Name: criddic3
Most Recent Reviews by criddic3
Ang Lee has given us 'Sense and Sensibility,' 'The Ice Storm,' and 'Brokeback Mountain.' 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' is his greatest achievement. Juggling romance, martial arts, period drama and high-flying stunts, it is an all-around remarkable entertainment.
From the opening moments of people falling off rooftops to Wahlberg's conversation with a plant, there is not a moment to be believed. It seems to be an environmentalist statement, yet none of the characters was worth caring about. Ranks as one of the oddest "serious dramas" ever, and sadly, one of the worst.
Michael Bay isn't known as a great director, but sometimes he delivers with a fun action movie. This is his best since 'The Rock' (1996). [Followed by 2 sequels in 2009 and 2011]
The story of John Lennon coming of age in Liverpool and discovering a love of music, while dealing with unusual family issues. Aaron Johnson (from 'Kick-Ass') makes an amiable young Lennon. Period detail is fun to look at and the music is good.
Aaron Ralston (Franco) is an adventurous type who becomes trapped by a boulder in Utah, and realizes his own vulnerabilities. Superbly told using unique visual techniques that make a claustrophobic setting interesting. James Franco holds viewers captivated with a strong performance.
In what has to be one of the most backwards career trajectories in history, this once fine director continues to undo his resume. There was the amazing 'The Sixth Sense,' the entertaining 'Unbreakable,' and the suspenseful 'Signs.' These films pointed to a new rising talent in M. Night Shyamalan. Then slowly, through 'The Village,' 'Lady in the Water,' and especially 'The Happening,' his star declined. Now we get this simplistic mess called 'The Last Airbender.' The characters are not well-developed, while the effects barely help keep viewer interest. It is a shame to see such talent go to waste.
'Inception' is one of the most entertainingly clever movies in a long time. DiCaprio and the cast provide uniformly solid performances, not easy given the labyrinthine plot they serve. It is wonderous to look at for the art design and the visual effects. A marvelous film!
The story takes a little time to build, and the film never reaches the magic of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." However, it is solid family fun and provides more excitement than "Prince Caspian."
