thegreatshonen Reviews

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Emotionally, Well Acted Movie,

[9/10 · 15 April 2013]

Brokeback mountain is a joke among many straight people. We've all heard of the story of 2 cowboys who fall in love with another and form a homosexual relationship. But what this movie is an emotional telling of 2 people who could not conform or be accepted into society because of their love for another.

The story is simple but powerful. It's filmed wonderfully by Ang Lee as he shows the landscapes similar to Terrance Malick in Badlands. The acting throughout is so spectacular too. It's such a pity we lost Heath Ledger, because this film shows how verso tale of an actor he was. Jake Gyllenhaal also churns out his best performance since Donnie Darko. The rest of the cast also contributes nicely, but its clear the focus of the movie. It's all on the should ours of the 2 leads in a quite difficult role to play. You feel emotionally connected to these characters by the end, and that's hard to do in a story like this. Give credit to Ang Lee for filming this movie with the right touches to avoid distaste.

Overall emotionally pulling and beautiful movie. It really doesn't deserve the jokes made about it just because its a good movie.

8/10

The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)

Sprawling epic from an upcoming great mind, A modern East of Eden

[9/10 · 15 April 2013]

So I've been hyped for this movie since January. It came out right around the time of my birthday last week and my friends and I went see it. Sme films should be talked about I feel and other need to be talked about, I believe this movie falls in the latter category.

The story follows 2 generations of fathers and sons through their lives starting with Luke Glanton, a motor cyclist who takes up crime to support his infant son and a woman he had a one night fling with. Then comes the story of Avery cross , a rookie cop who "apprehends" Luke and becomes a hero in the police force while dealing with its corruption. Finally the last arc revolves around their 2 sons who go to high school and befriend one another.

When I watched this movie I immediately thought of East of Eden. It's a similar story about relationship between family and father and sons. The use of CinemaScope also highlights that film, as the cinematography highlights this one. The novel especially has the themes of this movie also so it feels like a modern take on the novel.

I'm not going to say any more than that about the story. What I will talk about is the feel of this movie. Luke introduction at the beginning of the movie was chilling ad haunting, one of the most memorable introductions in years. Ryan Gosling acting was also excellent and probably could get an Oscar nomination. Bradley Cooper also churns out another solid performance after Silver Lingings Playbook, showing he's one of the better young actors out there with Ryan gosling. The supporting cast is also notable with a really standout performance from Eva Mendes( though she's kind of bipolar in the movie.) The 3rd acts main characters, the children of the 2 fore mentioned men, are serviceable in their 1st true roles and its hard to live up to the talents of the other cast.

The cinematography is also absolutely stunning. It has a clean beautiful, but also gritty home-y feel to it that you get lost in during the movie. The soundtrack is very distinct and different, far from some of the 1 style scores of movie composers nowadays. It has its problems though but barely. The 3 arc story structure unfortunately can leave some parts of the last 2 story weaker and overall it could've ended slightly better.

This film announced someone of great new talent in the world of Film, Derek Cianfrance. I could feel myself at some points in this movie smile gleefully because I could feel this guys talent and just how amazing some parts of this film was. He still has room for improvement, but overall I feel like this is the start of someone really talented. Overall great movie, sure to be something memorable

8/10

Stardust Memories (1980)

Woody does Fellini, unfortunately not as well

[8/10 · 10 April 2013]

Alright so every great artist takes some inspiration from the colleagues in their field in modern times. And clearly u can tell throughout Woody Allen's work the inspiration he receives from European directors, Fellini and Bergman. But in this movie he hits u over the head with 8 1/2 directed by Federico Fellini, and unlike Hannah and Her sisters, which was largely inspired by Fanny and Alexander directed by Ingmar Bergman, his tribute falls short of worthy.

Woody Allen is a Dissatisfied Director who agrees to spend a weekend at a film festival honoring his movies. He's swarmed by fans trying to tell him story ideas, asking for autographs and telling him how much they like his earlier works. Throughout the weekend, He meets and falls in love with different women too.

