wliebold Reviews

Caprica (2009–2010)

Simply Brilliant

[10/10 · 9 May 2009]

Within the first 30 minutes of this movie-length episode all of BSG suddenly makes a lot more sense and by the end much of the theological, philosophical and even technological issues that were not revealed, at least in any detail, during BSG are clear. Does this much of a "reveal" mean that the full series will have little left to contribute? I doubt it. It is pretty clear that the back story of the Cylons, Adamas and the Caprican society that gave rise to all of the characters in BSG will have characters and story lines at least as rich as those in BSG. If anything this series could be better from a story telling perspective. The writers do not have to include battle scenes in every episode and are not bound by the physical confines of the star ships. OTOH if your attraction to the series was things getting blown up on a regular basis we'll have to see.

My only regret is that the TV series will not include the lovely nekkid women and men and all that wonderful decadent lust.

Winter Passing (2005)

A Concise Little Gem

[9/10 · 28 December 2007]

Imperfect, yes, but Winter Passing managed to involve me and charm me without overstaying its welcome. A young woman barely in control of her life returns home to her estranged father only to find that he is in even less control of his. A redefined family searching for common ground, the daughter unsure of a relationship long-strained and left to wither. Some challenges and more than a little redemption.

Adam Rapp did not over reach on any of these subplots and the performances, particularly by Deschanel and Harris, are very substantial, although Will Farrell was an interesting choice for his character. Many will probably expect him to start doing something silly, as opposed to only mildly funny.

This is one of the best "films you've never seen" that I've come across lately.

Well worth a try.

Domino (2005)

Great...For What It Is

[8/10 · 30 October 2005]

OK, so it isn't likely to be used in too many Cinema 101 courses alongside "Citizen Kane." It may even rate as a "guilty pleasure." But the movie does what it sets out to do, and it does it well. There's fast-paced action, engaging, OK, most of the time, characters, a hot cast and good roller coaster ride story.

It's up-front about being partly a biopic and partly fiction, but then the Domino character and the real person certainly weren't above a bit of embellishment.

This movie will lead a lot of men, and a few women, to don "I Want to be Keira Knightley's Pool Boy" t-shirts, that's for certain.

Serenity (2005)

Very Satisfying Both Old and New Fans

[9/10 · 30 September 2005]

The movie version of Joss Whedon's fan popular, short-lived sci-fi/western hybrid manages to make a major contribution to speculative fiction film and fulfill all obligations to his fan base.

If you never saw the TV series "Firefly," I would certainly suggest renting or buying the DVD's and you'll get more out of the movie, but Whedon does a fine job of supplying back story as he advances the plot.

This is Whedon doing what he does very well: intelligent dialog and characters, entertaining plot and execution, and with a moral compass. Fans of "Firefly" will find themselves challenged by a slightly different slant and perspective from the movie, also a Whedon trademark: catering to and simultaneously challenging his fans.

As with all of Whedon's works, he'll make you laugh, he'll make you cheer, he'll have you on the edge of the seat and he'll break your heart.

If you are a "Firefly" fan I would strongly suggest seeing the movie soon (I went to the first matinée at the AMC 42nd Street in Manhattan) to avoid spoilers.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

Fine, But It Isn't the Original

[8/10 · 1 May 2005]

This production had a major challenge from the outset: "Hitchhiker" was a six (or was it seven) hour BBC radio serial, morphed into three books and a multi-hour BBC TV serial. Some things had to get dropped to produce a 110-minute film. If you have never heard the original radio serial, buy/rent it and listen. You owe it to yourself - if you liked the movie - to hear the original. A concurrent challenge is that this moved from an almost exclusively written work (radio, book) to one where words share the stage with images. Some purists of the original series will have problems with all of this, and my feelings about the film were mixed for these reasons.

Entire subplots and characters were dropped along with some classic bits that, again, will be pretty disappointing to purists. A couple of new subplots were added which was also frustrating since original material was dropped to make way for it. The film includes only the first two-thirds (my estimate) of the original radio series and has a much happier ending.

There are lots of things the film does very well. Most of the visuals, sets, creatures and costumes are pretty wonderful. The Vogons and Magrathea deserve particular mention. The cast is a delight, with special mention to Zooey Deschanel (who's always a delight) in an expanded version of Trillian. The original "Marvin" from the BBC TV series has a cameo, along with Simon Jones (the original Arthur).

I will certainly be renting the eventual DVD just to see if there lots of "deleted scenes." I'll be interested to read the views of folks who never heard the original.

