gregsmart Reviews

Les Cowboys (2015)

The Epic Story of Civilizations Colliding

[7/10 · 14 September 2015]

I caught this movie at the Toronto International Film Fest and quite liked it. It's the kind of movie that sticks with you for a few days after you watch it. I don't think it's meant to be a remake of The Searchers as some reviewers have posited, except in the fact that it follows a families search for their daughter, who has converted to Islam and run away from home.

The plot is a generational epic that follows the story of a French family torn apart in degrees by the departure and search for their daughter. Over the course of the film, the protagonist changes, refreshingly breaking from formulaic Hollywood precedents. The first leg of the film follows the father, who is obsessive and ego- centric in his search for his daughter. The second part of the film follows his son as he picks up the quest and demonstrates that that the sins of the father are not always visited upon the son.

Thematically, the story is built around the idea of contemporary Europe and the Muslim world being a clash of civilizations, much like the cowboys and indians. It is not a classic Western by any stretch, but thematic and aesthetic elements are there to get across the comparison.

All in all, I thought it was a beautiful and ultimately hopeful movie... worth a watch.

The Salvation (2014)

Saddle up for The Salvation (No spoilers)

[9/10 · 1 December 2014]

This hard-boiled tale of revenge hearkens back and pays homage to the great Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns. I honestly wasn't expecting much from this movie, but found myself very pleasantly surprised. I think this movie's secret is that it walks a razor's edge of realism; the action and storyline are believable but epic at the same time; the characters are colourful but still feel authentic; it's more stylized than a film like The Unforgiven, but doesn't got too far that it becomes cartoonish.

From the get-go, you'll be drawn in by the edge-of-your-seat suspense. Mads Mikkelsen plays the stone-faced protagonist flawlessly. He emotes so subtly, never overplaying his hand. And, Eva Green shines without saying a word, fierce and sublime. Jeffrey Dean Morgan plays Delarue, the antagonist, to perfection, like he sprung from the pages of Cormac McCarthy novel.

If you love westerns, you will love this movie. While it's not perfect, I still rank it up there among the best of the genre, a must-see. It's so nice when you stumble on a rare gem like The Salvation.

Enter the Ninja (1981)

Academy Award Worthy Ninja Opus

[10/10 · 22 April 2011]

This movie is possibly the deepest, most philosophical meditation on life, being, friendship, love, and ninjas ever produced for the silver screen. Prepare to have your mind blown, your foundations shaken, your ideas about reality questioned - prepare to Enter the Ninja.

I first saw this movie as a child, but by the the time the credits were rolling, I was a man. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but this movie is about more than just ninjas. Don't get me wrong the ninja parts are spectacular, but this film is more about the intense drama and top- notch acting.

Which brings me to my man Franco Nero — probably one of the most under- rated white ninja actors in the biz. I'm sick to death of hearing about that dude from American Ninja. Nero would sleep with his wife, and ninja star him so quick it's not even funny.

Still waters run deep in this one.