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chromium_tim
Working for an energy supplier but want to get into the music industry.
Reviews
The Thin Red Line (1998)
I actually sit on the fence with this one.
Well, sorry to disappoint the reviewers on this site but i neither hated or loved this film.
I'll start with the good points. I thought the main characters were extremely well cast. I believed right away that these men were in an extraordinary situation and were trying to deal with it as best as they could. The dialogue although sometimes slightly drawn out was poignant and moving. Some of the cinematics reminded me of Apocalypse now but were unique all to themselves. The beautiful landscapes marred by the incessant barrage of munitions provided a stark contrast to the placid life of the natives disrupted by the harrowing nature of war.
Unfortunately i am unable to say i loved the film. I felt quite early on that the film suffered because of its self appreciation. A beautiful panning shot of water lapping against reeds on a shore would have had the desired effect had it been just 20 seconds long, not a full four minutes. This use of contrived cinematics marred the final effect just because it was used too much. I also felt the Cameos by John Travolta and George Clooney were stunts just to get the punters in the cinema. After all, they were credited in all the trailers but had only a few minutes of screen time between them. I am a fan of war movies because they normally portray the harrowing nature of the deepest emotions a human can endure. TTRL could have explored this point more fully but ultimately lacked the emotional response attributed to such conflicts.
Some beautiful cinematics but drawn out a little too much. Some great dialogue and casting (Woody was spectacular) but ultimately a mediocre approach to what could have been cinematic history.
6 / 10
Space Truckers (1996)
Ha ha! sci-fi hilarity.
I am a great fan of films that don't take themselves too seriously and space truckers is definitely one of these. I could see Dennis Hopper actually revelling in his cheesyness mainly because he normally takes on very serious roles. The costumes were exaggerated (charles dance for instance) and the graphics, although quite gaudy were actually pretty good for its time. I liked the design of the killer robots with their face mounted death rays and karate chopping antics.
A fun film with silly antics. Good stuff
7 / 10
Hulk (2003)
why does everyone prefer spiderman to this?
My goodness Ang Lee is a talent! Not only does he bring a rich and detailed comic book world very much to life, he also makes what could have been another bland attempt (batman, spiderman, Judge Dredd) at the genre into an astoundingly deep and thought provoking film. I found myself rivited by the effects coupled with the intricate plot, for they are truly a step ahead of the rest at the moment. I laugh at people when they say "waah, nothing happens for an hour!!" well, that is a dull inexperienced view for a little thing known as character development. If the film had started with action i would have been disappointed because Stan Lees vision wasn't of just mindless destruction, but an intricate story with intelligent undertones and evolving characters. Ang lee has used his unique talent to take a slightly different view on what could have been another rubbish spiderman clone. The cast are superb in their roles (Eric Bana is fast becoming a favourite of mine) and the CGI is out of this world. all in all, a fantastic film.
Dont believe the moanings of the small minded. Judge for yourself on this great piece of comic book remake mastery.
9/10
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)
I embrace SP as if it were the brother i never had.
After reading many of the comments posted for South Park i am seriously glad that 99 per cent of you feel the same way i do about this gloriously funny and farsical film. Firstly i must point out the people who should NOT see this film: 1: Deeply religious types and/or people in league with saddam (you will not want to see your idol in bed with the devil quoting 'mmm, you like that don't you Bitch?'). 2: People easily offended by coarse language (there are over 400 uses of the most common swear word in the english language). 3: Midgets in bikini's might be slightly offended by the gratuitous use of your otherwise admirable use of clothing. 4: Donkey Raping S*** eaters might also find themselves scrutinised by the pigeon holeing aimed at their questionable antics.
I can honestly say i have never heard a cinema full of people laugh so loud to a film in all my life. I missed a lot of the dialogue not only because of the roaring laughter all around me but also because i was crying with laughter. The only people i saw who were not impressed were a row of french students (who left half way through the film) who i think thought they were coming to see Amelie! Mat and Trey are a very intelligent collaboration as the film does not consist of just toilet humour but some quite poingnant undertones about the society in which we reside. It is a satire aimed at all who take this environment far to seriously and it throws it in your face for us all to laugh at. The Musical score is genius also, showing us all that the talent of Matt and Trey does not lie just with film making. I liked the fact that they got good old George Clooney back for a cameo as the doctor who accidentally replaces Kennys heart with a baked potato! I always liked Clooney but this role compounds my already good view of a man who likes good humour and is obviously very down to earth.
