milanbaros_948 Reviews

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

'Not as easy as it used to be'

[4/10 · 24 May 2008]

Those few words, heard in most of the trailers and very early in the film seem to be a motto not only for Indiana Jones, but Harrison Ford, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas as well. The original trilogy, even the inferior 'Temple of Doom', were all excellent popcorn entertainment. Even at its darkest the franchise was always fun. The latest movie, however, struggles to escape its silly moments.

The first problem is the script, it clangs and clatters with overly nostalgic sentiment and tons of references to other movies. This is all very well if it doesn't infringe on the action, but, in this latest film it feels like watching a Spielberg/Lucas memoir rather than an actual movie. Did George Lucas invent Star Wars? Well, really well done George but I already knew that and I didn't need Harrison FOrd to turn into Han Solo halfway through the movie and sigh, 'I have a bad feeling about this'. The same film also references 'The Untouchables', 'The Wild One', the obligatory references to the past Indiana 'best bits' and most of the fifties parts feel like we've walked into Lucas's American Graffiti.

The film is so self-congratulating it was hard to concentrate on the actual narrative. Which was ludicrous, going in directions Indie would never have dreamt of going in the past. The acting is all up to scratch although most of them are misused or pointless...ahem, Karen Allen. It also features an ending no true Indie fan could ever be happy with, collating all those negative feelings as the credits roll.

Spielberg is a talented director but he cannot keep making these kinds of movies. He has matured, as all directors do, and his 'serious' films seem to get more and more assured. But he is not a movie brat anymore, he has not been able to deliver with a blockbuster of this kind since Jurassic Park and he should stick to what he is now best at, serious movies for mature audiences. Leave the blockbusters to the new brats.

King Kong (2005)

Better Than The Other 7 Wonders...

[10/10 · 19 December 2005]

I sat, on the proverbial edge of the seat, with my mouth resting in my nachos. The scene in question, a tumble down a chasm with some rather large reptiles totally amazed me. It felt like the first time I saw a brontosaurus on Spielberg's little theme park, sustained over what must have been 15 minutes. I felt like one of those aristocrats seeing Carl Denham's theatre show in the actual movie, totally in awe.

The film moved me more than any other romance and excited me more than any other action movie. What other film can boast a fight 'T-Rex vs Giant Gorilla' as well as a moment that makes your eyes glaze over? Performances all-around were great but what really mattered, after an hour of build-up was that they got Kong right. The emphatic answer was heard amongst bristling trees and cries of 'Konga'...O Yes!

Jackson has a completely unique knack for turning sacred material into sacred film. Not even Spielberg, Jackson's big budget family movie extravaganza predecessor could be trusted so implicitly with such a task. Jackson could be trusted with remaking the Bible...Kong is a perfect film!

Carlito's Way (1993)

The greatest redemption movie ever!

[9/10 · 28 August 2005]

De Palma, De Palma, De Palma. Although Brian is a brilliant director little lapses in foresight often stop 10 star movies gaining top marks. The first time I saw this movie I missed the first 10 minutes but caught on quickly, I was familiar with Gangster redemption tales and this seemed to fit in with those. The movie really captured me with the snooker 'trick shot' scene and for the rest of the film I was hooked. By the time I had reached the ending I had grown to care for Carlito Brigante immensely and was extremely tense in the getaway scene. Every close call i was rubbing sweat off my palms. I truly wanted this character to escape his inevitable(?) doom. At last I thought he had made it and was literally jumping for the air when the killer shock comes...Carlito is killed by a two-bit punk I had forgotten about 'Benny Blanco from the Bronx'. The shock hit me hard and I was deeply moved by Pacino's monologue. The credits rolled and I had been exhilarated and moved by this story ad would straight-away have given it 10 stars.

However, last night I saw the movie was on and set a reminder, I saw the movie from the start...big mistake. The opening credits are a montage of shots from the end sequence, totally taking the shock away from the ending, moving the surprise from Carlito dying, to who killed him which makes the impact of the last scene seriously dampened. If you know from the start he does not make it you have lessened your enjoyment considerably.

Never-the-less this movie is still must see despite De Palmas idiotic mistake of the opening credits his style remains and several shots are breathtaking. Pacino is at his usual best, one look with those eyes out-acts any Tom Hanks or Tom Cruise performance. Just cut the opening credits if you make a directors cut Brian...pleeeeeaaaassseee!

Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

Epic

[10/10 · 28 August 2005]

Leone's beautiful vision met with an epic story to create one of the most beautiful movies of all time. Four hours long but time melts away as you are transported into New York. In a movie where the importance of time is stressed, and how it should not be wasted, it is pleasing that this considerably long movie does not waste, rather enhance your time. Instead of regretting lost time we are instead left exhilarated and wondering. Performances all-round are fantastic right from the child performances, 'Noodles, I slipped' to the aged De Niro with a look in his eye that he has seen it all before. His weariness is astonishingly realistic and applause should be directed at De Niro and his method. A true masterpiece.