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daz-56
Reviews
One Night with the King (2006)
Good Effort...but could have been great!
To paraphrase a recent quote..."Dear Lord, why must your most ardent followers unleash such poor (non-great) movies in your name? As one who longs to see biblical or Christian movies released that will make the world sit up and take notice...like Mel's Passion of the Christ!
I know they have a low budget, and I applaud their efforts..it was a very good effort...with mixed results.
First the good: (in no order) 1. Most the main characters were well cast and solid. 2. Some good sets and scenery. 3. Some good sweeping external camera shots going for a Lord of the Rings look. 4. Some shining moments scatted here and there, some very well done. 5. The story...some additions and liberties taken work, some didn't.
The NOT so good: what kept it FROM being great! 1. Editing poorly done, even amateurish at times, especially during the 1st 1/4 of the movie...jumping all over the place. Probably confusing for those who don't know the story of Esther. Was somewhat for me, and I did know the story! 2. Directing & Cinematography - some poor choices of camera shots. 3. Acting and accents inconsistent and varied. 4. Lighting another mixed bag, sometimes very good, sometimes very poor.
Obviously very good/great Editing, Directing, Cinematography, Lighting, and Acting are critical elements needed to help make a movie truly GREAT! Sometimes they hit, but more often then not they missed...which was very disappointing for me.
Again it was a great effort, but I can only imagine what it could have been...GREAT and world impacting...like the classic Ten Commandments and Ben Hur were in their day!
6/10
Batman Begins (2005)
Great Batman Reboot! Overall...
Love the new Batman Beginning/Reboot! Great story, great actors, and Christain Bale is the BEST batman ever! Loved the way the story intertwined and neatly packaged at the end, along with a tease. They've set it up for more greatness ahead. Was very pleased overall will the plot and depth. Way to go! A BIG Thumbs up all the way around, except for one thing...
***POSSIBLE SPOILER***
My only disappointment was the "Fighting" sequences. The are shot very close, quick cut, and confusing that you don't know what's really happening that well until is over. I know it's a style some use, but to me it's so frustrating when they do this! If you're going to do a fight/ action sequence watch the master directors and learn from them how to do it right. Directors like James Cameron, Quentin Tarantino, John Woo. It doesn't have to be full body shots all the time, but enough to help us out here! It can be done in a way that's very dynamic and powerful! Really, really. :o)
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Anyway, besides that, it was GREAT!
I can always tell if it's a great movie for me...if I leave with a smile on my face and want to go right back in and watch it again. Which will be soon!
daz