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The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
Brilliant acting, intense story, weak script and bad directing.
The second half of this movie almost gave me a BLOODY HEART ATTACK! MAN THAT WAS DISTURBING! Ignore the false advertisements that make this movie look like a romantic bodice-ripper. One can call it a soap-opera, but you CANNOT call it a romantic period drama! For those of yous who don't know your Tudor history don't worry, you don't need too (on second thought it'll probably be better if you don't know the story), just treat this as a FICTIONAL eye-opener (and yes, it is extremely historically incorrect) OKay...disturbing themes and historical inaccuracies aside, the movie has brilliant acting by it's leads. Johansson is very capable and believable as Mary (yes, I know...I'm shocked too), whilst Portman is psychotically intense as Anne (I'll explain later). The supporting cast is decent, Kristen Scott Thomas is morally in-tune in the Boleyns' mother and Jim Sturgess is BRILLIANT as their tragic brother George.
The story on the other hand is WAY too rushed (you can SO CLEARLY tell that sonypictures butchered this movie up...BADLY, thus I'll be waiting for a director's cut indefinitely).
OK...first half of this movie is DULLer than the movie's god-awful cinematography, the audiences' disinterest is NOT helped by Peter Morgan's lazy script. The first half drags and drags....UNTIL the director and writer decides to go all HAPPY TREE FRIENDS on the lead characters (and I don't mean in the bloody fun way either).
Whilst Scarlett Johansson's Mary remains the movie's 'somewhat' moral center....Natalie Portman's Anne goes bloody bizerk (yes, in the crazy psychotic bitch sense)...kudos to her for bringing such intensity and whatever realism she can to the (clearly bias) role, although at points you may what to strangle Anne for her conniving ruthlessness, you nevertheless feel for her (and especially her brother) in the end.
Make no mistake, this is NOT a movie for the soft-hearted, as I explained before the second half contains MANY series of disturbing stomach-wrenching events that will leave you clutching your seat (or packet of Orange TicTac in my case) making the first ELIZABETH movie seem like the most feel-good movie of 1999. SO CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED! All in all, bad direction, awesome acting and melodramatically disturbing story with a beautiful score by Paul Cantelon and gorgeous costumes by Sandy Powell. A would overall give it a generous 7 stars out of 10.
I hope I left this review as spoiler free as possible.
Garden State (2004)
Unique
It is so hard these days to find a smart, fresh, indi-film like Garden State. The story is quite simple and the relatable characters gives the audience a bit of everything.
The casting of Natalie Portman as Sam is absolute genius, as you just can't help but fall in love with her quirky (realistic) character. Zach Braff is wonderful as actor, writer and director. The supporting cast are also great in their roles.
This low-budget indi-film was probably my favourite movie in 2004, it is smart, it is funny, it is weird, but most of all, it is original!!! I am sick to death of seeing movies with the same premise and the same dull characters over and over again in cinemas, so it is nice to see a fresh and very entertaining film like Garden State.
Closer (2004)
Very Interesting....
The story and relationships of the 4 central characters in Closer are indeed quite complicated to explain unless you've seen the movie for yourself. Mike Nichols does a great job piecing this complicated movie together, with the right amount of humor and drama.
The actors do a terrific job in their sweet, cold hearted, back-stabbing, cruel roles. But the movie belongs to Clive Owen and Natalie Portman, as they absolutely stole the show with their performances.
Overall Closer is a very smart and well-made film. The composition of great performances and great/cruel characters, makes Closer a very smart and entertaining film.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Quite Good
I loved this movie. The story was heartbreaking....in a good way, the action was good (but the Obi-wan Vs Darth Maul fight scene was still the best), the effects were convincing, the score was terrific, the acting was great.......but the SCRIPT!!!................OH GOD!!! I cringe hearing such a talented actress like Natalie Portman delivering dialog (that are painful to the ears) like: 'hold me, like you did on Naboo, so long ago when there was nothing but our love' ------> George Lucas WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING!!! But nevertheless the movie was very entertaining, Hayden, Ewan and Natalie did the best with what they had, and for that I give this very entertaining movie a 9 out of 10.
V for Vendetta (2005)
Viv La V!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Freedom Forever!!!!!
i just saw it tonight!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it, even though its far from perfect, its probably the closest they'll ever come to adapting(properly) an Alan Moore piece.
Starts off a bit slow, but eventually as the film progresses, and when the actors feel more comfortable in their roles, V for Vendetta turns into a really dramatic, politically powerful film. Eventually ending with a bang (literally)
No one should ever be allowed to doubt Natalie Portman's acting abilities ever again!!! Definitely her best performance since the Professionals. Hugo Weaving gives life to V, as far as I'm concerned no one could've done V better. Stephen Rea is also terrific as Finch, and I also really liked Stephen Fry as Dietichs (forgive the spelling).
Whether or not you leave the cinema loving it or hating it, it certainly gives you something to think about for a long time to come.........
Viv la V!!!!!!!!!!!!!!