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Reviews
Beowulf (2007)
I am Beowulf.
If you've taken the 11th year of high school, you should know the epic poem of Beowulf. The poem is beautifully, but sometimes comically (in a bad way) brought to the screen by newly 3D whiz Robert Zemeckis and an all star cast, an two very hard working writers.
The film and the poem are very similar while at the same time being very different. The plot lines are identical and some of the phrases are recognized in the character's dialogue. However, the film is missing the back story of Hrothgar. The audience is unsure of why Grendel is attacking the kingdom except for the mention that the lands are cursed. There is no mention that the curse is on Hrothgar himself for a past sin he committed against his brother. Speaking of Grendel, the portrayal of his appearance was surprising. Instead of what the general reader may picture- a gigantic, hairy beast- Grendel is nothing of the sort. Instead, he is an extremely ugly over-sized skinny human that looked like the skin was peeled off of his body and was burned in some places. He jaw is crooked forcing his words to come out slurred and inaudible. Words? That's right, Grendel speaks. Only to his mother of course, but the fact that he speaks is thought provoking because a reader may wonder back to try and recall any time in the poem that specifies he can actually talk. Grendel also has a personality in a way. The viewer almost pities him- feels bad for him because of the horrible whining he makes when things get too loud. Contrary to the image from the novel which had Grendel bumbling around destroying whatever he saw just because he was a monster. One difference that was a bit disappointing was the killing of Grendel. An iconic image in the reader's mind is Beowulf holding the arm of the monster high into the air. But instead, Beowulf's right hand man, Wiglaf, is the one who raises it into the sky for all to gaze upon. Now, personally, as a reader who only read to the aforementioned scene in the poem, the rest of the movie was a brand new story to me. Thus, I can not talk too strongly about differences and similarities now, but one thing that intrigued me was something I thought too big of a plot hole to not be in the poem was the insinuation and later proved fact that Hrothgar slept with Grendel's mother, which in turn produced Grendel himself. I found that shocking and exciting at the same time. Even more exciting to watch Beowulf make the same mistake Hrothgar made by giving in to temptation rather than standing for what he believes in- fighting for honor- and becoming victim to Grendel's mother's seduction. The themes of the film seem to include the power and vulnerability of temptation along with Old English literature themes.
Overall, the film was very entertaining and fun to watch. I would definitely recommend to the fantasy/adventure/action fan, the readers of the poem, and almost anyone other than young children and the squeamish. The technology of the movie was breathtaking and sometimes hard to believe it was animated. Although, it made me wonder- would it have less of a comical feel is it was shot live-action rather that computer animated? Nevertheless, the style works for the epic/fantasy feel of the film and I definitely will be sure to see it again.
American Gangster (2007)
The Best Movie of 2007
On November 2, 2007, a movie was released by the name of American GANGSTER. This movie just so happened to be the best movie of the year.
I can say this with a little less than 2 months left in the year of '07 with confidence because I know that this movie will be almost impossible to beat. This movie is so good that it knows it's good. (Now that is GOOD)
The story of American GANGSTER is loosely based on a true event involving two men. One by the name of Frank Lucas and the other, Richie Roberts. Mr. Denzel Washington plays the role of Frank Lucas, a heroin lord who ingeniously and quickly rises to power on brain power and audacity. Mr. Russel Crowe plays the role of Richie Roberts, a New Jersey detective who thrives on not being 'the dirty cop'. He grabs on to the Lucas case. These two actors are heavyweights. They are gods. Watching them go head to head is any movielover's dream. It is amazing to see so many superb actors in such a great picture. Ridley Scott stunningly directs a huge, long, complex movie into a highly energized, entertaining, and instant classic gangster flick. Watching this shows the viewer the vast differences in all of the various Mafia families- different race, different way of life. One thing stays the same and remains true for all families. You are only a true gangster if you can pull off the 'gangster'. This movie does just that. Total recommendation.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Superb. The Best Film Yet.
FIRST WORDS: I implore you to go see this movie. It is worth your trouble.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix, the longest book in the fantastic JK Rowling novel series, is the shortest movie in the film series. This is really noticeable. I could go both ways on deciphering whether the length is good or bad. Bad because of plot pieces cut out. Good because the movie never hits a dragging point or slow point. Unlike the previous films, this film doesn't get dragged down with the boarding school styled life. This film concentrates on sending its many main themes out.
Lines are changed, things are switched, but all in an artistic way. David Yates, the director, sews together the darkest film yet and the most creative in shot choices, tied with Alfonso Cauron's Prisoner of Azkaban.
So there were things I loved, and things that disappointed me, but that's how all the movies are to an obsessed fan who read the books first. You Need to See this movie. The acting is amazing and the music is spellbinding, and the finale is EPIC.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
A Bloody Good Conclusion
This third installment of the rum-soaked Pirates of the Caribbean franchise that turned Johnny Depp into box office gold is pure bliss. The film perfectly wraps up loose ends and hanging story lines. Although, the film is abundant with many confusing moments (alot), it gives the viewer breaks, unlike the second installment, to sort things out in your mind. Jack Sparrows are all over, with great scenes including very trippy ones with multiple Jacks. The cast is just great as well. The length? Maybe long but it is well worth it- it leads up to a truly EPIC final battle and an amazing ending. (Stay tuned after the credits!) And the mass of story lines is just what makes you want to see it again and again, which I truly recommend.
