1/13/05--Today's movie reviews

Still taking advantage of my new Blockbuster deal, and watched more movies.
1) Troy--a big, huge, mammoth (is that enough adjectives?) of a film, detailing the story first told by Homer in Greek mythology.  Brad Pitt takes center stage as Achilles, and the guy obviously took some time to work out for the part--he's absolutely ripped to the bone.  This is a pretty good "sword & sandal" epic (that's what they used to call them in the 60's) with some solid swordfights, couple of romances to distract you between battles and what must have been a cast of thousands.  First and foremost, this is a great LOOKING film--which is not to say that its a "great movie"....just that it looks great.  ***1/2
2) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind--Charlie Kaufman is the writer of such movies as Adaptation & Being John Malkovich.  I mention this right from the old get go, because it helps you realize what you've stumbled upon when you watch this movie.  In other words, you're going to be getting something that will be most easily defined as "quirky".  Jim Carrey & Kate Winslet are Joel & Clementine, who's relationship (apparently) takes a wrong turn at some point.  Clementine then contacts an agency that (get this one) will wipe out all memory of the ill fated romance from your brain (and if you think I've got a smart ass remark that I'm waiting to spring on you---you are CORRECT sir!).  Its a cute story, and the two are an engaging couple, but.....the tale is told in flashbacks that pop in and out at weird times....which honestly makes the story hard to follow at points.  This is not a film for everyone because of how it goes from present time to the past, and its hard to follow....but if you stick with it....there's a nice payoff in the end.   ***3/4
3) Riding Giants--my old boss Dean Rusie has been a surfin nut from long ago.  So I've sat down and had conversations with someone who has gotten bitten by the surfing bug.  This film, by noted documentarian Stacy Peralta (Dogtown & Z-Boys), examines the culture of surfing from its very beginnings, focusing in specifically on three of the alltime greats, Greg Noll, the first of the "big wave" surfers in Hawaii, Jeff Clark, who discovered big waves just north of San Francisco and Laird Hamilton, rapidly becoming a household name through a series of American Express commercials and his skill as a surfer.  I should offer onevery important note.  You do not have to be a fan of surfing, a surfer, a beachgoer, a sunworshipper or even an owner of any form of Sunblock to appreciate this movie.  This is a great, great movie on its own legs.  I don't even care about surfing, and for a little over an hour and a half I was absolutely captivated by the history, legends & characters involved in surfing lore.  Some absolutely STUNNING film footage of surfers taking on waves of over 20 feet.  Tremendous movie.  ***** (that's FIVE big stars!)

Later,
jeff