CurrentlyPlaying.com - Reviews and More

Source Code - A review by Camilo Arenivar

2011-04-04T00:13:00.001-07:00

Source Code is a science fiction action thriller that takes us into the world of "time-reassignment" and a save the big city from mass destruction by finding out who blew up the train you were on plot. This is done in 8 minute intervals that make this a GroundHog Day straight out of the twilight zone.

The plot at times, although very interesting, may seem a little far-fetched. It's an action packed sci-fi thriller and these types of films require some suspension of belief. After all, they at least do a decent job at making it sound so plausible.

The movie overall is excellent, so long you don't think too hard about it. Jake Gyllenhaal is great in the role of Captain Colter Stevens, who is time-assigned to save the day. The action and suspense created by the premise of the movie works perfectly. You are highly entertained, making it for a great movie going thrill ride of an experience. Definitely one of the best movies of this genre to come out this year so far. The suspense and story keeps you going through the entire 94 minute movie. The ending, however, is one of those ones you will blatantly hate, or you will enjoy, but not quite be able to explain it. Despite this flaw, it is not enough to detract from the overall enjoyment of this movie. Go see it!

Rating: 89

Battle Los Angeles - a review by Camilo Arenivar

2011-03-18T08:05:00.001-07:00

This is a different kind of alien invasion movie. It is more like "Blackhawk Down" with aliens. It is, first and foremost a classic American military war movie - complete with hoo rah Marines and heavy on the camaraderie that makes up the real life service that has been captured in war movie after war movie. The twist is, the war is not Afghanistan, Iraq, Italy, Nazi Germany or Somalia - it's Los Angeles. Santa Monica, Venice and the West Side to be exact.

This is another movie that maybe leads you to believe is more sci fi alien fantasy epic than war movie. There are great lengths taken to build the background story with some of the characters that will later be used to draw at the heartstrings. There is limited success with this.

There is a lot of fighting, explosions, and all out battle. A lot of ground battle between alien forces and U.S. troops. I felt the movie could have been a little shorter. Fort the most part, the movie works as an alien based war battle film. As a sci-fi scary alien invasion movie, not as much. Dialogue and acting was not so great, special effects were. Way better than the last urban alien invasion movie, 2009's "Skyline", which was awful, but not quite as good as 2008's "Cloverfield". Let's hope Steven Spielberg's "Super 8" delivers this Summer.

Rating: 80

Trailer/Commercial:

The Adjustment Bureau - A review by Camilo Arenivar

2011-03-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

This movie is not the ones you see the commercials for - the fast paced chases, the crashes, the running through doors into other places. Well, all those things DO take place in the movie, but the whole movie is not like that, despite the totality of the trailers and commercials appearing that it is. That does not, however, make this a disappointing film. The first very good movie of 2011, as far as I am concerned, The Adjustment Bureau blends pure unadulterated romance with a sci fi background, and philosophical themes for good measure.

The Adjustment Bureau excels as a romance where the protagonists are up against forces beyond their control. Perhaps even beyond this World. The movie has a strange, slightly supernatural feel, yet there is nothing over the top happening through most of it. The action takes up maybe 15 minutes total, this movie is more about the story.

Rep. David Norris (Matt Damon) is a boy wonder politician, working his way up the New York state political stage and one very important day, he meets this woman in the men's room. Later, he accidentally stumbles on to these strange men moving people around and he is told "You’ve seen behind the curtain that you weren’t suppose to know existed". And thus begins the stranger part of this movie. Who are these people? What are they doing? Why won't they let him do what he wants? How come he keeps ...well I don't like to give away the story. This movie is less of a thriller and more of a slightly cosmic love story, more like "City of Angels" than "The Bourne Identity".

David Norris: Are you angels?
Harry Mitchell (of The Adjustment Bureau): We’re more like case officers.

The philosophical new agey slightly preachy side of this movie may turn some off - but I loved it.

