Run Lola Run (1998)

 

I remember liking this film a lot more 25 years ago. Watching it again, I found myself annoyed at the editing. We get it, Lola runs!! The novelty at seeing three overlapping timelines isn’t enough to compensate for the lack of story development. 

Rating: C

Che (2008)

4 ½ hours is a lot of time to devote to watching a movie, but Che is well worth the time investment. Soderbergh and Del Toro do Che's story justice, creating a very unHollywood film, just the way Fidel and Che would have wanted it.

As you'll learn from the making-of doc, nothing was filmed that wasn't sourced from a true account. This film was 10 years in the making and is more a labor of love than a studio investment. I wonder if they were able to make their money back.

Performances are gritty and real. The life of a revolutionary isn't easy, and it shows on screen. Definitely an educational, as well as entertaining, piece of cinema.

Rating: B

Try Seventeen (All I Want) (2002)

Good cast with a quirky plot that hits more often than not. A feel good indie.

Rating: C+

The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

A good, not great, sequel by Greengrass. I definitely prefer Doug Liman, the director of the original. Some fantastic action sequences, but the story got away from him. The flow was off and the occasional jerky action sequences couldn't save it.

Rating: C+

The Bourne Identity (2002)

Bourne Identity moves fast, keeping the action right in your face. Exactly what you want in an action movie. Acting and plot were solid too. The fight scenes were not only violent by PG-13 standards, but original.Doug Liman did a great job setting up this spy series.

Another plus for me was the return of "Lola" from Run Lola Run, the
German indie film sensation, to the screen. I was pleasantly surprised at how good her English was too. Fantastic? no. A really good action movie? Yes.

Rating: B

Storytelling (2001)

I saw Welcome to the Dollhouse from Todd Solondz a long time ago, and more recently, Happiness - so this was my third go round. I thought I knew what I was getting into.

I didn't. He crossed new lines and boundaries I didn't think could be crossed. That's not actually a good thing in this case. I realize I'm not making much sense, but I'm not really trying to. I'd pass on this one.

Rating: D+

The Princess and the Warrior (Der Krieger und die Kaiserin) (2000)

Another film from Tom Tykwer, of Run Lola Run fame, starring the same red headed actress. Having seen two of his previous movies, I think I can safely say this guy is fantastic. His camera work, editing, and direction are so unique and creative. He has a way of sucking you in and messing with your emotions.

Rating: B-