Movie Diary 2008
Last Update: 12/28/08
I enjoy watching and reviewing movies. I have written a comment on every movie I have watched since July 2005. However, you are browsing the English version of the site. Most likely that means that you do not speak and/or understand Finnish, so you won't gain much by reading those diaries. But fear not! This is the brand new English version of my Movie Diary 2008! Do bear in mind, however, that I will not write nearly as much in English as in Finnish. I've usually written a couple of paragraphs about each movie, in this English version I'll try to write a couple of sentences. So, if you do speak Finnish, read the original version, Elokuvapäiväkirja 08. Also, I'm only going to tell my opinions on the films, if you're looking for plot info and such, you're going to have to go some place else.
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Week 01/2008 - Back to top
Manderlay (2005, Denmark/Sweden/Netherlands/France/Germany/UK)
A film by Lars von Trier, sequel to Dogville. Artistic, preachy and anti-American, but nevertheless enjoyable.
Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan (1982, USA)
A solid Star Trek film that makes good use of the familiar characters. I watched the German-dubbed version - the dubbing quality was surprisingly alright.
Malarek (1989, USA)
I bought the DVD for €1 way back in November. Not a bad price for a film as average as this one. Forgettable but acceptable entertainment.
The Seventh Seal (Det sjunde inseglet, 1957, Sweden)
This film has nothing to do with pinnipeds or Navy SEALs. Still, it is rather a good film.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001, USA)
Gene Hackman rocks, again. The ending of this quirky deadpan comedy is brilliant, but some of the cast members are not up to their tasks.
Week 02/2008 - Back to top
Bridget Jones's Diary (2001, UK/France)
Not quite as good as some other films written by Richard Curtis. Well, this one wasn't actually written by Curtis - it is based on a bestselling novel by Helen Fielding, but Curtis's touch is easy to pick out.
The Silent Star (Der schweigende Stern, 1960, East Germany/Poland)
I bought this along with two other East German scifi films. Those socialists sure knew how to make great science fiction films! The film was released theatrically in the USA under the name "First Spaceship on Venus".
The Family Man (2000, USA)
A poor man's It's a Wonderful Life starring Nicolas Cage and Téa Leoni.
Men in Black (1997, USA)
Men in Black is a funny science fiction comedy that draws its humor from pop-culture conspiracy theories.
The Bench (Bænken, 2000, Denmark/Sweden)
The Bench is a socio-realistic drama by Danish director Per Fly. I suppose it is a good film in its genre, but I didn't like it much. Yeah, I've been corrupted by Hollywood.
In the Dust of the Stars (Im Staub der Sterne, 1976, East Germany)
A psychedelic, colorful space adventure featuring bearded East German spacemen, dancers in bikinis, and some serious partying. Trust me, you don't want to miss this one.
Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949, UK)
Dennis Price's performance turns a horrible series of crimes into an entertaining form of art, Alec Guinness is funny too. There's something very British about this film.
Week 03/2008 - Back to top
Raining in the Mountain (Kong shan ling yu, 1979, Hong Kong/Taiwan)
A beautiful wuxia film by King Hu. Raining in the Mountain totally lacks sword fighting scenes but is otherwise an enjoyable film. The cinematography is astonishing. But what the hell does the English title have to do with the film?
Million Dollar Baby (2004, USA)
I expected a masterpiece. Because of that, Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby was a letdown. Some of the secondary characters are caricatures, but overall the Oscar-winning boxing drama is above average.
Get Shorty (1995, USA)
Get Shorty is a well-made comedy about a mob shylock who becomes interested in the movie business. John Travolta is good. And as the Hoodoo Gurus put it: Gene Hackman - what a pro.
Predator (1987, USA)
One of Arnold's best action films for sure. The 1980s was the best decade ever. Macho action never dies!
The Sum of All Fears (2002, USA/Germany)
I would have liked to see Harrison Ford in this film. Or Baldwin. Ben Affleck doesn't have any charisma whatsoever, and he is horribly miscast as Jack Ryan. Well, even with Ford, the film wouldn't have been as good as Patriot Games or The Hunt for Red October.
Week 04/2008 - Back to top
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004, UK/France/Germany/Ireland/USA)
The sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary is nothing compared to the original. A bland, dull and uninteresting movie.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001, UK/Germany/USA/Japan)
Indiana Jones Light. Not as good as the original, but will do if you are in need of some mindless action/adventure entertainment.
The Mummy (1999, USA)
The Mummy is a popcorn flick with an average cast, some cool special effects and a fine score composed by Jerry Goldsmith.