Rating: 88

Trailer/Commercial:

My Oscar 2011 Predictions

2011-02-25T08:14:00.000-08:00

I am not going to take a lot of time to explain things here - I did not see very many of the Best Picture nominees this year, I am still hoping to see "The King's Speech" before Sunday. But what I did see was "The Social Network", "Black Swan" (overrated in my opinion), "Inception", and "The Figther" (my personal favorite of the lot). So my predictions are not based on my opinions, but the trends and telltale signs that have come out in the weeks leading to the Oscars. And for a couple, just gut instinct or pure guessing!

Best Visual Effects: Inception
Best Original Score: The Social Network

Best Original Song: "If I Rise" - Dido, 127 Hours
Best Documentary Feature: "Restrepo" but it would be a cool upset if "Exit Through The Gift Shop" won

Best Costume Design: Alice in Wonderland
Best Film Editing: The Black Swan
Best Cinematography: Inception
Best Art Direction: Inception
Best Animated Film: Toy Story 3 (duh)

"The BIG 8"

Best Adapted Screenplay: The Social Network
Best Original Screenplay: Inception
Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, The Fighter
Best Actress: Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Best Actor: Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Best Director: The King's Speech
Best Picture: The King's Speech

Let's see how I do!

Devil - A review by Camilo Arenivar

2010-09-19T02:43:00.000-07:00

This movie starts off with a man telling us about a story his mother used to tell him about when the devil would come in human form to torture and then claim souls. The narration, by the character played by Jacob Vargas in the film, comes in and out of the short but direct movie.

“Devil” is part of what is called “The Night Chronicles”, and it’s writer (story not screenplay) is none other than M. Night Shymalayan, the writer/director who rose to large success with his classic “The Sixth Sense” but seems to not have been able to match that. Well, it may be a saving grace of the film that it is directed by John Erick Dowdle, who directed 2008’s “Quarantine”.

I liked Devil very much. It worked decently as a “scary movie”, but in classic Shymalayan fashion, there were also interweaved storylines and even a little bit of a “moral to the story”. It was great to see that talented story telling mixed in with some typical horror scares. I feel that the movie succeeded at delivering this. Of course, maybe I liked it because it’s themes of forgiveness and accountability in a mixture of religion and pop psychology are things that appeal to me personally.

I was entertained, and the movie worked well as both a scary movie and a well connected story. Of course, it’s another one of those movies where belief must be suspended, but then again, we’re talking a horror film here, what are you really expecting?

I am looking forward to the next story in "The Night Chronicles".

Rating: 85

Machete - a brief review by Camilo Arenivar

2010-09-19T02:41:00.000-07:00

Alright, this movie is highly entertaining. It is not to be taken very seriously, it is purely for fun. Although there is an underlying political message, it is primarily mindless gore, violence, fun, tits, and ass. If you are a straight male or a Lesbian, the roles of Michelle Rodriguez and Jessica Alba will make this movie worth it strictly on a flesh level.

This movie is over the top, cheesy, and contains a lot of silly dialogue, but a few good lines too. Yes, there is a story, but it is largely typical. The movie almost has the feel of a satire, almost the animated type of violent cartoon you’d expect to see on Adult Swim.

Overall, it is a fun time at the movies. Is it a deep and meaningful movie or anything like that? Is it a film making masterpiece? Totally not. Is it fun (and funny)? Certainly!

Rating: 80

The Crazies - a review by Camilo Arenivar

2010-02-24T02:01:00.000-08:00

The Crazies is a remake of a 1973 George Romero film of the same title. Unless you’re a vintage horror film buff, I am guessing you didn’t know that. I sure didn’t. So I had the opportunity to enjoy this film with no knowledge of the original.

So how is it? Surprisingly good. I don’t know what I expected, but not a movie that was going to make me jump out of my seat as often as it did! It did such a good job of making me jump in my seat, I started to feel like they were taking advantage of me! So one might think it leans towards slightly extra contrived scares.

