The film honestly isn't that outstanding, but I do give credit to the cast members, Jaimie Alexander,Nick Chinlund, and Chloe Moretz, they made the film bearable, Chloe being at such a young age did splendidly. About the film itself, it is nothing less of mundane sci-fi film.We have all seen the film before, crazed man back from the dead, goes on killing spree. The only twist being this one was a preacher, and he was a bit beyond insane when it came to sacrificing to "God" to keep away crow that had infested his fields. All in all it isn't a bad movie, but could have been much better, particularly the highly unbelievable CGI crow. I give the film a 7 out of 10, and that is being highly generous.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Becket
(1964)
A Review in the Words of James Hemphill.
18 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
"Peril to a Saint"
The times were medieval, and the king a chauvinistic philanderer. England circa 1100s, King Henry II is rule, and his best friend and right-hand man, Sir Thomas Becket is Chancellor. Together they were an invincible political team. The King's fear, the Archbishop of Canterbury, his reason being that the Archbishop could overthrow his authority, by threats of excommunication, and Hell. As progression sets in we find the Archbishop of Canterbury dead, and the King placing Becket in his place.
Throughout the film I found humor in the wit of Henry, played by Peter O'Toole; his quick witted one liners brought bellows of laughter from my gut. The powerful voice control, and emotional element combined with the facial expressions of O'Toole were cynical in the film; the he delivered his lines would allow one to believe he were King Henry II. On top of O'Toole's performance, we have the also noteworthy performance of Richard Burton, making the role of Becket his own, and tearing the fabric on the idea of basic acting principle. Burton set a standard with his ability to deliver, witty and deep lines, dryly. The award nominated performance, stunned me at times throughout, by delivery and expression of the way Becket was.
As the film developed, it became more suspenseful, one must thank the script writers for keeping the eerie feel about that Anouilh had intended there be. The dialogue between Becket and Henry is yet one of the most memorable of a film to date, from their arguments and witty puns and comebacks to the way they became so deeply emotional at times. Though many times, before Henry had shown his chauvinism, one would have assumed he were the better of the two; right up until he spoke. The movie, filmed on location, made it all the more beautiful, on the spot filming gave the eerie effect that one would expect from a Medieval church, particularly one of such great latitude. Through scenes of betrayal, political scandal, Religious exile, and scenes of death, Canterbury played and important role., the Canterbury Cathedral was an excessively large building with an air of fear about it, set in place by the men who were so humbled by fear of excommunication.
Adding to the film was the refreshingly brilliant musical score, doused with everything form death marches, and Gregorian chants to musical motifs of Mozart. The direction the music took the film was one of a suspenseful nature, the timing of the music, and the feelings it set in were an additional topping on this cake. Through additional set members, we get the make-up crew, and lighting crew whom worked splendidly with one another to make the people look more drear and the building more drab, with an air of lonesome solitude and death, this is best seen in the Canterbury Cathedral scenes. All these elements combine to make for a breathtaking back setting for the film.
Action, betrayal, death, God and glory all come together for a story unparalleled. Overall, this film is hard to topple, with a cast of magnificent actors and actresses, a director with a mind out of this world, and lighting and make-up specialist who make the film complete. Add in the music director whom set a score that none would topple in an film near that same time, and the film is an explosion of ingenious elements. I would say, Becket is a splendid film, perfectly cast, and I find it to be enjoyable to most any tastes.
The times were medieval, and the king a chauvinistic philanderer. England circa 1100s, King Henry II is rule, and his best friend and right-hand man, Sir Thomas Becket is Chancellor. Together they were an invincible political team. The King's fear, the Archbishop of Canterbury, his reason being that the Archbishop could overthrow his authority, by threats of excommunication, and Hell. As progression sets in we find the Archbishop of Canterbury dead, and the King placing Becket in his place.
Throughout the film I found humor in the wit of Henry, played by Peter O'Toole; his quick witted one liners brought bellows of laughter from my gut. The powerful voice control, and emotional element combined with the facial expressions of O'Toole were cynical in the film; the he delivered his lines would allow one to believe he were King Henry II. On top of O'Toole's performance, we have the also noteworthy performance of Richard Burton, making the role of Becket his own, and tearing the fabric on the idea of basic acting principle. Burton set a standard with his ability to deliver, witty and deep lines, dryly. The award nominated performance, stunned me at times throughout, by delivery and expression of the way Becket was.
As the film developed, it became more suspenseful, one must thank the script writers for keeping the eerie feel about that Anouilh had intended there be. The dialogue between Becket and Henry is yet one of the most memorable of a film to date, from their arguments and witty puns and comebacks to the way they became so deeply emotional at times. Though many times, before Henry had shown his chauvinism, one would have assumed he were the better of the two; right up until he spoke. The movie, filmed on location, made it all the more beautiful, on the spot filming gave the eerie effect that one would expect from a Medieval church, particularly one of such great latitude. Through scenes of betrayal, political scandal, Religious exile, and scenes of death, Canterbury played and important role., the Canterbury Cathedral was an excessively large building with an air of fear about it, set in place by the men who were so humbled by fear of excommunication.
Adding to the film was the refreshingly brilliant musical score, doused with everything form death marches, and Gregorian chants to musical motifs of Mozart. The direction the music took the film was one of a suspenseful nature, the timing of the music, and the feelings it set in were an additional topping on this cake. Through additional set members, we get the make-up crew, and lighting crew whom worked splendidly with one another to make the people look more drear and the building more drab, with an air of lonesome solitude and death, this is best seen in the Canterbury Cathedral scenes. All these elements combine to make for a breathtaking back setting for the film.
Action, betrayal, death, God and glory all come together for a story unparalleled. Overall, this film is hard to topple, with a cast of magnificent actors and actresses, a director with a mind out of this world, and lighting and make-up specialist who make the film complete. Add in the music director whom set a score that none would topple in an film near that same time, and the film is an explosion of ingenious elements. I would say, Becket is a splendid film, perfectly cast, and I find it to be enjoyable to most any tastes.
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