Twelve Monkeys: Inspired by this hee-larious blog I read, I decided to finally watch this highly acclaimed sci fi film from 1995. Either you like director Terry Gilliam's crazy visuals and over the top acting performances, or you're a soulless film industry suit. While twelve monkeys certainly isn't equal to TG's Sci Fi masterpiece Brazil, it is certainly more intelligent and more original than your average time travel film. I very much enjoyed how Bruce Willis' character wasn't your typical unstoppable action film star, and is almost portrayed as a parody of most action heroes. He is shown to be overconfident in his abilities with a smart alec attitude, per usual action hero, yet is actually quite inept at fighting. This portrayal was quite refreshing, and is similar to the main characters in Big Trouble in Little China and the Long Goodbye. Bruce Willis certainly is an actor with very little range, but he was the right choice for this role. Brad Pitt does his typical overacting, which actually seems to work here.
As for the plot of the film, I found it to be much more intelligent/original than most sci fi fare. The film established some kind of basic rules for time travel and seemed to follow them for the most part. I especially liked the dynamic dream sequences. The futuristic scenes seem to realistically convey a world that has not technologically advanced since the mid 90's, although some of TG's common visuals may seem slightly unrealistic. I thought the Red Herring was well executed and fairly unexpected, there was a little unnecessary foreshadowing but not much. The bum who can communicate to Bruce Willis through his thoughts was extremely unnecessary and very annoying. While it didn't big issues like 2001, it is definitely an entertaining sci fi popcorn flick.
Best Quote: "And what we say is the truth is what everybody accepts. Right, Owen? I mean, psychiatry: it's the latest religion. We decide what's right and wrong. We decide who's crazy or not. I'm in trouble here. I'm losing my faith"
I was happy to see that a smart-ish film like Twelve Monkeys won the Saturn award for best Science Fiction film of 95. However under closer inspection I saw past winners of the award included Men In Black, Armageddon and the absolutely dreadful A.I. Apparently winning a Saturn award is easier than (Insert Kardashian promiscuity joke here).
Here is a quote that I found on the interwebs, which I will proudly not cite the source of, which I believe does a decent job summarizing the film, "In its frantic mix of chaos, carnage and zoo animals, 12 Monkeys is Jumanji for adults."
Verdict: 8/10
For everyone's enjoyment, except Craig's, follow the link to a clip from the movie of Brad Pitt acting his face off http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ce8_1241414316
Here's the Trailer for those too lazy to youtube it:
The Master: The Master is simply too smart/complex of a film and would require more film theory knowledge and vocabulary than your humble blogger possesses, thus for more in depth analysis/criticism I suggest you check out moviedudez's sister website soundonsight.org. (Note: SoS denies any association with this shitty blog) What I can tell you is that this film is made by a master, Paul Thomas Anderson, it is very smart and very well made, but seems to be missing a purpose. I understand it is showing the experience of a troubled veteran with PTSD, and how there is no easy cure, but it definitely left you feeling very unsatisfied when it was over. That being said, I believe it was the right choice to focus the story on the WWII veteran who discovers the Scientology like cult instead of the cult founder himself. The performance by Joaquim Phoenix is great and should garner at least an Academy Award nomination. PSH is solid as always. I was surprised/excited to see my old high school classmate Cara Roggencamp in a bit part. The film may get some attention around Academy Award time, but I am certain it will not win best picture.
Also, if you are hoping to see a film that simply rips apart the stupid cult that is Scientology, this unfortunately is not the film for you. PTA screened the film for his buddy and cult member Tom Cruise who only had problems with one scene, wherein the Master's son suggests that his dad is just making everything up. If you want to hate on Scientologists stick with the South Park episode "Trapped in the Closet".
Verdict: 7.5/10
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul: If you are gonna watch just one film about a mid 60's fat German widow marrying a late 30's strong Moroccan I suggest you watch this one. I mostly watched this film because I was embarrassed that I had never seen a Fassbinder film before, and supposedly this is one of his best. While it was a well made film, I certainly cannot recommend it to the type of people that would actually read this blog.
Verdict: 7.5/10
Breathless: While I'm embarrassed to admit this is only the second French New Wave film I have seen, the exceptional The 400 Blows being the first. This 1960 film by Jean-Luc Godard is very highly acclaimed, and with good reason, it is a very well made film. The plot is not as important as the style; with jump cuts being revolutionary at the time. Breathless is worthy of its reputation as a classic, couldn't agree more with this quote, “a pop artifact and a daring work of art and even at 50, still cool, still new, still – after all this time! – a bulletin from the future of movies."
Verdict: 8/10
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