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November 20, 2005
Movie Reviews
Pride & Prejudice
This is an excellent adaptation of the Jane Austen book, with high quality in everything from writing to production design and costumes to acting. Though the plot is rather soap-opera-ish, let's be honest -- it doesn't come off that way, at all. And Keira Knightley is great in the lead role as a very modern woman for 19th century England. However, as the thing that struck me about the book was how funny it was, I thought the movie could have used a little more humor.
Jarhead
This is a story of the first Gulf War, from the point of view of one Marine recruit. The point of it seems to be that war is a life-altering experience, no matter to what extent one actually takes part in it. That may be true, and I sure wouldn't know, but compared to the things faced by Marines in Viet Nam, it was hard to feel too bad for this guy. In fact, most of the movie is spent showing how boring life was for the Marines in the lead-up to the war. Guess what -- it's boring to watch, too. And the standard military machismo (though played very well by all the actors) just turns my stomach -- not to mention being played out in movies. Jake Gyllenhall is good and Jamie Foxx gives another outstanding performance in a supporting role.
Ushpizin
Mel Gibson should watch this movie to see how religious propaganda should be done. An Israeli movie taking place in an Orthodox section of Jerusalem, the story follows a born-again Orthodox Jew who is visited during Succoth by a friend from "the old (i.e. non-religious) days". The movie plays out as a modern-day parable about a religious man, put upon with trial after trial, which he takes as tests from God. The tension builds as we wonder if he will maintain his faith, or break down and revert to his old ways. (Great performance -- I think, though it was in Hebrew, so who knows?) As the movie started, it was hard not to think these Orthodox Jews insane for the things they did and said from their faith, but by the end, the movie had me wondering if I shouldn't be attending temple and praying. Now that's successful propaganda.
Walk The Line
It's a biopic about Johnny Cash. The music is great and yes, it is true, Joaquin Phoenix gives not only a great performance as an actor, but also sings very well and does sound like Cash. The story isn't really all that interesting -- another musician hooked on drugs and they have to show us the 'getting clean' scene again? Is that a union rule or something? But the music is good enough and the performances by Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter, to make it a really enjoyable movie.
Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic
This is basically a comedy concert film, and Sarah Silverman is a really funny comic, so it is a funny movie. There are skits and songs to lengthen it, and they're not quite as funny, but not terrible, and it is good to see Sarah Silverman's sister, Laura, of hilarious-secretary-on-Dr.-Katz fame. (And when will they put that out on DVD?!?!) Silverman's humor is basically to shock and surprise -- either saying something you didn't expect to hear because you thought she was going somewhere different, or just saying something you wouldn't expect any decent person to ever say. Example: "I was raped by a doctor, which for a Jewish girl, is a bittersweet experience." Wrong, but funny.
Posted by JoshHornik at November 20, 2005 12:03 PM