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SamWanjere
Reviews
Meet Joe Black (1998)
Review: Meet Joe Black (1998)
Where do I start from with this movie?
Brad Pitt's eyes are so dreamy, for the deeply romantic. Susan, the girl he falls in love with is as starry eyed and trusting in a really refreshing manner. Witty girls will win me over any day. Anthony Hopkins is imperious and dominant, his quiet intelligence a hallmark of his acting performance. A mention for the heel in this movie, Drew.
The ending to this movie is absolutely magnificent, with impressive dialogue amidst a light- filled, fireworks lit sky. I felt sorry when Death realizes Susan doesn't love him as death, but loves the young man's body he took. Joe Black and Hopkin's character walking over the distant arch and the young man who'd died earlier reappearing is a good touch.
Good screen chemistry from the cast, clever dialogue, witty romanticisms when Joe speaks to Susan. Good movie.
Waterworld (1995)
Review: Waterworld (1995)
Quite a long movie from Costner, but not unusual when you compare with "Dances with the Wolves". Love his antihero persona but still think his amphibious ability was underexploited in the movie. We only see a glimpse of it in how non-mutated humans react to him.
The late Dennis Hopper's at his bad guy best and pulls his borderline psychotic role well. What is Jeanne Tripplehorn to Costner's character? A blossoming romance is not explored I think but not to worry.
Overall a good movie I've seen repeatedly, and one that left me a bit seasick due to the amount of water on display. Loved the expression "landsick" once the group lands on dry land, clearly a novel experience for the lot.
The Ninth Gate (1999)
Review: The Ninth Gate (1999)
I've watched this movie about thrice now and love its pace. There is strong acting by Depp (does he ever have off days?), Frank Langella and was impressed reading about José López Rodero as Pablo Ceniza and Pedro Ceniza, and 1st and 2nd workmen.
Not sadistic but love watching how Langella's character dies in the end. He drops from total conviction of his invulnerability to fire to an agonizing, scream-filled death.
I'm one of those who expected a "guest" appearance by the devil or (at least) a demon. Was also unsure of Emmanuelle Seigner's role as the unnamed girl. What was she at the end, a guardian or sorts for Depp's character or some evil force that was complicit in the various killings? I thought her character went a bit undeveloped.
A strong cast and good mind play. Worth a watch.
Dream House (2011)
Dream House (2011)
An intense performance by Daniel Craig. He's one of my favorite actors but think he does well portraying Peter Ward.
Alone and paranoid can be scary for a suburbia man without friends other than a sympathetic neighbor in Ann Patterson. Sometimes ignorance is bliss, in this case amnesia from his gunshot wound. I can't envy his state of having to reconcile the dreamworld in his mind with reality outside.
I love the lack of a love scene between Ward and Patterson. It would have taken away from the overall story I feel. The director and his writers let us realize gradually that Ward is actually delusional.
I would actually label this film both heartwarming and inspirational. It warms the heart to see that someone's care to those among us with mental disorders can actually do wonders for such persons. Ward returning to New York as an author, part of his mental fantasy world that comes to pass is what I deem inspirational.
Contagion (2011)
Contagion (2011)
A rare example of a heavyweight cast pulling off a movie instead of clashing egos. Refreshing. Quite a cast of heavies in one place, Gwyneth Paltrow (cameo), Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston, Jude Law, Kate Winslet.
Coming from the relatively less developed world, it was a humbling reminder that humans without law and order in society are essentially the same the world over. The chaos that follows military curfews in affected towns (e.g. Minneapolis) leads to supply shortages and looting to get the increasingly fewer goods.
While still a movie, I cannot help admire the thoroughness the US government goes about identifying events from Ground Zero to eventual mass production of the vaccine. The movie avoids a CSI-like graphic screen demonstration of infections and suchlike and sticks to fast-paced drama of a thriller nature.
A seemingly random affair kick starts the eventual epidemic that kills 26 million worldwide. Tying that into a story takes quite some telling.
A worthy watch.
Atlas Shrugged: Part I (2011)
Atlas Shrugged Part I
Disappointed is what I felt after watching this movie. The storyline has lots of potential. The gloomy US economy provides a potentially depressing backdrop like that found in "Jericho" (TV) and futuristic flicks like "The Terminator." I prefer reading the book before watching any screen adaptation but didn't in this case.
