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Zen-9
Reviews
The Untold (2002)
A bit basic
Okay, if you watch a Bigfoot movie you are either a Bigfoot fan (like me) or a horror fan (me sometimes). This film is fairly basic, has some nice scenery and the great Lance Henriksen. It is a bit patchy at times, lingers on the Beast POV a bit too much and has what I think is a fairly bad take on Bigfoot. The look of the thing (if he exists) is still up for grabs, but this interpretation is more man-thing than beast. Strangely enough, the close ups of the Sasquatch's jaw it looks like a different creature.
Anyway, not great, a bit slow, but has some decent acting at times and an okay Bigfoot vs. Henriksen fight.
L'avventura (1960)
A classic film.
No, this is not for everyone. It moves very slow, almost no music, no action scenes and no nudity (sorry). But for those who are interested in a meditative film on visual storytelling, this is a classic place to start. Antonioni was an artist, no doubt, and this was one of his greatest creations.
Booed when it screened at Cannes, it has now found itself on many top ten lists of the greatest films of all times. I have the Criterion DVD which contains a nice commentary and documentary. I know it will put some to sleep and baffle some as to the conclusion of the film, but it certainly makes you watch and think and is a different movie making experience all together.
King Kong (2005)
Not only great, but better than the original!
Every time I read a critical review of this film, I can only imagine they are agenda driven. True, no film will be liked by everyone but most of what I read negatively about this film sounds contrived. If there was one complaint it might be the length but no one I saw the film with felt it dragged. This is King Kong folks, what were you expecting? It's the story of a doomed giant ape that falls for the wrong woman. A monster movie. An adventure film. And in this version, a love story. The effects are fantastic, the story is loaded with life and if you aren't feeling your heart strings tugged during the last 5 minutes...your already dead.
I highly recommend it. I loved the original and even the remake as a child, but this one tops them all. Best film of the year for me. Will see it again for sure.
The Great Escape (1963)
An all time great!
This is almost the cream of the top for every actor in this film. If you love grand old films, this one has to be at the top of your list. Sturges has done some of his best work here, handling a huge cast and a massive tale. The tension is always there and the widescreen images are just incredible. Mcqueen is at his minimal great here as The Cooler King. Almost leaving the production at one point until Sturges wrote the scene where he is asked to help the resistance (he had some insecurity issues with his acting). Garner, Coburn, Bronson and the rest all fill in the fantastic cast.
Ahead of it's time with the action sequences. A great soundtrack with Elmer Bernstien as well.
Not to be missed!
Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
Great classic!
This was a great old thriller. Sturges did this earlier in his career and is in top form along with Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape. The early use of cinema-scope the film looks amazing. Tracy is once again a perfect leading actor! Has an early "martial arts" battle with Tracy and Bornine. An early story line dealing with prejudice as well. The music is also stunning and easy to remember. Watched this on a Criterion Laserdisc and the rare commentary by director Sturges was pure gold. If you love your films old and dramatic, you can't go wrong here.
Watch for a small supporting role played by Lee Marvin.
Killing Cupid (2005)
Wes Anderson Meets Tarantino?
I caught this last year at a film festival screening. Though the film has it's own unique style, you can't help but notice the subtle (or not so subtle) nods by first time director Michael Worth to Tarantino, Scorsese, etc. (particularly in an opening shot from a car trunk). A dark comedy about a female assassin (played by Jenya Lano) in search of herself. I give the film a 7 out of 10 based on the kind of movie it is and not comparing it to the larger studio films (which are many times much worse than this). It is not for everyone's taste, aimed at a more "cult" audience then mainstream. The very low budget (not to be confused with "B movie") feel is also sometimes it's charm. It definitely wants you to think on life and death and does not try to give you a "popcorn" ride. Made for a specific audience the film reminds one of either the slow static pace of Wes Anderson or the more rugged low budget entries of Linklater or Jarmuch in style. At least, the attempt is there anyway. Held back by a limited budget, the film still stands out but can be uneven at times.
The casting of B movie/TV actor Lorenzo Lamas as an arrogant hit-man was the most natural I have seen him. The other characters with names like "Starfish" and "Pimp" are a great strange bunch of characters bordering on insane comedy one second and sudden melancholy the next. Worth appears half way through the film in a sort of hero/anti-hero role. I think he is making fun of images he has portrayed in the past (he talks about bad B movie lighting). There is a sort of improv feel here when watching the performances (check out the charismatic granddaughter of the hotel owner...great stuff!). A raw director for sure, but sparks of....can I say excellence?...at times. Some unique shots, funny dialoge and wacky characters. The film was greeted well at the festival.
The film had an alternate title of "Killing Cupid" which is a much more original and appropriate title than the bland "Warrior Or Assassin". Reminds one of "Kill Bill" a bit in story but appears to have been made before those films even came out. Not a film for everyone by any means, but it is different and at times very funny. So, if you go in knowing you are seeing a low budget comedy/action film (some martial arts fights), stripped of expectations and stereo types (unless intended) you will really get a "kick" out of it.
Ghost Rock (2003)
Low Budget...but has heart
Some of these reviews seem pretty harsh and make me think some people just don't watch the film. But, to each their own.
The film was low budget, but is DEFINATELY not shot on video. It's shot on film, as most westerns should be. As for martial arts in the old west...come on, THAT IS THE POINT. You have an American raised with a Chinese family and that's how he knows how to fight. No one complained about Jackie Chan or David Carradine in the old west....but then maybe some out there think you actually need to BE Chinese to fight like that (I'm Chinese and I don't).
Also, the whole reason Gary Busey isn't going around killing people in this film as he did in the opening scene is because his characcter WANTS TO CHANGE. He is trying to be the mayor of the town instead of a dirtbag outlaw. He says that in the film (someone wasn't listening I guess) This is where some original and subtle writing comes in (by actor Michael Worth): Busey is trying to lead a different life than his past life but realizes, when the surviving children of an earlier massacre return to find him, you can't change a tiger's stripes. I think this might be too much out of stereotype for some of the reviewers here. Like make the bad guy JUST bad instead of conflicted(Busey is giving a kid candy while he is having a guy whipped....)
The film is only boring if you want action every 10 minutes. This is a drama with action elements. I think that was a great idea as it would have been typical to make this an excuse to just shoot and fight. It has a nice love story between Worth and Jenya Lano, some cool characters in the town (including the outlaws that follow Busey) and some great fight scenes that don't go over the top as is typical today.
Like I said, it's low budget but that didn't hurt El Mariachi or Evil Dead so it certainly doesn't hurt here either. I rented it and will buy it next.