Briand De Palms is one of the master directors of today. And rarely will one of his movies be a total bomb or painfully bad film, although lately they haven't been adding up (*cough*, Black Dahlia) they are still a treat to watch. Adding to one of his lists is the Hitchcockian like thriller "Snake Eyes", it had everything going for it. An over the top yet fun performance by Nicolas Cage, a sneaky and smart screen play, edgy camera work, and a restless atmosphere that echoes thriller classics such as "Psycho". All is going well in this film resembling old mystery classics by putting minimal swearing, sex, drugs and a few scenes of startling violence all going at a steady and smooth pace. At this time a specific character resembles " Twist in the end bad guy" , myself believing that De Palma was doing this intentionally to try to throw some of us off, what happens... the predictable bad guy is the bad guy. But it's OK seeing that all the rest of the film was good but too bad De Palma went with being predictable. In the end greatly stylish, well acted, great atmosphere, well placed camera shots, brisk pace,... Bad ending.
Reviews
26 Reviews
Unknown
(I) (2006)
Saw with a hint of usual suspects and a dash of Reservoir dogs
4 November 2006
This movie is engaging in the first twenty or so minutes, with a good cast including famous celebrities (Greg Kinnear, Barry Pepper, James Caviesel) and some appearances from indie stars (Peter Stormare, Joe Pantilona, Jeremy Sisto, and Marke Boone Junior). The acting is pretty good and the camera work is OK as is the story, with enough twists and turns to probably entertain most viewers for the running time. It's not a bad movie but not a great one either, with it's story there is no moral to be learned and that's fine but i wish the director gave the movie more style since it's not a heavy drama, the camera wasn't very flashy almost bland and the scenes outside of the warehouse were poorly done. If only the movie took place all inside that warehouse and the if the director didn't try to make it so straight forward. overall i give this a B-, it's worth seeing but don't make a huge effort. Also don't listen to the ads saying that this has the same story style as Memento, because it doesn't. Rating: the film when i watched it was not rated, the movie contains many F words although not extreme, and the violence in this movie is toned down, yes there's some but not too bad.
saw it on Demand in IFC in Theatres
saw it on Demand in IFC in Theatres
World Trade Center
(2006)
Greengrass V.S Stone
21 August 2006
(The winner is Greengrass).This film to me just didn't work overall it didn't really give to much emotion through the movie and to much of the movie was about the family worrying and the people trying to find the two men. But when it came to the men below the rubble it seemed like no more then 10 minutes was used there.And when the men were under the rubble their was no character development amongst them, but rather flashbacks of their family and the two men talking about their family. And i have the utmost respect to all of the firemen,police and paramedics that were there that day and to all the victims that died that day but when the men were under the rubble and being rescued i just did not have to much emotion going on. And i think what the problem could have been was the PG 13 rating so much was toned down and i think that was a major flaw because what happened on September the 11th was rated R many people died and the things the rescuers saw was not PG 13 things and the dialog between the rescuers would not of been "fricken" but the other word and it just sounded un natural, if you think you should see a film about 9/11 i think Flight 93 was much better (which was rated R). Also i don't think this is an Oliver Stone film this just isn't his line of work he is a brilliant filmmaker and one of the best but this is more Spielberg or Ridley Scott. In Greengrass's film he portrayed so much more emotion i knew the outcome at the end of Flight 93 as i did in World Trade Center one i was biting my nails and shed a tear or two and the other i watched as a regular movie,Greengrass gave it a true tone World Trade Center just seemed like a movie. But i do give it a 4 for the performances from everyone from underrated actor Michael Shannon to Cage and everyone in between.
