Change Your Image
delbomber
Reviews
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
It is accomplished
Brutal. Savage. Gory. Disturbing. Horrifying. "The Passion of the Christ" is all of these things.
Moving. Haunting. Powerful. Mesmerizing. Unforgettable. It is also these.
What it CERTAINLY is NOT: anti-Semitic. But I'll get to that...
I was raised Catholic, but have very few ties with the Catholic Church today. I eat meat on Fridays, live in sin, and do lots of other things frowned upon by the Pope and the Church. While there is certainly much more to Christ than Catholicism, I added this qualifier for those who are quick to label anyone broaching the subject of religion a "fanatic".
Few have endured hell-on-earth as Jesus did, as portrayed in this film. The last twelve hours of his life consisted of being betrayed, abandoned, tortured, and martyred. Was he as savagely beaten as Mel Gibson portrays? It doesn't really matter. What matters is that, for the first time in memory something attempts to convey, in all its rawness, the monumental sacrifice Jesus made for mankind. Regardless of his legitimacy as the messiah--even if he was just a kook--this man endured more pain, suffering, and humiliation than I ever realized or cared to imagine. This doesn't strengthen the love I have for Jesus, it makes me appreciate it that much more. Until today, no film has explored the physical sacrifice in such depth, and as a result this appreciation has long been missing, not just by myself, but by most Catholics and Christians I have known throughout my life.
Viewers of this film will generally fall into two groups: those who believe in and love Jesus and those who do not. The first group will be horrified and moved by seeing their Messiah in such a blunt, prone, conquered state. To see the baseless contempt for and malice perpetrated upon Jesus, presented in such gory fashion, will leave most aghast, and some nauseous, but it will surely impart a visceral reaction of awe and wonderment for Christ to which few other sources have been able. The images projected in front of our eyes are so rattling that, perhaps for the first time, Christ is relatable, and accordingly extraordinary.
Members of the second group, who are not watching their God being tortured as almost no human should ever deserve, will not be touched on this level, and will be more likely to complain of the violence. They may gain and understand an appreciation for Christ's devotion, but their lasting image of this film will be one of excessive violence and gratuitous gore. This won't even be so much of a conscious decision as an practical reality. They have no stake in this, and simply will be unable to interpret or digest in quite the same way what the anguish symbolizes for the first group. Without an existing compassion and deference for Jesus, few will have any feelings or ideas to be enhanced, and the film will be remembered for the excessive violence it certainly contains.
Members of this second group are also much more likely to perceive an anti-Semitic message. Mel Gibson repeatedly focuses on the insistence by the Jewish high priests that Jesus be punished. Again, without a base of love upon which to build, these viewers will, in addition to the visual onslaught, focus on a plot that does not hide who is ultimately responsible for Christ's torture and execution... ...but to say the film has gone out of its way to blame all Jews for the death of Jesus is absurd, and a monumental leap. Not only are there dissenters within the group that condemn Jesus, there is not one single reference to the faith of that group. One man in particular, rather than canyons and canyons of Jews, is shown as the driving force behind Jesus' fulfillment of his fate. Additionally, it's the Romans who are portrayed as sadistic goons in their scenes of wanton cruelty, and the mob of Jews calling for crucifixion are no different than the mobs shown in any other historical Jesus picture. (Without the hoopla and hubbub surrounding this film, very few would even consider that the group is Jewish. But then, our media is one that thrives on controversy and perpetuating prejudice, so why should anyone be surprised?) What is key to note is that the characters in this film act in accordance with self-interest, not faith or religion.
And I ask, what would detractors have Gibson do? Historical texts tell us Jewish priests prompted the death of Jesus, so how can the story be told otherwise? Should aliens have been substituted for the typically power-hungry, religious officials? Perhaps Russians. They were demonized in films for the last fifty years, why not rewrite history for the sake of over-sensitivity for just one more picture?
We do not blame all Germans for the Holocaust, and we do not blame all Americans, most descendents of Europeans, for the slaughter of Native Americans. Why, then, is there this idea that people will suddenly begin organizing lynch mobs to punish all Jews for the nearly 2000-year-old crime of only a handful?
I'm certainly not going to change anyone's opinions. People will see what they want to see, and read into this film whatever they wish. This is not what this film is about, and those focusing on such a contrived detail, no matter their personal beliefs involving Jesus, are depriving themselves of an unforgettable experience. Good or bad, but certainly unforgettable.
