Category: Ratings
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Another Look: True Romance Director’s Cut (***1/2) is Tony Scott overriding Tarantino
The result is a good, not great first script. There are two fantastic moments and many good ones to boot. It’s not much more than that, even as Tarantino’s legend rises beyond what anyone imagined.
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Cocktail (**) For a movie, it is a good soundtrack
See it if you want to see the kind of film Cruise made before he completely took control of his career. It’s not worth sitting through otherwise, just to hum along.
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Nightwatch (**1/2) – Looks better than it is
The only other film I have seen of Bernedal’s is The Possession, which is a wholesale improvement. He is able to concentrate on atmosphere and leave the script to someone else. One can see the connections between here and there. I would prefer to be there.
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The Voices (**) I know Karate
Reynolds does his very best straight face through all of Jerry’s challenges. He’s completely hidden any idea that he’s in on the joke. Or even that it is intended to be a joke.
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I Love You Phillip Morris (**1/2) is too streamlined
(Made) Five years removed from Brokeback Mountain, this still feels relatively early on in the process of getting beyond token gay characters.
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Criterion: Shallow Grave (***) isn't deep enough
“From an historical perspective, perhaps one can understand this being a Criterion release. I know some of this is dependent on what they can get the rights to overall. As a film, this one is kind of forgettable, if technically proficient. It’s a good first attempt. ”
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Criterion: Metropolis(****) C-3PO and socialism
Even through it’s complicated history of interpretations, Metropolis is very much the definition of essential cinema.
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Criterion: Paper Moon (****1/2) is still a delight
This is the perfect film for Criterion treatment.
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Where'd You Go, Bernadette?(***) doesn't go that far
They lost me at “How does one afford a trip to Antarctica?”
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Criterion: The Getaway (**1/2) slow and uneasy
Ultimately, I think this film only serves as a time capsule for what qualified for popular action in 1972. If I had a parallel for today, one could place something in the Fast and Furious franchise for its equivalent. Not sure we’ll ever see any of the FF movies on Criterion. This one shouldn’t be…
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 