Lucky Break (2001, UK/Germany)
The basic idea is neat - the execution is flawed. Bill Nighy performs well - James Nesbitt, Lennie James and Olivia Williams do not.
Week 05/2008 - Back to top
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (The Cradle of Life, 2003, USA/Germany/Japan/UK/Netherlands)
Well, The Cradle of Life isn't a bad movie, it just isn't a good one. I couldn't help smiling at Gerard Butler's natural Scottish accent.
Love Actually (2003, UK/USA)
Probably the best romantic comedy ever.
Jackie Brown (1997, USA)
A bit more mature, less violent Tarantino film. Mark Forster stands out from the cast, a superb performance indeed. The runtime is half an hour too long, though.
Amélie (Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain, 2001, France/Germany)
Not quite as breathtaking as I remembered, but still a satisfactory movie experience. The director has really succeeded in creating a truly unique world.
Flight of the Phoenix (2004, USA)
Yet another special-effects-driven action/adventure film.
Man of the House (2005, USA)
Yet another cliché-ridden, stereotype-driven comedy.
Week 06/2008 - Back to top
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996, USA)
Two genres for the price of one.
Fallen Angels (Duo luo tian shi, 1995, Hong Kong)
An experimental film about a hitman, his associate and some guy who forces people to eat ice cream. Not too shabby.
The Core (2003, UK/USA)
The film is ruined by unnecessary, uninteresting scenes. The runtime is way too long - yet the plot still takes enormous leaps every once in a while!
Goldfinger (1964, UK)
The definitive Bond film.
Week 07/2008 - Back to top
The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen, 2006, Germany)
The best European movie I've seen (British movies don't count as European). The plot is intriguing and the actors do a phenomenal job. The film may seem dark and cold at times, but in the end, its message is inspiring.
Conan the Barbarian (1982, USA)
A solid adventure flick starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. It's thoughtful, almost philosophical - but there are still plenty of cool sword-swinging action scenes.
The Postman (1997, USA)
Way too long and a bit too dull. The music score isn't that bad, but the epic symphonies composed by James Newton Howard are often completely out of place. Well, the main problem is that epic music is used to highlight the significance of nearly every scene, when in fact, most of the scenes aren't worth it.
National Treasure (2004, USA)
A mediocre treasure hunt movie, with Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger and Sean Bean playing the leads.
Week 08/2008 - Back to top
From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money (1999, USA)
A disappointing straight-to-video sequel that lacks Rodriguez and Tarantino's touch.
Heist (2001, Canada/USA)
Heist is, unsurprisingly, a heist film. Surprisingly, it isn't a good one. I expected much more. The film is only worth watching because of Gene Hackman.
The Ladykillers (2004, USA)
A solid, modernized mainstream remake based on a British classic. However, Irma P. Hall's character ruins much of the fun, because in the original version, the old lady was adorable and sweet, and thus hard to kill. In this movie, Hall is just about as adorable as, well, Eddie Murphy.
The Ladykillers (1955, UK)
The original version, with a better old lady.
In the Line of Fire (1993, USA)
The best Hollywood movie Wolfgang Petersen has directed. Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich shine in their roles.
Week 09/2008 - Back to top
The Mark of Cain (2007, UK)
A shocking and somewhat disturbing movie loosely based on real incidents in Iraq, no wonder Amnesty International loves it. I like Over There more.
Alien³ (1992, USA)
Too much running in boring corridors. Otherwise a fine sci-fi horror film.
From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter (2000, USA)
Slightly better than the first sequel, no match for the original.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982, USA)
One of Spielberg's best.
The Mummy Returns (2001, USA)
A fun adventure, better than the first Mummy movie.
Week 10/2008 - Back to top
Bowfinger (1999, USA)
Frank Oz's adequate Hollywood satire, starring Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy and Heather Graham.
Romancing the Stone (1984, Mexico/USA)
Although I prefer Romancing the Stone to its sequel, it is still just another Indiana Jones copy.
A Fistful of Dollars (Per un pugno di dollari, 1964, Italy/Spain/West Germany)
A great western. The overall quality is high, but there are two things that I like particularly much: Ennio Morricone's score and Clint Eastwood's strong performance.
Week 11/2008 - Back to top
The Dukes of Hazzard (2005, USA)
Jay Chandrasekhar's comedy exceeded my expectations - but my expectations were very, very low.
Blade: Trinity (2004, USA/Australia)
Once again, Wesley Snipes slices and dices some vampires. The dialog is horrible but nice action scenes almost make up for it.