All in all, South Park is an awsome film which should have won oscars. My only disappointment is that i fear i shall never laugh as hard again.
Shut your f****** face uncle f*****, you're a c*** biting a** licking uncle f*****...... hoo hoo. I love that song :)
10/10
Aliens (1986)
Cameron RULES
Possibly the most frightened i have ever been whilst watching a film was when i saw this at the age of 12. I shouldnt really have been watching it but there you go. I remember being absolutely petrified all the way through and the only real piece of gore in the film is where you see a chestburster come out of a crewperson. So that wasnt why i was scared. However i WAS scared because of its unique style in portreying darkness using very moody soundtracks, excellent props and most of all the excellent use of the alien creatures. You dont really get to see the creatures very much as most of the tention built up by them is implied. What Cameron has done here is to coax the viewers great imagination and mould it to the dark visions he and Geiger wanted to represent. It is genius film making due to its faultless plot, great cast and dialogue but most of all because it is a sequel (in my mind better than the first). I have no clue as to what goes on in H R Geigers mind but to create what is essentially the devil (or what it represents - pure evil) i feel is touching the boarder of genius and insanity. The essence of the film found my deepest fears and played with them like a cat does a mouse but instead of it being a nasty experience (as it should have) i felt compelled to watch it even at the age of twelve. I am now the ripe old age of 26 and i have probably seen Aliens more than i have any other - star wars included. At a guess i'd say at least 100 times or more. Call me a nerd but i still do not tire of this fantastic piece of storytelling. I just wish they hadn't ruined what could have been a fantastic ongoing plot featuring an adult Newt, Hicks and Ripley in the third and fourth installments of the genre. Alien 3 was awful and alien 4 was just ghastly. The new 'plot twists' they tried to create were just an insult to the first 2 films. Had they kept it simple and persued the route of the Dark Horse comics (earth is over run by aliens and the story centres on Hicks and Newt) they would have had so much more credibility.
Ultimately i have to say this is my number one favourite film of all time. The darkness, the futility, the pain, the horrifying reality, the disaster and the humanity all added together create the most fantastic visualisation of any horror film i have ever seen. It just cannot be missed. Drink in the darkness people because this is the best (or worst) you will ever see.
A most definite Ten out of Ten
Hokuto no Ken (1986)
Whoa, they just dont make em like this any more.
As a fan of Manga films i have seen a fair few and if i was to have a top 10, Fist of the North Star would come a close second. It is not Uncommon for the Manga industry to make ultra violent films. In fact, most Manga films will have a dark theme or two somewhere in it. I find that there is a certain proportion of Manga that is gory, sadistic or just plain wrong for the sake of it. Eg, Urotsokodoji 1, 2 & 3. Fist of the north star could easily have become one of these had it not been executed with such style and class. This is definitely a defining moment for the anime generation. If you like that style and haven't seen this film yet then you need to stop what you are doing, get some cash and buy it right now.
A Billion out of ten
Alien (1979)
edge of the seat stuff!
I was truly horrified By H R Geigers alien design. Somehow he has managed to create a believable terrifying creature where so many other horror creatures are just laughable. i cant quite put my finger on why (maybe its lack of eyes or the inner mouth) but the effect to me was staggering. Ridley scott blew the cinema apart with this dark film with VERY dark consequences. The story is slick and the feeling that humanity has gone down the tubes somewhat is ever present. This is NOT a future i would like to live in. There needs to be far more films of this kind out there but i fear this is but a pipedream as the effect must be almost impossible to re-create.
10/10
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Realistic and truthful
Unlike most films of this genre, the emphasis in black hawk down is not to glorify war but to question it. I was relieved to see a great deal of effort had gone in to re-creating an event rather than patronising the viewer by over dramatising it. The film could easily have blemished the deceased soldiers names but handled the concept in a very respectful and ultimately dignified way. Those guys went through a mountain of crap and the film made me realise this. Effectively the film is an all out shoot fest pretty much from the word go, but i think the lack of bravado and cliche helped the effect dramatically.
It is good to see casting taking British actors seriously for once and not just turning them into the bad guys. Afterall, most of the cast were British and of a Shakespearian origin (maybe Ridley Scott had something to do with this...).
