Just a Question of Love, August, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Just a Question of Love
[ 3 stars out of 4 ]
This is another good European gay film that exceeded my expectations because of a script that’s alive. Cyrille Thouvenin is very convincing as a twentysomething that refuses to come out to his parents because of two things: he’s afraid that his parents will not accept him and in turn he cannot accept himself. Thouvenin has great chemistry with Stéphan Guérin-Tillié as the argricultural researcher. I just wish that the filmmakers would’ve gotten rid of the slow parts in the second half of the film. It should have focused more on a character’s decision that lets everything out in the open. I wanted to know more about Thouvenin’s parents, why they despise the idea of homosexuality so much. The parents being old-fashioned is simply not enough of a good reason. I also wanted to see Thouvenin and Guérin-Tillié’s straight male friends. Surely they have at least one. Shortcomings like that made some of the characters a bit one-dimensional. I like that the ending doesn’t neatly tie everything up; that we’re leaving the characters when their lives are just beginning. Most LGBT American films don’t even come close to this film’s performance and script so I’m very glad to have seen this picture.
August (2008)
[ 2 stars out of 4 ]
I liked this film because it is an indie movie but it doesn’t feel like an indie movie. I thought the performances by Naomie Harris (for about ten minutes, I knew she looked familiar and then it occured to me that she was in “28 Days Later”), Adam Scott (in a surprisingly serious character), and particularly Josh Hartnett were strong so it didn’t become completely tedious. But what keeps this movie from becoming great is its extremely slow pacing and very low-key way of storytelling. There were moments in the film where I wondered where it was going or if it was even planning on going anywhere. It started off as a business drama, but it eventually focused on Hartnett’s relationship with his family and ex-girlfriend. I wish it could’ve focused more on the former because there are already a lot of better movies out there that focus on the dynamics of the family. I think if the writers had cut off the scenes that had nothing to do with the business, this picture would have been more thrilling and not too bogged down by sappiness. If it weren’t for the performances, I would’ve been completely frustrated with this film. Hartnett has proven himself again as a serious actor instead of just being a pretty face. Hopefully, more people will realize his potential with a better vehicle the next time around. I’m not saying that one should avoid this film but if one likes slow movies that sticks close to real life, then go ahead and see it.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
[ 3 stars out of 4 ]
I really loved this film the first time I saw it but that was back in 2003. I had not seen that many films then so I regarded it quite highly. Five years later, I saw this picture again but I didn’t like it as much. The script was stale compared to “The Terminator” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” but the acting somewhat made up for it. Some other elements that didn’t work for me was Claire Danes’ character. She was annoying because all she did was scream when she was in danger, yell when she didn’t get her own way, and waited to be rescued. I also didn’t like the fact that the writers killed of John Connor’s mother. She was a central figure in the first two films and disposing her was a fatal mistake (even if they couldn’t get Linda Hamilton to reprise her role). Still, this installment is a pretty good one despite its flaws. The visual and special effects were first rate so it’s impossible not to pay attention during the intense action sequences. Arnold Schwarzenneger’s return was more than welcome and choosing Nick Stahl to play John Connor was a wise choise because Stahl can be both weak and strong at the same time (I blame the puppy dog eyes). I also loved the ending because it was quite touching for a science fiction film. I heard from Entertainment Weekly that “Terminator Salvation” would not consider this film’s storyline. I’m not quite sure if that’s a good move (or how it’s going to work out) because this installment is a pretty good transition to the future war against the machines. This was a solid 2003 summer blockbuster film and it’s recommended to any fan of the “Terminator” franchise.
