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vmoreno2007
Reviews
The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather is the ALLTIME BEST MOVIE IN MY LIFETIME!!!!!!!
Spoilers!!!!The movies are just as rich in dialogue and plot as the books themselves. It is a compelling saga about the rise of the mobster Corleone family. You have to watch it several times before you understand the depth and magnitude of the storytelling. Marlon Brando was hailed for his acting in this film, I thought Al Pacino who plays the conflicted son of the patriarch had far more facets and nuances. I watched Godfather 2 and then 1 back to back so forgive me if the reviews overlap it really is one continuing story. It starts with an Italian marriage of the daughter where Vito grants favors to the Sicilian communities and extracts favors in return, You cannot help but side with his character.He has a sordid seedy side with mobsters, organized crime and racketeering. And yet the audience empathizes with his strong love for his Italian family as well as his ties and loyalty to his even closer knit mobster family. We see the magnitude of the power of the Godfather when Tom Hagen, the adopted son of the Godfather, an Irish Lawyer goes to Hollywood to send a message from the Godfather. He wanted his friend Johnny to have a plum role in an upcoming movie. The director shows off his beautiful mansion and $600,000 show horses. The director quickly becomes enraged at the request seeing that Johnny had stolen a starlet he was involved with and sends Tom on his way (Duvall). The next morning comes one of the most memorable scenes where he wakes up to the graphic bleeding horse head. The scene is powerful. Marlon Brando does some of his best acting in this piece it is best role of his lifetime which ultimately defines his acting for his generation as well as future generations to come. Every gesture is well thought and planned. From the script comes lines that even now are still unforgettable and are still often quoted--"I'll make you an offer you cannot refuse". The best acting is not when someone shows a full range of emotion it is at its best during quiet solitude, you can see Don Vito pondering and thinking his next step. he is pained when he hears Michael probably his most beloved son had killed the police and was sent away to Sicily, Michael's fate is sealed. He had always wanted him to be of legitimate power being the smartest of all the children. The quiet garden scene is magnificent as you see Marlon Brando conferring with Michael who is now getting entrenched in the family business and how the Godfather says he never wanted this for him. Deep down, Don Vito just wanted to make good for his family. Despite all the crime, he still loved his family and kept them close united in the family business. Vito was a bit of a Robin Hood, expelling bad people to help the good people which is why we emphasized with his character and rooted for him even with the evil entrapping. Even as he plotted revenge on the local Mafia boss in Sicily who gunned down his mother, father and brother we still cheer for him as he exacts his revenge. As his power declines, when Solozzo wanted to do narcotics and exact police coverage from the Godfather, even with promises of more wealth, Vito still had a code of ethics, that was to do no harm to children and not get involved with the sordidness of drugs. we can all relate to that. An attempt on his life is made and as we see the great Don fallen physically and literally from power and health, slowly the rise of the younger Corleones occur replacing the rapidly fading Don Vito Corleone. Another intense scene ensues when one of their hit men Luca Brazi is found dead, a package is delivered to their home with a bullet vest wrapping dead fish--an old Sicilian saying --he is sleeping with the fishes. A scene that has been multiplied and quoted a thousand times over in film and in media. The Godfather's usual body guard calls away sick that fateful day which does not go unnoticed. One day Clemenza, one of the Don's faithful accomplices since the start accompanies the body guard on a trip then tells him to stop while he takes a leak. The bodyguard is then shot. Clemenza nonchalantly tells the gunman "leave the gun but take the cannolis", another famous line. Alfredo, the middle son of Vito is incompetent and could not even pull the trigger on the gunmen who shot his father, he is outcast to managing casinos in Nevada being cared for by his younger brother Michael who he slowly resents. HIs is a portrayal of weakness in a family of dominant men. Sonny is the oldest brother who acts before he thinks steps in as the next Don. Micheal hears about his father's shooting as he and Kay (Diane Keaton) walk by a newsstand. He is hailed as a war hero and is the intelligent one who never got caught up in the family business. But with the shooting of his father he is inexorably pulled into the dark side. He visits