Rob Marshall's Travelling Circus of Godesses

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in , | Posted on 11:01 PM

Nine (2009) Grade: B+

Jack says: B
Everyone film critic and film lover watches Nine with contrasting eye to 2003's Chicago, you did it at least once. I will start off by saying that this doesn't exactly match Chicago's luster, magic and pure sizzle. The view didn't seem quite as focused. I will also say that it's not a bad film in any way, but it's definitely got some things that need patching up.
The musical numbers are excellently choreographed. They are energetic, and jaw-dropping at times. The only problem I had with the sequences is that they were better than the parts of the film in 'real life'. There's not enough story to back up the film's constant break into song. It's like the audience isn't exactly sure why they are siging the songs at all times. We do of course, because it's a musical but we shouldn't have to wonder, they should be natural.
The other issue is the casting: we have basically the most beautiful women in Hollwood not only acting well but singing and dancing just as well. The are all at the top of thier game and when watching them on stage, one can tell that they are in total control of their abilities. When I first saw the trailer, I instantly thought that most of the actresses would get doused with awards, but when I saw the film I realized it would be nearly impossible for any of them to nab a nomination, because they hardly get a chance to act amongst the competition. On the other hand, it's simply grand to see each and every actress up on the screen at once. It's the curse and the miracle of this film.
Overall, Nine is a good time to see in a theater. The songs are catchy, all the actors are stunning, the choreography is breathless and the sequences where Guido Contini (the main protagonist of the film) is talking to one of his many lovers, one can definitely see Marshall's signature flair. Guido Contini definitely had his inspirations: his mother, his wife, the whore of his childhood town, his floundering mistress, his rock and a drunken fling. But with this film going in no precise direction, couldn't it find just one inspiration?
Matthew says: A-
Nine is a film that has many inspirations, all which are very different. There is the film, the musical and now the movie-musical, creating again a very different take on the original premise.
Rob Marshall directed the previous musical "Chicago" and this film has established a true artist, one with a signature style that is all his own.
The musical sequences are bursting at the seams with energy and urgency. And the non-musical sequences are mysterious and dreamy. This film boasts, and rightly so, a full, star-studded cast. Rob Marshall tends to pick actors who are not known for singing and dancing but show audiences just how multitalented these men and women are.
The style of this film is so good to look at, like the actors, costumes and the very beautiful Italy. It has a variety of styles. Black and white, gorgeous color, steady camera, hand held. It's a celebration of films and movie-making. It has many great and memorable scenes. Like the final scene where each woman in his life that has inspired him in some way comes out from the top balcony from the studio set and give him a long judgmental stare. The kid from his past sits on his lap. He rises, the lights lower and he calls out action.

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There wan't a magnifying glass in sight

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in , , | Posted on 9:28 PM

Sherlock Holmes (2009) Grade: B

Jack says: B+

Sherlock Holmes is the ninth film by Guy Ritchie, and he doesn't exactly have the best repetoire in my opinion: Rocknrolla, Swept Away, Revolver (Roger Ebert gave it half a star). But with this film, I couldn't help but be entertained. It has a very good cast, which is probably the only reason the film works, and the film does have problems. Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law and Rachel McAdams make for a riotous group actors to behold in these quirky albeit unbelievable sequences.

The film is quite boisterous, the fight scenes get a little excessive and may be too much for some viewers. The slow motion/high speed camera parts may be a little too modern for Sherlock Holmes as well, but the cast is so grand that it's just fun to watch them do 'their thing'.

Could it have been better in a different director's hands? Yes, there's no question about it. But this isn't a total failure. The casting of Downey, Jr. was pitch perfect and the cinematography, costumes and music make for a good time. It was definitely fun to watch in a theater, the cinematography was excellent and it was convincing as a period piece, but this film isn't for everyone.

Matthew says: B-


Sherlock Holmes is the old classic detective story. Or just detective. The kind of character that is bound to hav more remakes than you can count on your hands. And you could do so much with a character like Sherlock Holmes. But Guy Ritchie handles the source material like it's a lame pitch for the new summer blockbuster starring last summer's star (this case being Robert Downey Junior).

That brings up another key element in the movie, the cast. Jude Law, a typically one-dimensional actor, is at his best and seems to be having fun with his character. So does Downey, but in a different way. Law has fun in his character. Downey just is having fun making tons of money. It seems that from watching movies with him in it (and there have been a lot recently) he always plays the same fast talking "witty" narcissist. He does a lot of talking in this movie, so does Law. But that, actually, is one of the only enjoyable parts in this movie. If the movie was more dialogue and detective-doing, this could have been a very interesting remake.

But instead they fill this film with long, uninteresting fight sequences and a mystery that isn't the least bit mysterious. They have a mystery in the begging of the film that is supposed to capture our attention and keep us intrigued. But it doesn't. And when it comes up again, I was just like, this again? And in the end when Sherlock Holmes explains his theory and the solution to all of the mystery, they set everything up right, and make us think that he really has something here, but he really doesn't and neither do the screenwriters.

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