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Reviews
Greetings (1968)
Alright
REVIEW OF GREETINGS Greetings was the debut Robert De Niro film so it will be hunted down by De Niro fanatics like myself. Greetings was also a De Palma film so that's another mob that will be hunting this film. But in all fairness, do hunt it, do watch it but don't pay over $5 bucks cause it ain't worth it. It's not the worst film that De Niro's done, Sam's Story takes that cake, but it's nowhere near the best.
While I did fine certain bits funny, The JFK conspiracy side to it was great. And some of the political sides to it were also intriguing but it was let down with really bad scenes. Random nudity while arousing has no point, most of the time it is quite boring to the point of being annoying and the end, where he makes Vietcong lady strip might have set out to be ironic, but ultimately is disturbing and stupid at the same time.
So do watch it if you want, it's up to you but trust me, don't let the De Palma+ De Niro equation make you salivate because you'll be disappointed.
Shooter (2007)
Better Then Most
Well, what can I say about Shooter? A politically charged thriller rolled up in an action packed 2 hour blast-o-rama. A little too rolled up. If the director's original intentions were to make the action movie with serious political motivations he succeeded and failed in equal measures. You can feel the political under-tones in several spots but then over-blown action rolls over and kills it. When it seems like it's going to go deeper and it does seem like it too; Marky Mark and co. blow s*** up and kill heaps of people putting you off the trail. While it did succeed in making a better action movie then most in the market, it still lacks but what do you expect. If you want to sit down for 2 hours and watch explosions this will satisfy and make you feel smart. Knock yourself out. *** out of *****
Knocked Up (2007)
Proof That Comedy Isn't Dead
For a long time now, I've heard a lot of hoopla about Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen being the new kings of comedy. But frustratingly, I hadn't seen any of their movies
. Until now. I can say that Rogen and Apatow are very funny men and that they've crafted a hilarious, outrageous yet surprisingly sweet tale but I can also say, in my honest opinion that they aren't the new kings of comedy. Once I see more of their movies I can judge better but for now I can say that they know how to make very funny movies and that they well on their way to bump off the likes of Stiller, Wilson (Owen), and Ferrell from the top of the laugh pyramid.
This has to be one of the more amusing films I've seen in a long time. Lately the comedy level has been raised by future classics (Tropic Thunder, Juno) and then lowered dramatically (American Pie Beta House, and all that spoof nonsense), but luckily Knocked Up is in the first category. Believe the hype, Seth Rogen is bloody hilarious, Judd Apatow is a great director, Katherine Heigel is a good comedic actress and this deserves to be in the Top 07 Movie to Watch list of everyone.
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
The Weirdest Twist Of All Time
If you hadn't gone into From Dusk Til Dawn without knowing about the vampire bits, WTF would be the most accurate thing you could say for sure. I mean honestly, it starts off criminal bros kidnap family take em over the border, while being fairly good we've seen it before. We get to the Titty Twister. Still good, wow! Cheech Marin and cult actor Danny Trejo! Then ever more wow! Selma Hayak seductively dancing! Wow! Then heads roll, green and red body fluids spray and George Clooney has to kill a vampire Quentin Tarantino. OTT, violent, sexy and oozing style this movie is a mind-blowing experience and will make you return over and over again. It's real strange stuff but real good s****.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Let it go
I don't know everybody's problem with this. I've found none of the Star Wars films to be boring and I think everyone should calm down and think about this. Could you make a better film? Huh? Didn't think so here's some of my points on why this is a good film
:Great FX
:Decent acting
:Great additions to SW universe (except of course JJB)
:Fairly good story-line
:and Darth Maul
I rest my case
Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
Vietnam Funny?
I never thought that a film on the Vietnam conflict could be funny but here it is, drink it up. Of course, now you've got more comedy war films these days (Tropic Thunder Anyone?) but I think this would be one of the first comedy based war films. Robin Williams outdoes himself here in a very innocent honest performance, hilarious and very human at the same time. His basic mindset is to brighten up the lives of some soldiers in a very grim, disturbing situation but anal politically correct superiors (the late great Bruno Kirby) hold him down. I honesty contemplate the weirdness of this. Blood and gore is outside all over the bloody place while some people are trying to sensor a morale boosting DJ!? Strange but true.
