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Fight Club (1999)
So misunderstood by people around the world
"Fight Club" is brutally honest and convincing about the world we live in today. Brad Pitt and Edward Norton do their best to change the world they live in by adopting a lifestyle involving non-consumerism and they do this by getting people they know who are vulnerable to their emotions. And that's what people don't understand when watching this movie for the first time.
Behind the scenes there are brands and Pitt was meant to look like a model with a perfect body structure. It's all pure symbolism. Everything in each frame is there for a reason. If people thought this was a film that was just about mindless violence, think again. This film preaches how bad money is and for a movie that is out there just to make a buck, it is brilliant! Fincher has been an all around talented director. His dark use of lighting sets the tone beautifully in a world that is going to destroy itself one day because of obsession, business, modeling etc. A key phrase to remember when watching this movie: "The things you own end up owning you". After you watch this movie with a clear understanding, your life is going to change and you'll end up saving more money. Definitely worth the time. "Fight Club" definitely has a message worth listening to.
Scarface (1983)
Underrated, imitated and to hip hop artists...an American Classic!
Scarface had an impact on America at the worst time obviously in the 1980's. It was a rich character study that America wasn't ready for. Pacino's famous line "Say Hello To My Little Friend" was his large gun he was preparing for his enemies and viewers must have been afraid of that gun at that time.
Now, Scarface is widely appreciated by hip hop artists as an American classic because the film is so ambitious and Tony Montana had a drive like no other man for the American Dream whether it was crime or making it in a world where no rules can be broken. The only way a Cuban could come up in Tony's world was to break rules in a capitalist society and he showed that you don't have to conform to society in order to make it to the top. Viewers, the fact that he is selling drugs isn't the major point. It is the fact that he was jealous and driven to earn money the hard way. A lot of people admire Tony Montana for his drive but because he broke the rules, we lose sympathy for him but we will always admire him in the first act and the final act because he will protect what he has worked for.
Pacino has made the role of a lifetime. Sure Michael Corleone was a gangster but Scarface was the ultimate gangster who will be remembered for many of his memorable lines and his accent. Pacino does praise hip hop artists for understanding the movie well. A lot of songs in the hip hop industry have been inspired by this movie and slang such as "you're soft" and "yeyo" exist around the USA because of this movie.
I think the razzies made a big mistake of giving director DePalma the nomination for the worst director of the year. DePalma directs Pacino beautifully. The script goes a little aloof since his ally Manny doesn't have much credit but just muscle to his organization and some back story is just unclear in the world he lives in. Those are two things I point out about the script that I know in script writing formula but in a way, it makes Tony more dominant over Manny but it leaves him with no ally making Tony's world more unpleasant. DePalma's imagery of the glamorous 80's at this point in time will be trending and remembered.
Overall if anyone is interested in watching a gangster movie, you will have a good time watching Al Pacino do his thing as he will be compared to such gangster actors as Bogart, Cagney, De Niro, Brando...he basically destroys them all and leaves his mark in the gangster genre.
Drive (2011)
One of those rare experiences you get from an indie feature
I never heard of Refn. I've heard of Gosling. When I saw the trailer, I assumed that it was going to be a typical Hollywood action feature...I was wrong! In fact I was more pleased if anything and I was entertained on Refn's film basis which is more style than it was substance. Cannes definitely made the right choice in picking him for the best director award. I'm a big film buff and I noticed the little references he kept in the movie so he can film in respect to what other filmmakers did...especially the head stomp scene which he adopted from Gaspar Noe's extremely graphic and controversial film 'Irreversible' (2002). Forget about the pace of this movie when watching it because this film is like a slow time bomb just waiting to explode!
Gosling is a combination of what many critics say which is Clint Eastwood's iconic 'Man With No Name' character and Alain Delon's calm and cool 'Le Samourai' (1967) and I was deeply impressed with the character development which made him drive to do the things he had to do for Mulligan's young, cute and innocent maternal portrayal of Irene. The actor that I was most impressed with in this movie had to be Albert Brooks because you can typecast him for all the other movies he has done. Now he has a surprise in store for those who knew him as actor an back in the day.
