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Reviews
Film Noir (2007)
A decent entertainment, disappointing noir attempt
Although the initial minutes of the movie very much put you in a film noir atmosphere, I felt the plot quickly shyed away from that and turned into a rather disappointing action movie. Basically the movie tries to do both noir and action at once, and although both genres aren't exactly mutually exclusive, there is obviously a limited specter of action that the noir atmosphere can tolerate without being ruined. I felt like that specter was definitely breached here.
The plot has a few interesting twists although a lot of short cuts are used to move it along, leaving a sour taste behind. However it also has predictable and very disappointing choices scattered throughout, which is harder to forgive.
As for the animation per se, I didn't put too much thought into it, it felt alright although it was far from stellar.
So basically this is an okay movie, I wouldn't run away nor towards it, if you happen to pass by it on a boring night and the right mood, go for it.
The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
Disappointed Anderson fans should revisit this one
As my summary indicates, I believe that anyone that is a fan of Wes Anderson's work should see this movie again if they didn't enjoy it the first time. I say this because it was exactly my case : I loved Rushmore and Life aquatic and was disappointed with this one. But then I saw it again, and again, and with each viewing I am more impressed with this.
The comedy here is even more subtle then in previous works so I think that was part of the issue. The overall themes didn't move me like Wes' other works until further viewings.
The character's enter a spiritual journey in the country of a million cultures. You too must come along for the ride and let Wes take you where he wishes.
I think this movie is so well balanced comedically that it might be Anderson's best effort so far, and it delivers dramatically and spiritually as well.
Smart People (2008)
A lacking plot with a solid execution
There is a lot of things done right in this movie. For one thing, I am of the opinion that the acting was more then adequate throughout. The direction was okay, although you won't see anything here worth of mention I don't think. That's not a bad thing per se, I'm not that much of a fan of flashy direction, and it probably served the picture right to keep a traditional stance from start to finish.
One point of contention however regards the plot which I consider flat, predictable and rather limited. There was room to do more with those characters and it wasn't present. At one point in the movie the director starts to move the plot along by short bursts followed by relatively untelling music montages of the characters "progress". This process is alright for the most part but it's abusive use here sort of made me realize just how much of a hole in the script there was to fill. And that's quickly what these montages become : fillers. They don't help the plot along, they don't help with rhythm, they just fill.
Still, there is a lot to like about the picture, and it is a solid enough effort, although definitely lacking in the plot department.
Adrift in Manhattan (2007)
A dry movie, lacking entertainment or cinematic value
Although I usually find interest in interwoven character story lines from films such as Crash or Magnolia or Babel, I couldn't get my interests up for this one.
Now I'm not here to complain that the movie lacked explosions, action or a whole lot of plot twists - it doesn't attempt to be that kind of movie. The few plot driven elements are rather scarce and are mostly there to drive forward the characters rather then the story. The story itself is never the planned focus anyhow. It is my appreciation that some attention to have a more involving plot would have done the work a service.
In terms of execution (acting, directing) the effort is certainly solid although never really stellar : you won't find anything really worthy of seeing the movie on it's own. The problem therefore is the very blueprint on which the execution rests, and as I pointed earlier, the material given is too dry to make the movie a memorable one.
There just isn't enough happening here to make this one worth the look. Nothing much was achieved, and the journey alone wasn't exactly thought provoking nor entertaining. It isn't awful mind you, just very forgettable.