This film keeps its tension from the get go and forces the viewer to confront the same trauma as the antihero- Paul. This trauma is set against the backdrop of beautiful Vietnamese jungles. Scenically, we are set. Action wise, Spike does a pretty good job of keeping the intensity up with savage moments of combat, conflict and chaos. As the film reaches its maddening end, we see the brilliant capitulation and resurrection of Paul before he meets his timely death. Delroy Lindo puts in one of the greatest acting performances I've ever seen. It's strange that this film only has a 6.5 rating while frat boy, recalcitrant nonsense like 22 Jump Street has a rating of 7. I see a major flaw in the democratic system.
Reviews
13 Reviews
Da 5 Bloods
(2020)
A dark, heavy work of dramatic, social and cinematic genius.
2 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Moonbase 8
(2020)
Money grab
22 January 2021
After two minutes of Travis Kelce superbowl jokes I'd had enough. Seems a show desparate for success and it is evident in the script. I was worried enough from the credits when they introduced Kelce and made a point to highlight that he is a champion of the most recent Superbowl. Really cheap way to get a fanbase.
Chungking Express
(1994)
Wong Kar Wai- the man who makes you feel
14 December 2020
This film is a beautiful study of melancholy, loneliness and romance. Wong Kar Wai is a master at creating a feeling through visual ideas and soundscapes. Faye Wong is brilliant- I couldn't believe acting was only a string to her musical bow. Many brilliant oriental actors and actresses seem to be multi talented- Faye Wong, Leslie Cheung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Jung Ji Hoon. Anyway, watch this movie.
I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK
(2006)
A lighter side of Park Chan Wook
9 December 2020
This film may deal with the complex darkness of mental illness but it does so with an ultimately positive outlook. In this way, it deviates from the mood Park creates in a majority of his films (foreboding, insidious). The colour scheme is quite light (pale blues, browns) and many of the shots are open and transitional to give an accomodating feeling to the viewer. I enjoyed this film very much.
Dazed and Confused
(1993)
Not all it's cracked up to be
3 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It surprises me how much people love this film. I don't understand the fascination with American high school social dynamics. For me, the reason you leave high school is to leave behind the interest in categorizing human beings into superficial groups based upon a standard of adolescent behaviour. Rather than critique this system, Linklater seems to celebrate these stereotypes and their mundane conversations as if we are witnessing the peak of human interaction. These interactions are the connecting dots of the film that lead to the inevitable 'party' scene. The film in a way is like one big teenage party- unfortunately it's a terrible party.
Joint Security Area
(2000)
Simple and complex- JSA is a masterpiece
1 December 2020
The headline says it all. While the story has complex elements in its structure and details, thematically it is a simple example of friendship, loyalty and primal fear. The setting- the joint security area separating North and South Korea becomes a crime scene after two North Korean soldiers are found dead at a border outpost. A neutral military taskforce from Switzerland is sent in to investigate and deflate potentially catastrophic hostilities. Complicating matters is the conflicting narratives told by the soldiers on either side of the border. What else to say? Just go watch this movie.
Napoleon Dynamite
(2004)
better than half the films rated 8 and above
20 August 2020
This film is a work of genius. Subtle, artistic, heartwarming and hilarious. How played out films like The Hangover or The Shawshank Redemption can be rated above this is beyond me. This is a classic film that will only grow as a cultural cinematic icon as it ages.
The Shining
(1980)
Scariest film I've ever seen
30 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
As a kid this film scared me more than an other. The bike sequences with the two dead girls speaking to Danny still freak me the hell out. Stanley Kubrick directs this film masterfully. Insanity, claustrophobia, psychosis and dark mythology are all rolled into one to deliver an incredible film. The acting is brilliant.
BoJack Horseman
(2014–2020)
Pretty good show
30 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Bojack Horseman is quite funny, absorbing and deep. It's major downfall is it's sometimes mundane obsession with celebrity culture that is blanketed by the fact that every character is a different animal in a human language world. The celebrity appearances feel overused at times as well. Nevertheless, there is quite intelligent subject matter and the storyline related to Bojack's childhood and subsequent personality defects are particularly engrossing.
30 Rock
(2006–2013)
A show about people making shows
30 October 2019
I can not think of anything more self absorbed or unimaginative than a show about people making shows. And yet, coming from Hollywood it is hardly surprising. I have involuntarily come across this show four to five times over a ten year period and each time I fail to make it past two minutes of viewing time. The so called 'jokes' seem more like inside views on Hollywood types and the way they interact with each other. The viewer laughs with Alec Baldwin because he's Alec Baldwin. Never has praise of comedic talent been so grossly overestimated. I could go on with this, but to put it simply the show is just not funny.
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