9/10
The Good the Bad and the Ugly, has been one of my favorite films for a long time, and to watch it again was more than enjoyable. Everything from the characters to the directing, I have always found incredibly interesting and entertaining. This is one of those films, along with Apocalypse Now, and Dr. Strangelove, that I like to see at least once a year, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys film.
Of course, the crown jewel of this film is the directing by Sergio Leone, king of spaghetti westerns, and it's safe to say that he gets his point across more than effectively. Every moment of the film has this cool, but bitter sarcasm to it, and this tone is, in many ways, what makes the movie. His mockery of certain aspects of American life is played out very well, where it's not in any way subtle, but isn't completely in your face at the same time. Throughout the film, he tastefully executes everything as it should be as he both pays homage to the classic action western, and mocks it.
In conclusion, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is something I would undoubtedly recommend to any movie goer. For its tense, dramatic scenes, its memorable characters, and its great directing, this movie will be forever timeless. No matter how great CGI gets in the future, this can always be remembered as one of the greatest action movies of all time. I give this film a nine out of ten.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
List of favorite film studies movies
11. V for Vendetta
10. Cinema Paradiso
9. Ben Hur
8. Citizen Kane
7.The Simpsons Movies
6. Gone with the Wind
5.Psycho
4. The Great Debaters
3.Shawshank Redemption
Tie: Good, Bad, and Ugly/ The Graduate
10. Cinema Paradiso
9. Ben Hur
8. Citizen Kane
7.The Simpsons Movies
6. Gone with the Wind
5.Psycho
4. The Great Debaters
3.Shawshank Redemption
Tie: Good, Bad, and Ugly/ The Graduate
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Shawshank Redemption film review
8/10
When watching the Shawshank Redemption, I couldn't help but feel like I was watching an American classic. It felt like I was just part of a new generation, in a long line of generations, that got to sit down and appreciate this movie. There were quite a few things going for this movie, but it's no masterpiece by any means.
Probably the big thing that people will talk about, when they talk about this movie, are the performances of Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, and I must say they were convincing. The two actors together delivered two very memorable performances, which in turn, created some very memorable scenes. I never felt for a second like I was watching actors acting in a movie fom "I didn't think much of Andy Dufraine, when I first met him," to the very end.
The directing, was on, but that's all I can really say about it. The director didn't do a bad job, not by any means, but there wasn't anything special, or really amazing about the way this film was shot. All I can say is that they got the job done, and that the lack of an amazing director, didn't take away too much from the film.
Along with the acting, the writing is strong, producing some very memorable scenes. It starts strong and ends strong, seeming to truly peak throughout both the second and third act. Despite this film's length, little of it seemed uneccessary, and I would be very surprised if someone were to say they weren't entertained by this movie.
In conclusion, this film, is a border-line must see. The story is immensely entertaining, and the acting is superb, with Tim Robbins giving, what is probably, the best of his performances. Though the film has it's flaws, some more obvious than others, I still think very highly of this film and recommend it to most. I give this film an 8/10.
When watching the Shawshank Redemption, I couldn't help but feel like I was watching an American classic. It felt like I was just part of a new generation, in a long line of generations, that got to sit down and appreciate this movie. There were quite a few things going for this movie, but it's no masterpiece by any means.
Probably the big thing that people will talk about, when they talk about this movie, are the performances of Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, and I must say they were convincing. The two actors together delivered two very memorable performances, which in turn, created some very memorable scenes. I never felt for a second like I was watching actors acting in a movie fom "I didn't think much of Andy Dufraine, when I first met him," to the very end.
The directing, was on, but that's all I can really say about it. The director didn't do a bad job, not by any means, but there wasn't anything special, or really amazing about the way this film was shot. All I can say is that they got the job done, and that the lack of an amazing director, didn't take away too much from the film.
Along with the acting, the writing is strong, producing some very memorable scenes. It starts strong and ends strong, seeming to truly peak throughout both the second and third act. Despite this film's length, little of it seemed uneccessary, and I would be very surprised if someone were to say they weren't entertained by this movie.
In conclusion, this film, is a border-line must see. The story is immensely entertaining, and the acting is superb, with Tim Robbins giving, what is probably, the best of his performances. Though the film has it's flaws, some more obvious than others, I still think very highly of this film and recommend it to most. I give this film an 8/10.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
V for Vendetta film review
5 out of 10
While watching the film, "V for Vendetta", I found it very easy to criticise this dystopian action film. Though this movie does have some redeeming qualities, and I did not find myself totally regretting watching the film, I think the highest I could possibly praise this film, is mediocre, at best.
