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Oldeuboi (2003)
A masterpiece from South Korea
Oldboy is a film that hit me like a sledge-hammer. It is a remarkable film about the dangers of how revenge can consume you. The characters are three-dimensional, authentic and entirely believable. Stylistically the film is absolutely gorgeous. There is so much detail in every single shot. There are enough twists and turns to keep viewers on the edges of their seats. It isn't a film for the faint- hearted, but I advise that you just buckle up and get ready for a wild ride. Sure there are a few plot-holes here and there, but as a whole, Oldboy is a charging bull of a film. It stops for no man. You just have to keep up.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/xGP14r
Vertigo (1958)
Good stuff
Another classic by Alfred Hitchcock. Vertigo is murder-mystery film about John "Scottie" Ferguson (James Stewart) a former detective suffering from vertigo, falling in love and becoming obsessed with Madeline Elster. (Kim Novak) I've read other reviews that you have to watch this film a few times to truly understand it and I think that this is a testament to its subtle, understated writing. Hitchcock doesn't just give you everything on a silver platter. You have to work hard to understand it and you do have to work hard to understand all of the twists and turns of this film.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/obBiLJ
Her (2013)
An absolutely brilliant commentary on man's relationship with the digital world
I thought this film was absolutely fantastic. It touches on so many important issues, most importantly the nature of love and whether it's culturally acceptable to be in love with an operating system. Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johannson were both brilliant as the leads. Phoenix was just the right age to play Theodore Thwombly. As his love interesting, the operating system who calls herself Samantha, Johannson is cute, sassy, funny, mature and sensitive and this is all conveyed through her voice alone. Also, who knew her voice was so sexy? The colour palate and cinematography was also gorgeous and really helped to highlight the loneliness that Thwombly was experiencing. An absolutely brilliant film.
Read my full review for more: http://goo.gl/txvnAA
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Great stuff
The third film in Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time trilogy. Once Upon a Time in America is an absolute giant of a film and is also a great film in the gangster genre. It provides an objective viewpoint of the lives of Jewish gangsters during the American Prohibition era. It doesn't romanticise their actions, but rather allows the viewer to make up their own minds. Everything about the film also felt authentic from the dialogue, to the costumes to the props. Every seemed genuine. Although, the three and a half hour run time does make this film a bit of a slow-burner, it also delves very deeply into each character's back story.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/TZT1tM
Casablanca (1942)
So much better than Citizen Kane
In terms of the greatest films of all time, Casablanca has it in spades. It is so much stronger than Citizen Kane. It is an absolute classic of the noir era, due to how strong it is stylistically and has given us some of the most memorable lines and moments in film history. It can be easily interpreted as a propaganda film made to encourage the Americans to join the war. Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine is brilliant as the reluctant hero. The film itself has become iconic as a tale of redemption. Unlike Citizen Kane, it has withstood the test of time. In fact I would go further and say that Casablanca is timeless.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/IQ9T6J
12 Years a Slave (2013)
I was prepared for heartbreak but not for this
Any film that engages with a topic as sensitive as slavery has to go hard or go home. 12 Years a Slave undoubtedly goes hard. Its portrayal of slavery is difficult but essential viewing. It treats all those involved with the utmost sensitivity. The performances are all brilliant especially Chiwetel Eijofar and Michael Fassbender. Everything about this film is just a masterpiece. It deserves all of the awards its won, all of the praise it's received. From the direction, to the music, to the performances, to the props and costumes, it is painful but magnificent to watch.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/1MIjY6
Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
Pretty meh
Honestly, this film didn't make much of an impression on me. I thought it generic and nothing special. I wasn't engaged throughout and my attention did wander. Sure parts of it are interesting and it is funny at times, but this wasn't consistent enough to make me really like this film. Although, the film's twist ending, which I won't spoil here, was really good. I certainly didn't expect it. I read that when the actors all signed up, they were under strict conditions to not reveal the ending to anyone. But ultimately, I just found this film boring and slow.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/otLOdm
American Beauty (1999)
The ultimate satire of American excess
Upon watching the first half hour of this film, I had serious misgivings due to the seeming predatory nature of Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) yet as the film progressed, I understood more and more of his character motivations. His transformation from an emasculated pathetic beta male to the ultimate alpha male was brilliant to watch. Spacey is such a great actor that he brings a magnetism to every single role that he is in e.g Se7en and the Usual Suspects. Stylistically the film is also brilliant. The film is laden with visual metaphors, such as the use of rose petals to demonstrate Burnham's love for Angela.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/OkUWyg
Citizen Kane (1941)
Overrated
So Citizen kane is regarded as one of the best films of all time. Whilst it is good, it is certainly not worthy of this title. Everything that made it so special, I've already seen in countless films. Of course it is terribly unfair to compare Citizen Kane in this fashion, but considering its influence over modern cinema, it is difficult not to do this. But this isn't just restricted to modern-day films. Citizen Kane's narrative structure is repeated just three years later in Double Indemnity. Furthermore, Kane is a very unlikeable character. I wasn't interested in his character arc or journey.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/Bp2KmM
Double Indemnity (1944)
A noir classic
This was another difficult film for me to review. Stylistically it is very strong. It is easy to see why it is regarded as a classic in its genre. The black-and-white filter makes the film dramatic and tense. I also really liked how the film is narrated by the protagonist. This added an energy to the film and made it engaging to watch. This notwithstanding, Double Indemnity wasn't perfect. The romance between the two lead characters felt forced and the film didn't engage me throughout. I was bored at times. If you're looking for a classic noir film then this is the one for you.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/XBX7ow
Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)
A great feel-good film
Amelie is a charming feel-good film all about how you can make people happy by making others happy. It also explores a second theme of whilst it is important to make others happy, it's just as important to make sure you're happy as well. Stylistically the film is great. The film makes great use of stop-motion, which gives it an entertaining old-timey feel. There are also some great instances of humour, such as all of the strange people who inhabit Amelie's world. It's strange to think that somewhere, people like this really do exist somewhere or another.