24 Hours in London
(2000)
it hardly earns it's one star
15 August 2006
this movie is the definition of awful, this movie really sucked. It was a cheap rip off of a Woo film were the main actors put on fake British accents and shoot anything that moves. Now that's no reason to give this movie a one it could still be fun, right? No it can't the action sucked. there is no cool action moves or stylish camera-work just the camera in front of a guy who pulls the trigger on his gun. The only reason i give this film (if you can call it that) one star is because of the movie's case lured me into actually buying it and the beginning credits music, if you are stuck with the movie don't watch it you'll have a better time staring at the case and listening to the beginning credits music. in conclusion, this movie isn't an action flick because the action just will give you a headache, this movie isn't a comedy because it's not funny, and it certainly is not a British gangster movie seeing that the creators of the film probably don't even know the definition of cockney is, to sum it all up, as a good British Gangstar movie would say "stay away from this Brad Pitt". Recomondations: for a good British gangster movies look up Snatch, Lock stock and two smokin barrels, and if you seen those try to find Gangstar no.1. not as good but pretty close
The Hunted
(2003)
grabs you hard and eases it's grip
6 August 2006
While watching this film the opening scene was the best starting for a movie since Gladiator's opening battle sequence and as soon as Johny Cash's voice over is heard this movie totally sucked me in but after Del Toro's mission in Bosnia is over the movie sadly takes a turn for the worse. I really wish the rest of the film could of held it's pure raw energy from the opening scene but it doesn't and you are left with a half way decent movie that you have seen probably before but the rest of the movie really isn't that bad mainly because of the great Benicio Del Toro and Jones is still delivering fine performances and the always good actress Connie Nielson has some screen time, in conclusion if you like Rambow there is no doubt you will enjoy this but if you have not seen or liked Rambow i think Hunted will still impress you if you can brace through the pacing issues.
The Great Raid
(2005)
utterly disappointed
4 August 2006
Hearing what this film was about and finding out it was a true story left a larger impact on me then the entire film did. This was a run of the mill Hollywood War film, i was very surprised not to See Jerry Bruckheimer's name under the producer credits. I had pretty high expectations after finding out that John Dahl was directing this film since i was a follower of his work since "Kill me again" but what i was left with was over an hour of boring Hollywood war stuff and then when the Raid was initiated on the camp in the end it was a five minute Un- Dramatic shootout that you would find in any large budgeted action flick. And the performances were extremely dull especially from the horrid Benjamin Bratt, (dude stick to T.V.). And a very disappointing turn from the young but usually talented James Franco but both Connie Nielson and Joseph Fines gave decent performances. Also to blame was the stupid dialog, I really coundn't be any more disappointed, and the only reason i give it a 4 is because the story of the film let me know about the brave soldiers who rescued the POW S and i have the up most respect for them. But just rating the film itself it's lucky if it's a 2
Jarhead
(2005)
Peple it's a war movie
4 August 2006
People that see Jarhead will all complain about the same thing over and over and that is the lack of "war" in a war movie. When most people say "War" they mean shooting and large explosions, but this just tells you how stupid most people are war is not alway explosions and shooting Jarhead is a true War film it is about war. It's about how war affects the soldier's minds and i think this is the best War film i have ever seen because it does not need to rely on large Hollywood shootouts to entertain the viewers and make them compassionate for the soldiers. In conclusion, if your concept of a war movie is to focus on large shoot outs then stay away from this film, but if you want to see a war movie that is about War itself leaving out the un-necessary action but trading it with beautiful camera work and great dialog then i can't recommend Jarhead enough.
Red Dust
(2004)
brought down because of the story
4 August 2006
Red dust is both well acted and well made but what the movie is about i think will bore many viewers as it did to me. There was a film that was out earlier called "in my Country" with Sam Jackson and it was not that well received and both films were about nearly the same exact thing, I do think Red dust was better because of the more interesting performances especially by future Oscar winner Chiwton Ejofor but the plot is just to lacking, it starts off pretty strong but then the film hits the viewers with countless un-interesting court room sessions, this could have been a great film if the writing was not so lacking. But see if for the performances.
Kingpin
(2003)
a stylish take on The Sopranos
30 July 2006
this show has been type-casted as the Sopranos on daytime TV. But i think this show is as good or if not better than the Sopranos. Kingpin is much more stylish with the camera and music then the Sopranos is and Kingpin hardly eases up there is constant action going on on screen. This show was made to be aired on Cable for the drug and violent content and i do believe this show could of beat out the Sopranos if it was made into a regular T.V. series and if it wasn't so restricted on content, overall if you like the Sopranos then you are more than likely love kingpin and even if you don't like the Sopranos you should give it a try for the massive amount of raw energy put in this TV Show.
