by Felipe Rosa
The American: I’m still a bit on the fence about this one. I don’t mind the ponderous pace; in fact it’s refreshing to see a movie that is not in a rush to the next explosion. Clooney is good as usual, the movie is beautifully shot. But something is missing. The story itself is not all that interesting or novel, but that’s not quite the issue either. Honestly, I need to think about this puzzle for a bit longer.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: crime, drama
by Felipe Rosa
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: it’s a very peculiar, interesting piece. Amazingly quiet and delicate for a movie that deals, basically, with a moment of violence among extremely violent men. It’s ironic how it deals with fame and reputation, since the victim didn’t seem all that different in his cowardice as the perpetrator; it’s almost as if the legend got printed.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: western
by Felipe Rosa
Mr. Arkadin: how appropriate that I watched this right after The Third Man, since this movie seems to be a result of that masterpiece. Mr. Arkadin is Wellesian to a fault, with its extreme angled shots, Kane-ish structure and, yes, its sad story of lack of control over the finished product. Not a great movie, with some very awkward elements (the main actor, for one), but an interesting one anyway.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: crime, drama
by Felipe Rosa
The Third Man: do I need to talk about this? It’s one of the great ones; it should be put on a pedestal and idolized by people. Everything works: the unusual music, the unusual angles, the amazing editing, the acting. Great story, one of the greatest movie speeches ever. I watched it (for the fourth time), immediately wanted to see it again. I could rave all night, but enough is enough. It doesn’t need me doing it.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: noir, top
by Felipe Rosa
Eat Pray Love: no reason to say more than this: shalow and boring. (But it’s always good to listen to Bossa Nova in movies, even if bad ones.)
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: drama, romance
by Felipe Rosa
Brief Encounter: what a beautiful, beautiful movie. David Lean had such a great touch. It’s such a delicate, heart-breaking story, so well acted, so well written (I loved this one line about the sun!). The parallel romance between the station guard and the cafe owner, also seen in moments, is a great addition. Oh, and the use of music and photographic changes! Great stuff!
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: drama, romance, top
by Felipe Rosa
Get Low: first of all, what a wonderful group of actors. In addition to that, the themes resonate: human contact, the fear of the truth about oneself as well as that such truth will remain hidden, self-forgiveness. Wonderful little movie!
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: drama
by Felipe Rosa
Black Orpheus: a beautiful, tragic story, as is expected from its Greek mythology source. The soundtrack is, obviously, wonderful, as are the visuals. Other than that, however, I can’t say I liked the movie much. It felt too much like a travelogue to Old Rio during Carnaval, at most times.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: drama
by Felipe Rosa
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: a nice way of telling an OK story. It had some nice touches, and the visuals/editing were nice, but at the end of the day, the story itself was not all that strong. Still, a fun time was had, so all is cool.
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: action
Fifth about The Seventh