Along with being one of the first war comedies it's gotta be one of the first movies to show the Vietnamese as actual humans. They live, breathe and die while some biased movies try to vilify everyone single one of them as blood lusting monsters. It's a nice change but this movie falls behind some movies (Apocolypse Now, Platoon) and beats others (Full Metal Jacket, Hamburger Hill) just for the simple fact that this was funnier while not losing any seriousness in the process. 9/10
Don Juan DeMarco (1994)
Poor
Wow! This is awful. I thought the equation Brando+Depp+Dunaway would = Great, but it equaled terrible! I found this unfunny, ridiculous and just poor. The performances were alright especially Depp who does quite well in such a stupendously dumb role. Brando does alright in a slightly better role and Dunaway flops horribly. The script falls flat while trying to seem romantic loses focus and drifts into the chasm of stupidity and while some of the scenes seem funny (baby spying on his nude mum) also seems weird (Incest! At eight months old?!). I hoped to find this great but no, I shake my head sadly. I had a choice out of watching M an old Fritz Lang film, or this A Brando/Depp film which seemed alright looking at the cover but after 2 hours I was praying to Fritz Lang for forgiveness of not watching his film and watching this horrendous film. This goes on my list of bad movies with The Brain That Wouldn't Die, Spy Kids 2, The Naked Mile and The Swap. 3/10
Scarface (1932)
Tony Camonte V.S. Tony Montana? Too Hard To Choose!
I was praying inside that this would be awesome and lo and behold it totally was. Not as good as De Palma's but still really good.I picked it up at Go-Lo for $2 with a Charles Bronson film but I only got the DVD for Scarface. I was blown away with how good it was. Paul Muni is fantastic here almost rivaling Pacino's Montana. He lacks with the class but makes up for it with an almost better accent. They're both deadly and could easily make me shiver in real life. The one big polar opposite is Montana went down angry riled up and firing. Camonte started off firing, started snivelling like a little girl (understandbly), then got shot escaping fleeing like a deer. Thats the big difference though. I think De Palma and Pacino adopted the Camonte persona then beefed it up making it more human and more brave but the evilness that Camonte still shines through Montana. But enough about that.
It surprised me with how well it was made too. Now I'm not knocking old movies. I love classics especially old Frank Capra flicks. But for it's time it was well made and very defiant. It must have caused a hell of a ruckus around Hollywood and Hawks must have been Public Enemy No 1 just like Camonte. I'm so glad it made it through the censors and stuff. Because if this hadn't made it through it would have been a crying shame. This is brilliant and should be viewed by everyone who has seen the remake. Like i said, It's not as good as the newer Scarface, but hot diggity damn it's so dang close. 9/10
On the Waterfront (1954)
Powerful
If you've heard about Marlon Brando but have never seen a Brando film skip Streetcar, Godfather, Last Tango watch this first. Although, Marlon is fantastic in this film other people shine just as bright. Elia Kazan (although he may be a "rat") is a brilliant director and amazingly in her film debut, Eve Marie Saint is a revelation and an Oscar winner. Karl Malden is typically great also.
