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Lebowski85
Reviews
Children of Men (2006)
A Cutting Edge, Action Packed, Thinking Mans Action Film!
The film is set in 2027. For the past 18 odd years the human race has been unable to have children. Full Stop.
This is all that is explained about the narrative during the film and this is all within the first 10 minutes. The film does little to explain what has happened, what is happening and what is going to happen after the film finishes. Normally, this would leave me feeling rather empty and unsatisfied, and whilst i would have liked more in terms of narrative throughout the film, what is included is prime viewing and delivers a very intense and gritty masterpiece that is as unrelenting in its imagery as it is compelling to watch.
The style of the film mirrors this lack of information. We don't know what happened to make the human race infertile because its irrelevant to what is happening on screen. With this film, you only know what you see and what you see is what you get.
First off, the aesthetics of the film are superb. Very gritty, very gloomy and most likely filmed on DV, with a similar look to 28 Days Later. If that gives you any frame of reference this darkish aesthetic almost mirrors the doom and gloom evident in the peoples lives intentionally feelings like Death, Poverty and oppression are mirrored using this medium. The obvious use of DV in the films plentiful action scenes gives the film a dimension of intensity as seen in the opening sequence of Saving Private Ryan and the chase scenes in 28 Days Later.
The director manages to carry the film with a steady pace. It progresses well and not once was i left wandering where the film was going, which is strange seeing as we do not really know the ultimate objectives of the main characters. By that i mean we know where they are going but we do not know why or what is going to happen afterwards.
There are many many political references throughout the film. I do not care about politics enough to get into depth but the underlying morals and political references are clearly used to stimulate Leftist propaganda. There are obvious references to the Holocaust, Talitarian governments, Terrorists aka "Freedom Fighters", White oppressors, Lesbians, Black Saviours and many more. This doesn't ruin the film in any way and is actually used to good effect in order to create the feeling of oppression that is essential in carrying the film and its underlying moral narratives. But if proper propaganda annoys you, this film may be a little hard to take. But its a film, a cutting edge, action packed thinking mans film. A compelling watch from start to finish and if you like film to be slightly different and modern whilst being highly entertaining then i would seriously recommend Children of Men to anyone. ANYONE! 8/10 - It would be nine but i do feel that a little bit of an introduction and conclusion would have gone a long way to explaining the narrative and and ultimately giving the film a much more satisfactory conclusion.
Factotum (2005)
Excellent Acting!
This film is based on a real life writer called Henry Chinaski. The thing with this film is that nothing blows your mind, which i feel works for the film. The pace of the Film is reflective of the character Henry Chinaski played by Matt Dillon, whom i feel is superb in this movie. Cinematically there is nothing spectacular about this film but this doesn't affect the quality of the movie itself as its focal point is the relationship between Chinaski and his female companions and this is portrayed in a very delicate manner. all in all this is a very slow film that may provide the viewer with an entertaining hour and a half but you must be patient with the film and plot. If you are watching this film due to an interest in Chinaskis work in real life then i would recommend the film 'Barfly' starring Mickey Rourke.
Poseidon (2006)
Perfectly Entertaining!
I actually read bad reviews of this film and had resigned myself to never watching it. Until i realised it was a remake of a film i saw when i was younger but never knew the name of, The Poseidon Adventure! So i decided to watch it if not for old times sake and i can honestly say i was pleasantly surprised. The problem with most disaster films is they're clichéd, unrealistic and rather tedious to watch. This film i felt was rather enjoyable. The special effects were well done but never over done or needless, the film brings up a series of events that are rather sad and brutally honest. The actors did well and play their roles simply and efficiently but my one criticism is were never lead to really feel any affection towards the characters in the film, which i suppose makes the film move quicker in places but you didn't really care who died next! I felt the director did a sound job on the film. It was easy to watch whilst being entertaining, it was slick in places and held a steady pace throughout and i wasn't bored or finding the film tedious for one minute in the cinema.
