rlac66 Reviews

Death in Venice (1971)

A beautiful and complex film

[8/10 · 21 February 2003]

CAUTION: SPOILERS

Although this film moved a bit slow at times, the brilliant scenery, richness of the characters and powerful themes make `Morte a Venezia' a rewarding experience. I have not read Thomas Mann's book, but I am certain that Visconti's visual splendour, musical score, and powerful evocation of conflict and desire must do it justice.

The study of Gustav von Aschenbach alludes to the human tendency to rationalize and quantify our emotions, behaviour and passion. This tendency is demonstrated in the scene in Germany between Alfred and Gustav when Alfred describes Music as being both mathematical--i.e. quantifiable--and emotional. This conflict arises again in the scene where young Tadzio is alone playing `Fuer Elise' in lobby of the Hotel and Gustav recalls his visit to a bordello where he is drawn to a prostitute who plays the same song. In his flashback, after paying the prostitute, Gustav is clearly physically seized by the consequences of his actions. This reaction acts as a reminder of the moral reaction to the temptations that Tadzio represents.

Ultimately, Gustav is forced to make his biggest decision: stay in Venice and resign himself to his lust and temptations? Or flee Venice to save his own life? His early attempt to flee Venice at the train station resulted in a futility and foreshadows the outcome of prolonging his stay.

Complimenting the captivating character interaction, Visconti's powerful scenery (especially of Venice at Dawn and the final scene of Tadzio walking into the water and pointing to the horizon) renders this film a true masterpiece.

Jackie Brown (1997)

Solid film, never a dull moment, great characters

[8/10 · 22 October 2001]

Although different than some of Tarantino's more violent precursors, such as "Reservoir Dogs", "Pulp Fiction" and "True Romance" this is an excellent film. Where it lacks in violence however, the film makes up for in language earning it an "R" rating in the US. In certain scenes, I thought it Tarantino went to far with the explicit language and it seemed awkward and artificial, but that does not cast a shadow of over what I thought was an otherwise fantastic film. The editing and directing is excellent. There is good character development of the main characters, yet there is not one scene where the movie drags throughout its entire 150 minutes. I couldn't tear myself away from this movie until the very end.

Especially enjoyable is the performance by Robert Forster whose character I thought was outstanding. Max Cherry, played by Forster, is a tempered bail bondsman who cautiously handles his unscrupulous clients. One day he is approached by Ordell Robbie, played by Samuel L. Jackson, to post a bond for Jackie Brown, a middle aged flight attendant for a low cost airline who gets caught smuggling Ordell's fortune in Mexico into the US. The initial meeting between Jackie and Max sets up a relationship between these two characters on both professional and personal level and that changes Max from a methodical and business man to almost an innocent young boy with a crush. The last scene in the movie between these two characters is absolutely brilliant.

I highly recommend this film and it's fun to watch Tarantino mature as a director. The little extras littered throughout the film such as "Chick with Guns", the fabulous locations such as the Cockatoo Inn, and the excellent characters make this film well worth a view.

Convoy (1978)

fantastic film, one of Peckinpah's finest!

[10/10 · 24 September 2001]

I just recently watched this film and I have to say that I was completely blown away. As an American living in England, I miss a lot of parts of the "good 'ol" USA that are unequivocally unique to the American culture; things such as, diner coffee, long stretches of road without a gas station in miles, areas of the country where the wild west is not a thing of the past, but an every day way of life and last, but not least, 18 wheelers making long haul journeys from coast to coast.

This film embodies all of some of the most genuine characteristics that are particular to the rural US: freedom, the struggle between the law of man and the law of the land, and the plight everyday folks who work hard day in and day out to bring a huge nation of millions and miles together.

Kris Kristofferson, Ernest Borgnine, Burt Young and Franklyn Ajaye all give exceptional performances. We follow this cast of characters throughout their journey through the southwest with each adventure and the excitement builds exponentially. The ending, which is a bit confusing and unrealistic somehow seems to fit and complement the script and provide that perfect twist to finally stick it 'ol Sheriff Lyle Wallace.

Get Carter (1971)

excellent British gangster movie

[8/10 · 8 July 2001]

An excellent film starring Michael Caine who portrays a bespoked London-based gangster named Jack Carter who travels a town in northern England to avenge the death of his brother. In the process of his search for his brothers killer, he discovers a secret about his brother's family which adds real depth to the otherwise cold and calculating Jack Carter. The film is set primarily in the town of Newcastle, which is poor, dismal and dark, a perfect setting for Jack Carter's methodical and violent version of justice. The film is very well done and the final moments exemplify the fortitude and authenticity of British film.