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Savages (2012)
Could have been great. Too bad about the ending.
Can two minutes literally drop a movie from a 9 rating to a 2 rating? In this case yes.
The movie has a lot going for it. Oliver Stone directing based on Don Winslows book. You got Benicio del Toro in one of his most entertaining performances. Travolta in his best role in years. Even Blake Lively who has gotten a bad rap is actually pretty good in this film. I actually quite enjoyed the film in nearly every aspect.
Then the final two minutes happened. SPOILERS ahead. You think the movie is about to end at the most logical point, yet it doesn't, but actually rewinds into a happy dappy ending.
I'm not sure what happened. It feels like Universal told Oliver Stone to make sure that the film ends on a happy note in order for the audience to leave on a happy note. It just doesn't work. It's like Stone threw out all logic and all narrative for the sake of a trick ending. I'm sure all the grandma's in the audiences will be happy, but this is a brutal film. It's not supposed to have an ending where everyone holds hands and walks into the sunset. Heroes and villains alike.
The ending is a mess beyond logical proportions. It's a heap and a half and literally ruins what could have been a great film. In all honesty, that makes me a bit sad to see a film that could have garnered some cult recognition, ultimately being regulated for the $1 dollar bin at your local Wal-Mart.
I'm not sure in Winslow is upset over this, but he should be. It's a slap to the face to all the fans of his book, and to the fans of cinema. Shame on you Stone. Shame on you.
Kiryûin Hanako no shôgai (1982)
Onimasa: One Of The Greatest Japanese Films Ever?
I just finished watching Hideo Gosha's masterpiece Onimasa for the second time in six months and I was simply blown away as much as I was when I first saw it. I've seen over 500 Japanese films and this is easily on my top five 5.
I never understood the Japanese title which basically said "The Life Of Hanako". Onimasa and Matsue are the main characters of the film and Hanako is more of a secondary character.
SPOILERS!!!!
This is where the SPOILERS are located so don't read if you don't want to know anything. Basically the film is about Onimasa, a Yakuza boss with Samurai ethics and the film is told through the eyes of Matsue his adoptive daughter. We see their lives transpire and we watch the relationship the two of the them have. From the initial confusion, to Onimasa not wanting to give Matsue to any man, we see their bond as father/daughter build.
The film main theme centers around these two characters, but there is of course a conflict. Onimasa eventually has a daughter with one of his many women and they name her Hanako. As the film continues we see that Hanako is more of an embarrassment to Onimasa, but he still loves her all the same. Hanako betrays Onimasa by joining Suenaga (the arch rival) and pretty much everyone around Onimasa dies because of it. Her betrayal leads Onimasa to jail, where he dies a shattered man with a broken spirit. All of this is observed by Matsue who at heart is the real daughter of Onimasa.
End Of SPOILERS!
Tatsuya Nakadai presents one of his best performances as Onimasa in this film. I have seen around 30 of his works and he is in top form in this film. Only in Harakiri and The Human Condition Trilogy does he excel even more. Onimasa is a Yakuza boss with noble intentions, but every so often we are reminded that even though he may have a good heart he still is a Yakuza boss.
Hideo Gosha is a masterful director who made many great films in his career and I believe Onimasa is one of his most subtle. Don't expect much violence in this film until the end as this in not your usual Yakuza flick. This is more of a character piece, but it's two and half hour runtime blows right by you.
If you like Japanese films, check it out. If you like Tatsuya Nakadai, check it out. If you simply like the medium of film check it out. You won't be disappointed.
Gekidô no Shôwa-shi: Okinawa kessen (1971)
Great Film On A Horrible Battle
Battle of Okinawa is a film directed by the now legendary Kihachi Okamoto. It stars Tatsuya Nakadai and Tetsuro "I'm in every Japanese film" Tamba. Both show off their acting chops in this film and deliver outstanding performances. Don't get me wrong though, there are dozens of actors in this film with almost equal scream time as these two men. This is definitely an ensemble piece on one of the most gruesome slaughters on the Japanese armies front. This film is not easy to watch. It is much more violent than "Letters From Iwo Jima" and as in "Iwo" we see how fanatical the Japanese army was at this point in history. Being taken prisoner was not an option and losing meant death or forever living in dishonor. This notion is even implemented to civilians who in this move kill themselves in droves. Tatsuya Nakadai's character is one of the few characters who believes that suicide in not the only option in defeat. He is the western voice in the film for his character even studied in America. This is a hard core war film that takes no prisoners. I recommend you go out and buy this film for it is now available in R1 DVD thanks to the fine folks at AnimEigo.
Gangs of New York (2002)
A marvelous achievement for Scorsese
I have seen hundreds of movies throughout my short life and this is one of the best. I could write a really long rant about how great this movie is, but I think I should keep it brief.
The acting and the sets in this movie are unbelievable and Daniel-Day Lewis offers one of the best performances in cinematic history. Leo does a decent job as well as Cameron. The directing was superb and I truly believe Marty deserves an oscar for this picture. A bit violent, but overall an amazing movie. The best movie of the year and maybe one of the best movies ever. Go watch this one.