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Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
One of Allen's best acting performances
The thing that stood out to me watching this film is just how good Allen is in it. Every time he's on screen, the film is far more enjoyable. He's genuinely very funny here. I personally believed that he benefits here from not being on screen throughout.
I felt Michael Caine was perhaps the worst performance of everyone here, and felt his section of the film was frustrating and uninteresting throughout. I expected something clever to come out and make it all make sense, but that never happened sadly. This means the film ups and downs as it cuts between characters and stories. Inconsistent then, but worth a watch.
Killer of Sheep (1978)
Film Realism Done Right
In cinema today there's a general trend of naturalistic film making, trying to subvert performance, and create true to life scenarios. It's rarely successful, since these films are all still very heavily scripted and thus the hyper realism is really only skin deep. Killer of Sheep for the most part feels like you're watching life play out before you. The stories that make up the characters lives are not stated through exposition as they would so often be, but you're left to interpret what you see. It's incredibly engrossing as you're left clinging to every detail as you learn about these very believable characters. The film doesn't follow any real narrative, but is rather a poetic snapshot of a particular time and place.
The film is often quietly funny, and quietly sad. The film won't hit you like a train, but it will affect deeply with it's beautiful lingering shots and fine performances particularly from the central couple. I also have to applaud the children in this film who appear an awful lot. There are ways to get the most from children in films, since trying to get them to act and read lines never goes well. The children here just run roughshot and their shenanigans are a joy to watch.
The final thing I will say, is this is perhaps the most progressive film to ever focus on African American characters and culture. This was made during the time of Blaxploitation cinema, but I would argue it's still leaps and bounds ahead of modern efforts. Much of modern cinema dealing with African American life is explicitly with regards to racism, where as this film ignores the subject entirely. This is merely about people.
The Martian (2015)
Like Gravity, But Ridiculous
Firstly I'll say this film was a complete surprise to me. I very much expected a very serious survival film with lots of fairly blatant philosophical points to hammer home. This doesn't buck the current Sci-Fi trend of constant science discussion, there's a hell of a lot of that. Despite this the film is not dry at all, it's a very fun and easy watch. There were moments of self awareness that were very funny, and the light hearted humour throughout was much appreciated and unexpected from a Scott film.
My main issue with the film is how it can't quite decide what it wants to be. Is it like Gravity, an endless sciency human battle against the elements? Or is it an entertaining, yet rather ridiculous romp? For me tonally it leans toward the latter. This is fine, but it does mean that the film runs a little long. Since I wasn't sucked into the drama, my interest waned towards the end, at the time I should be most invested. The film also feels very constructed due to endless plot conveniences.
I'm being kind in giving this film a seven, but I genuinely enjoyed it, so there you go.
The Walking Dead (2010)
Flawed but Fun Nonetheless.
The thing I like most about this show is the world that they have created. We get to see so much of this wasteland in all it's ruined detail. There's something very beautiful about seeing roads littered with ruined vehicles. The zombies themselves look fantastic. They move brilliantly and the makeup is excellent, it's a great job all round and quite seamless. This really does help you become absorbed into the world of these characters.
I felt the opening season was truly marvelous. It was a stunning and thrilling presentation of this new and terrifying world. Over time we have seen the characters and therefore the tone of the show change. They've become hardened to this world and therefore some of the thrill has seeped from the show. The writers try to recapture some of this thrill with shock value but this is only sometimes effective. Often the show is just heavy, especially season 3 and beyond. In the later seasons the show is at it's best when it is delving into moral dilemmas. Sometimes it is slightly heavy handed about it though, so again, hit and miss writing.
What I've found it that there are so many plot lines, with the narrative constantly moving at a tremendous pace. As such every season, indeed sometimes even within episodes, certain stories are compelling and others are flat. For example Shane's storyline in season 2 is excellent, but much of the soap opera esc goings on in that season are terribly dull.
Ultimately this show is rather flawed, and fairly obviously flawed. I strongly recommend you watch the first season at least and if the flaws get on your nerves then don't continue with it. There's much entertainment to be had though if you're able to look past the issues. I'd recommend not binge watching this show as there can be an overkill as you see much the same thing happening time and time again. Certainly have a break between seasons and when you come back to it, it will be a refreshing watch.
