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jrockwell
Reviews
Wild Things (1998)
Nice twists, but awful acting (POSSIBLE SPOILER)
I agree this film has nome nice twists. And Bill Murray is hysterical, but cmon, Dillon, Richards,and Campbell are some of the worst actors I've ever seen. Sure Richards and Campbell are beautiful, but there annoying and untalented. And Dillon? This guy couldn't act scared if you put a gun too his head. I'm sure he had no problem doing the threesome scene though.
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Bizzare Dream
Stanley Kubrick's (A clockwork Orange) is the filmmaker's most controversial film. The first half of the film it seems like your watching some sadistic young man's fantasy. And the second, his nightmare. The acting,direction,music,and cinematography are surreal. The truly disturbing aspect of this film is that I felt sorry for Alex. And although I thought it was brilliant in showing the governments hypocrociy, some things felt left out. How exactly did the writer's wife die? And what happened to pete? Its not kubricks best film, but its his most daring. *** out of ****
Hamburger Hill (1987)
Flawed, but it's better than (PLATOON) & (saving private ryan)
Realistic battle scenes,solid direction,and truthful view of combat,are the strengths of this film. I did think it was a bit boring at times. But the film boasts some memorable moments. The films last image, Steven weber's speech, and the (friendly fire) scene. It's not great, but at least it doesnt compromise like (saving private ryan) and (platoon). But people like GAZZO, and other sheep think war should be sugar-coated. HUH....thats a pity.
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Most powerful film i've ever seen
A two part segment look at the effect of the military and war. The first follows a group of recruits in basic training under the command of the uncomprimising Sgt. Hartman. The second half shows one of the recruits (joker) perfectly underplayed by mathew modine into vietnam. Stanley Kubricks visage is bleak and unforgettable,offering little hope and even less humanity. But thats what makes it the best and most original war film to date. The acting was outstanding. Visually stunning,creative dialouge based from the novel (short-timers). This film better than any other shows there are no heroes or glory in war. Just absurdity and fear. It doesnt ingratiate itself with the audience with melodramatic plotlines like (platoon) or (saving private ryan).
The Border (1982)
Solid,but rather predictable
Nicholson gives a great performance as a down and out border patrol officer,who's pushed to the edge by what he sees. The music is awful,so is the direction and cinematography. But the acting is great kietel,and Oates are genuine scumbags in this film and you believe it. The ending is sappy, but the film is worth watching for 2 scenes in particular, when Jack blows up at his wife for refurnishing their house. And when he confronts kietel, telling him he wants no part of his corruption. It's worth watching just for those 2 scenes, there brilliant. The film though is quite average.
Hannibal (2001)
Completley discusting!!!!!!!
Hopkins as usual is superb,and Julianne Moore was solid,in replacing Foster. But all of this was wasted due to an uneven plot,and really drawn out boring scenes. The Gore in this film is flat out repugnant enough to make you forget about the film all together. The Hog scenes and Ray liotta's death is enough to put you off of food for a while.
Platoon (1986)
Pretentious,predictible,and very overrated (POSSIBLE spoiler)
The film revolves around a young soldier (sheen) and his expierences in vietnam. First off, Sheen is a horrible actor,and is so annoying. Berenger and Dafoe are solid but the Good v.s Evil aspects they show are cliched and heavy-handed. And Dafoe's death scene didn't move me,it bothered me. The climactic battle is mostly strong,but it's ruined by the obvious conclusion. 10 MINUTES into the film you already know whats gonna happen. And if any viewer can't see that,then you need a seeing eye dog! You wanna see a truly powerful film,about military and war in general? Try kubrick's (full metal jacket). FMJ, IS BETTER ACTED,BETTER CRAFTED,MORE ORIGINAL,AND IT DOESN'T COP OUT LIKE THIS GARBAGE!!!!!! ** STARS out of ****
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Memorable but horribly flawed
Spielberg's (Saving Private Ryan) is both powerful and painfully maudlin. Spielberg's direction, and cinematography is great. But the absurdity of the plot,annoying actors particularly (ed burns & davies),really bring the film down. Way to long,and full of melodramatic dialouge. There are some great moments in the film, the opening 25 minutes, the scene where the nazi soldier slowly plunges a knife through the jewish soldiers chest,and few others. But much like (Platoon) it cops out , with predictible hero deaths and sentimental outcomes. If you want to see a true masterpiece of war or military in general, try kubrick's (full metal jacket). (I ENCOURAGE FEEDBACK ON MY REVIEW,prove too me (full metal jacket) isn't the best war film ever.)