Æon Flux
(2005)
worst film of the year
25 July 2006
Aeon Flux starts off by showing a trailer with cool tecno music and Charlize Theron shooting a hundred guys behind her head, so sure i wasn't expecting an Oscar winner but at least a fun action movie. But no i was stuck with a boring as hell movie about some chic who talks her ass off through the whole movie and once in a while pineapples, no lie, pineapples shoot arrows at her and she dodges them. After torturing my self through this horrid film i felt sick and I literally had a headache after the film, if mindless plot and dull dialog and a total of 2 minutes of cheap action is your style then i strongly suggest this film but for most people stay as far away from this awful, boring, ugly, and plot less film. You've been warned.
Outside Providence
(1999)
a breezy movie
16 June 2006
Outside of Providence is the kind of movie you put on when your bored or you've seen everything else. The movie itself isn't that raunchy or crude nor that funny. But outside of providence has it's moments most of the scenes with Jon Abrams as Drugs Delaney will get a few laughs but what my personally favorite parts in this film were the hilarious annual poker games with Alec Baldwin and his friends, every time they played cards i laughed out loud. I don't think the movie was written like most farrelly bros movies with a laugh a minute movie but this is rather more relaxed and it's an easy film to digest, once you leave you'll probably feel good about yourself. In conclusion, if you like easy and nice movies or you're just in the mood then give this one a try. One more thing although there is no sex in the film there is a lot of profanity and A lot of drug use (Smoking) and there is a scene of some sexual dialog so this isn't a family film either.
Bent
(1997)
slow but good film
15 June 2006
Bent was a movie i was once familiar with but have never seen due to it's NC-17 rating but i caught the R rated version and it was a good film. The beginning of the film was starting to steer me in the wrong direction but about twenty minutes in this film becomes engaging,sad,and powerful. Clive Owen gives an amazing performance in this film his character goes through many changes and Clive Owen adapts to each change. This film somewhat reminded me of Broke Back Mountain, not because of the homosexuality but how it is portrayed in both films it is portrayed in love, during the time periods of both films homosexuality was a forbidden love and that is what both films are about. Overall if you can stand some slowness and some bizarreness ( Mick Jaggar is in drag and sings all in the first five mins.) Bent is a film well worth watching. This movie deserves in R rating, there is a scene of pretty strong Sexual dialog and the violence may not be prominent but when it is on scree it can be extreme at times also there is some language.
Gerry
(2002)
a masterpiece
14 June 2006
Gerry truly is a masterpiece. The film is Directed by one of my favorite directors Gus Van Sant and the film uses his new style of film making, a slow but beautiful technique. The technique is letting the audience enter the film, the slowness of Gerry will give you the feeling as if you are lost and you don't know where your going or were you will end up. The dialog is spoken in such a true to life form, the two men lost have nothing philosophical to say nor important their discussions lead to video games and such, and more films should be true to their characters as this is. If you have two hours and you are not being rushed then sit down relax and turn the lights off and let this film entrance you and suck you in, Highly recommended.
District B13
(2004)
Luc Besson's finer collaborations
5 June 2006
After seeing the Transporter two and Taxi( U.S. Version) my hopes for the respected writer, producer, and directer were beginning to fall. Although he did not direct these films just knowing that the great Luc Besson had anything to do with these miserable films lowered my view of him. But finally Luc Besson went back to his roots with co writing and producing a well done French action film. I enjoyed every minute of the film the crazy stunts and the stylish Cinementography and the great music, the idea of putting Parkor in action films is a great idea and it worked very well in this film, also the film did not focus solely on Parkor the action was varied and not repetitive. The only issue i had with this film was the length, i felt like i only watched half of an hour of the movie when it was over, but that half hour was amazing, sure it's a bit clichéd but at least it knows it is unlike Transporter two. I recommend this to anyone who loves action films and are becoming tired of the same type of action and people who don't mind having to read a little. Also this film is not that bad in content i think the film could of got a PG-13 rating if it just left out the small amounts of blood and drug content, so if your 12 or older i think it is OK to see. Now that i gave you my review i think i should let people know that if a powerful storyline and Oscar Nominated acting is what you want to see then i don't think you should give this one a try but if you want a cool and stylish action flick then don't think twice about it and go see this movie
Dirty
(2005)
Beyond Training Day
5 June 2006
Dirty is another cop movie about crooked cops, and there are many similarities between Training Day and Dirty, but I enjoyed Dirty more than Training Day. The Directing by Chris Fisher is much more Stylish then Antoine Fuqua's vision and also I thought the acting by Clifton Colins Jr. and Cuba were very good, i do believe Collins was a bit better because his character was not the same as Ethan Hawkes character in Training Day but Cuba's character in this film was almost Idenitical to Denzel's character. Also i enjoyed the somewhat complicated story in this film rather then Training Day's straight forward story. If you were to forget about seeing Traing Day and just watch this film as i did, i believe that you would enjoy this film more than Training Day. I recommend this film to anyone that likes cop movies and to people who don't have sensitive ears due to the hundreds of F words in the film and those who don't mind violence in their movies.
