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Generation Kill (2008)
Pretty Good
First off, viewers should realize that this series is about a marine recon team. This is not about the army, navy, air force, etc. Most armed forces members will tell you that the people in the Marines are a different breed from other members. They are often by nature, more aggressive, angry, patriotic, racist, need to prove something, excited to kill something, etc. If you get annoyed by that, then don't watch Generation Kill. Regardless, the series is good because, although the series isn't a deep philosophical "thin red line",(judging by the demeanor and mentality of a lot of the soldiers in the film it would seem a bit unrealistic), it is an honest portrayal of the mindset, expectations, and mentality of these specific groups of soldiers. Another strong point is the relatively lack of action. This is also an honest portrayal. Much of war is 95% of sitting around, doing random chores, getting bored out of your mind, mixed in with 5% of terror and serious fighting which can shake anyone's mental foundation and nerves. . I feel this series captured this rather well.
The only downside to the film was David simon's typecasting of the obnoxious character from season 2 of the wire (wire fans will know what im talking about). It was good once, but not twice. Additionally, Skarsgard acting is rather wooden and questionable, particularly his accent, which ranges from southern, to standard, to something I've never heard of. I've lived in Scandinavia for quit some time so i've come quite accustomed to hearing their English, which is mostly excellent, but there are still hints.
Agree with the war or not, this series shows the bravery, albeit at times maniacal nature of men, who go into action when called upon.
Super High Me (2007)
Not really a documentary
For Starters, this should be called "The Benson Standup while high" comedy routine. Literally 80% of this film is just him performing stand up with poor lighting in various clubs across the U.S., talking about how he is or how great it is to be high. It's one thing to have a serious discussion about the effects of marijuana, but its completely pointless to hear some stoner talk about how high he is and how great he feels. All it does is further validate the stereotype that many people who smoke pot just bores everyone else with various uninteresting stories about how high they were in situations which they vaguely remember. Additionally, when the entire comedic material is about smoking, it gets old. Chapelle or another comedian wouldn't be very funny if their entire routine was based on one subject either.
There is more scientific research found in a 7th grade science fair project than this farcical attempt at a "scientific" experiment about smoking marijuana. One of the stronger parts of the film was the discussion of medicinal marijuana and its effects, particularly among seriously ill patients, but that was short lived, as the "documentary" quickly cut to yet ANOTHER dimly lit stand up routine.
"Super Size Me" was interesting but the downfall in that documentary was that the result of eating fast food everyday for a month was hardly surprising or controversial, making the movie a foregone conclusion before it even began. Benson had an opportunity to tackle a serious and controversial subject that is hardly settled, sprinkled with moments of hilarity. Benson should have used his comedy routines as a crutch, not as a pillar, using it now and then to provide some levity to the film. Instead, what we got was some stoner who had a little too much financial backing, advertising his own stand up routine. The contribution this film gave toward the debate of smoking marijuana is basically unchartable. I would expect high school stoners to put together a more insightful and scientific project than this.
However, Benson really gave away his lack of commitment to a real project on smoking marijuana, as at one point in the film he states something along the lines of "I'm not really into the whole activist marijuana thing, I just wanna smoke". I only wish that this was shown in a trailer, so I could have gotten at least one red flag that this film wasn't going to be very good.
300 (2006)
Good but not great
No Spoilers The Digital Cinematography and the wardrobes were spectacular. The Persians and the various fighters were so well done and the spartan cloaks really got your arm chair general blood going. Everything else was just 'pretty good'. The problem with this movie is that it simply came a little too late. So many aspects of the film had already been beat to death. The lamenting sound of a woman singing in some foreign language during scenes of sorrow or death. The slow motion action sequences (however the first clash between persian and Greek was awesome). The woman walking through the wheatfield scenes reminded you too much of gladiator. The speeches are pretty good but when he finally says "This is Sparta!!!!" you cant help but laugh a little bit. The characters really weren't developed well either as i didn't really care whether the spartans lived or died (of course you knew going into it that they would die) but i didn't really care about their sacrifices either. I understand that this is not a completely faithful interpretation of the event and i had no problem with that. It is a different take from what we have discovered to have happened, yet the different story itself was rather weak. Then again its based off of a comic and although i am not a comic reader i think its safe to say that it lacks the depths of novel turned movies. The glorification of and dehumanization of one or both sides unfortunately often makes for a pretty boring storyline without much emotion. As dramatic and straightforward as the battle of thermopylae was, i believe they could have done much better in evincing emotions from the viewer as well. However, as an action movie, there is so much that the girl behind me wouldn't shutup about how she was going to be sick. Its a good movie to watch because the fight scenes are pretty good and the colors are fantastic but i left wanting more of a story.
Blade Runner (1982)
Def. not top 250
I Went to rent this movie after hearing all the hype and seeing this movie in the top 100. What couldve gone wrong? A lot.
The beginning of the movie was somewhat interesting with the graphics and atmosphere but that got boring after a while. the plot was halfway decent but was nothing spectacular to it, i mean its just a guy chasing down clones or robots (whatever they are).
I dont exactly see the "physcological" message through this film. maybe you need to be smokin to understand this movie. It was slow and uninteresting. there is very little character development at all. the only cool part was when Harrison Ford was being chased by the main villian who howled like a wolf. But the ending was dissappointing and somewhat muffled. I just beleive that this is one of those cult films that everyone said was awesome but no one ever really asked themselves if they were just saying it to be mainstream.
B- movie. wasnt terrible but how it got to be so popular blows my mind
The 13th Warrior (1999)
Fun...but like all other movies, have flaws
This is a movie you can watch over and over again. I just love that theme of action and history rolled into one. The action is good but blurry at times(especially in the viking lodgings). The charachter development isnt all that well but their honour and bravery and very well displayed. they can also be humurous without looking like a clown. i also liked the fact that Iban wasnt portrayed as a lousy obnoxious sidekick as was done in The Mummy and such. The "Bad prince" theme was totally out of the blue and shouldve been better explained but a decent attempt to add depth to the story. the people of the town were also not well shown in a way that their plight and ideas were not well represented. the armour and fighting was good but one of the men looked more like a spanish conquistador than a viking. Nonetheless this movie flies by real fast and is not dull for one moment and the cinemetography as well as the soundtrack was well done. I just wish more movies like this will come out in the future (Gates of Fire)...intellectually 6/10...but a movie you can watch over and over again.