While the the majority of the concept, with all of the Guy Fawkes revolutionary "Remember, remember the fifth of November," definitely had the potential to become something memorable and, even possibly, meaningful, the film fell short and didn't really work over all. The film seemed to have two major problems with it, 1: it was based on the writings of a closeminded anarchist, and 2: It was directed by the Wachowski brothers, two directors that rely too much on action scenes and shallow entertainment. Now these two problems alone will definitely harm a films quality, but these two problems combined create a mismatched totally unbalanced film, that, as said before, doesn't really work. While watching, I found that, what was supposed to be a dystopian drama, very quickly turned into an overblown action movie that took itself far too seriously.
As I said earlier, this film does have some, emphasis on some, redeeming qualities. One being the well done performance of John Hurt as the chancellor. I couldn't help but wonder if the inclusion of Hurt in the film was just supposed to be a nod to the far superior dystopia tale 1984, that starred Hurt as the protagonist. No matter what the reason, I found Hurt's performance to be one of the high points of the film, and found myself waiting for the next scene that he would be included in. Some of the other performances were also decent, but were in no way memorable, which could be especially said about Portman's performance as Evie.
In conclusion this film was pretty much an overdone romp through a hastily designed dystopian England, and though some of the concepts were cool, and the film was somewhat entertaining, I found this film totally mediocre and am very glad that I didn't have to pay to see it. I give V for Vendetta a 5 out of 10.
While watching the film, "V for Vendetta", I found it very easy to criticise this dystopian action film. Though this movie does have some redeeming qualities, and I did not find myself totally regretting watching the film, I think the highest I could possibly praise this film, is mediocre, at best.
While the the majority of the concept, with all of the Guy Fawkes revolutionary "Remember, remember the fifth of November," definitely had the potential to become something memorable and, even possibly, meaningful, the film fell short and didn't really work over all. The film seemed to have two major problems with it, 1: it was based on the writings of a closeminded anarchist, and 2: It was directed by the Wachowski brothers, two directors that rely too much on action scenes and shallow entertainment. Now these two problems alone will definitely harm a films quality, but these two problems combined create a mismatched totally unbalanced film, that, as said before, doesn't really work. While watching, I found that, what was supposed to be a dystopian drama, very quickly turned into an overblown action movie that took itself far too seriously.
As I said earlier, this film does have some, emphasis on some, redeeming qualities. One being the well done performance of John Hurt as the chancellor. I couldn't help but wonder if the inclusion of Hurt in the film was just supposed to be a nod to the far superior dystopia tale 1984, that starred Hurt as the protagonist. No matter what the reason, I found Hurt's performance to be one of the high points of the film, and found myself waiting for the next scene that he would be included in. Some of the other performances were also decent, but were in no way memorable, which could be especially said about Portman's performance as Evie.
In conclusion this film was pretty much an overdone romp through a hastily designed dystopian England, and though some of the concepts were cool, and the film was somewhat entertaining, I found this film totally mediocre and am very glad that I didn't have to pay to see it. I give V for Vendetta a 5 out of 10.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
The Great Debaters Film Review
7 out of 10
While watching The Great Debaters, I couldn't help but feel a little intelectually bored. The Film is directed by Denzel Wahington, who also stars, and because of the fact that it was directed by an actor, causes what could have been one of the great movies of the modern age, to suffer greatly.
I personally hate it when actors think that they can direct. Nine out of ten times an actor directs a film, it doesn't really work, and this film is no exception. During a few particular scenes, I couldn't help thinking to myself: 'Why did they settle for such an amateur director', as I watched a series of complex camera angles, that were totally unnecessarry, and took away from the film. Along with the self indulgent camera work, is the pretty much complete lack of any symbolism throughout the entire movie. During all of the time I spent watching this movie, I sat there wondering why this director was even chosen for a film that had the potential to be great. It wasn't until I saw the ending credits that it was all explained to me. Directors don't try to act (other than Woody Allen), why do actors insist on trying to direct?
Though I've spent the entire article complaining about the directing, so far, there are still some definitely redeeming qualities in this film. Where Washington's directing flops, his acting is spot on, along with the rest of the cast including Forest Whitaker, and his son Denzel Whitaker. With the spot on cast is a great script, based on a very interesting and entertaining story about a African American debate team from the deep South during the days of the Jim Crowe laws. A majority of the subject matter is obviously racism in the South, and I found the handling of it very well done. This movie could have very easily gotten preachy about the evils of the white man, but it didn't and I definitely give it points for that.
This film is incredibly flawed, but along with many weaknesses are also many strengths. Where the directing suffers, the writing and acting are great, and the story definitely kept me entertained while I was sitting there wondering why the director was so amateurish. I give this film a 7 out of 10.
