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Divine Shadow
Reviews
Red Dragon (2002)
A nice attempt at a prequel, but a little stale...
"Red Dragon" the first book in the Hannibal series, and the fourth film is both an excellent film and a fairly decent adaptation. Going back to the film style set in "Silence of the Lambs" the director, and Anthony Hopkins, do away with the horribly overdone Hannibal, that Ridley Scott made him out to be, and brought back the sinister sociopath that Johnothan Demme brought to us in "Silence".
While an excellent film in its own respects, "Red Dragon" has a few problems. The most apparent are the continuity errors. The VHS-C format videotape found in both the Leeds, and the Jacobis households was not widely available during this particular time period, and the quality of said recordings was no where near the resolution portrayed in the scenes in which we view the tape. The second was the so-called ending. The screen writer obvioulsy felt the need to throw the "Silence" crowd a bone, by mentioning Starling to Lector through Chilton. But this throws off the dynamic of their entire relationship, in both the book and the film.
Lector knows of Clarice when she meets him the first time. Chilton had no idea WHO the buereo was sending until she actually arrived. Continuity errors bug the **** outta me.
The script itself was a little stale, and Norton's Graham seemed just a tad too meek, compared to the book's Graham. The directing was also a little flat. Hannibal no longer is the mysterious predator we see in "Silence". While intriguing, and not so outlandishly unreal as in Hannibal, he's a tad too unthreatening. If they wanted a truely superior film, they should've brought back Demme.
The Scorpion King (2002)
Good, campy fun for a child of the 80's...
This film is doesn't pretend to be anything that it isn't. It is simply a cheesy adventure-flick, in the style of such classics as "Conan the Barbarinan" and "Masters of the Universe". It doesn't have a groundbreaking storyline or isn't even terribly original. The whole point of this film is fun, and fun it is. As for casting, I couldn't have cast it better myself.
Dwayne Johnson, aka "The Rock" does just a fine job in his first starring role, well as fine as one could expect as muscle=bound wrestler to act. He's just a tad more expressive than Ah-nold, without the annoying accent and as for Sly, Sly's just too damn old, to look threatening. It's about time we came across a new musle-bound action hero, "The Rock" fits that role perfectly and manages to look more convincing than Arnold ever did, with the sole exception of his portrayal of Conan in "Conan the Barbarian". The one thing that could use serious work is the special effects department. Needless CGI is a freaking waste of time. They animated ANTS for chrissakes. What a waste. There is nothing that puts me off more than cheap CGI, especially when it'd be cheaper to just use real insects, and gawd, don't get me started on the virtual snakes. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH REAL SNAKES?!?! All in all, "The Scorpion King" is worth seeing just once, if for no other reason to feel like a child of the 1980's, enjoying the kind of 80's camp that doesn't get produced anymore. *** 1/2
Ranma ½ (1989)
Greatest Anime Series EVER!!!
Where to start, where to start?!? Ranma 1/2 is possibly the greatest Anime series ever produced, written by the ever talented Rumiko Takahashi, based on the MANGA of the same name. It has it all, romance, comedy, and the GREATEST CAST OF CHARACTERS TO HIT MEDIA SINCE THE "A-Team!!!" But seriously though, Ranma 1/2 follows the plot of a young japanese boy going through an identity crisis of sorts. You see, whenever Ranma Saotome is splashed with cold water he, becomes a 'she'. This is all due to some
strange Chinese Curse, that he acquired on a training trip through China. The meat and bones of the series deal with Ranma's attempts to cure himself while dealing with numerous fiancees' none of his choice I might add. You see, Ranma's father is a bit of a heel. Genma Saotome, who takes the form of a giant Panda
when wet has eveidently arranged for Ranma to merry into the family of his(Genma's) closest friend Soun Tendo. Soun ole' boy gets a little more than he bargained for. In addition to being promised to one of Soun's daughters, Ranma has also been promised to at least 3 others. In the
end Soun decides it best to give Ranma his daughter Akane, whom at first, shares Ranma's extreme dislike for the entire situation. What makes Ranma 1/2 so great is the characters, and their very interesting personal relationships. The chemistry between Ranma and the rest of the cast is adorable. For example, Ranma while on the outside, rejecting Akane, deeply loves her, this
makes for a very heart-warming main plotline. In addition to the deep dramatic overtones, Ranma happens to be very funny. If you
can stand japanese slapstick, mixed with heartwarming drama, I
suggest you do as I did and START WATCHING RANMA IMMEDIATELY!!