One last note--I can't help but be baffled by critics' reactions to this film. It has widely been panned for its overt and `exorbitant' violence. The website `Rotten Tomatoes' indicates 58 positive reviews to 55 negative. A quick check of reactions to `Kill Bill Vol.1' shows 159 positive reviews to only 32 negative. The only logical conclusion to be drawn from this is that violence, no matter how graphic so long as it is `stylized', is accepted with impunity, while true human suffering is intolerable and repugnant. Didn't 9/11 teach us we're not living in a dream world, or I am one of the few who has not forgotten?
I'm a believer, and that's what I took away. In the end, each of us will have a unique reaction, and it would be foolish to allow the rhetoric of others to influence that.
Beyond the gruesome brutality, I found this film to be beautiful. It is the first time someone or something has conveyed to me the true awesomeness of Christ's sacrifice. Some will agree, others will be disgusted, but few will walk away unmoved.
25th Hour (2002)
misconceptions rampant
While reading user comments I noticed a recurring theme: many viewers rebuking this film for what they perceived to be Spike Lee rhetoric. The Ed Norton mirror scene was vividly reminiscent of the most famous scene in "Do the Right Thing," any many may have felt bludgeoned by "Lee's" political agenda. Additionally, many saw little connection between the plot and 9.11.
Surprisingly, however, Lee does not have a writing credit for this film, and the mirror scene was contained in the original novel.
I found this to be Lee's least socially preachy, yet morally engrossing film. The theme here is not black and white, but crime and punishment. The three main characters all surrender to desire and all engage in degrees of morally reprehensible behavior, yet only one is being punished. Why? That's a question Lee allows us to ponder on our own.
The connection to 9.11 is clear in my mind: some people sell drugs and get away with it, others get caught with a kilo in their couch, and others die when a jetliner is flown into their office building. In other words, life is not fair, and consequences are not always appropriate.
Panic Room (2002)
brave ending
Spoiler regarding ending...
I enjoyed this film despite some of its obvious flaws, but what I admired most was the ending. It takes a lot of nerve to end a film the way Fincher does here, requiring the audience to do some thinking. I'm referring specifically to the penultimate scene, that ends on Jodie Foster's face.
A lesser director would have her character rush out to save the Forrest Whitaker character, yelling "wait, he's my butler" (and part of me wanted to see him get away, afterall he was nothing but a safe-cracker and the original plan was rather victimless), but by refraining from such action, Fincher creates the most exciting moment of a rather exciting film with nothing more than a close-up of Jodie Foster. Will she run out to save him or let him be punished for the hell she just experienced? Sensing his decency, this crosses her mind, but after contemplating his fate, she ultimately makes the right decision. It's a very powerful moment that will probably be missed my most, simply because it is so subtle and action-less while the rest of the film relies so heavily upon action.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Where's the Beef?
Maybe it's just me, but I feel a film needs an ending to be considered complete. I realize this is the first installment of a trilogy, but the film should be able to stand on its own, and this clearly does not.
Since an ending can clearly "make" an otherwise ordinary film such as "Usual Suspects," shouldn't a lack of an ending break a film? I think, ultimately, this is what has caused this movie to struggle so mightily to reach $300m in gross sales.
Frequency (2000)
Poor marketing hurt this film.
After renting the DVD last night (and seeing this film for the first time) I realized what a poor marketing campaign "Frequency" had. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and had the people who cut the trailer been able to convey the true sense of urgency and suspense this film possesses, it surely would have been more successful.
Many people have taken issue with the central plot element: time travel (or in this instance, communicating through time; changing the past to change the future). I, too, had a few problems with the movie's portrayal, but after thinking about it I came to the realization that NO ONE currently knows anything about what time travel might be like or what time really is, so how can one say "this would happen" or "this is ridiculous"? There were a few discrepancies, but nothing that seriously detracted from the film's credibility (except, perhaps, for the aurora borealis being visible in NY).
Physics aside, this is a very entertaining movie. The DVD is packed with incredible extras and I plan on adding this to my collection. I recommend you see this film.
American Beauty (1999)
superb performances elevate movie above plot
Had it not been for Hillary Swank's unbelievable performance in "Boys Don't Cry," Annette Benning surely would have won "Best Actress" as this was possibly one of the best performances in the past decade. Kevin Spacey, confirmed by his oscar, also did a superb job. But strong performances are not the only elements of a masterpiece, and this film lacks certain qualities or attributes that would elevate it to that status.