But that doesn’t ruin it. I really recommend seeing this movie without learning too much about it in advance. Here is what I will tell you – it involved people who suddenly become crazed and extremely violent, and what and why the government steps in to contain it. This is one of those movies where the lead characters are constantly hiding from people, trying to avoid being killed or captured and there is a constant edge of your seat thriller aspect to it.

Story has loose ends, certain things seem implausible, and dialogue typically cheesy. However, it is not enough to interfere with your enjoyment of the movie. At least not mine. It’s a horror thriller, not a 2010 Oscar Best Picture nominee. It is plenty of fun, and as far as scary movies go, probably one of the better ones to come out over the last year or two. It’s violent and edgy, so be prepared for that.

Rating: 82

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The Hurt Locker, a review by Camilo Arenivar

2010-02-24T01:59:00.001-08:00

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I popped this one in the DVD player. Immediately, I was enthralled. The movie takes us on a tour to Iraq, and follows a United States Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team during the Iraq War. The movie follows the team as they go around defusing bombs. It’s as tension filled as it sounds. There is also great insight to the emotional impact all of this has on the men and the different ways they deal with it.

Outstanding in this film is Jeremy Renner as Sgt. JT Sanborn, the almost crazy lead bomb defuser who consistently throws caution to the wind and seems to have no worries. The movie shows us all sides of him, and in this, we come to see the human element of the Iraq war not as easily seen on the news. Back when it was on the news.

Kathryn Bigelow surpasses the other nominees for Best Picture of 2009 with her thoughtful and realistic direction of a thriller that touches you in a way no other recent war movie has.

Rating: 91.5

Up In The Air - a review by Camilo Arenivar

2010-01-11T08:03:00.000-08:00

“Up In the Air” is funny, smart, emotionally connecting, well acted, and most certainly timely. The main character, Ryan Bingham is played by George Clooney; he’s a guy who makes his living working for a company contracted by businesses to lay people off. He spends 322 days on the road, which he loves. The general subject matter as far as the laying off of workers is timely, to say the least. And the film’s directors open and close the film with commentaries from real life laid off workers.

The movie is not just about that though. It is about commitment, happiness, mid-life crisis; fear of intimacy, and to a lesser extent, the effect technology has on interpersonal communication. Oh and of course, travelling including airports and hotels.
The characters are interesting and the story well told, and doesn’t give you the predictable ending that is typical in most movies.

Is it Oscar worthy? It shall be nominated, that’s for sure. I don’t feel Clooney did anything special here, but the story is well done so I see an Adapted Screenplay (from Walter Kim’s 2001 book of the same name) nomination and a best supporting actress nomination for Anna Kendrick, who is phenomenal as the young 23 year old techie who threatens to disrupt Bingham’s 322 life “up in the air”.

I am not going to go into any more detail about the movie as I believe that the less you know the better off you are. I will say that the movie is dialogue and theme heavy, and if you are more interested in monsters than messages, action than acting, this is definitely not the movie for you. This is an adult comedy drama. If you are under 30, you probably have a 20% chance of liking this move, if you’re over 30, a good 35-40% chance of liking it and if you’re over 40, you stand a good 50% chance of liking it. It’s just one of those kinds of movies.

Rating: 91

Avatar, a brief review by Camilo Arenivar

2010-01-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

Avatar – everyone says what a great movie it is. I went into it with a little skepticism, because I hate the hype of a movie to make me be disappointed in it when I see it. Everyone said I had to see it in 3D, some even insisted on IMAX (which I passed on).

I was pleasantly surprised to find that I did like the movie. I did not leave with a feeling of greatness or awe, but I did leave feeling a little emotionally satisfied with the experience, and as though I had just seen some of the most awesome things possible. I was also generally satisfied with how the good vs. evil fight played out. So on those levels, it was good.

