D


One of the main reasons I don't like Ang Lee. Boring, tedious, unengaging film.

Take it all back.

This is a brilliant film. I refuse to let it stand with a low user-score. Who can't help but love period pieces with the best actresses of their generation kicking all sorts of ass? And the top-notch cinematography and the ATMOSPHERE?! The fantastic character study? C'mon!

Tremendous acting and an on-target look at suburban dysfunction in the 1970s, especially surprising since Ang Lee is not American-born. A-

Sorry, didn't buy this angst-a-thon - - and I'm an Ang-o-phile...

2 out of 5.

Mhmm, very interesting. I remember one critic noting the surprising attention to detail Ang has for being foreign born... an awesome knowledge of American pop-culture, or at least a talent to direct those with it and make an authentic picture.

A masterpiece and one of the most accurate portrayals of 70's society in America, methinks? Which is a BIG deal, since it was made two decades after that period by an asian director..


But it's really all about the characters... and the ice. Just like Lee's other movies (Brokeback Mountain in particular) there are tons of subtleties and simbolisms to find.

And I just love that ending (last 5 minutes or so). Along with the movie itself, one of the best I've ever seen.


A


P.S. - it's really sad that a movie like this didn't find a way in 100 Greatest, but Freddy Vs. Jason did... bah

I was kind of hoping they wouldn't throw a death in there, but I knew all along they probably would. The movie had enough drama without a slightly contrived event like that thrown in. But then again I ended up loving the way the scene was shot and the reaction afterwards, so I'm not complaining too hard.

Otherwise though, I thought it was perfect. Like... really perfect. INSANE acting ensemble(maybe one of the best I've seen), captivating and intelligent screenplay, and the movie just has this strange momentum to it leading up to the climatic events. After Lecter's rips and Lee's history, I'm surprised to be complimenting the film for that. I guess I can thank the structure and mood of the film for that, it never loses anything when it switches between storylines and if anything they just add onto one another, dramatically.

It's beautifully directed(the ice storm itself... so pretty), it feels spot on to the 70s, and it just never loses its focus. Again, I guess that's the momentum thing, Lee is always in control. I think this is the best film I've seen from him so far and the only one I've really really loved.

While I loved most of the characters here, I think Ricci's was my favorite... her deliveries and facial expressions were just perfect. She absolutely nails that deviating adolescent persona, totally nails it. I think she should've got a nomination for this, along with Allen, Kline, Weaver (hell, give em all one). This didn't get a single Oscar nod. Boo.

The Ice Storm is the highest form of melodrama. Perfectly executed, acted, written, and filmed, and it holds power throughout. I really really loved this.

5/5. Geez I've giving a lot of these this year. I'm going soft. Or maybe I'm just picking the right movies.

I still can't believe this didn't get a single Oscar nomination. Not even for Weaver (who was nominated for the Globe and won the BAFTA btw - one more reason to love the BAFTAs.) the brilliant screenplay (which was a Cannes winner at least), the art direction/cinematography(!), ... God, I need to see this again soon. And yes, you're picking the right films, Shack.. don't worry.

This is sexy, sexy melodrama. It's Almodovar without cleavage and sunshine. It carefully avoids triteness - though some might debate this - and is always beautiful and tremendously well-acted.

SIGOURNEY WEAVER

Really liked it. It's a bit slow-moving at times, but the performances and direction were fantastic. Ang Lee's attention to detail is incredible and the cinematography is brilliant. Every actor is at the top of their game here, especially Christina Ricci and Sigourney Weaver. The ending was also quite haunting, devastating and thought-provoking. Highly recommended. A-