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Reviews
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Not a movie for everyone; definitely for those who like a complicated mystery
The Talented Mr. Ripley is hands down, one of my favorite movies. Now I know that this might surprise some people, but I have some really good reasons for this, and I hope you'll either agree with me, or see it for yourself after reading this.
First off, Matt Damon is really a good, solid actor. All of his performances are so convincing, and this is definitely not any exception. The watcher can really see his mental state change throughout this movie, and that is key, repeat key in this movie.
I have seen Jude Law once before I saw this movie, and that was in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. He is a very talented actor, with a very suave manner about him, which actually made him perfect for the role of Dickie Greenleaf.
The cinematography in this movie is so memorable. It is unbelievably fantastic, and that is due to the brilliance of director Anthony Minghella. His visions are carried out with magnificently. The opening credit scene is wonderfully done with the bars coming across the screen. I have however seen this before in an Alfred Hitchcock film before (if anyone remembers which one, please e-mail me).
The script really is well done if you think about what the movie is actually telling. I know that seems strange, but it really is true. If you carefully pay attention to what is going on and how Ripley is changing, the dialogue really mirrors these changes. The shy Ripley evolves into an uncanny calm, unrattled Ripley. Tom Ripley really is the only character who actually mentally changes during the movie. Marge (Paltrow) slowly discovers Ripley, but thats not a change in character. Greenleaf remains the same, as does Freddie and Cate Blanchette's character (her name escapes me).
Another reason why this movie is so good: the music. Some movies can be made that much better, or that much worse with a soundtrack. In The Talented Mr. Ripley, the music is made with such feeling and is so perfect for every moment in the movie. Every little note, whether it be the jazz songs, or Ripley's classical piano, is so in tune with the movie (no pun intended). I think this movie along with Gladiator have the most amazing soundtracks because of the quality of the music.
For those of you who don't know, The Talented Mr. Ripley was origianlly a book written by Patricia Highsmith in the 1950s. Might I recommend reading it before seeing the movie. Highsmith wrote a five book series with Ripley as the main character. They all are really good, and make you see Ripley in yet another light.
I hope you can gather from what Ive said, that I really liked this movie. It is not for everyone as aformentioned. It is somewhat disturbing, but please concentrate on the character of Tom Ripley to see how he thinks. Just see the movie and send me an e-mail telling me what you think.
Before and After (1996)
Only Liam Neeson is worthy of mention in this film
Before and After had some good potential for the first 30-50 minutes but after the introduction of Edward Furlong as Jacob Ryan it started to fall downhill, almost like the snowball effect; it started diminishing slowly but picked up speed as it progressed.
I've always been a fan of Liam Neeson ever since Michael Collins and Schindler's List. He is a very powerful actor with amazing credibility. He is in this case the only reason to watch this movie. I know many people like Meryl Streep, and I think she is a good actress too, but she did absolutely nothing in this movie. I think this can be attributed in part to the poor script. The writers for this movie must have been half asleep when working on this one. The lines are somewhat corny and some are incredibly at inoportune times in the movie. A mother would not be smiling and laughing when her son has been gone for a week. Things like that make this less than average.
Edward Furlong wasn't bad in American History X, but I didn't think he did too much in T2. In Before and After, he was really, really bad. I honestly think it wasnt the makeup that made him look drugged. The daughter's role in the movie was really bad as well. Again, this was partly due to the writers but also I have seen many many better child actors.
Cinematography was vastly under used in this movie. There were some scenes where a creative camera angle could have made it so much more, but nothing was done to make this very memorable. This is a movie that has your usual kind of sentimentaly stupid plot. I guess you've gathered that I didn't like this one that much. I have written other reviews if you care to take a look at them. I'm a pretty objective person when it comes to movies.
Overall, I think its safe to pass on this one.
The Blues Brothers (1980)
Unbelievably funny; even more so for Catholics
This movie is really almost a gem in the rough. This is in the same cult classic category as Rocky Horror. Now I'm not saying that if you liked Rocky Horror, you'll like this, because I know someone (Drew) who really didn't like The Blues Brothers at all. Now I'm not just saying this because I'm a fan of the movie, but I really can't see how you can't find this even a little bit funny.
Granted, John Belushi did some amazingly funny movies, I strongly believe that this was his best. I don't think he ever got more into a role than he did for playing the character of Jake Blues. He and Dan Ackroyd completely emersed themselves in this movie, and I believe it shows greatly.
There are many great great scenes in this movie. Don't worry, I will not give any away, but all of the car chases are quite hilarious. Also, the Illinois Nazi scene is fantastic.
I'm sure most people have heard the phrase "we're on a mission from God." well, that originated with this movie. Everytime they say it in the movie is just so incredibly opportune. Might I recommend renting or buying the special unrated version of this movie. Don't worry, the unrated is the same as the R version, and its only for language anyway. There are some deleted scenes in this version of it which make all the more funny. I really, truely hope you enjoy this one.
Rounders (1998)
If you didn't like "The Cincinatti Kid" you won't like this
"Rounders" was a movie that progressed at an average pace. It never had a hugely suspensful string of scenes, but then again, it wasnt that type of a movie. It had solid acting from Matt Damon and Edward Norton. John Malkovich gave a great performance with a terrific Russian accent.
Matt Damon's performance was very reminnescent of that which he gave in "Good Will Hunting." The character Damon plays in "Rounders" is same type of poor, working guy who is smarter than all of his friends. I think this is Damon's best type of performance. Given that he was excellent in "The Talented Mr. Ripley," which is one of my favorite movies, Damon's ability to play the regular type of guy is what makes him so likeable. He can pull it off better than anyone else today.
Rounders takes time to develop. It makes the watcher learn the intricate parts of different types of poker games. If you don't like gambling or poker, keep your distance from this one. In the grand scheme of things, "rounders" is a good poker movie. It is better than "The Cincinatti Kid," but of course it can't hold a candle to "The Sting." Either way, its an enjoyable movie, with a good soundtrack, and really nice cinematography. Kudos to the director.
Poirot: Hercule Poirot's Christmas (1994)
Is there anyone as perfect as Suche?
I am commenting not just on "Hercule Poirot's Christmas," but on the entire DAvid Suche series. The entire cast is utterly superb. They have such an amazing on-screen chemistry. Hastings plays his part magnificently and Chief Inspector Japp is just as Christie describes him in her novels.
I am real big on cinematography and not often is it very good on made for TV movies, shows, etc, but Poroit on A&E has some very nice camera work. The stories are well presented and are concluded with nice, clear cut endings. This is the best Agatha Christie series ever and one of the best TV series on television.
L.A. Confidential (1997)
Very good screenplay, but cinematography was lacking
I really liked this movie because of two reasons. First, the acting was top notch. Kevin Spacey is just such a great actor. Virtually everything he touches is amazing (with that exception of The Negotiator). Russell Crowe is his usual quiet, but forceful self. And Guy Pierce! Who ever heard of this guy? He was fantastic. See the movie just to see a good young actor.
The script and screenplay in this movie were fantastic. It was a very engrossing story with a great, complex plot. You had to pay attention to every scene in order to not miss anything.
The only complaint I had with this movie was the cinematography. The directing was nothing special. No scenes were any different from any others. There really weren't any dramamtic shots or interesting camera work. Other than that everything was Grade-A, but because I hold such a high value for cinematography, I gave this an 8 with a note of good measure!