Like I said earlier, this film feels a lot like a dream or a fantasy in parts like 8 1/2. It also feels like Woody is saying to his fans to back off after his previous movie was criticized. I think the story is great and the cinematography fits well in black and white. Te acting also works with the story but no performance is special. And the music is typical Woody Allen jazz.

Overall above average movie but fails to be a great tribute to Federico Fellini, and 8 1/2.

6/10

Run Lola Run (1998)

German Techno and A Girl Running, Still Enjoyable

[8/10 · 10 April 2013]

I take a Film class and I heard about this movie from a friend of mine who took the class. He raved about it for days and brought it up to me a lot in his favorite films from the 90's. So I was anxious to watch this. And it didn't really disappoint.

Movies incredibly simple. A deal goes bad, probably drugs, and Lola's boyfriend loses the money in a subway and he can't get 100,000 franks within 20 minutes he's going to be killed. The movies simple structure and plot makes it pretty accessible to anyone even in German. And that's what I liked about it. It sticks to its plot and style, and does what it does best. And it's only 80 minutes too.

The style of the movie is based off of a video game and the people Lola interacts with change their destiny. It's unique for the time because it wasn't done to death like modern films have made movies from video games. Tom Tyker shot the movie well and fits the pace of the movie. And I absolutely adore the German Techno of the movie and I'm not even a fan of electronic music.

Overall nice little concept movie. It's not that's its just above Verage but its the most u can do with a movie like that.

8/10

Hamlet (1996)

4 Hours Later...

[9/10 · 9 April 2013]

This was long. 4 hours of uncondensed Shakespeare and I must say I enjoyed it. Kenneth Branagh is perhaps the Laurence Oliver of our times. A great actor obsessed with the work of Shakespeare. And this is his masterpiece, Hamlet (1996), a free uncondensed version with every line of what Shakespeare has written, on the last movie ,besides The Master, filmed on 70mm film.

If you've graduated high school, you probably know the story of Hamlet. Hamlet is visited by the ghost of his father, who request the he kills his uncle, the new king of Denmark, because he murdered Hamlet's father. What I love about this adaptation is the things Kenneth Branagh does because he's using the medium of film. The use of Flashbacks in events is a great use that the stage adaptations could never do, same with the scenery. Elsinore Castle comes alive. It was genius for him to set the story in the 19th century. It gives a beautiful touch to the movie and costumes and set design were appropriate. THe final thing he does great is how he plays Hamlet. My English teacher taught him more as a mopey Dane, but he plays him as a cunning but indecisive genius which I believe is more interesting. His soliloquies have great touch to them, using visual elements and artful expression to make them interesting instead if Rambling.

The cast is great too. No weak link in the acting, and everyone holds their own. The guest appearances of famous actors, Charlton Heston, Robin Williams and Billy Crystal add moments of freshness to secondary characters. The Cinematography shows off the world well and fits most scenes, same with the music.

The problem is the length. It drags in places and with trimming could've been a masterful movie.

Overall great adaptation (better than the Mel Gibson one) and shows off to a new generation the beauty and power of something written 400 years ago. If you have the time, check it out.

8/10

East of Eden (1955)

James' Dean Masterpiece

[9/10 · 9 April 2013]

James Dean was an icon in the 50's and earned 2 Oscar nominations while only starring in 3 feature films. He was perhaps the new Marlon Brando or so many other things, but his tragic car accident ended to his all to brief career. What we do have of him is 3 movies, my favorite being East of Eden. Elia Kazan found the unknown actor, like many others, as part of an acting school for method actors and decided to use him in the movie.