Despite the humor and irony, this film is quite perverse, not necessarily because of Lester's obsession with a teenager but because almost EVERY scene involves dialogue that centres around sex (and it is often quite vulgar). Had it not been so unrelenting, I would not be bothered by this, but we are bombarded with crude dialogue throughout the entire film.
This is something I did not notice the first time I saw "American Beauty". However, watching for a second time, I couldn't help but feel that it was overdone and inappropriate. Had it been a bit more subtle it would have been perfect, but it was too much.
Next time you watch this movie, try to take notice just how often there are crude references or sexual images. Normally I have no problem with such things in a film, but in one so lauded and praised, I had a hard time understanding the appropriateness.
Concerning the plot, I was eerily reminded of a Seinfeld episode gone awry. Such misunderstandings would not occur in real-life because people would not behave in the way these characters did. Although the character Lester might be easily related to by many men (and maybe women too, I don't know, I can't really speak for them) the situation surrounding him and events that occur around him are a little hard to believe.
It is these factors I feel detract from this film and keep it from the level from which critics have elevated it. A superb film, one deserving the Academy Award for best picture? Perhaps. But not an all-time classic.
Unbreakable (2000)
believable superhero
If there was such a thing as a "superhero," this is the most plausible, realistic idea about what he might be like. David Dunn has no special powers, nor is he invincible , but his physiological make-up allows his body to withstand much greater physical forces than average human beings. This concept is much easier to accept than someone with x-ray vision or the ability to fly (although superman is more sci-fi/fantasy while "Unbreakable" is more of a drama).
I did not enjoy "The Sixth Sense". In fact, I hated it. Nor do I read comic books (although the trailer doesn't convey the connection). Despite this, I could not wait to see "Unbreakable," and much to my delight I found it to be very absorbing and thought-provoking, although not at all what I expected.
Watching this film a second time, I noticed all the "clues" and visual images that hint towards the ending, an ending with which many people have said they are unsatisfied.
I agree to a certain extent. The ending could have been a bit more profound, but considering this movie is modeled after a comic book in which the hero discovers his powers, I thought it was appropriate.
My only hope is that the release of the DVD includes deleted scenes showing more of David Dunn discovering his strength.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Let US see some dead people
"I see dead people" is the catch phrase from this boring, excruciatingly slow, and dull "horror" movie. I find that quite amusing because after the first hour passed without a glimpse of anything abnormal and the little brat said "I see dead people" I thought to myself "let US see some dead people!"
The ending, which was interesting but came after the movie could have ended appropriately several times, does not compensate for the 2 hours I spent bored and restless in my seat.
How is this movie so well liked? I'll never understand people...they're the worst.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
"Eeriest" rather than "scariest" movie ever made
Has there ever been so much hype for such a low-budget film? This film may have gotten a bigger push than any other low-budget movie in cinematic history, and in the end I believe it was hurt by this.
Not only was it being billed as "the scariest movie ever" but there were also rumors that these events actually occurred, and the film had been pieced together from actual footage (which is not true, of course). Whether or not the legend is real, I don't know, but it seemed real enough, where one might believe it actually happened. I felt the three actors involved were practically flawless, giving some of the most realistic performances I have ever seen; the fact that they ad-libbed all their lines must have helped them in this respect, but nonetheless they were excellent.
The problem I had with the film is that it isn't scary enough; there were more scenes where I found myself laughing than feeling scared, which was not the intent of the directors. It WAS eerie, I have no qualms about that, but it had the potential to be terrifying without wandering into the realm of "campiness," and with a little more substance than innuendo it would have truly been a masterpiece (perhaps if they heard chanting at night instead of the all encompassing wood-snapping sound it would have been more effective at conveying the intense fear the characters must have felt which, judging by people's comments around me after it was over, was not accomplished). What is meant to be inferred or imagined is almost always more frightening than anything that can be portrayed on screen, but even the subtleties were TOO subtle, and they should have been a bit more graphic.
The conclusion of the film was terrifying and it wasn't until then that I felt truly frightened. There is something intrinsically creepy about the woods, but I think the film-makers relied to much upon that assumption.
Arlington Road (1999)
wow
WHAT AN ENDING! This has to be the best scripted movie I have seen in a looooooooong time. The ending was flawless and breath-taking. I could write more about this film than "wow" but anything else I could say would be doing it an injustice.
Summer of Sam (1999)
Misleading trailers lead to disappointment
"The Summer Of Sam." Sounds Like a movie ABOUT David Berkowitz, doesn't it? The trailers seemed to indicate the movie would follow a group of people through the summer, but I got the impression it would deal more directly with the Son of Sam. Instead, it was a film about that particular time, with occasional references to the paranoia that gripped New York City during during his killing spree. It used David Berkowitz's year-long reign of terror as a vehicle to tell it's story, but it didn't deal directly with, or even follow the killer at all.