Vanilla Sky (2001)
A thought provoking film
Cameron Crowe seems to be on a constant plateau of genius film making. His incredible ability to involve the viewer so completely is only matched by a few other directors. Vanilla sky does not dissapoint in any way as Crows' main aim with this film was for the audience to create their own meaning from the complicated plot. I certainly felt i had to see it again as i had surely missed a thing or two in the plotline. As a personal preference, i like to be challenged with a film and this one didn't dissapoint.
eight out of ten.
The Bourne Identity (2002)
Great entertainment
I have always liked Matt Damon films and so when i heard the Bourne Identity was coming out i knew it would be a good one. Thank goodness he didn't disappoint. From the outset i watched with a trepidation normally reserved for a well executed horror story. I think it had that appeal because Damon is so convincing as an actor, essentially putting me in his situation as i watch. All the casts performances were believable in how they reacted to unique situations. I find myself criticizing a film mostly because a character definitely wouldn't react in the cliqued way they normally do. So to see Bourne and Marie both as confused as each other whilst in a terrifying chase across Europe, coupled with the complete lack of bond-esqe double entendres was a thoroughly refreshing change. I particularly liked the way the film makers substituted special effects for raw tactical based conflict. I'd even recommend my mum see this film. 8.5/10
Band of Brothers (2001)
Just incredible!
This is cinematic history right here. From the accurate research to the costumes. From the dialogue to the gritty realism. All of it could not have been executed any better. If i was a member of cast that featured in this mini-series i would be forever proud that i had been part of genius film making and ultimately....history.
10/10
American Beauty (1999)
Well come on baby, i'm ready...
No other A-list actor could have pulled this one off any better than Kevin Spacey. He mesmerised me with his intellectual meanderings through a wholly unpleasant and phlacid life. I do not like to criticise films, i only look at the good points, and this film had many. (watch out, spoiler coming...) I laughed when lester was caught masturbating and when he and ricky were caught smoking a doobie behind the building. I cried at the irony of a mixed up Colonel Fitts hating all gays. And i was awe struck at how on the outside, such a possibly mundane film could be so utterly engrossing. I adore this film not just because of the impeccable perfomances from all the cast and the perfect script, but also because this film gave me that certain fully contented feeling after watching it. This is the feeling i get after reading an excellent book, not normally a film. All in all, an awsome film executed perfectly.
The Matrix (1999)
One of the best sci-fi films ever made.
I think the matrix trilogy will be discussed, viewed and studied for many, many years to come. There is something intrinsically perfect about the depth, vision and layers of meaning that span the first film. This, i am sure hasnt really ever been matched. Star Wars was good because of the depth of characters and the richness in story but the matrix more than equals this and has so much more as well. There are too many things i liked about this film for me to write here so i'll just say this. If you havent seen this film, GO AND SEE IT NOW. My life is actually more complete after having seen it and i cant beleive there are two more still to come!
this film is undeniably one of my three favourite films ever made.
A definite 10 out of 10.
Body Melt (1993)
For the juvenile in all of us.
A classic peter Jackson style gore fest of the grubbiest kind. I actually watched this film when i was about 17 (i am now 26) so i can only remember what my mind lets me (with fond clouded memories) but none the less i think i am almost as much of a kid at heart now as i was then, so i'll be equally as biased. For what most people after watching this film would call juvinile gibberish i'd call idiosyncratic australian humour, for the most part because it is so slapstick and because in no way does it take its self seriously. The acting is lame and the story almost as phlacid but the effect the director (i hope) was going for was one of ridiculous hilarity. That is what i got from the film anyway - i'm sure many of you out there will beg to differ.
Interesting facts - I laughed when i realised that three members of the Australian soap Neighbours featured in this film. For all the Americans out there, Neighbours was a particularly tame but sucessful Australian soap aired in England. It is quite ironic that the unexciting character Harold Bishop played a sadistic doctor who in one scene cuts his own ear off.
I particularly liked when in the end credits the 'Cock and ass' (featured as porn on a tv screen in a scene) is accredited to the director and his wife - what dedication!
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Anatomically perfect
*may be some spoilers ahead*
Every time i watch this film i get a sense of extreme gratification. I thank the late Stanely Kubrick for his attention to detail and his willingness to do Arthur C Clarkes book justice. This is without a doubt the single most impressive, scientifically perfect science fiction picture ever. The way the shuttle docks with the space station and how the occupants of the station move in low gravity is compelling to say the least. I love attention to detail and that is what this film is all about. The fact that it took me five viewings to get round the star-child concept made me enjoy it even more.
Stanely, you will always be a god good sir.
10/10