East of Eden is a more modern reselling of the story of Cain and Abel. Cal must compete for his father's love with his brother Aron. His Dad, is a stern bible-thumping man who has a secret he keeps from his children. It's really that simple but done quite well. Too bad Elia left out half of the original novel recounting their father's past

Elia Kazan is an actor director and the preformacnes show. I've talked about James Dean for a good while now, and for good reason. His performance is probably one of the finest I've seen from. His mannerism and expression become Cal Trask. He shines in every scene he's in. In interaction with Adam Trask, his father played by Raymond Massey is almost too perfect. The actors seriously hated each other so don't ink it's all in the script. Elia Kazan just fueled the flames and it helps the movie. Jo Van Fleet also does a chilling commendable job as the brother's mother. The weak link in the cast is Richard Davalos, who is acceptable but easily outshines by everyone else in the cast.

Elia Kazan is the best director of the time in America and his films show. The use of CinemaScope shows e films scale, same with the music and overture. The use of odd angled shots shows the balance of the world and is revolutionary at the time.

This film however has a few flaws. It drags a bit in the middle and beginning,besides the opening scene. I would've also loved if he included the whole novel into the movie too and would've helped the size of film Elia was trying to make.

Overall great movie and should be watched by all people going into acting.

8/10

Chungking Express (1994)

ChingkingnExpreess Review

[9/10 · 8 April 2013]

Randomly found this at a Barnes and Noble for only $30 with the online price going for close to $60 so I figured I should get it. I've always like Wong Kar Wai and his movies. Very indie, very 90's and very good.

Chungking Express follows the lives of 2 police officers in Hong Kong and see their love lives. The first is love sick over an ex-girlfriend of his, and eats more diced pineapple than Rick Ross. He meets a blond headed woman at the bar he goes to and hits on her. She leads some kind of Indian drug ring. Midway through its switches viewpoint to another police officer who's in love with a waitress at a local food stand who listens to the song California Dreamin' constantly.

This movie is well made and well structured. The acting is great and believable. The soundtrack doesn't distract from the movie. My problem with the movie is the lack of progress and the loose ends of the 1st story.

Overall me memorable movie from Wong Kar Wai, and one of the best foreign movies of the last 20 years

Akira (1988)

A Classic Anime Masterpiece

[9/10 · 8 April 2013]

Wow. OK so I'm a big anime fan, and I've always heard of this when the greatest anime movies were listed. It took a friend bugging me and loaning me with the DVD of it for me to finally check it out. I must say I was impressed.

Film starts out in New Tokyo 31 years after its destruction, and seems like a standard future. There's biker gangs, ruined building and lack of institution, strong military presence and the like u see in these dystopian/apocalyptic movies. During a rival fight with another biker gang, a kid with telepathic powers collides with one of the protagonists biker friends, Tetsuo which gives him the same powers. I'm not going to spoil more than that for u because its such a great story I hate to ruin it.

It's truly an animation masterpiece and up there with anything of Miyazaki's. The story is well written and shows great coherence(pretty rare in anime). The Japanese seiyu's or VA's were also spot on. Fe only complaint I have is the animation but that's most because of the time it's made(although Miyazaki's work at the time is so much cleaner and neater)

Overall this really is a great movie. It's so iconic with early American anime fans and is treasured as a classic. I'm going to keep that sentiment. It's an anime Masterpiece.

9/10

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)

Incredibly Close to being good

[6/10 · 8 April 2013]

This is not a bad movie. Worthy of best picture? Perhaps not but that's all opinion. Extremely Loud & Increibly Close is emotionally pulling (sometimes strangling) movie that follows Oskar Schell's quest to find out what his father left for him in the form of a key. His father was a Jeweler who perished in 9/11 during a business meeting that day in the World Trade Center. Oskar ,a year later, finds a key in the vase to a lock that is tied in to someone with the last name of Black.

Ill start by what I liked by it. What works is the Male figures of Oskar's family. Tom Hanks is good in a minor role. Thomas Horn is commendable in his role too slough he does have his annoying moments. But the real star of this Max Von Sydow. I feel like I'll take a moment and recognize this superb actor. He plays the role of "The Renter" a silent Holocaust victim who helps Oskar in his quest. He gives the film heart and the middle section of its life. He deserved the Oscar Nomination and my opinion the Oscar for best supporting actor. I've always loved silent performance because they require the actor to become more involved in their part. Sandra Bullock was also OK in her role, nothing special though. I also loved the soaring score of it, fit the mood nicely to most of the movie.