Regardless, I found the film to be interesting and gripping, although it could have done without some of the gratuitous sex scenes (I wasn't alive during the time, but I do realize it was an era of great sexual freedom), and could have been shortened by 20 or 30 minutes. I felt had the film been about Berkowitz, and the massive hunt to catch him, it would have been a much more enticing movie, one that I would have enjoyed a lot more.
I guess it's difficult to spend an hour and a half just about Davey Berkowitz, as evidenced by "Out of the Darkness," an 80s film starring Martin Sheen dealing with the same subject, which does not follow the investigation or the killer, but instead follows the life of the detective who was responsible for capturing him.
Had this not been done by Spike Lee my expectations probably would not have been as high, which would have made the film seem more enjoyable. But knowing what he is capable of, I can't help but feel disappointed.
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
I guess "Oh behave" is only funny the first 100 times you hear it.
I was not a huge fan of the first "Austin Powers" film, but I did enjoy it. I thought it was hilarious for the first hour or so, and then became rather boring towards the end. This film, however, was monotonous and un-exciting throughout. Even it's funniest scene (a Jerry Springer episode with Dr. Evil and his son) was uninspired and unoriginal.
God help us if there are going to be two more sequels to this film. One might think there would have been some fresh jokes in here, but it was the usual "Yeah Baby," and "Do I make you horny?".
I think the main problem with this movie is it's premise. Whereas the first film mocked Austin Powers and was a bit of a satire, "The Spy Who Shagged Me" embraces this wretched character and stops poking fun at him, which is what made the first film (or the first half anyway) work so well. With endless product placements and cringingly bad dialogue by Heather Graham's character, this movie is almost as big a disappointment as "The Thin Red Line" (which is, incidentally, the worst movie I have ever seen).
Election (1999)
low-budget masterpiece
Most people would identify "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" as Matthew Broderick's most memorable role, but it is my contention that "Election," a high school movie with an ENTIRELY different theme and disposition than most teenage high-school flicks, is his best performance.
Instead of focusing on stereotypical nonsense like most films of this genre, "Election" is a very realistic (and hilarious) portrayal of the in-school high school experience. The plot is not realistic as much as the setting and relationships are. Each character is memorable and combine to create a very refreshing, hysterical, dark-comedy.
Apt Pupil (1998)
The last time I was robbed the guy had gun.
Quotes are always being taken out of context; which is the only possible explanation for "...a heart stopping, blood-chilling thriller..." appearing on the box for the video of this movie. What the critic most likely said was "This is as far from a HEART STOPPING, BLOOD-CHILLING THRILLER as any movie I've ever seen. This movie is awful...'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' was more frightening".
Adventures in Babysitting (1987)
The Godfather, Casablanca...Adventures In Babysitting
Every generation has its classics, and for those who grew up in the 80's "Adventures In Babysitting" is one of (if not the best) films of the decade...perhaps even of the century.
Unfortunately, it was overlooked when the top 100 films of all-time were picked, but everyone knows it deserved a spot. Years from now, "Adventures In Babysitting" will be mentioned in the same breath as such great films as "The Godfather," "Citizen Kane," and "The Goonies" (another film that was erroneously snubbed when the top films were voted on).
Sara, Kris, Daryl, Brad, Pruitt, Joe Gipp, and Brenda. It is nearly impossible to have a conversation about classic film characters without mentioning these 7 greats (often referred to by film historians as the "Magnificent Seven"). Some might argue that Vito Corleone or Charles Foster Kane, or Chunk from "Goonies" are the most unforgettable film characters, but I defy anyone to find as many classic characters in one film as there are in "AIB".
Much like the name suggests, "Adventures In Babysitting" delivers heart-pounding excitement and gut-wrenching thrills, but there is so much more to this movie that many people simply can not understand how it was possible to create such a masterpiece. One moment we are worrying about Brenda while the "Fab 4" (Daryl, Kris, Sara, and Brad) are running for their lives while managing to provide us, the audience, with many moments of laughter and excitement.
There are always those who fear change. When Hank Aaron challenged Babe Ruth's career home run record there were many people who opposed it, and as it goes there are those who will do anything to keep "AIB" from fulfilling its fate as the greatest film of all time, as voted by IMDB users. By giving it average or below average votes, a fickle attempt has been made by this "coup de etat" to keep "AIB" from the top. It has worked thus far, but even these AIB haters can not keep "Adventures In Babysitting" from becoming the undisputed top film of all-time.
