Sight, Insight. We used to have such a thing as a courtroom movie. The lawyer — usually the lawyer for the defence — would make a presentation designed to affect us while it affects then, often in the same way. Think Atticus Finch. These projects revolve around a central courtroom event, usually a dramatic speech,… Continue reading The Kiss before the Mirror (1933)
Tag: p2010
Comments first posted in 2010
Knight and Day (2010)
The True Power Source Some things work in spite of themselves. Like the Agency depicted, this film is its own worst enemy, clumsily shooting itself at random opportunities. It should simply self-destruct. This is one of those films-by-frightened-committee that are rewritten and reshot in progress, so it has no central tone and it has unintegrated… Continue reading Knight and Day (2010)
Kramer vs Kramer (1979)
Split Decision This drama is considered successful. I think it is not because it tells us anything special, or that the characters are particularly worthy. I believe it is because of the way the narrative is constructed. It has two arcs. One of these has the husband establishing the world. We follow only him, spending… Continue reading Kramer vs Kramer (1979)
Kick-Ass (2012)
Drawing One’s Self I saw this fellow’s last movie. “Stardust.” It was an idea full of potential but lacked coherence, soul. It took you a world (two worlds) that were puddles created by each craft. This is less incoherent, but still has no intent, no imperative in the world. Imagine a world in which imagination… Continue reading Kick-Ass (2012)
Kung Fu Chefs (2009)
Cabbage Soup Some time ago, I watched a mainstream trifle called “Kung Fu Panda.” The only appeal it had was the idea of discipline in ordinary things. The involvement of food was incidental and comic but it mattered. Food is not easy to film. But it is inherently cinematic stuff, and as powerful in my… Continue reading Kung Fu Chefs (2009)
The A-Team (2010)
Architectural Plans I’m not going to denigrate what are usually called mindless summer movies, because I think there is something important here. Sure, the usual fears apply. Most people take the characters and world dynamics seriously. Yes, I know, but they would be doing that anyway. And young minds (say, younger than 30) are epigenetically… Continue reading The A-Team (2010)
Baby Geniuses (1999)
99 Dalmatians People hate this movie. I’m not sure I know why. Oh, it is bad, but other movies that are just as bad are not seen as so: — with the plot being the some sort of thin adventure. This is actually a bit more interesting than usual because the end is slightly untraditional.… Continue reading Baby Geniuses (1999)
500 Days of Summer (2009)
Death by Numbers Boy, how frustrating it is to have a movie that is near perfect in some respects but broken in others, especially when it has the potential to do things. This has the potential because it is a love story that bends the expectations for movie romance more toward the ebbs and flows… Continue reading 500 Days of Summer (2009)
36 Hours to Kill (1936)
Making Your Bed I watched this in preparation for “Europa”. Both are essentially railroad movies. This is about a gangster who has come out of hiding to take a train trip to from Los Angeles to Chicago to collect on a sweepstakes ticket. On the train, several disguises become apparent among other passengers as well.… Continue reading 36 Hours to Kill (1936)
Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
Basement Steps When a film plays with the narrator’s credulity, and if it is essentially cinematic then I am predisposed to like it. This film has the additional benefit of some competent actors. Plus, we all like to dump on government lying during the Nixon era. I think this is a waste of time in… Continue reading Jacob’s Ladder (1990)