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John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
One hell of an action movie!
John Wick 4 expands the run time to 2 hours and 49 minutes and shows action fans one can never have enough of a good thing.. All of the stylish, hyper violence and intensity of the previous films is here, simply taken to greater length. John Wick finally finds a way to defeat the high table.
Set in Berlin, Germany, Osaka, Japan, Paris, France and New York City, New York. One of the most intense, visceral action movies ever made. A fitting end to a great action franchise and one hell of an action movie. Four stars for the action choreography. Three stars overall as a movie. Highly recommended for all action fans.
The Illusionist (2006)
Masterful film making
Completely engaging and captivating to experience. A lush romance, mystery, thriller. Paul Giamatti is super as the police inspector. Impressively written and directed by Neil Burger.
Mulan (1998)
Duty, honor, courage, family
Not exactly historically correct, however Mulan, 1998, functions well as good storytelling and entertainment in the Disney animated tradition. An epic battle scene against the Huns delivers brief emotional weight. The strong title character of Mulan represents a departure from the usual demure female Disney heroine, here as a strong willed and determined young woman who comes of age and earns respect.
Inside Out (2015)
One of Pixar's best, well written, imaginative and charming films!
Many positive adjectives comes to mind when describing Inside Out: intelligent, perceptive, warm, affectionate and charming.
Midnight in Paris (2011)
Good writing and charming, but less than woody Allen's best
The theme of this warmly romantically photographed film is nostalgia. Owen Wilson plays an engaged writer in Paris with his wife to be. The film is about his artistic, escapist late night escapades. Owen Wilson is clearly playing a familiar well worn Woody Allen kind of character here.
Men in Black (1997)
Good writing raises this science fiction action comedy above average
Social and cultural commentary writing and brief scenes of genuine emotion make this film rise above its genre limitations.
Lost in Translation (2003)
A remarkable and original well observed study of the nature of friendship
Lost in Translation is more about mood and observation than about story, however, the film is remarkably satisfying and engaging in an honest, thoughtful, perceptive, gentle manner. This is a meditation on lost souls connecting and discovering unexpected friendship in a foreign land. Writer director Sofia Coppola's second feature film remains her best.
Romeo and Juliet (1968)
Arguably the best ever film adaption of the classic tragic love story of "Romeo and Juliet"
Done with impressive artistic style, taste and faithfulness to the original famous Shakespeare tragic play of young star crossed love.
1776 (1972)
An entertaining, beautifully photographed, musical, historical drama, mostly light hearted, energetic film, part fact, part fiction
My review here is based upon a second viewing, July 2, 2020. Based upon the 1969 play of the same name. I first saw this film as a child when released back in 1972. "1776' received mixed critical reviews when first released, in contrast to the praise and success of the stage musical on which it is based. Many criticized the light tone of the film, considering the importance of the historical subject matter and historical inaccuracies. This is a drama and a musical film, with an overall light tone, about an important historical subject, not a documentary film. Notably the film takes a brief dark turn when the subject of slavery is discussed in the continental Congress and southern colony delegates walk out. The creative cinematography of the film duplicates some of the lighting techniques common to stage productions. Scholars will disagree over historical inaccuracies, of the film, however, there is the fact of dramatic license, which allows creative expression when consensus of agreement about historical facts is uncertain. For example, the actual number of delegates portrayed in the film is less than the actual number present. Also, liberties are taken regarding the personalities of key figures such as John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. The declaration of independence wasn't fully signed by all delegates until August 1776. I believe this film serves still well in the education of youth, to introduce a subject of historical importance. "1776" the movie, serves as a starting point, not the final say on the subject of the American declaration of independence.
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
A mediocre lame update to the terminator film series which began in 1984
This film was obviously inspired by Terminator 2 Judgement Day of 1991 and heavily references the film which inspired it throughout. Not very original. Just paying homage to the best film of the series, 28 years later.
Quiz Show (1994)
An all around well directed, written and acted film showcasing a real life television scandal from 1957
Quiz Show manages to be entertaining, smart and engagingfeom start to finish. Nothing intense or profound here, just good solid drama.
