by Felipe Rosa
Black Swan: while the symbolism is quite obvious, the whole thing is still quite well-done. Natalie Portman is superb, right how I can’t really think of a better female performance (or performance, period) this year.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: drama
by Felipe Rosa
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1: I knew from the get-going that this was going to be all set-up and no payoff, so that’s fine by me. But the one thing I remember the most about the book was how boring “the Winter” was. I was a bit surprised and disappointed to see that the movie had the same issues. Looks pretty, thought.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: fantasy
by Felipe Rosa
Tangled: if not for an interesting villain (not a strong villain, but the motivation was nice) and the beautiful (if a bit common) visuals, this would be even more pedestrian than it is. I had a nice time, but it doesn’t stand out in this day and age.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: animation, fantasy
by Felipe Rosa
The King’s Speech: while quite a pleasurable experience (it is a joy to watch), it’s grounded on three wonderful, wonderful performances (Helena Bonham Carter is not getting enough press), some rather peculiar visual choices and not much else. Of course, that’s more than enough to make it quite a good movie, but not a great one. At the end, I don’t think there’s enough meat in that story.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: biopic / historic
by Felipe Rosa
127 Hours: might well be the best (live action) movie of 2010 so far. It certainly packs an emotional punch telling its story quite effectively. Camera work is a bit on the showy side, but it certainly suits the mood of the movie. James Franco is a pleasant surprise. And the vistas! I should book a travel to Utah tonight.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: biopic / historic
by Felipe Rosa
Fair Game: quite a pleasant movie. Both the main actors were great on it, and it’s an “important” story but also quite well told. Most importantly, the focus on the domestic issued between them brings in a nice and somewhat refreshing perspective to this story, which could have been way more mundane if done otherwise.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: biopic / historic
by Felipe Rosa
Love & Other Drugs: the parts add up to something lesser than it could have been. The romance is run-of-the-mill enough; it seems to me that a more interesting movie could have been done if it touched the pharmaceutical companies way of doing things more. As it does not, what remains is pleasurable but not more.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: romantic comedy
by Felipe Rosa
Four Lions: it’s easy to make one laugh at somebody’s stupidity. It’s harder to be smart about it, and say something worth saying, too. On top of it, about a subject that is almost a taboo. Extra points for being democratic and equalitarian in its stupidity attribution. It probably has the most hilarious and absurd line of the year.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: comedy
by Felipe Rosa
Biutiful: extremely hard movie to watch, and to be completely honest, I don’t know how I feel about it. The last 30 minutes are certainly very strong. Camera work and sound design add to the uneasiness. Nevertheless, Javier Bardem is brilliant.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: drama
Fifth about The Seventh