Koto no ha no niwa (2013)
Simple story, visually stunning.
The best thing about this film is absolutely the animation. The water affects and reflections are like nothing I've ever see before. This is perhaps the best ever effort at realism through animation, as life's little details are picked up beautifully here. The film is only 45 minutes long, do not expect a plot filled with intrigue. What we have is a very basic, but still very sweet love story. The love triumphing despite various barriers is one you'll have seen many times, which does lessen the effect. I felt by keeping some distance between the characters throughout it did add emotion to their eventual coming together at the end. This film is worth a watch for the animation alone. The story won't blow you away, but neither will it lessen your experience.
Rashômon (1950)
"Come on Homer, You Liked Rashomon." "That's not how I Remember It"
This film is the glorious work of a genius. A blend of unique, exciting and sophisticated storytelling, and visual mastery. Rashomon is essentially a crime mystery set in Japan. The crime is recalled very differently from different people's perspectives, so the audience is never entirely sure what the truth actually is. You build up an idea of the characters, but since they're presented differently each time, you can never have a set idea of who they truly are. The way the plot structured is very stimulating. Often plots that work this way come together at the end like a jigsaw puzzle, but not so with Rashomon. You're left with four very different jigsaw puzzles and no real answers.
Visually it's truly excellent. The men recounting the story in a temple in the pouring rain is a glorious visual. I found the whole world that has been created very convincing and completely absorbing. Kurosawa builds tension through knowing exactly when to cut and when to linger, and the music creeps right under your skin.
My only minor criticism of the film would be that, by choosing not to show the court, Tajomaru talks in a strange expositional way where he'll repeat the unheard question before giving his answer. This just wasn't my favorite thing as it was a stylistic choice that brought me out of the film if only for a moment. Other than that this film is pretty much perfectly balanced with truly stunning performances. The acting is so visceral, and it has to be to capture the many nuances of these characters. Mifune as Tajomaru is particularly absorbing with his constant animalistic stance and his frequent itching. It's hard to take your eyes off him.
I thought this film perfectly captured much of the human essence. Of how people think of themselves, and how they think about others. It will keep you mesmerised throughout and thinking long after it has finished. Masterful storytelling from one of the masters of cinema.
Bom yeoreum gaeul gyeoul geurigo bom (2003)
Beautiful and intriguing, but inconsistent
The first thing to say about this film is that visually it's gorgeous. It's set entirely around a lake with a temple that floats on it. It's an incredible location that remains as we make large leaps through time. The film makers have made the absolute most of their location with excellent cinematography. I also really loved the music which varies from ambient to amazing singing.
I loved the start of this film, the spring section, it was a very early peak for me. Here we see the student of the temple as a young boy. In terms of child acting this is about as good as you'll ever see. He's allowed to behave in a perfectly natural way, rather than acting, and that gets the absolute best from the section. His childish ways of interacting with the world feel very real, and are both funny and poignant as he learns valuable lessons.
The film continues with this more amusing tone as the student moves into maturity. Some of the comedy works really well here, and some of it falls a bit flat. I felt this is where the characterisation of the student fell a bit. The film has a tendency to draw things out in such a way that they can be very effective, but they can also be slightly awkward. The film becomes far darker and more serious, but also wants to retain a darkly comedic element, for me it doesn't quite work tonally.
Throughout the film are two constants. The symbolism, and the Master. So much symbolism in this film which certainly adds a level of intrigue as you form opinions as to what the recurring imagery could mean. The director has done a great job of putting these things front a centre without having them be a distraction. The Master is a brilliant character, wonderfully acted. Subtle and mysterious, very little of him is revealed which gives him a wonderful air of mystery.
All in all, this is well worth a watch. Beautiful to look at and will leave you pondering once it's finished.
Det sjunde inseglet (1957)
An Icon of Cinema History
There are moments in the Seventh Seal that are as good as anything else in cinema history. Images so striking and memorable that they linger with you always. Moments of dialogue that fit absolutely perfectly that hit you with a sudden power. This film is one of the most poignant reflections on life, death, and Religion. The mood of the film reflects that, moving very swiftly from joy to dark fear.