Cape Fear (1991)
Deniro as annoying as ever
Im sorry but I find Robert De niro to be very overrated. He just annoys me, he seems to be the same type of charachter in every film. The only good performances he's been in are (the deer hunter)and the godfather part 2. But every other film he's in, he acts like some brooding tough guy, with those annoying mannurisems. Julitte lewis shows in this movie she has a modicum of talent,and can be quite attractive with the proper look. Nick Nolte is solid, Scorcese direction is okay,and the cinematography is decent, although a bit pretentious. Pretty much a waste.
Moving Violations (1985)
Overdone and silly,but it's hillarious!
This movie is cheesy, but come on it's hysterical. Bill Murray's brother is a hoot, Keach is funny too as the over the top officer. The scene that tears me up every time I see it is when Murray gets Keach so upset in class he reaches for his gun, only to be stopped by his partner. That had me rollin! Take it for what it is, and lightin up!
Lolita (1962)
Weird, but memorable
Stanley Kubrick's (Lolita), should be judged much like (Eyes wide Shut). Not great, but very good, almost like a vignette of small stories,and scenes. The acting was very good, Lyon,Winters,and Mason are solid. But this was Sellars film, the man has to be the greatest ad-libbed actor I have ever seen. That scene in the film where sellars doesn't reveal he's identity, while talking to mason is a masterpiece. As usual the cinematography,direction was second to none.
Apocalypse Now (1979)
VIETNAM ON ACID!!!!!!
Surreal, and wierd but still powerful. Sort of a dream like view of vietnam. Overlong for the most part unrealistc. Of coarse Duvall was memorable, Sheen was okay. But Brando was at his best here. The scene where he talks about an atrocity he had witnessed, was a masterpiece. Dennis Hopper is hilarious, and the cinematography beautiful. But, I still thought the rest of the guys on the boat were phoney, how did any of these guys make it in country? They were either stupid or drugged up! That made no sense. Still its an outstanding film, though kubricks (full metal jacket) is still the measuring stick for war films.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Greatest american film to date (possible spoilers)
Wonderfully acted,great story, and by the way anybody who says this film does the book injustice,is missing the point. There are so many memorable scenes in this picture. But these were the best EXAMPLES: when mac teaches martini to play blackjack,when mac gives his interview to the warden, and when mac tries to teach the chief to play basketball. Jack clearly shows why he's the greatest actor who ever lived. If not the best, certainly the most charismatic. The ending is both tragic and powerful. I do think the direction was lousy, but who cares? One of the few, almost perfect films.
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Most powerful film i've ever seen
A two part segment look at the effect of the military and war. The first follows a group of recruits in basic training under the command of the uncomprimising Sgt. Hartman. The second half shows one of the recruits (joker) perfectly underplayed by mathew modine into vietnam. Stanley Kubricks visage is bleak and unforgettable,offering little hope and even less humanity. But thats what makes it the best and most original war film to date. The acting was outstanding. Visually stunning,creative dialouge based from the novel (short-timers). This film better than any other shows there are no heroes or glory in war. Just absurdity and fear. It doesnt ingratiate itself with the audience with melodramatic plotlines like (platoon) or (saving private ryan).