London
(I) (2005)
Jason Statham
24 May 2006
I was always a fan of Jason for his roles in Guy Ritchie's flicks and his roles in the transporter series (one not two). But when i watched this film i was in complete awe after i witnessed his performance in this film,it was so real and charismatic it was spectacular. watching the beginning of the film i found it entertaining and creative and stylish but it was a specific scene that completely sold me. It was a scene with Jason Statham and Chris Evans as the two are in a bathroom( which they are in for quite some time) and the movie is an hour and ten minutes in when Jason Staham compares his pain with Chris Evans,Statham's acting in that scene will forever change the way i see Jason Statham from now on. The film was directed with style and beauty. Many scenes in this film is the opposite of beauty but the way they are put on camera is done so beautifully. In conclusion I urge people to see this film even if the story does not sound appealing please watch it for Jason Statham's magnificent role in the film. Although Jason was not the only great actor in the film, Chris Evans also played very realistically as well the whole cast overall, Also watch for Dane Cook as George or the guy that talks to London at the party.
Hard Boiled
(1992)
Action Galore
21 May 2006
that's what this movie is it's action, not only is it action it's well done action, it's stylized and well choreographed by the master himself John Woo. The action sequences take up the whole movie and it's not a bad thing, it's hard to even call this a movie, Woo could of took out all the lines in the movie and the film would still tell it's story. the pro's of this movie is obviously the action sequences, the sequences are almost non stop and are well done, the acting is not bad but I highly recommend watching the movie on subtitles not dubbed. But the Con's of the movie is the music and the story. I was more upset over the music of the movie then the story, i knew the story wouldn't be that smart but that's OK, when i want to see a non stop action movie i don't expect a great story, but what stopped me from giving this movie it's highest honors is the music. Most of the music sounded like it belonged in the Amityville horror then this movie, it was allot of creepy instrumental for some reason and i don't think that worked at all. So overall i recommend this action galore film but watch it on Subtitles and don't let the music annoy you.
I Love Your Work
(2003)
could of been great
29 March 2006
Right off the bat i thought this film was very good, i think Goldberg is not only a great actor but i also think he can be just as good behind the camera. But, i thought the film slightly dragged it's feet in some parts, the first hour i was deep into the film, i was sucked in by the great performances and the stylish feel to the movie, but when it began to go in the hour and twenty minute length i began to feel a little board with the repetitive actions being portrayed over and over. Non the less i stick to my solid 8 out of 10, due to great performances, not a bad story, and the style set to the film, i strongly recommend this film, and it hardly earns it's R rating, if your over 12i think it would be OK.
Trainspotting
(1996)
a must see
17 March 2006
Transpotting is truly a must see film. Not only is the movie full of great acting; i think Ewan Mcreggor's best. And stylish camera shots, and a great soundtrack, and well written scripts. It is an important film to see. When i began to watch the film i thought it was a crazy drug movie that just wants to make you laugh at the junkies. But o was i wrong, it gets much deeper and totally turns the other way around. I'm familiar with Danny Boyle's work, i'v seen both 28 Days later and Millions and i was impressed with both, but this truly shows his gift of being a director. I strongly recommend Transpotting, not made for younger kids, explicit drug use and some strong language and violence, but for anyone over 13 i recommend this amazing film.
