Tulip Fever

Tulip Fever

Worldview Entertainment etc.

1 September 2017

Historical Drama, Romance

DVD
B-

Deborah Moggach's adaptation, with Tom Stoppard, of her own novel is implausible but held my attention throughout.  Justin Chadwick directed, and I rejected two of his other movies, but I did give The First Grader a B- as well.

Django Unchained

Django Unchained
Columbia
December 25, 2012
Western
DVD
D

This is my first Quentin Tarantino movie, but I was less surprised by the violence than by the assumption that the viewers were morons who, one, needed things spelled out, and two, don't know what a German accent sounds like.  The music is of course the best thing about the movie.

Carnage

Carnage
Sony Pictures Classics
1 September 2011
Dramedy
DVD
D+

Two unlikable couples talk and talk in New York City.  Roman Polanski directed and co-wrote.  This is the fourth Jodie Foster movie I've reviewed on this blog, although Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore is the only one I actually liked.

Big Eyes

Big Eyes
Tim Burton Productions
December 25, 2014
Historical Drama
DVD
B

Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski co-wrote and Tim Burton directed this biopic about the artist behind the kitschy but haunting Keane paintings, Margaret Keane, although her husband Walter insisted on taking credit.  I saw this movie at the time and was especially impressed with Adams's portrayal of Margaret, although this time I also "liked" Waltz as the charming but controlling Walter.  There are times that the movie feels like a horror movie, although Walter is not physically abusive, more psychologically.  Although I wasn't alive during most of the period that this film covers (roughly '58 to '68) the period details felt accurate from what I've seen in movies from that era.  I don't have any particular criticism of the movie, any explanation for why it's not higher than a B, other than it's a bit slow-moving at times, and a bit over the top at others.