May
13
2007
Dir: Sam Raimi
Writ: Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi, & Alvin Sargent. Based on the comic by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko
- Tobey Maguire … Spider-Man/Peter Parker
- Kirsten Dunst … Mary Jane Watson
- James Franco … New Goblin/Harry Osborn
- Thomas Haden Church … Sandman/Flint Marko
- Topher Grace … Venom/Eddie Brock
- Bryce Dallas Howard … Gwen Stacy
- James Cromwell … Captain Stacy
- Bruce Campbell … Maître d’
I wasn’t a huge fan of the first two spiderman films; I enjoyed them but didn’t LOVE them. They were good, solid entertainment. Two was probably a little better, though I may feel that way because I recently rewatched it when it was shown on the telly a few weeks ago. This one isn’t so good. It is too long. There are too many characters. And worst of all, unlike the second, it has no heart to it.
It felt stop-start, as though they had too many characters and story-lines and couldn’t figure out to make then all work together properly, nothing seemed to fit.
I’ve never been a huge fan of Spiderman, or of Peter Parker for that matter, and in this film I just couldn’t care less what happened him. James Franco was more interesting as Harry. There was nothing to grip the viewer, and while the special effects were excellent you really need a good story to hang them on. This was all pretty curtains and no foundation.
And the cocky version of Peter Parker? That was just weird and stupid. Yes at first it was a little entertaining to see him strut, but after 2 seconds it became creepyfing, and disturbing. And the dancing! wtf!
There is nothing hideous and terrible about the film. You’ll watch, you’ll be entertained and maybe a little bored, I do recall checking my watch and thinking with a sinking heart that there was still an hour to go, but it picked up a little, so I wasn’t eyeing the exit all the way through. Totally worthy of a meh. Too many storyiideas with not enough development
I also took issue with the amount of time Parker wandered about in his Spidey outfit, only with the mask off. Either he has a secret identity or he doesn’t. Half the city should know who he really is if he has as little care as that.
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Aug
17
2006
Writ & dir: M. Night Shyamalan
- Paul Giamatti - Cleveland Heep
- Bryce Dallas Howard - Story
- Jeffrey Wright - Mr. Dury
- Bob Balaban - Mr. Farber
- Sarita Choudhury - Anna Ran
- Cindy Cheung - Young Soon
- Freddy RodrÃguez - Reggie
This is an odd film. A very odd film.
Ever since The Sixth Sense Shyamalan has been known as the “twist guy” for his film endings; I don’t think that is a fair description. And while you can say that Unbreakable, Signs and The Village all had twists to their endings, the twists weren’t all that important. The films were stories about people, truth, and finding out who you are. The Lady in the water continues in this vein, but at the same time it is a very different type of film. As Shyamalan has said, it is a bedtime story. A fairy tale, for children. So it is, of course, going to be more simplistic and yet at the same time it is more complicated than that.
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Apr
08
2006
- Bryce Dallas Howard - Ivy Walker
- Joaquin Phoenix - Lucius Hunt
- Adrien Brody - Noah Percy
- William Hurt - Edward Walker
- Sigourney Weaver - Alice Hunt
- Brendan Gleeson - August Nicholson
Its been two years since this came out in the cinema, and I’m finally getting to see it. Given that I’ve liked most of what Shyamalan has done, and given that Joaquin Phoenix is a star I’m a little surprised that it has taken me this long. I really enjoyed The Sixth Sense, and loved Unbreakable, but I did hate Signs.
Whatever the reason, I’m glad that I’ve finally gotten to see it, as there is a lot to admire here. As with most of Shyamalan’s films there are twists and turns. Some I saw coming, others took me a little by surprise, but I’ve never really been wowed by the sudden, unexpected twist. Afterall, if a story is to be believable and real then you should have some idea that the twist in question is possible. But this isn’t really a twist-film. Not is it a horror, monster-type film. Rather it is a character film.
The setting is an isolated, rural village, surrounded by a forest. And we open on a funeral, a funeral that could possibly have been prevented. The elders of the village founded it to escape the violence and crime of the towns. They have taken oaths never to return, even if medicines are needed. And then there is “those we do not speak of”. Strange creatures that inhabit the woods. They have come to a sort of truce with the villagers. The creatures will not enter the village, and the villagers must never enter the woods. They maintain a border, with watch-towers and torches burning through the night. Ready to hide if those we do not speak of should make an appearance.
Overall I really enjoyed this film, Phoenix is wonderful as the taciturn Lucius who doesn’t seem to fear the creatures, and who wishes to visit the towns in order to bring back medicine. Howard also gives a great performance as Ivy, the love interest. And then there is Brody as the “village idiot”. This threesome is the heart of the film.
The film’s action is quite slow, and is more atmospheric and tense rather than jumpy or scary. Although there are a few jump-in-your-seat moments. Although they are mainly down to overuse of sound cues and a soundtrack that tries too hard to make you scared. That being said there are moments of fear in the film, but the main one is because you believe the fear of a character, rather than that of a “scary movie”.
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