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Film The Redcafe Movie review thread
- Thread starter golden_blunder
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I was also watching The Guily yesterday. I thought it was very good. I have also not seen the Danish original (which apparently is much better), but I thought the acting and narrative development was really strong in this version. I also love how you basically only see Gyllenhaal all film (with some others working in the 911 centre); all other main characters are only on the phone. Very intense and I though well done. I'm quite curious how the Danish version clearly tops that.
The Boy in the Striped Pjamas
A tale of innocent friendship between 2 eight years old boys during the Holocaust. My daughter kept telling me to watch it and after a year or so I finally gave it a whirl (not a fan of Holocaust/War Films).
Seems to be set around Auschwitz and shows how kids are the innocent victims of war without them understanding the hatred that existed towards the Jewish people.
It is a sad fIlm but also an uplifting movie centred around innocent boys from different backgrounds who just wanted to be together.
8/10
A tale of innocent friendship between 2 eight years old boys during the Holocaust. My daughter kept telling me to watch it and after a year or so I finally gave it a whirl (not a fan of Holocaust/War Films).
Seems to be set around Auschwitz and shows how kids are the innocent victims of war without them understanding the hatred that existed towards the Jewish people.
It is a sad fIlm but also an uplifting movie centred around innocent boys from different backgrounds who just wanted to be together.
8/10
Team America: World Police
Rewatched this for the first time since 2004. I'd forgotten how brilliant and hilarious it was. Probably makes it into my top 10 comedies of all time. Still relevant today. 9/10
Malignant
Creates a decently creepy atmosphere. Has some watchable action scenes. Falls short in pretty much every other department. 4/10
Rewatched this for the first time since 2004. I'd forgotten how brilliant and hilarious it was. Probably makes it into my top 10 comedies of all time. Still relevant today. 9/10
Malignant
Creates a decently creepy atmosphere. Has some watchable action scenes. Falls short in pretty much every other department. 4/10
The Rental & The Open House. May as well review them together as they're both equally shit. It is amazing how two bafflingly pointless, plot-devoid films got made. The Rental, despite being marginally better, is actually much worse because it also expects you to suspend your belief and accept that Alison Brie could ever possibly be someone's second choice. All in all, two unoriginal horror films that take forever to get where they're going and then give you absolutely no payoff at the end of it. I assume the writers for both these movies forgot that films need an ending that at least attempts to tie up the rest of the movie. A generous 1/10 because one of the movies had Alison Brie in it, though I've already forgotten which one.
Something I did find curious about Blunt's character is that despite
1) nearly being blown up by a house bomb, 2) nearly getting gunned down at the border and actually killing a federale, 3) nearly being strangled to death by a dude she about fecked, and 4) taking a bullet to the vest when she could have been whacked
And there probably will be a third focusing around the teen sicario. Because why not?
Yeah, that's what I meant with her not learning anything. Her outlook on things seems to be exactly as it was at the start of the film when Brolin first speaks with her.
I haven't seen the second film, I'm curious where it goes. Its director is certainly also interesting. But given Pt 1 and the plot summary of Pt 2 that I've read, I am expecting it to be a grim thriller like so many, just well made.
The Many Saints of Newark
I went in with high hopes and was let down somewhat. Not a terrible film but just not well pieced together. Transitions just seemed off. Seems more like they could have made this a short series for HBO or Netflix and delved further into his childhood, his teens years, and as he eventually enters the mob life (which they probably will force feed a second movie to do such). I did find it interesting how death and violence permeates in a child who is reared in this type of family environment.
I went in with high hopes and was let down somewhat. Not a terrible film but just not well pieced together. Transitions just seemed off. Seems more like they could have made this a short series for HBO or Netflix and delved further into his childhood, his teens years, and as he eventually enters the mob life (which they probably will force feed a second movie to do such). I did find it interesting how death and violence permeates in a child who is reared in this type of family environment.
