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Swordfish

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Swordfish (2001)

I may have seen too many of these plot- and identity-twisters for this one to be leave much of an impact. I did enjoy Travolta and Jackman, and the opening monolog was clever; so too the wheels within wheels bit with the Finnish hacker, but after the unfortunate hostage explosion, it all got sort of bland and trite from there. Even silly (I mean, lugging a bus through the air? This is someone's idea of realism?). Sometimes the dialog was sharp and sophisticated, sometimes it bordered on the corny. Halle Berry's character wasn't convincing on any level. Not an awful film but not great, either.

Posted Saturday, April 07, 2007 2:37 AM by QFLW | with 0 comments

Ugh

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Monster House (2006)

Am trying to understand what people saw in this mess. I grant the animation and some of the characters are good, the initial premise intriguing, but the secret behind the house's monstrosity was so bizarre, ugly and unreasonable as to ruin what could have been a really good film. My niece had asked to see this for her birthday; the best thing about it was getting to collectively trash it over ice cream afterwards.

Posted Wednesday, April 04, 2007 4:44 AM by QFLW | with 0 comments

One of the few films

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The Horse Whisperer (1998)

that was better than the book it was based on. Redford transformed a good story with an unbelievable resolution into a mature, beautiful drama. Among other things, the scene in which the horse collides with the semi is one of the most stunning visuals I've ever witnessed. I still wonder how he did it.

Posted Monday, April 02, 2007 12:19 AM by QFLW | with 1 comments

It's been awhile

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Celebrity (1998)

since I last saw this film, but I remember it as being intelligent and witty, although darker and more discomfiting than Allen's films generally were up to that date. Interesting to see Kenneth Branagh playing Lee, the Woody Allen main character; he did well. The film has one of my favorite small movie moments: at a party, Lee encounters someone who proceeds to thoroughly trash Lee's writing. As the flaying continues, Lee turns, hands his glass to his host with fixed smile, then drops sideways out of the shot. I still chuckle in empathy when I think of it.

Posted Sunday, April 01, 2007 11:26 PM by QFLW | with 0 comments

Have to say

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Spanglish (2004)

that when Adam Sandler is in things he didn't write/come up with, he's quite enjoyable. Even good.

Have yet to meet a James L. Brooks film I didn't love, and this is no exception. It's not perfect, is somewhat uneven, and the way each part of the story resolves leaves one unsatisfied, yet it's an intelligent, funny, moving film. Excellent cast, intriguing characters. Was grateful I always keep a handkerchief in my purse when going to movies.

Posted Sunday, April 01, 2007 2:47 PM by QFLW | with 0 comments

Less than hoped for.

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Shopgirl (2005)

A lot of talent went into this film, but despite being an interesting study of characters and beautiful to look at, it wasn't particularly engaging. I had a hard time caring about either Mirabelle or Ray; neither struck me as really likeable. It was Jason Schwartzman's Jeremy who brought warmth and interest to the story. I kept hoping he and Mirabelle would end up together, if only for his sake, but I wished for him someone who'd appreciate him more.

Posted Sunday, April 01, 2007 1:48 PM by QFLW | with 1 comments

QFLW Blog

Swordfish

Ugh

One of the few films

It's been awhile

Have to say

Less than hoped for.

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