The lighting was well done and I was impressed with the symbolism that brought the movie along to it's final conclusion. Watch out for the scorpion and the shadow's that Refn pays close attention to. This is what the movies main idea is. The soundtrack is amazing! Cliff Martinez has really tried to make this movie a fairy tale portrayal of Los Angeles and he does so beautifully with his synthesized score and careful selection of songs. I was almost reminded a bit of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City with the music but also because of its characters and the environment that Driver has to navigate and pay close attention to.
Definitely not for all tastes since the shots have been considered to be a bit pretentious and the pace is a bit slow but we can't help but let this pretentiousness slide away because it's an independent film experience we don't often get to see. This is so far my favourite movie this year and I encourage people to see it!
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
'Slumdog' is pretty much 'Rocky' in India
There is 'The Dark Knight' that everyone was hoping would be nominated for best picture this year. After looking at all the picks, I only saw Benjamin Button which was the film I was once rooting for best picture this year. After seeing this movie last night, I changed my mind and now I'm rooting for 'Slumdog Millionaire'. The film has much hope for a big win at the Oscars just as much as what people are feeling when they are watching Dev Patel try to win 20,000,000 rupees not just for himself but for the one he loves named Latika and his escape out of a dark world ruled by slum lords.
'Slumdog' is pretty much 'Rocky' in India. Rocky (1976) is a poor man doing loan shark work in America. Dev Patel's well realized portrayal as Jamal Malik is also a poor young man in India acting as an assistant to a phone company. Rocky gets the million to one shot to face boxer Apollo Creed. Jamal gets the one chance in a lifetime that many others want which is to compete in "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" Therefore this film is seen as one of the films to root for making Jamal one of the greatest protagonists in film history. I would say he is a much better hero than AFI's #1 Atticus Finch in "To Kill A Mockingbird" (1962).
Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan's direction is superb. The setting shows a lot of symbols. The set helps make the audience see why it is necessary for Jamal to win the show. Chris Dickens editing is also an achievement because I have not seen a style of editing like his compared to the group of people who edited 'Any Given Sunday'. Even though the editing of 'Any Given Sunday' movie was not nominated for an Oscar, it was still amazing. Academy awards on this film is well deserved. Of course like any other person who writes a review, I am going to have to say if you liked any of the best picture nominations, liked 'City of God' and 'Rocky', I would strongly suggest that you see this film. It's a masterpiece.
The Kinky Coaches and the Pom Pom Pussycats (1981)
Can't believe a film like this was made.
What's the point of making a film like this? It was so stupid. Hell I could not believe they actually got Robert Forster in this movie back in the day ha! That whole scene where he was in the bedroom with Ms. Green ruined his career in my opinion. Whatever I forgive him because it was the beginning of his career. I go to the school where this film was made. Only thing I can say about a film like this is that it does give me the idea to just go out and make movies. That's the only good thing. The rest of it sucked! It was so confusing and I was really disappointed. If they thought it was humor, only little kids can get a laugh at this. They were trying to be funny. This does not work out for me at all. Do not go see this movie.
One Tree Hill (2003)
Excellent TV show
Compared to Smallville, The O.C. and 24, 'One Tree Hill' matches up to them but even better. These characters are people we can kind of relate to. Some of the emotions we might have had like these characters are taken to the next level where we can escape reality. Like Nathan losing the love of his life at one point, he decides to crash his car into a wall so he cannot torment himself for the decision he has made to marry Haley. 'One Tree Hill' can also pump you up for inspiration in its very powerful story of basketball on the school court between the two half brothers Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan (James Lafferty). There story to me brings out my question for my future because there sole purpose is to make it into the NBA. My favorite episodes so far are of course the pilot and 'Lifetime Piling Up' where Nathan is deep in a coma reversing everything in his life making Lucas' mom a snobby rich woman, Lucas being who Nathan once was, Haley as Nathans best friend but of course he has feelings for her, Keith in charge of Scott motors, and Nathans mom the one who was being cheated on by Dan. It was very interesting to see what that life could have been the other way around. We had only one chance to see it just in that episode. I would have liked to have seen Nathan though voice out his dream to others because he felt it was so real and that he was actually playing the 1 on 1 basketball game that he should have won against Lucas. Lucas in the show is a great player but Nathan has potential to make it to the top. 'One Tree Hill' is very dynamic, well related, inspiring, and ingenious in the way it escapes reality. Every episode I have watched, I have never had a negative vibe on it. Hopefully it will not end too soon because I think what we want to see the most is the future that these young cast members are going to try and produce among themselves. This show gets better and better along the way.