I downloaded it from a torrent site I use
I gave up that life
still use them for some stuff.I gave up that life
Not bad, not great......just MEH.....the ending was disappointing and I didn't really understand the whole point of the film.
Jungle Cruise
I know this is aimed at a younger audience but I really didn't enjoy this all that much. The Rock was doing what he always does, Emily Blunt was excellent as usual. There were a couple of good spots but I was yawning for the majority of this uninspiring adventure, even dozed off a couple of time. It ticks along fine, looks glossy and kids may enjoy it but what's the point showing them this when there are far better films in this space, like Indiana Jones or the original Pirate of the Caribbean? I've pretty much forgotten the entire film and I only watched it a couple of days ago 4/10
The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard
I kind of enjoyed the first one of these but this was a lot more generic and I don't know why it exists beyond being a cash grab. There were a couple of funny moments but beyond that, it was just a dull action movie. Ryan Reynolds was the only reason this was bearable. I didn't realize how annoying Salma Hayek is as well. She was unbearable in this movie 4/10
Free Guy
Now this is my kind of blockbuster. Really cool action set pieces, funny, interesting concept and a little bit of depth thrown in. I had an absolute blast and wished there was more when it finished. Plus, any movie that ends with a Mariah Carey song puts me in a good mood 8/10
I know this is aimed at a younger audience but I really didn't enjoy this all that much. The Rock was doing what he always does, Emily Blunt was excellent as usual. There were a couple of good spots but I was yawning for the majority of this uninspiring adventure, even dozed off a couple of time. It ticks along fine, looks glossy and kids may enjoy it but what's the point showing them this when there are far better films in this space, like Indiana Jones or the original Pirate of the Caribbean? I've pretty much forgotten the entire film and I only watched it a couple of days ago 4/10
The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard
I kind of enjoyed the first one of these but this was a lot more generic and I don't know why it exists beyond being a cash grab. There were a couple of funny moments but beyond that, it was just a dull action movie. Ryan Reynolds was the only reason this was bearable. I didn't realize how annoying Salma Hayek is as well. She was unbearable in this movie 4/10
Free Guy
Now this is my kind of blockbuster. Really cool action set pieces, funny, interesting concept and a little bit of depth thrown in. I had an absolute blast and wished there was more when it finished. Plus, any movie that ends with a Mariah Carey song puts me in a good mood 8/10
Ok. i think i will pass on watching it.
Belgica. Two brothers in Ghent decide to turn one of the brothers' bar into a nightclub. But the drama unfolds as the brothers, who are party animals themselves, now have to run a difficult business. I don't really know what to think of the film. It's a strong and pretty intense drama - but then it also feels a little too exaggerated and predictable. (Like: of course they eventually get back to the security company they reject at first, and what they feared would happen if they did that then does indeed happen.) it was OK I guess. Also, I can't follow this Ghent dialect for shit! It must be the first time I genuinely needed subtitles for a film in Dutch.
Also two kids films we watched recently.
Next Gen. An animated film in which a robot company launches its next household robot, but its main scientist doesn't trust things and builds the best robot ever to counter the new ones. This robot is then (accidentally) taken by a rebel teenager, who hates robots but befriends him - and so on and so forth, and the world ends up being saved. It's pretty entertaining, also for adults, but it's a bit difficult to place for kids. A lot of it worked for mine (both under 10), but the ending was too violent and dramatic for them. Probably better for (young) teenagers.
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. One of Robert Rodriguez's many kids films. Most of them are hit and miss in my opinion - but my kids tend to love them, so what do I know.
Same for this one - although I think it was actually quite strong all across. (But critics hated it. Again, what do I know!) A boy in 4th grade dreams up two superheroes and their adventures, is bullied for his daydreaming - but then everything is true and he is transported to a weird fantasy world, which he needs to save alongside the heroes. It's silly but kinda fun, and the story and action is pretty consistent. Sharkboy and Lavagirl return in We Can Be Heroes, in which there are a ton of obvious plot holes and unsuccessful dialogues - both of which I didn't see here. But I'm sure my kids will want to see We Can Be Heroes another dozen times (and we've seen it many times already), and won't come back to this one. Ah well - what do I etc.