Dark Floors - The Lordi Motion Picture (2008, Finland/Iceland)
Words fail me. Go see it yourself.
Mindhunters (2004, USA/Netherlands/UK/Finland)
Well, it's Renny Harlin, what did you expect? Solid entertainment with little artistic value.
Week 12/2008 - Back to top
2046 (2004, China/France/Germany/Hong Kong)
The best Wong Kar-wai film I've seen. Well, I've only seen this one and Fallen Angels. But seriously, I liked 2046. It may not be a great science fiction film, but it's a beautiful, meaningful drama/romance film.
The Thing (1982, USA)
In Antarctica no one can hear your scream. Solid 80's sci-fi horror.
Thunderball (1965, UK)
I honestly don't know which one I like more, Thunderball or Never Say Never Again. Both are fine but not brilliant Bond films based on the same story. However, I think there are just a little too many underwater scenes in the EON version.
Week 13/2008 - Back to top
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003, USA/New Zealand/Germany)
The definition of a great film adaptation of a superb novel.
AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004, USA/Canada/Germany/Czech Republic/UK)
A disappointing, stupid film. In this case, combining two great movie franchises doesn't result in an even better film.
Nowhere in Africa (Nirgendwo in Afrika, 2001, Germany)
A quality drama by German director Caroline Link. African sceneries are undeniably beautiful.
The Abyss (1989, USA)
A neat sci-fi thriller, although the ending seemed a bit meaningless.
Last Train from Gun Hill (1959, USA)
A classic western tale powered by the intense performances by Anthony Quinn and Kirk Douglas.
Week 14/2008 - Back to top
The Perfect Storm (2000, USA/Germany)
Technically brilliant but features too many scenes with paper-thin secondary characters. Mr Petersen should have focused solely on the fishing boat Andrea Gail and its crew.
Cypher (2002, USA)
A sci-fi thriller worth watching. I liked the use of colors in particular.
Honey (2003, USA)
I have to admit, I enjoyed watching Honey much more than I thought I would. It's silly, it's naive, the plot is stupid and the acting isn't that good, but somehow, it is likable. I just can't hate this movie, even though I know I probably should.
Shaft (2000, USA/Germany)
"Samuel L. Jackson is Shaft, the man and the movie." Damn straight.
Happy Gilmore (1996, USA)
This one is probably better than most Adam Sandler comedies. Besides, a movie that has Carl Weathers can't be totally bad. Remember, Carl is the black guy from Predator.
Week 15/2008 - Back to top
Signs (2002, USA)
Mel Gibson stars a more up-close-and-personal version of the familiar Independence Day/War of the Worlds scenario.
House of Flying Daggers (Shi mian mai fu, 2004, China/Hong Kong)
It's not a masterpiece like Hero, but Zhang Yimou delivers a beautiful, emotional wuxia film again.
The X-Files (1998, Canada/USA)
Feels like an episode of the TV series. Frankly, it isn't even a good episode.
Coach Carter (2005, USA/Germany)
An inspiring movie. Samuel L. Jackson is even better than usual.
The Pianist (2002, France/Germany/UK/Poland)
A powerful film, well worth the Academy Awards it received. Adrien Brody excels in the lead role.
Week 16/2008 - Back to top
xXx: State of the Union (2005, USA)
A worthless sequel. Samuel L. Jackson gives a surprisingly lame performance, and Ice Cube doesn't have what it takes to be an action star.
Conspiracy Theory (1997, USA)
Worth watching. Well, that's mostly because Jean-Luc Picard of the U.S.S. Enterprise plays the villain, but the film also has its bright moments. The main character, played by Mel Gibson, is pretty good, too.
Changing Lanes (2002, USA)
Why are successful lawyers so often portrayed as evil or dishonest or somehow questionable? That's not fair. If you ignore that, Changing Lanes is quite watchable. SLJ's acting is much better than in the xXx sequel.
Week 17/2008 - Back to top
Once Upon a Time in the West (C'era una volta il West, 1968, Italy/USA)
The best western I have ever seen, and quite possibly the best movie I've seen this year.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962, USA)
A true western classic starring two magnificent actors, James Stewart and John Wayne.
The Naked Gun: From the Files of the Police Squad! (1988, USA)
A comedy classic from the ZAZ trio. I love the opening scene. So politically incorrect.
You Only Live Twice (1967, UK)
An average 007 adventure. However, it features an army of ninja commandos, which is a very good thing.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, USA)
In the last two decades, no one has succeeded in creating an adventure film nearly as good as the original Indiana Jones films starring Harrison Ford.
