Passion of the christ

How did you like The Passion of the Christ DE NIRO?

Just watched Lady Snowblood II: Love Song for Vengence and boy was I disappointed. This movie is nothing like the original. There's barely any spaltering blood, hardly any action, and it's just a lot slower of a movie than the original. Again I was disappointed but I am happy at the fact that I won't be buying it on DVD

Chinatown - (Polanski;1974;USA) - ****
A private detective investigates an infidelity case, but falls into a world of corruption.
The greatest Neo-Noir ever. Jack Nicholson is in top form, as is Dunaway. Polanski's direction is rock solid, presenting some of the best cinematography, and a beautiful score. No negative comments from me.
#11

8½ - (Fellini;1963;Italy) - ****
A director constantly hassled by the people around him escapes into dreams, fantasies, and memories.
I agree with Omar that the original title, La Bella Confusione should've been used, as it describes the film: A Beautiful Confusion. This is Fellini's second best film, one of the greatest ever, and best about filmmaking. The direction is wonderful as is Mastroianni's acting. Nino Rota's music also adds a lot to the film's atmosphere.
#27

I though it was a good film,it was better than i thought,great acting by jesus.Not that im religous,but it was believeible.he really did get tourted 7/10

Patton #89 on the AFI Top 100 List

This movie I didn't really care for. I didn't really care for the character because he was so egotistical and I felt it was a lot longer than it should/could have been. I did however like the fact that the Nazi troops did in fact speak German, I thought it added to it. But my ma didn't like it (or Easy Rider) and I haven't liked either myself. Probably will not have a desire to see either of them again

WAR OF THE WORLDS

Steven Spielberg dishes out a pretty decent summer blockbuster movie that works for the most part. Its not a skull-numblingly mediocre like a Michael Bay movie, but neither is it worth pissing about in the snow. With over $200 million world-wide so far, I guess this movie will might conquer both the Jedi and Batman for the title of King of the Summer.

Still, enough in the movie to make worthwhile of a viewing, but not enough for a reviewing anytime soon for me. Poor Tim Robbins...wait, hes not poor! Anyway, hes fine but considering the scripted part, I guess he signed on to get a nice easy paycheck or decided to work for the Beard, which might include FUTURE nice easy softy paychecks. Of course, who blames him?

I should give it a half a star of a lower rating, but I liked many of the set pieces that only a big big budget Hollywood flick could afford.

Final Film Rating - *** out of 5

Too bad the rest of the movies in July look terrible, save for Tim Burton's new film...even if the subject material kinda bores me. Oh I saw that trailer for Michael Bay's new movie...its really sad that the two times I've seen the trailer with a theatrical audience, there was laughs all over the place. Ouch. Still, the retarded silent majority of America will make it a hit.

Speaking of which, saw the trailer for THE TRANSPORTER 2. I enjoyed the hell out of the first movie with Jason Statham just kicking ass all over the place. Sure there wasn't much of a plot, but who cares where you're being entertained when he not only kicks down a door...he *jumpkicks* it! Anyway, Jason Statham opening a fresh can of whoop bullocks? Sign me up!

When it comes to Napolean Dynomite, I think it's incredibly stupid, pointless, and overrated. There are many of my peers who enjoy this movie and most of them I cannot stand.

On a brighter note. I was watching this chick-flick the other day. Usually, when you hear the term "Romantic Comedy", you'll find me next door playing pinball. But I actually watched this one, and I enjoyed it:

Oh yes, that Rom-Com that studio pushed so much and expected a mega-hit but only to self-destruct. I can see the studio pitch..."Hey, what if like we made like a female version of like that Hanks movie BIG you know?"

If you want a Romantic Comedy in the last few years that is excellent, let alone good, watch this.

One of the greatest

Once Upon a Time In America (1984, Leone)

The ultimate story of friendship, this film is Leone's ultimate masterpiece. 4 friends, Noodles Aaronson (Robert DeNiro), Max Bercovizc (James Woods), Pasty Goldberg (James Hayden), and Cockeye Stein (William Forsythe) start out as small kids rolling drunks for cash, to small time hoods, in this film spanning over 50 years. James Woods gives the performance of his career and Robert DeNiro is excellent, as well.

I find it surprising when great gangster films are talked about, this is not included. But this film is something more than a gangster film. The depth of the characters in this film, and the whole character development is excellent. I based this review on the Director's Cut (229 min.) which is the only version someone should see, to fully understand Once Upon a Time In America.

This film is frequently compared to The Godfather which I find very surprising. These two films are extremely different from each other. Ennio Morricone's score fits beautifully with this film. The ending is very surprising, yet anti-climactic. Otherwise, this film is excellent.

Final Rating: ****/****

And July's filmwatching begins thus:

How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck ** (1st Time)
1976, Herzog, WGer
Cattle auctioneers gather in a small Amish town for the World Championships.
Decidedly eccentric subject matter for an often funny documentary with political asides, in which it compares capitalist America to the inhibited Amish community in which the tournament is held.

La Soufrière *** (1st Time)
1977, Herzog, WGer
On the island of Guadaloupe, a volcano shows signs of erupting. While the nearby population evacuates, Werner Herzog ascends the mountain in search of the man refusing to move.
Fantastic, characteristic view of the director's fascination and search for his own reasoning behind confronting danger.

