Reviews

Ladder 49 is nice. It's a nice picture with nice people who do nice things. A lot of people will enjoy it for that reason. The kind of people who hate violence, sex, weapons, profanity, etc.- everything mainstream movies seem to include these days. However, Ladder 49 does not raise or lower to the emotional depths that it should. Yes, the acting works. Yes, the actions is impressive. Yes, the script is well-written. But no, it does not come together. This film seems to reaching for happiness, reaching for devastation, and reaching for meaning, and it just misses those things. Just. Granted, there are moments of magic. When Jack excitedly waits to "kiss the bride," the viewer feels his anxiousness and pure joy.

When Jack chases a group of kids at a birthday party, the viewer feels his sense of satisfaction. When Jack begins to grow apart from his wife because of problems at the station, the viewer can feel both characters' frustrations. Moments like this stuck out in my memory as I left the theater. The ending (no spoilers), however tries too hard to be meaningful. Phoenix, through physical and emotional changes, transforms from boy to man. However, there is little background information provided. The "flashback" begins when Jack arrives at the station.

There is no reason given for his joining the profession and only a slight mention of his parents. I would have liked to know why he became a firefighter, etc. This kind of thing is not always important in a film, but this is a sort of biography. To be completely honest, the quality of Phoenix's performance is the only element that makes up for all of this film's shortcomings.

The viewer can identify with him instantly and the film relies on his feelings and struggles. I think the other well-known firefighting movie, Backdraft (whether the firemen like it or not), was a better film and had a better story, but Ladder 49 does have its moments and Joaquin Phoenix.

The Limey is absolutely fantastic. This is a rather simple story told

in an extraordinary way- the art of film-making. Every last cut kept

me on the edge of my seat. Soderbergh constantly plays with

points of view, location, and time to confuse and delight his

audience. The best part of this film, besides the editing, is the boughts of

laugh out loud humor- unexpected in a revenge thriller.

Terence Stamp and Peter Fonda are perfection. This film serves as a sort of precursor to Memento, The Salton

Sea, and 21 Grams.

Buffalo Soldiers is a dark comedy teetering between the extremes

of dry humor and brutal violence. This film isn't for everyone,

obviously, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Scott Glenn is the man you love to hate, the ideal villain (if such a

thing exists). Ed Harris is absolutely hilarious as Berman.

Elizabeth McGovern makes a memorable turn as Berman's floosey wife. Anna Paquin plays a delightfully layered and quirky

army brat. And then there's Joaquin Phoenix. He's just bad enough to rub you

the wrong way, but charming enough to keep you on his side.

The simplest criticism I can make of The Motorcycle Diaries is that

it has no climax. Everything seems to be adding up to something,

but the audience is never really taken for the ride. Everything else is just wonderful. The cinematography- bleak and

gritty- is absolutely breathtaking. The score provides a melancholy

mood- similar to the one created in Burt Bacharach's score from

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The acting, especially by

Gael García Bernal and Rodrigo De la Serna, has just the right

amount of humbleness and reservation. Even the story is

extraordinary, just incomplete.

I had already formed a rather negative opinion of Mr. Michael

Moore before seeing Fahrenheit 9/11. But I must say that I was

disappointed in viewing a film that met my expectations exactly- no

surprises, no discoveries, just blah, blah, blah, George W. is an

idiot. Fahrenheit 9/11 tries too hard to be effective and insightful. The

narration seemed inappropriate for the subject. Of course this film

has gained a great deal of hype after 9/11 and now during the

elections, but I would have hoped to see more criticism of this

mediocre documentary. I am a true-blue democrat, but I could not take this film or Mr.

Moore seriously.

The simplest way to describe The Last Shot is offbeat. This film is not for everyone, but I enjoyed it. It is a little disturbing to think these things really happened. The cast is fantastic, especially Baldwin. Broderick makes up for his disastrous turn as Harold Hill (in the Music Man). I would like to add here that Joan Cusack, who didn't make the opening titles or any of the posters, is absolutely hilarious. Ray Liotta should not have been cast. His presence is too big for the part he's playing. Overall, it's a clever film. My kudos to the editor.