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pratibha2004
Reviews
Revolver (2005)
British Now Take The Lead
Revolver is great on many levels. But the editing of shots is just maybe the best I have ever seen. I am American and know many Guy Ritchie fans. But this film outdoes Eisenstein, Pudovkin, and anyone I can think of save for Peckinpah. I'm not talking about the violence. It's just that the scenes push together so well. In a way the philosophy is a perverted Kashmiri Shaivism. I mean, Jason Statham has done some incredibly bad films and acted so so in them. But this one just puts Ritchie in front of all the living directors I can think of. Even the colors, while not done at carefully as CSI Miami, deserve special mention. And the lines, well once again it must be Luc Besson and Ritchie together. One has to go back to Kiss of the Dragon for an action film put together as well as this one. I was very surprised. The days of John Ford et al are over. Ritchie knows what he is doing and you get the idea he sits down with the actors right before the scene, or the day before and feeds them the motive for the scene. If you feel I'm nuts, well, you let me know what has been put together better than this movie. Only Cimino had that much of a natural feel for what comes next and it surprises you. Like the film Limey.
Casino Royale (2006)
Surprisingly Good
I don't know how this picture got to be so good. Maybe it's all Paul Haggis. Martin Campbell is the director and while the movie was obviously storyboarded, and storyboarded well, this Bond movie makes sense in a way the other ones (even with Sean Connery) never did. I also believed Daniel Craig showed a range of emotion and energy that no other Bond actor has. The story line together with the shot composition and the male and female lead carry the film quite well. The only other movie I have liked as much is Revolver, a British film by Guy Ritchie. Other 2007 movies I've appreciated are Next, The Breach, and Syriana, and No Country For Old Men.
The Departed (2006)
Unfixable ?
The editing is off right from the start, in my opinion. We don't know who anybody is or how they got there, only that they're all supposed to be Irish and have a Boston accent. Thelma Schoonmaker can't fix that error in the script. There is no tempo to the film. DiCaprio is good, very good, but you keep wishing the film he were in was equal to his role. The music is literally unoriginal and pointless. Anyone who says this is Marty Scorsese's best film and adds that "welcome back" crap doesn't know what they're saying. He isn't back - he's in deep hibernation. I heard better dialog in M-Squad thirty years ago. Nothing gets personal. Pirates of the Caribbean is a better film. So, be prepared. This is a disappointment except for DiCaprio.
Chasing Ghosts (2005)
Surprisinly Good
It's a talky, alright. Think of Usual Suspects in semi-reverse when you see it and it will still surprise. Since this went straight to DVD I wonder how many have actually seen it. It's written to hedge; and it makes you go back to Usual Suspects and ask yourself which script gave out the better misleading information. Sure, US has a better score, more meat in the casting, a higher calibre of editing, and more humour in the lines. But Ghosts keeps on talking and talking and Madsen keeps on sighing, shifting his feet, throwing butts all over the place, and acting like himself. Within the first five minutes you know he's a dirty cop, you just don't know how he is involved in this latest case. If you make it through the first 15 minutes your're going to stay the course till it's finished. This script is no slacker. Probably the best "B" movie Madsen ever made. Worth renting from the VDO store, even worth having for your own collection. Try it, you're gonna like it.
Code of Silence (1985)
An Impressive Movie
Most people outside the industry write this film off. Not inside. It was only a step to Under Siege and The Fugitive. Still, Code of Silence is my favorite Andrew Davis film. Ask Brian DePalma or Quentin Tarentino what they think of Davis and Silence and I bet you will find respect. That Kostner is using him for his next movie is no mistake. Excellent scene building, shot composition, moving of camera, master shot intermix, the whole magilla. Now the DVD can be bought in most shops as a throw away for under $10. Yet, it is one of the tightest action films ever made. Davis has no limit of talent. I remember Ralph Foody and Nathan Davis because of Andrew Davis. The same is true with his movie Under Siege: you just can't find something wrong with it. You might feel the content is vapid, but the director brings the stuff alive. Ask Tommy Jones what he thinks of Andrew Davis? Born in 1947, Davis has a lot more films yet to direct. Check him out.