Große Ekstase des Bildschnitzers Steiner, Die/The Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner *** (1st Time)
1974, Herzog, WGer
A carpenter whose true love in life is ski-jumping sets world records and becomes a phenomenon.
The said phenomenom is not least in the director's eyes, or even in Steiner's own psychology; a fine study of a man wanting to, like the director, push as many of his own boundaries as he can.

Nran Gouyne/The Colour of Pomegranates ** (1st Time)
1969, Parajanov, USSR
The life and death of an 18th century Armenian poet.
Painterly succession of images, episodic in narrative and with very little dialogue; abstract and aesthetically absorbing.

Mick

American History X (98/Tony Kaye/US) 8/10

A brilliant and compelling drama dealing with racism and ability to change.


Color of Money (86/Martin Scorsese/US) 7/10

I don't think if I've ever enjoyed and loved a Scorsese movie this much.


After Sunset (04/Brett Ratner/US) 6/10

An entertaining Crime/Comedy.

Afi, have you seen the first film Scorsese's film followed? The Hustler in which Newman plays the same character. It's a great film.

Memento - (Nolan;2000;USA) - ****
A man with short term memory loss tries to find his wife's killer.
One of the best thrillers of the last two decades, if not three. Nolan's taut direction elevates a simple revenge story into an excellent film with wonderful Film-noir feelings throughout. Julyan's music is also great.
#5

Touch of Evil - (Welles;1958;USA) - ****
Two cops, one Mexican, one America, clash while investigating a car bombing.
Orson Welles' direction is wonderful here. The tracking shot in the opening is one of the best openings suspense-wise. Heston is good as the Mexican cop, but Welles shines the most as the American corrupt cop. The music is also great, which oddly reminds me of Charade. Welles' second best film.

I made a big fuss out of this movie and had my brother watched it and he suggested the same movie to me! He said he'd give it to me to watch, I can't wait. It is dubbed though!

Eh, dubbed? I have only seen parts of The Color of Money, but the major opinion is that it's nowhere near the first movie. I really wanna get it though, along with several of Scorsese's 80's movies.

What impressed me a lot about this movie was that almost all techniques in pool was somehow played there, well, at least those that I've heard and never have seen; like the white ball flying over others to hit the ninth and send it to the hole. Man, did I love that scene!

You'll love the first one then. On my DVD, it shows a pool champion recreate the moves, including the famous Masse Shot. I tried to do it, but my ball went up and turn left instead of coming back to me. :p

I'd be lucky if I be able to finish a set in an ordinary fashion. Forget about flying balls. they might hit someone in the wrong places! :p

Fargo #84 on the AFI Top 100 List

I had seen this movie only once before and didn't like it. I expected too much out of it since it was the same guys who gave us The Big Lebowski. I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed this more the 2nd time around and Steve Buscemi is just such a great actor! Sometimes I feel the poor guy doesn't get the credit he deserves. The accent's were still a little annoying, but now I know to stay clear of Minnesota

FIVE EASY PIECES. HOLY SHIT.

I just got done watching this movie for the first time. I am blown away. EASILY Jack Nicholson's best performance, and an extremely deep, dark, and disturbing film about a man running away from himself. It literally depressed me. I was crying like a baby towards the end.

The green Mile

Glad you liked it, definitely Nicholson's best performance.

Fantasia - (Various Directors;1940;USA) - ****
Several pieces of classical music are interpreted through animated shorts.
The greatest thing to come from Disney. This is my first viewing since I was a kid. All of the animations are great takes on the classical music which goes with them. This is a real classic, and a beautiful one at that. My personal favorite is Night on Bald Mountain, which also has Disney's best villain: Chernabog.

Antwone Fisher (Denzel Washington's first film as director)

Plot outline from IMDB :

"Antwone Fisher, a young navy man, is forced to see a psychiatrist after a violent outburst against a fellow crewman. During the course of treatment a painful past is revealed and a new hope begins."

- Well, this movie has some highlights here and there, but overall its not a movie I would like to watch again.
At one point the movie really gets ridiculous...the movie or the real story on which it is based on :

Apparently, one of Antwone's problem is that hes a virgin. yep, the guy has a real problem - hes still a virgin :rolleyes:
Now it gets even more stupid when his psychiatrist actually agrees with it being a problem.

And heres another wisdom pearl from the movie : If you dont have a girlfriend, or if no one sees your girlfriend, or if you dont dance with girls at pubs, it could only mean 2 things :

You're gay or you've suffered sexual abuse. :rolleyes:


Anyway like I said, there are still some better moments than that, but overall its mediocre.

Just watched the first "episode" or "movie" of The Beatles Anthology and it was very good. Very insightful with great first hand interviews from Ringo, George and Paul. I'm looking forward to seeing more of The Beatles as opposed to Long John and the Silver Beatles

Watched the 2nd Beatles Anthology and that's what I was waiting for, The Beatles first album, coming over to America, etc. The American Invasion is on disc 2 so I'm excited to see that

Yeah I thought that was kinda weird too.

Thats Anthology is amazing,i learnt so much from watching that DVD.8 hours of Pure Class