The Children (1980)
Low Budget, but pretty creepy
I remember seeing this movie when it first came out. I was five, and it really gave me the heebie jeebis. That scene where that liitle boy tries to play hide go seek with his zombie brother,is one of the most eerie scenes, I've ever seen. Dont get me wrong it was amatuer night,most of the way. But some really memorable scenes,and a twisted ending. Make it a tiny cult favorite. ** stars out of ****
Natural Born Killers (1994)
90's clockwork orange
This film is very disturbing, in the same way kubricks ACO is. Your supposed to feel sympathy for this sadistic couple, and there made to be victims. Problem is, Alex never wanted to kill his victims, unlike mikey & mallorey. You feel nothing for there charachters because they are truly evil. The acting is lousy, except tommy lee jones as a hillarius warden. Harrelson sleep walks through his role, and Lewis is (this) kind of charachter in every film she's in,even though I find her oddly beautiful. The images, and tone though, are very powerful and lingering. Despite being completley discusting this film is still interesting and thought provoking. Stone's best film is (born on the 4th of july) Natural born killers ** and half-out of ****
True Romance (1993)
UNDERRATED CLASSIC
This film is by far , better than NBK'S, for one main reason acting. The scene between hopper and walken has become legendary. One wonders if walken spent the rest of the film at a library. The scene with a stoned brad pitt giving the gangsters inept directions, is hysterical. Pitt's charachter, despite being a minor role, spins an ironic pattern which climaxes the film. The direction,and cinematography is awful though. But story wise? acting wise?...perfect.
Tour of Duty (1987)
Arguably the best drama of the 80's
I cant help watching this show and wondering, if it was edited to an half an hour show, it would have been brilliant. There were to many melodramatic side plots, overracting, meaningless romances that truly hamstringed the show. Delany,Weathers,and Dye's characters really annoyed me. But the worst said, this film produced some haunting images. EXAMPLES: when a soldier almost suffocating a baby to death,in order to keep it quiet from the enemy, or when a young soldier collects ears of dead enemy soldirs. Considering the censors, thee show was rather graphic and harsh in depicting combat, but very real. At times this show was extremly grim, the last episode of the series being very depressing. Terence Knox,who played the sarge was probably consistently the best actor. The best scene in the show was when the sarge while back home for vacation, tells this young recruit at a drive-in, what nam was really like. The best part of the series was the 1st season it was more gritty and focused. The music by joseph conlon is superb,espicially the music over the final credits, with the soldiers walking on a hill, its very moving. SO overall? maybe the best drama of the 80's, though crime story is close.
Brazil (1985)
WHhhhat?
Gilliam has a talented eye, but no substance.This movie is extremly boring and pretentious. The cinematography is stunning,but the story is so overdone and weird, it comes across as a fake mess. The movie overwhelms you so much visually that it saps your interest in the story. Nice try gilliam, but your no kubrick.
The Shining (1980)
ROBJO,GET A CLUE!!!!!
I'm not a kubrick sheep, although I think he was an original talent. The film Is'nt really scary, your right its more eerie than anything. But the acting was perfect it set the mood,along with the music,and the cinematography. Kubrick didnt stay true to the book because s/x werent advanced enough. This movie uses king's story as a backdrop. I cant stand these bookworms like ROBJO, WHO FEEL EVERY MOVIE ADAPTED FROM A NOVEL SHOULD always be faithful. Last I looked king didnt create an elevtor full of blood,or the image of 2 ghostly twins, kubrick did. Lets face it ROBJO, YOU'LL never forget this movie....forever..and ever..and ever.
Day of the Dead (1985)
this movie is very funny!
Forget the story, this film has the most unintentsional funny character I have ever seen Capt. Rhoades. He steals every scene, he's so over the top. I was laughing hysterically at he's attempts to be menacing. The ultimate (so bad..its good)
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Most powerful film i've ever seen
A two part segment look at the effect of the military and war. The first follows a group of recruits in basic training under the command of the uncomprimising Sgt. Hartman. The second half shows one of the recruits (joker) perfectly underplayed by mathew modine into vietnam. Stanley Kubricks visage is bleak and unforgettable,offering little hope and even less humanity. But thats what makes it the best and most original war film to date. The acting was outstanding. Visually stunning,creative dialouge based from the novel (short-timers). This film better than any other shows there are no heroes or glory in war. Just absurdity and fear. It doesnt ingratiate itself with the audience with melodramatic plotlines like (platoon) or (saving private ryan).
The Day After (1983)
Depressing,ironic film
The film revolves around (world war 3) and its effect on the midwest. The first half of the film is overwrought and slow. While the second displays some haunting images. Robards,Young,and Lithgow give sturdy performances.And the direction,cinematography,and dark irony, also help. Dont be surprised if some scenes stick with you for a while.