There's a lot I didn't like. I found Oskar annoying even if he possibly has a mental illness. He was pretty selfish and rude throughout the movie but then again this is an 11 year old kid. The Film was also too emotionally draining in e wrong ways at points and the camer work was spotty too.

Overall OK movie but lacks something to make it particularly good, instead of above- average.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Perfection

[10/10 · 31 January 2013]

This is absolutely on of the best films I've watched and will probably see in my life time. This movie has the most majestic beauty I've seen on the screen and I'm so touched and in awe over watching this movie. David Lean created the greatest epic of all time by focusing on a character so complex and human, but magnificent.

1st off don't let the time put you off from watching. It's nearly 4 hours which even for me is quite frankly long. But the film flows by and you lose yourself in the world created for u. The cinematography is incredibly breathtaking. The landscapes and figures that inhabit this film hare beautifully shown with an almost halo to how good it looks. Seriously the most beautiful cinematography not by a guy named Terrence Malick. Peter O' Toole gives a commanding performance as TE Lawrence. Easily one of my favorite performances of all time, and maybe the most fleshed out pre-New Hollywood Era movie. The cast is also just as great too and highlight the movie. The soundtrack, which comes in the Delux 50th Aniversery set, is so enchanting I would be satisfied with it alone if I listened to it. (Great driving music btw)

I really can't say anything bad about it. It's perfection on film. It's one of the most beautiful and inspiring movies I've seen, not from its message or ending but of what you can do on film. This is above all the best epic of all time, and possibly my favorite movie of all time (its a toss up between my top 5). Seriously something everyone that says the like movies needs to watch. And like its meta critic score its perfect. 10/10

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Sometimes A movie of nothing, Can be really cool

[8/10 · 16 January 2013]

There's probably like 100 reviews that start out with the famous quote from the movie or raving about Paul Newman. I'd like to talk about some different things with this review.

Plot is simple. Paul Newman gets arrested and sent to a southern prison and refuses to conform to the prison life. It's a very bare bones film altogether. Few characters, small soundtrack (1 theme and a couple of blues songs sung by the inmates are all I remember), and a simple plot sometimes make for a boring movie. But this movie is lighthearted and enjoyable. Paul Newman and George Kennedy put on good performances along with the other cast. And that's about it. This film is more a vehicle for Paul Newman to push it than a really great movie,

Overall this is a good film but nothing special. Besides acting and partly the script, its kinda an average film. But this film does have is heart and maybe that's enough to make me like.

7/10

Biutiful (2010)

Realistic and Painfully Beautiful Film

[9/10 · 15 January 2013]

This film is pretty sad. I'm not going to lie. And that takes a lot coming from me. ( I'm a pretty pessimistic guy) But what this films does, it does well and it is helped by one of the greatest foreign actors of our time, Javier Bardem.

Uxbal is a low level criminal boss who lives with his 2 kids in a small apartment. He's divorced from his wife, who is an alcoholic and partially insane/ bipolar. He controls some of the darker parts of the Spanish underworld, like Chinese sweatshop workers and African American vendors who sell off the cheaply made goods. And oh yeah he can communicate with the dead. You would think the story would be about that last statement and it sort is but it's more of a plot point. Uxbal is recently diagnosed with Cancer and he is set to die within 6 months. So the movie is him trying to set up his kids and businesses to succeed when he's gone. The film paints a very realistic picture of what happens. It's not sugar coated and everything goes well.. He fails at doing at lot but what the film does is post a really great picture of a dying man in desperate attempts to give something back into life. Javier Bardem performance is also outstanding. He has the most range of human emotions of actors of our time. This performance like many people say is reminiscent of Marlon Brando's in Last Tango in Paris. The cinematography at the beginning and end scenes is great but most of the film is average in the category. The supporting cast is solid in their jobs but its really Javier Bardem's show. Music is kept to a minimum which works in this kind of realistic movie. Finally I love the style of the movie and Innarutu, one of the most consistent foreign directors of recent memory.