Read my full review: http://goo.gl/Wfmbuu
Stand by Me (1986)
The quintessential film about the end of innocence
I love this film. It is amazing. It is the ultimate tale of childhood innocence and discovery. It makes you long for simpler times, where you could while away endless summers with your best friends. Wil Wheaton, Joaquin Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O'Connell are all brilliant as the leads. They perfectly captured what a group of teenage boys are really like. The line that the film ends is my favourite and is one of the strongest in the film. It brilliantly encapsulates all of the themes of the film: I never had friends later on like I did when I was twelve. Jesus, did anyone?
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/PjDndO
M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder (1931)
Is vigilante justice ever acceptable?
This was a difficult film for me to review. It is definitely awakening in its portrayal of vigilante justice, especially in whether vigilante justice is ever acceptable. It also engages with the ideas of insanity and crime. Can a person be exempted from murder if they are insane and not in charge of their actions? This idea is explored brilliantly in the film's final scene. Despite this, I did not enjoy the film as much as I thought I would. It jumped about a lot and the characters were largely forgettable. I wasn't engaged throughout and generally I just felt a bit bored at times.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/WrbGjr
Das Boot (1981)
Absolutely excellent
As a war film, Das Boot does what any great war film should does. It does not take one side or the other, but rather allows the audience to make up its own mind. This is especially true considering that Das Boot is a German film about a German U-Boat crew set in World War 2. The German sailors aren't portrayed as villains nor are their actions glorified. Rather they are hard- working men who fought out of love for their country. They were united by their loyalty to each other and to their country. Das Boot did a brilliant job at portraying the relationships that these men shared.
Stylistically, the film was also brilliant. It conveyed the claustrophobic feel of the submarine, which was emphasised by the dim lighting.
This is a fantastic film about how war can affect men of all races and nationalities. Watch it.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/dYtLl6
Jodaeiye Nader az Simin (2011)
My first Iranian film
This is a powerful character-driven film about how the destruction of one family. It explores how every member of one Iranian family are affected by living with someone suffering from Alzheimer's disease. This is a delicate topic and A Separation handles it very sensitively. It was also really interesting watching this film as a foreigner. I am a Westerner, but it was really intriguing watching a film set against an Islamic background. Although I don't think that A Separation was perfect. Its characters were largely unlikeable due to how they are all so dishonest. If only they told the truth, then they wouldn't have gotten themselves into such bad situations.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/Mv35HZ
Paths of Glory (1957)
Great film
This is a poignant, but under-stated drama about the different things that war can do to men. It turns them into cowards and exposes their cowardice. Kubrick's direction is excellent, as is Kirk Douglas' portrayal as an army colonel who is charged with defending three of his men who are being unfairly court-martialed for cowardice. It highlights the loyalty that these men can show towards one another. The film's climax was also very powerful. It showcases the different ways that men can react to stress and the threat of execution. Overall, a great film and one definitely worth a watch.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/oNMWqW
Das Leben der Anderen (2006)
Great stuff
This was an interesting film for me. I didn't really know what to expect going into this film. I loved the dull, muted coloured scheme. It really conveyed the bleak living conditions within East Germany. Sure this film isn't the easiest to follow, but it is gripping and engaging. It is a revealing look into one of humanity's darker moments and it treats everyone involved with humility and respect. It is a powerful tale about a man caught in between loyalty towards his state and loyalty towards his fellow man. It is an understated, but very powerful drama.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/byRMDe
Jurassic Park (1993)
Dinosaurs are no longer extinct
I recently finished reading the novel and I thought that I would watch and review the film to see how the two compared. I think that the film was paced a lot more evenly. It cut out a lot of the novel's clunky exposition and development. The supporting cast were also great from Wayne Knight as the corrupt Denis Nedry to Samuel L. Jackson as Ray Arnold. The film balanced the scientific and action segments. Never at any point did it feel like one dominated the other. I also much preferred the film's presentation of John Hammond. Now only if the dinosaurs had eaten those annoying as hell kids.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/dM0Llf
The Green Mile (1999)
Michael Clarke Duncan is reason enough to watch this