Control Room (2004)

An Important Film

[9/10 · 25 June 2004]

This documentary is important simply because few Americans are exposed to how others see us. The question of whether Al Jezeera is "biased," or simply biased in a way that's different than US news outlets, is secondary, although the film faces the issue head on.

In part, this is a documentary about a group of clearly intelligent people, with a world view different than that of the US government, developing a news service in a culture which did not have anything similar up to now. It is also a look at how others see the war in Iraq and how the US military handles the news media. Contrary to the views of some folks who might judge the film without actually seeing it, one of the most interesting people in the film is a Marine public information officer who shows himself to be bright, thoughtful and complex in his handling of the issues he must respond to.

Most viewers will not share the views of some of the Al Jezeera commentators, but they come across not as demons, but as intelligent, thoughtful people with a different perspective, not as agents of terrorism. They are people and perspectives we would do well to understand better than we do today.

Blue Car (2002)

How Often Do You Get a Movie Featuring Poetry?

[9/10 · 13 April 2004]

How often do you see a movie which does a good job of portraying the real complexities of a relationship? In other hands this would have ended up as a crass made-for-TV movie, but in Moncrieff's talented hands the characters have a real chance to be the flawed but still moving personalities they are. A wonderful and different coming-of-age story and a subtle treatment of several relationships, each of which turns out to be more complex than even the characters initially understand.

A great example of a fine film on a very modest budget. My only criticism is that I would have liked to hear more about the evolution of the story from the writer's perspective during the DVD commentary. That criticism has nothing to do with the film itself.

Pieces of April (2003)

Another Take on the Holiday Film

[9/10 · 29 November 2003]

This film does several things well. It provides it's own little peek at life in a low-rent New York apartment building, that's far more realistic than most. It plays out the dysfunctional family theme for more sophisticated laughs than I've gotten from similar movies in a long time. It has Katie Holmes branching out a bit. It provides a second Patricia Clarkson fix in a year (the first was "The Station Agent, also highly recommended). And in the end, it turns out to be an actual holiday movie. Add a point if you live in New York and like the cast. I'll see it again, for sure.

The Vertical Ray of the Sun (2000)

Stunning, sensual and unique

[9/10 · 30 December 2002]

A visually-stunning look at the lives of three modern-day Vietnamese sisters and their families, living in Hanoi. The intersection of modernism (in particular, Western) influences alongside tradition is a theme. This does not appear to be a rigid Stalinist society but an austere but comfortable developing one. A sound track which mixes Lou Reed and traditional Vietnamese music accentuates the way tradition and modernity meld in this setting.

And it is the setting which takes your breath away. Even the interiors are visually rich with colors and textures. The film's use of rain, heat, and flowing water all add to the sensuality of the country and the characters.

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Biggest Surprise in Years

[1 September 2002]

I didn't see MR until the DVD was released. I'd heard many friends who both loved and hated the film, and from some reports, the use of modern music in a story set in 1899-1900 didn't bode well.

And then I actually saw the movie.

First, most of the film is some of the visually stunning material I've seen in many years. The use of color, shading, SFX combine for an incredible visual ride.

As for the plot, well, either you buy into the "ride" or you don't. The use of late 20th century music didn't strike me as anachronistic since the entire movie seemed like a surreal fantasy rather than a story actually set in 1899.

As for the music, either you like it or you don't. If it had been my film I would have made a few different choices, but most of the music worked for me, and some executions were simply spectacular, such as "Heros" and "Your Song".

It's true that during the second half when the plot moves closer to denter stage, things drag, but they don't come to a screaming halt.

It's been years since I approached a movie with such trepidation, due to the views of others, and came away liking it so much.

Return of the Secaucus Seven (1980)

Great human story to compare to "The Big Chill"

[9/10 · 26 May 2002]

I always find myself comparing "Return" to the "The Big Chill." Both have great soundtracks, although TBC's is far more commercially recognizable. Both are about former college activists reuniting after a number of years. Both have fine performances, although TBC has the stars. But I liked Return just as much, if not better, because I came to like the characters and identify with their situations better than those in the TBC. An early film from John Sayles, Return of the Secaucus 7 is still one of favorite Sayles films.

Dinner Rush (2000)

Great food movie, fine NYC movie, fun mob movie

[10/10 · 27 January 2002]

Danny Aiello as an aging bookie watches his talented son turn the family restaurant from traditional Italian to the hottest "new" thing in lower Manhattan. Great performances, wonderful scenes of the actual work of a restaurant, characters you care about and bad guys who deserve what they get. The main cast is accompanied by a stream of NYC-esque characters who pass through the restaurant during a busy evening.

Great performances by all, and all the fine ambience of a restaurant who want to keep returning to.