The plot is confusing. I do understand what Taggart Railway does, plus James Taggart's cozying up to politicians and all, but the interplay between him, his sister Dagny, Hank Rearden and Ellis Wyatt, including the interaction between their personal lives left me confused.
Loose threads include the fate of Rearden's wife after making love to Dagny. What too happens to James Taggart after his sister deserts the family business? Ellis Wyatt remains an enigma, more so after he abandons them with his oil fields on fire.
The script has potential but I feel it was not well structured.
Viva Riva! (2010)
Viva Riva (2010)
While this movie might not stand out as an original, the story of decay, corruption and lust for Africa's resources is well told. I have tried to look for biographies on the actors with little success. If the movie was made with virtual unknowns I am doubly impressed.
The plot moves well with good screen chemistry for the actors. The sex scenes are among the best I've seen anywhere and the joy Riva brings to the screen and those he interacts with is refreshing.
There is the ultimate feeling of Grecian tragedy. You know deep down things won't end well. His death at the end is one of the most heroic and carefree ways of going I've yet seen.
The movie showcases the best of Africa (unbridled enthusiasm and live-a-day-at-a-time philosophy) alongside the worst (lust for power and resources, invasive western influence, etc)
It's a wonderful movie in my opinion. I would have awarded it more than a seven but for the originality bit. It's stereotypical but the tale is well told. Kudos to this Director.
Certain Prey (2011)
Certain Prey (2011)
Mark Harmon's portrayal of Lucas Davenport is similar to Jethro in Navy NCIS. Both are brooding, detached and popular with women, but also relentless and one-track minded when it comes to focus on work.
I think Davenport is portrayed well, even though overshadowed somewhat by Attorney Carmel Loan and Clara Rinker's strong female characters.
One thing I didn't like much is the numerous sub-plots within. They seem too many for a movie of this length. Among them is the background to the two women's childhoods, and possible explanation of why they are who they are; and the attorney whose death sparks the movie's investigative finale;
Overall it's a good movie and a worth watch.
War (2007)
A Spoiler's Look At War
I may be unable to add to what other reviewers here have, but I continue to be happy for Jet Li's acting evolution. A number of observations about a rather lengthy movie. First, how did a Chinese actor (Li) get picked to act as a hit-man to a predominantly Japanese criminal outfit (the Yakuza)? Of course, Li, a man "without any master", also works for the Triads, which are of Chinese origin. Couldn't the movie have sourced for suitable Japanese actors to play Rogue's role?
I feel the length of the story was a bit long considering it is a revenge flick. Rogue murders a family of three, identical to how his was almost wiped out. Following the murder of his wife and child, Rogue has to work his way into the confidence of the underworld in order to seek his revenge. At the end we learn he is actually the murdered officer, Tom Lone.
What is the purpose of Shiro Yakagawa's daughter's role? I didn't think her presence added much value to the plot. Could the makers have exploited her deceptive, baby-faced ruthlessness more?
What I do like is the anticlimactic absence of martial art action and Li's indifference to all but his revenge mission.
Diamonds (2009)
Well Done TV Production
I love nathan-yeo's review. It is absolutely spot on. In a way, the movie's a cliché about Africa, but sadly entertaining too. I won't dwell much on such stereotypes as corrupt Nigerians, but the production offers a behind-the scenes look at diamond politics and related corruption. At a macro level, the movie shows we are, without exception, partakers of the lustful greed that makes such an industry survive. We proudly wear rocks with scant regard to how much work goes into their extraction or related exploitation of locals. the saddest part for me is Africans murdering and making slaves of fellow Africans. There might be no originality in the script, but the production still serves a dish of entertainment, interspersed with plenteous food for thought.
Killing Ariel (2008)
Slight Correction
Hi Movieman_Kev. Ariel is a succubus not an incubus (male). Wikipedia explains it well here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incubus. The only major part that might have been confusing is connecting the number of times the protagonist kills Ariel with the women he supposedly murdered in the "real world". I would also add to the time lapse that follows his weekend tryst with the she-mon. It could have been brought out better with the movie directors showing just how much time had elapsed. I was surprised to learn that the cast are acting unknowns, but they did managed to bring out the story well enough. It's an entertaining piece with a nice twist at the end (the son also falls prey to Ariel). It's a good movie that should be reviewed by more people. I award it an eight.