I will say that some of the scenes come across as slightly ridiculous and overblown, and the costumes too haven't aged quite as well as other films, however these are minor criticisms not difficult to overlook. I don't feel the performances are consistent across the board, with some doing much better than others. Despite these criticisms, where it's at it's best, it's truly astounding.
Lucha Underground (2014)
Pro-wrestling as credible television
What Lucha Underground has done is so simple, yet completely new and revolutionary for the industry. Lucha Underground uses an unusual structure for pro-wrestling in that it's filmed in season form well in advance. This hasn't been done before because of the fear of spoilers and the business being revealed. These days those things aren't really issues anymore, so they're able to play around with the format. By taking away the live element, they're able to produce very slickly produced backstage segments that heighten the drama and hide the flaws of the performers. Bringing in an actor to play evil boss Daario Cueto was in my view a stroke of genius.
Lucha Underground clocks in at an hour with add breaks, which is the perfect length for a wrestling show, especially when compared with Raw's excruciating three hour show. The show never gets bogged down by lingering on segments too long. Everything on the show serves a purpose. The wrestling however doesn't get lost as they aren't afraid to dedicate much of the show to a single contest.
They've done a great job in scoring Ricochet, performing as Prince Puma, as he's one of the world's standout wrestlers currently. Having Del Rio has also been a coup for them. I will say that Lucha Underground doesn't on the whole have the best wrestlers, but what they've been able to do is emphasise their stars positive attributes to get the most from them. Every wrestler has their own unique character, and they're all interesting and unique.
What I enjoy most about Lucha Underground is the storytelling. Backstage segments and teases are frequently the highlights of the show. As well as bringing us exciting angles, they are able to build toward plot points further down the line. We'll get more immediate story lines that are furthered only a few weeks down the line, but we also have wider mysteries, such as Cueto's key, and Pentagon's Master. This is how good TV works, but wrestling writers in the past generally can't be bothered to write for the long haul. Overall Lucha Underground is a highly watchable television show. The wrestling is just a bonus.
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Some flashes of Tarantino gold, also Nazis
This film has one of the strongest starts I've ever seen. Waltz interrogating a farmer is an absolute triumph of tension building. Tarantino lingers here for far longer than other film makers would, and it's that that pushes the scene to another level. Subsequently any scene throughout the film where Waltz features earns a measure of this same tension. Sadly everything else here doesn't quite stand up. The scene in the basement did something similar and was also enjoyable, with a strong performance from Fassbender. Aside from that, pretty much everything else is frankly ridiculous, yet I didn't find this film funny especially. The dialogue just doesn't hit home in that way very often. The Basterds particularly were both basic and uninteresting, though perhaps that was intended, who knows... I also felt the tension drained from the film towards the end, which is really the opposite of what you want. The more ridiculous and violent the film is, the less compelling it is, but Tarantino wants to get all his tropes in there rather than go with the more serious and exciting film that this truly is at times.
Un chien andalou (1929)
Mind blowing even today.
The first 30 or so years of cinema had been about building up techniques. Editing in order to tell a story in a way that is easy for the audience to understand. Bunuel and Dali take these newly formed principles and use the audience's expectations to create something completely surreal and disjointed. It's very jarring and disturbing, rarely has editing been used to such powerful effect. To me this was the first film that put traditional narrative to one side and instead used cinema as a pure artform. What's especially clever is that you're almost able to follow it, but just not quite. Especially for us, so used to traditional cinematic storytelling, it's a jarring experience having your expectations repeatedly thwarted. It's hugely effective.
La Belle et la Bête (1946)
What a fairy tale should be.
La Belle et La Bete is one of the most visually stunning films I have ever seen. The Beast's costume was very convincing, and his eyes particularly were mesmerising. The immensely clever way it is shot, and the variety in the sets and staging add more magic than modern special effects ever could. The lighting for me was a highlight, really adding to the drama during moments of silence. The attention to detail here is hugely impressive and the way the visual elements tie into the plot so well is hugely effective. The film feels as a fairy tale ought to, filled with wonder and mysticism and romance. The characters as well are well written, with little dabs of humour and life, the humanity really being brought out. It would have been easy for the writing to have been swept up in the grandeur and occasion of such a visually magnificent film, but I felt an excellent job was done by all. Bringing a touching performance from underneath all that fur is definitely an achievement.