Unforgiven (1992)
Eastwood has the right script for a cowboy who wants to end his career killing spree
This film is Clint Eastwood's best I find. My Dad likes 'Pale Rider' and does not think highly of this one. I find 'Unforgiven' has such moving appeal and force that I cannot think that any other movie that Clint Eastwood would make will be better than this one.
Eastwood is in fine character as a remorsed William Munny, a notorious killer who returns for one last job from an offer by the Schofield Kid (Jaimz Woolvett) so he can provide money for his poor family who seemed to have lost hope after there Mother died two years back. Will finds his old partner Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) along the road to Wyoming and asks him to join his hunt for two men who cut up a woman. Along the way Will and Ned go, they discuss a few past situations as a result of what may happen when they go on this hunt. When they reach there location, there only big trouble to be dealt with as well will be the sheriff Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman).
This film is worth it if you like something that is moving. The film won four academy awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Hackman), and Best Editing. Good selection academy! Best one I have ever seen from you guys.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Tarantino's best
'Pulp Fiction' has very glamorous moments and its all timeless. Whenever I watch this film, I am interested with the way Tarantino organizes his time line, the way he made his characters, and his sense of conversation.
What interests me even more is how he fitted Travolta back in stardom by using the same techniques from 'Saturday Night Fever' that organized Travolta into being a star. Travolta's character is like an older version of his "Saturday Night Fever's" Tony Manero. What upsets me behind this glamorous picture is why did Samuel L. Jackson not win the Oscar. He is very poetic and magnetic when it comes to his speeches from the bible.
When Jackson and Travolta get into a conversation and debate on why they call a quarter pounder in the USA a quarter pounder and why they call a quarter pounder in France a royale with cheese, it gets me started on why would they have a conversation like this when they are about to kill some people? Jackson and Travolta have such a great morale that it makes 'Pulp Fiction' a question to the philosophy of life.
The film is a little profane but you just got to understand that all the time you want a film to be real about the life of crime. When you see Travolta and Thurman or others doing drugs, the film seems deadly in a way. It's a kind of vibe that like makes you feel death is coming your way. Still just go see it and you will all have a great movie experience.
10/10
On the Waterfront (1954)
'I couldah been a contender! I couldah been...somebody!!'
Old but not dated. This film will forever stay in my heart. Marlon Brando is so undeniable as Terry Malloy, an ex-prize fighter who 'couldah been a contender.' He works on the waterfront for sharp mobster Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb) only because he has nowhere to go, Johnny scares him, and his brother Charlie 'The Gent' (Rod Steiger) works for Johnny as his right-hand man. Terry then starts falling in love with Edie Doyle (Eva Marie Saint in her first film role) whose brother was ordered to be killed by Johnny. When he is with her, all he wants now is to do things right. Terry is then mistaken by Johnny to testify against the murder. When Johnny kills his brother Charlie, Terry goes out for revenge.
This film probably has the best performance by an actor. Brando is so undeniable including Eva Marie Saint who won an Oscar for her role including Brando's. The film won best picture if anyone wants to know. This is how good the film is. Who says no to a film like this? It is very inspirational. Leonard Bernstein's score is a great aspect to the film. It's a darn shame he did not win that Oscar. Go see it everyone.
L.A. Confidential (1997)
Check Veronica Lake's autograph if you plan on going on a date with her
If you want to have a $25 date with Veronica Lake, check her autograph first. 'L.A. Confidential' is a masterpiece. Simply stunning, full of double whammies, and many twists and turns. Every actor in this film is so Oscar worthy. This is what makes 'L.A. Confidential' so undeniable.
