Change Your Image
toivomartikainen
Reviews
Material Girls (2006)
Worst ever
This movie is close to being the worst movie I've ever seen. The actors suck, there's no real dialogue and the plot doesn't have anything into it. The Duff sisters act so poorly, and the other characters aren't good, either. All the characters say are some stupid one-liners and the plot doesn't really get a chance to grow (like it would matter, because the whole idea sucks).
I saw Material Girls on an airplane when flying from Finland to Hong Kong. We continued our trip from HK to Cambodia, and another airline showed the movie. It was a nightmare, and the second time especially was breaking my balls.
If I could give zero out of ten, I would. This movie is a total waste of money. One of those pieces that should've never been made.
Scarface (1983)
The world is yours
Tony Montana is one of the strongest characters in the history of film. What makes him even more memorable is the way he is portrayed by Pacino. I've always known that Al Pacino is one of the most intense actor of all times, but after seeing this film I was stunned. He brings out Tony's Latin heritage and the way Tony is fed up with being pushed around so talently that I make myself watch this movie again and again, and never will I be disappointed. Scarface is clearly a movie that concentrates on its main character, but also other characters are brought up nicely. There's Manny, the one who introduces Tony to the circles in the 1980s Miami. He stands by Tony longer than others and all he gets from it is a bullet. The lead lady is played by Michelle Pfeiffer. She is a goal to Tony. When he finally achieves his goal, he doesn't know what to do with it. Another memorable performance is Frank Lopez, a crime boss played by Robert Loggia.
Above all, Scarface is a story about how you can achieve anything by believing in it and how power corrupts one very easily if he/she is not careful. It also tells us that it doesn't matter in the end where you come from, but where you are headed. Brian de Palma's directing gives space to Pacino as needed. Oliver Stone's screenplay based on Armitage Trail's novel certainly concentrates on the lead character, but also gives us a good look into the lives of the Latin-American immigrates.
Ten out of ten. The best film of the 80s.
Crash (2004)
The most powerful movie of 2005
Paul Haggis' story of human destinies and cultures colliding in the present-day L.A. is without a doubt the best American drama this year. The way Haggis deals with the most flammable issue, racism, is to be highly respected. Haggis is able to show us that no person is entirely evil, but not completely good, either. The characters develop vastly throughout the movie, and we find out that none of them are really happy with their lives. What makes this movie so great is the intense screenplay. I had to watch this film twice to understand all the small things that eventually make a big difference. Truth be told, Crash would breath much more freely being 15-30 minutes longer, now the audience has too much to deal with in such a small period of time. Should Paul Haggis not receive the Oscar for best screenplay in next February's Academy Awards, I will be completely confused.
Ten out of ten.