Sorry Astroboy I don't agree with this system. In fact I hate it. : ) I also hate Netflix’s 5 stars system and I’ve considered contacting them to tell me how obtuse they are being.
Here are some reasons why I don't like it.
When you rate a movie on a scale that uses less numbers like three out of four or four out of five you can't be held accountable for which movies are better or worse. Let me try to explain that statement. Take ‘Star Trek: II Wrath of Khan’ and the newest Star Trek Movie ‘Star Trek’ both are great movies but on your scale they both would receive a 4 out 4’s (at least according to me). So which movie is the better movie? You would never know according to your scale but on my 10 point scale you would know the slight advantage goes to ‘Star Trek: II Wrath of Khan’ at a 9.5 (Oh yeah, I give half points now). It also works in reverse for bad or horrible movies. Take the latest Indiana Jones movie and ‘Bulletproof Monk’. On your scale, both movies would receive a one but on my scale you would know ‘Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ is a two and the lousier movie ‘Bulletproof Monk’ begets a true one score. See how this works?
There’s a show that I watch called X-Play and they rate video games. They use a 1 to 5 star system. They say that the viewer or player shouldn’t worry about the rating of a game and to read or listen to the full review to get a complete understanding. I think it’s a cop out and maybe a political thing. Possibly X-Play doesn’t want to offend the game manufacturers and not get future interviews or future information about upcoming games. So they have this pointless 5 scale system that means nothing to me except they don’t have to compare games and actually say which game is the better game Halo III or Call of Duty II (both received five stars). Is a three star a good game or an average game? Who the frak knows!
For me it’s the comparisons between the games or in our case movies to be able to tell. I know that my top twenty movies all have a score of nines and that my dream movie or perfect movie has a ten. Of course giving a movie a rating is always an opinion of the reviewer and my opinion may be different but at least I can see what he rated Forrest Gump and Aliens maybe an 8 and an 7 and find out according to him which is the better movie But again on your scale they are both probably fours.
Maybe the only true scale (yet impossible) would be your favorite movie at the top #1 (Matrix) and your least favorite movie of all time all the way at the bottom #6427 (A Passage to India). One can dream.
P.S. Here’s a key to my 1 to 10 scale.
10. Your all time favorite movie or dream movie (maybe you don’t have a ten)
9. Top twenty movies.
8. Excellent movie that I would recommend to all of my friends.
7. You really liked the movie but maybe it’s wasn’t your favorite style (i.e. Sci-Fi or Gore)
6. Above average
5. Average
4. Below Average
3. Horrible film
2. Excruciating painful movie you want to leave but it might be fun to stay and make fun of the film
1. Never talk about the movie again. (Leave early or turn off)
0. Something Kevin puts on Youtube
Ask yourself this question. Would you rate women, foods, cars, music or anything else using this 4 point scale? I know I wouldn’t.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Road - 4 Stars
Are you an introspective person? Do you like to analyze things? Do you enjoy crazy 'what if' scenarios? Well try this one on for size: you and your child are being descended upon by a mob; instantaneously threatened with torture, rape, and other horrific acts; you have a gun, but only 1 bullet. What do you do?
Well, this is the fate that befalls the main character of The Road, superbly played by Viggo Mortenson, and his son, credibly played by some child actor. They're struggling to survive in a world that has been burnt to a crisp, the sky permanently darkened with rain and ash, and almost all traces of life (and humanity, as you'll find out) wiped clean. This is all sans the mother (Charlize Theron), who's fate is played out through a series of flashbacks.
As you may know, this is an almost straight adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel of the same name. So while it may seem like a post apocalyptic sci-fi adventure, 'The Day After Tomorrow' this is not. If you're familiar with McCarthy's other work ( Blood Meridian and No Country For Old Men, also a movie, for example ), then you'll know that this premise he lays out is all just backdrop for a passion play of humanity, morality, and love. All these things are on trial as you witness the pure bond between parent and child play out, and the hardships they endure to ensure that bond is not broken. It makes me wonder, would viewers without children be affected as deep as those who know the joy and responsibility of raising a child?
So now back to my original scenario. With that one bullet you have but a few options: futilely try to defend yourself and your child against the mob with it; put it through your own brain and put yourself out of misery; or.... if you think about it there is really only one true answer. If even considering that makes you squirm, then this probably isn't the movie for you. It's probably the single reason a movie with this kind of pedigree (bestselling author, blockbuster talent, excellent directing) didn't do well at the box or with critics. If you're not queasy, then you might just enjoy The Road.
Now, one last scenario: imagine the same as before, except you're not there. Just your child and the gun. What would you have him/her do?