Also two kids films we watched recently.
Next Gen. An animated film in which a robot company launches its next household robot, but its main scientist doesn't trust things and builds the best robot ever to counter the new ones. This robot is then (accidentally) taken by a rebel teenager, who hates robots but befriends him - and so on and so forth, and the world ends up being saved. It's pretty entertaining, also for adults, but it's a bit difficult to place for kids. A lot of it worked for mine (both under 10), but the ending was too violent and dramatic for them. Probably better for (young) teenagers.
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. One of Robert Rodriguez's many kids films. Most of them are hit and miss in my opinion - but my kids tend to love them, so what do I know.
Same for this one - although I think it was actually quite strong all across. (But critics hated it. Again, what do I know!) A boy in 4th grade dreams up two superheroes and their adventures, is bullied for his daydreaming - but then everything is true and he is transported to a weird fantasy world, which he needs to save alongside the heroes. It's silly but kinda fun, and the story and action is pretty consistent. Sharkboy and Lavagirl return in We Can Be Heroes, in which there are a ton of obvious plot holes and unsuccessful dialogues - both of which I didn't see here. But I'm sure my kids will want to see We Can Be Heroes another dozen times (and we've seen it many times already), and won't come back to this one. Ah well - what do I etc.I re-watched Carlitos Way last night. Al Pacino being Al Pacino. Sean Penn being not Sean Penn, quite brilliantly. Its aged very well, even with the 70s music and setting and cinematography, as it deals with themes around redemption and friendship that are timeless. Some of the set pieces are just as I remembered and deserve their iconic status. and of course theres Benny Blanco from the Bronx, remember him? has a character with such little screentime ever made such an impression?
It'sa meeee, Benny Blanco from the Bronx
John Leguizamo, and he's a good actor overall.
No time to die
Just finished watching it, it was good but unfortunately I could see things coming a mile off, along with the specifics as to how they happen
Whispers... I think they were trying too hard with equality and diversity. Sorry!! It's like every type of diversity had to be included
I'd say it was 7 or 8 out of 10, my bf who is more into JB than me was disappointed and only gave it a 5
If going to watch, I'd recommend rewatching Spectre beforehand to recap who everyone is etc
Just finished watching it, it was good but unfortunately I could see things coming a mile off, along with the specifics as to how they happen
Whispers... I think they were trying too hard with equality and diversity. Sorry!! It's like every type of diversity had to be included
I'd say it was 7 or 8 out of 10, my bf who is more into JB than me was disappointed and only gave it a 5
If going to watch, I'd recommend rewatching Spectre beforehand to recap who everyone is etc
it felt a bit like a film based on Covid with the whole killer virus concept. I know it was finished before then but I kept seeing it.
I got a bit lost at times, initially I thought Remi Malik character had twisted who the virus attacks to JB woman and child, and he'd passed it to them on kissing them but bar that I could see him dying by the poison coming along way off
Also I'm female but for me, while I've only really watched JB since Skyfall, I just don't think a female 007 will work, for me it has to be male. It just seems more fitting. By all means have another 00 female agent work with him on a mission ala Steve and Kate line of duty but I just don't think it would work and this is coming from a female perspective. I presume we received a preview of the next 007 in this
I got a bit lost at times, initially I thought Remi Malik character had twisted who the virus attacks to JB woman and child, and he'd passed it to them on kissing them but bar that I could see him dying by the poison coming along way off
Also I'm female but for me, while I've only really watched JB since Skyfall, I just don't think a female 007 will work, for me it has to be male. It just seems more fitting. By all means have another 00 female agent work with him on a mission ala Steve and Kate line of duty but I just don't think it would work and this is coming from a female perspective. I presume we received a preview of the next 007 in this
Rocketman, the Elton John musical biopic. It's a decent film, if a little too typical: a guy who's had a poor youth becomes mega succesful, can't deal with it, spirals down into a crash, and finds himself back in rehab.
