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Review #9 - Drive:
(Nicolas Winding Refn, 2011)


Drive is a beautiful film, the gloominess and neon nights are main to attribute but what else looks good is the blood and gore, it's just wow-worthy and even with that, I feel the first half of character development trumps the latter half of amazingly detailed violence. Ryan Gosling puts in a good performance as expected, he's a very good actor but I do question the skill involved in this specific role, most of his emotions were very black and white like when he's stomping that guy's face to a pulp in the elevator - he's angry or when he's gazing into Carey Muligan's eyes - he's happy or when he's staring into space - he's weird. I didn't find much ambiguity with his emotions. The opening drive really sets the moody atmosphere and the substance lives up to the well crafted atmosphere, it's mysterious and it seems like there's so much more to it and contains a great lot of symbolism. The surface story of the Driver seems to be covering something of his deeper past. It's like he's an alien exiled from his home planet and is finally developing the emotion of human beings and adapting to our way of socialising.

I really liked it, not quite loved it. Refn's influence had to include The Driver, it's like an unofficial remake.



To make up for the short review, he's a treat. No, it's not just Taxi Driver, recognise the music.




I was disappointed in Drive the first time, but liked it as much as you the 2nd time. I don't think I'm much of a fan of the director but he does a nice job here. I think the cast is great in this movie. Maybe check out The Driver (1978) with Ryan O'Neal. I don't think Drive is considered a remake, but if not, it ripped the other movie off.



I just read your first two reviews to start. They're really good. I like your style. I think I'll keep my eye on this thread.

I haven't seen Raging Bull or Death Wish, but now I think I may steer clear of Death Wish even though I do like Charles Bronson.



Review #10 - Scary Movie:
(Keenen Ivory Wayans, 2000)


I loved Scary Movie as a kid and that feeling still resonates (to some extent) today. First off, the characters are caricatures of typical horror personalities, my favorites are the ones played by Anna Faris, Wayans Brothers and Regina Hall. The film consists of slapstick and gross out humor which are done with the intent of spoofing horror films like Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, The Exorcist and The Sixth Sense (among others). They succeed quite well in doing that, I laughed many times admittedly. Scary Movie could be seen as a continuation of the Scream series as the latter (imo) was really a parody, though very subtle in its approach unlike Scary Movie which is rather OTT. Call me of bad taste but this is just my type of comedy. I could rewatch Scary Movie a lot and not grow tired of its silliness, it's funny, as simple as that. I quite like the second and third one as well. Oh yeah and Carmen Electra, yummy.



WARNING: "I won't be held accountable for any spilliage." spoilers below



Review #11 - Snowtown (aka The Snowtown Murders):
(Justin Kurzel, 2011)


Snowtown is about true murders in the town of Snowtown, Australia. As far as I know, the killer would stuff his victims' corpse into a barrel of acid. The movie follows the same plot, a warning for the faint hearted that it's as you guessed not for the faint hearted, the film follows through with a very bleak tone and there's not much of a single uplifting moment. It's probably the bleakest film of the 20th century so far, excluding foreign and indie films. Daniel Henshall plays the one committing the atrocities (John Bunting) and he does a damn fine job, he sort of plays a double life in here - one moment he's a happy Australian chap, chatting with the locals in a harmless way. Next, he's a deranged, rambling maniac and comes off as very manipulative, especially to Jamie Vlassakis who's the son of the mother Bunting is dating. He's played by Lucas Pittaway, who also puts in a good performance and imitates a traumatised and unconfident (easy to use) young boy to great detail.

I think it's a quality film, I personally didn't like it though. You have your Midnight Cowboys, your Taxi Drivers, your Hostels but I don't think they match the coldness found in Snowtown. Hell, I even think it pussifies Henry: The Portrait of a Serial Killer which is a tough cookie to crack. I wouldn't say it's a snuff film because most of the film depicts the characters suffering psychological torture rather than the traditional, off-putting kind.

I don't mind anyone who likes it, I can understand Snowtown's greatness but it just wasn't my cup of tea.




Snowtown is very much my kind of movie but I was left disappointed. Maybe it was because my wife and her sister were stoned and laughing through the whole thing. I should probably watch it again.



That seemed to be hysterical, but apparently the funniest part was the brother on brother rape. It's like there was laughing gas in the room.



Review #12 - The Terminator:
(James Cameron, 1984)


James Cameron's first feature film is the perfect blend of Sci-Fi, Action and Horror. The major roles as cliché as they may be, are all exquisitely performed by Arnie, Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn.

The Terminator in many scenes truly looked like a hunter seeking out its prey, especially in the nightclub scene which is so enthralling the first time you see it. Kyle Reese is as determined as the T-800 to stop its goal of termination and Sarah Connor, that very target of both future comers, in the middle and poorly confused. Hamilton's performance is impressive, but even more so when you see her transformation in the sequel.

The flashbacks (or flashfronts) give us a vague vision of the future without revealing a lot, but enough to spark a great sense of intrigue. The Terminator is partly horror for sure, the gory effects, futuristic yet creepy score, the T-800's approach to situations (ala dismantling thugs in a gruesome manner when they refuse to give up their clothes) and the direction which is very remisiscent of slasher films enforce my statement.

Michael Biehn's performance is amazingly underrated, the way his character evolves from a cold, emotionless and symbolically faceless soldier to one with inbuilt affection towards the barer of his leader is a magnificent display of character development, Sarah's transformation doesn't only start in T2, there are subtle things here that indicate the progressing of a princessy-type girl into a serious and commanding woman, stuff like bravely aiding Reese and completely disregarding her own safety when the T-800 is right on their tail.

