Walk the Line

Walk the Line

Fox

November 18, 2005

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

The glimpses of music were nice, but I didn't care about the story or its execution, not unlike the similarly highly praised Ray (which I gave a C-).  Director James Mangold co-adapted a couple of Johnny Cash's autobiographies, between Kate & Leopold and Logan.

The Village

The Village

Touchstone etc.

July 30, 2004

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

I didn't dislike this as much as I expected, mostly because in the first quarter hour it was verging towards self-parody* that resembled the deliberate comedy Love at Stake (1988).  M. Night Shyamalan wrote and directed of course.

*Including another reminder that I think William Hurt is a terrible actor.

Two Lovers

Two Lovers

2929 Productions

October 16, 2008

Romance

DVD
D+

Not very romantic, but it's almost always nice to see Brooklyn on film.  James Gray directed and co-wrote, before The Immigrant and The Lost City of Z.

SpaceCamp

SpaceCamp

20th Century Fox

June 6, 1986

Sci-Fi

DVD
D+

Formulaic, but I bumped it up a notch for the probably unintentional examination of internalized misogyny.  Harry Winer directed.

The Sisters Brothers

The Sisters Brothers

Why Not Productions among many others

October 19, 2018

Western

DVD
C-

I didn't care about the story, based on Patrick DeWitt's novel and co-adapted by director Jacques Audiard, but I was impressed by the cinematography.

Reservation Road

Reservation Road

Focus Features

October 19, 2007

Drama

DVD
D

Laughably heavy-handed.  John Burnham Schwartz helped adapt his own novel, while Terry George directed, three years after Hotel Rwanda.

Quills

Quills

Fox Searchlight etc.

December 15, 2000

Historical Drama

DVD
F+

Impressively unpleasant, even given the subject matter.  Philip Kaufman directed.

Ladder 49

Ladder 49

Buena Vista (Disney)

October 1, 2004

Action, Dramedy

DVD
D+

Yet another movie about firefighters, bumped up a notch for the good-natured "fake Confession" scene.  Jay Russell directed.

The Immigrant

The Immigrant

Weinstein Company

May 24, 2013

Historical Drama

DVD
D

Downbeat.  James Gray directed and co-wrote.

I'm Still Here

I'm Still Here

Magnolia Pictures

September 10, 2010

Mockumentary

DVD
D

Obnoxious.  Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck play themselves and co-wrote, while Affleck directed.

Her

Her

Warner Bros.

January 10, 2014

Sci-Fi, Romance

DVD
C-

The world-building isn't bad, but this isn't a world, or a protagonist, I want to spend much time with.  Spike Jonze wrote and directed.