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Reviews
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
A bit confused....
During the watching of this film, I got confused from time to time. What exactly was Quentin Tarantino (QT) trying to depict with this film? I was expecting the usual excellent QT dialogue, and there was some in Kill Bill, but it was not nearly up to usual QT standards ala "Pulp Fiction".
WARNING - POSSIBLE SPOILERS
I found the anime' sequence very disturbing, but not due to the violence. I would have much preferred that the action and plot line portrayed in the anime' done by live actors. I think that it would have carried much more weight. I realize that QT loves anime', and was trying to do his own homage to it, however, I found it to be an insult to my intelligence. Anime' is deliberately over the top in part because of the inherent brand of particular intensity of violence hidden in the Japanese psyche(this is not meant as a racist tone at all- I've studied Kendo and Iaido since 1989, and have had several Japanese friends, and seen their culture up close and personal). Not many Westerners really get what anime' is all about, just like a white boy from the suburbs really doesn't understand what South Central LA is about by listening to Snoop Dogg. Therefore, in Kill Bill, I found the use of anime' to be confusing, way over the top, ridiculous, and an insult all at the same time.
I'm a bit amused by some of the comments here that rave about how realistic the swordfighting scenes were. They were realistic only in the sense that most contests with the katana are decided with only one or two cuts, unless you are trying to wear down your opponent who is stronger than you with a sliding sayumen (cut to the forehead, in order to make the blood drip into your opponent's eyes, wearing them down). All of the Hollywood sword positions (way too low jodan no kamae (high on guard position)- at eye level, with blade across face- kind of like the homeboys who hold a pistol sideways- it accomplishes nothing- maybe looks cool to an amateur) were way overdone. Only Uma Thurman seemed to have taken whatever training that she was given seriously- she had the best chudan no kamae (middle on guard position) of the lot. Strangely enough, her character lacked kiai (fighting spirit- exhibited by a loud yell from the diaphragm at the stroke of the cut) though- I don't recall much of that from her. Her zanjin (remainder spirit) wasn't bad, though, and her shobori (a cut into thin air after an actual cut in order to cleanse the blood from the blad without touching it) was pretty good.
Why am I going into all of this detail? Because, QT was supposedly making a movie with a lot of expert swordplay, and I was confused and a bit disappointed by it all. I really wanted to see Uma "tie a line of fishes" as Kensei Miyamoto Musashi recommends when fighting a group of opponents- but, it was the same old "everyone surround the hero, but attack only one at a time" bit.
However, QT did redeem himself with the end scene. I don't know if he intentionally shot the climatic battle scene between Lucy Liu (outstanding job of acting) and Uma with the snow falling, with full realization of the hidden meanings. You see, white is the Japanese color for death (like black here in the West), and two determined people fighting to the death, surrounded by all of the death from the previous scene, while WHITE snow falls- the subtlety there was marvelous.
The plot line of "The Bride" was actually pretty good, but the pop in and out of violent scenes intermixed with everyday life was too much of a contrast, even for QT. When The Bride wakes up, it seems like a shot for shot reproduction of the Mia Wallace scene from "Pulp Fiction", though. The characters of Bill, the sheriff, the male rapist nurse, the assasins- all classic QT characters. I was hoping for a bit more development out of them, though- specifically Bill, The Bride, and each one of the assasination team. O-Ren (Liu)got the best characterization of all- and she's not the protagonist! What's up with that?
All in all, Kill Bill was OK, I guess- but it was not what I expected, and it is definitely not up to "Pulp Fiction" standards.
Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor (2003)
A Question Of History
I thought that this film was very interesting. However, I wouldn't have minded if they would have stretched this out a bit in order to flesh the characters out a bit more. Also, some more historical background would have been useful for the uninitiated.
However, Kelsey Grammer does a splendid job as George Washington, and Aidan Quinn plays the title role with splash and vigor. We got a fairly good idea on his character's motivations.
Overall, a very educational and entertaining TV flick- kind of a History Lite.
The Four Feathers (2002)
I expected more
I expected an epic on the scope of "Lawrence Of Arabia" or "Zulu" or something like that. The trailers looked great, and when I saw the director on the trailer credits, I thought we might get a movie from him again as good as or better than his previous film, "Elizabeth", which was very good.