Overall this film is depressing but biutiful (see what I did there) film which excellent,y showcases an acting talent of our generation. Incredibly touching

8/10

The Untouchables (1987)

Slightly Impressive Mob Film

[7/10 · 15 January 2013]

The Untouchables are very touchable actually in both the film and the movie itself. It's your average cops gone rouge to fight the mob story we've seen but with bonuses.

Plot is simple. It's 1920's Chicago, and the mob is running wild. Al Capone runs the city and pays off the cops. Enter Agent Eliot Ness, who is sent to stop the crime wave with the help of some cops who are incorruptible.

This film does some things right. First, I love Sean Connery as Malone. It's a good performance from a talented actor. Kevin Costner is average in his performance. Same with De Niro, which is disappointing considering his other performances in mafia/mob films like Once upon a Time in America and The Godfather Pt. 2. Also Andy Garcia was nice in his role too. The Music is overall to stylized to the 80's and disrupts the mood of the movie and some of the scenes just feel too much at times.

Overall good but very unimpressive mob film. The performances are average( except for good old Sean) and music and stunts feel cheesy. Close to a 6 for me but I'll be nice. Hell, I'll be generous.

7/10

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Stylish and Confusing, But still Beautiful

[8/10 · 15 January 2013]

Alright. This film is something. When I popped it in last week I knew what I was expecting and it surprised even me. This modern, bizarre, beautiful, crazy adaptation of one of Shakespeare's most beloved plays is something of a spectacle. It's a classic romance for MTV's generation X from one of the most electric directors of the last 20 years. And since I'm assuming up you passed a middle school literature/English class ill give slight spoilers.

There's a lot for me to talk about in this film. Lets start off with the art style and dialogue. To use Shakespearean English in a modern setting is at 1st kinda off putting. But I grew use to it as the film went on and became immersed in the story. The cinematography is brilliant and gritty like a gang film while having richness and fulfillment of something from renaissance Europe. The acting is pretty good across the board. Leonardo Di Caprio and Claire Danes were pretty great. The said their lines well for young actors and besides a few scenes of over acting were good. ( Romeo pursuing Tybalt to kill him.) Their final scene is powerful and well done. The supporting cast was good to especially,Harold Perrinau (Mercutio), John Leguizamo (Tybalt), and Pete Postlethwaite ("Father Lawrence"). The music was good too and I love Talk Show Host by Radiohead( One of my favorite early songs by them).

However film has flaws. Because they use Shakespearean English they are awkward moments in the movie like Romeo's Banishment and the use of guns called swords. The film use of helicopter in the final scene pursuing Romeo proved a tad excessive too. Also the use of News Casters in the beginning and end is also weird.

Sometimes u can't take this seriously. And I didn't take this film to seriously. It's one of the most stylized and unique films I've seen. However it kinda fails in comparison to other Shakespearean adaptations, ( See Akira Kurosamwa's Ran) but its a fine film and worthy of being watched. If u hate the 90's or over the top movies, stay away. Everyone else, Enjoy.

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Intense war thriller

[8/10 · 14 January 2013]

My title sucks for this review but I've got not much else to title this. Zero Dark Thirty is probably the best war film since full metal jacket. It's a realistic view on how America achieved its greatest military victory in years by killing Bin Ladin.

Oh Yeah Spoiler Alert: They Kill Bin Ladin. If you haven't heard that then you've been living under the earths core because it was said 20 million times around the political season. This film is pretty intense from the start. It starts with a torture sequence of a suspected terrorist in Pakistan. A lot of things have been said about the scenes but I'll say this. It's how it happened people. Whether you like it or not, America tortured terrorist for information and is film accurately portrays it. Same with the scenes showing the actual mission. it's incredibly realistic. It's leads the film to have a climatic/anti-climatic feel while feeling satisfying to you. Jessica Chastain puts up an awesome performance but before the approval of the mission can be kind of annoying but nevertheless memorable. The cinematography was also excellent to the film and reminds me of the mid 80's war film in the style and realism while still feeling like a modern day way such as her previous film, The Hurt Locker(2009). The score was nothing impressive at all but its not suppose to be. probably why the left out the music for the final scenes. Spoiler: The ending of the film maybe the best moment when you see her sitting in the military plane alone, crying, and from what I gather that her life has no more purpose as this was what she was dedicated to doing for maybe over 8 years.