As I found out afterwards, however, John's life wasn't actually that straightforward. His dad and first weren't so bad, his split from Taupin was for two albums in the late 70s while he went to rehab in 1990, the development of his career is cut short a lot, all the songs are played out of order, and since their lyrics are written by Taupin they are usually not about John. I felt cheated a bit when reading about all that; cause rather than depicting John's life, the story thus instead seems to take some cues from it, and then follows a couple of songs whose narrative together provides a nice dramatic arc.
That's a little weird, but the film does make sense in an impressionistic sort of way. It gives a good idea of John as a person, artist, and performer (which is pretty amazing!), and of his relationship with Taupin. So it's not all bad, and Taron Egerton is great playing John; but in the end, I wasn't too impressed. (It doesn't help that I'm not at all an Elton John fan, I suppose.)
As I found out afterwards, however, John's life wasn't actually that straightforward. His dad and first weren't so bad, his split from Taupin was for two albums in the late 70s while he went to rehab in 1990, the development of his career is cut short a lot, all the songs are played out of order, and since their lyrics are written by Taupin they are usually not about John. I felt cheated a bit when reading about all that; cause rather than depicting John's life, the story thus instead seems to take some cues from it, and then follows a couple of songs whose narrative together provides a nice dramatic arc.
That's a little weird, but the film does make sense in an impressionistic sort of way. It gives a good idea of John as a person, artist, and performer (which is pretty amazing!), and of his relationship with Taupin. So it's not all bad, and Taron Egerton is great playing John; but in the end, I wasn't too impressed. (It doesn't help that I'm not at all an Elton John fan, I suppose.)
Free Guy
Okay. Not as good as either of the Wreck It Ralph movies or even Ready Player One, imo. But watchable if you've got nothing better to do. 6/10
Okay. Not as good as either of the Wreck It Ralph movies or even Ready Player One, imo. But watchable if you've got nothing better to do. 6/10
No Time To Die.
Maybe be the best Bond film I have see. That ending! If you like Bond you will love this 100%.
Daniel is not the best Bond for me, but his last outing as Bond, pretty close to perfect.
9/10
Maybe be the best Bond film I have see. That ending! If you like Bond you will love this 100%.
Daniel is not the best Bond for me, but his last outing as Bond, pretty close to perfect.
9/10
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Violation
A troubled woman on the edge of divorce returns home to her younger sister after years apart. But when her sister and brother-in-law betray her trust, she embarks on a vicious crusade of revenge.
It was OK , the revenge was brutal, in one part it was like a soft porn film, but not a bad watch.
5/10
A troubled woman on the edge of divorce returns home to her younger sister after years apart. But when her sister and brother-in-law betray her trust, she embarks on a vicious crusade of revenge.
It was OK , the revenge was brutal, in one part it was like a soft porn film, but not a bad watch.
5/10
Old Henry
the classic western story of a retired gunslinger who gets dragged into some shit
best western I've seen for a good while
also I don't think any actor has ever looked more perfect for westerns than Tim Blake Nelson
the classic western story of a retired gunslinger who gets dragged into some shit
best western I've seen for a good while
also I don't think any actor has ever looked more perfect for westerns than Tim Blake Nelson
I bought this jacket once, then went on holiday to NYC with a friend who had also bought the jacket.
We were walking through Manhattan one night at approx 2am and my friend was in his Drive jacket, it was dead for the most part, and these two guys randomly approached us on a street corner... As they approached we slowly realised that one of them was wearing the very same coat
He and my friend embraced then we went our merry ways.
As you can imagine, our collective minds were blown.
Just watched this one now. Enjoyable and worth the watch.
Incendies. Another Villeneuve film, from before he went to Hollywood, and this ons is really good. His usual type of great shots and camerawork, combined with great acting and, this time, a story that really works.