Now Arnie, he's one mean machine, some say he doesn't suit the bad guy role but when it comes down to the nitty, gritty, he's in heaven as the killer cyborg. His face literally looks like a stone and virtually unpunchable, thus matching my real life interpretation of a machine-man, even his accent seems out of computer faults as it's not fluent, unsure if that was intentional or not, but it's pretty cool when you think about it. The love story between Sarah and Reese is so sweet that the ending death will have your heart broken.

Every single action set-piece is glory, the police station shootout is easily my favourite among any action movie. So many quotable lines, good looking prosthetics, varied settings, flashbacks into the war between machines and humans are downright haunting, car chases, creative ending, explosions etc.

Much goodness in here, I love this film. The Terminator held a special place in my heart as a kid and still does, it's not quite my favourite now but any other day, it could be. Oh and that thumping theme is music to my ears.




Review #13 - Midnight Cowboy:
(John Schlesinger, 1969)


Midnight Cowboy is a stunning journey of hopes/expectations, disappointment and bonding. From the minute Joe Buck steps onto that bus to NYC with nothing but a grave amount of childlike enthusiasm, it's a monumental ride to the finish. Jon Voight plays this naïve, out of touch "cowboy" with unparalleled prowess, partner being the limp, con-man Ratso Rizzo who's shoes are filled by the great Dustin Hoffman with a near-equal portrayal.

I love how genuine Joe and Ratso's friendship feels, from the initial run-in at the café to the cat and mouse chase for Joe's revenge, after all the crap they've endured, still strive together for a better life. It pulls at your heart strings, Joe obviously shares a bit of unsureness towards Ratso after the initial backstab in feeding him to a life of gay prostitution for a mere twenty bucks, though I sensed regret on Ratso's part which is kinda proven as he does offer him shelter and food afterwards. I think (my opinion) Ratso for the first time in his life, felt a connection between himself and Joe, and thus wanted to further the friendship but his instincts (con man reflexes) took hold and things went downhill from there.

I'm making this sound like some buddy-comedy, it's not though. It's frequently dark and depressing and doesn't shy away from lurid topics. Midnight Cowboy is too a disturbingly detailed portrait of NYC in the 70s, at least from what I've heard. There's drugs, prostitution, rape scenes (distorted), dark comedy, trippy sequences, nudity etc. the whole lot, matter of fact, Midnight Cowboy was the first X-rated film to win an Oscar, beating out a John Wayne film (True Grit), ironic as Joe Buck imitates Wayne in certain scenes attempting to revive a dying gimmick and Joe himself, actually shuts out this phony personification in a heart-breaking yet uplifting scene at the end. The score seems incompatible at first glance but humbles you with instrumentals like Everybody's Talkin, which instantly reminds me of that joyous walk down a crowded NY street with Joe Buck, looking so out of place with his cowboy gear.

I don't know what else to say, I just went on a rant dishing out all the positive, Midnight Cowboy is THE tale of an unlikely friendship and a true work of art that everyone must see.




Review #14 - Alien:
(Ridley Scott, 1979)


Alien is one of the best in proving the effectiveness of a slow burn, the first hour or so sets up the characters and places them into a distinct persona - Ripley as the law abiding captain, Dallas as the law breaker, Lambert as the station princess who can't handle things herself, Parker as the macho dude and Brett as his smartass sidekick. In the first hour, the tension lingering made my body numb and I sat there, just anxiously anticipating. It's like you just want the first scare to pop up already, so you don't have that sense of paranoia tingling in the back of your mind. It's practically bone chilling, Ridley Scott tossed me a bone with signs of the first scare with the egg opening and all, loosening up the tension, thank you. It's still terrifying all in all, the creature being obscured with a dark environment was a brilliant idea on whoever's part, it leaves a lot to the imagination, well until Cameron decided to go all frontal for the sequel (which is completely fine).

I could see Dallas being killed midway into the film and so early into the Alien's wrath as shocking for the 70s, the supposed hero gone in a second and with his unclear death, you're just left waiting for a return that never comes. All left for an unusual survivor in Ellen Ripley, It takes a good hour or so to know who the film is centring on, you could make the assumption of Kane being the main character from the initial scene or Ripley for her likeability and smarts in the after segments or Dallas for his hero traits (protecting Ripley from the facehugger). It's all a secret until the killing begins and you finally realise who's got the tools to survive.

The ending is masterful, you sit there, waiting for it to be over and it goes on and on. Such a sequence must've been unknown to a 70s audience, so unexpected and the literal scare is creativity at its best. The Alien using its bodily abilities to hide in a wall, then just stretch out carelessly like it has Ripley cornered and dead, NO MATTER WHAT. You've probably heard it before but I'll be one to reassure, Alien is the perfect Sci-Fi/Horror film.




You can't make a rainbow without a little rain.
Review #12 - The Terminator:
(James Cameron, 1984)


James Cameron's first feature film is the perfect blend of Sci-Fi, Action and Horror. The major roles as cliché as they may be, are all exquisitely performed by Arnie, Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn.

I love The Terminator, but I've never thought of it as a horror movie. Just sci-fi and action.



I enjoyed your reviews of The Terminator and Alien. Two great films, and I think The Terminator is underrated, and way better than T2. Arnie plays a more emotionless stone-faced robot in the first film. It's the only James Cameron movie I like. It also has the perfect 80's cyberpunk gritty feel which is just classic.



The Terminator is better than T2 and that's not downplaying the latter either. Both are very different takes on the same topic.