Darth Stujitzu's Reviews

Schindler's List 1993 Directed by; Steven Spielberg.


After watching Klimov's " Come and see " yesterday,it's been on my mind since, and although I tried not to draw comparisons to Schindler's List, there are definite parallels between the two films.



Based on the true life story of Oskar Schindler, a war profiteer and member of the Nazi party who saved the lives of more than 1,100 Jews during the Holocaust.

I went back and watched it again today, my main memories of my first viewing was that it was one of the few movies that has made me cry. Specifically the part with the young boy hiding in the toilet, and the shower scene at Auschwitz. Although I remembered these two scenes specifically, it still had the same effect, and it remains a very moving and emotional film that you can't help becoming imersed in the story.
The main difference of Schindler's List compared to Come and see, is that Schindler's List is shot in black and white, and whilst this makes it a little less gory, it looses none of the impact had it been shot in colour.
I don't want to say too much about the film, I think its an important film that deserves to be seen by as wide and varied audience as possible. It's important that the mistakes of the past are never forgotten, although we don't seem to have learnt all that much given the current climate we're in. The acting is excellent, Liam Neeson and Ben Kingsley give subtle yet powerfull performances, never letting too much emotion interfere with a difficult subject matter, but special praise for Ralph Fiennes who had a very complex character to portray. To have any sympathy for his character is purely down to Fiennes skill as an actor, by the end of the film my feelings were that he was the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time.
A very thought provoking film, that is surely up with the best of Spielberg's work and deserves all its praise.


Rating 4.5/5

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Toga, toga, toga......


Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbour?

The Assasination of Richard Nixon 2004 Directed by; Niels Mueller


Based on the true story of disgruntled salesman Samuel J Bicke, and his struggle to keep his life from falling apart.


This will probably be one of my shortest reviews, an incredibley dull and boring film that I found little to like or keep me intrested in.
Sean Penn gives an ok performance, but I was bored to tears by this film and can't really recommend it to anyone.


Rating 0.5/5

The Fisher King 1991 Directed by; Terry Gilliam.



A modern day fairy tale set in New York.
Robin Williams plays Parry, a homeless man living in a fantasy world in and around New York. Jeff Bridges is Jack, a man on the downward spiral after a tragic incident influenced by his arrogance.


A charming film that is a great example of fine acting and Terry Gilliam's unique visual style. Bridges excells at playing slightly eccentric and quirky characters, and Williams was born to play Parry, strong support from Amanda Plummer and Mercedes Ruehl help complete the ensemble.
There is so much to enjoy in this film, especially if you're a fan of Gilliam and his films. Where else would you find a Red-Knight galloping around Cental park, or a mass waltz around central station involving a cast of hundreds? There is even a Python-esque moment involving a bum in drag that always makes me laugh.
I love Gilliam's work and this is a great example of him in all his pomp and glory.


Rating 4.5/5

I love this film. I was blown away by it when it first came out - hadn't seen much else by Gilliam. Michael Jeter was marvellous in it, as well as the rest of the cast. They were all so strong and so well-used.

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Review: Cabin in the Woods 8/10

I love, love this film! I recently had the good fortune to aquire a special copy of the criterion laserdisc version WITH Terry Gilliam commentary (not available on the DVD, unfortunately). I just watched the film without commentary the other night, and I will pop this tape in soon to compare my thoughts with the thoughts of the man himself. Actually, been on a big Gilliam kick lately.

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I've just come off a Gilliam kick, right before my Christian Bale kick.
Just when I thought I'd seen all of G's, I learned about Jabberwocky. I really love the worlds he creates, and have enjoyed nearly all of the stories.

Chinatown 1974 Directed by; Roman Polanski


Polanski's take on film noir with Jack Nicholson as private eye Jake Gittes.

Nicholson's Gittes is a private eye specialising in extra marital affairs, who bites off more than he bargained for after accepting what looks like a relatively straight forward case. A slow steady thriller that is still fresh some 30 years on, Polanski's direction is excellent, and it's one of those films that keeps you guessing until the very end. The cast is rounded out by Faye Dunaway as the femme-fatale and an excellent John Huston as her devious and meddling father. Polanski makes a brief cameo too, but it is really Nicholson's film, and he is on top form here. For all thriller and film noir fans this is a must see, highly recommended.