Sideways (2004)
Genuinely funny and touching
The strength of this film is the writing. It is a very difficult job to write characters who feel genuinely real. All the characters here feel like real people we might know or meet, which gives the film an intimate feeling even in the more lighthearted moments. The film is very witty, but in a slightly sad way. It's funny enough to remain enjoyable throughout, but with enough depth of tone to be moving.
For me the film really works as a whole, it feels honest, and that's a powerful and rare thing in film making. The quality of the script and the subtlety of the performances really elevate Sideways far above the average comedy, especially among recent comedies.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Ponderous and stunningly pretty
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is an interesting prospect. At times it's a very pretty film, as Greenland, Iceland and the Himalayas are some of the most beautiful locations on earth. One could argue that the plot does a good job of merely framing these gorgeous shots.
To me this film doesn't quite know what it wants to be. Is it a metaphor for one man's mindset, or is it a literal tale of an everyman's adventure. For me it falls somewhere in the middle and thus isn't really successful at either. It isn't really funny enough or exciting enough to be the latter, nor is it intriguing enough to fit into the former category.
I felt at times that the film is trying to drift into the metaphysical, but if it is, then it's so subtle it's almost lost. All this didn't sit that well on my palate. If you take the plot at face value, then it's merely an adventure story of a man finding himself and learning things along the way. All in all, it's alright.
The Dish (2000)
Understated and very Pleasant
The Dish is not a film you'll be shouting about afterwards, but it's certainly not one you'll be complaining about. It's about a small Australian community hosting the TV recording of the moon landings from the Southern Hemisphere. The film focuses around the four guys who run the giant dish that's being used. The film is very lightheartedly funny throughout, and it makes the film very watchable. I found the film very well scripted, with the jokes not coming across as over scripted or over performed. Similarly the film doesn't go overboard on exposition, giving hints, but lacking the common overindulgence of backstories. All the characters feel real, because nothing is really overblown. It's all very refreshing.
On top of all that, the shots of the dish are absolutely fantastic. They're lovingly and inventively done, and necessary to a film that takes place primarily indoors. I also really loved how they actually put the real moon landing footage in.
There's nothing mind blowing here, but it's a really nice tale and a really enjoyable watch. Everything about this film feels lovingly handled and it doesn't feel forced.
Inception (2010)
That's what your dreams are like Nolan?
As a Christopher Nolan film that didn't have Batman in it, I was expecting big things. Nolan is a director who can come up with really cool concepts, and use them to make really cool films. Thanks to his Batman success he had been entrusted with a much larger budget to put behind one of his ideas. You can see where the money has gone. His interesting ideas are perfectly visualised on screen, there are a lot of really cool visual moments.
The issue with Inception is the idea itself. The film is not half as clever as it thinks it is, and there are a lot of little niggles and plot holes that have to be glossed over in order for the film to hold together at all. Only two characters get any real development at all, the rest are there only for the various reasons that the plot needs them there for. Hardy is enjoyable, and Levitt has a few good moments, but in general these side characters aren't engaging at all.
I must say, I loved the ending, and found it quite challenging. It was really the only time the film actually made me properly think in an interested way rather than an annoyed or confused way.
Compare this to other blockbusters, it has to be commended for at least an attempt at an interesting concept and trying to make you think. I don't think it's particularly successful at either. Compare this to Memento, and it's clear Memento is the better film, with a more interesting plot and more rousing feel.
Forrest Gump (1994)
Maybe you have to be American...
I really don't rate Tom Hanks as an actor, I think he's highly inconsistent, and often his acting style is off-putting to me. Now put Tom Hanks doing a stupid voice, playing a ridiculous character, taking up all the screen time, in a really long film. It's like torture. I was willing this film towards the end. I didn't feel any genuine drama, the Vietnam scenes especially leaving me cold.
What I liked was the Zemeckis stylistic touches. It's got a nice whimsical feel, and just enough lighthearted humour to keep it afloat. For this film to work on any real level though, you would have to connect with the central character, which I just can't do. It's a very average story really focusing on one character who has very little personality. In terms of film making, it's just OK.
