expected better

Posted : 11 months, 1 week ago on 30 July 2007 11:06 (A review of The Number 23 (Unrated Infinifilm Edition))

Animal control officer Walter Sparrow (Jim Carrey) is obsessed by a novel, The Number 23, which his girlfriend (Virginia Madsen) offers him for his birthday. Soon Walter believes the book was written about him, and his fascination increases.

The story was all right, although in the end, it was somewhat predictable.

While this was a highly recommended movie by many people who know my love for thrillers, I am disappointed in this recommendation. The ending is one of the stupidest, most "Hollywoodian" ending I've ever seen (so far). It's not worth spoiling, but let's just say I've seen better thrillers.

Jim Carrey doesn't show his best side in this movie, he sometimes looks as if he's about to laugh or do one of his comedy faces... (He IS NOT just a comedian, I do agree that his performances in Eternal Sunshine, and Man in the Moon, were great. I just feel that Number 23's performance was not as great as expected.)

Director Joel Schumacher on the other hand clearly shows his ability to still direct! (Incidentally Number 23 is ... his 23rd film, that is, if you count his TV productions, not just the movies.)

Love thrillers? Find something else. That's my opinion.
If you're watching just for entertainment, I suppose this is as good as anything else worth watching.


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100% perfection

Posted : 1 year, 1 month ago on 11 May 2007 11:40 (A review of L'Audition)

A first-rate directing job. Wonderful cast. Strong emotions. A script that is perfect, where everything is justified. A beautiful ending that isn't really beautiful. If I were asked to name one film to watch once in my life, this would definitely be it.
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Une réalisation de première classe. Des acteurs québécois superbes. Des émotions fortes. Un scénario qui tient la route et qui n'a aucune longueur, tout y est justifié. Une belle fin sans être une "belle fin". Bref, s'il y a UN film à voir dans notre vie, c'est celui-ci que je recommande.


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cliche', still funny

Posted : 1 year, 1 month ago on 11 May 2007 11:27 (A review of Nuit de noces)

Somehow this movie is extremely predictable, but it's still funny. Maybe it's just because I like Emile Gaudreault's and Marc Brunet's sense of humor. I always look forward to their films (Gaudreault) and tv series (Brunet).
Simple storyline: Boy meets girl, they fall in love, plan to get married, parents enlist them in a win-a-trip-to-Niagara contest, they win, and must go with their respective family to Niagara, and... get married. However, boy and girl do not have the same views on marriage.
Brouillette shows that she's very good as a comedian. Morency displays acting talent. Diane Lavallee is hilarious throughout the film. Robitaille and Courtemanche are badly cast though.
Definitely more a comedy than a romantic movie, it's still very enjoyable, despite all its cliches of couples, of love and of marriage.


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needs to be on dvd!

Posted : 1 year, 1 month ago on 8 May 2007 04:17 (A review of At Play in the Fields of the Lord)

I remember the first time I picked this up to watch with my family, some 15 years ago. We all figured it was just another tv movie because we had never heard of it. Instead, we were all surprised by its quality. By the end of tape number one, we couldn't stop watching, and hurried to see tape number two. When that came to an end, we were asking for more.
It was (and still is) a beautiful film. The script is perfect. The film was shot in Brazil, so what can you expect but beautiful views of the Amazon and the rain forest. Splendid scenery, incredible shots.
An extraordinary cast (Hannah, Lithgow, Quinn, Bates) that was impressive.
As good as the book.
Pure beauty.
Now... when will this be out on DVD! It really deserves to be.


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surprisingly good

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 May 2007 10:26 (A review of Deja Vu [Blu-ray])

I just sat down to watch this, with family.
What we expected: a typical Hollywood action-packed blockbuster with a great idea, destroyed in all ways possible.
What we got: an interesting somewhat plausible - still a little predictable - script, decent actors (no Oscar nominations here), great action, and a clever twist.
Fun entertainment, but if you pay attention to the details from the start, you'll have the ending figured all out.


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surprisingly good

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 May 2007 10:26 (A review of Deja Vu)

I just sat down to watch this, with family.
What we expected: a typical Hollywood action-packed blockbuster with a great idea, destroyed in all ways possible.
What we got: an interesting somewhat plausible - still a little predictable - script, decent actors (no Oscar nominations here), great action, and a clever twist.
Fun entertainment, but if you pay attention to the details from the start, you'll have the ending figured all out.


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still laughing...

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 May 2007 04:56 (A review of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Widescreen Edition))

This was a total disaster. I actually went to see this with my family when it came out in theaters. None of us could stop laughing it was so lame. Total disaster. Total waste of our time, and money. It was really too bad because we liked the actors. That it sucks so much is probably due to the fact the producers had to make some major changes, because of budget restrictions. During some scenes, if you're careful enough when watching (IF you really want to dare), you'll notice the cardboard scenery. That's how bad this film was. A shameful film in Connery's excellent career.


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one of the best

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 May 2007 04:41 (A review of Six Feet Under: The Complete First Season)

Six Feet Under has to be one of the best ideas ever created for a television series. What can you expect but satire and dark comedy in a show that revolves around a funeral parlor family... Brilliantly written and directed. Funny, dramatic, melodramatic... You either love it, or hate it.
My only reason for not voting this 10/10: I didn't care for the series' finale, I thought it could have been waaay better, but it certainly still remains a great series to watch at least once in your lifetime. Give it a chance, if you haven't yet!

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way overrated

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 May 2007 02:55 (A review of Amélie [Region 2])

I really do not understand what the whole fuss is about, regarding this film. It's a sappy story if there is one, it's certainly not the most beautiful film out there (yes, the photography is good [hence my 1 full star of 2 points]), but Audrey Tautou has *no personality whatsoever*. Her acting in every single film is the same, she has but two expressions to her face. As for this movie, its meaning is lost on me. Jeunet's film City of Lost Children had more meaning, consistency and character than this film, which has zero value. (Amelie, or rather The Fabulous Destiny of Amelie Poulain as its original title was, is definitely not coming in my movie collection.) It was a waste of time, and all 8 of us watching this together when it came out on dvd actually voted to fast-forward the movie as the acting was unbearable!

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way overrated

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 May 2007 02:55 (A review of Amelie [2001])

I really do not understand what the whole fuss is about, regarding this film. It's a sappy story if there is one, it's certainly not the most beautiful film out there (yes, the photography is good [hence my 1 full star of 2 points]), but Audrey Tautou has *no personality whatsoever*. Her acting in every single film is the same, she has but two expressions to her face. As for this movie, its meaning is lost on me. Jeunet's film City of Lost Children had more meaning, consistency and character than this film, which has zero value. (Amelie, or rather The Fabulous Destiny of Amelie Poulain as its original title was, is definitely not coming in my movie collection.) It was a waste of time, and all 8 of us watching this together when it came out on dvd actually voted to fast-forward the movie as the acting was unbearable!

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