Senna (88%) - This is a beautiful documentary, even if (like myself) you've never followed F1 and aren't at all familiar with Ayrton Senna prior to watching. Throughout the film you see just how big of an impact this man had on the sport and on his home country of Brazil, but what's truly amazing is the degree of humility and integrity with which he did it. A true legend in every way. * This is available on Netflix streaming. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jDbyILj7o-w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Drive - 3/10 Caught this on a plane, so grain of salt... I got through the first hour or so, bored by the pacing, discomforted by Gosling and the girl's lack of chemistry, and embarrassed for the director by his cheesy montages. By the time things started to happen, I didn't care about any of these people, so I turned it off to take a nap and didn't restart it. This one was pretty much completely off my radar, but I knew it had great reviews. I love plenty of "slow" movies and by no means am an action junkie, so what was I missing, aside from a good screen to watch it on?
Once I realized Drive was like a modern western, I was more understanding of Gosling's Driver. Some plotholes and the ridiculous toothpick/ scorpion jacket aside, it was certainly entertaining. The pink neon for the title and credits are unforgivable though. Mulligan's cute too. Even a 5 for Cowboys & Aliens seems generous. What are it's redeeming qualities that make it worthy of suggesting a friend to watch it?
"The words fastest indian" 8/10 Loved the entire movie, it's amazing what perseverance can help one accomplish. "Legend of the guardians" 7/10 Great story and visually stunning, awesome family movie night pick.
citizen kane 6/10 kept waiting for something to happen and then the movie was over. This is more about it being made in 1941 and ahead of its time. You can tell they put a lot of thought into the movie.. lots of visual symbolism artistic shots. People go on about it like it's the greatest movie ever and for the time I'm sure it was fine.. but I don't know about these 'classics' After '3rd man' and now 'citizen kane' I am not feeling the orson welles stuff like I thought I would. Perhaps someone can recommend another orson welles film? Up next is gattaca on dvr.
I think Ebert's got a commentary on the Citizen Kane DVR (maybe only the Criterion Collection one?). Watch that to understand why it's so great.
Friend of mine in Belfast loves racing and highly recommended this doco to me, I was a little afraid I wouldn't be able to digest it since I know nothing about the sport, good to hear it's accessible!
The great documentaries usually do a great job of appealing to a wide audience as well as keeping the storytelling feel of regular (non-documentary) movies. Man on Wire and the Cove for example. I can't wait to watch Senna over the weekend.
Blue Valentine 9/10 Seriously good movie. It's just what it is, a damn good movie. It doesn't try to be something else, it's simple yet complicated. Gosling and Michelle Williams do a great job at depicting the different phases of a relationship. Some moments are pretty emotional and tough to watch because you can relate to the movie if you've ever went through a break-up and witnessed your relationship slowly and yet inevitably die. Would definitely recommend watching.
I liked the pink title/credits and font. It sets the tone for the movie which is inspired by 80's pop music. Was I the only one who thought the beginning was like the GTA Vice City intro?
The thing is the these films were pioneer in story telling techniques, it's cinematography and its character study. Just like The Seven Samurai. These films were ahead of its time and it's kind of a blue print for other film makers to follow or use. Orson Welles did not directed The Third Man. He's just an actor in that one.