his father and sees no staff or guards he moves his father to another room. Enzo, one who the Godfather has granted favors to comes to visit. Michael enlists his help to make like they have guns. He shows Enzo how to pretend his coat is loaded with a gun. When Solozzo's hitmen come by Michael makes a motion towards his coat as if he's about to pull out a gun and the mob car quickly scurries away. The cinematography is dramatic and magnificent. This scene was set at night. Michael hiding in the shadows and the shadowy figures of the hitmen are gripping telling the story of revenge, crime and evil. You see Enzo sjaking like aleaf knowing he could have nearly been gunned down. The police come by and the corrupt chief breaks Michael's jaw when he tells Michael to leave. Tom quickly comes by posing with private investigators, but the corrupt cop knows when to high tail it. This is the fateful night that Michael turns, you see a fine display of emotions on his face and he is compelled to do something to save his father which wins over his reticence in getting involved. You can practically see Michael's thoughts it is an all consuming role. Michael cannot deny his loyalty to his father despite his innocence. While Sonny and the main caporegimes are plotting, Michael pipes up he will take out the chief of the police and Solozzo. They are stunned It was unthinkable. They are astounded but impressed by Michael who is well known even among the 5 families of crime to be not involved. This marks his entry into depravity and darkness. They plan to use a respectable restaurant where the gun will be planted in advance in a bathroom, Clemenza reiterates 2 bullet to the head then drop the gun and walk. The plan goes without a hitch. Michael is banished to Sicily for a year where he falls in love with a beautiful but virtuous Italian girl. It is charming to see how women used to be courted before women's liberation and women are still virtuous. He courts her the old fashioned way slowly wins over the father and it is quite beautiful seeing the old world ways where she is chaperoned by 5 older women. You see the charming traditions of a Sicilian wedding set against a picturesque backdrop of old world villages and beautiful hills You feel like you are a part of the wedding party. He teaches her how to drive, but alas, one of his bodyguards plots to plant a bomb and his beautiful young wife gets caught in the crossfire. Michael goes home but does not seek Kay for another year. Kay is hurt but accepts him back and you wonder how a sweet innocent women can blend in with such a family ridden with crime. Connie, the only daughter of the Godfather, is wrapped up in her own drama. Her husband is a violent man.; She is often seen with bruises and black eyes. Sonny's temper is ultimately his downfall. He threatens Connie's husband if he should ever touch his sister again like that he would not see the living daylights. Connie's husband betrays the family and sets Sonny up by provoking a fight with Connie. Knowing Connie will be home he asks a mistress to call causing her to lose her temper followed by a glorious scene of dish smashing. It felt real as if you were in the room with them, what followed next was a very realistic scene of her husband taking his belt off and she runs to the bathroom with cries of terror, it was very uncomfortable to watch but you felt the raw emotion. Sonny hears about it and without an escort runs to Connie's defense and is assassinated in a brutal gun scene on the Long Island causeway, which is one of the most unforgettable scenes of the movie. Here you felt the backlash of crime and what befalls you when you get mixed up with it. Kay asks Michael if he would be the godfather to Connie's child. He consents but in the back of his mind is plotting the revenge of his father and his brother. The last scene is iconic and intense. You have the pure sacred baptism of Connie's sweet little baby with the congregation being asked to renounce sin, Satan contrasting with gory scenes of the 5 family heads gunned down graphically, one is having a massage being gunned down by a hitman through his glasses, another is trapped in a hotel of St. Regis and gunned down through he glass doors, another is gunned down in an elevator by Clemenza, another is gunned down in bed with his mistress all the while you see scene. The vendetta is final and complete. In the end, Michael exacts his cold revenge from Connie's husband who is led away in a car and garroted. In the last scene, he lies to Kay and she watches him being silently hailed while the caporegimes kiss his hand and the door slowly closes, it was an awesome scene. In sum, it's movie of deep family love, traditions and culture, betrayal, passion, greed, revenge, innocence turning into evil and that no matter how powerful you are there is always someone more powerful who will gun you down. Godfather is the best movie I have ever seen in my life, nothing compares.