This film is one that I can have so many compliments for including Kim Basinger who looked so devastatingly beautiful and undeniable as a Veronica Lake-ish call girl (she nabbed the Best Supporting Actress Oscar of 1997). The three lead characters played by Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kevin Spacey should have been nominated Oscars as well. If it was between them, I'd give the award to Kevin Spacey for his undeniable charm as the most famous cop in L.A. Sergeant Jack Vincennes. The cinematography, set decoration is damn good. They filmed in old neighborhood's in L.A. so it would look as if you felt you were in the 50's. It worked out. The only set that was really actually a survivor of the 50's era is the Frolic Cocktail club.
This film is set like the tradition of Roman Polanski's 'Chinatown.' I find the tradition the director Curtis Hanson did is much better. He acquired a great music score from Jerry Goldsmith and he even chose the old Chet Baker, Jerry Mulligan, and Dean Martin songs before writing the script. This is Curtis Hanson's best work of all. I recommend this film to everyone. You can't say no to this film. Their is a lot of hard work here if you can see. Speaking of which this film is based on the James Ellroy novel and when I read it, I was very impressed. It was certainly a great idea to adapt it into a script. I love this film. One of my 10 favorites. 10/10
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
A wallop packed story
This film really got me. As soon as Morgan Freeman got into the movie, I started to get interested and the film ended up to be a crowd cheer and a tearjerker. The story is so well done. This movie is based on Stephen Kings short novel "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption."
Vice president of the Portland bank Andy Dufrane (Tim Robbins) goes to jail for two life sentences he did not commit. When he goes to jail, the first step onto the prison ground will change his life. When he's been beaten around by the queer bull Diamond brothers, he decides to wait a few years to escape. Before these years he decides to meet the institutionalized prisoner Red (Morgan Freeman) who can get Andy or other prisoners whatever they wanted. He can get you packs of cigarettes, jack hammers, naked lady cards, and posters of Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe etc. Andy wanted a jack hammer to crack his wall. Red promised Andy that if the guards find his hammer, they will never do business again. Andy never got caught and Red and him both became friends for a long time. Andy became a big hit for the prisoners and the guards when he helped them with their tax problems. In exchange he got the prisoners beers. After he got the prison library to expand. That is most of what I can say about 'The Shawshank Redemption.'
Why did this film not win any academy awards? I felt this film was a lot better than the brutally charged 'Pulp Fiction' than Tom Hanks life achievements as 'Forrest Gump.' This picture sees life more beautifully and more possible. This is a great luminous character study of fortitude and friendship behind bars at its finest.
The Deer Hunter (1978)
#1 tearjerker which is good
De Niro stars as Michael, a Pensylvanian steelworker who is also a Deer Hunter that goes into the Vietnam War with his buddies Nick (Christopher Walken in an Oscar winning performance) and Steven (John Savage). After the Vietnam War, just Michael returns home and finds everything has changed all because of his return. Nick is still back in Saigon obsessed with Russian roulette and getting drugged. Michael finds Steven in a hospital without his legs and learns that Nick is sending money to Steven from Saigon. Then Michael decides to go back to Saigon and find Nick.
This has definitely got me to cry and it is true. I could not believe when he found Steven in the hospital. I think the film was more about the Russian roulette. It packs an emotional wallop. This film is full of courage. The music score is very moving. I would have liked to have seen more of the Vietnam War in this movie to give us some facts but it won best picture that year so it does not matter if you need the facts. A 9.6/10.
Casino (1995)
Pesci, De Niro, and Scorsese again?
It's like all the time when De Niro and Pesci work together, Martin Scorsese is the one who is always there. This time they work in what I think is the most detailed film of the mafia. Based on a true story.
