jimidom Reviews

The Dark Knight (2008)

Comic Book Coming to Life

[9/10 · 22 July 2008]

At last! This is a true comic book adaptation! Although Tim Burton's Batman gave us a darker and more sinister version than the campy Caped Crusader of the 60's TV series, Christopher Nolan's vision of Batman in the The Dark Knight takes the character into depths of utter despair and conflict, which fans of the DC comic books know well but fans of the films never got to see. Add to that a spot-on and frightening portrayal of the Joker as a completely homicidal sociopath, a brilliant portrayal of hero DA Harvey Dent along with his unexpected turn, and you have the comic book truly coming to life.

As for the performances, Heath Ledger most likely will get a well-deserved posthumous Oscar nomination for his brilliant swan song role while making the Joker the stuff of nightmares. However, Christian Bale was truly superb as Bruce Wayne/ Batman, and his ability to finally show us Batman's inner turmoil makes his portrayal perhaps the best ever. The real surprise of the motion picture was Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent. Eckhart came very close to stealing the show from Bale and Ledger in his role as the aggressive but equally conflicted DA. Another standout performance was Maggie Gyllenhall as Rachel Dawes. Much has been written about her "improvement" of the role once played by Katie Holmes, and she certainly doesn't disappoint. Stalwart actors Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon, Morgan Freeman as Luscious Fox, and Michael Caine as Alfred, all turned in excellent performances as well.

This film is indeed a must-see motion picture, but it is not perfect. At 152 minutes, it is a bit long, and there are a few rather slow moments. However, as a whole from beginning to end, The Dark Knight is wildly entertaining and sets a new standard for comic book adaptations.

Billy's Holiday (1995)

Excellent Music, BUT......

[2/10 · 27 June 2006]

... unfortunately, there is little else for which to make this film a truly worthwhile expenditure of 92 minutes of your life, let alone a worthwhile cinematic experience. I suppose that Max Cullen's talent for jazz diva vocal mimicry is somewhat noteworthy. After all, it was by most accounts the reason this film was even made. However, when you throw in a rather haphazardly scripted story about an incredibly improbable scenario, all the vocal mimic heroics, big band swing numbers, and slick choreography can't transform the sideshow into the musical that it endeavors to be. I give this movie 2 stars, one for the excellent swing music that prevails throughout the motion picture and one for Max Cullen's freaky vocals.

Gregory's Girl (1980)

Adolescent Fun

[8/10 · 3 August 2000]

This is one of the funniest and most warm-hearted films ever! John Gordon Sinclair and Dee Hepburn were absolutely wonderful in this story of teenage love and the sudden twists & turns that occur when you think you've met THE ONE, but then someone else...

Last Night at the Alamo (1983)

Texcentric Cinema At Its Best

[10/10 · 23 June 1999]

I think the same elements that have made "King Of The Hill" a hit comedy are present in this cult film masterpiece. Just as there are everyday-life characters that closely resemble Hank Hill, Dale, and Boomhower, there are real people much like Cowboy, Claude, Ichabod, and the rest of the gang who like to hang out at the Alamo. It is this realism of the characters that makes "Last Night At the Alamo" so good.

This film brilliantly plays more like a documentary than a feature film, and it is shot in black & white. The use of live sound as opposed to overdubs also lends to this documentary-type feel. "Last Night At the Alamo" is very unique in that regard.

The acting was superb, especially Lou Perry as Claude. Sonny Carl Davis, most well-remembered as the jerk businessman who demands a refund from Brad Hamilton in "Fast Times At Ridgemont High", was excellent as the charismatic Cowboy Regan. Furthermore, Steve Mattila turned in a memorable performance as the annoying Ichabod.

Eagle Pennell may have captured the most realistic portrayal of blue-collar Texas ever. Because of this in my opinion, this film ranks right up there with greatest Texas films of time like "Giant", "the Alamo", "Urban Cowboy", and "the Last Picture Show".

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Insanity and Hell on Earth

[10/10 · 30 April 1999]

APOCALYPSE NOW is not a war movie. Or at least, it's no more a war movie than Joseph Conrad's novel THE HEART OF DARKNESS, from which this movie was adapted, is about British imperialism. Therefore, nitpicking this film's military anachronisms is rather silly. Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece is instead a study of man's dark side, where the utilization of primordial instincts can lead to insanity and ultimately Hell on Earth.

Coppola's take on Conrad's vision of this dark side is absolutely brilliant. The film moves you closer and closer until finally Hell on Earth is ultimately reached, and Satan takes the form of the insane Col. Walter Kurtz, chillingly portrayed by Marlon Brando. Equally brilliant is the transformation of the film's protagonist, Capt. Willard, into a killer who in his own words "understands a thing or two about Col. Kurtz that he didn't before."

Martin Sheen's portayal of Capt. Willard is utilitarian, but he does shine, particularly in the scenes with Brando, where Willard is held captive in Kurtz's compound. Robert Duvall's all-too-brief appearance in the film as the nutty surfer-wannabe Col. Bill Kilgore is without a doubt the film's finest performance, as acknowledged by an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Other notable performances include Frederic Forrest as Chef and Lawrence Fishburne's film debut as Clean. All-in-all, this film was brilliantly acted.

APOCALYPSE NOW is not only one of the few films brave enough to tackle this controversial subject matter, but it also does so better than any other film I have ever seen. Furthermore, the haunting images: Hueys flying through the fire of Napalm Hell, Col. Kurtz lurking in the shadows, and Capt. Willard rising out of the water with machete in hand looking chillingly Kurtz-like, are the kind that stay with you forever.