High Fidelity (2000)
Fresh, original film making
Overall good writing, directing and acting from a large ensemble cast. This comedy film directed by Stephen Frears and filmed on location in Chicago has writing that displays some honest insight into the nature of human relationships, how men and women come together and break up. I saw this film when first released theatrically in 2000. The film left a positive impression on me. The film creatively and successfully weaves modern music into the story, showing how people relate to music in their lives and how particular pieces of music mark important places in time of our lives. A young record store owner looks back over his failed relationships with women, narrating his story directing into camera, an unusual style which I enjoyed.
Meng long guo jiang (1972)
Hilariously bad film making with some entertainment value
Worth a watch for how not to make a quality story film.
Enter the Dragon (1973)
Excellent showcase of the talents and abilities of the iconic and unique Bruce Lee
The amazing physically fit and disciplined Bruce Lee died suddenly, unexpectedly, tragically and shockingly young at age 32 of a cerebral edema, months before this joint Chinese American film was theatrically released. Weak storytelling, plot and acting, typical for an action film, but a highly entertaining film which established and later inspired and influenced the Hong Kong style martial arts action film in the United States. This was the most accomplished film of a series starring the one and only Bruce Lee. Excellent action choreography long before before wire stunt work and digital visual effects. The film has a, probably unintended, comical tone. The room of mirrors fight scene is impressive. First time seeing this film in its entirety. I now understand the classic and seminal status of " Enter the Dragon" and the iconic Bruce Lee.
Unfaithfully Yours (1948)
An exceptionally clever, witty and funny film from the unique and talented Preston Sturges!
A classical music conductor during a concert imagines three scenarios involving his suspected unfaithful wife.
Unforgiven (1992)
Tough, gritty, grim, engaging film which doesn't romance the Old American West
Winner of 4 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, this film directed by Clint Eastwood draws on his acting roots and presents a stark realism about a genre which so often has romanced this violent lawless part of 19th century American history. Gene Hackman gives a powerful performance.
Joker (2019)
Great lead acting performance, mediocre film and storytelling
Set in 1980s New York substituting for Gotham city of batman comic book fame. Heavy handed political societal storytelling. Character study film, not a batman comic book film.
Casino (1995)
The usual model crime story from director Martin Scorsese
Impressive ensemble cast, excellent cinematography, art direction, based on a true story, overacting from Sharon Stone. Solid directing, mixed quality storytelling, sometimes melodramatic. Quite watchable, but overall a mixed bag of a three hour long epic story film here.
La passion de Jeanne d'Arc (1928)
An amazing film with a memorable powerful lead acting performance!
Directed by Danish cinema master Carl Theodor Dreyer
Once (2007)
A beautiful, sensitively directed, honest, moving love story and musical
"Once" comes across as a most beautiful, natural, honest, intimate, sensitive and warm hearted film. Filmed with hand held cameras for a documentary like look.
The Death of Stalin (2017)
Wow! This is a brilliant dark satire of a dark period of modern humanity.
Unsurprisingly ignored by Hollywood. Highly recommended. A must see film. Brilliant writing, directing and ensemble cast.
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)
An over the top hyper violent stylish action thriller
I'm not an admirer of action thrillers, but I do understand how the John Wick series of films works for a particular audience. I am not familiar with the source material here. Mediocre story telling and acting, but impressive action choreography. It has become that hyper violent action films done in high visual style are a new popular admired film genre. Seems like comic book action is the source and inspiration here.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
A wonderfully funny, creative, stylish, original film with occasional dark tones from the one and only director writer Wes Anderson!
Set in a fictional location and hotel of Eastern Europe during World War Two, " The Grand Budapest Hotel" is a fast moving, hilariously funny, occasionally dark film told in flashback as the aged former owner of The Grand Budapest Hotel tells his story to a young writer. Featuring a great ensemble acting cast. Highly recommended.
The Tree of Life (2011)
Masterpiece. The product of a highly mature mind. A great film which meditates on profound themes.
Wow. What a great, masterful, mature film from director writer Terence Malick. This is a highly thought provoking, philosophical film which meditates on powerful, profound themes, such as creation, destruction, life, death, religion, family and love. Set in 1950's Texas USA. Winner of the Palme De Our, Best Picture award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Truly worthy of a lengthy standing ovation.
Badlands (1973)
Excellent debut feature film from director writer Terrance Mallick!
Badlands,1973, shows serious intelligence, insight and perceptiveness into local culture and time. A masterful artistic film about fictional serial criminals.