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An error has ocurred. Please try againAll the films on this list with the exception of 1 were nominated for Best Picture but lost.
Reviews
Old Henry (2021)
Best film I have seen so far in 2021.
This is tremendous western, the best one to come out any many years. Everything about the film feels authentic. The cinematography is some of the best I have seen in some time. It has gritty and earthy feel to it but is beautiful to look at. The colors can be soft an warm particularly within Henry's home. The outside scenes are close to sepia tone with intense spots of color with the foliage, sunsets and blood. It has a strong organic feel to it and does not look like it was filmed digitally.
The performances are good over all, with a standout performance from Tim Blake Nelson as Henry. His give off a sense of strength and determination but also a feel of world weariness and regret. You can sense the danger within the character just brimming to get out. His desire to protect his son can be somewhat domineering at times, but can feel the love he has for his son. Stephen Dorff gives the other standout performance as the villain, he has since of brutality with some level of downhome charm that can disarm the viewer. The dialog is authentic and helps to bring the film into focus as a period piece.
One of my biggest complaints about modern Films and TV is that they over use music, sometimes never having a quiet moment. Often overpowering dialog with load music and sound effects. You won't find that in this movie, here the music is subtle, beautiful and very complementary to the feel of the film. One of the best parts about the film is the music is used sparsely. Particularly it is missing from some of the more intense moments of the film giving it a more potent feel.
The story is fairly simple. A farmer and his son take in a wounded stranger, that leads to a confrontation with the men hunting the stranger. The relationship between Henry and his son is rocky one with son showing distain for his father's choices in life. Henry's past is hinted throughout the movie, and is revealed with great dramatic tones toward the end the of the movie.
Not for children. Strong R rating for some mild language and scenes of intense violence and torture with blood and gore.
Legend (1985)
All style and no substance
The is a review of both the Director's Cut and Theatrical cut of the film. Although there good aspects of both films the Director's cut is just a little bit better. This is film is the perfect example all style and no substance. The film is visually stunning, the set design and makeup effects are outstanding. The cinematography does wonderful job of conveying the fantasy world the film is based in, but the story is lacking structure. More character development is needed, particularly Jack. He is rather generic not terribly interesting hero with a dull performance by Tom Cruise. Lili is better formed character and with a better performance by Mia Sara, but think she too could have been better developed. The winner here is Tim Curry with a wonderfully sinister performance as Darkness. Even under all that makeup he is able to show a range of emotion that helps to convey a more well-rounded villain. The soundtrack is okay. I'm a big fan of both Jerry Goldsmith (Director's Cut) and Tangerine Dream (Theatrical Cut). Neither one of these soundtracks are very good. Tangerine Dream's wins out by being a little more appropriate to the subject matter, although the two pop songs at the end of the movie breaks the mood of the film and are not necessary. Four stars plus a couple extra stars for Curry's performance and the amazing set design, makeup and cinematography.