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Reviews
I Confess (1953)
A Priest Who Can't Tell the Truth
This is the 20th Hitchcock film I have seen and it never gets old. Even though most of his movies are dealing in the same genre and some have similar story lines Hitchcock steps beyond the status of a typical and formulaic director into his own level of storytelling. In this film Montgomery Cliff hears a confession by his servant that he has killed Vilette a lawyer who is substantially rich. The movies than centers around this confession and why Cliff cannot reveal the true murderer because of holy law. The film at times is a little slow especially when Ruth, Cliff's former lover, tells the story of how they met and fell in love. But although some things in the movie are a little slow Hitchcock still is able to bring the tension up at the end of the film. The ending maybe be a little surprising but I expected it. Overall Hitchcock did a wonderful job a telling the story of a priest unable to tell the truth. This film is by no means near Hitchcock's top level of films but it is still entertaining and has value in seeing it.
Direction: 8/10 Acting: 8/10 Writing: 7/10 Cinematography: 7/10 Overall: 7/10
Miami Vice (2006)
Michael Mann's Flare Is Not Bright Enough
Miami Vice is one of the slickest and glossy films that I have seen. Colin Farrell and Jaime Fox playing after the title characters for the TV series are centered around a drug bust. Through this drug bust Colin Farrell falls in love with Drug Dealer's mistress, Jaime Fox's girlfriend gets kidnapped and now both the characters are on a quest for reconciliation to their dilemmas. One may seem that this is a typical formula action movie but it has the opposite effect. This mainly by the way the characters Colin Farrell and Jaime Fox are exhibited. They are both exhibited as empty shells of people. Throughout the movie they seem not to have a way of showing emotion. One example is the when Colin is in Cuba with Li Gong, Drug Dealer's mistress, Colin Farrell seems to have some kind of emotions but seems to hold back from displaying them. Both of the title characters seem to be drones in a technocratic world just doing there jobs and going home after a long days work. The ending of the film is the most puzzling sequence in that Colin Farrell rejects happiness and love to go back to his emotionally non existent world. I thought Jaime Fox's character the worst especially when he is in the hospital hoping for his girlfriend to wake up. One more point is that the film does drag especially in the middle of it with the Li Gong scenes. Overall this film has the style, it has the flash, and it has the glamor but with all that style, flash, and glamor it does not bedazzle me and most of the other people who saw this film.
Direction: 7/10 Acting:6/10 Writing: 6/10 Cinematography: 8/10 Overall: 7/10
Manhunter (1986)
Manhunter vs. Red Dragon
I have to admit that I saw Red Dragon with Edward Norton in it before i saw this movie. Although Manhunter had beautiful cinematography and excellent locations I felt the same way watching Red Dragon. There is nothing holistically wrong with this movie only that it does feel longer than the running time indicates. In the beginning of the film I thought some of the camera work especially the opening scene a little coarse. Will Peterson did a fine job but i prefer Edward Norton as the actor. There was only one main problem in the film that I did not appreciate and that was the final sequence where there was some weird editing done. Overall this film being one of Michael Mann's early films is not bad but I do not revel in it like some people I know who like it.
Direction: 8/10 Plot: 6/10 Writing: 7/10 Cinematography: 8/10 Acting; 7/10 Overall: 6/10
Shin seiki Evangelion Gekijô-ban: Air/Magokoro wo, kimi ni (1997)
Art direction can define a movie!
" How Disgusting" the last line of the movie may be in the minds of must viewers who see this film. This being an alternate ending to the post modern epic TV series Neon Genesis Evangelion. But although many viewers will probably leave either the theaters or their living room confused and dumbfounded this film is a great alternate conclusion to the TV series. The thing that makes this movie perfect is the fact that although one may not understand the details and significant plot points in the movie one can just marvel at the art direction and stunningly beautiful backgrounds present throughout the film. I myself am confused on some points of the film and the series but that does not harden my outlook on this film. Many hardcore fans have the luxury of understanding the plot and connecting the significance of each character to one another. I am glad that Anno gave us an ending that most fans agree is better than the TV ending. I think this film is a treat for all viewers and is one of the best anime movies i have ever seen. Even if one has not seen the anime TV series before, one can just marvel at the spectacular visuals displayed throughout the film and more importantly knowing the plot of the film is just a treat that adds to the films perfection. Overall even though this film leaves us a lot of questions the opportunity to find those answers makes this film and this film experience a reward for film watchers everywhere.
Direction: 10/10 Art: 10/10 Acting: 10/10 Plot: 10/10 Sound: 10/10 Writing: 10/10 Overall: 10/10
Donnie Darko (2001)
How do you define a classic?
The first time I saw this film i was stunned by its complex plot structure and outstanding casting choices but I did not completely give its true admiration. The second time i saw it i declared it in my top 10 all time for movies. But the third time i saw it left me stunned at its originality and its poignant display of how well the combination of every element of film can create a masterpiece. This film is my favorite film of all time and that is no understatement. I have seen this film probably 6 times since i first viewed it on my tiny computer screen. Each time it leaves me speechless. Each element of the film is perfectly choreographed to elaborate the plot, and the editing and sound are perfectly done. The way Richard Kelly uses slow motion and fast motion is astounding and needs to be recognized. Also the soundtrack for this film is perfect and every song fits perfectly for each scene. The movie starts off with Donnie, an average young boy, waking up on top of a mountain road. The audience does not know how he got there but that is explained later in the film. The opening sequence in my opinion is the greatest ever in film and the use of slow motion and the song playing in the background is perfect. Jake gyllenhaal in his breakthrough performance gives the audience one of the most prefect displays of character acting that it leaves the question who but Jake could play the part as Donnie as well as he did? Even though the plot is confusing at times every answer is in the film. Because this film uses conventional themes through such a complex plot this film blows away every film I have seen. I know that this film is considered a cult movie but i do not think that should prohibit it from being declared as one of the greatest movies of all time. Also all the people who dislike the film because they do not understand the plot that is only because you are not observing the film you are just looking through it. Overall this film stands the test of time and i know that i will be watching this film all my life.
Direction 10/10 Acting 10/10 Cinematography 10/10 Music 10/10 Writing 10/10 Overall 10/10