Was there anything hugely original here as far as story goes? Any superior acting? Any themes that really just hit home? Not really. But it was a wonderful experience on a visual and emotional level for me. To enable enjoyment of this movie, I think people who are generally skeptical or cynical need to leave that at the door and let the story and visuals take you. That said, it’s still not for everyone, but most people will find this a very enjoyable way to spend 2.75 hours.

Rating: 89

Sherlock Holmes, a brief review by Camilo Arenivar

2010-01-10T08:02:00.000-08:00

Sherlock Holmes is a movie that could have easily been a half hour shorter, and nicer if the main characters did not use such thick turn of the Century British accents. This is particularly troublesome because a good part of the first half hour of this movie is mostly dialogue, which to the untrained ear, is hard to follow. Fortunately, you are able to understand just enough to be able to follow the movie.

Robert Downey Jr. is back in another fine role, this time as the famous London sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, who he plays quite well. The movie is eventually filled with an interesting story that keeps you entertained. There is a sufficient tension and the story picks up in the later half of the film. The remainder movie is a near perfect blend of the story with action and adventure to definitely keep your eyes glued to the screen.

It’s just getting past that first half hour that could be a challenge. Either way, it’s a largely entertaining film but if you have your doubts you might want to wait for DVD.

Rating: 86

Halloween II (2009) - A review by Camilo Arenivar

2009-08-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

OK I really have mixed feelings about this movie. Rob Zombie's first Halloween remake at least clung close to the original and expanded the story, and added some modern touches to it. It was a job well done for the fans of the John Carpenter Halloween. If only the same thing could be said of the sequel.

Rob Zombie's Halloween II takes place nearly a year AFTER the night of the slayings in the first movie. That alone is a huge difference from the original Halloween II. It becomes very clear that this movie is indeed a direct sequel to his version of Halloween, and an opportunity for a lot more multiple slashings and killings. And a new Halloween movie of it's own. But that is what Zombie has said he was making, more of his spin on Halloween IV as a sequel to his first Halloween. So anyone seeing this needs to come to terms with that.

What Zombie does with the story in this second Halloween does not work. The alternate reality/ghosts of the mother (and little Michael?) all seem odd. Very gothic and weird, but cheesy and lame at the same time. That angle of the story does not work. Laurie Strode being made into a tortured goth type teenager clearly is a connection to the Zombie horror fans.
Rob Zombie's “Halloween II” is a Rob Zombie slasher film loosely based around characters and events created in John Carpenter's Halloween movies. As a slasher/horror film, this movie does work. I jumped at least twice and almost screamed another time. At the same time, it's probably a movie Rob Zombie could have made without Michael Meyers. Maybe he should have.

Did I like this movie? As a horror slasher film yes. As a movie worthy of carrying the Halloween name? No. Most fans of the original will not be amused, although younger horror film fans will like this for sure. Although Zombie is breaking no new ground with this film, if you like slasher films, you will like this movie.

Rating: 78

District 9 - A brief review by Camilo Arenivar

2009-08-15T12:09:00.000-07:00

Ok it's getting a lot of good reviews but that does not mean everyone is going to like it. Don't go with high expectations. The reality is that it is a low budget film about aliens who are living in a Johannesberg, South Africa exiled neighborhood, and an interesting twist of events take place that eventually turn this into more of an action thriller with the sci-fi backdrop of there having been aliens here for 20 years. Oh yeah and there are lots of exploding heads.

The movie started off a little too slowly for me, and I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about it. A little over an hour into the film, I was hooked. And the last 30 minutes are great. And when it was finally over, I completely appreciated the story of this film, the tragic story of the lead character, and the whole situation. Ultimately, I felt for the characters, and I left feeling that I had seen what could best be described as a subtly very good film. Bordering on subtle greatness. It combines sci fi with the human element (or lack of humanity) resulting in an emotional connection that most sci fi/action/thriller films do not have the ability to create.

It's definitely different, and that's what you have to keep in mind.