The Hunger Games (2012)
Good movie, lots of tension and minimalist but high impact acting
I did not read the book, but but know from reading other novels, things will be left out in movies, there's only so much you can portray on film; you cannot really get into the thoughts of the characters, their feelings or past experiences that make them into what they are. I thought the acting of the main actress was phenomenal; there was a lot of focus on her facial expressions which added to the somber tone of the film; it was more about the plot and acting rather than the actions scenes themselves. On a deeper note, the movie portrays the age old conflicts of the elitist and the impoverished; there is always a whole world of those lurking in poverty so vastly different from the unreachable rich people just like in today's society as is true from thousands of years ago, an age old theme that will always be popular because it is true any century you live in; on a deeper note it shows how a young girl has to be strong under adverse conditions and is self-sacrificing, brave and courageous despite adversity; the actress really showed the depth of character required by the heroine-it was easy to connect to the emotions; I got the sense she is a very strong character and this was remarkably portrayed. The hero Peeta seems a little weak in the movie especially when he gets injured; but the longing in his eyes for his true love is evident and I think accurately portrayed as it is young innocent love, not those sexy steamy romances you always see where the couple sleep with each other as soon as they meet; I think the love story was sweet and showed hope amidst the dire circumstances; the way the children killed each other was very gory but on deeper note it stands for how everyone is after each other even at the expense of their neighbour to try to get ahead in life;everyone is too literal in trying to translate the book into the movie but that will never happen; film will never be the same as reading a book where you get to hear the hero's and heroine's thoughts, feelings and plans; but without having read the book, I think it portrayed a lot of deep strong emotions; I never got the sense that it was going to be a love story so by not concentrating on the two young kids was fine with me-it is unfair to compare it to Twilight which focuses mostly on the love plot, this is more about extreme circumstances; it was shown to portray katniss as this very strong young woman fighting for her survival using the very same skills that kept her alive when hunger as prevalent; it reflects life and is a metaphor; you either rise above your circumstances and stay strong and beat the odds or you crumble under the weight of you what life hands you and perish underneath go to drugs and alcohol and perish because of it; the whole movie is metaphoric pitting rich against poor; pitting the strong willed who will survive and the weak who get shot with an arrow or better yet some ugly looking dogs; I think you need to see past the fact it may not have faithfully followed the book and enjoy the excellent acting and depth of the portrayals, I certainly did I was entranced the whole 2 1/2 hours and didn't realize it was that long; great movie I say; you feel what the actress is feeling not by dialogue but clever scenes of facial expression it captured the mood greatly; I was a little confused with the first guy she hung out with I thought they would hook up then they introduce peeta so I was bit confused there; regarding people's criticism about the loud costumes, I think they were trying to contrast the rich with the dark and somber poor who are lifeless without color compared to the rich who are vibrant and can afford anything; same is true in real life when you have no money you clothes get dirty and full of holes; when you are rich you afford designer clothes and can pamper yourself and look extreme, to the point of looking silly; it again is metaphoric and portrays the greediness of the elitists and the wasting and wanting of the have-nots and amidst it all is katniss who gives them hope....think you need to dig deep to really appreciate the film. I thought it was great!
Sleeping Beauty (2011)
A compelling movie about extremes of humanity
****spoiler alert, this review contains spoilers************* The movie is about a young University student, Lucy, just plodding through life emotionally detached holding various dead end jobs to support herself and put herself through school. The film is executed through minimal amount of dialogue and very little music, making for a compelling presentation of human emotions. The film relies much on the expressions of the actors and what is not said rather than what is said. You need to be open minded to watch this movie to really get it, in a world of cheesy Hollywood films and over the top action and far-our fantasy, this is surprisingly more realistic despite the dark nature. It shows the journey of a young woman who is so damaged by life she is uncaring of how she treats her temple. The only time we see a glimmer of emotion is towards her alcoholic friend from whom she draws most of her dysfunctional support and surprisingly even more more vulnerable than her. She probably trusts him the most because he would never hurt or betray her, unlike almost everyone in her family-her mother, her work supervisor, her house mates. The whole world has already hurt her and she just plods through life. Even with its undertone of sexual fantasy it is really about human emotions and the damage one goes through and coping with life, her various menial jobs, the sex jobs she gets tells of stories how many people go through life uncaring of what happens to them once they have been damaged by life. The old men are there playing out their wildest fantasies with this young nymph, ironically, she is so close to them and they can touch her physically but she is still physically and emotionally detached. the first guy is more tender, the 2nd guy is aggressive and kinky and the 3rd had fantasies of carrying her away like a young prince, each old man is pathetic in their own ways representing the struggles people have to face in life even while they are drugged in their own sad little worlds it shows how humans at their most frail are most vulnerable to the dark side of life represented by these old men looking for whatever fantasy their money might buy; in reality same is true in real life those who are hard on their luck go through dark phases trying all sorts of activities illegal or what not to make it through life often times not going unscathed.It explains why that cashier at checkout is always so glum, or the ticket lady couldn't care less about you; Lucy depicts that in all of us when we are hard on our luck and could not care less. It is a cold, artistic and very dark movie, not the movie for everyone but if you like thinking movies it's compelling and makes you think. While she seems emotionally detached and superficially you feel like you cannot connect, there is a little bit of dark side in each of us when life kicks you in the butt and you couldn't careless about anything and feel like wallowing woe is me, it teaches us about the depth of human spirit; in the end there is some triumph, she is curious as to what happens to her giving her some semblance of actually caring about what happens to herself, but the final message is so subtle you have to look hard for it; if you are open minded and like a depth and subtle powerful acting you will enjoy this movie if you go for obvious in-your face entertainment this movie is not for you.
