Part 2 Of Jan's Top 10 Movies Of 2005
Jul 28 '06
The Bottom Line A few documentaries, a couple non-English movies, thrillers. Needed a Part 2 for all of them! Hope you've enjoyed my list.
Since yesterday when I posted the first half of this list, I watched Shane Black's Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, but it really didn't engage me that much and I'm not sure why. I had to watch it on my small monitor and with English subtitles since the fan was so loud I couldn't hear it. Anyway, it seemed convoluted and too long.
Besides including links to my own full reviews or assenting reviews of others, I include links to dissenting reviews. Hope that's even more helpful. I know not all of these are brilliant!
In no particular order:
Murderball: Henry Alex Rubin, director; starring Mark Zupan, Keith Cavill. This unique documentary introduces us to feisty quadriplegics who play an international, competitive sport better known as murder ball and how the game has given them an outlet for their energy and, sometimes, egos. A former player turned rival coach is also interviewed. I really was engaged with their stories and dangerous-looking games.
My full review: http://www0.epinions.com/content_212839796356
Why We Fight: Eugene Jarecki, director; starring John S.D. Eisenhower, John McCain. This anti-war documentary gets personal with many people who have been affected by the war in Iraq, one being recruited, a few civilians in Iraq, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s descendants. The bonus features are generous, making it even more fascinating.
thewasp's slightly dissenting review: http://www0.epinions.com/content_224659345028#ow
Good Night and Good Luck: George Clooney, director; starring David Strathairn, Clooney, Robert Downey, Jr. This black-n-white takes us to the McCarthy era in the 1950s when TV reporter Edwin Murrow refuses to back down from speaking out against the vindictive senator. It makes you wish there were still responsible reporters like Murrow who want to stand for something.
catu11us' much dissenting review: http://www0.epinions.com/content_223382507140
The Interpreter: Sidney Pollack, director; starring Sean Penn, Nicole Kidman. We go into the real United Nations for this thriller about an interpreter who works there and overhears an assassination plot. She is checked out and put under surveillance, which is fortunate when her life is threatened. No love story mars this taut thriller, although romance is considered.
Stephen_Murray's assenting review: http://www0.epinions.com/content_229521526404
Apres Vous: Pierre Salvadori, director; starring Daniel Auteil, Jose Garcia. Hilarious story of a lovelorn man who is saved from suicide by a restaurant owner who needs a wine steward. The bewildered employee follows him like a shadow. The owner falls for the girl who dumped his new friend, yet tries to bring the two back together. Some people expected more from it, but I loved it.
heidifromoz's slightly dissenting review: http://www0.epinions.com/content_181007257220#ow
Red Eye: Wes Craven, director; starring Rachel McAdams, Cillian Murphy. Here’s another thriller, this time taking place on a plane. A killer forces a woman to enable him to bomb a hotel room where a politician with his family and bodyguards would be moved to on her orders. She hesitates, uses delaying tactics, cries in the bathroom, fights him, stabs him and runs for her life while I cheered her on. Great tension.
bilavideo's slightly dissenting review: http://www0.epinions.com/content_195083800196
Hotel Rwanda: Terry George, director; starring Don Cheadle, Sophie Okoneda. Now we travel to Africa where tension is again very high as civil war breaks out and a hotel owner rescues over a thousand people with no where to go. The Americans abandon them. This film left horrible images in my mind, yet it was so moving to watch.
My full review: http://www0.epinions.com/content_185251761796
Kings and Queen: Arnaud Desplechin, director; starring Emmanuelle Devos, Mathieu Amalric. Part French comedy, part sensitive drama. It follows a divorced man who wants to be there for his young son, but somehow gets put in a psychiatric hospital and his lawyer is a drug addict who helps himself more than his client. Amusing insight into psychiatric treatment. A wacky ride with good rewards.
My full review: http://www0.epinions.com/content_214094876292
Sahara: Breck Eisner, director; starring Matthew McConaughey, Penelope Cruz. I loved Clive Cussler’s romping novel and was not disappointed when it was brought to the screen. There’s something causing devastation in the waters off Africa and the World Health Organization as well as Dirk Pitt and Al Giordano try to solve the mystery before the oceans are contaminated. Silly, wisecrackin' fun with romance, of course!
My full review: http://www0.epinions.com/content_195243708036
The Future of Food: Deborah Koons Garcia, director/writer. This excellent documentary was released in theaters at the very end of 2004, hope you don't mind. Garcia investigates the controversy of genetically-modified foods and offers many alternatives that will support sustainable agriculture. Bonus features expand on the film to answer questions and inspire you.
My full review: http://www0.epinions.com/content_244194578052
Part 1 of this list: http://www0.epinions.com/content_4799897732
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
jankp
|
 in Movies, Books |
 - Top 100 |
|
Member: Jan Peregrine
Location: Lincoln, NE
Reviews written: 1566
Trusted by: 499 members
About Me:
Peregrine 10 write-off in progress: http://www.epinions.com/content_5367242884
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.