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mkeyes99
Reviews
Tommy (1975)
Bizarre, at times tough to follow but ultimately engrossing
Tommy is a strange movie from the off, I have never seen anything quite like this before and that is, I think, why I couldn't take me eyes off it. I found it to be a strangely engrossing movie, the music and the imagery just suck you in. Because of the strange imagery being employed by Ken Russell, the film is at times difficult to follow and their are parts of it where I was just thinking, whats the point, why is this scene here? However as the film progresses more and more of it starts to make sense. As I write these comments I have yet to watch the film a second time, and I do think that on repeat viewings the film will get better and better.
The vocal performances are generally good, while not quite as good as those on the original 1969 album, Anne Margret's performance stands out as particularly brilliant. And who would have thought Jack Nicholson could sing.
Overall a very good movie, well worth watching and deserving of its cult status.
Dracula (1958)
A good retelling of the story, but ultimately flawed
*Spoilers*
I would just like to start by saying that I really enjoyed this movie. My assessment of it being ultimately flawed is more to do with the story than it is to do with the performances. The story in essence follows that of the book, but with some changes that I feel were generally unnecessary, for example Harker as Dracula's librarian, and being dead within the first twenty minutes, the complete writing out of Renfield, and the change of Lucy's surname from Westenra to Holmwood. However for all the faults with the story, this remains an engaging film and a classic example of Hammer Horror. Also when compared with its predecessor, The Curse Of Frankenstein, it shows how far Terrence Fisher had progressed as a Horror director in such a short time.
As a horror film The Horror Of Dracula works wonderfully, creating tension with a typically 50s horror score and brilliant performances from Peter Cushing as Van Helsing and Christopher Lee as Dracula. The cinematography is also a vast improvement on that on show in The Curse Of Frankenstein, and the set design and costumes are quite simply brilliant.
Buffalo Soldiers (2001)
Smart, witty, intelligent film making
*Spoilers*
Quite simply this is a well written, well acted and exceptionally funny film. It follows the story of a soldier in the US army as the cold war is coming to an end, and the black market exploits that thrive when their is nothing for the soldiers to do. It is also an interesting political take on the chain of command in the military, lampooning the superior officers as incompetent fools, despite having their hearts in the right place, the film manages to successfully create sympathy for Col. Berman (Ed Harris) in that despite his general inability to do the job, he is actually well liked. It becomes increasingly clear towards the end of the film that Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix) has a lot of affection for the man.
All in all a highly successful film, and recommended for anyone who wants a well made, smartly written comedic drama. Well worth 90 mins of your time
Hellraiser (1987)
Still my favourite horror film
From the opening sequence straight through to the films finale, this film held my attention. It still stands as my favourite horror film after many, many repeat viewings.
Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the genre and in particular as an example of how good 1980s horror could get. The special effects are amazing, especially as their was no CGI at the time and the makeup on the cenobites is stunning, somewhere between beautiful and hideous. Pinhead is an icon of 80s horror and this is the film where it all started
Highly recommended, although extremely gory in places.
28 Days Later... (2002)
Stunning Zombie film and an amazing image of post apocalyptic Britain
This film presents a stunning image of post apocalyptic Britain, and has got to be the best modern horror film of the new millennium. Brilliant almost on a par with George Romero's Dawn Of The Dead. One criticism is that it does require multiple viewings to fully appreciate. While the film is engaging on the first watch it is not an instant classic.
*Minor Spoiler*
The cinematography in the opening scene, as Jim walks through a deserted London and the music escalates from nothing to an almost deafening roar the effect is really quite impressive, watching Jim walk through a deserted city and slowly coming to realise that the world he knew has gone is amazing.
Finally, as with all good zombie movies, this film is more about the people and how they deal with the situation rather than actually being about zombies
The American Nightmare (2000)
Brilliant overview of the birth of Modern Horror
This film is amazing in that it manages to feature interview with literally everybody of any importance in the genre of Modern Horror. Adam Simon has put together something very special for fans of the genre. The film traces the origins of Modern Horror through its early classics, featuring films such as Last House On The Left, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Night Of The Living Dead and Dawn Of The Dead and through interviews with all the key players and then some. I tend to find that documentary films, while interesting, often fail to be really gripping, thought provoking and at the same time entertaining. This film manages all three. Thoroughly recommended for fans of the genre and also for anyone with a passing interest in horror. And for those of you that bash films such as Last House On The Left for being too extreme, watch this documentary, it might just change your mind.