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Reviews
Tsotsi (2005)
This movie will change your life.
Tsotsi is a seriously graphic, violent movie that will change your life once you watch it. I was put off by the intensity of violence this movie had, and disgusted throughout most of the movie. The violence in this movie is different from a movie like Die Hard, mostly because of the location this movie takes place in and the believability of the actors. This movie takes place in an area that just looks trashy and is full of thugs and orphaned children. The main character Tsotsi has grown up in the worst conditions living in pipes, struggling for food and money. Unfortunately, he discovers violence as the only way to make a living. Throughout the movie Tsotsi lives a criminals life with a few friends they commit a murderous killing spree just to rob the victims. The characters are fearless with no remorse however one of the members becomes disgusted with the killing and calls the leader, Tsotsi out. Tsoti becomes enraged and nearly beats his friend to death. He flees to the neighboring town and commits the more crimes; car theft, attempted murder and kidnapping an infant. The movie becomes more disturbing from here. Tsotsi has no idea how to care for a baby causing the baby pain and suffering. He then decides to force a toddlers mother to breast feed the kidnapped baby at gun point. Amazingly, they take to each other and she continues to care for the baby. Tsotsi begins to change his opinions on the way he is living his life and becomes more genuine and friendlier in his crimes. Instead of killing an innocent man he protects him against his friends. He gives a homeless man some cash and then decides to pay for the milk the female acquaintance is feeding the baby. Although Tsotsi changes his ways at the end of the movie it is not enough to recommend this movie.
The Whole Shootin' Match (1978)
Not the best film.
The Whole Shootin' Match is a decent movie that has many flaws. The director has a captivating story and theme to the movie, however the continued hardships of the main characters becomes exhausting to watch. I found the soundtrack to this film very entertaining, and alive. I think it is one of the focal points of this film. There were many scenes of this film that I found hard to watch or just distasteful; the first being the unnecessary whipping of Frank's son TJ. Frank decides that TJ could not keep his bike he received as a gift from Olan because Frank was weary of Olan's intent. When TJ learns he cannot keep the bike he begins to cry, but Frank being the tough man decides to whip TJ to give him something to cry about, and the sound is stomach turning. After this scene I found Frank's character more unlikeable for the remainder of the movie. The majority of this movie centers on Frank's misfortunes, bad decisions and adultery. It is very aggravating to watch Frank's wife strive to be a dedicated mother, lover and homemaker for a man that has no respect for her or himself. He cheats on her in the movie with his friend Lloyd after an argument he has with her over the bike and Olan. Another, awkward and somewhat disturbing scene is the bar fight that takes place in the women's bathroom and then moves to the center of the bar. Instead of Frank and Lloyd breaking the fight up they instead grab a female and the winner of the fight and leave the bar for other entertainment. Eventually, Frank decides to apologize to his wife and swears that he will change, but later you see him with another movie having more than a drink. Frank also uses his friend Lloyd for money. When Frank does come across money instead of putting it to good use he decides to buy a car and suit that he does not need. I really found this movie more annoying than enjoyable but I do feel the director captures the essence of living poorly along with struggling to make ends meet. Overall this movie is bearable but I wouldn't put the effort into renting this movie.
Gabbeh (1996)
Not worth the time.
Gabbeh, is a very different film from other movies I have seen. I did not enjoy this movie as much as I thought I would. This movie requires focus from the viewer if you missed five minutes or did not give full attention to the beginning of this movie you would be lost. There are three main actors in this film but two of them are playing the same character at different times in the film. This movie revolves around an elderly couple washing a rug that displays the heritage and life of the female's family. As they wash the rug the younger version of the female appears, and begins to tell her long heart wrenching story of being in love with a man that she could not marry. The girl is very sad that her dad will not give her permission to marry the man she is in love with. He stalls the approval and wedding ceremony by telling her that she will have to wait until her middle aged uncle gets married. However, her uncle had many criteria's that had to be met before he would take any female as his wife. They ended up searching everywhere until finally they found his match by a stream. Her celebrations are short lived because her dad makes another stipulation. The older version of her lover begins to question the young female claims of actually being in love with him in the past. He does it in the most peculiar voice which I found captivating, but it did little to keep my interest. The scenery was also beautiful throughout the movie, the colors and the way it was showcased was fascinating. I did enjoy some of the cultural details in this movie and found the rug making fascinating, but I do not feel that watching the experience was enough to recommend this movie.
