July 19th Log

ROBERTA
1935, William A. Seiter, United States
1st Viewing, Turner Classic Movies

Roberta is the third of ten films Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers starred in together. It was made in-between two of my favorites Astaire-Rogers films (The Gay Divorcee and Top Hat). Perhaps more then anything the lovely duo moves aside a bit here for the romance between Irene Dunne and Randolph Scott. Of course, Astaire and Rogers still have their moments, notably the "Lovely to Look At" song and dance number that closes the film. Astaire may have had better dancing partners then Rogers, who really preferred dramatic acting, but the tow of them have a special chemistry that is magical on screen and so beautiful to watch. Here Rogers, has a whole lot of fun doing an accent, and both of them have some funny one-liners. I also loved the little homage to “The Continental” dance they did in The Gay Divorcee (as it is referenced and gestured by Rogers her in “I Won't Dance”. Not the best Rogers and Astaire film, mostly because they let Irene Dunne take the spotlight, but Roberta remains yet another charming film from one of the truly greatest on-screen duos in film history.



PREMONITION
2007, Mennan Yapo, United States
1st Viewing, DVD

I did not really like this film. Sandra Bullock continues to prove her boring mediocrity with yet another boring, formulaic film. There are worse films then this (particularly in this genre) but this one is still pretty ridiculous (capped off by a forced final shot).



SHOOTER
2007, Antoine Fuqua, United States
1st Viewing, DVD

For mindless pure action filmmaking, Shooter works. At times the film almost becomes a parody of itself and the genre, but the film is well executed and crafted as a purely genre film. When Shooter is not taking itself seriously the film works on these levels. This is Antoine Fuqua’s fifth feature since breaking out in 2001 with Training Day (it is his 8th film overall). Mark Wahlberg does of fine job of carrying the film. The film is packed with high-testosterone action and thinly-clothed women (notably an overacting Kate Mara).