Mouse Hunt (1997)
Most people seem to be missing the obvious....
The obvious being, that"Mouse Hunt" is a VERY "Black COmedy". For those of you who don't know, a "Black Comedy" is one that contains humanistic things that one normally shouldn't laugh at but can't help it. Well that's the simple definition anyways. Other examples of this genre include Terry Gillem's "Brazil" or even Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket" and "Doctor Strangelove". This film was billed, and at first glance appear to be no more than a stupid "Home ALone" ripoff, with two bumbling fools out to mutilate the film's protagonist. While the film IS full of slapstick and the two fools ARE bumbling, this film is not light-hearted and cheery. In fact, quite the opposite. The protagonist's of this film are a pair of brothers who are both down on their luck and have come into possession of a really old house because of their father's death. They are forced to "move in" because of circumstances that can't be helped and are tormented with a psychological obsession to rid themselves of the "Mouse", the other protagonist of our film. Their obsession appears to stim from their frustration with the outside world and the rotten hands they've been dealt. Throughout a series of increasingly violent encounters, building up to a blazing cresendo'(spelling, yes I know) they attempt to rid themselves of this menace. In the end their efforts are futile, but all are not lost. Now on to what makes this particular film, not just for little kids. Most of "Mouse Hunt's" visual gags are taken very seriously, and the bumbling fools DO get hurt, not like in the ridiculous, seemingly-indestructible, criminals of "Home Alone" and it's ilk. We see the humanity of all the characters, even the Mouse who is just attempting to keep it's home. The photography of the film itself is quite dar and depressing, bringing images of Jeunet Cario's "City of Lost Children" or Gillem's "Brazil". What's quite disturbing is the treatment of Christopher Walken's character. He plays an obsessive "Exterminator". His mannerisms make me wonder, what trauma occured in his life to make him so obsessed with the death of rodentia. He is brutally murdered by an angry mouse, thwarting an attempt on his own life. As I've said THIS IS NOT A KIDDIE FILM. All in all "Mouse Hunt" is a wonderfully DARK film about the human psyche and the effects of life on such. The Mouse serves as a symbol to represent all that frustrates us in the world. ANyone who calls this film "fun for the kids" or "just plain pointless" just didn't "get it". Watch this film for what it is, a wonderful look at the darker side of humanity masquerading as a simple kiddie film. Enjoy.
Apocalypse Now (1979)
By far the best War Movie ever Produced...
"Apocolypse Now" is by far the best war film ever directed. It has amazingly creepy sequences of emotional tension, eerily real fight sequences, amazing photography, interesting chracters and a huge budget. Several lesser war films were made around the time "Apocolypse Now" came out. These include, "Full Metal Jacket", "Platoon", and the much overrated "Deer Hunter". None of these film manage to meet the entire content of "Apocolypse Now". The plot for "Apocolypse Now" deals with the plight of a single, Sgt. Willard, portrayed exceptionally well by Martin Sheen. He manages to become his character, leaving behind all traces of acting. Willard is sent on a mission up river to stop a mad General Kurtz(Marlon Brando) who has taken matters of winning the war(Nam') into his own hands. Sheen's gradual descent into madness is shown through a series of increasingly "insane" scenes involving anything from a Helicopter raid to a USO show starring the Playbor Bunnies. This film also has plenty of cameos from anyone to RObert Duvall to Harrission Ford. What really makes this film what it is, is it's amazing directing by Francis Ford Coppola. Never before (and probably never again) will a move drip so much more atmosphere. TO many, this film is seen as confusing and fragmented. This is undertsandable due to the fact that over 18 hours of footage were filmed in all. Also, Coppala was illustrating a descent into madness, so fragmentation seems natural. Overall "Apocolypse Now" is the most original, uncliched, well acted and well-direted War Film ever. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a film with a superb cast, strange storyline or just a plain war film. Stay away from the overrated "Deer Hunter" and the inferior "Platoon". WATCH THIS MOVIE!
The Deer Hunter (1978)
Overrated, unreal, Pulp Trash...