This film is raw, yet beautiful. Sad, yet sweet (in some spots), depressing yet uplifting especially the ending. It's an unflinching tale of redemption, love and the will to survive. It's a film that will be revered of the rest of time and celebrated as one of the greats. And like I said, watch it not only for Brando, but for Kazan, Malden and Eve Saint. Because everyone is great here. Brilliant. 9/10
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Masterpiece Of Epic Proportions
Wow! I recently bought this film and was blown away. I've been a Coen fan for awhile and after the Oscar wins I knew i had to see this movie. After watching it, i realized the hype was right and everything positive said about this film is totally right. Great direction, great acting, beautiful landscapes and much more No Country For Old Mend deserves more than a viewing. It deserves to stand tall in my honor list next to Pulp Fiction, Goodfellas, Platoon, The Usual Suspects. I could go for hours. Jarvier Bardem's Anton is so frightening i couldn't believe it. His chilling attitude is horrifying and it's hard to believe there's people around like that. Tommy Lee Jones is effective as a old man serving the law in this brutal, cold world. Josh Brolin puts out another good performance in a year with great performances from him like American Gangster. He's good as a hunter dragged into a bloody mess due to his greediness in not taking the money to the cops. Anyway, recommendation galore. You Must Watch 10/10
Taxi Driver (1976)
Masterpiece
This is a dark grim look at the underbelly of the Big Apple. Bobby De Niro yet again puts out a perfect performance as Travis Bickle, a Vietnam Vet and a Taxi Driver. He drives around the place viewing the dark side of humanity. Pimps, whores, drug dealers he's seen it all. He sees them as scum. We follow him through this movie hearing his desperation to break free. He eventually meets 12 and a half year old prostitute Iris (Jodie Foster, brilliant). He plans to break her free from her pimp Sport (Harvey Keital). His answer, is violence of the worst kind. This madman kills several people but is wounded. Travis is hailed a hero by the public and Iris moves back to her family. This is absolutely brilliant. Martin Scorsese hardly ever disappoints and yet again he hasn't. It's well worth a look but Caution! It's very heavy so children shouldn't really watch it. Enjoy! 9/10
Death Proof (2007)
Surprisingly Good
With all the negative reviews I've read from basically everyone I found my hero Tarantino's new movie great. Not only for the awesome car crashes but because Kurt is such a damn psycho. Basically, a guy called Stuntman Mike goes around killing girls in his death-proof car. The start of the film is quite slow at the start but it picks up when he kills 5 women in the space of one night. We later arrive at Tenessee where he stalks four other women. After a long chase with a girl Zoe stuck on the hood of their car they turn the tables on Mike shooting and chasing him to the final conclusion, they beat him up and after a very nasty kick, kill him. This movie is a wonderful tribute to the old car-chase movies of yester-year and deserves a look by all Tarantino fans.
9/10
American Gangster (2007)
Brilliant Gangster Epic
I recently went to see this at the cinema. I'd heard a lot of stuff about American Gangster. Epic? Check. Great Acting? Check. Brilliant direction? Check. Excellent film. Check. This is a brilliant, brutal look into the life and times of drug lord Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) and the cop who brought him down (Russel Crowe). Along the way, there's death, betrayal, and a lot of expletives. But it's all worth it to watch one of the best movies made in the decade. Ridley Soctt throughout his career has made brilliant movies and this is no exception whatsoever. If your looking for a good movie to watch this is a great choice.
9.5/10
300 (2006)
Didn't mind it
Another Frank Miller adaptation, 300 is the classic story of the 300 Spartans who took on a huge empire. Mythology rules this movie. Comments of homosexual tones are washed away with Lena Heady's performance. Very sultry woman who isn't afraid to love her man even if he is doomed to die in battle. Unfortunately this film does have it's flaws. It's very shallow and lacks likable characters. But it is stunning to look at especially the graphic battle scenes, the goriest of recent times that's for sure. And if you know the story then you know how it ended. The 300 are defeated and all perish. But the ride up to the grim end is wonderful and worth a look.
7/10
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
The Funniest Movie I Have Ever Seen
Absolutely bloody hilarious. It's a riot. This film from those funny English lads the Pythons, follows King Arthur and his Round Table searching for the Holy Grail. This quest provides some of the funniest, silliest, hilarious moments ever on film. The Knights Who Say, The Black Knight, The Bridge Of Death all brilliant classics. The ending is also very funny. King Arthur and what's left of the troupe are charging a French castle but are stopped.... by the cops! They load King Arthur in the back of a police van and we end with a cop blacking out a camera! Very very funny. I first saw this when i was 6 and have always loved it. If you can laugh at something silly this is for you. It might be nonsensical if you aren't familiar with the Python's work but this is a great place to start. Laugh Out Loud! It's healthy.