Days of Heaven (1978)
Avoidable movie.
Days of Heaven, is a far reach from an excellent movie. I found this movie long, overdrawn and an eyesore in film. The actors did their jobs well with the characters they were given, however I would have preferred a story that was easy to understand. The characters played by Gere and Adams are mysterious since they are lovers, but tell people they are siblings. In a way it is sickening to watch them together knowing that they want people to believe they are something false. Involved in this lie is Gere's younger sister, the worst part of her character is the voice she uses to narrate the story. At times it feels like listening to nails on a chalkboard but after a while you become familiar with it and move on. The movie takes an unfortunate twist when Adams marries the farmer they are working for while still continuing her love with Gere. The director does capture the beautiful scenery of the farms, the house and machinery. I found this movie was worth watching just to see the beautiful landscapes along with the life of living on a farm. The imagery made the film very real and easy to get lost in. Although the movie scenery is beautiful this film is still full of evil as the main characters commit murder, adultery, and robbery. After Adams realizes that she fancies the farmer's character more than Gere's she attempts to end it with Gere, but he continues with persistence. Eventually, the farmer discovers his wife is cheating on him with her 'brother' and insanity begins. A fire breaks out and nearly traps the works as they are attempting to extinguish it. A tractor continues to work while entirely engulfed in flames. The scene with the fire is just awesome. It is beautiful and one of the most beautiful scenes out of the film. I would not recommend this movie unless one wanted to get a quick glimpse of the scenery and fire.
Simón del desierto (1965)
Comedy with religion at its best!
Simon of the Desert is a wonderful and tasteful depiction between good versus evil. I enjoyed this movie although it had it slow parts and was hard to sit through at the very beginning. The film starts off with Simon standing on a pillar after dedicating years of his life to praying for everyone sins a crowd has formed around him to move him to a new pillar to continue his dedication. Simon is very hard on his self and sometimes relents to physical torture to show his loyalty to god with hopes that he forgives the rest of the people. This movie then becomes comedic once one of Simon's miracles gives a thief his hands back. Once this person has hands again the first thing he does is smack one of his children and drags them out of the crowd formed around Simon. The director then showcases the devils mysterious ways by casting a young female as the Satan. She attempts to lure Simon off his pillar to join her in celebration of the devils life by exposing her breast to him. He refuses and she vanishes, but returns throughout the movie in different characters. Simon portrays himself as a loyal disciple of God, but judges everyone who comes to the pillar to feed him or ask for a miracle. I found Simon as the ultimate hypocrite. The film is full of suspense after Satan makes his first appearance. Mostly because Satan can appear in Simon's dreams and day dreaming at any time in the most mysterious ways. He enjoys sending beautiful nudes to see Simon to persuade him to the dark side. The movie then moves forward showing Simon and the female in a different period partaking in smoking, drinking and dancing. I felt the overall theme for this movie is atheism. It is obvious the director does not believe in God after watching this movie. I would recommend this film to anyone who loves to watch the conflicts between being Christian and atheist.
Cléo de 5 à 7 (1962)
Varda's masterpiece!
