Change Your Image
mwoodkw
Reviews
The Usual Suspects (1995)
Great Film!...but the hype is too much.
I just saw this movie for the first time yesterday. I had no idea of the plot, all that I knew was that it was a "must see". After seeing the film I couldn't help but feel a little let down. I really enjoyed the film, but wasn't blown away. I am still attempting to reconstruct where I've seen this plot-line played out before. I am a huge Hitchcock fan, and I have a feeling it is from a film from his "Lady Vanishes" days. If you are one of the reviewers that would give this film a "10", I would suggest you look into more Hitch films. Don't get me wrong, this is a great film. The acting is great, as are the cinematography, and script. However, it just isn't the masterpiece that many claim. I can provide no commentary for any underlying themes or standout scenes. Sit back and watch, don't expect art, or you will be setting yourself up for disappointment.
Blue Velvet (1986)
Visually Shocking Thriller!
Lynch creates an amazing film in Blue Velvet. I would have to say that it is one of the most grotesque and horrifying films I have ever seen. I don't think that is because any element of the film in and of itself is nightmarish. Instead, the background of suburbia with its white picket fences and pastel colors only makes the extremely dark film noir that much darker. The song Blue Velvet, in itself has a warm innocence to it. I also love the use of Orbison's "In Dreams" which completely changes the meaning of the song to fit Frank's twisted psyche. The character of Frank (Dennis Hopper) is one of the scariest "movie villain" of all time, which says a lot of his performance in the film. I went into this film expecting Eraserhead, this film is not as abstract of a thing and yet I was not disappointed. I believe that this is the type of film Quintin Terrintino has been trying to make for years, a darker version of a classic crime drama.
Rude Boy (1980)
The Clash make this mediocre Punk film worth it
I'll start out by saying that I own this film, and I am a big Punk fan. Despite these two factors I simply cannot give this film higher than a 6 out of 10. The story line and acting in this film is pretty lousy...which is probably why one reviewer found it "funny". Ray Grange ("Rude Boy" of the film) admitted in an interview that he didn't agree with his lines. His character is very flat and his dialog with Joe Strummer and the other members of the clash are contradictory from one scene to another.
With that being said, there is another element of this movie that makes it worth viewing...more than once. The scenes with the clash were often ad libbed and these scenes play like documentary footage. The performances are from actual shows and they are amazing. There is a "Play the Clash Only" option that plays only these performances. I often just find myself fast forwarding through Grange's solo scenes instead. Basically, If your not a fan of Punk or the Clash...rent a different one...maybe something like "Sid and Nancy" or "SLC Punk". but if you like this film I suggest "Westway to the World" (a Clash Documentary).