Michael Clarke Duncan is an absolute powerhouse in this film. He is absolutely amazing and by far is the best part of The Green Mile. I have just finished reading the book and I think that the adaptation is very faithful to the book. It portrayed the disgusting Percy Wetmore and the sadistic Wild Bill Wharton perfectly. Sure you could criticise the film for its three hour run time, but it is a complicated film with well-developed characters. I think that three hours are necessary to fully understand it. Seriously, watch this film. You will not regret it. It is a poignant, powerful and brilliant adaptation of Stephen King's work.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/pWhVrJ
The Godfather Part III (1990)
Gotten an unfair rap
I feel that this film has gotten an unfair treatment. It certainly is the weakest in the Godfather trilogy, but definitely isn't as bad as everyone says it is. Sure, Sophia Coppola is AWFUL, I hated the smug smile she had on her face throughout the film, but this film had plenty of redeemable features. Most notably, Connie Corleone. I loved how this film gave her a much bigger role. She is a fascinating character and seeing her gain more agency was brilliant to watch. I also liked how Part III hearkened back enough to its previous films. Coppola described it as an epilogue and I think that that's an accurate description. It was similar enough to the originals, but had enough new material to keep it interesting.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/R3r4mY
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Masterpiece
How can you review this film without first talking about the amazing Anthony Hopkins? He is absolutely magnificent. He perfectly conveys the charming sophistication of Hannibal Lecter. In fact, I think he was so good that he outshone Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine) as the true antagonist of this film. This is no disrespect to Ted Levine who was great in his own right, but Anthony Hopkins was even better. Although I was very disappointed with Scott Glenn as Jack Crawford. He was very bland and nothing special compared to Harvey Keitel in Red Dragon and Laurence Fishburne in NBC's Hannibal.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/MNVquh
The Great Dictator (1940)
Quite possibly one of the best movie speeches ever
The Great Dictator is the third Charlie Chaplin film I've seen after Modern Times and City Lights. I also think it is the best Chaplin film I have seen. Chaplin portrayed his comedic talent in vocal, as well as visual comedy. At times, this film was hilarious. I was also surprised at the darker tone that the film took. Obviously since it is satirising the Holocaust, it is only expected that it will be dark, but still it took me by surprise. I also loved seeing Charlie Chaplin's more serious side. The speech ending the film is one of the greatest that I have ever seen. It is a brilliant speech. Even if you don't watch the film, listen to the speech.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/sk1dvW
The Departed (2006)
Dicaprio should have gotten the Oscar
Although Dicaprio now has his Oscar, it's come 10 years too late in my opinion. He should have gotten it for his role as Billy Costigan in the Departed. He is brilliant in this. In fact, the whole film is brilliant. It is a raw and brutal portrayal of Irish organised crime. Jack Nicholson was fantastic as the antagonistic mob boss Frank Costello.
One thing I didn't like was Martin Sheen and Mark Whalburg as Billy Costigan's superiors. To me they bordered too much on the good cop/bad cop stereotype and I think that Mark Whalburg was far too over the top in his role as the bad cop.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/zsjgUV
The Godfather Part II (1974)
Brilliant film in its own right, but inferior to its predecessor
The Godfather Part II is a great film, but definitely not as good as its predecessor. I think it is paced a little more unevenly than the first part. I found that the courtroom scenes were a little dull at times. However, in other places, it was just as good as the original. Although compared to the novel, Fredo Corleone is portrayed as unfairly stupid, I still loved his character. He is just so tragic. All he wants is respect. I also loved the flashback scenes, as I felt that they had a great authenticity to them. De Niro was great as a young Vito Corleone. He was cool and calm, but also a little charismatic and cheeky as well.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/oVlpH0
Red Dragon (2002)
The Red Dragon
In some places, this film was a great improvement on the book. In others, it wasn't great. I do like how the film cut out a lot of the book's clunky exposition and development. It was a vast improvement in that sense. But I didn't like how they cut out the backstory of Francis Dolarhyde. He was such an interesting character and I wanted to learn more about him. I also didn't like how the film referred to Dolarhyde's character alternately as the Tooth Fairy and the Red Dragon. I found this confusing and it did make the film difficult to follow in places. That notwithstanding Ralph Fiennes was great as the Red Dragon and Anthony Hopkins was wonderful as Hannibal Lecter.
Read my full review here: http://goo.gl/JYCsWP