10/10
Jackie Brown (1997)
QT is still on top
I only saw this for the first time recently. After being such a fan off everything else he did i hoped this wouldn't disappoint. Hoped? Ha! Like the guru of homage would disappoint. Not a chance. Pam Grier is a legend and should have won an Oscar for her wonderful performance as Jackie Brown. But what a supporting cast! De Niro (Fav Actor 01), Sammy L Jackson (Fav 02), Mickey Keaton, Bridget Fonda, Chris Tucker, My god! We basically follow Jackie Brown through her trials and tribulations. She is a 44 year old (still smoking though) air stewardess. She gets busted with money and drugs. After that she conspires to just leave her past life and the way to achieve this to help the cops. She gets a friend Robert Forster her bail-bondsman who also works for Samuel L Jackson, Jackie's boss. His friends, De Niro and Fonda are supposed to pick up money Jackie's flying in (under the noses of cops) but they get screwed in the end, De Niro kills Fonda, Sammy L kills De Niro and Sammy is murdered by the cops with the help of Jackie. Jackie leaves for Spain, after unsuccessfully trying to get Forster to go with her. Overall, another good movie by Tarantino 8/10
Blood Diamond (2006)
Best Movie Of Last Year
In Australia, Blood Diamond was released in early 07. It took me over a year to see this and last night i settled in to watch. I expected a lot and hell yes did it deliver. This movie is savage, explicit, violent and so damn well made. It's back at the turn of the millennium 1999 when war ravaged on in Sierra Leone. Amdist it all, a fisherman is kidnapped and taken to toil and find diamonds. He finds one hell of a diamond and hides it. After he is put into jail following an attack he gets out. We basically follow the fisherman, Davey Archer (Dicaprio pulling out yet another brilliant performance) and a female journalist trying to find the hidden diamond amidst an awful war. Powerful images abound this film. Kids carrying machine guns and killing people to the tune of gangsta rap. Bodies strewn around the war ravaged streets yet beautiful poignant images as well none more poignant than the last image of Davey Archer dying in the sunshine. At peace. Please watch this film. It deserves so much applause.
9/10
The Simpsons Movie (2007)
Crying Shame
I've been a fan for many years of those wonderful wonderful yellow people. I grew up with them and will always stay with them (TV On DVD) but this movie disillusioned me and i just wanted to slap not only David Silverman but Matt Groening and the entire team that made this atrocity to the Simpson name. I wanted a masterpiece and i got a average romp. Watchable but compared to expectations world wide, I don't want to swear in my comment because I might get in trouble but anyway. We follow Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart and the rest of the Simpsonverse as Homer screws up (again). Endangering lives he dumps Spiderpigs (An actual funny character)'s crap in the already polluted lake. The town obviously very peeved with Homer try to kill him but they escape when the government seals off Springfield in a dome. Simpsons are chased by government, Go to Alaska, Come Back, Save Day, everything as everything should be, Blah, Blah, Blah, who cares 6/10
Donnie Brasco (1997)
I Will Never Forgettaboutit
Depp, Pacino... another pairing made in heaven. Al Pacino And Johnny Depp star in this intriguing wonderful look at Donnie Brasco, the man who went undercover in the Mafia and nearly didn't make it. Who rises up through the ranks of the Mafia and ends up hanging with Sonny Black (Michel Madsen). Micky, please don't do utter crap, like Bloodrayne and start doing good things like this. Please. We're begging you. Anyway, this movie deserve more than just one viewing which i acknowledged by buying it on DVD. I still watch it a lot. I love the discussion between Paul Giamatti and Depp about the phrase Forgettaboutit! If you couldn't read that it's forget about it. One thing is don't forgettabout this comment. Watch this movie, it's well worth the time...
8/10
Stand by Me (1986)
So Lovable...
I find it hard to understand why certain people (Mr Benson, you stooge) hate this wonderful wonderful movie. I can identify with all the character which i find hard to find in movies. River Phenoix though. Wow.... Heath Ledger is very similar. A wonderful actor cut down in his prime. Imagine what would have happened if River didn't die! Question for the ages. Everybody puts out here. Wil Wheaton, River of course, Jerry, Corey Feldman even Kiefer (24) Sutherland plays a very nasty bully/rebel. I laughed and laughed when they played drive-by baseball. Rob (Spinal Tap) Reiner directs this perfectly too. Basically we follow 4 young lads on the search for a dead boy. Adapted from Stephen Kings Different Seasons (Which is a book of short stories which also inspired The Shawshank Redemption!!). I find the ending extremely poignant. Chris (Phoenix) a young misunderstood boy ends up as a lawyer and successful but is stabbed and dies. Sad, very sad.
