and comedy. It's a very interesting hybrid.

Broken

three and a half.

An uncomfortable glimpse into the life of a starving artist addicted to drugs in a dead-end job under the reign of her psychotic boyfriend. The movie literally was broken: the story line was a series of flashbacks, drug hallucinations, dreams, and memories. This was confusing, but necessary for to create the disjointed, fragmented experience parallel to what the characters themselves were feeling and living.

Once

Four and a half stars.

I really enjoyed this film. I loved the way it was a musical, yet not. The rustic, homemade/documentary look was great - added to the audience's ability to connect. The fact that the actors were musicians first made the film real....they performed their music, and therefore didn't have to act. The romantic chemistry was subtle, effective, and touching.

Who am I to critique movies?

Good question.

The answer: nobody.

I know nothing about rating and reviewing films.

What I *do* know is that I like them. I watch a lot of them. It's kind of like a hobby.

I want to be a filmmaker, and devote my life to film.

I figure, why not talk about the movies I've seen? I watch enough of them, and I like to discuss them.

So, starting now, I'm going to try and review films here.