However, the trailers fooled me, even with all of the Victorian history and desert and so forth. It didn't quite turn out as I expected.
The premise of the plot is good, and the cinematography and scenery is great- but the characters and parts of the story lack depth. Also, some of the sub-plots just don't quite fit.
An excellent effort, but only an OK delivery.
Top Gun (1986)
Plot's kind of thin, but......
The plot may a bit thin, and even perhaps a mite bit jingoistic, but hey, who cares?
With all of the flying, fun, and adrenaline, just sit back and enjoy the fun.
Iceman talks way too much during an engagement, anyway. Shut up, and die like an aviator!
Vanilla Sky (2001)
Very interesting
I was taken in completely by this film. The actors (all of them!) are excellent, and the plot premise is fascinating.
If you want to see an excellent psychological thriller, this is it. Forget all of the other comments on this board by people who "didn't get it". Just sit back, and enjoy! Think about it after you leave the theater- because you will!
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
It was OK, but....
It was an OK film, and there were many funny moments. However, I found it a bit formulaic in both concept and execution.
What bothered me the most was the one dimensional treatment given to Ian and his parents. Their characters had almost no style, and very little substance. This movie could have been much more interesting and funnier had there been some fleshing out of Ian's character, and why he acted the way he did. There could have been much more contrast between families, therefore, more drama and more humor.
Ian's parents are also given short shrift as a couple of uptight WASPs with no personality, in my opinion.
Toula is a fine character, but her family is so predictable, you know how this movie will end before the beginning credits are finished.
All in all, I give this noble effort a 6/10.
Retroactive (1997)
Great concept, fun thriller
This movie has a fascinating premise- what if you could go back in time, and change what you've done? Would it make things better, or worse?
Some of Jim Belushi's best acting is in this film- his "stream of consciousness" comments are a riot, and also horrifying, given their context. I've heard that he had just gotten out of a tough divorce, and the director let him ad lib at length, to really show the anger and madness in the character of Frank.
Of course, the lingering camera shots of Kylie Travis flying through the air in her black tank top and tight pants do nothing to detract from the overall watchability of this action/psychodrama thriller.
I'd give this one 8/10.
Blood Work (2002)
Taut thriller, but.........
"Blood Work" is a good, taut thriller, however, IMHO, the Paul Rodriquez character and scenes reminded me more of a "Red Heat" or "48 Hours" type movie. For a movie of this genre', I expected a little less humor and just a tad more suspense. Also, (spoiler)I thought that Clint Eastwood played his character pretty well- but only in Hollywood does a 70 something guy get a hot 30 something Latina babe! All in all, a worthwhile film, though. I give it 7/10.
Body Heat (1981)
A (hot) Greek tragedy, almost
Body Heat is a fantastic movie, that almost doubles as a Greek tragedy as well. There is a lot of foreshadowing (spoiler!!!) when Ned says "that his future is burning up out there" while watching a warehouse fire in the opening sequences. You immediately know that this guy has a tragic flaw and is going to fall, somehow. That's probably exactly what Lawrence Kasdan (writer/director) wants you to feel.
I especially liked the characters of Ned's friends, Oscar and Lowenstein, played very well by their respective actors. They care about him, yet act as a sort of Cassandra, telling him of imminent danger, which he of course ignores.
Oscar's line of "because of the heat, people go crazy- they think that the ordinary rules don't apply" is very prescient. And the heat- you could watch this movie in the dead of winter and still work up a sweat with all of the fire and heat imagery, not to mention the hot sex between Ned and Matty (a very hot Kathleen Turner!).
An excellent show, overall. I gave 9/10.
Changing Lanes (2002)
Ethics Review
I thought that this movie did an excellent job of examining the ethics (or lack thereof) of all of the characters, therefore forcing the viewer to review their own code of ethics.
The viewer constantly is faced with the question of "What would I do if I were in this situation"? I even found myself revisiting previous decisions in my own life, and taking a fresh look at current ones!
Not many movies today go beyond the superficial in reviewing the ethics and motivation of it's characters, but "Changing Lanes" does, and with skill.
I highly recommend this movie. Excellent performances by all the actors (especially Affleck, Jackson, and Pollack), and outstanding writing and directing, make this film a "must see".