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amahdramsey
Reviews
Journey to Hell (2022)
An extraordinary film with a great cast and one of the best interpretations of hell I've ever seen in the movies.
I went to the theaters with a group of friends. The chemistry of the two male lead actors in this show was incredible with Mr. Badman and the demon. The movie line done very well, as the characters were developed with tremendous care. All the actors were incredible including the guy who played the Chinese communist dictator in hell. A remarkable work on the vice of vanity and forsaking Christ in this lifetime. People who mock and belittle Christ better understand you WILL be held in account. Purely and enjoyment only on the movie, it is one to sit back relax let it twist your mind around the plot. Why? Because I accepted Jesus into my heart. No worries about eternity. As we see the plot of good versus evil taking place down below and the avarice life of the past life where the two - atheist and believer meet, powerful stuff. Belittling a homeless man is not what Christ would do. The main role characters do well on their own, but we must not forget the Bible-banging wife who gets bored with Mr. Badman's success, but she is a true Christian. Quality acting, and am grateful to have watched it.
American History X (1998)
Powerful film
I was looking forward to see this film as I missed it at the cinema and am a firm believer that Edward Norton is one of the most talented actors of his generation and is always worth seeing (even if some of his films have given less than he deserves). It was maybe better that I only saw it recently as I was able to enjoy it without all the hype and fighting over who did what to who, or all the comments from director Kaye as to his opinions of the film. Having seen the pompous fool interviewed several times, I find it quite self assuring that I don't agree with his opinions of it!
The plot is a mix of flashback into Derek's hate filled past (told in b&w) and the present (colour) where he is desperate to save his brother and family from suffering anymore from his 'sins'. As a basic narrative the film struggles at times to make a solid story and seems to be trying too hard to create confrontations to up the drama within the film. It still works mind you but this is not it's best asset.
The main thing the film does well is to be a very true representation of white male disillusionment. The film avoids painting these people as monsters straightaway (although makes no bones that they are confused, misled and wrong). The arguments and discussions they have in the film are not so far from reality that the characters seem fiction – the characters and the film's world seem very real. The film's message that hate is no way to live no matter who it is directed at may be a little simplistic but it is a valid point. One particular weakness which I felt was a little hamfisted was Derek's 'road to Damascus' experience in prison – it was OK but was far too easy given the character we had just seen brutally kill several black men.
The other main selling point the film has is a performance by Norton that simply ensures he steals nearly every scene he is in. In b&w flashback he is at his best – a larger than life character who is never allowed to just be seen as a thug. Norton acts out the various stages of his life well and makeup ensures that he looks younger when required. In the present he is less dominant but still is very good giving a different performance. Furlong is also very strong, although he only has a few scenes where he is able to be outside of Norton's shadow. Support from Balk, Gould, D'Angelo and Brooks is mixed – Gould's Jewish character is only in the film to allow for one scene to occur, while Brooks' righteous teacher is simply a 'morally upright teacher' with no meat on his character.
The Genius Club (2006)
Terrific screen writing, and two actors at their symbiotic best
I am 26, i don't know much about philosophy so i rented in not knowing much or very interested, but i came out impressed! The acting by all the main 7 characters is superb! They made their roles seem so effortless thats how realistic it was, you would believe Sizemore is a genius in real life, To just see how well Baldwin portrayed his character was great! He is always a great lead to have in a movie. I still love his performance in 'Usual Suspects' Acting by far got 10/10 in my book. The supporting cast of Jack Scalia and Paula Jai Parker was amazing as well. One of the films films I've seen in a long time. This is a must see film.