To their surprise, twins find out when their mother dies that they have a brother and that their dad is still alive, and that they have to go from their home in Canada to Lebanon (not identified as such, but clearly Lebanon), where their mum grew up and they were born, to find them back. In what unfolds, they learn a lot about their mother's life and the drama of civil war.
The story's details were a little confusing sometimes (well, for me; it was super clear to my wife!), but it is very well developed and the drama is very impactful. I'd really recommend this one.
To their surprise, twins find out when their mother dies that they have a brother and that their dad is still alive, and that they have to go from their home in Canada to Lebanon (not identified as such, but clearly Lebanon), where their mum grew up and they were born, to find them back. In what unfolds, they learn a lot about their mother's life and the drama of civil war.
The story's details were a little confusing sometimes (well, for me; it was super clear to my wife!), but it is very well developed and the drama is very impactful. I'd really recommend this one.
You could of broken the internet if this was record. Such a rare event now lost in timeI bought this jacket once, then went on holiday to NYC with a friend who had also bought the jacket.
We were walking through Manhattan one night at approx 2am and my friend was in his Drive jacket, it was dead for the most part, and these two guys randomly approached us on a street corner... As they approached we slowly realised that one of them was wearing the very same coat
He and my friend embraced then we went our merry ways.
As you can imagine, our collective minds were blown.
Escape Room 2: Tournament Of Champions
After enjoying the first one, I thought this could be the next big horror franchise like Saw or Paranormal Activity but after watching this, it feels like that it's probably already feeling a little milked. Whilst not a horrible movie, it just feels like the wider story around the games, which this movie draws towards, are just not that interesting. The calibre of actors were worse in this one and the challenges were not as interesting as the first. Luckily it's short and there's fun to be had so not all bad, just not a very memorable movie 5.5/10
Old
M. Night Shamalamalam is back and boy does he know how to ruin a movie. I loved the concept and I think there's a nice conversation-starting end to the movie but the dialogue is absolutely terrible! I don't know why he doesn't just get a dialogue editor or script doctor to fix this element as it is a major distraction. It was SO bad that my wife thought the film was dubbed Because of the poor dialogue, the acting also suffered. Gael Garcia Bernal, Alex Wolf and Thomasin McKenzie are really good actors and even they couldn't save the god awful dialogue writing. It really ruined what could have been a cult-classic movie. I'll still give it a decent score because I enjoyed the premise and it was quite unique but Shamalan needs to focus on the directing (some beautiful, Kurosawa-inspired shots were in this film) and leave the writing to someone else 6/10
After enjoying the first one, I thought this could be the next big horror franchise like Saw or Paranormal Activity but after watching this, it feels like that it's probably already feeling a little milked. Whilst not a horrible movie, it just feels like the wider story around the games, which this movie draws towards, are just not that interesting. The calibre of actors were worse in this one and the challenges were not as interesting as the first. Luckily it's short and there's fun to be had so not all bad, just not a very memorable movie 5.5/10
Old
M. Night Shamalamalam is back and boy does he know how to ruin a movie. I loved the concept and I think there's a nice conversation-starting end to the movie but the dialogue is absolutely terrible! I don't know why he doesn't just get a dialogue editor or script doctor to fix this element as it is a major distraction. It was SO bad that my wife thought the film was dubbed
Because of the poor dialogue, the acting also suffered. Gael Garcia Bernal, Alex Wolf and Thomasin McKenzie are really good actors and even they couldn't save the god awful dialogue writing. It really ruined what could have been a cult-classic movie. I'll still give it a decent score because I enjoyed the premise and it was quite unique but Shamalan needs to focus on the directing (some beautiful, Kurosawa-inspired shots were in this film) and leave the writing to someone else 6/10Selma - 7/10
Man on the moon - 7/10
Game Night - 5.5/10
Going in style - 6/10
An interesting film. Some scenes were very powerful. The bomb at the beginning of the film was surprising and the death scene of Jimmie Lee Jackson was heartbreaking. But other scenes I felt had either an odd soundtrack or were just out of place, for example the scene at the end with President Johnson and Governor Wallace or including a scene with Malcolm X, which did not seem to serve any purpose. The film concludes with real world footage and I think the directors should have included more real world footage of the events and speeches during the film instead, rather than just at the end.
