SPOILER WARNING!! James Mangold's filmography shows his diversity as a director.From Copland(1997) to Walk the Line(2005) and now 3:10 to Yuma ,James Mangold has directed a dirty cop drama,a biopic and now a western.3:10 to Yuma is is a remake of the 1957 film 3:10 to Yuma, making it the second adaptation of Elmore Leonard's short story.I have not seen the original movie ,so i can't comment on the differences between the two movies.The movie is divided in three parts:the first is about the events before the arrest of Ben Wade (Russell Crowe),the second is about the events during the journey to the train station and the third is about the arrival in Contention and about the subsequent events. 3:10 to Yuma is a western but it is also a character drama.It is a character drama because a significant part of the plot centers (around) the two main characters:Ben Wade and Dan Evans (Christian Bale).Ben Wade is a wanted outlaw,who has stolen thousands of dollars and who has a loyal lang,while Dan Evans is a impoverished rancher,a family man, a Civil War veteran,the service of whom in the army has influenced his present life to a significant extent.He is struggling to make ends meet and has to face the criticism of his wife and of his older son.When Wade is arrested (with the help of Dan Evans),Evans is enlisted to guard and deliver him to the Contention train station.On the way to the train station,the escort team faces various challenges,hostile conversations take place,people are killed.Wade tries to escape,however the group finally arrives to the destination. Dan Evans is commited to deliver Wade for arrest.While others abandon,he continues.The last part of the movie is the last stand of Evans.During this time,Evans and Wade come to some short of understanding and respect.Although Wade is an outlaw ,he shows that some sense of morality and respect still exists in him.He is an ambiguous character and so is the ending of the movie. Russell Crowe and Christian Bale give powerful perfomances.The music is ,at times,great and the direction is also very good.3:10 to Yuma is fresh take on an old movie genre.It is a western with substance. http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZeroJ1BK6GQ
Back in late 2004, i saw National Treasure.I thought that it was an entertaining, enjoyable movie, with all these history-related clues and riddles connected in a successful way.In the 2007 sequel, the makers of the first movie try to follow the same formula.In,their effort they don't fail but they also don't succeed .
The story of the film, which centers around the effort of Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) to clear his great-great grandfather's name, is a significant drawback .It is one of the reasons for which the film is not as entertaining as the first one.The film gears up from the scene in the Library of Congress until the scene in the cave, which is, as mentioned in some reviews,a n impressive and a well directed one.There are some funny moments,for the majority of which Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) is responsible.As for the perfomances, Ed Harris is adequate as the villain, but his character's motives, which are revealed towards the end of the film,are silly.Helen Mirren's perfomance,as Ben Gates' mother, is not noteworthy.
To sum up, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, is not , by any means, a bad movie but it also is not a particularly good one.Let's hope in that in the third movie (which is probably going to be filmed,considering the fact that Book of secrets is on course to surpass, in terms of gross revenue,the first film) the elements that made National Treasure an enjoyable film ,will be present , at least in a more successful way than in the sequel.Read more!
The description of the film (from Wikipedia):"The concept of the film is based on an ancient Chinese proverb that breaks life down into four emotional cornerstones - Happiness (played by Whitaker), Pleasure (Fraser), Sorrow (Gellar) and Love (Bacon). The proverb speaks of these emotions, not as isolated fragments of feelings, but as elements that make up the whole of the human existence. Each of the four main protagonists is based on one of the four emotions; and like the proverb their paths are inextricably linked to each other." It stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, Brendan Fraser, Cecilia Suárez, Clark Gregg, Emile Hirsch, Forest Whitaker, John Cho, Julie Delpy, Kelly Hu, Kevin Bacon and Andy Garcia.
Although, here in Greece most of the reviews were negative, i think that it is a very good movie.Not only because of the concept, but also because of the perfomances, the music, the way that the stories are linked.The movie "slows down" a little in the third segment, but it concludes in an excellent way.A movie definetely worth watching. Τhe The Air I Breathe will be released January 25th 2008 in the US (limited release) an May 15th in the Netherlands.
Synopsis:"A beautiful young woman on the treacherous road to love�.
"My Blueberry Nights" is the new film from one of the world's most sought-after directors, Wong Kar Wai. It's a magnificent love story starring multi-Grammy award winner Norah Jones in her movie debut along with a "A-list" cast of Academy Award winners and nominees including Jude Law, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman.
Norah Jones plays a sensual, alluring young woman who sets out on an unforgettable journey of discovery in pursuit of true love. In heartbreakingly beautiful locations and classic Route 66 atmospheric diners, Wong Kar Wai's captivating heroine encounters a series of enigmatic characters that help her on her quest.
Set against New York's magical cityscape and the stunning vistas of America's legendary Route 66, the celebrated director's first English language picture embraces his signature elegance and originality that made "Happy Together," "In the Mood for Love" and "2046" must-see movies all around the world.
Wong Kar Wai's unique talent and dreamy romantic themes, combined with mythical Americans locations and an awesomely gifted and stylish cast,guarantee that "My Blueberry Nights" will delight and enchant moviegoers everywhere." (http://www.ropeofsi licon.com/ movie/my_ blueberry_ nights)
To be honest, i have not seen any of the previous movies of Wong Kar Wai.I have heard positive comments about 'In the mood for love, '2046' , but i have not seen any of these movies.Anyway, when i first read about MBN it provoked my interest.When i saw the trailer the expectation was even greater.I finally saw MBN last weekend.
The journey of Elizabeth (Norah Jones) is an existential journey across America, a journey of redemption.An effort to distance herself from the sad reality in NY, an effort of thinking things over.She encounters people who have their own problems.The element that these stories have in common is: when you have something or it is available for you to have it,you may ignore it or take it for granted.When you lose it, you appreciate it, you realize what it meant for you.These encounters are an important part of the movie, of Elizabeth's journey.Important is also the relationship between Elizabeth and Jeremy (Jude Law), the restaurant owner back in NY, with whom she stays in touch through letters that she sends.Wong Kar Wai describes MBN as "a story of a woman who takes the long route instead of the short one to meet up with the man she loves."
Norah Jones in her first role is very good and the rest of the cast also delivers exceptional perfomances. The music is just stunning (Cat Power's "the Greatest" is a superb song). The cinematography of the movie is also stunning.
My Blueberry Nights is a movie that delivers meaning for thecharacters, that delivers meaning for the audience.Definetely worth watching.
My Blueberry Nights was the opening film for the 2007 Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2007.