I feel this is the best film of the year in a year of movies above any in recent memory. If I could give this an 8.75 I would. It's incredibly close to being a masterpiece and something to be inconsideration with the Great War films like Apocalypse Now, The Thin Red Line and the Deer Hunter. Sadly it lacked something in it to put it below these other films whether its artistic vision, stylist realism, memorable lines or characters. I still feel its good movie and accurately depicts the modern day terrorism war, much like Traffic (2000) depicted the US war on Drugs. Overall great movie but short of being in my opinion a masterpiece (most of the films I call masterpieces are films rated 9/10 and above, 10/10 being almost perfection with maybe 1 very small flaw.).

8.5/10

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

An unexpected movie

[7/10 · 14 December 2012]

When I heard that Peter Jackson was directing a new hobbit film initially I freaked out with excitement. Then when I found out he had divided it into three parts, I began to have suspicions about the quality of the work. Were my suspicions vindicated? Sorta

First off let me talk about the film. Its the story of Frodo's Uncle, Bilbo Baggins, who sets out on an adventure with 13 dwarfs to reclaim their homeland with the wizard, Gandalf the Grey. My fist problem i had with it was the pacing. it felt slow at some points (not during the prologue) and i felt i was watching an overly extended movie. i cant say it was all bad because it did add a lot of details from the book, which often adaptations of novels would cut out for time. as everyone says, Martin Freeman's performance was dead on. Every time I will retread the book, I'll probably think of him as Bilbo. The surrounding cast was good in their roles although the dwarfs performance tend to be similar to each other Lessing the distinction of the cast. Sometimes although the story can be almost more aimed for younger audiences and lacks some of the darkness and maturity of the LOTR films. The 48 frames per second in 3D got some time to get use to. The visuals were so stunning that you could unfortunately at some points tell it was fake. Most of the CGi worked in the film minus maybe a few orcs or other creatures now and again. The sweeping landscapes of New Zealand provide great setting to the movie. Another problem is lack of diversity in the score. I don't always mind when the same pieces come up, but throughout the 2:45 hour movie, I heard only about 3 distinctly different pieces.

But don't let all my negativity fool you. I still pleasantly enjoyed the movie. It was still a good movie that was a great journey. The visuals were spectacular, the acting was mostly spot on. Overall despite its flaws, An unexpected Journey is still a good outing. Just don't expect an Oscar winning fantasy feature, from my experience.

Overall, 7.5/10

Days of Heaven (1978)

Movie of Pure Heaven

[9/10 · 5 December 2012]

Terrence Malick is perhaps the most inspiring and ambitious director of all time. Before his 20 year absence from making movies, Terrence Malick created his version of a love triangle set in the prairies of Texas. The main character bill , played by Richard Gere, murders his boss in a coal mine and runs away with his lover (Abby played by Brooke Adams) and kid sister. they arrive in Texas and work for a rich farmer who is dying of a disease. Bill convinces Abby to marry the farmer so when he dies they can take his fortune This is film is perhaps the most beautiful film before CGI. The cinematography is so outstanding. I can't rave about it enough. The acting was also done very well by the three leads, and the narration helps connect the story together. The music, mostly Camille Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals, bring a sense of mysticism and almost child-like wonder to this film which fits perfectly with the narration. My only problem with the film is it feels subdued. It lacks the epiness and sheer human emotion of Terrence Malicks other films, most notably The Thin Red Line and Tree of Life. If He had developed he story more with extra footage/scenes, this would be close to a perfect film. Still despite this, This is still a rich and beautiful film to see. This film is 20 years enough of Terrence Malick to sustain us forever.

