Posted on 1/24/2010 7:00 PM By Ronen Divon
With zero expectations, and going with my kids, the film was, for the most part, a pleasant surprise. Yes – it was all expected. Yes – it was full of clichés, all done before, and way too sweet. But hey – it’s a kids movie with a few extra fun lines for adults, it features (in a minor yet delightful role) a wonderful as ever Billy Crystal, and it does not feature a bunch of terribly annoying and talentless singing Chipmunks… My kids rated it (on the average) at 4 stars so this is the rating I am giving it (I myself would have given it a maybe three stars but if the kids enjoy it and I don’t suffer, that’s worth a little more in my book…). My main concern is Dwayne Johnson. I see an Arnold Schwarzenegger pattern here… from action movies to kids movies, and then what’s next? A political career?... We already had one actor in the White House and one as a governor, what’s left for Dwayne?...
Posted on 1/24/2010 7:00 PM By Ronen Divon
I’ve seen better, I’ve seen worst. A big Michael Cera fan I am not. He is okay as a sideline character but I don’t see him capable of carrying a film on his shoulders as a lead. And despite some fine performances, quite a few funny moments and engaging situations, this film does not rise to the occasion. If you go with very few expectations, as I did, you will not suffer. If Cera is to develop as an actor, he should pursue roles along the François character he plays as his alter-ego. Looking like a teenager will not last forever….
Posted on 1/17/2010 7:00 PM By Ronen Divon
Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes” could have been a decent action-packed detective film, if only it was not titled Sherlock Holmes… That a filmmaker would feel a need the rely on Arthur Conan Doyle’s name characters, is plain silly, or highly commercialized, especially with such well-branded cast. Either way, I personally would have enjoyed it much more if this film would have been more uniquely titled something like “James Princely and Dr. Wilson”... As it is, I was hesitating between 3 and 4 stars rating, but ended giving it four stars, partially because of the excellent chemistry between Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law that made their characters believable, as well as a very good performance from the evil Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). The other noteworthy elements include very good visuals – sets, costumes, effects, choreography and music. The plot is engaging but inferior to the original stories. And so is Ritchie’s Holmes’ sharp logic, which seems to come as an afterthought to his physical punches…
The sequel is sure to come – looks like between Iron Man and this new Holmes series, Downey Jr. will be quite busy the next couple of years…
Posted on 1/16/2010 7:00 PM By Ronen Divon
An intelligent Canadian film written and directed by Quebec filmmaker Denys Arcand.
Evolving around a group of actors in Montreal, hired by a Roman Catholic Church to present a Passion play in its location for attracting audiences, the film cleverly presents a story within a story, creating parallel plot to Christ’s own story. While the actors in the play, within the film, make an attempt to present an honest depiction of Christ’s life, the play’s actors, led by Daniel (Lothaire Bluteau), experience modern time challenges that subtly (most of the time) hint to what Christ went through. A real jewel.
Posted on 1/10/2010 7:00 PM By Ronen Divon
Marrying Pocahontas with the Matrix, using cutting-edge computer-generated footage, some Terminator and Abyss references, and adding a splash of politics mixed with eco-awareness, Cameron, playing the role of a film God, breathes life into his latest creation – Avatar. It’s one of those films I dreaded going to see, yet went to see anyhow, as how could I not… Which brings up the question of how much of its box-office success should be attributed to its marketing and people’s curiosity, compared with genuine interest. But this question aside, the computer-generated footage is indeed splendid and the film overall, despite its 2 hours and 40 minutes, is very engaging. Whether the film as a whole will stand the test of time, is yet to be seen. After all, if I recall correctly my film history classes (thanks Gene), the first talking films attracted people even if only to hear the sound of frying bacon… And I reckon that to the audiences the original 1933 King Kong, the scenes were as real as Avatar is to us; but when we look at that King Kong today, it looks, well, effects-wise, a little lame. Still, given that I expected much worst, I cannot say I didn’t enjoy the film and appreciated the craftsmanship behind it. Hopefully there will be no Avatar II… The four star rating is because its one of these movies better seen on the big screen.
Posted on 1/10/2010 7:00 PM By Ronen Divon
Based on a political thriller novel written by Fletcher Knebel and Charles W. Bailey II (1962), Seven Days in May enjoys a good screenplay (by Rod Serling), and pointed direction (by John Frankenheimer). The escalating plot, driven by excellent acting on the part of Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, is said to have been influenced by the right-wing anti-Communist political activities of General Edwin A. Walker after he retired from the military. But for me, it represented a theme I once saw in a very different film called The Wave; about how relatively easy it is for a group (or a nation) to turn to Totalitarianism under the “right” circumstances, and the “right” charismatic leader at the helm. It delivers its point very effectively while relying on suspense and action rather than speeches. I can easily see a remake of this film starring George Clooney… :-)