Six out of Ten.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Adventure on a Huge Scale
The film that birthed a huge franchise, and for me this is easily the best. For me, the magic of something reduces the more you see it, and so future films just don't wow you in quite the same way. The slow building and exposition elements here are justified since it is our first taste of this world on screen.
This applies to all the Lord of the Rings films, as they all have the same strong suits. The music is flawless. The film looks amazing, it's an absolute treat to watch. The world is perfectly realised and believable. Many of the characters are charismatic and fun, and all are performed well, by a very talented cast.
Being the opening, this was the best suited of the three to be a film structurally. It's paced far better than any other, and keeps you moving through with evenly distributed character introductions, talky bits and big set pieces. I felt the early moments of this film featuring the Hobbits and the Nazgul were unique in tone for the franchise, and were filled with genuine menace. This film is also better humored than the other two, that are a bit more drawn out and harrowing.
All in all this is one of the best blockbusters there has ever been, and perhaps one of the last truly impressive spectacle films if we keep moving towards CGI dependence which is much less work but also much less impressive.
Nine out of Ten.
Fight Club (1999)
Visceral, Film Studies Fodder
I've probably seen this film more times than any other, having studied it on two separate film studies courses. The plot is so well written, that whether it actually makes perfect sense isn't really relevant, it's completely absorbing. Brad Pitt, Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter all do fantastically well here, especially as they interact with each other. The film in it's entirety is uncomfortable, the fights themselves are filmed in a brutal, uncompromising way, but scenes where characters simply talk can be enough to make you squirm.
This is visceral film making. It's nasty, it's scrappy, it's stylistically inconsistent. Morally it's a mind bender, with numerous theories as to where the director is coming from here. You'll want to watch this multiple times to get a complete understanding of what's happening, and where you stand.
This is far braver than any of Fincher's other films, and it's also far more all over the place, and I love it for that. Fight Club gets under your skin, and it does it through the strange structure and atmosphere, and that's a powerful approach to film making, one that's rarely attempted and even more rarely pulled off.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Can He Conclude It?
To me this is easily the worst Lord of the Rings film, primarily because it simply does not know how to end. We have a total of four false finishes before this gargantuan trilogy finally leaves us in peace. In fairness, this is the story's fault, not the film maker's. That Jackson was able to adapt these books is a stunning achievement.
The practical effects are absolutely stunning, as is the cinematography. This is one of the finest looking films ever. One need only compare this to the Hobbit films, to get an impression of the amazing scale of the LOTR achievement.
My main issue with Lord of the Rings is the lack of truly compelling characters. To me, Gollum is the only truly great character. Characters like Gimli and Legolas are paper thin, and everyone in between is basic. Again this isn't really the film makers fault in my opinion.
For me this is the best that could possibly have been done in adapting these stories to cinema. They're the kind of stories that really are more suited to the pages of a book. Perhaps Jackson could have trimmed a little more fat than he did, and it would have made a more concise and impactful film, certainly the extended cut is vastly worse.
So for me this is a fantastic spectacle, brilliantly acted by most of the cast. I feel that the story is limited, especially on screen, and that means the film is bashing it's head on a glass ceiling.
Eight out of Ten.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Really Fun, Interesting Structure.
What's fantastic about Tarantino is his ability to make films that are entertaining throughout. He does this in part by having his characters discuss off subject things, which really helps the characters, and doesn't hinder performance in any way. He's absolutely fantastic at writing dialogue, and it really adds to it.
Pulp Fiction feels vibrant. Pulp Fiction feels alive. And far from interminable, it knows exactly what direction it going in. It feels fresh and innovative due to the clever story structure, that doesn't feel convoluted at all. The story structure to me actually aids the ending, and the film as a whole. Incredibly clever stuff from Tarantino.
Over time Tarantino films have become more and more bloated, but this and Reservoir dogs were perfectly restrained films. To be both wild and restrained at the same time to me is an impressive feat. Performance wise I think everyone here is on top form. It's an interesting cast, and a brave cast, but it absolutely fits. I enjoyed Willis more than usual, as he seems more free and relaxed. Travolta is handled very well, which is something that I would have thought is very hard to do. His characters need to be tongue in cheek and that's certainly the case here.