9/10

Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

Sergio Leone's Masterpice

[9/10 · 14 November 2012]

OK this film was a workout to sit through but boy was it worth it. Sergio Leone's final movie, Once Upon a Time in Amereica, is an epic and arguably his best film. After seeing this, I recognize the great tragedy of the film's editing in its original theatrical run in 1984. Years later we've finally learned what this film is. A dying will of one of the most influential directors of all time.

The film is about the lives of four Jewish gangsters as they grew up in Prohibition era and the haunting consequences of one of their decisions. its the story of a lifetime of childhood friends, from boys growing up on the streets in the Jewish district of Manhattan getting involved with the mob, to becoming the biggest bootleggers in New York. This film is just a wonderful trip through. The story line is well planned out and the pacing is done well to where events flow seamlessly throughout those nearly 4 hours. Each frame is painstakingly shot and shows the artesian craft of Leone. Performances of Robert DE Niro, who is good like his usually is, and James Woods, who is especially standout in his role, give human depth to the film that so many other epics/gangster films lack. the film's score adds even more to it with beautiful string melodies to pan flute solos(go figure in a movie like this).

Overall if you have the time to devote to watch to this, the do it. This can stand alongside The Godfather or Goodfellas in its genre. This is something to watch it if you can appreciate the art and journey of the story throughout. Sergio Leone's farewell is an amazing film.

9.5/10

The Tree of Life (2011)

Beautiful, Breathtaking

[10/10 · 13 November 2012]

Holy c***. That was the best LSD trip I'd seen on film. That's a compliment by the way. Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life is a beautiful take on human life and how life changes us through events and nature. Like a coming of age story mixed with 2001 and the discovery channel show, Life.

It relates the childhood of Jack( adult played by Sean Penn) and his relation to his world around him, mostly through he parents (Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain). This film cinematography is the best I've ever seen. Period. The special Effects are amazing and can see the work done to make them and why there was such a delay in the release if the film. Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain give great performances and u feel ourself moved by them as you would your own parents. This touch of human emotion gives it edge over a film like 2001 and creates a whole new depth to the ideas of life. The ending was beautiful and showed the connection between humans. I can't pay enough compliments to the film.

This is not for everyone. If you can't appreciate art films and the sheer magnitude of this work, then avoid it. But for everyone else, watch this and appreciate the work over 25 years in the making from one I Hollywoods most gifted directors, Terrence Malick. This film is the pinnacle of special effects and cinematography. True beauty. If people call 2001 a masterpiece, then watch this. It has more of a story and more heart than 2001. Overall beautiful. I can't say much more

9/10

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

Beautiful Masterpiece From the Master of Westerners

[9/10 · 12 November 2012]

This is the definition of the western. The loner antihero, the damsel in need of help, and an overarching villain. This film is one of the greatest works of cinema from the 60's, an under appreciated gem in its time, finally given its respect. And respect it deserves.

The film starts off with a dazzling sequence, which the protagonist, harmonica, kills three would-be assassins sent to kill him by Frank. The it shifts to the paralleling story of how the west has grown, and the frontier is dying. Our hero is caught on a revenge trip to avenge the death of his family, and the death of his lovers family. Charles Bronson and Henry Fonda give reverse roles and are outstanding in them. It all leads up to one of my favorite confrontations in a movie, between Harmonica and Frank. The cinematography and setting is beautiful. The pacing is good also and compliments a great story written by Sergio Leone. This is 2 hours and 45 minutes worth sitting through.

This film is like a traditional western and is not for everyone. But if u can overlook a few cliques, you can experience and epic piece of cinema that is probably Sergio Leone's finest. Beautiful, simply that. 9/10

Last Tango in Paris (1972)

Cool look at sexual relationships, with awesome role by Marlon Brando

[9/10 · 12 November 2012]

This movie was controversial then, and if I showed it to some people nowadays it'd be controversial now. Bernardo Bertolucci's Last Tango in Paris is essentially his dream of going to Paris and meeting a random woman who'd he'd have sex with and never know her name.