I recognised David Oyelowo, who played Dr. King, from Spooks. I thought he was fantastic for the speeches but he always spoke with a "gravitas" with other characters when in private which felt a bit too "hollywood" at time. The other characters did not get much screen time in comparison but I did not find that problematic.
They touched upon the difficulties his wife faced in an interesting and what I felt important sub-plot, but the scenes involving her were too far apart for them to be as impactful as they could have been. One scene involved saying "we need to target the wife" but this did not materialise. Another example with an unnecessary scene (which also involved an unnecessary character, Hoover).
Overall a solid film, but let down a little but scene choice and some direction.
I recognised David Oyelowo, who played Dr. King, from Spooks. I thought he was fantastic for the speeches but he always spoke with a "gravitas" with other characters when in private which felt a bit too "hollywood" at time. The other characters did not get much screen time in comparison but I did not find that problematic.
They touched upon the difficulties his wife faced in an interesting and what I felt important sub-plot, but the scenes involving her were too far apart for them to be as impactful as they could have been. One scene involved saying "we need to target the wife" but this did not materialise. Another example with an unnecessary scene (which also involved an unnecessary character, Hoover).
Overall a solid film, but let down a little but scene choice and some direction.
Man on the moon - 7/10
I did not know anything about Andy Kaufman before going into this movie. Jim Carrey was fantastic. I enjoyed the film and the little "intro" at the beginning was hilarious.
Game Night - 5.5/10
Ultimately a film which disappoints. The reveal that the game is "not fake" happens far too early. The reveal at the end that the kidnapping is "fake" is not particularly surprising. The final "reveal" that there really was a main villain was just a bit absurd to be honest.
The movie was saved a little bit by the fact that it does position itself as a comedy and I did have a few laugh out moments - one I remember was when Bateman's character, Max, is being treated by his wife for a gunshoot wound and has a squeaky toy in his mouth. I can't help but feel they overdid Plemon's character, "Gary". They made him a bit too weird and therefore it was obvious that he was going to be behind one of the reveals later, for better or worse.
Just a "meh" kind of film.
The movie was saved a little bit by the fact that it does position itself as a comedy and I did have a few laugh out moments - one I remember was when Bateman's character, Max, is being treated by his wife for a gunshoot wound and has a squeaky toy in his mouth. I can't help but feel they overdid Plemon's character, "Gary". They made him a bit too weird and therefore it was obvious that he was going to be behind one of the reveals later, for better or worse.
Just a "meh" kind of film.
Going in style - 6/10
The film is pretty much the same as "The Heist", which also stars Morgan Freeman. Three old men decide they will steal a bank. I was impressed by the actual plan because it was not too unbelievable. I did not understand why the girl in the end did not reveal Willie to the police. Sure, he had a short discussion with the girl in the bank, but why did that matter? They tried to explain it by implying the girl seemingly having noticed his granddaughter before going into the hall but I just thought that was weak.
The romance involving Albert and Rachel(?) was just an unnecessary distraction which served no purpose to the plot. Christopher LLoyd played his character very well, although I think they missed a trick with him - think they could have touched more upon losing your mind with age as a motivating factor for doing the heist. Overall his character felt under utilised.
The scene where three rob the convenience store was probably more fun than the heist, which I think says a lot about the film. It delivers in parts, just not on the whole.
The romance involving Albert and Rachel(?) was just an unnecessary distraction which served no purpose to the plot. Christopher LLoyd played his character very well, although I think they missed a trick with him - think they could have touched more upon losing your mind with age as a motivating factor for doing the heist. Overall his character felt under utilised.
The scene where three rob the convenience store was probably more fun than the heist, which I think says a lot about the film. It delivers in parts, just not on the whole.
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Halloween 3 Season Of The Witch
A small immigrate community establishes a very successful business town only for it to be destroyed by the white man. Great soundtrack.