Rating 4/5

Another great one. I didn't see this til about 2 years ago, and have to say that your comment about it still being fresh today is spot on.

Sorry it took me so long to read this review, Stu. Very well written. It certainly piqued my interest to see it. To be honest...it piqued my interest a lot. Thanks, bud. You just recommended something I had never even heard of.

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Great review Darth… thanks. Will definitely add this one to my "too see" list…

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Ong-Bak 2003 Directed by; Prachya Pinkaew



Ong -Bak is your typical asian kung-fu flick, complete with all the cliches. Basically this film was made to showcase Thailand's new martial arts superstar Tony Jaa's particular brand of Muay Thai kickboxing. The story revolves around a stolen sacred Budha's head from Ting's(Tony Jaa) village. Ting sets off to Bangkok to retrieve his villages sacred ornament.

All the cliches are here, the former villager turned bad boy who eventually redeems himself, the annoying nasal voiced female sidekick(her voice is a form of torture, I kept hoping she would be killed off for the sake of my sanity) the evil genius who masterminds the theft of the Budha head, his ever so evil sidekick/right hand man, and the usual bunch of extras who grow to love the simple country boy hero.

Tony Jaa is indeed a very talented martial artist, Muay Thai is more direct and brutal form of martial art, compared to recent years more baletic performances in films such as Crouching Tiger..., Hero, and House of Flying Daggers. My main problem with this film, was that the story was very weak, and the movie was fleshed out with needless and unbelieveable set pieces for Jaa to show off. After about an hour, I didn't care any more about the film, and even the fight scenes had become repeatative and boring, similar to Jean Claude Van Damme and Steven Segal movies, a few nifty fight scenes does not a great movie make.

This movie is only for Muay Thai kickboxing fanatics, a return to the old days of bad chop sockey movies that are instantly forgetable.

Rating 1/5

Maria Full of Grace 2004 Directed by; Joshua Marston


The story follows Maria( Catalina Sandino Moreno ) a rebellious 17 year old Colombian flower worker, and her journey as a drug mule in order to provide for her family and her upcoming new baby.


It's easy to see why Moreno was nominated at last year's Oscars, as Maria she gives a strong and compelling performance in this harrowing story. Well directed and acted, it never preaches, but instead shows the harsh realities of being a drug mule, and how easy it is to fall into that lifestyle.
I really enjoyed this film, and I always find it easier to relate to films that tackle hard issues without having a Hollywood heart-throb in the lead character role.
Without having the huge finances available to most Hollywood films, Maria full of grace has instead to focus on fine acting, a strong story and a compelling script.
Not for everyone, it is slightly depressing due to the subject matter, but I would rather watch a finely crafted film like Maria anyday compared to Hollywood's often clumsy attempts to deal with harsh realities.
Highly recommended.


Rating 4.5/5

Thanks for the thoughts, Stu. I'll avoid the kung-fu cliche-fest. And I've heard good things about Maria... from several people.

good reviews, I agree with ur Maria Full of Grace review.

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Suspect's Reviews

The Boys from Brazil 1978 Directed by; Franklin J Schaffner


Decades after World War 2, famous Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman ( Laurence Olivier ) begins to unravel some mysterious goings on with possible links to a new Arian race created by famed Nazi Dr.Josef Mengele ( Gregory Peck ).


A classic thriller, that at the time of release was at the cutting edge of scientific theory, that is still pertinant today. The basic premise is that Dr.Mengele has cloned 94 young Hitlers, whom he is grooming to continue the work of the Nazis decades later.
A taught thriller with an impressive cast, as well as Peck and Olivier, James Mason, Michael Gough ( Alfred the butler in Burton's Batman films ) Prunella Scales ( from Fawlty Towers ) and a young Steve Guttenberg ( pre Police Academy and Cocoon) all cameo during the witch-hunt lead by Lieberman.
Although almost 30 years old, this movie is even more relative today. The recent break throughs in human gene developement, DNA mapping and cloning have all become big news in the last few years. The film raises ethical questions that are echoed in today's society, namely the cloning of human beings and what effects cloning has on subsequent personality and behavioural patterns.
An enjoyable old school thriller , Peck in particular is superb as the ruthless and bordering on insane fanatic Dr.Mengele. Watching Peck, you believe he has ice running through his vains, I haven't seen such a menacing villan in recent years.
Highly recommended.