Agnes Varda's masterpiece Cleo from 5 to 7 is a lovely film that captures the essence of life. This film is shot to capture real time of the main character Cleo, a famous singer struggling with the news that she might have terminal cancer. The film begins with Cleo being told her fortune. She continues to be appalled by the cards she is dealt. When she leaves the fortune tellers residence the scenes soar with uncontrollable emotion. Varda further captures the rawness of Cleo's fate as she films Cleo walking down the steps in a somber trance. Cleo then meets her maid/ assistant, Angele at a restaurant and continues to pout about the agony of having terminal cancer. Surprisingly, Angele is not as friendly as one would expect her to be considering she is on Cleo's payroll. Angele continues to order Cleo around as if she were a child making Cleo's character weak and pitiful throughout the film. Midway through the film Cleo becomes fed up with Angele and her musician friends. She storms out of the rehearsal wearing a fitted black dress in all natural vibe. I felt this was the turning point in the movie where she quits feeling sorry for herself, and sets out on a voyage to see life as Florence and not her show business character Cleo. Varda does wonders capturing the close ups and essence of Cleo's life while waiting for the news from her doctor. Varda's directing allows the audience to become a part of the movie. I started to think what would I do if I had terminal cancer, how would I act. I also enjoyed the props and simplicity of this film. It was easy to follow, and although it was in black and white I found it more dramatic then I would if it were in color. In addition, the waiting made this film very suspenseful and captivating for the viewer. Overall, I would recommend this film to anyone.
It's Always Fair Weather (1955)
A true comedy and musical!
**Spoiler alert*** This movie is hilarious and fun. The only part of this film I did not enjoy was the singing spectacle showcased at the very beginning of this film. It occurs after one of the characters learns his lover and the girl he planned on marrying has moved on to a different guy upon his return from the war. It was awkward, confusing and annoying watching the silliness of this scene. After this horrible scene is finished the movie begins to strengthen with a plot and is easier on the eyes. It's Always Fair Weather, is a classic example of Hollywood cinema. It showcased comedy, drama and in a way that one from the audience could actually see happening in their own life. A quick recap of the plot shows three soldiers who are the best of friends return to the states from war to separate and begin living their lives in the United States. After a serious discussion with the bartender the friends make a pack that they will still be friends in ten years, and will return to the bar to prove the bartender wrong in ten years. Ten years pass and the friends keep their pact, but quickly realize they are no longer the same people. It becomes very entertaining to watch each friend sing about how horrible their friends are, and how they wish they were somewhere else. Drama soon unfolds as a shows writer attempts to bring these guys together while under the impression they are all still friends. This soon proves catastrophic and almost unimaginable, but yet it happens. The show ends in an unforeseeable climax keeping the suspense and action unbearable and provides a small love story. Overall this movie has a great theme and is hilarious to watch. I would recommend this movie to anyone looking for a great laugh that also enjoys musicals.
Gojira (1954)
Gorjia does not disappoint
** Spoiler alert** One of the best action, horror films of all time. I greatly enjoyed Gojira and I highly recommend this film over any remakes. Ishiro Honda captures everything from suspense to fear and displays good quality props. Gojira begins with suspense as a Japanese vessel mysteriously encounters a mechanical failure and disappears. Another Japanese vessel is deployed with hopes of finding the other ship, but it also disappears. The suspense builds with one of the worst storms hitting the island, but many islanders are skeptical that what they experienced was not a storm. The town is soon confronted with the great island monster, Gojira, the cause of the previous storm. Fear is quickly spread throughout the island while monster continues to destruct the cities. I found the destruction and mayhem during this time very realistic. In addition, a great deal of time and effort was put into the props especially since the monster is not as cheesy as one would imagine. The movie thickens as one of the main characters is torn between two loves. She is challenged with telling the other love of her life that she plans to marry their friend, but is unable to under the circumstances caused by Gojira. She soon becomes challenged by keeping her past love's invention a secret knowing that it could save the cities and many lives. Meanwhile, the military is attempting to put the monster out of service through any method. It is almost comedic the way the military attempts to kill Gorjia with electric lines and gun fire, but it also captures the struggles and disbelief the citizens are facing with their failed attempts of eliminating the monster. The frustration is very apparent of the people. In fact many of them give up in out running the monster and pray with their families as he kills them. The movie comes to an epic finale with the inevitable death of the island monster. This is one of the best movies I have seen of this time and period. It is worth watching more than once.