If you fancy watching a reasonably entertaining movie for one and a half hours then watch it. Its perfectly entertaining but wont blow your mind whilst perhaps bringing up an emotion or two!
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Fantastic the first time and better from then on!
The Big Lebowski is a very clever, hilarious film that stands up to repeat viewings over and over again.
The nature of the film is difficult to specify. Its a comedy that combines elements of surrealism with a decent sound track and visuals and is carried through with excellent performances by great actors playing very funny but unique roles. This is by no means a mainstream comedy. The story of this film, as you will find out, doesn't really stand out but what makes the film good is the acting, Direction and script which I'm sure every Big Lebowski Fan will tell you contains some of the best speeches and one liners ever written in my opinion.
The Cohen Brothers in my opinion are fantastic directors for those who do not know, and their style can be seen throughout, using a very delicate balance of simple cinematography and music that wont excite the viewer but develops a pace which suits this film to perfection.
All of the actors are superb, Steve Buscemi, Jeff Bridges and John Goodman are all amazing and in my opinion Goodman should have one an award for his role in the film. The film also contains various other special characters throughout which just works brilliantly.
There are very few if any elements to this film that could be improved. Any angle to any aspect you can think of has been chosen and executed perfectly to leave the viewer happy afterwards. And as i said it stands up to repeat viewings. I have no idea how many times I've watched it but its a lot perhaps 30+ and its still just as funny. I'm in awe of the perfect direction and faultless acting from start to finish.
I have and Would recommend it to anyone and those i have love it too Enjoy!!!
Reeker (2005)
Truly Average!
I wasn't expecting much from a film called Reeker but being in Argentina was the only film in English available, so i was hoping to be surprised.
Nothing sets this film apart from anything thats been made in the past few years. It contains elements of Final Destination and Identity but doesn't pull the respective elements off as well as it these films.
Obviously one of the main elements in any horror flick is its gore factor which i do admit this film pulls off well, but for most of the film i was asking myself "what next", as is revealed in the end in what i thought was a half decent conclusion. I say conclusion not twist because a twist should take everything you thought you knew about a film and turn it upside down in a stroke of genius, all this does is makes sense of the last hour and half for which i didn't know why all this was happening as it all seemed rather unclear.
The actors do their part as horror isn't exactly a complex role, and the direction is steady throughout so its not gonna blow your mind.
I'm not gonna tell anyone on here to stay away from this film, i like horror and such especially if they try and do something a little different with it like this does but as i said i found it all rather tedious from start to finish. I'm sure there are people who will like this film as the gore and the ending are enough to satisfy but i feel after Saw, Final Destination and Identity, the bar has been raised for what is a slowly revitalised genre.
If you liked any of the above films especially Identity and Final Destination i recommend it but don't expect anything too shocking or original. 5/10
The Omen (2006)
Stunningly Average
If you've never heard of the film or not seen the original then this will be an enjoyable horror film, different to most horrors. If you have seen the Original and Liked it then you will most likely enjoy your time spent watching this film as it stays very true to the original and in some cases the cinematography and mise-en-scene are identical. The film is a basic carbon copy of the original but obviously updating a classic to appeal to a new generation of movie goers, it even includes references to certain modern day disasters such as 9/11 and the 2004 Tsunami to show the coming of Armageddom brought upon us as part of the cycle ending in Damiens birth onto this earth.
I felt the biggest floor in the film was the casting.I felt the child cast as Damien, a very simple role reliant on looks more than anything, didn't look menacing enough and at times i felt he'd be better in a Home Alone style of film. Mia Farrow was excellent as the Nanny as i felt she had quite an artificial, sickly and sometimes sadistic manor and suited the role perfectly. But thats my opinion. Stiles and Schraeber do competent jobs as the parents but I don't feel either stole the show or acted superbly.