This movie is beautiful to look at and watch. Marlon Brando's acting was outstanding and same with Maria Schneider. The plot drags at moments and most of the development between me comes toward the end with its epic conclusion. They're so much influence you feel from French new wave films, but it lacks some of their clarity. The Film is graphic with its sexual content but it does not take away from the artfulness of the movie.

Overall, it's a nice movie with outstanding acting from Brando and beautiful look to it but it suffers from some slow pacing. Overall Good film if you can appreciate the beauty of it. 7/10

Heaven's Gate (1980)

Underrated but still very flawed

[9/10 · 9 November 2012]

OK So I figured I'd clear the air on this film a bit. This film is grossly underrated, ( one of the worst all?) and deserves a second shot by some people.

2 years after the phenomenal film, The Deer Hunter, Michael Cimino teamed up with Kris Kristofferson to direct the anti western epic, Heaven's Gate. The film is based on the Johnson County Cattle War's. This film is a contradiction. It has beautiful shots and cinematography in some scenes, and look like a home video in other, possibly due to the deterioration of the film. It has a majestic story and good acting, but lacks development in scenes. It builds to a grand finale when the town folks are winning, and ends in a disappointment. The length of the film is also daunting, a neat 220 minutes :/.

Now for the positives. The story is original and reflects the mood of the 70's new Hollywood. Christopher Walken gives an underrated performance and highlighted a great supporting cast along with John hurt, Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterson. Cinematography and key scenes such as the Harvard graduation and the roller rink highlight this film memorability.

Overall you can't look at the movie's history and financial failure and editing to see what a wounded giant this movie is. While not close to a masterpiece, it is certainly not one of the most awful movies of all time. In 2012, this movie was re-released at the Venice Film Festival to favorable reviews and I agree with the sentiment. I look forward to picking his up later in the month as part of the criterion collection. In the end, Michael Cimino movies is something to watch and something to respect. Overall underrated movie. 7/10

Cloud Atlas (2012)

Epic Movie, Just short of Masterpiece

[9/10 · 27 October 2012]

Cloud Atlas. It takes a lot for me to get inspired about a film and to write a review. You've accomplished that much and I thank you. Forget everything you've heard about this film from critics or whoever.

All their lives are connected as ours. After the movie let out, we went to a restaurant in our home town 20 miles from the theater and met a middle aged couple who were at that same restaurant, who had just gotten out of the movie. Crazy Stuff and proves this movies relates to all of our lives.

Cloud Atlas is a modern day epic, that ties in the lives individuals reincarnated in different time periods. We follow the lives of an sick American who boards a ship to get cured of a disease and befriends a stowaway slave as they journey back to the US, A gay composer who works writing music for an old composer unable to write anymore. We follow a news reporter on a breakthrough discovery about corruption in energy, and a writer who must go into hiding in an retirement home to escape debtors after him. Finally this film takes us to a Korean future, where we follow a waitress who falls in love and could change life forever, in a Blade Runner esque utopia. Finally after the fall of civilization, something out of the dark ages, we follow the lives of a goat herder as he encounters other beings that change his world. And yes I am still talking about the same movie lol, The cinematography was beautiful on this film. The world the Wachowski brothers have made is a rich deep world, that you feel entrenched in and fall in love with it. The story was well written though if the film was a little longer and connected the stories better this would be a 10/10 for me. Tom Hanks and Halle Berry's acting was good in this film. With so many roles its hard to pick apart their acting. Ben Wishaw's and Jim Brodbent's highlighted the film with the best performances. The music was top notch, some of it composed by Tom Tyker and special effects were some of the best I've see ever. The themes of reincarnation, karma and so many other themes beautiful tie this film to our lives.

This movie is not something you can see once. To fully take in the symbolism, plot and characters you'll need a second viewing experience. And I'm OK with that. Because I believe years from now people will look at this film and remember it like a blade runner, or whatever movie it is.

Slightly flawed but overall amazing movie. Favorite Film of 2012 so far. 9/10