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3 for the weekend
Jun. 26th, 2005 12:24 amEveryone once in a while I have a good weekend where I just happen to hit the right strange combination of movies. Here's this set.
#1) The Machinist
Spurred by Batman Begins, I decided to get a copy of this one-- I've seen some other Christian Bale movies, but nothing to write home about. This one, however, was one of the few "psychological thrillers" I've seen in the last few years that actually worked. It reminded me of Hitchcock-- just the right approach to the repeated imagery, not too hard or too light. Genuinely spooky in places, but not really a horror story. Oh, and yes, Christian Bale can act. Now I have proof.
#2) The Seven-Per-Cent Solution
Robert Duvall as Watson: horrible. Alan Arkin as Freud: horrible accent, but surprisingly workable. Nicol Williamson as Holmes: brilliant. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the entirely unfeasible sword fight on the train (It made no sense! But it looked great! But it made no sense!). All in all, a very, very silly film. But full of energy and humor, and fully acknowledging its own silliness.
#3) Everyone Says I Love You
I've seen a few Woody Allen movies. Not anywhere near the complete collection, but a few. And I can say, genuinely, that there are few directors who can give me the same kind of slow burn laughs that Woody does. I see something that I don't believe, I do a double take, and I laugh a little... but then I just can't stop, and I have to stop the tape or cover my eyes while it works itself out of my system. And then at the end you're left with great jazz. Yay.
#1) The Machinist
Spurred by Batman Begins, I decided to get a copy of this one-- I've seen some other Christian Bale movies, but nothing to write home about. This one, however, was one of the few "psychological thrillers" I've seen in the last few years that actually worked. It reminded me of Hitchcock-- just the right approach to the repeated imagery, not too hard or too light. Genuinely spooky in places, but not really a horror story. Oh, and yes, Christian Bale can act. Now I have proof.
#2) The Seven-Per-Cent Solution
Robert Duvall as Watson: horrible. Alan Arkin as Freud: horrible accent, but surprisingly workable. Nicol Williamson as Holmes: brilliant. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the entirely unfeasible sword fight on the train (It made no sense! But it looked great! But it made no sense!). All in all, a very, very silly film. But full of energy and humor, and fully acknowledging its own silliness.
#3) Everyone Says I Love You
I've seen a few Woody Allen movies. Not anywhere near the complete collection, but a few. And I can say, genuinely, that there are few directors who can give me the same kind of slow burn laughs that Woody does. I see something that I don't believe, I do a double take, and I laugh a little... but then I just can't stop, and I have to stop the tape or cover my eyes while it works itself out of my system. And then at the end you're left with great jazz. Yay.