While watching The Great Debaters, I couldn't help but feel a little intelectually bored. The Film is directed by Denzel Wahington, who also stars, and because of the fact that it was directed by an actor, causes what could have been one of the great movies of the modern age, to suffer greatly.
I personally hate it when actors think that they can direct. Nine out of ten times an actor directs a film, it doesn't really work, and this film is no exception. During a few particular scenes, I couldn't help thinking to myself: 'Why did they settle for such an amateur director', as I watched a series of complex camera angles, that were totally unnecessarry, and took away from the film. Along with the self indulgent camera work, is the pretty much complete lack of any symbolism throughout the entire movie. During all of the time I spent watching this movie, I sat there wondering why this director was even chosen for a film that had the potential to be great. It wasn't until I saw the ending credits that it was all explained to me. Directors don't try to act (other than Woody Allen), why do actors insist on trying to direct?
Though I've spent the entire article complaining about the directing, so far, there are still some definitely redeeming qualities in this film. Where Washington's directing flops, his acting is spot on, along with the rest of the cast including Forest Whitaker, and his son Denzel Whitaker. With the spot on cast is a great script, based on a very interesting and entertaining story about a African American debate team from the deep South during the days of the Jim Crowe laws. A majority of the subject matter is obviously racism in the South, and I found the handling of it very well done. This movie could have very easily gotten preachy about the evils of the white man, but it didn't and I definitely give it points for that.
This film is incredibly flawed, but along with many weaknesses are also many strengths. Where the directing suffers, the writing and acting are great, and the story definitely kept me entertained while I was sitting there wondering why the director was so amateurish. I give this film a 7 out of 10.
Simpsons Movie
Irony: "For once the rich white man is in control"
"We're going to have a great life in Alaska, and we're never going to America again"
"This Book doesn't have any answers"-referring to Bible
"If you can't believe in me, believe in america"-as this is being said several bilboards in foreign languages are shown
As the Simpsons' home is being destroyed, a sign saying "bless this house" is shown.
Puns: Trappuccino
Dome sweet Dome
Nome Sweet Nome
Dome Depot
Grand Theft Walrus
Top 5 quotes: 1"For once, the rich white man is in control"
2"I am the mascot of an evil Corperation"-Reffering to Mickey Mouse
3 "The government actually found someone they were looking for"
4 "From here you can see the four states that border Illinois: Nevada, Ohio, Montana, and Kentucky."
5 "Of course I'm going mad with power. Have you ever tried going mad without power? It's boring"
Parody: Grand Theft Walrus-Grand Theft Auto
Spider Pig- Spiderman
Harry Plopper- Harry Potter
Sex scene in Alaska- Snow White
Homer hitting a large rock and a bar entitled Hard Place- Old stuck between rock and hard place proverb
Dome Depot-Home Depot
Satire: "The Government actually found someone they were looking for"
"I am the mascot of an evil cooperation"-referring to Mickey Mouse
"Who could be so evil,"-"The United States government"
"There are two things they don't teach you in Harvard law school, how to cope with defeat, and how to handle a shotgun."
"Here in Alaska, we pay our residents, so we can ravage our states natural beauty."
Fox: "Yeah, we advertise in movies now
"We're going to have a great life in Alaska, and we're never going to America again"
"This Book doesn't have any answers"-referring to Bible
"If you can't believe in me, believe in america"-as this is being said several bilboards in foreign languages are shown
As the Simpsons' home is being destroyed, a sign saying "bless this house" is shown.
Puns: Trappuccino
Dome sweet Dome
Nome Sweet Nome
Dome Depot
Grand Theft Walrus
Top 5 quotes: 1"For once, the rich white man is in control"
2"I am the mascot of an evil Corperation"-Reffering to Mickey Mouse
3 "The government actually found someone they were looking for"
4 "From here you can see the four states that border Illinois: Nevada, Ohio, Montana, and Kentucky."
5 "Of course I'm going mad with power. Have you ever tried going mad without power? It's boring"
Parody: Grand Theft Walrus-Grand Theft Auto
Spider Pig- Spiderman
Harry Plopper- Harry Potter
Sex scene in Alaska- Snow White
Homer hitting a large rock and a bar entitled Hard Place- Old stuck between rock and hard place proverb
Dome Depot-Home Depot
Satire: "The Government actually found someone they were looking for"
"I am the mascot of an evil cooperation"-referring to Mickey Mouse
"Who could be so evil,"-"The United States government"
"There are two things they don't teach you in Harvard law school, how to cope with defeat, and how to handle a shotgun."
"Here in Alaska, we pay our residents, so we can ravage our states natural beauty."
Fox: "Yeah, we advertise in movies now
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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