Safe House (2012)
Great action on the run
Denzel is always good, when he's bad he's even better.Weston (Reynolds) is the rookie CIAin a dead beat job guarding a safe house. Denzel the most wanted CIA traitor is housed in his safe house. Whe the place is suddenly attacked in a gritty brutal action scene, Weston has to think on his feet, stay and fight or flee with CIA's most wanted.
Denzel brings his usual sophistication to his role, he is well known for his low no-nonsense delivery of lines, believable with the right amount of grit. Reynolds is surprisingly good, he brings a face to the rookie CIA who has to learn the hard way trial by fire. It's almost metaphoric, Denzel being the seasoned veteran on CIA just as in life an ward winning talent working along side the newbie agent, newbie actor to action scene Reynolds. It has a refreshing scene showing the edgy shanties of Cape town you don't see in other films. It relies solely on the acting of Denzel and Reynolds and they equally carry their role. In the end it's about the betrayal, and framing of CIA where Denzel actually was good guy that the organization turned against and now on the run with damage provoking information It's up to Weston (Reynolds) to keep his integrity by blowing up the conspiracy. One of the most memorable lines---we'll take it from here--meaning you have been betrayed--cool. I enjoyed it, the action scenes are gritty and believable and keep you in the edge of your seats. I loved it I don't know what these other clowns are whining about, you try directing a movie, great action packed movies, great acting by the two leading actors, a lot of time depth is lacking in action movies, you actually feel for Denzel and Reynolds, go now and watch it!!!Reynolds should do more gritty roles and action, it actually suits him, stop with the comedy and Hollywoody movies like green lantern; good movie!!!!
Top Gun (1986)
air high thriller
One of my favorite movies. It was big hit back in the 80s, I loved it then, I love it now. I love Tom Cruise because of this movie, what teenage girl didn't back then. It's a story about the ultimate pilots with a mission to defend and kill. Maverick has the ghost of his dad's air fighting past on his shoulder as he wears his heart on his air-fighting sleeve. His flying is erratic, dangerous and genius. It is filled with the usual high testosterone filled airmen enter Val Kilmer, the handsome arch rival. There is the inevitable conflicted romance between pilot and beautiful blonde air instructor featuring the unforgettable, romantic hit sleeper Take My Breath Away and the much remembered scene when he first serenades her in the bar with You've Lost That Loving Feeling. Maverick dazzles with his air fighting skills and genius but because of his troubled past he remains number two. There is the predictable loss of life when his wingman Goose dies during practice in jet wash causing Maverck to doubt his confidence and unnaturally skilled air fighting talent. He finds our from his superior that his father died a hero and he has nothing to be ashamed of. The last fighting scene shows Tom Cruise kicking butt in the air as he saves Val Kilmer, showing incredible skill at dogfighting. He proceeds to show daring maneuvers untested by pilots which in the end saves the day. He reunites with Kelly McGillis in the end. Tom Cruise plays the cocky arrogant Maverick with all the charm oozing out of every pore. This movie appeals to men because of the air fight scenes and to women because of the hot romance. An all time favorite that will stand the test of time. There is one famous line, Val Kilmer says to Cruise you can be my wingman anytime, while Cruise cockily grins and says bulls--t, you can be mine, and the crowd cheers.