Visually i loved this film, and a few sequences in particular were very very well done. As for the scares, there aren't many at all, and a few could be seen coming a mile away (dream sequence/mirror open then shuts to see apparition in rear,etc..) I did jump physically in one sequence where i wasn't expecting it (which i won't mention specifically so it may surprise you too). There is a distinct feel of Final Destination to certain moments in this movie as you will see, but the average gore fan out there shouldn't be disappointed with the moments of blood here.
So, it was an entertaining 2 hours. Nothing terribly new, and not as creepy or Gothic as the first one. In a way, i was hoping it might go in a different direction, but perhaps, it's the producers' ultimate compliment to the original - keep it very similar,just updating it for a new generation of horror fans. Recommended but don't expect fireworks.
The Usual Suspects (1995)
A Modern CLASSIC!
The Usual Suspects' has received a lot of comment for its killer twist ending, which while by no means the first in movie history, has proved to be enormously influential. But in my opinion this movie is so much better and offers so much more to the viewer than a surprise ending! It is a meticulously scripted, faultlessly acted and an excellently directed masterpiece that stands up to repeated viewings. I have watched this film time and time again over numerous years and its just as good as the first time i watched it and i notice small details every time i see it.
This movie really put Kevin Spacey on the map, but everyone in the ensemble cast is outstanding, even Stephen Baldwin who is one of the best in the whole film, and who has never appeared in a movie this good before, or since. Gabrial Byrne is outstanding as Dean Keaton and each actor makes each individual character their own.
Director Bryan Singer has yet to live up to the promise shown here with his subsequent movies, the average 'Apt Pupil' and the disappointing 'X-Men'. For all the acclaim he and the (admittedly superb) cast have received, the real star of 'The Usual Suspects' is Christopher McQuarrie's sensational script, one of the finest of the modern era, and one that genuinely deserved it's Oscar.
It really doesn't get any better than this!! One of the greatest movies ever made, seriously. A truly unforgettable experience for any movie watcher.
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
One Reamake Worth Watching
I'm not normally a fan of remakes as most people ruin what was good about the original. However, the zombie genre has developed in the last few years, and what was good about the original may not be conceived as good in this day and age. The original obviously being a cult classic zombie flick, possibly the best ever, with a retro look about it that could never be re-created. So the Director had a decision to make, a gamble one might say. Try and Stick to what made the original great or try something new. He tried something new and did a very good job in my opinion.
He obviously stuck to the basic story line but i feel there are other aspects to this film that make it good. First off, i felt an original cast was always going to be needed and the actors were excellent. I feel Ving Rhames and Mekhi Phifer, the only well known actors in the film, do really well and all of the other actors played their part superbly.
Secondly, i don't know much about this director Zack Snyders work, but I'm going to look into more of his stuff as there was an aesthetic about the movie, a slickness one might say about it that seemed to make the movie flow nicely and the moods within the film be it, comical, horrific, romantic or Sad were shown well and entwined throughout. Be it the moment Ana and Michael fall for each other, Andy The Gunman Dies or when they're running from the zombies screaming and shouting into an elevator only for the screams and hectic camera work to stop and the Calm soothing Elevator Music starts, that i felt was a stroke of genius. It works in a very Dark way and this kind of humour can be seen throughout the film.
This film was all about the Direction the Director was going to take it. He took a chance and in my opinion it paid off. A job very well done. Any fan of the traditional zombie flick may not like it as it does steer from the tried and tested formula seen for years, but otherwise i can see most people enjoying this film, especially if you liked 28 Days Later. 7/10
Crash (2004)
Hmmmm
I wouldn't go as far as to say it deserved an Oscar! Especially over Walking The Line, about Johnny Cash. But i can appreciate why it was widely regarded as a good film and i repeat GOOD, not Great.
