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The Phantom of the Opera (2005)
The Phantom of the Opera (2005)
2005 | Drama, Horror, Musical
The Phantom of the Opera is here ...
2005 film version of the Broadway show, starring Emmy Rossum (Christine Daae) and Gerard Butler (as the Phantom).

And therein lies it's greatest problem: Butler (and, to an extent, all the modern Phantom's) is just too conventionally good-looking for the hideous disfigured gargoyle who haunts the Parisian Opera catacombs but dreams of higher things!

That aside, this is definitely sumptuously filmed, with some great sets. Some catchy tunes, with the latter to be expected

I.t's just that, well, it does tend to drag a bit.

I suppose, in effect, it's like going to the Opera without actually going to the Opera ...
  
Comet (2014)
Comet (2014)
2014 | Comedy, Drama, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Love it!!
Contains spoilers, click to show
Justin Long's character reminds me so much of myself. The line about how his therapist says he's a narcissist for believing he is the smartest person in the world and his reply... Instantly made me love the character. This movie parallels a very... significant time in my life. So close that it's almost scary... Emmy Rossum also is one of my favorite actresses. These two together, which are pretty much the only characters in the story, are more than enough. This movie... It makes me cry almost every time I watch it, but I can't count how many times I have. Maybe it's just how closely it mirrors events in my life, but I fell in love with this movie the first time I saw it and has been my favorite movie ever since. If you are a romantic person, watch this movie. However, be ready to shed a few tears...
  
The Phantom of the Opera (2005)
The Phantom of the Opera (2005)
2005 | Drama, Horror, Musical
I have to admire the spectacle but I found this to be mostly didactic, repetitious as a musical (there's only like 3.5 good songs and the rest are just unendurable variants of the exact same one) and nearly nonexistent as a romance. I do admit this almost works as a total campfest, Gerard Butler totally butchering these classical-inspired ballads that require flawless vocal range is actually pretty hilarious. On the flipside I spent most of the time in complete awe of how astonishing Emmy Rossum is in this, only 18 years old at the time and effortlessly nails every formidable note not to mention looks the part seamlessly. This is through and through her movie, every inch top to bottom. I should also add that the movie looks extraordinary - the sets, the costumes, the makeup, the cast, all of it. But would some fucking choreography every now and again kill these people? The stakes, too, are paper-thin - things just happen without delving too deeply (if at all) into the consequences/implications of them so a good chunk of scenes just pass through without making any sort of effect. Lastly this gets docked extra points for ruining the best part of the musical by making it too obvious that Christine was going to give The Phantom the ring from the start of that moment. I have seen much worse, though; this would have been noticeably better if they'd just gotten more people who could sing.
  
Cold Pursuit (2019)
Cold Pursuit (2019)
2019 | Action, Drama, Thriller
Nels Coxman (Liam Neeson) is a simple man who spends his days clearing the roads in a remote Colorado Ski Town and spends his days with his wife and his son. Nels is so unassuming that when he is awarded Citizen of the Year he states that there are others far more worthy and fusses over getting dressed up to accept the award and make a speech.

When his son is found dead of a Heroin overdose; Nels is not willing to accept that his son was a user even though this puts tremendous strain on his marriage and has taken Nels to consider suicide. At his worst moment he learns that his son’ co-worker was involved with some shady dealing and that his son was likely collateral damage from the criminal elements involved.

With a new found sense of purpose: Nels embarks on a quest to find the truth and avenge his son’s death no matter the consequences.

One would think that “Cold Pursuit” is a standard revenge film but it unexpectedly changes direction shortly after Nels starts exacting his revenge. The film transforms into a Dark Comedy of sorts as characters get a Title Screen when they are killed many of which have a morbid humor to them. The film even takes the bold step of moving away from Neeson for a good third of the film and putting the emphasis on other characters from rival crime organizations to the Sherriff and his eager Detective (Emmy Rossum).

As such the film is not what you expect as although there is plenty of action at times; it is a Dark Comedy with dramatic elements. It is more in line of what you might expect at a Film Festival from an Indie studio versus a major studio release.

As such fans of Neeson may be disappointed in seeing a departure from the type of films they have come to expect from him in recent years while others may embrace the quirky nature of the film.

http://sknr.net/2019/01/30/cold-pursuit/