Pushing Tin (1999)
Top Gun of air traffic control
I don't EVER recall a movie dealing with air traffic controllers specifically, so a fair amount of credit has to be given for attempting to do so. However the story, which had some hilarious moments, slowly drifted from pure comedy to romantic-comedy which, although I thoroughly enjoyed it, seriously detracted from the film's freshness, integrity, and quality.
The key to this movie is the rivalry that develops between John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton, which is similar to the rivalry in "Top Gun" between Maverick and Ice man. One is gung-ho while the other is more refined, until they push each other to their limits
I don't believe any other movie has had such an impact on my life as has "Pushing Tin". After seeing it, I have decided that ATC is something I am very interested in, and my friend and I have seriously considered leaving our current colleges to attend the College of Aeronautics at La Guardia Airport in Queens, NY.
I don't expect "real-life" ATC to be anything like the way it's portrayed in the movie (except, perhaps, for the stress involved), but it sure has opened my eyes to a brand new profession.
American History X (1998)
Powerful and frightening
For every thirty worthless, big-budget, shoot-em-up action movies whose only purpose is to make a profit, there is a film such as this one.
"American History X" is one of the most effective, yet frightening, films I have ever seen. I say frightening because it shows how impressionable young people are, and how easily they are led by someone who asserts him or herself. The need to feel important and the need for fraternity is prevalent, showing that people are willing to do things they wouldn't normally do, just to be accepted. Edward Furlong's character is so enamored by his older brother that he tries to emulate his entire lifestyle. Even Ed Norton's character, Derrick, who seems to be in control, has been influenced by his prejudicial father. It takes a stint in prison, and a friendship with a black prisoner that changes his life, for him to realize that spending all of one's time hating is wrong.
This is not a movie about neo-Nazi's, although the trailers for this film made it look as if it were. Rather it is about choices and focuses on the lives of people involved with a hate-group to get it's message across; it shows the scary but real consequences of living such a life.
I only gave this movie an 8, however, because I had some issues with the film-making that detracted from it. The story and theme, as I have just commented on, were practically flawless, but Edward Furlong is not an actor I like to see in such an important role, and the ending was predictable. There was an abundance of flashbacks and I think more time should have been spent in the present. These are minor complaints that are easily overlooked, but they are part of the film so I have to factor them in.
I find it unfortunate that it was only released in 1200 or so theaters because of its controversial subject matter, because THIS is the type of film that should have been released "in theaters everywhere".
Cruel Intentions (1999)
Better than I expected; not very good, but not bad.
I didn't see this movie by choice, I was outvoted by my friends and was forced to see it. I went in with a poor attitude but was pleasantly surprised at how "not-bad" it was.
Every time I saw the trailer for this film I cringed, but actually sitting through it didn't make me nauseaus, as I thought it would, in fact I wasn't even bored. It had an interesting story but moved too fast...we're supposed to believe these two people fall in love in a matter of days? He falls so in love with her he is willing to give up his debauched lifestyle? Highly unlikely.
Simply put, it wasn't bad. There is a lot of other garbage out there that is a lot worse, some of which is even being nominated for Oscars ('The Thin Red Line'). I thought it could have been better, and God knows I've wasted my money on a lot of other movies, but I wouldn't consider this movie a waste of money...a waste of time, maybe, but not money; I was entertained, and afterall, that is the objective of going to the movies.
A Simple Plan (1998)
Excellent, but good only once.
I thoroughly enjoyed "A Simple Plan." I thought Billy Bob Thornton was excellent, and Bill Paxton was just the right actor to pull off the "humble, hard-working" family man, a character we could easily sympathize with.
The story, which was great, was better than the movie. Don't get me wrong, however, I loved this film; I thought it was gripping and suspenseful, and I got the impression that everyone in the theater, including myself, was captivated by the unraveling of events and the deterioration of the characters' plans.
The only fault this movie has is that it takes a long time for the events to occur and when seeing it for a second time, without the tension created by the unknown outcome, I don't think it would be as effective or enjoyable; in fact, I think I would find myself bored at certain times. Regardless, a movie's "replay" value does not change it's quality, so I give it a 9, and I would recommend this film to everyone I know.
Rushmore (1998)
Quirky, unique, original...GREAT!