Paisà (1946)
Fantastic Italian Neo-Realism
**spoiler alert** Paisa is a vivid example of Italian Neo-Realism. I found this movie interesting, but also very heart wrenching, and sad thorough out most of the film. The film first captures the audience with a bar fight between two females fighting over a soldier. Then quickly moves to a different scene of soldiers being welcomed to town by a group of locals. The plot thickens as one of these soldiers is welcomed upstairs by a youthful female for water. They begin speaking but their time is cut short due to the soldiers duties, but it is very clear that these characters are already mesmerized by each other. Without skipping a beat, the movie quickly jumps to another plot of a women attempting to find her husband during a war. I feel that Rossellini captures the realism here with the staging of the scene. The war has ravaged most of the town's buildings creating a "ghost town", and the hysteria of the people is shown as they move through the town fearful of their lives. The black and white shooting of this film helps display a dark, critical time in the everyday lives of the soldiers and commoners. The buildings are falling apart; the paver's show stains of blood, the soldiers wait in suspense for another battle. The film continues to showcase drama, and intensifies as the women faces not knowing if her loved one is alive or deceased. Although, she hears different stories of her husband's location and details she continues seeking help from soldiers and a friend after hiding with commoners inside a building. The film remains suspenseful and shows the lady finding her husband, but sees her friend hurt in the process. After all of this the film returns to the first "love story", but ultimately ends horribly due to the war. This film is one of the best war movies I have seen. Although it jumps to different stories each one is related due to the war; showcasing the effects war has on our species.
Stranger on the Third Floor (1940)
Great movie!!
***Spoiler alert*** Stranger on the Third Floor is an intriguing movie. The film depicts a lot of chiaroscuro and keeps with the black and white film throughout the movie. The plot is very suspenseful and comedic keeping the audience interested. The plot is very understandable and easy to follow. A man lives in this apartment with an annoying neighbor who is always on his case. The man makes his feelings heard about his nuisance of a neighbor which complicates his life after being a witness in court. After leaving court and returning home he realizes something has changed with his annoying neighbor and sees this awkward character leaving the residence. From this point forward his life is in turmoil's and he is accused on horrible acts of violence due to some of the word exchanged with his neighbor. To capture the main character struggling with his conscience the film shows him experiencing flashbacks and dreams during REM sleep. He confesses to his girlfriend the sighting of this stranger, and she searches throughout the area to validate his story. She eventually finds this creepy bugged eye character with a white scarf around his neck. After realizing the man she loves is telling the truth she then begins to risk her life for his freedom. The plot thickens the more she speaks with the creepy stranger, and continues to builds an incredible intensity. There are props for this film but nothing is spectacular, it is made to look like a town with a metro, courthouse etc... I believe it helps showcase the acting of the amazing characters. Overall, I would say this is a movie to see. I was not disappointed at all through the movie and amazingly laughed quite a lot through the film.
Metropolis (1927)
Best movie ever.
Fritz Lang's The Complete Metropolis is one of the best silent movies of all time. This film was the most expensive of its time and it really pays off, but it is a shame that it was mostly overlooked back in the day. I had the opportunity of watching this film in a screening series and I am so happy that I was able to have that opportunity. I had never heard of this spectacular movie before this, and I can't believe it has taken this long. The movie overall was exciting and haunting at times. The characters were showcased by superb acting and it is very apparent throughout the film the immense skills each actor contains. The film loses no points on acting or over dramatization. The film contains many crazy scenes; it is almost like being inside crazy persons head for a day. The plot is intense and suspenseful; you stay on your toes the entire screening. In addition, this films score is awesome, everything is fast pace, but you still continue to feel like you are in the movie. One of the main characters Hel is just intense throughout the movie and captures the facial expressions of a sadistic human being. I found it very interesting to watch her in the movie because she looked possessed each time she was filmed. When thinking about the time period when this movie was made it is almost remarkable to think that one could accomplish so much with little technology that we have today. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone. I greatly enjoyed it and look forward to watching it again soon. This is one of the best movies of all time, and I can easily choose this movie over big newer block buster's such as Avatar. Watch this movie you will not be sorry the visuals, props, expressions are worth everything!
Bronenosets Potyomkin (1925)
Okay, but not awesome.
