Reviews

As I'm not a fan of Japanese animation I went it to see the film with some suspicion that I might not enjoy it, but as the story started to unfold I couldn't believe I was ever thinking about not watching this film. It has to be one of the best animated films I've seen for a long time in terms of thoughtfully constructed plot and dazzling effects.

It is also a welcome change from the CGI animation that came with the Toy Storys and more recently Finding Nemo, although the animation isn't as believable as those created by Pixar they are still a work of art. Being the first time I'd seen a Hayao Miyazaki film I didn't know what to expect and now intend on watching a few of his older films like Princess Mononoke.

Although partly produced by Walt Disney there is no sign of the usual sentimentality that they enjoy filling with films such as Pocahontas and Treasure Planet. I really do recommend this film to anybody no matter what age you are even if you're not a big fan of Japanese animation. Some smaller touches towards the end of the film which really make it worth while watching, is the interactions between the mouse and bird!

Even though 'Spirited Away' can be just seen as an enjoyable film the underlying messages about love conquering all and the dangers of greed and sloth are examined within.

Now that I've got your attentions I would like to point out that I have seen hundreds and hundreds of films over the years and would also like to point out that this film has to be one of the worst I've seen. What's even worse is the fact I paid good money to see this film with a mate. To be honest I knew what I was letting myself in for as I only went to see it because my friend wanted to. For all those people who actually like this film a question for you WHY!!?!? The first main area I'm going to address is the "homage" to "Duel" which is so eloquently written by another IMDB user. I have to say that I haven't laughed so hard in a long time at how awfully bad this was directed. For anybody who had seen Duel will know that Spielberg's major debut is a suspenseful film which is more than can be said for this travesty of film-making. The acting like with any horror film is never oscar material but for this the characters were so wooden and lifeless you didn't care whether they were killed or not. Overall this is of miniscule interest and just goes to show that all Hollywood studios are after is money which is even more evident now that the originally titled Jeepers Creepers 2 is out soon.

This film starts off like so many others with a couple on holiday in a remote and utterly stunning background, usually in Asia. Unlike the rest this film explores the contrast of Thailand from the picturesque beaches for relaxing and gazing as the sun sets to the other extreme. It begins slowly letting the audience be encaptured by the swaying palm trees and secluded spots and then accelerates into a excellent drama about the redemption of a man. The location shots are something to revel in as they bring out the raw beauty of Thailand.

Featuring an ex Eastenders star could have made this film go from beauty to action thriller a matter of minutes but neither the director or the actors portray any sense of improbability. The plot is closely driven to show the change that Thailand has gone under.

Everything considered this makes refreshing watching compared with the Hollywood rota changing between the very sentimental and the very action packed. With its underlying message this film shows that nothing is truly pure and that things only last for a short time.

Grade B

Very few films have the ability to make you think and care about the subject the film is about and who it affects. This is quite the opposite of 'Bowling for Columbine' which deals, in an adult way, about American's perception of guns. What makes this film above other documentaries is the sublimely black comedy used throughout making you chuckle at the stupidity of the American's. After the introduction the film holds no bars and subjects us to mind boggling figures about the gun toting USA.

The compassion shown by writer/director Michael Moore is astonishing, the way he puts forward his opinions and backs up every point makes us feel more and more involved. Few people would have the skill to make such a controversial topic into a provocative and interesting film.

Seeing Charlton Heston in this light - a pro-gun, unsympathetic monster - makes you see him as a totally different person from his days of chariot racing in Ben Hur. His attitude is shocking and distressing as his little regard for the Columbine shooting where he organized a pro-gun rally shortly after.

A very watchable film and one of the first for a long while where the cinema was packed on my viewer of a film that wasn't with the mainstream order. It'll change your thinking about mindless violence on TV and blockbuster films from mindless fun to deep consideration that we live in a film that is full of terrors especially the threat of guns - in America of course.

Grade A

As with every film ever made there are those who like that film and those who don't like it for whatever reason. What most people don't understand when reviewing films is that different people enjoy different types of film. An invisible barrier seperates these two factions of people and very few can actually understand that even if they hated a given film every person has the right to an opinion. After reading numerous comments from Taxi Driver it finally clicked that people need to be more tolerant towards others and that just because somebody didn't enjoy it doesn't make it a bad film. What makes a great film is that an overwhelming majority of people who have seen it enjoyed it. Now getting back to Taxi Driver, this film is absolutely outstanding and is one of the key turning points of 70's films. I can understand that people may not warm to the violence and unfriendly look at modern life but few can deny that this isn't a well made film.

The standard of acting from Robert De Niro and to a lesser extent Jodie Foster is remarkable and very few actors would have the natural ability to become Travis Bickle as De Niro does. What I find noteworthy of the best of De Niro's films is the way he tries so exceptionally hard to become that role. For example in preparation for this role he actually got a cab license and would drive around and pick people up. Other examples of this is in The Untouchables where he even got Al Capone's tailor to dress him.

The film is deservedly one of the greatest ever made and ranks very high if not at the top of the best films of the 70's even when there is the likes of The Godfathers, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and others to contend with.

With repeated viewing especially now it is hard to understand why Hollywood strayed from this standard of film making and went into the over the top and abismally made which has dogged the cinemas every since. Taxi Driver marks the up and coming stars - De Niro and Foster and also one of the only remaining talents of directing of the noughties Marty Scorsese. Although dark and disturbing this is a pinnacle film and I can't recommend this film enough.

Grade A*

A major question pops into my head when I think of the long running horror franchise films such as Friday the 13th (currently on 10) and Nightmare on Elm Street (currently on 7). This question is why do we need more sequels or put more bluntly why do we need more remakes of the original film but with a slightly different touch, like a new setting or a new group of people to kill.

As you can tell I didn't like this film at all, as the cast were utterly predictable and there were numerous sorry excuses for actors especially rapper turned actor Busta Rhymes. The plot is basically a repeat of the previous sequels and the climax is nothing short of rubbish.

Who this film is meant to be aimed to is as much of a mystery as the mind of David Lynch. Overall this film was utter tripe showing that after an unimpressive series they really should pay some one to bury all known copies of these films and save the world of the future from seeing Halloween 1,569 and Jason Comes Back from the Dead Again 200!

Grade F

While reading other users comments on this film it was hard to comprehend the difference in opinions. For one I was reading was stating that it was utter sap, and a note to that user well done for plagiarizing what Lisa said in The Simpsons, and others claiming it was an outstanding example of modern cinema. Although I have no problem with different people adding their opinion I would like to think that they would have the decency to back them up.

Now getting to my opinion, I was blown away when I first watched American Beauty, mainly because it was a refreshing and not just another piece of cliched Hollywood. This film wasn't just good it was above that and in a league with the real greats like The Godfather, Fargo and dare I say it - Citizen Kane. The reason for this film being such a triumph is due to all the aspects combining exquisitly to make a near flawless film. These being the acting, a superb collection of actors featuring the likes of Kevin Spacey (on top form), Annette Bening (also on top form) and supported by the likes of Thora Birch, Wes Bently and Mena Suvari. The movement of the camera is a homage to the director and cinematography and the script is an accomplishment rarely seen since the late 80's. I just hope that Hollywood continue to support Sam Mendes and that we are priveleged to see another piece of his work in the near future that is on par with American Beauty.

Grade: A