The best thing about "The Deer Hunter" was the fact that Christopher Walken had a starring role, alongside Robert DeNero. If this film had anything, it had star power. What it did not have however, was a good script. It was billed as a "War Movie" and might be mistaken for such by some. What it is, is a study of human change, affected by War. It was a character study on the effects of Vietnam on it's veterans.
This film revolves around a group of friends who enjoy deer hunting(hence the title). This is seen as a test if skill more than anything else, the phrase "one shot", shows their point. The first 50 minutes of the film take place back in the states, providing a background for the characters. It moves to Nam' for a horribly short sequence involving a "traumatic" experience for them as P.O.W.s. This provides the "boost" to Walken's nervous breakdown. This part of the film closes as we leave Nam' and Walken is left behind. The rest of the film deals with a series of "sentemental" encounters leading up to an unconvincing finale. Overall "The Deer Hunter" is over-dramatized, overacted and poorly written. A far far better film lies in "Apocolypse Now" starring Martin Sheen. On a side not AN also includes a section on the effects of war on the soldier's and manages to pull it off without all the relative hokeyness of "The Deer Hunter". Watch it instead.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
A severely underrated film
David Lynch does it once again. "It" being, successfully creeping out the audience with well scripted weirdness, wonderful chracterization, and amazing visuals. "Twin Peaks:Fire Walk With Me" is the motion picture followup to the most unusual television of all times, "Twin Peaks". Lynch's purpose in the film was to tie up a few loose ends(more than a few really) and actaully explain what happened "that night". He manages to do this successfully, without confusing avid watchers of the television show too much. This film was universally, and unjustly panned by almost all critics. They complained it was far too confusing and too fragmented etc. I disagree, the film appeared fragmented, because that is just the way Lynch films are. This film was intented ONLY for perceptive fans of the show. The general public, understandably shunned the film at the box office.
As for acting directing etc. I say, good job. As always, Lynch's direction is unsettling and creates believable characters with a strong personality. The cast is pretty much the same as the show, Lynch himself portraying the head of the FBI in charge of Cooper(Kyle Maclaughlin), with a few interesting cameos by Pop Superstar, David Bowie and weird actor Kiefer Sutherland. The only problem I had with casting was the replacement of the original Donna( I forget her name) with actress Moira Kelly. While Kelly is by no stretch of the imagination a bad actress, she is completely wrong for the part. Her Donna is far too "goody-twoshoes/daddy's lil' girl" etc. She seems like a victem, instead of the strong Donna in the original series. All in all TPFWWM is a wonderful Lynchinan film for fans of Twin Peaks and David Lynch. I reccommend to anyone who is fan of either. Watch it more than once though.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
A unique project that could have been much better......
Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg, how could it go wrong? Most assuredly I'm afraid. The circumstances outlining the production of this film are a might unique. Kubrick, master director of such masterpieces as "The Shining" and "A Clockwork Orange" had an idea for a magnum Opus, a film to end all films. This was supposed to be AI. On his last legs he requested that his personal friend Spielberg complete his film for him. This apparently seemed a good idea at the time, but turned for the worst.
First off, the film was unfinished. Speilberg had an uncompleted script and instead of going with what he had and adding on material, where needed, he revised the entire script. I'm sure Kubrick's original vision would have been a little more traumatic, than what Speilberg ended up with. Sure such influences as the "flesh fair" and the scene where Hailey Joel Osmont decapitates himself scream Stanley Kubrick, but all in all the film became just another drawn-out version of Pinnochio. A boy yearns to be real and all that. Not very original. Speilberg left on an ending which seems a little out of place. I feel he was trying to be like Kubrick. Now on to the positives.
This film is a visual treat. Never has a film looked so inspiring(except for the superior Bladerunner). This Neo-Tokyoan landscape is simply breathtaking, especially the flesh fair sequence. It SCREAMS atmosphere. Gigolo Joe, Jude Laws character was superbly acted and funny as hell, but severely underdeveloped. Osmont was believable as the boy robot "David" and William hurt was fine as the inventor. The acting was good, and aside from the visuals that was about it.
All in all, A.I. was a fine family film, that I'm sure will be watched for years to come. I'm just disappointed in Speilberg's attempt to be Kubrickian. This film is slow as hell for the first hour and a half then speeds up amazingly. This film really needed "spit and polish".