8/10
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
Just As Good
Less action doesn't mean less good. It's a brilliant romp and deserves a watch for sure. Tarantino makes good films. Always has and hopefully always will. This answers questions like the Bride's name (Beatrix Kiddo) and we meet BB her daughter. Budd (Michel Madsen as good as he's ever been)Bill's brother is shown not as a slick assassin but a washed up drunk who is a bouncer for a strip club. He gets close to killing Beatrix y burying her alive. She escapes and finds Budd. But Elle Driver (Darryl Hannah), another assassin, kills him first with a Black Mumba. After fighting her Kiddo rips out her eye. She was one-eyed the whole movie through and now she eyeless. Kiddo leaves her to an uncertain future. She later tracks down Bill using a pimp Esteban (Micheal Parks) Bill's father figure and kills Bill. She leaves with BB and they live together happily ever after. If you like a good film watch this for sure.
9/10
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Ultra Brilliant
This is great! Quinten Tarantino always delivers and this is absolutely no exception. Bloody, stylish and wonderful this movie will rock your world. Uma Thurman (The Bride, she has a real name but i wont mention it yet) is a woman, pregnant and ready to marry a guy called Tommy. She was formally an assassin. Her old boss Bill (David Carrandine) and his assassination squad The Deadly Vipers kill everyone at the wedding rehearsal in the El Paso Wedding Chapel Massacre. Except the Bride survives (despite being shot point blank range in the head by Bill). She awakes from her coma and kills a would be rapist. We actually start with her being shot then she kills Vernita Green (Vivcia A Fox) A member of her old team. She then sets out for revenge against O-Ren Ishii. After a spectacular gory battle with the Crazy 88 she kills O-Ren Ishii. We find out at the end that that Bride's baby is still alive! What a cliffhanger! She doesn't know but we do. Anyway, a must see
10/10
Heat (1995)
A Classic
Wow! De Niro! Pacino! Together! Oh my god! A partnership which is the stuff of dreams. Add Mickey Mann and you've got a film fans dream. And it was. Everything in this film is perfect. Acting, Directing, Script, Cinematography everything! It basically is the story of a cop Vincent O Hanna (Al in a brilliant role) trying to track down Neil (Robert De Niro also great) and his band of robbers including Val Kilmer and Tom Sizemore. It is a great character study and also has great action scenes too including the bank robbery which is great. Natalie Portman in an early role does well to play Vincents daughter a very very troubled girl. What a cast though! Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Ashely Judd, Tom Sizemore and many many more. That's what i call a great cast! Anyways, a brilliant classic and a must see.
10/10
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Very Good
I really do like this movie. It's got good directing, good acting, good script, suspense, you name it its got it. Tommy Hanks is good as you'd expect and Leonardo Dicaprio puts out his first good performance, (Liked Titanic, dislike him in it). This is a slick movie about a real life conman, who pretends to be many things and endangers peoples lives doing it! Tom Hanks is the cop hunting him down. It's funny how their relationship is portrayed as well. It's quirky and i think Steven used it well. Chris Walken is Leon's dad and as usual puts out a good supporting role. Overall, another good way to spend your time and a must for a Stevie Spielberg fan 8/10
The Bucket List (2007)
Alright I Guess....
I had high expectations for this film. Jack Nicholsen And Morgan Freeman in a movie together is every film freaks dream. Add Robby "Spinal Tap" Reiner and you've got a sweet deal. But this film didn't quite answer my prayers. Directing and Acting were good but this could be a whole lot better than it was. The script sometimes was a bit weak and the jokes were a bit lame. The scenery though... Wow! It was poignant when Morgan died and when Jack delivered the eulogy was good as well. The ending also moved me. I thought it was Jack climbing the mountain but it turned out to be his assistant placing his ashes with Morgans on top of a big mountain! Good ending b ut overall I hoped for a lot more. It deserves a 6 and if your a person looking for a tearjerker look no further than the Bucket List...
6/10