Rating: 88

Knowing - a brief review by Camilo Arenivar

2009-03-22T01:51:00.000-07:00

3 great disaster sequences with great graphic special effects that make it seem very real.

Scary weird guys. Prophetic numbers. Whispering voices.

Nicolas Cage.

Ok that usually ends it there, and some may argue that's the case with this movie. If you agree, I don't think you'll blame it on Nicolas Cage this time.

Overall, "Knowing" is an enjoyable sci fi/thriller/disaster film if you like that kind of a movie. The people disappointed with the lack of special effects in "The Day The Earth Stood Still"will not be disappointed.

I liked this movie, despite the lingering questions that even the films questionable plot twist (and it's a twist that audiences usally groan and scoff at) failed to answer. And well, it sort of broke the formula as far as movies go(although movies like The Watchemen seem to be breaking that formula, which might be a trend but I doubt it with the summer feel good movies about to hit us this May). But for this movie's uniqueness, I also give it points.

I don't think everyone will like this, but I thought the suspense and special effects delivered just enough to make up for what it lacked in story cohesiveness.

Rating: 81

The Day The Earth Stood Still - Review by Camilo Arenivar

2009-02-11T00:07:00.000-08:00

This remake/re-telling of the 1950s classic was bombarded with bad reviews from both critics, who disliked it for various reasons, and from people who went to see it. The audience backlash was largely due to trailers and previews that made it look like Independence Day or something with a lot more action. When they got to the theater and had to follow a story and a plot that involved little special effects beyond what was shown in the trailer, they were angry and disappointed.

I went to see this movie a couple of weeks after it had been released, and all the bad reviews were known. So maybe my low expectations helped with my enjoyment of the movie.

It had elements of a psychological thriller; the action was mostly relayed to chase sequences and the stress of trying to avert a disaster. Keanu Reeves makes a perfect expressionless alien, really was it a stretch for him?

And just as the original was preachy with its anti war message, this one takes on another popular potential catastrophe.

Overall this movie is not bad when you think of the context of the original, just don’t expect it to be a fast paced sci fi action film because it is none of that. Definitely worth the DVD rental if you are a sci fi buff or Keanu Reeves fan, otherwise, skip it.

Rating: 77

MILK - Review by Camilo Arenivar

2009-02-11T00:02:00.000-08:00

Milk is a combination of a biography and history story. It tells the story of a young NYC gay man who moves to San Francisco in the 1970s’ and becomes a big part of turning it into the gay capital of the U.S. that it is.

Love, sex, and mostly politics are huge themes throughout this film, all based largely on true life events that occurred, culminating in the shocking assassinations of both San Francisco’s Mayor, George Moscone, and the man the film follows, Harvey Milk who becomes the first openly gay elected official in the U.S.

The movie is very well done, Sean Penn is phenomenal in recreating the spirit and mannerisms of Harvey Milk. I believe he’ll take the Oscar for this role.

The impact of this film will definitely relate to it’s meaningfulness to your life. So depending on where your politics and sexual orientation lie, your enjoyment will be tied. Objectively speaking, it creates much of the spirit of Hope that President Obama created through his historical campaign for President, and hope is something that all walks of life should be able to feel. One of the better films of 2008.

Rating: 90

CurrentlyPlaying.com Coming Back?

2008-09-29T15:44:00.000-07:00

Maybe just a little. Stay tuned!

-Camilo Arenivar

The Happening - Review by Camilo Arenivar

2008-06-23T17:43:00.000-07:00

Wow. We waited how long for a new M. Night Shyamalan movie and this is what we get???

Now, unlike most people and film critics, I have been a fan of all of his movies that I have seen. I really enjoyed SIGNS and especially LADY In The Water, films so many others pooh-poohed. I actually LOVED Signs. I loved the way he connects things, how his stories are masterpieces of connections. Well, all of that is gone with his apocalyptic near-thriller, The Happening.

