Showing posts with label Reel Reviews - K. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reel Reviews - K. Show all posts
Friday, April 8, 2016
Reel Reviews
King Solomon's Mines -- (1950, with Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr.) I often preach about old movies being better than you think they are; this one's not exactly a poster child for that concept. Not to say that it's bad; but the running time largely consists of a pastiche of wildlife encounters--which were probably fascinating back in the day but relatively bland for today's jaded viewer, who's seen all this and better in any number of nature shows--and a story that meanders to an ending with very little payoff. This one's probably only for the film buffs out there.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Reel Reviews
Kingsman: The Secret Service -- This movie is desperately concerned with gaining its Generation AA bona fides, right down to the cockeyed way in which certain characters wear their caps. At the same time, it very self-consciously pays homage--at times out loud in the script--to spy movies of two generations ago. So then, if you throw all that together does it make for a great action adventure spy movie? Well, more like a decent action adventure spy movie. For one thing, this up to date take on the secret agent flick is substantially cruder than its predecessors: more lowbrow in its humor and gorier in its violence. Interestingly, the story gets the politics mostly right, including a provocative take on climate change and what's to be done about it. Bottom line: I suggest watching this one for free, on TV or from the library. As for the future of the genre, I don't think this one earned enough cred to merit a sequel (though I bet one shows up anyway). We'll have to wait for someone else to take this kind of flick to the next level.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Reel Reviews
Kick-Ass 2 -- Lighten up, Jim. Yes, this is an extremely violent movie, but given the story it tells it could hardly be otherwise. In fact, I'll take this in your face violence over the sanitized, inconsequential violence we've been fed in so many Stallone or Schwarzenegger movies. The real problem here is not the graphic nature of the action, but the lack of freshness in the overall work. Such shortcomings are inevitable, perhaps, in a sequel like this, when the original was so fresh and...yes...original. What pulls this one through is the characters; we like and believe in Kick-Ass and Hit Girl, and want them to come out on top, whatever fight they're in. Just relax and let this one be what it is, and you'll have some fun watching it.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Reel Reviews -- K
K-19: The Widowmaker (+) -- It's nice to see a couple of old pros like Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson in their best form, keeping it understated and letting the story do the work. It's also nice to see a military story told from "the other side," one that acknowledges that "they" have their heroes too. As for the movie in toto, there's a good, tense story told with meticulous attention to detail. The focal conflict is resolved a little too conveniently, but that's mostly a quibble. All in all, this movie was unfairly overlooked. Posted 11/30/03.
Kate & Leopold (+) -- Remarkably well done for a sappy chick flick. There's nothing really original here; all of the story elements (time-shifted confusion, romantic longing, etc.) are recycled from other tales. Meg Ryan is beginning to get too old for this sort of thing, but I'm guessing Hugh Jackman (sans Wolverine get-up) must have had them sighing in their seats when this was in the theaters. Plus the supporting cast is small and capable, if not spectacular. But it all works suprisingly well. Overall, a movie that's more than the sum of its parts. Posted 12/19/02.
Keeping The Faith (+) -- A very funny look at religion, relationships, and religious relationships. Most of the credit goes to Edward Norton, who wrote, directed and starred (along with Ben Stiller and Jenna Elfman).
The Kids Are All Right (+) -- A low-key, enjoyable movie experience filled with subtle humor, honest emotion, and plenty of charm. I might have a minor quibble about how it all turns out in the end--the Ruffalo character's treatment seems unduly harsh; it wasn't his action alone--but that doesn't stretch far enough to bring the film as a whole down. Worth a look. Posted 1/5/12.
Kill Bill (Vol. 1) (+) -- Here we have a movie comprised of a slew of scattershot scenes...punctuated by sequences of absolute cinematic brilliance. If Tarantino ever got it all together--cut through the bullshit, tightened everything up, crafted the whole thing perfectly--he might make the greatest movie ever made. This isn't it, but it's still well worth seeing for its filmmaking skill and bravado. NOTE: I recommend it, but Kill Bill is one of the most insanely violent movies anyone has ever imagined; proceed with caution. Posted 10/19/03.
Kill Bill (Vol. 2) (+) -- Ah, Volume 2--the reflective massacre movie. Much quieter than its predecessor, not quite as violent (though it still has its moments), this one has much more in the way of story and character than Volume 1. That tack is helped immensely by the presence of David Carradine--by now almost a talking, walking, animated death mask--as the object of the titular menace. His character fleshes out the tale, brings a depth that makes you care whether or not The Bride gets her vengence. Ultimately, put it all together and you get a worthy, entertaining tale. Posted 5/31/04..
King Kong (2005) (~) -- Insanely long, but then again, I can't say it ever lost my interest. I'm not sure this movie needed to be remade, again, but their hearts were in the right place, if the execution was not. Which is not to say it's bad; the individual elements are top notch, including superb special effects, some fine performances (particulary by Naomi Watts and, believe it or not, The Ape, in the frameworked person of Andy Serkis), and a healthy respect for the previous material. But it takes too long for the star to appear, plenty of the action sequences could have been cut out, and even what's good seems altogether a little flat. If you check it out on a big screen, and don't pay too much to see it, you could have a rewarding 3+ hours. Posted 3/28/07.
Kingdom Of Heaven (+) -- You go into this film expecting a healthy dose of mayhem and spectacle. Be patient--you get it eventually. But you also get a measured--in places almost meditative--movie, a film with a lot on its mind. Some of its allegories are obvious, but subtlety isn't cutting it much these days, so that's to be forgiven. This story could make you think twice the next time someone tells you that "God wills it!" and that certainly wouldn't be a bad thing. Posted 3/28/07.
The King's Speech (+) -- This is almost exactly the movie you expect. Sure, it's Oscar bait; yes, it's so very British; and you know exactly how things are going to play out. And yet, this is an extremely entertaining movie, one that raises George VI--Bertie to his friends--that much higher in the viewer's esteem (assuming the story as depicted here is something near the truth). That such a personal story would have such international consequences adds layers of depth and drama to a well-done but otherwise standard issue historical piece. Altogether, a work worth viewing. Posted 8/19/11.
Knocked Up (+) -- A movie that starts as little more than a collection of good lines and cardboard characters, but the actors start to flesh out their characters, the writing keeps up, and eventually something clicks, until you wind up with a thoroughly enjoyable film. How much staying power it has, I can't say; it may be forgettable as soon as the DVD stops spinning, but for its running time, its fun while it lasts. Posted 4/16/09.
K-PAX (~) -- Another "alien hiding in plain sight" flick. It takes a turn for the serious that almost ruins it, but for the most part it's a pretty decent movie.
Kate & Leopold (+) -- Remarkably well done for a sappy chick flick. There's nothing really original here; all of the story elements (time-shifted confusion, romantic longing, etc.) are recycled from other tales. Meg Ryan is beginning to get too old for this sort of thing, but I'm guessing Hugh Jackman (sans Wolverine get-up) must have had them sighing in their seats when this was in the theaters. Plus the supporting cast is small and capable, if not spectacular. But it all works suprisingly well. Overall, a movie that's more than the sum of its parts. Posted 12/19/02.
Keeping The Faith (+) -- A very funny look at religion, relationships, and religious relationships. Most of the credit goes to Edward Norton, who wrote, directed and starred (along with Ben Stiller and Jenna Elfman).
The Kids Are All Right (+) -- A low-key, enjoyable movie experience filled with subtle humor, honest emotion, and plenty of charm. I might have a minor quibble about how it all turns out in the end--the Ruffalo character's treatment seems unduly harsh; it wasn't his action alone--but that doesn't stretch far enough to bring the film as a whole down. Worth a look. Posted 1/5/12.
Kill Bill (Vol. 1) (+) -- Here we have a movie comprised of a slew of scattershot scenes...punctuated by sequences of absolute cinematic brilliance. If Tarantino ever got it all together--cut through the bullshit, tightened everything up, crafted the whole thing perfectly--he might make the greatest movie ever made. This isn't it, but it's still well worth seeing for its filmmaking skill and bravado. NOTE: I recommend it, but Kill Bill is one of the most insanely violent movies anyone has ever imagined; proceed with caution. Posted 10/19/03.
Kill Bill (Vol. 2) (+) -- Ah, Volume 2--the reflective massacre movie. Much quieter than its predecessor, not quite as violent (though it still has its moments), this one has much more in the way of story and character than Volume 1. That tack is helped immensely by the presence of David Carradine--by now almost a talking, walking, animated death mask--as the object of the titular menace. His character fleshes out the tale, brings a depth that makes you care whether or not The Bride gets her vengence. Ultimately, put it all together and you get a worthy, entertaining tale. Posted 5/31/04..
King Kong (2005) (~) -- Insanely long, but then again, I can't say it ever lost my interest. I'm not sure this movie needed to be remade, again, but their hearts were in the right place, if the execution was not. Which is not to say it's bad; the individual elements are top notch, including superb special effects, some fine performances (particulary by Naomi Watts and, believe it or not, The Ape, in the frameworked person of Andy Serkis), and a healthy respect for the previous material. But it takes too long for the star to appear, plenty of the action sequences could have been cut out, and even what's good seems altogether a little flat. If you check it out on a big screen, and don't pay too much to see it, you could have a rewarding 3+ hours. Posted 3/28/07.
Kingdom Of Heaven (+) -- You go into this film expecting a healthy dose of mayhem and spectacle. Be patient--you get it eventually. But you also get a measured--in places almost meditative--movie, a film with a lot on its mind. Some of its allegories are obvious, but subtlety isn't cutting it much these days, so that's to be forgiven. This story could make you think twice the next time someone tells you that "God wills it!" and that certainly wouldn't be a bad thing. Posted 3/28/07.
The King's Speech (+) -- This is almost exactly the movie you expect. Sure, it's Oscar bait; yes, it's so very British; and you know exactly how things are going to play out. And yet, this is an extremely entertaining movie, one that raises George VI--Bertie to his friends--that much higher in the viewer's esteem (assuming the story as depicted here is something near the truth). That such a personal story would have such international consequences adds layers of depth and drama to a well-done but otherwise standard issue historical piece. Altogether, a work worth viewing. Posted 8/19/11.
Knocked Up (+) -- A movie that starts as little more than a collection of good lines and cardboard characters, but the actors start to flesh out their characters, the writing keeps up, and eventually something clicks, until you wind up with a thoroughly enjoyable film. How much staying power it has, I can't say; it may be forgettable as soon as the DVD stops spinning, but for its running time, its fun while it lasts. Posted 4/16/09.
K-PAX (~) -- Another "alien hiding in plain sight" flick. It takes a turn for the serious that almost ruins it, but for the most part it's a pretty decent movie.
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