catapult magazine

Lots of good movies out right now. Who has seen them and what did you think?

25th Hour
Solaris
Gangs of New York
Adaptation
About Schmidt
Chicago
Russian Ark
Far From Heaven

I found ‘Chicago’ unsatisfying. Pretty to look at but I couldn’t find much to think about. Did I miss the point?

Is Gangs of New York really any good? I’ll admit to snubbing it because of Cameron Diaz and Leonardo DiCaprio, not my idea of hard-hitting Scorcese actors. I’m open to it, however, if I hear enough good stuff about it.

It’s worth seeing, mrsanniep. If for no other reason than to watch the last scene and listen to Bono croon ‘These are the hands that built America’ as the credits roll. This film is a good antidote to the sort of patriotic revisionist history that is often taught in American schools. It’s not just about gangs — it’s about immigrants, the civil war, racism, religion, corruption — the building blocks of American culture, according to Scorsese.

Ooh! Am I going to think it’s socialist propaganda like “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair?

(Actually, I liked that book. I was being facetious.)

I always break out The Jungle when I need a pick-me up.

Has anyone else seen “Far From Heaven”? It’s sadder than “The Jungle” because it doesn’t turn into a political treatise at the end. “Far From Heaven” is more like a funeral. Afterward, I felt like I had just witnessed a definitive burial of the 1950’s. I also felt like I was in some crazy time warp, what with the postmodern spin on a fifty-year-old filming style (ala Douglas Sirk, whose films I’ve never seen and wonder if I really want to).

25th Hour….uh…wait for the dvd if you must watch it.

Solaris…great film conceptually…I am not sure if it is one I would pay to see it in a theater, but I can see some enjoying it alot.

Gangs Of New York…ever seen a film that just goes on and on and on and on and on and on? Not even Bono could redeem this one…

Adaptation…loved it, but I also loved Being John Malcovich mad by the same folk. In fact, they threw quite a bit in the opening from BJM.

About Schmidt…I personally loved it. Not immediately, but it was one that stuck with me and grew on me in the days following.

Chicago…I dislike Richard Gere, but the acting was great. The picture was beautiful. The story leaves much to be desired…if it’s story you want, find it in a theater and go see it in it’s original format. Hollywood didn’t do it justice.

Haven’t seen Russian Ark

Far From Heaven…was good. Not much else to say.

The Hours…Very very incredible acting. Definitely worth seeing.

Kangaroo Jack…don’t waste your time.

Daredevil…beautifully shot. Great adaptation from the comic. A bit sloppy in story continuity, but then again it’s a comic book for crying out loud. Stan Lee makes a quick appearance on a busy street.

Narc…very very good as well. A bit shoddy on the forensic science side, but if you like “Rush” you will like this one.

How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days…cute romantic comedy. If you don’t mind figuring out the last 10 minutes after seeing the first 10 minutes, and you enjoy laughing at human eccentricities you’ll love this one. I did.

Biker Boyz…no chemistry. Laurence Fishburn and Lisa Bonet obviously didn’t want to be there.

A few to look out for, however…

Basic
Identity
Jeepers Creepers 2 (usually wouldn’t reccomend a sequel, but this one is good.)
Cradle 2 The Grave
Matrix Reloaded
Matrix Revolutions

Oh Yeah, and Life Of David Gale is quite great as well.

Adaptation and About Shimdt both made me want to shoot myself in the head. For different reasons.

Care to expand on that, DvdSchp? Or should we send a psychiatrist your way?