Grindhouse (2007)
Pure Genius. GRINDHOUSE makes cinema good again.
Going into this, one knows what they are getting into. (One helluva fun time!)As soon as the lights go off and the movie starts, the viewer is put into a time machine and transported back in to the 70's when exploitation films were at their highest. And for that Misters Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino should be honored as the greatest filmmakers in the world. They certainly have made one of the best films in the world. The viewer is first pulled in by the first 3 seconds, hair scratches, sound pops, stuff a viewer is not used to in a fancy theater. But it is there, all part of the movie, all part of the experience. We are welcomed with a trailer from Robert Rodriguez, "Machete", starring the Danny Trejo, the man the created High Definition for. This trailer is hilarious along with the others, but my personal favorite has to be Eli Roth's sick "Thanksgiving" trailer. Funny. So funny. First up is Rodriguez's "Planet Terror" which is certainly the most action-packed of the two films in this double feature. There are many, many hilarious parts especially when Quentin himself appears on the screen. Rose McGowan burns the screen up (litterally). She wears her beauty proud in this movie. Freddy Rodriguez plays an ultra-bad-ass (perfectly) and Marley Shelton is very fine to look at as well. The cast is huge and really great. Planet Terror is a movie that nobody will take a break from to use the bathroom. Well paced and just so much fun to watch. Not to mention the insanely catchy theme music by Rodriguez is just delicious and so is Rose McGowan with a machine gun for a leg. For some reason, it is really hot, and it works. Then, after that zombie romp is "Death Proof", Tarantino's effort. This film is very different from "Planet Terror" as in these films are two different sub-genres, but also because the viewer can tell that unlike Rodriguez, who just made a really fun exploitation film of his own, Tarantino honors those movies from the 70's. He also throws in plenty of references to older movies and a couple of homages to his own movies that are fun to pick up (Kill Bill 1 and Reservoir Dogs) "Death Proof" proves how amazing a writer Tarantino is because he is writing a movie that is pretty much all girl dialogue. Rosario Dawson, Rose McGowan (again) and others do an amazing job putting his words on the screen. Zoe Bell, a real life stuntwoman playing herself, is fantastic. She has the biggest balls that I have ever seen. Kurt Russell is back to his bad ass days playing the slasher 'Stuntman Mike.' He plays him with conviction and charisma that makes you smile. The movie starts out a bit slow, but it is all for a reason; to lead you in to one of the best car chase scenes in the history of film. That is no exaggeration. Why would it be? It's a Tarantino car chase. He tries to do the best stuff in any kind of thing dealing with film.
All in all, "Grindhouse" was so good that I know I have to see it again. Take my word for it...it is worth the watch. So go watch.
Zodiac (2007)
Welcome Back, David Fincher.
Audiences have waited a while for a new piece of work from Mr. David Fincher and now that hiatus is officially over. Straying away from his style that earned him a 'cult' following, he brings out a new side to himself, some techniques not yet observed in his repertoire.
ZODIAC feels like it was made by a perfectionist, everything flows so smoothly. The editing is pinch-perfect. Not only that, but Ficher shows that he is an actor's director as well, directing his cast into true life roles wonderfully. But the credit does not go all on to his shoulders. The actors have a lot to do with that themselves. Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays the author of the book of the same name, plays his character with an irresistible 'nerdi-ness' that is just fun to watch. Then it is amazing to watch Gyllenhaal transform that character into an obsessed wannabe detective, losing all focus and normal aspects of his life. Mark Ruffalo plays a humorous and overworked cop with incredibility. He really gets the job done. Downey Jr., however small his role was, plays on the screen with a witty insanity that brings most of the laughs of the movie. The acting really is a major pro. ZODIAC may come out at a long time slot but the viewer will never realize it because of the film pulling one in, and not wanting to leave until the case is solved. That is why ZODIAC is fantastic and a great welcome back gift from Fincher to not only his fans, but to everyone. ZODIAC is definitely the best film of 2007 so far.
Saw III (2006)
Decent Addition to a Bloody Fun Trilogy
Ahh...the sweet taste of blood. That metal taste that you just want to spit out. Luckily, the third installment of the SAW movies, is worthy enough to not be spit out. Although, there is plenty of blood to taste.
The movie is, in my opinion, not as good as the previous two, but still is a good time. The new characters are interesting and seem real, as does Amanda as Jigsaw's new 'apprentice.' She really works it. The writers delivered yet again an exciting, layered script with other story lines and twists. Awesome.
The sad part is that the movie is longer than the first two and it is really noticeable. It doesn't drag a lot but it just doesn't have enough entertainment to fill up that time slot completely to my satisfaction.
It is a good movie, though.