Rating 4/5

The Mission 1986 Directed by; Roland Joffe



Based on the true story of the brutal betrayal of an American Indian tribe and their Jesuit mission, by the army of Spain.


Jack Kroll of Newsweek called this " A sweeping spectacle " when reviewing the film. It is a true modern masterpiece of cinematography, a brutal and haunting movie that stays with you long after the credits have rolled.
Hardly surprising that it won Best Picture at the Cannes Film Festival in 1986 and subsequent Best Cinematography Oscar, it is a lavish, spectacular film that was well worthy of both awards. Ennio Morricone's score is fantastic, and a perfect partner for the stunning cinematography.
Fine acting from both leads, Jeremy Irons as Gabriel the Jesuit priest, and Robert De Niro as Rodrigo, a born again Jesuit with a tragic past.
There is so much to recommend about this film, especially the Oscar winning cinematography, although a little slow at times, the film never drags, and the beautiful lush landscapes are almost worth watching the film for by themselves.
A must see for budding directors or cinematographers.

Rating 4.5/5

Gimmie Shelter 1970 Directed by; David & Albert Maysles, & Charlotte Zwerin



A fly-on-the-wall documentary following the build up and ill fated 1969 free concert by the Rolling Stones in San Francisco.



Very much an old school rock documentary, it hasn't dated well, but is still a very intresting and worthwhile film. The main arc to this documentary is the Rolling Stones decision to give a free concert in 1969 that attracted close to 300,000 people, and their poor judgement in employing a couple of dozen local Hell's Angels to act as security.
Needless to say that it doesn't take long before the Hell's Angels are dishing out their own style of crowd control, which ultimately leads to fatalities. Whatever the Stones and their management were on when they made the decision surrounding the Hell's Angels,must have been the mother of all come-downs when they eventually straightened out. Mind you, knowing the Stones, that probably took a few decades, if at all in Keith Richards case!
A little slow to get going, but it's great to see the Stones at the height of their fame and power, and it's also intresting to see " Flower Power " in its full glory, a real history lesson for youngsters like myself!


Rating 3.5/5

3 days of the Condor 1975 Directed by ; Sydney Pollack

Robert Redford is CIA agent Turner, code name Condor, who returns from a lunch time errand to find a mass slaughter in his office.


I have been watching a lot of films from my youth recently, films I remember watching on the tv as a young boy. Three days of the Condor is one such film, and whilst I remember enjoying the film as a kid, I didn't expect to enjoy it so much twenty or more years later. The story is still relevant in today's society, scarily so, and unlike other films from the same time, it doesn't look too dated.

Cold war thrillers were all the rage in the 70's and 80's, and what makes these films still so enjoyable are very strong stories that are not reliant on special effects to cover up plot holes. Fine acting by Redford, an actor I have always enjoyed watching, as well as Faye Dunaway as the soft focus love intrest, Cliff Robertson as Condor's boss, and the ever watchable Max Von Sydow as the assassin.
A great thriller, I highly recommend it.

Rating 4/5

Thanks for the great reviews.

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Sahara 2005

Directed by; Breck Eisner


Whilst searching for a legendary lost Civil War battleship, Dirk Pitt and his best friend Al Giordino, come to the aid of UN doctor Eva Rojas who has made a deadly discovery whilst in Mali, Africa.

To be honest, I didn't have high hopes for this film, I was expecting something more along the lines of " Romancing the Stone " than Indiana Jones. Sahara though proved to be an enjoyable high action romp/ buddy movie, a play by numbers winning formula that will no doubt spawn a sequel.
Mathew McConaughey is Dirk Pitt, an all action performance that fits him comfortably, whilst Steve Zahn as comic relief Al Giordino does a fine job in helping the film move along at a decent pace. Added to this is Penelope Cruz as love intrest Eva Rojas, unlike most other buddy flicks though, Cruz is on board as something more than just eye-candy, and her character is nicely fleshed out.
William H Macy is Admiral Jim Sandecker, and although he isn't given a lot to do in the movie, it was surprising to see him in a film of this genre, as always he does his job with aplomb. There is also a small cameo role for Delroy Lindo, again not a major role in the film, but still worth watching.

Big dumb fun, perfect for rainy Friday nights, or if you live in Scotland, perfect any night!!!


Rating 3.5/5