I can't even call it a thriller.

I mean, it's Sci Fi original movie at best. Not A&E though. I mean, bad Sci-Fi original movie with BAD dialogue.

What about the ending? Isn't there a cool ending where everything is tied together and even though it's far-fetched, it's cool how he did it?

Um, no. It's quite anti-climatic. It isn't even a real ending.

I don't know. I love the movies this guy makes. But this time...crash, thud, plop.
It's just...LAME. It has a very cool beginning, but that is really it. It creates a great tension, but he loses it.

I don't know. I just, thought it could have been WAY better. Really, his most weak work ever.
I'd give it a C-. And it gets higher than a D only because of the cool beginning, which really wasn't THAT cool.

Hopefully, the next one will be better.

Rating: 70

On the Downlow (DVD review)

2007-05-12T01:06:00.000-07:00

This movie I was interested in seeing because the music of the gay rapper Deadlee is in it and well, the subject is kind of interesting. A latino gang story with quite a twist. Two male gangbangers fall in love and their biggest problem isn't that they're gay but that they're from opposing gangs.

Alot of corny dialogue, not so great acting. It has a strong indie feel, and I also commend the Director for tackling this unique subject. It does drag. Definitely not for the Attention Deficit generation!

Deja Vu (DVD)

2007-05-12T00:34:00.000-07:00

Alright...this movie got alot of bad reviews and I don't necessarily think it deserved them. I mean, it's a Denzel Washington action movie. And no, it's not a repeat of all his other ones. It actually has a cool weird story. I mean, if you don't hold movies too accountable for beleivability, it should work for you. I thougth the story was cool and interesting. Worth a rental if you like action/suspese kind of movies. Skip if you are the overanalytical type or skeptical.

January Drought

2006-01-24T09:27:00.000-08:00

There are no current movies out right now that interest me, and frightening to say, the only one that in the least bit interests me coming out this weekend is Big Momma's House 2. Really, is this as good as it gets? Looks like I should spend my time catching up on Good Night and Good Luck, Capote, and Walk the Line, sure to be nominated Oscar films I have not seen yet. Which should I see first? Any takers?

Oh yeah. I am seeing King Kong on Friday at my work! That should be cool...

Does anyone actually read this? Click on comments below and let me know if you do!

Last Holiday

2006-01-17T07:51:00.000-08:00

by Camilo Arenivar

Well, this is the kind of movie one would expect released from Disney. Sugary sweet, sappy and mostly non-offensive to anyone, it is the feel good movie of the year for anyone that leaves their brain at the door. That being said, I want to make it clear that I did like Last Holiday, however that doesn’t prevent me from noticing it’s most obvious shortcomings.

Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) is the kind of New Orleans woman that works in a department store and watches her weight diligently, never straying from her diet of Lean Cuisines. She has dreams of marrying a hot co-worker (LL Cool J), traveling to a beautiful resort in Europe, and meeting great chefs. She also sings gospel on her church choir. Georgia Byrd is very content with her life until she finds out that she only has 3-4 weeks to live.

The movie is best at conveying how a person thinks of all the things that others and they have made important, and then looks at them with the eyes of a person about to lose their life. It is also liberating to see her let go and do things she wants, say things she wants. She is empowered by the information of her soon demise. She ends up at the beautiful resort in the European mountains she always wanted to go to and she meets a bunch of rich people from the states. The movie makes a statement on class wars in a sense, showing the wealthy as materialistic egomaniacs.

Last Holiday fails as a morality play, but works in making us think about what REALLY is important to us. The story is extremely predictable, and totally unrealistic. However, it is pleasurable if you can stomach the implausibility of much of the story. This is the kind of movie my mom would like. There is minimal cussing, everyone acts the way you think they would, and the story ends up…well anyway. It is just a nice little happy family film that will bring a smile, if not a smirk to your face. This is like an old-school Disney film with obvious antagonists and protagonists and everything happening in a very predictable way. Despite this, you really wouldn’t want it any other way. A good movie for those who like this kind of stuff, but a must miss for more astute moviegoers!