7/10
A small immigrate community establishes a very successful business town only for it to be destroyed by the white man. Great soundtrack.
7/10
Monster Hunter
Don't know anything about the games or how accurate this is but I found this movie to be a fun monster flick with plenty of action. Stars Mila Jovovich, Ron Pearlman and Tony Jaa, who were decent. The monsters looked great. I just wished there was more meat to the bones 6/10
Don't know anything about the games or how accurate this is but I found this movie to be a fun monster flick with plenty of action. Stars Mila Jovovich, Ron Pearlman and Tony Jaa, who were decent. The monsters looked great. I just wished there was more meat to the bones 6/10
Eureka (2000)
Saw this many moons ago and it's interesting to see how it holds up all these years later, which it certainly does as an exploration of unresolved grief.
I suppose the first thing to mention is that it's very slow and ponderous. At 4 hours in length, it elongates the story in that type of maximalist way a fair few films did in the early 2000s. Core to the film is the 'journey' we go through alongside the characters, who find solace in each other, desperately trying and failing to get to grips with their lives after a terrorist incident leaves them reeling and looking for answers.
Aesthetically, the sepia-drenched tone adds a unique flavour, feeling in one part like a bleak depiction of an uncaring world; on the other like a Japanese western where the film gives way to the stunning landscape's of the Nihongo countryside to build its overall portrait of unhappiness.
I long not to do that film-critic thing where I'm pretentious and overly wordy but this film is basically built for such an audience. It's a humanist drama about coming to terms with personal terrors, and overall an excellent piece of catharsis for anybody who's ever struggled to do it. IMO it's Aoyama's Opus.
4/5
240p Trailer
Saw this many moons ago and it's interesting to see how it holds up all these years later, which it certainly does as an exploration of unresolved grief.
I suppose the first thing to mention is that it's very slow and ponderous. At 4 hours in length, it elongates the story in that type of maximalist way a fair few films did in the early 2000s. Core to the film is the 'journey' we go through alongside the characters, who find solace in each other, desperately trying and failing to get to grips with their lives after a terrorist incident leaves them reeling and looking for answers.
Aesthetically, the sepia-drenched tone adds a unique flavour, feeling in one part like a bleak depiction of an uncaring world; on the other like a Japanese western where the film gives way to the stunning landscape's of the Nihongo countryside to build its overall portrait of unhappiness.
I long not to do that film-critic thing where I'm pretentious and overly wordy but this film is basically built for such an audience. It's a humanist drama about coming to terms with personal terrors, and overall an excellent piece of catharsis for anybody who's ever struggled to do it. IMO it's Aoyama's Opus.
4/5
240p Trailer
Yikes.
Those movies work so much better when you realise both the kids and adults are psychopaths
I had to watch this a few times before I enjoyed it.
Rise of the Footsoldier - Origins
Love the franchise but surely this has to be the last one. The main cast are in their 50s playing 20 odd year olds and just doesn’t wash really. Pretty much similar as the others with gruesome violence throughout the film. Craig Fairbass is just so intimidating as Pat Tate. Vinnie Jones has a decent part in it and not to de similar to his other parts in gangster film.
If you enjoyed the other films then you will probably enjoy this but very poorly put together with the main protagonists meeting for the first time to how they first met in the other films. Pretty poor that.
Tony Tuckers wig does deserve an Oscar shout though.
4/10
Love the franchise but surely this has to be the last one. The main cast are in their 50s playing 20 odd year olds and just doesn’t wash really. Pretty much similar as the others with gruesome violence throughout the film. Craig Fairbass is just so intimidating as Pat Tate. Vinnie Jones has a decent part in it and not to de similar to his other parts in gangster film.
If you enjoyed the other films then you will probably enjoy this but very poorly put together with the main protagonists meeting for the first time to how they first met in the other films. Pretty poor that.
Tony Tuckers wig does deserve an Oscar shout though.
4/10
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You've gotta be shitting me.