It's hard for me to find anything WRONG with this movie. It's before my time, but I've watched it several times, and it still feels like a treat each time. This was one of Nicholson's first notable lead roles, and you see the signs of future promise in his portrayal. John Huston's performance is a guilty pleasure, and Perry Lopez is rather underrated but appreciated in this film. Then, there's the feel of the cinematography and the score, and, perhaps, most notably, Roman Polanski's direction. There's a reason why this is considered one of the greatest noir films of all time.
Reviews
6 Reviews
Guns Akimbo
(2019)
If a video game was made into a movie instead
28 December 2020
Basically a commentary on the role social media plays in everyday society. Also, guns. Plenty of guns, plenty of shoot-em-up action. The film's biggest asset is the performance of Daniel Radcliffe, who plays the lead of Miles with a comedic Everyman take that keeps the audience with him throughout. Overall, not a great film, but not a bad one, either.
Saving Lincoln
(2013)
An earnest attempt
28 December 2020
While this film was no doubt overshadowed by the theatrical release of Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln", it's attempts at telling a story are admirable, with a rather modest performance by Tom Amandes as the 16th president, which serves as the true highlight of the film. Lea Coco plays the role of Ward Hill Lamon, Lincoln's self-appointed bodyguard, and merely plays second fiddle to Amandes while brandishing a Southern accent. Perhaps the biggest thing that stands out in the film is its reliance on a green screen for setting and background, which, due to the film's modest budget, is impossible to hide. However, the film succeeds in demonstrating the friendship between Lincoln and Lamon.
Any Bullet Will Do
(2018)
Eh. Not bad.
25 December 2020
Perhaps the film's great cinematography will stand out, as well as the beauty of its female lead, Jenny Curtis. Other than that, the story moves sparingly with its share of backstory, blood, and old-times dialogue. Not a great movie, but not a bad one, either.
Bone Tomahawk
(2015)
A hidden gem in several genres
24 December 2020
While this film was released in 2015, I did not watch it until 2020, when I finally crossed it off of my Amazon Prime watchlist. By the end of the film, I found myself cursing that I hadn't watched it sooner and let it sit there all the time. With an attention-grabbing ending, the director makes it a point to not let you leave your seat until the end, with great performances by Kurt Russell (no stranger to a great western), Richard Jenkins (as his backup deputy), Matthew Fox (who makes it a point to utilize his performance like one utilizes bullets in a gun: a controlled rate that makes you yearning for the next shot from him), and Patrick Wilson, whose character arguably has the most to lose in the worst possible circumstances. At some point in the film, after an already interesting ride, the film's principal genre switches from western to horror, which makes the audience, like the main characters, hold on just long enough to try and see how it all ends.
In short, this film is worth your time, and maybe you'll hopefully realize it sooner than later.
In short, this film is worth your time, and maybe you'll hopefully realize it sooner than later.
Bombshell
(I) (2019)
Driving through real-life with satire
23 December 2020
Overall, a very well-done movie with the budget to prove it. About halfway through the film, the audience might be more impressed with the film's hair and makeup more than the acting itself (I had to go and make sure the real Bill O'Reilly wasn't actually in this movie); not to say that Charlize Theron's leading role isn't commanding in the least. Nicole Kidman is mostly relegated to a supporting role, and Margot Robbie is always great to look at, but may actually invoke empathy from her audience in this turn. Perhaps the highlight of the film, in a movie about women, is Jon Lithgow's blood-pressure spiking performance as Roger Ailes.
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