Rating: 75

Hostel

2006-01-13T01:57:00.000-08:00

by Camilo Arenivar

Sometimes, a film will push the envelope to see just how far it can go with grossing people out. Will shock value translate to dollars? Hostel is a movie that shows us the depths of human depravity quite vividly; however as a film it falls short of being worth the price of a full price ticket for several reasons.

Reason #1: It takes too long to get interesting. Initially, it is like Porkys or American Pie in Europe. College buddies clubbing, partying, and sexing in Amsterdam. Nothing interesting there.

Reason #2: You don’t really care about the characters; they are like your basic dumb shithead college age idiots who deserve to be killed by the monster.

Reason #3: The ending 10-15 minutes is so totally contrived and unbelievable that it is irritating. It loses some of the intensity of the movie. This would have been a better movie with maybe a different kind of ending instead of the one given in this one.

If you like tits and nudity and can stomach a few squeamish gory torture moments, this movie is right up your alley.

What the movie does effectively: It shows just how evil, depraved, and greedy some people can be.

I wish there was something I could say about Jay Hernandez’ performance but there isn’t. It’s a very typical protagonist in a horror film role. He does it well but it’s nothing special.

I highly recommend waiting for DVD for this one. Maybe even Pay per View.

Rating: 70

Transamerica

2006-01-13T01:33:00.000-08:00

by Camilo Arenivar

What do you get when you mix an L.A. pre-op transsexual and the NYC hustler son he/she never knew he had? Then throw them on a cross country road trip with a few twists and you have an interesting and entertaining film.

The movie stars Felicity Huffman, as the pre-op tranny undergoing tons of psychotherapy to make sure she is ready for the permanent transformation. A week before her scheduled surgery, she gets a call from NYC Juvenile Hall saying her supposed son was in jail there. When she tells her therapist about this, the therapist makes her deal with it or she won’t authorize the surgery. That’s when things get funny.

I have mixed feelings about Huffman’s performance. I thought she looked really different, and that transformation was great. Maybe I am just being picky but I don’t think she sounded like a pre-op tranny as much as she sounded like a woman trying to sound like a man. It’s a good performance nonetheless..

The movie has weaknesses and there are times you are frustrated with the characters but overall it works as an interesting and entertaining story. Not a movie of the year, but if anything about this storyline or the people in it interest you, check it out.

Rating: 85

Brokeback Mountain

2006-01-11T11:43:00.000-08:00

by Camilo Arenivar

OK, a lot has been said about this film. The critics are all over it. The Religous Right is horrified by it. As far as I am concerned, it is much ado about nothing.

It's a beautifully filmed movie, that much is true. The story is definitely eyebrow raising.

But um, it IS a little slow. Maybe because it's a "love story" but I almost dozed off more than once.

And I am sorry but it is definitely OVER rated.

Heath Ledger portrays the role of a tortured man wrestling with his demons excellently. Don't get me wrong, he definitely deserves his nomination and maybe even the statue for his performance.

The story, however was a little...weak.

And here's the part I mean.

Spoilers below:

One minute they're drinking fellow sheep herders and the next they are screwing in a tent. I mean come on, its like wow, he puts his arm around him and then boom he screws him and now they are into each other. I just think that part could have been handled not so...callously.
There was nothing convincing to me about their relationship except that they kept seeing each other. I don't know. I did not feel that the movie effectively conveyed what their connection was or how deep their love was. Many people see it. I don't.

I thought the visuals (scenery/cinematography) were great. I did LIKE the movie, I just didn't feel very moved by it. I have been more moved by other love stories (Moulin Rouge and The Fisher King come to mind) than by these two cowboys. As far as I was oncerned, it was lacking passion and intensity.

A very well done movie but not the epic or great film some are making out to be.

Rating: 82