"Rushmore" is truly a rare a film. It is passed off as a comedy, which it most certainly is, but there are other elements in this movie that separate it from what one might consider to be a typical "comedy."
There aren't any big laughs, which is amazing when you consider just how funny and amusing it can be at times. One might expect Bill Murray to provide the comedy, but it is Jason Schwartzman who steals the show. His portrayal of Max Fischer, an intelligent, able, yet misguided teenager, is nothing short of brilliance. His warped views on how to relate to people make him the perfect match for Bill Murray's character, a wealthy and lonely businessman. Their friendship turned rivalry reveals just how fragile both characters are, and shows how dependent even those who seem to have everything under control can be for other's attention and affection.
Wes Anderson has done a fine job with this film; a film that is endearing and memorable, especially with its use of a catchy soundtrack. This contemporary classic should not be overlooked at next year's Oscars.
Educating Peter (1992)
Peter serves as inspiration for us all
"Educating Peter" is an enlightening and informative look into the life of a child affected by Downs Syndrome.
It's fun to watch as Peter adapts to his new school and learns to interact with other children, and it seems as though they learn as much from him as he does from them. His zany misadventures with his classmates serve as moments of laughter because all of us wish, at times, we could be as care-free as Peter.
This Academy Award winning documentary should be seen by everyone; it is unforgettable and Peter will provide a topic of discussion for a long time to come.
The Thin Red Line (1998)
Boooooooooring
I guess it's important to know people in high places, how else could one explain Terrence Malick actually having a "movie" like this as acclaimed as it is? I have quoted the word "movie" because it was a movie only in the sense that it was shot on film and it is seen in a theater. Otherwise it is just a plotless, empty, superficial examination of what Mr. Malick THINKS war would be like.
How can this be considered for an Academy Award? There is NO PLOT; the "movie" continuously seemed as if it were building toward something and then...NOTHING.
"The Thin Red Line" would be better suited for National Geographic or a Discovery channel documentary, with its endless and tiresome shots of wildlife and foliage, and as if those were not bad enough in themselves, they weren't even placed well within the "moment." The only relevant shot of an animal in this "film" came with a bird struggling for its life amidst the battle. The opening scene is of an alligator while the music in the background is escalating and then...NOTHING. Two and a half HOURS later we see the alligator again, WOW! I got chills! What a great technique! Now I understand the meaning of life!
I understood the theme which was explained in the first of what seemed like an infinite amount of narratives, "Nature is endlessly fighting with itself," or some philisophical garbage like that. But this "movie" tries to do too much and left me as well as the rest of the audience, or what was left of it, gawking at the screen in a state of confusion and disbelief when the credits FINALLY rolled.
You can call me crazy, but I think characters are important, and if Mr. Malick hadn't intended to focus on any one character, then why did he add elements to the "film" (such as the cheating wife) that would make it seem as if he were but ran out of time?
At least I wasn't so withdrawn as not to notice George Clooney's perfect hair in the MIDDLE OF THE JUNGLE!
Very Bad Things (1998)
wickedly perverse, wickedly good
If this film had been any less morbid it wouldn't have been as effective, but it NEVER tried to be taken seriously. It's a dark comedy, exactly what it is meant to be. Although it was a bit too gory at times, the sadistic humor more than made up for it...
The Wanderers (1979)
A film about a different era
"The Wanderers" is a film about another time, when people fought with fists instead of guns, when chewing bubble gum in class was among the most serious of violations, and gangs were about fraternity not crime.
It is an excellent portrayal of what it was like for a young man growing up in the 50s and turbulent 60s, and few other films so accurately depict the "pains" of adolescence.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
A film I will never forget
When I went to see this film I thought I knew what to expect--a gory, realistic war drama about a group of men whom we come to have emotions for, not unlike the characters in "Platoon" or "Full Metal Jacket," but I was sorely mistaken.
This film was not only realistic, it was heart-wrenching and thrilling, and never before has a film had such an emotional impact on me. Never before have I pitied and felt so strongly for characters in a movie because I always found most movies to merely be entertainment, with the exception of a few other films dealing with equally significant issues, but something was different about "Saving Private Ryan". It made me reflect on my own life and I actually found myself thanking God that I have never experienced something as horrifying and gruesome as the experience of the soldiers as portrayed in the opening and closing scenes.
A month after seeing it, I still find myself contemplating the horror experienced by so many men, and I can't fathom the misery, anguish, and suffering encountered by those soldiers. The character Private Ryan was superfluous to the story, a mere gimmick in my mind for Spielberg to portray the Hell that must be combat.