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THX 1138 (1971)
I thought I wasn't suppose to love this?
I will admit I am quite forgiving of sci-fi given its limitations in depicting the future and other worldly phenomenon. As a result of said limitations, this subgenre can come across as either clumsy or facile, but THX 1138 is an exception unaffected by these usual detracting factors. It's a seriously crafted and engrossing sci-fi dystopian thriller with terrific performances and amazing story-narrative structure. Not to mention it has incredible immersive environmental story telling which respects and demands the viewers attention to detail in piecing this film together as it unfolds.
All in all THX 1138 is prescient and alluring in all the right ways that makes sci-fi amazing. I absolutely loved it and all the flack it receives is unwarranted. I'm sure most of it comes from jaded SW fans who worship Empire like some sort of cinematic monolith. It's not even the best SW film, but I digress. Lucas is an incredible talent regardless of his inconsistencies or weaknesses, and it's a shame we didn't get to see him create more films beyond SW during his creative golden years.
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
For the love of cinema, watch the extended director's cut
I cannot imagine watching another version of this incredible film. Tarantino expressed it best when he regarded Sergio Leone's classic as remarkable for its lyrical contrast of brutality and beauty; how even in the depths of depravity our hearts still beat.
Once Upon a Time in America is exceptionally crafted. Its camera work is breathtaking, its story and narrative structure is among the very best, and Morricone's score is unbelievable. And the performances, my god. Deniro and Woods are magnificent, as is the rest of the cast. I'm listening to Deborah's Theme right now, and it brings tears to my eyes. I didn't expect a gangster movie to evoke so much within me.
4.5 hours is nothing. You will finish it wanting more. And to think there was 10 hours of footage, with the first cut having a 6 hour runtime! A man can dream, maybe one day more will resurface, but at least we have this incredible cut to enjoy. A true masterpiece.
Unforgiven (1992)
This won 4 oscars?
I had high hopes for this film given its accolades and rating on imdb, but I'm pretty shocked over how underwhelming this film actually is. It's riddled with poor writing, a lackluster plot, awkward dialogue and bad acting. Unforgiven is quite honestly a very goofy and pretentious western in which despite its revisionist intentions comes out sillier than many spaghetti westerns before it.
It's praise is totally unwarranted, similar to another 90s flick, Magnolia, which also suffers from pretension, bad writing and acting. It goes to show if your film is competent enough and with the right people behind it you will earn undeserved respect. It has me wonder, do people even like movies, or do they like to like movies that they're told to like all because some big shot name said it.
Can't stress it enough, this film is not very good.
Inland Empire (2006)
I thought I would hate it
My last Lynch film. I put this off for a long time, about 14 years actually. My philosophy of film professor hated it, critics panned, and fans were a motley assembly of dismay, confusion and fanboyisms. Although some reviewers were very earnest in their appreciation, I was in doubt I would ever enjoy it, so I put it off for over a decade. And then the time came: I needed a horror for this October.
I will not dare to unpack this film without a second viewing, but Inland Empire is voluminously kaleidoscopic, yet seamless in transitions of unfurling scenes and characters and story. It's essentially Lynch's meta magnum opus, pulling motifs and familiar archetypes from other films, weaving his life's work and philosophy into a surrealistically macabre indra's web.
But this film is much more than that -- at least far more emotionally pulling than being but a high brow nod to one's own portfolio. Inland Empire drives home the notion of how perverse and insane humanity has become as it corrupts it's own heart, devaluing creation and love that brings and nurtures anything into being. Life has become unrelentingly exploitative, ruining the very foundations that ensure our future. Whether you're centered in sunset boulevard or across the planet on a cold eastern European corner, this unsuspecting darkness awaits and dictates humanity.
Of course there is more to unravel with Inland Empire, but I stress that It's not lo-fi arthouse junk; rather it's a brilliantly creative and moving finish to a career of one of film's greatest directors. It's not suppose to make you comfortable, but it's communicating with you and demanding you to feel it out until the view and viewer are in sync.
Gone Girl (2014)
Do people not realize this is not reality television?
There are a disproportionate number of 1 star reviews for an otherwise fantastic film -- all of which stem around the complaints regarding the plot. I'm not sure if all of you are aware but this is a work of fiction heavily focused on emphasizing thematic motifs and other related symbolic elements included in the film. It's suppose to be a tad ridiculous for a reason, and if you missed why that is then you completely misunderstood the film.
Regardless, Fincher yet again proved he is among the very best contemporary film makers today. It's a world class effort with terrific ambience and pacing despite its length. Cinematography is perfect and the performances from each of the actors is superb. Additionally the score for the film by reznor is stellar with murky, melancholic undertones. Gone Girl is truly a terrifically well designed macabre and surrealistically dark thriller, which is no surprise as it was directed by the same man behind The Game, Social Media and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
The flood of negative reviews is pretty surprising. Personally I think this is a brilliant effort by the whole crew. Fincher really knew how to bring this novel to life and successfully drove home the thematic commentary emphasized in this particular work. It's actually chilling how prescient it is regarding current day social politics. Instead of enjoying this film as an artistic endeavor, the average critic apparently loves playing sleuth and can't seem to differentiate symbolic fiction from COPS or Judge Judy. Such is life, I guess this is why Hollywood rolls out Marvel films and Romcoms like big macs.
Seppuku (1962)
Rating this less than 10 stars is absurd
So close to perfection? Nothing is perfect, but if this Japanese film isn't close enough then nothing is. Harakiri is thematically brilliant, exuding tremendous emotion that leaves one staggered come end credits. I would love to say why, but it would only ruin the experience. Kobayashi had guts to deliver the sociopolitical stalemates he made within this film and I have deep respect for him having done it. Of course there is more to this film besides its commentary. Its shots and cinematography are gorgeous in every sense of the way and the acting is superb. Most importantly it's narration and story is seamless while its climactic rise is one of the best I've experienced from any film. I don't just hand out perfect ratings, but a masterpiece such as this film deserves it.
Qing mei zhu ma (1985)
Wow
I went into this film with zero expectations, having only watched a few other films by one other Taiwanese director, Ang Lee. I knew immediately from the first couple of scenes Edward Yang has earned his accolades for good reason. To really understand on a palpable level the nuances and motifs conveyed in this movie, it helps tremendously to have lived in Taipei, but I don't think that necessarily bars this film from being heralded as a classic. The themes presented in this film -- fall from grace, double binds, haunting pasts, gentrification and generational alienation -- are still universal, but poignantly unique and impactful when regarded through a Taiwanese perspective. Furthermore, much of what is portrayed in this film is still relevant today. Taipei Story is undoubtedly a classic of Asian cinema that deserves more attention especially now.
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Good grief
Passion of the Christ is a glorified snuff film. Jesus would have rather wanted to be remembered for what he taught instead of how gruesomely he perished. He also would have admonished emphasizing darkness and vengeance over love. And depicting Jesus violently stomping on the snake was so out of character I laughed. The film poorly portrays how a truly enlightened man would have lived and wanted to be seen.