barryseybert Reviews

Why Did I Get Married? (2007)

Over the top on Production Design

[16 October 2007]

The main set of this film takes place in a remote cabin up in the woods who was owned by an older man and now his son rents it out. The furnishings and props within this cabin do not fit this scenario. They are out of Vogue magazine and a working class older man would not own them, no one would keep them in a rental. This cabin is not in a high end resort town. The film unfortunately exposes the fact that this is a fairly remote area with a single motel in the vicinity. Had that information not been revealed, the cabin could have been a bit more believable to possibly be in an ultra posh mountain resort community.

That said - the four couples who lives are intertwined represent many of the issues that seem to be happening in modern America unfortunately. For this currently being the number one film in America, it is a sad expose on the film goer. It is not the best film currently playing but it does hit home with many relationships and why they work and don't work.

You don't need to waste your money seeing this at the theater. This movie can wait for its DVD release without you missing anything.

Sleuth (2007)

Cinematographers heaven

[10/10 · 16 October 2007]

If you enjoy a movie told "by the camera" then this has to be the movie of the year. This entire movie takes place inside of a single house with two characters. The house itself becomes a third character through the lens of the camera with some of the most beautiful cinematography and lighting one could imaging for interiors without it being so obvious that it does not feel natural.

Of course you have two great Actors and a very talented Director but I want to give credit to the camera and lighting department for bringing so much life to the emotional and visual side of the film. This is so overlooked in most films and seems to be a dying art in all but the highest budget epic films.

Grace Is Gone (2007)

Very poorly shot film

[3/10 · 16 October 2007]

I disagree with the fact that this is a "touching" story. The Cinematographer never brings the audience into the emotional realm of the film because he uses the wrong lens and no filtration. It is shot to wide and with to much of a crisp "video look" to bring the viewer into the emotional life of the characters.

The movie finally makes a single good attempt of emotional cinema at the key turning point which I won't reveal but it's to late to make the audience that emotionally attached to the characters.

The film suffers from continuity and dialog discrepancies throughout. It also shows to sterile an environment. You rarely see any background characters. The three main characters almost appear alone in the real world which is not real when one is on a road trip. You can tell that John Cusack is not really driving the car.

The acting is wonderful if they just had a Director and Cinematographer to match. It was shot sloppy and this film has no "character" to itself. It could have been a wonderful film if made by someone who could have added the emotion the written script calls for.