What Films Did You Watch Last Week? (20/08-26/08) closed

First Time Viewings:

The Dark Mirror (1946, Robert Siodmak)

This one is about twin sisters who become the suspects of a murder case. Olivia de Havilland is really good in her double role and the supporting cast is pretty good too. The story was interesting too and overall I liked this one.

7/10

Two for the Money (2005, D.J. Caruso)

This one isn't that well liked, but it has Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey, so I gave it a shot. I'm glad I did because I actually ended up enjoying it. McConaughey is good and Pacino is a lot of fun and they work well together. Rene Russo is good too and the story held my interest.

7/10

The Matrix Reloaded (2003, The Wachowski's)

I'm not even that big a fan of the first film (I think it's pretty good), but I felt this was a big step down. It has some fun action scenes here and there, but the story failed to engage me.

5.5/10

The Matrix Revolutions (2003, The Wachowski's)

Another big step down. The main characters are sidelined and I just couldn't bring myself to care about anything that was happening.

4/10

Ghost (1990, Jerry Zucker)

I liked this one more than I was expecting. The cast is good, the effects are pretty good, I liked the score, but the story was the best part. It didn't play out at all how I expected, but I liked that and the ending was great.

7.5/10

1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992, Ridley Scott)

Beautiful cinematography and a great score from Vangelis can't save this from being an overlong and dull affair.

5/10

Pretty Woman (1990, Garry Marshall)

This one is pretty charming and entertaining with great chemistry between the leads. Julia Roberts is wonderful here.

7/10

The Recruit (2003, Roger Donaldson)

This one is about a young CIA trainee who is given the assignment to find a mole in the agency. Colin Farrell and Al Pacino put in good work, but it could have benefited from a better director and the script goes a bit off the rails towards the end. It's okay.

6/10

Highlander (1986, Russell Mulcahy)

This one failed to grab me from the start. It got better once Sean Connery showed up, but he wasn't in it that much, The film has good cinematography and a good score, as well as some good scenes here and there, but the story felt liked a wasted opportunity, because the potential was definitely there.

6/10


Repeat Viewings:

Magnolia (1999, Paul Thomas Anderson)

This film wonderfully made, brilliantly edited, has a great soundtrack, is emotionally resonate, and has a terrific ensemble cast, with Tom Cruise stealing the show.

9/10

My Left Foot (1989, Jim Sheridan)

Daniel Day-Lewis makes this one work with his brilliant performance.

7/10

The Matrix (1999, The Wachowski's)

Very overrated in my opinion, but it has memorable characters and scenes. The story is thought provoking, but I can't help but feel like they didn't fully explore it or do it in an interesting enough way to make me like it as much as most people do. Still, it is pretty good.

7/10

Platoon (1986, Oliver Stone)

Wasn't a fan of this the first time I saw it, but it worked a lot better for me this time. I still think it doesn't come anywhere near the other Vietnam War classics (Apocalypse Now, The Deer Hunter, Full Metal Jacket), but it has a good cast, is well made, and has a few powerful moments.

7/10

Born on the Fourth of July (1989, Oliver Stone)

An interesting look at the life of Vietnam Vet Ron Kovic, who was paralyzed in the war. Tom Cruise is fantastic here, the film is beautifully shot, and has a very good score. Powerful stuff.

8/10

Saboteur (1942, Alfred Hitchcock)

Not among Hitchcock's best work, but the cast is good, and it has some memorable sequences, including a strong finale.

7/10

The Untouchables (1987, Brian De Palma)

This one has some great sequences, an awesome score, and a good cast, with Connery and De Niro being the standouts. 

8/10


Movie Awards:

BEST FILM - Magnolia
BEST ACTOR - Daniel Day-Lewis (My Left Foot)
BEST ACTRESS - Olivia de Havilland (The Dark Mirror)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Tom Cruise (Magnolia)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Whoopi Goldberg (Ghost)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Adrian Biddle (1492: Conquest of Paradise)
BEST SCORE - Ennio Morricone (The Untouchables)
BEST SCRIPT - Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia)
BEST DIRECTOR - Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia)