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gzanecchia
Reviews
Peaceful Warrior (2006)
Inspiring to a teen, though not for rolemodelship
What I mean by that is the lead boy lacks a certain depth and understanding, which I assume this movie's morals attempt to illuminate, though it seems in a way like trying to train pee wee herman to become an X-Men, his power will always seem contrived.
For anyone with a reasonable understanding of some of the inner virtues of living ("meditating on a job, no matter what it may be"), this kid's "I need answers now" punk-hubris is difficult to watch, especially since he never really achieves any sense of humility, only through exhaustion does he begin to justly focus.
I read the book years back, felt it was of the same caliber of cheese this movie genres, though the total unconcerned association of "Socrates" is in both the book and the movie, insightful. The movie on the other hand employs Socrates' abilities to "visions" and magic, while the book left me feeling that his ability to "teleport" was the result of godly wisdom that was in grasp of us all. In a sense this can change the whole outlook of the story, while "learning to fly" might not fare well with 2007 reality, i don't think intense psychotic hallucinations provides a more sane reasoning. And of course the kids disrespect at any point shouldn't have tolerated by anyone let alone filmed for millions to see.
Reasonable material for the early teen (family movie) but not without some inexcusable warps on what is tolerable and that the path to enlightenment need not be a warzone.
88 Minutes (2007)
Al Pacino Still rules but film does nothing but to heighten your adrenaline and think how much you love your cell phone
I guess the main difference that marks this "thriller" as 2007 is the incessant use of cell phones - actually Pacino breaks his crappy Nokia (that I assume many viewers broke as well - i used to be a cell rep), other than some updated allusions to high-tech security and bluetooth, this film could be set in the 80s. Though I guess this is why I think Pacino still rules, because here he is, surely close to 70, running up and down flights of stairs, across campus grounds, rolling under firetrucks, and never stopping to pop a "Tums." Beyond that, though, I hesitated to view this flick because I knew it was of the Saturday night, wow that was a good movie, forget it in a month, kind of disposable drama, that honestly, I'd rather save my adrenaline for when I need it (I'm no trash movie buff). But given it is a reasonable notch above anything on television, I assume it proved time better spent, though i repeat this flick will go down as not much more than testimony to the fact that Pacino can still flirt with 27 year old women like he could 20 years ago.
For the America that is finally going wireless - bluetooth and all - and proves the grooming salon for some of the most princess-like cats, it will be rented and paid for. Graciously this allure suppresses the gore, R rating for strong language.
Æon Flux (2005)
GOOD - but not complete Watch
This is no Matrix, but it does have some decency. Theron is wiked, a true fighter, and the flick maintains 80% of the vision it attempts.
Though some of the small details, so mistakenly overlooked, remind us this flick was shot in 2005.
No rebel in 2415 would slap her arm to reveal a map, maybe brush over it.
We're looking for a matrix, a hacker renegade cyber-thrill, this film (i made it through 30 min, sidetracks into "acting" "story" and "reason" Funk DAT!
Theron gets a 9/10
Hey DJ (2003)
BLOWS -- Like the techno scene
The flick has some artistic glare, the color filter and indy-style help to taste the Miami/ibiza air, though, I skipped through most of this flick, the soundtrack rules, remembered to a lot of nicely laid tracks (mixed), though the inter-splice of DJs and promoed cameos is off--they jive so far from the story line--and it's so improved it jerks the rest of the movie.
The girls are hot, though--sure enough, but unfortunately all come off somewhat lame -- not truly exotic like tru tecno iz I wish someone would make a flick more about the sickness of the scene, the best most off the wall raves, have the realness of the scene be the carrier, and the actors have to flow with it, rather than attempted integration into--plus, this "Elvis" character sucks, it's not about the music, it's about this nerd trying to learn how to spin... AKA, HE'S NOT A REAL DJ! One interview in the beginning even states it -- if you shouldn't be trying to be a DJ if you suck to begin with - it should be inherent what you are trying to do.
moose.
Everything Is Illuminated (2005)
Adult flick, worth the see...
Elijah Wood is a good actor.
His ability to hold drama as in Rings, however, is in this movie more carried by the thick glasses he wears, the idiosyncrasy of his collecting, and the setting of outskirts Ukraine.
The film, though semi dimming away from truly untouched isolated "beauty" does though shimmer through some crystal scenes.
The young man, who plays the "guide" seems reasonably Russian (or Ukrainian), though sometimes he seems like he's part American (touched).
The grandfather who drives, and the deranged dog (which at times has looks of a trained smart doggie) are the parts.
Still the film is not one that seems to come out of total unknown magic, the Ziplock bags little Elijah grabs from the top shelf are product placement. Though an "untouched" feel I'm not intending the directors sought.
The flick moves, at a steady pace, and is touching, enough to shed a tear or to feel the Ukrainian countryside. Though Elijah plays a character that seems almost fantasy (a Potter hybrid), to some extent the film is reality, and believable as today.
This mix, then, proves less to distract us, but more to remind us untouched films are not created anymore here in the States.
Though the film does affirm, artistic films, even with superstars like Wood, can still glimmer forth from the trash of "power-me-up" culture.
To be enjoyed by intelligent sensitive adults as a weekend enjoyment. At 23, I shed that tear.
G. Zanecchia