***spoiler alert*** Battleship Potemkin, directed by Sergi Eisenstein is a very powerful silent movie. The movie showcases man rising up against authority. This film has many props, and close ups that allow the audience to get emotionally involved. Many of these close-ups are disturbing and almost give the feeling like parts of this movie should be in a horror film. The director captures the coldness and machinery feeling of the battleship with other close-ups of the props. For example, the everyday routine of the semen is show cased and also read out in the card inputs. In addition, this film also showcases authority figures overseeing the semen and attempting to control their emotions and outburst. After a revolt, this movie continues to build on suspense showcasing the machinery of the boat with workers on deck along with a very serious and suspenseful score. Although, this film contains action and suspense it does have many slow points almost making this film dreadful to watch for the impatient. There are many scenes in particular that could be shortened such as the machinery scenes and the scene of morning for a lost comrade. However, there are many scenes that capture an immense amount of emotion from the audience. The assault on the public is almost too much to watch, and shows many acts of murder. Mostly gruesome and heart wrenching acts of violence are filmed while showing the slaughtering of the public. Making this movie one that an audience roots for the underdog to overtake the town and authority figures. Towards the end, the suspense is so intense that it is a seat clinching unavoidable hope for the town and its people. This movie is overall good, but does include many slow parts that almost make it a sleeper. I would recommend seeing this movie at least once as it does contain a very powerful message to the viewer.
True Heart Susie (1919)
Awesome Silent Movie!!
***Spoiler alert*** D.W. Griffith's, True Heart Suzie is one of the best silent movies I have seen. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a comedic love story. I was amazed by how much I and the audience became involved with this simple but hilarious silent movie. The plot is centered on a girl and boy who are childhood friends but the girl has a crush on the boy and falls deeply in love with him without the boy ever noticing. The boy goes to college and surprises the girl in many ways. Some of the surprises actually break her heart, but she amazingly continues to keep her love for her childhood friend. I found the acting superb, especially Lillian Gish, the girl in love with her childhood friend. Her face was similar to looking at a porcelain doll through the entire movie and although the film was completely silent, I could still form a tear as I watched her heart break. I found this film very translucent in the fact that it can easily relate to many people at one point in their life. I thought the close up of Lillian Gish was a phenomenal move by D. W. Griffith. I also felt that her acting was the best throughout the movie. The film spotlighted simplicity by the acting and by the props used. It was very easy to follow unlike some other silent movies of this time and had a great message of never give up on love. I was very happy with the ending of this film; it was almost like watching a fairytale such as 'Cinderella' but in the early 1900s. This movie had more comedy than heartfelt love story action, which I think many guys would prefer. Overall, this movie is a great piece of work, by Griffith, and recommended for any audience.
Hypocrites (1915)
Not the best silent film
****Warning spoiler alert**** Lois Weber's, Hypocrites is a silent film that debuts a powerful message of corruption. I would not recommend this film to an audience that prefers action and suspense from the start of the film. I do like some silent films, but I believe that the audience must be a big fan of Lois Weber's work and the message of this film to enjoy the movie. I found that this movie's message is dragged out longer than needed, past the point of unbearable. Additionally, the acting in areas was over dramatic and did not help the plot in my opinion. For example, the priest attempting to emphasize the truth's importance in the church and with the sculpture set an excessive mood. I found the film was very difficult and could not grasp my full attention although it had many eye catching scenes. Especially, the scene displaying the sculpture; Instead of a quick gathering forming around the sculpture, there are minutes devoted to showing the people who gather to witness the unveiling. Most of these people are just standing around with questionable facial expressions. This scene does not just pan through the crowd of people once, but it pans through them at least twice showing the same movements, and suspense of the crowd. In addition, I felt the nudity in this moving was acceptable but perhaps not necessary. I thought that showing the female naked to symbolize the naked truth could almost be overlooked by the audience. After growing impatient with this films conclusion, I thought maybe the naked woman was an incentive for people to want to see this film. Although, I found more downfalls with this film I do feel this film did capture many new ways of directing and capturing motion picture. Overall, this movie is not one of my favorites and I would cringe, if forced to watch this film again.