gharriss Reviews

My Blueberry Nights (2007)

Soothing road trip for Wong Kar Wai fans

[8/10 · 21 February 2008]

A young woman, getting over a relationship, travels across America to earn money and see the country.

I found this to be hypnotic, soothing experience, much like In The Mood For Love. It really does set up an atmosphere that makes you feel like you're really there. I think it's a pretty hollow film, which has turned a lot of people off, but i think there's enough there on the surface. I think the film looked great - the colors and charming set design. Jones was pretty decent, Kar Wai wisely filling the film with interesting characters/actors so she doesn't have to carry the whole film. Natalie Portman seems a little miscast (she looks barely a day over 20 so i don't know why she plays characters out of her depth), but i found Strathairn and Rachel Weisz heartbreaking and Law hasn't been so appealing in years. A nice surprise considering my low expectations.

Jumper (2008)

Highly flawed action thriller that's slickly made and passes the time

[6/10 · 14 February 2008]

A teenager discovers he has the ability to teleport to anywhere in the world, and lives his life in luxury.

There were occasions, like in Mr and Mrs Smith, that you'd wish Liman would keep the camera still, but for the most part i didn't have much trouble enjoying the action on screen. The SFX are convincing and inventive, and the film uses locations really well. Bell is breath of fresh air as usual, but the leads are bland.

I prefer my action movies to not bother with a plot at all if they're not going to put a decent script together, but this one tries in fits and bursts and fails miserably. The film shows many signs of post-development tinkering. Good actors show up in strangely small roles (the talented Kristen Stewart has literally 4 words the whole film). At barely 80 minutes they could have fleshed things out a bit.

After watching the heavy trifecta of The Mist, Diving Bell and There Will Be Blood, i kind of enjoyed leaving my brain at the door with this one. It's slickly made and passes the time.