The Singing Detective
(2003)
Creative and Amazing
14 March 2006
I enjoyed nearly every moment in The Singing Detective. I immensely enjoyed the developed chacters and the creativity that was put into this great film. The Singing Detective is a dark comedy and chacter study, and throw in a couple musicals. The Singing Detective might not be for everyone, it is a strange and has an odd sense of humor.Although for me i thought the comedy was clever and the story and dialog were creative in every way. in conclusion, if dark comedies and some really good acting (Robert Downey Jr. never lets me down with his amazing performances and this movie, explains why he is so damn good), and pure creativity is your cup of tea then, i strongly suggest The Singing Detective.
The Chumscrubber
(2005)
very good
13 March 2006
Chumscruber i believe is a very good film. It takes many elements from good movies and weaves them together to make this great and strange film. I do believe at times in the movie it tries a little too hard to feel like it's unique and strange, but non the less i still enjoyed it. If you liked American Beauty, then you might like this. It's very similar to American Beauty but Chumscrubber uses teenagers as the main chacters and adds in a creative story line. What i enjoyed most was Justin Chatwin and William Fitcher's performances. This movie never slows down and never gives you enough information where you can guess the ending of the movie. In conclusion, if you like dark comedies then give chumscrubber a try.
Bubble
(I) (2005)
an acquired pallet
12 March 2006
I believe Steven Soderberg's new film "Bubble" truly takes an acquired palette for movies. Bubble is a slow paced, quiet, and actually boring film about people. Bubble isn't the movie you call some buddies up and sit back and watch it. It just won't give off the desired affect. You should watch this film by yourself. There is no plot twists or cool action sequences in this movie, it's merely a chacter study. The whole movie is talking between three vibrant and different chacters. The slow pacing of the movie is similar to the film "Elephant"'s pacing. It is slow to give the affect of boredom, while watching the movie you begin to feel the boredom, and i enjoyed it very much, i strongly recommend watching it. The only thing is that you should not watch the film often or else the magic begins to wear off.
Big Momma's House 2
(2006)
AWFUL, i'd rather sleep then see this movie
11 March 2006
This is by far one of the worst film's i've seen all year. As soon as i saw the trailer for the movie i was turned off by the movie, but i promised a friend i'd go see it with him. This movie takes the same formula jokes made from a bad comedy and reuses them, over and over. You can tell that not much money was put into this movie, the cinematography looks ugly and the script and jokes are so bad it's not even funny. Even if you are a huge Martin Lawerence fan still steer far away from this horrible, boring, dull,sad, and ugly film. It's so sad that great movies like Crash don't make a fraction of what this movie made in a month, people really have to see good movies, instead of wasting their time and money on bad, bad, movies like this.
Running Scared
(2006)
Great
11 March 2006
I never have been a Paul Walker fan, but when i found out the talented Wayne Kramer was making a new movie i had to go see it. I enjoyed this movie very much. Many people say that it was too violent and profane. I think the violence and use of profanity fit the movie's dark atmosphere very well. I think this is one of the best action/mobster movie of the year so far, if the movie is still playing near you and you are over 13 i think you should give this one a try, the movie is full of twists and turns, although i think the final twist should of been left out and i think some of the vulgar language could of been left out, but those are minor issues.So if you are looking for a fun, action packed, dark,edgy, and very stylish film i suggest you go see Running Scared.
Alexander
(2004)
not great but not horrible
11 March 2006
this movie was nominated for endless razzie awards and has been on many critic's worst movie of the year. I don't think it was that bad. Being a huge Oliver Stone fan i was a little let down from this movie, hoping that it would be better then Gladiator. When i began to watch it i noticed that it had great visuals and good music. Then after the slow three hours passed by i felt like i wasted my Saturday and my six buck's for admission. It wasn't until about a year later that i saw the movie again and kind of liked it. Sure it's not as epic as Gladiator or Troy, but it's kind of a rebel, where it's a journey. You kind of have to have too much time on your hands to enjoy this movie. Because it is slow and has some bad acting in it. in conclusion, if you want to waste a day on a movie that's not horrible then rent, not buy, Alexander
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