[MOPO] Wow, what an average year in film...

[Doug Taylor]

Forgive me as I bore you with my thoughts, but I’m so frustrated this year.  Firstly, originality seems to be all but void in Hollywood these days.  Secondly, many of the major releases haven’t played Hong Kong at all this year or are very late…HK was the last major city on earth to open Brokeback, it opened here last week, Capote and Walk the Line opened 3 days ago, Syriana and Good Night/Good Luck have yet to arrive.   OK, here I go…   Brokeback Mountain – I was very excited to see this film and, in fact, had booked seats a week in advance to see the film on opening night.  I was disappointed.  The first have of the film was “nothing”.  I don’t mean bad or boring, just nothing.  I didn’t see the spark growing between the two and the night in the tent just didn’t seem the culmination of budding relationship…it seems forced and “too early”.  The second half of the film was much more compelling and emotional.  I guess the male/male relationship is groundbreaking but I feel we’ve seen this sad love story many times before (although heterosexual), often done better.  Having said that, the sadness and emptiness from the film stayed with me as I drove home and as I awoke the next morning.  Perhaps this “lingering sadness” is what has everyone so attached to the film.  Although “Jack, I swear” may never rival “Louie, this looks like the start of a beautiful friendship”, it did stay with me.  I’ll give it a 7 out of 10.   Capote – I enjoyed this film more than any other this year.  Admittedly, the film wasn’t much more than a vehicle to show off the great talent of Philip Seymour Hoffman, wow did he carry it off.  From the time I saw him in Boogie Nights, to Magnolia, to Punch Drunk Love and beyond I have considered him (along with Johnny Depp) to be our greatest current contribution to the acting trade.  8   Crash – see Grand Canyon   Munich – A compelling film but it just never “gripped” me the way I might have expected.  I do have great respect for Stephen Spielberg’s “right down the middle” handling of the subject matter.  It could have been very easy for him to take sides on this one.  7   Good Night and Good Luck – Hope to see it soon (but hope it is NOT a sociology lesson).   North Country – see Norma Rae (but at least we shouldn’t expect any “you like me’s” or “you REALLY like me’s” for Charlize Theron.  6   King Kong – How unfortunate that this homage to a film that really deserved an homage was 45 minutes too long.  Just cut half of all the action scenes and the Central Park ice scene (sorry, I love the idea but it just didn’t work for me and seemed out of context) and we’ve got a winner.  Even as it was this film is far and away the wildest “armrest gripping” ride in years.  7.5   The Constant Gardner – If only I cared about any of the characters I might have been pulled in.  Unfortunately, Rachel Weisz character is the one I cared least about.  I just couldn’t mourn her loss.  6   Match Point – Hope to see it in HK some day…ugh.   Syriana – see above…ugh, ugh.   Cinderella Man – well, it really was excellent movie-making but it’s another case where I never really developed the empathy for the characters.  (Maybe the flying telephone’s in hotel rooms during the promotional campaigns impacted my ability to be drawn in.)  Regardless, it still makes a solid 7.   Batman Begins – I’ve never really been a fan of this franchise but must say I enjoyed the film and look forward to another installment if it follows the same, dark approach.  7   War of the Worlds – I wanted so badly for this to be great.  Unfortunately, it was as wooden as the acting.  If not for the generally strong action scenes, this would only make a 4-5 for me.  Too bad.  6   Memoirs of a Geisha – Oh my, what a high profile mistake.  It was simply terrible.  3   Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The film was technically fine but I expected a much less reserved performance from the great Johnny Depp.  6   Well, that’s it.  I’m glad I got that out.  Sorry if I’ve wasted your time.   Here’s to a much stronger 2006!   DBT   Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.