American Gigolo (1980)
gigolo turns good boy
I actually thought it was a pretty decent film. I have seen Gere act before but this has to be one of his best performances, he is at his prime of his good looks. I have seen him in later films but he is truly good-looking here and easily fits the mold of a high end call boy. He is framed for a murder he did not commit. It shows the seedier side of Los Angeles, the gigolo business, the loneliness of rich women with husbands who don't love them. The love story between Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton I don't think was fully explored. It's a great little movie and I was very surprised at how much liked it not because of the storyline but also Gere's acting. He has an understated believable type of acting which is fully seen in this movie, the movie also shows flashes of Gere and his marvelous physique, having previously trained as a gymnast before acting. In the end, he is finally acquitted and can join Lauren but the ride was flashy, dangerous in the meantime.
Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955)
sad beautiful love story
It stars war correspondent William Holden separated, who falls in love with a stunning Eurasian doctor Jessica Jones set against the stunning backdrop of Hong Kong. The cinematography is magnificent as they rendezvous on a hill overlooking Hong Kong. The story deals with racial tensions, society frowning on mixed relations and extra marital affairs. But what I love about it is the strong character of the heroine portrayed by Jessica Jones, who is a Eurasian doctor, who stays humble and steadfast in her altruistic mission and stays loyal to her love. Despite that, she gets sacked at her hospital for cavorting with a married man by gossipping high rankers. One day William Holden is called to the Korean war which he covers and then that ill fated day, she gets the news of his demise. The end, of course is tragic, I cried when she went to their hill. It was a very sweet ill fated love affair. It defeats all the odds, the fact that she got fired from her job, how his wife would not grant him a divorce yet their great love persevered--they experienced a great love despite it all. I personally do not believe in extramarital affairs, and think he should have not started something when he was bound to someone else and she should not have allowed herself to let it happen, but despite that a truly magnificent movie. I think the heroine overshadowed the hero. Jessica Jones is sultry and gave a magnificent performance although I thought it strange they didn't not hire a real Asian actress or someone with Asian blood. I agree with one review, Jessica Jones oozes sexuality when she lays on the ground and looks up at William Holden speaking calmly but her eyes say come take me now.
I find it a pity most great films were made before I was born, it seems many Hollywood movies are lacking in depth, great acting and depend entirely on stunts and heavy sex scenes. This is truly one of the greatest ill-fated love stories in movies.
American Guerrilla in the Philippines (1950)
great movie set in WWII
Even as a non-movie war buff, I really enjoyed this movie. As a Filipino who lived in the Philippines for 16 years, 6 of which was in the province and the rest in the States, I really identify with the movie. It shows the beautiful scenery of the country and the rustic huts which are still being used to this day. It displays the villager life quite authentically as I recognized the national costume, (barong Tagalog and filipiniana), a typical nipa hut, the way people typically wash their clothes, and the huts on stilts.
Tyrone Powell stars as the dashing war hero who gets blown off his PT boat and leads his motley crew to Australia. In the process, he gets caught up with the Filipino guerilla movement against the Japanese, trying to duck the Japanese whenever the village is invaded. It is an interesting portrayal of trying to make do with Asian countryside resources to make a viable radio to contact general MacArthurs troops. He meets the heroine who later becomes widowed and the two fall in love in the midst of the war. The ragtag crew gets caught in a last stand at a sturdy church, when General MacArthur arrives in the nick of time, making for a feel good movie, I found it exciting, easy to get into and located in a typical local Filipino flavor even featuring the typical native dance tinikling. I loved this movie, it will not disappoint. Maybe they could have portrayed the Japanese high rankers as a little bit more cruel, the way my mom used to describe to me, and they could have shown some Japanese as young kids who had no choice and were just homesick and were in a war they never wanted to be in. But other than that, an excellent war movie. The difference between movies in the 1950's and 2000's clearly show in terms of excellent acting and inspiring cinematography.