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Reviews
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Terribly disappointed
Where's that QT who made Pulp fiction and Kill Bill? His latest is so badly executed and ill-conceived (and boring) that I seriously start to doubt the chops of this brilliant bastard.
And QT isn't doing Brat Pitt any favor by miscasting him in the first place and failing to properly direct him later. Pitt looks like a lost cause in this film. He gets the ridiculousness of his role, but not the seriousness. As a result, he ends up playing a caricatured version of one of his alter egos.
But thanks to the wonderful Christoph Waltz, this flick isn't a total loss. Although it has to be said that even he can be caught overacting in certain scenes.
Hamlet (2000)
Surprisingly brilliant
I really didn't expect much after I saw the disastrous modern adaption of Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet in 1996. In fact, I've been hesitate to watch this Hamlet for a long time. Now I'm just so glad I didn't miss it. Of the 4 versions of Hamlet I've seen on film, this is by far the most accessible and inspiring one.
It revolves around this brilliant idea that the problems of Hamlet are universal and you don't need to be a stage guru to articulate them. The acting style suits the idea incredibly well with all the dialogs spoken in a natural and unaffected way. The scenes are carefully chosen so it's much tighter and easier to follow than the full-length play. My highest praise goes to the first half of the film for its pitch-perfect rhythm and intensity. The second half, however, seems a bit hasty and awkward at times, especially the grave scene and sword-fighting climax.
It helps when you have a great ensemble to do a proper Shakespeare film. Diane Venora, Sam Shepard, Kyle MacLachlan and Liev Schreiber are all veterans who have tackled Shakespeare on stage. As for the actor who plays the title role, I agree with the conventional wisdom that "there's no Hamlet, only the actor who plays it". So if you can enjoy Ethan Hawke as Hamlet, you'll pretty much like everything he does.
Jane Eyre (1996)
Surprisingly refreshing if also flawed
I didn't have high expectation for yet another adaptation of this novel. But this one really reaches me in a surprising way when every other screen version of Jane Eyre I've seen try to connect the audience to the characters by casting way-too-attractive actors. Admittedly, it's pretty enjoyable to watch two beautiful people fall in love in a fairy tale way. But I couldn't believe for one moment that they're real human beings under those harsh circumstances.
Too often Jane Eyre has been portrayed as inexplicably attractive and Mr. Rochester charismatically mysterious. It's refreshing to see an actually plain Jane and a deeply flawed Mr. Rochester. They're not attractive people in general. They're just attractive to each other in their own way. Their bonding doesn't come from their physical presences but from the pain, the unfair fate, and the harsh past they've both endured and survived. On this note, I think this version is by far the most authentic adaptation I've seen.
The only complain I have also comes from the major characters - their lack of chemistry in later scenes. It would be more believable if the two actors had shown more genuine emotions for each other. The script, though adequately written, also failed to give them enough space to embody their change of mind states towards the end.
Nonetheless, it's a must-see for any classic literature fans. You'll be pleasantly surprised by their different approach to casting and acting, if nothing else.
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)
A Knockout - One of Sidney Lumet's best
After watching it three times in a row, I honestly recommend this movie as one of Sidney Lumet's best work. Some people may not like its bleak theme or dismiss it as a overdone crime thriller. But I feel it's better summarized as a first-rate character study and mesmerizing melodrama.
Directing-wise, it's tight, smooth and well-paced. I couldn't find one awkwardly placed or acted scene in the entire film. The rhythm and energy just felt so right that you miss this feeling immediately after you finish it.
Acting-wise, it's honest, intense and impeccable. From the entire cast and especially from the two leading actors - Philip Hoffman and Ethan Hawke. I've considered Hoffman one of the best actors of all time ever since I saw Capote. Then he appeared in Doubt, The Savages and this film around the same time, and I gotta say I admire his performance as Andy here the most. Oftentimes when you watch an explosive performance on screen, you get the feeling that the actor is either faking it or over the top. But not from Hoffman and not on this one. He truly is the finest actor of his generation. As for Ethan Hawke, I was simply amazed. I've never seen such a strong performance for such a weak character before. No wonder Mr. Lumet called him a "GIANT talent" on the Charlie Rose show. I haven't seen his work since the admirable Before Sunset, and now with a performance like this, I can't wait to see what the actor has to offer next.
BTW, a gem like this didn't get any Oscar nomination is another reminder that we're living in a commercial age indeed.