The Slacking before the Storm. aka how to waste time
Good films. Bad Films. Anything that isn’t mugging is good. Actually i was watching Mirrormask on the morning of my moots. Needed something to distract me. Anyways, here are my recent viewings:
Bubble (2006) 7/10
Steven Soderberg’s Bubble is the very embodiment of art-house, low budget filmmaking. The plot isn’t really consequential, and yes, there isn’t really any twist to speak of. Yet it is strangely absorbing and Soderberg deserves kudos for making the mundane so utterly and horrifically mesmerising. Even the most banal of scenes gains a certain kind of pathos. Yes, it get draggy at times, and Soderberg obviously overuses close-up shots, but the final product is an imperfect, yet nevertheless haunting look at a slice of American life. All done without professional actors and on a shoestring budget.
Matrix Reloaded (2003) 6/10
There is enough action and slick moves to satisfy most people. But it lacks the energy and verve of the original. The original Matrix was good because it posited a most intruiging question, and had the most brilliant premise of any sci-fi film since Kurbrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Its sequels are but a shadow of its former brilliance, overwrough, CGI enhanced spectacles that impress visually but lack soul. Matrix Reloaded is at least watchable not least since it has some decen redeeming moments and it looks, well cool. But it’s strictly inferior in virtually every other aspect than the original.
Matrix Revolutions (2003) 4/10
The first time i watched Revolutions was in early 2004, and it sucked because i forgot what had happened in Reloaded so i didn’t quite follow the plot. This time, i follow the plot since i watched Reloaded and Revolutions together, but Revolutions still sucks, albeit not as much as the first time. Simply put, all the flaws manifested in Reloaded is magnified in Revolutions- cheesy and painfully cliched dialogue, selfabsorbant philosophical musings in the first half, a technically proficient but utterly souless Battle of Zion that remains unimpressive. The single saving grace of this film lies in its climax, a rain-soaked and awesomely choreographed final battle between Agent Smith and Neo. It almost made it worthwhile to go through the first 80% of the film just to watch the rousing finale. Almost.
Ultimately, Revolutions was a big disappointment.
Mirrormask (2005) 3/10
It looks gorgeous. That much i will say. A visually impressive work that makes Tim Burton seem passe in comparison. Unfortunately, someone forgot that a movie actually needs a plot. The characters look quirky, but are forgettable. The plot is muddled and oftentimes subsumed by the locales and visuals. And the end product fails to engage. For a work of fantasy, its amazing how unrelentingly dull this film is.