Its set in LA over 2 days and is made up of a series of small stories, entwining at some points throughout with Each story supposedly reflecting an aspect of racial tension or problem within American society etc. Some of which i feel worked well and were perfectly realistic and others i felt the Director tried to force upon the audience. I feel it doesn't tackle the broader problem of racism but merely highlights minor aspects of it therefor i feel it will receive mixed responses from all sides of society.
It terms of how the film is constructed, i was very impressed with how the director controlled the information being given to the audience and all the separate stories progress consistently and i personally found myself engrossed throughout and not at stop start intervals. The Music reflects the moderate pace of the film and the Cinematic aspects are fresh but not over the top which makes it a film that isn't too intense visually but mentally.
The acting award in this film has to go to Matt Dillon as i feel he portrayed his character the best, and was believable in the role as was Don Cheadle who is fast becoming one of a few actors i have complete faith in.
All in all, i feel it is worth a watch. Afterall it did win an Oscar but then again so did Titanic so ill let you decide. Id recommend it but don't expect fireworks. I hope you find this helpful!
Walk the Line (2005)
Brilliant Movie!
Its difficult to comment on this movie because its almost impossible to decide where to start when describing how good it is! I'm not going to sit here and say its my favourite film or the best I've ever seen but there is very little in this film that i feel could have been improved. In a Biography,its is the acting and not the directing that is the most important, i feel anyway. The Directing is sufficient and consistent throughout and as has been echoed from professionals the world over, Joequin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon deserve Oscars for their performances. I read one journalists report on this film and they say Joequins too short to play Johnny and Reese too pretty for her role. I don't know to be honest, and it may well be the case. But ill say that if that is all they can find wrong with this film then i think that says it all. I didn't know a whole lot about Johnny Cash when i watched this film and it didn't embellish on his character or romanticise his persona like most Hollywood tripe, i wont go into details but there are times you feel sorry for him, angry at him or sometimes don't care. As I've said, everything in this film is excellent or sufficient for what is needed. The Music, excellent. Directing, sufficient. And the Acting and Casting, Superb. And Reese Witherspoon is gorgeous throughout! I give this film 9 out of 10 and would recommend it to anyone!
King Kong (2005)
Excellent Movie Allround!
This was a massive film and like has been said before, Peter Jackson is the perfect director for it! I feel that every aspect of the film was done to near perfection and even though being a massive blockbuster, i felt it kept a very realistic, raw appearance throughout and did well to not become too cheesy and predictable. I feel the CGI was outstanding and Kong appeared excellently throughout as did all of the other Dinosaures and Bugs etc. I do feel however that Jacksons mark on the film isn't felt for the first hour, but from then on it has his awesome recognisable style all over it.
The acting, i feel, is second to none. From Naomi Watts who plays Ann very well, and Adrian Brody plays the hero well and has impressed me very well in this film. Even Jack Black, who is a very simple and basic actor at the best of times played the part of the ambitious director very well, and my opinion of him has come on leaps and bounds.
The aesthetics of the film are top notch as well. Its always slick and from start to finish it kept me entertained, shocked (in Places) and generally satisfied. These days, most blockbusters aren't worth the money you pay to see them but i would happily pay double to see this. If you want an action packed movie, thats well acted with even better direction then this is the movie for you!!
The Business (2005)
The Business: Slick Flick
This film was very well made. Nick Love using the same style of Direction as in his other work, most notably the Football Factory, managed to keep me entertained throughout! The film set in the Thatcher Era and uses a delicate balance of Humour, Violence and a wicked soundtrack to keep the viewer entertained. However, i feel the Script and Screenplay died out towards the End. The film starts very well and flows nicely, but towards the end of the film the purpose dies out and you find yourself saying 'what next'. The ending wasn't well written and leaves a lot to be answered in the plot, but up until the last 20 minutes this film is very well made! If you've seen Football factory then you know what sort of Film to expect and what sort of performances Danny dyer and Tammer Hassan will put in. I would recommend it as it was thoroughly entertaining but don't expect any Scorsese gangster masterpiece!