Glossy romantic comedy features two women who swap homes temporarily, one in England the other in LA. What happens to British Iris in the US is far more compelling than what happens to American Amanda in England. Credit goes to Kate Winslet for her engaging performance. She elevates everyone around her. Even Eli Wallach seems magnetic as a screenwriter from Hollywood‘s golden age. Unfortunately, the trite story is too formulaic to be interesting. Comedy-drama feels more like a product being marketed and sold by a Hollywood factory that anything bearing genuine warmth and emotion. Cameron Diaz is particularly cloying. She makes goo-goo eyes and talks in her cutest voice that says “love me because I’m so pretty”, but really comes across a snoozy bore. Half of a good movie. I see no justification for that overindulgent 2 hour and 16 minute running time either.
Archive for 2006
The Holiday
Posted in Comedy, Drama, Romance with tags 2006 on July 15, 2010 by Mark HobinJesus Camp
Posted in Documentary, Drama with tags 2006 on August 24, 2009 by Mark Hobin
Documentary about a Pentecostal summer camp for children. An effective documentary is unbiased, allowing the viewer to form their own opinions. Unfortunately, this is clearly not the agenda of the filmmakers. Clips from Mike Papantonio’s radio show are frequently inserted to editorialize against the camp. The use of “evil” music every time the camp’s director is on screen doesn’t point to an even handed approach either. Nevertheless, this is still a window into a community we often do not see and much of it is fascinating. That the subjects were manipulated by the directors to cast evangelical Christianity in an unflattering light, contaminates what should have been an interesting film.
Black Book (Zwartboek)
Posted in Drama, Thriller, War with tags 2006 on April 20, 2009 by Mark Hobin
Jewish woman poses as a Nazi during World War II in order to persuade a German commander to release a member of the resistance. Dutch film director, Paul Verhoeven, returns to his native roots to direct this entertaining epic drama. Interesting mix of classic storytelling and graphic doses of sex and violence are combined to form a most compelling tale about espionage and revenge. Dutch stage and film actress, Carice van Houten, plays the film’s heroine in an unforgettable performance.
Tristan & Isolde
Posted in Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance with tags 2006 on December 1, 2008 by Mark Hobin
Utterly rote romantic drama which retells the medieval legend of Tristan and Iseult. The script is not compelling, the story drags, and the leads barely register any passion whatsoever. If you must see a movie about star crossed lovers, see Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet instead.
The Good Shepherd
Posted in Drama, Thriller with tags 2006 on October 19, 2008 by Mark Hobin
At almost 3 hours, this period film about the beginnings of the CIA is an ambitious, but ultimately tedious spy drama. There are moments where the film shows signs of turning into a first rate thriller. It ultimately remains a character study of a very stiff and unemotional man, inspired by the true-life story of CIA founder James J. Angleton. Intelligent and realistic, but not particularly exciting.
A Very Serious Person
Posted in Drama with tags 2006 on August 28, 2008 by Mark Hobin
Charles Busch wrote and directed this comedy drama about a male nurse who arrives to care for a terminally ill woman and forms a warm friendship with her sensitive 13 year old grandson. Poignant film can be overly precious at times, but ultimately benefits from the engaging and sincere performance of P.J. Verhoest, its young star.
The History Boys
Posted in Comedy, Drama with tags 2006 on August 12, 2008 by Mark Hobin
English high-school students seek to earn the scores needed to enroll in Oxford and Cambridge in writer Alan Bennett’s witty screen adaptation of his Tony award winning play. Ensemble film wisely features the talented original London cast, however the film’s moral confusion is unsettling.
Penelope
Posted in Comedy, Fantasy, Romance with tags 2006 on July 21, 2008 by Mark Hobin
Quirky, reverse “Beauty and the Beast” comedy is well filmed with fantastic production values. Talented cast deserves better story that slowly progresses to its inevitable conclusion.
For Your Consideration
Posted in Comedy with tags 2006 on July 8, 2008 by Mark Hobin
Another funny Christopher Guest “documentary.” Whole cast is excellent, but Catherine O’Hara is especially good.
Notes on a Scandal
Posted in Drama with tags 2006 on June 27, 2008 by Mark Hobin
Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett are two schoolteachers locked in a battle of wits. Both actresses command your attention. You cannot look away, no matter how uncomfortable things get.
Fast Film Reviews 