Felipe Rosa

The Artist

January 13, 2013 by Felipe Rosa

The Artist: I really can’t put it any simpler than this: the film wasn’t even over and I already needed to watch it again. While it’s a mix of familiar themes, shots, musical cues, story and character elements (I spent the first half of the movie seeing Lamont-Lockwood-Selden instead of Valentin-Miller), the main point is that it works. Much may be said if the movie needed to be silent and in B&W; it for sure doesn’t need colors or words […]

Categories: Film reviews • Tags: drama, romantic comedy

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Hugo (2011)

January 13, 2013 by Felipe Rosa

Hugo: there’s a great, earnest sweetness to this film. Part of it comes from the story (one that makes it almost imperative that Martin Scorsese directed this), but also from the themes presented (and how they are presented): one’s purpose in life, one’s loss when they lose that purpose. Great visually as well, as some stories are told silently, from a distance. It does have some minor problems with pacing and the kids are not great, but Ben Kingsley is.

Categories: Film reviews • Tags: fantasy

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Ninotchka

January 13, 2013 by Felipe Rosa

Ninotchka: while some of the details of the story are flimsy, as one would expect in a romantic comedy, it’s the general sense of elegance and subtle sense of humor that sets this one apart. Once again, there is a reason why there is such a thing called “the Lubitsch touch”, and it’s shown here quite effectively.

Categories: Film reviews • Tags: romantic comedy

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Fantastic Mr. Fox

January 13, 2013 by Felipe Rosa

Fantastic Mr. Fox: very quirky animated film, starting with the style chosen. Reasonably funny, reasonably touching, certainly more original than most of the animations around us nowadays. It carries the same emotional distance than other of Anderson’s works, but somehow, that fits a cartoon somewhat less than it fits a live action feature.

Categories: Film reviews • Tags: animation, comedy, fantasy

The Darjeeling Limited

January 13, 2013 by Felipe Rosa

The Darjeeling Limited: touching little story with nice, well-defined brooding characters. It’s hidden in the typical Anderson aesthetics: precise, stylized visuals, subdued acting, strong use of music. It’s an acquired taste; his style may be distracting. However, I can’t help but marvel at his use of dolly shots; whip pans, tilts and booms; slow motion. It all fits, showing a world that both is and isn’t quite like our own.

Categories: Film reviews • Tags: comedy, drama

Boudu Saved From Drowning

January 13, 2013 by Felipe Rosa

Boudu Saved From Drowning: to put it kindly, this film has not aged well. The acting, in particular the so lauded Michel Simon, sounds histrionic and manneristic. The social and humanistic aspects appear to be dated as well; there doesn’t seem to be enough for a feature here, sadly.

Categories: Film reviews • Tags: drama

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The Descendants

January 13, 2013 by Felipe Rosa

The Descendants: beautiful movie, with amazing quiet moments that work so well. It’s a great drama that still remains funny at times, because that’s how life is. Acting is top-notch pretty much accross the board; no surprise with George Clooney, but Shailene Woodley is quite a find as well.

Categories: Film reviews • Tags: comedy, drama

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J. Edgar

January 13, 2013 by Felipe Rosa

J. Edgar: compelling, rich, delicate but ultimately the ponderous pace weights. It can’t be denied, however, the quality of the writing here: the structure, simplifying the events of 50 years by using very few of them, allow for a very deep, moving and humane view of the character. Leonardo DiCaprio gives yet another wonderful performance, but that’s to be expected given his own and Clint Eastwood’s pedigree. His score is again a perfect match for the movie.

Categories: Film reviews • Tags: biopic / historic

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Puss in Boots

January 13, 2013 by Felipe Rosa

Puss in Boots: a typical DWA film will be well done and funny, a pleasure to sit through but empty and somewhat heartless, therefore easily forgettable. This one has the usual drawbacks, but not the usual strong points. It’s still quite well done, and the voice acting is good enough, but the humor is flat and the whole thing is almost boring.

Categories: Film reviews • Tags: adventure, animation, fantasy

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Fifth about The Seventh

Author Archives: Felipe Rosa

The Artist

Hugo (2011)

Ninotchka

Fantastic Mr. Fox

The Darjeeling Limited

Boudu Saved From Drowning

The Descendants

J. Edgar

Puss in Boots