De Niro stars as Sam 'Ace' Rothstein, a former gambler who has been given the job as head of the casino by the mafia back in New York. Sharon Stone is Ginger, a casino hustler who basically uses Sam for his money so she can give money to her poor low life friend named Lester Diamond (James Woods). Joe Pesci is Sam's right hand man Nicky Santoro, who basically did not want to help Sam operate but make money by cheating with Sam knowing. Sam did not mind but one day Nicky got caught cheating and he is not allowed into any of the casinos. After that he starts working with the mob and starts to become one of the heads. Sam later has scandals going on with publicity that now he cannot control the casino no more. Ever since then, he has now been having trouble with Ginger and Nicky.
Very heavy movie indeed. Sharon Stone has indeed done the best performance of her career. I would have given her the Oscar that year instead of Susan Sarandon's "Dead Man Walking". Pesci does in a way resemble his same Oscar winning character in "Goodfellas". Pesci is one of the biggest villains around in this movie. The violence, the swearing, and the drugs is a little too much in this one. That's its only problem. A very little bit less would give it the shot. I'd give it a 9.4/10.
Taxi Driver (1976)
New York City in the mind of a crazed "Taxi Driver"
The setting is New York City. We start out with Vietnam vet Travis Bickle (beautifully played by Robert De Niro) where he wants to be a taxi driver at night because of his insomnia problems from the war. Then we realize that there is an election going on for presidency. Travis starts to fall in love with a campaign worker named Betsy when he first looked at her from the window. Then one day for the first time he ever spoked to her asks her out for some coffee. She somehow says yes and they start to get to know each other. Travis asks her out to the movies. Betsy and Travis then go to a movie at night. Travis then takes her to a porno film that 'all couples go and see'. Betsy then never wanted to speak to Travis ever again. Travis then starts to become crazy ever since. He starts to think the street has turned violent. So he goes and buys a few guns to settle the score but unfortunately decides the presidential candidate is a bad man and should be assassinated. I have no more to say about the story.
This is one of my favorites. Bernard Hermann's music; Loved it. Just loved it. The ending is one of the most bloodiest scenes on earth. Scorsese has created something brilliant. One problem; Would you decide if Travis was a villain or a hero? I forgot to mention about Jodie Foster. Foster is a twelve-year old who ran away from her family to go to New York and become a hooker. She received her first nomination for her role. That is how good she was. I think she was fifteen when she did this role; I don't know. Some may not pay attention because it is not their kind of film and people nowadays are into the violence. This film is a masterpiece. Don't miss it.
10/10
Apocalypse Now (1979)
One of the best war - adventure films of all time
This is one of my favorite movies. I'm talking about the ''Redux'' but I liked Coppola's original as well but the "Redux" tells you a little more about the journey and gets you deep into the Vietnam War. The "Redux" is a more colorful version of the original. Vittorio Storaro's photography is the best photography than any other films photography's. This is more of an adventure than a war film. The film is like based on the song "The End" by 'The Doors'.
The film stars Martin Sheen as Captain Willard, a special agent who has been hired by the government to find and kill one of there own officers named Colonel Kurtz (unbelievably portrayed by Marlon Brando) who has gone insane by killing people with his tribe up the river in Cambodia. He now has to go along with a boat crew called PBR Street Gang (The Gang: Frederic Forrest, Albert Hall, Sam Bottoms, young Laurence Fishburne) and gets involved with some very strange encounters along the way. When he finds Brando, is cerebral and murky. The ending sequence is really heavy. Still, this is a great movie experience. Do not miss it.
10/10
Carlito's Way (1993)
De Palma and Pacino re-team for another drug flick
Pacino is street-wise Puerto Rican ex-drug lord Carlito Brigante, who was just released from prison on parole and now wants to move on to a better life. Unfortunately his crazy dumb lawyer David Kleinfeld (played by a nearly unrecognizable Sean Penn) and the gangs that hang around at his club makes him still in the organized crime land.
Pacino is arresting as always. Penn has never been better. Unfortunately sometimes the film goes a little aloof. The music is fantastic. This was filmed a little bit like the films in the 40's and 50's. The best scene had to be when Carlito goes back to his old street for the first time at an unrecognizable club with his cousin and realizes that he actually does not want to be involved with the drug dealing business ever again. Some points in the story are not of value though. It is still a great movie. 8/10