Week 18/2008 - Back to top
Garage Days (2002, Australia)
The story of an Australian garage band. Like the band, the film has potential but ultimately, it just isn't good enough.
Chain Reaction (1996, USA)
The first hour is really, really bad. It gets slightly better, but still, a huge disappointment - after all, Andew Davis is the person who directed The Fugitive and Under Siege!
Memento (2000, USA)
Intelligent plot, brilliant structure. A great movie that you won't forget once you've seen it.
Week 19/2008 - Back to top
Dark City (1998, Australia/USA)
An interesting sci-fi noir film. The opening narration by Kiefer Sutherland gives away too much of the plot.
High Noon (1952, USA)
Yet another western classic, starring Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly and Lloyd Bridges. Short but powerful.
Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994, USA)
A lame sequel.
Week 20/2008 - Back to top
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989, USA)
The best movie of the original Indiana Jones trilogy, quite probably the best adventure movie ever made.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984, USA)
Not as good as The Last Crusade or Raiders of the Lost Ark, but still an entertaining movie and much better than all those Indiana Jones copies like Allan Quatermain films.
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999, France/Germany/USA/Japan)
A violent mafia drama filled with dark humour. Some of the secondary characters are quite good. Not your typical Hollywood flick.
Hard to Kill (1990, USA)
Classic Steven Seagal action. As the title suggests, Steven Seagal is Hard to Kill, and he doesn't seem to have hard time killing others
Week 21/2008 - Back to top
Ocean's Twelve (2004, USA/Australia)
One of the most disappointing sequels I've seen in a while. Ocean's Eleven was witty and brilliant - this one is just stupid.
The Devil's Advocate (1997, USA/Germany)
Oh, come on! Lawyers are not evil! Al Pacino and Charlize Theron are absolutely great, though. Keanu Reeves gives a solid performance, too.
Into the Sun (Into the Sun, 2005, USA)
Rarely have I seen such poor secondary characters. The best part of this Steven Seagal film is the end credits - not (only) because the movie ends but also the because the end credits music is one of Seagal's good songs, Don't You Cry.
Week 22/2008 - Back to top
Troy (2004, USA/Malta/UK)
Wolfgang Petersen's epic spectacle is okay, but the actors don't seem to be enjoying themselves that much.
Week 23/2008 - Back to top
War of the Worlds (2005, USA)
I liked it when I saw it on the big screen. I still like it.
The Andromeda Strain (1971, USA)
A stylish, intriguing movie based on a novel by Michael Crichton. There's nothing better than 70s sci-fi.
A Civil Action (1998, USA)
A solid, realistic case study of environmental justice. The cast is alright, but Robert Duvall is the only one who truly excels.
Week 24/2008 - Back to top
Airport '77 (1977, USA)
A mediocre catastrophe film.
Week 25/2008 - Back to top
Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983, Canada/USA)
Whoa, almost as great as Star Wars! Not.
The Black Hole (1979, USA)
Better than I expected, actually. The Black Hole is a fairly decent adventure sci-fi movie inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Trek and Star Wars. But why, oh why, did there have to be a corny you're-gonna-make-it death scene - with two annoying robots!?
Week 26/2008 - Back to top
There's Something About Mary (1998, USA)
A funny and sweet movie. The actors (Ben Stiller, Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon etc.) all do a good job, and most of the gags are amusing.
Star Trek Nemesis (2002, USA)
My favourite TNG film. I still like The Inner Light and All Good Things... better.
The Godfather (1972, USA)
An absolutely stunning mafia film. No wonder it is frequently voted as the best film of all time.
Blue Collar (1978, USA)
Not my cup of tea. And severely outdated.
The Godfather: Part II (1974, USA)
Not as good as the first one, but still an excellent mafia film and a fine sequel.
The Fifth Element (1997, France)
This is what I call entertainment. Bruce Willis in a French sci-fi comedy is always worth checking out.
Week 27/2008 - Back to top
Wimbledon (Wimbledon, 2004, UK/France)
An average film. Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst are okay.
Week 28/2008 - Back to top
I didn't watch any movies on week 28.
Week 29/2008 - Back to top
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo, 1966, Italy/Spain)
A remarkable spaghetti western.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005, USA/UK)
A fine film, but something is missing. Not quite as sharp and magnificent as the books.
Week 30/2008 - Back to top
Ice Age (2002, USA)
Quite funny.
Week 31/2008 - Back to top
For a Few Dollars More (Per qualche dollaro in più, 1965, Italy/Spain/West Germany/Monaco)
Sergio Leone is the master of spaghetti westerns, and For a Few Dollars More is a masterpiece. However, it is not the best one of his masterpieces. Actually, it is his worst masterpiece.