For me this is a film that can only really be done once. Doing away with narrative structure in this way gives it a completely unique feel whilst still being compelling. I think few could pull this off, in fact I doubt even Tarantino could pull it off again. For bravery, creative spark, unique tone, awesome writing, and pure entertainment value, I can't not give this a ten.
Ten out of Ten.
The Dark Knight (2008)
Fantastic Blockbuster, Decent Film.
What I loved: The darkness, psychologically and tonally. Heath Ledger's performance, it is incredibly impressive, and completely surprising. The Music. The unpredictability of the plot, it makes for edge of your seat viewing. Bringing Batman into the real world, even more so than Begins.
My issues: The scene where he can see through the walls, and strings them all up by ropes. Thought it was rubbish. Everyone else's performance. They weren't on the same level, and it's noticeable. Twoface to me was unnecessary, and almost wasted. Slightly too long, not so long that it made it bad, but it would have had more impact if it was 20 minutes shorter and had a bit of a plot reshuffle. For me a little cluttered, maybe one two many big set pieces (The Building Blowing up, the attempt on the mayor, the car chase, the two ships, the opening heist etc), the film was really at it's best in the times between set pieces (Joker's torture scenes, Joker's exchanges with the gangsters, Ruby the size of a Tangerine).
For a Blockbuster, especially a superhero blockbuster this was absolutely excellent. Heath Ledger's performance can be talked about with the greats I believe, but the film as a whole cannot.
Eight out of Ten
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Best Film Ever, Really?
Let me get this straight, when I first watched this film I loved it. However when I first watched this film, I was thirteen, and agreed with everything I read. I thought the film was too long, with too much fat, and solemn fat at that. I thought Tim Robbins does a good job, and plays the role how he ought to, but the role still doesn't set my world alight. I'm not a Morgan Freeman fan, that's just me personally. I thought this was one of his more believable roles, before he became a parody of himself. The worst thing about this film is the script, and I feel it thrives in moments of silence. I enjoyed the playing of the record, I thought Brooks hanging himself was excellently done, I thought the rape scene was nasty but not too gruelling. These scenes were well judged, because this film could have so easily fallen into torrid and depressing territory, and it does do that a little bit. I felt the iconic moments of wisdom, are really not so clever. To me they sound like quotes written on a page, and scattered throughout.
Overall I think it is a very good film. This is me really reviewing with reference how the average person views the film. What I'm trying to say is that this is not close to best film of all time material. It does nothing groundbreaking or exceptional in terms of filming, or storytelling, or performance or anything. If you watch the film as a whole it's pretty good but not fantastic, if you look at it in bits, some bits are fantastic, others are pretty poor. There's no way I can look at this film an even compare it to Citizen Kane, or Psycho, or Birth of a Nation. It is not on that level of film making.
Eight out of Ten.
Oblivion (2013)
A Pretty Little Distraction.
The first thing I noticed about Oblivion was how absolutely stunning it looked. Whether it will hold up in years to come, as I've found CGI rarely does, remains to be seen. For now, everything looks gorgeous, which is impressive considering this post apocalyptic earth is a wreck. What the plot does well is a very slow build at the beginning. Hints are thrown in that something is amiss, but you aren't given enough information to know exactly what. It's classic suspense building and I thought it was very effective. I thought later plot developments were very reminiscent of Moon , but I didn't think this was a bad thing, it was done quite well. I thought by the final third you had a clear view of what was going on so some of the intrigue was lost, the big fight scene was fun, but I could have done without it. The ending on the whole was a bit flat, which was a shame.
I have to compliment Cruise, which I don't do all that often. I thought he was excellent, and surprisingly subtle. It isn't a huge cast, but he was absolutely to star of the show here, so props.
All in all, this is fun. In terms of it's ideas, it isn't wholly original, but it's nice to have an original science fiction film as opposed to a sequel. I've said it's a distraction because that's what this is. It's quite thrilling but not edge of your seat, it's quite entertaining but not riotous fun, it can be emotional but sometimes falls flat. Putting aside the aesthetics this doesn't truly excel in any way. With that said, if I'd have gone to see this at the cinema, I'd have been well chuffed because it's far above average for a blockbuster.
Seven out of Ten.