Let's face it, I haven't been updating my movie review site for a long time (it's not easy to post reviews there even due to it being joomla). Since who knows when I'll do that and I do keep seeing films, I might as well post them where I feel comfortable posting and it's a heck of a lot easier to do.
Here is the rating system I'll be using:
Great (9.5-10)
Good (8-9.4)
Decent (6-7.9)
Okay(5-5.9)
Crummy (2-4.9)
Terrible (1-1.9)
The Golden CompassSo I saw this film on opening night here in Vegas at the 7:15pm showtime. My movie going experience might be a bit impacted by the fact some gentleman decided after the film started that he needed to sit right next to my seat when he could have sat in one of the numerous other empty seats elsewhere. I would have moved over to the next empty seat but didn't want to appear rude, so I instead crossed my arms the entire time and hoped the dour look on my face would encourage him to leave--sadly it did not.
So onto the film itself. The Golden Compass is the first in a series of three films based on the children's stories by Philip Pullman. The first book introduces us to the main character Lyra, a young girl of around 12, destined to play a part in deciding the fate of the universe. Since the first book takes place in an earth different than our own, computer graphics imagery is used in ample doses to bring that other world to life, and in doing so, the cinematography and graphics are simply stunning. The daemons (the souls of each human appearing outside their bodies rather than inside) are terrifically done by fluid changes in form from one animal to another for the children's daemons. The animals appear so real-looking that they don't seem animated at all.
Along these same lines, the costumes are gorgeous even if Nicole Kidman's character (Ms. Coulter) does change her outfits as frequently as Queen Amidala in Star Wars Episode I. I've never seen Nicole Kidman look as refined and beautiful as she did in this movie. Even her acting is spot on for the portrayal of the frigid, domineering and enigmatic Ms. Coulter.
Anyone who knows my opinion of this actress (typically, I despise her) and seeing me putting her as one of the best parts of the movie can likely suspect what is going to come next. The story itself misses huge chunks of important details from the book and scenes are taken out of order in the latter half. The plot and flow of the movie are lackluster. How the film manages to do this when almost all the acting is terrific and everyone fits their roles so well is confusing. The ending shows the worst travesty of all as the most important part of the book is omitted, and instead the film ends on some corny high note entirely out of sync with the real story. I walked out flabbergasted and unimpressed.
As such, this movie gets an okay. I wouldn't go to see it again and I wouldn't buy it on DVD. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who has read the book either, although small children and those easily entertained by shape shifting animals should enjoy it tremendously.
August RushI watched this when I was in LA visiting for a weekend (December 2, 2007) during the afternoon showing. I had gone to LA to attend my company's Christmas party on December 1, 2007.
August Rush stars Freddie Highmore as the main character of Evan, Keri Russell as his mother and Jonathan Rhys Meyers as his father. Growing up in an orphanage, Evan senses that he could find his parents, who he has never met, if he is allowed to play music. He can feel the music connecting us all. Trekking to New York because the full moon's melody tells him to go there, he has a series of adventures as he attempts to use his harmonic talents to locate his real parents.
The film is almost too endearing to bear and would be if it weren't for the sincerity of everyone involved. Freddie Highmore has played in enough roles steeped in sentimentality to be perfect for this one, and we spend the film watching his character's faith in the power of music help him to survive the turmoil of his life on the streets. Slight touches, such as having his symphony incorporate the wind chimes he hears earlier in the movie, are incorporated into the film as well.
Finally, the actors playing his parents do a fantastic job in their roles, although most of the film they don't appear together. What a treat it is to finally see Jonathan Rhys Meyers in a role where he isn't an ass, but instead he plays a genuinely good guy who has the bad luck to lose the woman of his dreams.
I enjoyed this film and wouldn't mind seeing it again on DVD when it gets released. It isn't likely worthwhile to catch in the theatre, though. I would rate it decent.
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