Week 32/2008 - Back to top
I didn't watch any movies on week 32.
Week 33/2008 - Back to top
See Arnold Run (2005, USA)
A partially successful biography of a very extraordinary person.
Week 34/2008 - Back to top
I didn't watch any movies on week 34.
Week 35/2008 - Back to top
Death Wish (1974, USA)
I expected a higher body count. I expected more fun.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000, USA/UK/France)
An eccentric, if not charming comedy based on Homer's Odyssey.
Week 36/2008 - Back to top
I didn't watch any movies on week 36.
Week 37/2008 - Back to top
Spy Hard (1996, USA)
A watchable comedy featuring lots of movie references and a few nice cameos.
Week 38/2008 - Back to top
I didn't watch any movies on week 38.
Week 39/2008 - Back to top
A Bridge Too Far (1977, USA/UK)
A war film with one of the most impressive cast lists of all time: Connery, Caan, Bogarde, Hackman, Caine, Hopkins, Olivier, Redford, Schell...
The Dark Knight (2008, USA)
While obviously boosted by Heath Ledger's death, The Dark Knight is a fine film in its own right.
Week 40/2008 - Back to top
I didn't watch any movies on week 40.
Week 41/2008 - Back to top
Stealth (2005, USA)
An incredibly dumb action movie.
Week 42/2008 - Back to top
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004, USA)
Volume 2 balances the first, heavily action-packed Kill Bill movie by providing more complete character backgrounds.
Week 43/2008 - Back to top
All Quiet on the Western Front (1979, USA/UK)
Rather a good war film based on a classic anti-war story by Erich Maria Remarque.
Week 44/2008 - Back to top
I didn't watch any movies on week 44.
Week 45/2008 - Back to top
Breaking Up (1997, USA)
This drama tells the story of a perfect couple that just doesn't get along. If the plot had been any better, and if there had been even a hint of chemistry between the leads (Salma Hayek and Russell Crowe), this movie would have been worth watching.
Le Divorce (2003, France/USA)
I have only one question: what was the point of this movie?
Week 46/2008 - Back to top
Twins (1988, USA)
Although the script isn't all that smart, Schwarzenegger and DeVito offer enough laughs to make this comedy entertaining.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003, USA/Germany/UK)
A mediocre yet watchable sequel.
Live and Let Die (1973, UK)
Moore's debut as Bond is a creditable one.
Week 47/2008 - Back to top
I didn't watch any movies on week 47.
Week 48/2008 - Back to top
Jurassic Park III (2001, USA)
The pace is just too rushed. A dreadful sequel.
Week 49/2008 - Back to top
Beyond the Front Line (Framom främsta linjen, 2004, Finland)
A patriotic war film that tells the story of the Finnish infantry regiment 61 in the Continuation War. Although the characters are a bit lacking in the realism department, it's an adequate film.
For Your Eyes Only (1981, UK/USA)
A slightly imbalanced, Winter Olympics themed 007 film.
Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story (2004, USA)
A passable biography of a controversial gang boss-turned-children's author.
Week 50/2008 - Back to top
I didn't watch any movies on week 50.
Week 51/2008 - Back to top
The Rock (1996, USA)
Distinguished actors, top-notch characters, sterling dialogue and striking action.
Mission: Impossible II (2000, USA/Germany)
Pros: lots of explosions, gunfire. Cons: lousy plot, overall stupidity.
Week 52/2008 - Back to top
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005, USA)
I loved this science fantasy story the first time I saw it. I loved it the second time, and the third time, and the fourth time, and the fifth time. I still love it. Yeah, it's not a perfect film, there are certain oddities, but in the end of the day, they just don't make enough space adventure films like this one nowadays.
Backdraft (1991, USA)
Ron Howard's Backdraft isn't a catastrophe movie. It combines drama elements to a criminal thriller, mostly successfully. And of course, it features lots of fire, flames, explosions and heroic firefighters.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002, USA)
Far better than its reputation. Granted, some scenes are a bit awkward, but they don't ruin the overall fun.
The Breakfast Club (1985, USA)
Five high school students learn that they are not so unlike each other, after all, in John Hughes' adept high school drama.
The Godfather: Part III, (1990, USA)
I have to disagree with the common opinion: the third Godfather film is not the weakest link in the chain.
Statistics, year 2008
Movies watched: 134
Average rating: 3,02 / 5
Best movie: The Godfather (1972, USA)
Worst movie: Chain Reaction (1996, USA)