Queasy yet?
Well, this is the fate that befalls the main character of The Road, superbly played by Viggo Mortenson, and his son, credibly played by some child actor. They're struggling to survive in a world that has been burnt to a crisp, the sky permanently darkened with rain and ash, and almost all traces of life (and humanity, as you'll find out) wiped clean. This is all sans the mother (Charlize Theron), who's fate is played out through a series of flashbacks.
As you may know, this is an almost straight adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel of the same name. So while it may seem like a post apocalyptic sci-fi adventure, 'The Day After Tomorrow' this is not. If you're familiar with McCarthy's other work ( Blood Meridian and No Country For Old Men, also a movie, for example ), then you'll know that this premise he lays out is all just backdrop for a passion play of humanity, morality, and love. All these things are on trial as you witness the pure bond between parent and child play out, and the hardships they endure to ensure that bond is not broken. It makes me wonder, would viewers without children be affected as deep as those who know the joy and responsibility of raising a child?
So now back to my original scenario. With that one bullet you have but a few options: futilely try to defend yourself and your child against the mob with it; put it through your own brain and put yourself out of misery; or.... if you think about it there is really only one true answer. If even considering that makes you squirm, then this probably isn't the movie for you. It's probably the single reason a movie with this kind of pedigree (bestselling author, blockbuster talent, excellent directing) didn't do well at the box or with critics. If you're not queasy, then you might just enjoy The Road.
Now, one last scenario: imagine the same as before, except you're not there. Just your child and the gun. What would you have him/her do?
Queasy yet?
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Book Of Eli - 3 Stars
Denzel Washington is back, at least in my mind. I have to admit I've missed quite a few of his recent flicks, at least back to 2001. But I didn't mind missing them because he either seemed typecast for the role ( American Gangster ) or the role was beneath him ( all the others ).
With The Book Of Eli, you see him give the same wondrous performance that earned him and Oscar for Training Day. He so embodies his characters, especially here as Eli, that I don't think of it as Denzel playing Eli, but rather Eli's character being like Denzel. It's that inversion that makes him such a compelling actor, something that few others have been able to capture (*cough Will Smith*).
The story itself lives in its simplicity. The backdrop is humanity reduced to its lowest common denominator. A simple battle of good vs. evil, all with a healthy dose of religion. The ease at which the story unfolds allows you to really absorb the strife of Eli's religious quest, the struggles of Solara and her blind mother as they attempt to latch on and aid Eli, and of course the wry wickedness of Gary Oldman as Carnegie. There is plenty of action along the way, numerous religious questions asked, and a very satisfying end to this well crafted flick.
Special mention to the direction of the film, which is masterfully done by the Hughes Brothers, whom haven't done a notable movie since their 'gangsta' days of the late 90's ( Menace II Society, Dead Presidents, American Pimp ). You wouldn't know that they've been off the grid for over 9 years by the way the Book Of Eli shows. They step in with stunning visuals, great cinematography and special effects, and direct all the actors to excellent performances.
But Denzel really carries the film. He's so good it's making me reconsider viewing some of his recent work, as I'm sure there are some other fine acting gems in there. This should also serve notice to the other action stars out there, that there is a better way to play it and this old man's got it.
With The Book Of Eli, you see him give the same wondrous performance that earned him and Oscar for Training Day. He so embodies his characters, especially here as Eli, that I don't think of it as Denzel playing Eli, but rather Eli's character being like Denzel. It's that inversion that makes him such a compelling actor, something that few others have been able to capture (*cough Will Smith*).
The story itself lives in its simplicity. The backdrop is humanity reduced to its lowest common denominator. A simple battle of good vs. evil, all with a healthy dose of religion. The ease at which the story unfolds allows you to really absorb the strife of Eli's religious quest, the struggles of Solara and her blind mother as they attempt to latch on and aid Eli, and of course the wry wickedness of Gary Oldman as Carnegie. There is plenty of action along the way, numerous religious questions asked, and a very satisfying end to this well crafted flick.
Special mention to the direction of the film, which is masterfully done by the Hughes Brothers, whom haven't done a notable movie since their 'gangsta' days of the late 90's ( Menace II Society, Dead Presidents, American Pimp ). You wouldn't know that they've been off the grid for over 9 years by the way the Book Of Eli shows. They step in with stunning visuals, great cinematography and special effects, and direct all the actors to excellent performances.
But Denzel really carries the film. He's so good it's making me reconsider viewing some of his recent work, as I'm sure there are some other fine acting gems in there. This should also serve notice to the other action stars out there, that there is a better way to play it and this old man's got it.
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