The 2003 Movie Review Thread

[MsRuthieB]

We had a 2002 movie review thread and since I'm going to see a newly released movie tonight I though it appropriate to start a new thread for 2003 movies.

:D

[WonderRandy]

I just saw 'Frida' last night. What a beautiful movie!!! Salma Hayek and Alfred Molina were perfect. I HIGHLY reccomend this film!

:up: :up:

[Michael]

That movie is playing here in a couple of weeks, since you give it two thumbs up I'll plan on seeing it. Anyway, here's my list for this year...

Darkness Falls: D

[WonderRandy]

I know you'll like it Michael. It is a bit long, but it is so visually stunning, and the story is so full of life and pain. And knowing it's a true story makes it all the more dramatic.

[MsRuthieB]

I saw this last night. Talk about a long movie! It's almost 3 hours long, so be prepared to sit to see it. We went to the Cinemark and I really like it there because the seats are so comfortable that I really didn't mind the length of the movie.

The movie takes place in New York in the mid 1800's during the height of peoples immigrating in from different countries. This story concentrated mostly on the Irish vs. the American's (aka the Natives). NY is a melting pot of different ethniticity's.

I loved the acting and the casting. Leonardo DiCapreio so reminds me of a young Brad Pitt in this movie. Every detail has been thought of too, right down to the period jewlery. The scenery is exceptional and really makes you feel like you are watching something that happened in that time. It got a little to graphically violent for me at times and I had to cover my eyes, but that's the way in was back in the day. There's no way to tell the story without it being so.

Anyhow, I would recommend it, although due to it's length, if you normally get antsy in a theater wait for it to come out on video. Out of 5 stars I'd give 4 (a movie has to keep me thinking for days after I see it to get 5 and I don't think this one will).

[majake]

The Pianist (***) pretty good, but lacked something in the characters, didnt seem to connect with them very well, but damn i love me the piano, wish i knew how to play.

LoTR TTT(***)

[MsRuthieB]

It's not actually a new release, but I saw this movie on HBO and it blew me away. It was actually made in 2000. I couldn't stop watching. The acting is brilliant and the directing and photography is stunning and innovative. Never seen anything like it. The music is perfectly fitted to the scenes. There's nothing high-budget about it...what makes it interesting is the story line and the believeablility of the characters. Raw and intense is one way to describe it. It deals with various stages of addictions and emotional struggles...

Ellen Burstyn is dead on in her portrayal. She should have received awards for this performance. What a talent she is!

I 'googled' it and did some reading on it. Seems that movies generally average 600-700 cuts..this one has over 2000. The director told the 2 main male characters (sorry can't remember the ones name but the others is Marlon Wayans) to abstain from sex and sugar for a full 30 days prior to filming so that they would really be able to relate to what a craving is like. The one character, Ellen Burstyn's son, actually shaved his head and joined a monestary (sp?) to get it together after filming was over. Oh, and if you rent it from BlockBuster you may get a different ending (a cleaned up happy ending). I'd suggest renting the original version elsewhere. Or, if you're lucky, catch it on HBO.

[Max Power]

I saw About Schmidt last week. I went to a 4:30 showing in Philly and it was almost all older-than-retirement-age folks and because I had forgot what I read about it in the paper, I wasn't sure why. Well, I still enjoyed it, but without being able to relate to the story the way my parents, for example, would, I'd have to give it 2.5 stars. Well-acted and funny, but not engaging to a wider audience.

[Max Power]

Originally posted by MsRuthieB
Oh, and if you rent it from BlockBuster you may get a different ending (a cleaned up happy ending). I'd suggest renting the original version elsewhere.
Oh man that movie is great. I couldn't make it through the first couple of times.

BTW, the other guy is Jared Leto. Anyone looking to pick it up, try to get the director's cut version. Not a lot longer, but some of the more graphically-interesting scenes are not edited.

[Kreeli]

i saw 'adaptation' (FIVE STARS) a few weeks ago. i walked away from it at first feeling like the movie had sort of 'betrayed' it's own spirit in the final 20 minutes, but after a day to think it over, i realized that it is, in actually, a truly brilliant movie with a truly brilliant ending. i just didn't "get it" at first. and it is SO great to see nick cage stretching himself a little now. i felt like the last good movie i saw him in was 'leaving las vegas'. meryl streep also did an amazing job with a tough role.

it's kind of confusing figuring out which parts of the movie are fact and which are fiction because some of it is based on real events, and some isn't.

it's by the same people that brought us 'being john malkovich' a few years ago, which was another brilliant movie.

i am going to go see "about schmidt" soon! i heard kathy bates gets nekkid and i'm chomping at the bit to revel in her amazing courage and loveliness.

[kirkjobsluder]

I'm frustrated that the best movies of 2003 were released on a schedule which only now brings them to my city. In spite of a top rsnked music school in our back yard Chicago is just in 'sneak prieview mode'.

With the exceptions of insomnia, greek wedding and one hour photo 2003 was a disappointment.

[kpickell]

Kirk, yeah, all the best movies are always released in such a limited release at the very end of the year that they never come around us until a month later either. But I don't think 2002 was a dissapointing year... there were tons of great movies last year.

BTW, has anyone seen The Hours? I'm wondering what other people thought of it. I thought it was brilliant, but the other 2 people that were in the theatre when I went to saw it thought it was very dumb. Oh my goodness, I just love it so much.

[kpickell]

1. The Hours - A+
2. Chicago - A+
3. Catch Me If You Can - A+
4. About Schmidt - A
5. Adaptation - A
6. Gangs of New York - A
7. How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days - A
8. Rabbit-Proof Fence - A
9. Confessions of a Dangerious Mind - A-
10. 25th Hour - B
11. Final Destination 2 - B
12. Darkness Falls - D-

[peacecat]

i did not see the hours yet but the book is fabulous imo so the movie has some big shoes to fill...hope i like it...

[ceryna]

I saw it a couple of weeks ago, without having read the book. (I'm reading it now, however.)

Overall, I thought it was excellent. The transitions between the eras/heroines were very smooth, and despite the fact that, at a couple of points, they sort of took a point and hit you over the head with it to make sure you got it, it was very well made.

The performances of everyone involved were excellent, although Nicole Kidman particularly stands out, IMHO.

I left the movie feeling rather quiet and contemplative. If I take the movie home with me, rather than forgetting it the moment I walk outside, I take that as a good sign. ^_^