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Reviews
Luther (2003)
Great Emotional Film - One of This Year's Best!
Martin Luther is without a doubt one of the most important figures in Western Civilization. His actions not only reformed Christianity, but also shaped the direction in which Europe developed and opened the door for additional reform and individual freedoms. "Luther" the movie does a fine job at highlighting Luther's actions prior to and during the Reformation.
"Luther" is a very rich movie to say the least. The costumes, scenery, music, acting, and characters all compliment the film nicely. Joseph Fiennes turns in a fine performance portraying Luther and making the audience both admire and feel pity for him throughout the film (the sticklers to realism just have to forgive the fact that Fiennes and Luther do not look very much alike). All the supporting roles were well done as well, especially Peter Ustinov as Prince Friedrich and Uwe Ochsenknecht (say that name three times fast!) as Pope Leo.
Personally as a Lutheran, I was very pleased to see the movie focus mainly on Luther's scriptural interpretations and 95 Theses rather than solely on the secular politics of the time. Thankfully, the creators of "Luther" do not tip-toe around including and expressing Christian messages as to "not offend" non-Christian viewers. If anything, all the direct references to the Bible and doctrine may win people over by showing just how much Martin Luther was a model of Christianity through his love of God and strict belief in only the scriptures (and not unjust rules of men). All that he used to battle the ridiculous man made ordinances and general corruption of the 16th century Catholic Church.
The only things I can really pick apart in "Luther" is the ending - I just wish the ending was slightly more rounded than it is, it seemed that things were sped up in the last 1/4 of the film and then it kind of ended abruptly. Nonetheless, the ending was still very emotional and made me want to stand up and applaud. I highly recommend this film to those wishing to learn more about Luther, the Reformation, or even just basic Christianity. But keep in mind, at times this film is violent. But the violence is used sparingly and only to drive home some important points in the film (such as Luther's despair over feeling responsible for so many gruesome deaths). All in all, this is a very emotional film which works on so many levels and it was a great pleasure to watch.
Lost in Translation (2003)
A Very Laid Back and Well Done Film.
Being a big fan of Bill Murray, going into this movie I expected him to stand out the most as an ever constant center of comedic attention. I was suprised (pleasantly) to find that the main characters of this film took a back seat the real show stealer - the city and people of Tokyo, Japan. The characters and story of "Lost In Translation" work well, but the scenery and camera work around Japan - and the Japanese people - make it up in case the premise doesn't hold your interest. Sofia Coppola does a fantastic job presenting Tokyo and really works well with the local color. In fact, I would go out on a limb and say her work in "Translation" in on par with that of Michael Mann (whom I consider the front-runner of technical direction and cinematography). Everything incorporates really well in this film and throughout you really can get the feeling that you are right there (please excuse the old catch phrase). But be warned, a film with such a low-key demeanor can confuse or bore some viewers who expect loud crashes and bangs every five minutes in order to let them know when to start paying attention again.
I also think the story line is very original and interesting. The on-going theme in "Lost in Translation" may seem kind of familiar to those of us who have been a foreigner alone in different city on a business trip. I'm pretty sure this movie gives several opportunities for the viewer to relate to the circumstances or characters at one time or another - that's why I think it works so well. Also, I have to admit I've become a fan of Scarlett Johansson. Her girl next-door looks and sweet demeanor really grow on you after a while - you fellas will know what I mean (plus it didn't hurt that she was lounging about in her underwear half the time)!
Definitely worth a look if you feel like seeing a laid back type of film with a bit of quirky comedy and a lot of colorful Japan!
Chicago (2002)
A Straight-Up Review Would Be Too Biased...
...But I wanted to post this as a warning to others - this movie is definitely only for the musical lovers of the audience. If you're looking for a movie with likeable characters, really authentic 20's era music(a'la Cotton Club) or a real-world dramatic theme please keep that in mind prior to viewing. But as I'm absolutely no fan for musical, it wouldn't be fair for me to give a negative review just based on that! Looking at Chicago as a pure musical - I suppose it was fantastic. Anyway, just wanted this post to serve as a warning to those who, like myself, being a completely naive midwesterner who is totally out of touch with Broadway (and of course just really "out of the loop" in general) that this film may not be what you were expecting! In all honesty though, how did this get best picture - I guess I'll just never understand Hollywood?!?
Gods and Generals (2003)
A Tough Film To Review!
I must admit, writing a review about "Gods and Generals" is very challenging. This is one of those films with many obvious and inexcusable flaws but at the same time (even within the same scenes) has many great qualities. I don't think I've ever seen a movie with such night and day differences going back and forth like this. In the same breath I could criticize and glorify this film all day long!
First, there has been much debate over the film's dialogue. At times this ranged from poetically insightful to downright corny and unrealistic. The battle scenes were for the most part terrific. You have to give credit to Maxwell for keeping the violence under what the normal modern day war movie usually has. But just like in the movie "Gettysburg," you really lose a lot of the feel and effect of the battles by not seeing just how horrific and tragic the violence of the Civil War could be.
The best features of the movie were the battles, scenery, and performances given by Robert Duvall and Stephen Lange (with excellent supporting roles from Jeff Daniels and company as well). Also there were several other small but poignant scenes which brought you back into the movie just as you are about to daze out. One of them that comes to mind (besides the battles) was the brief exchange between the Confederate and Union soldiers at the river on Christmas.
The most disappointing issue for me was the absence of the battle of Antietam. That was the most exciting and intense Civil War battle before Gettysburg. Hopefully the DVD restored footage will do it justice.
Now, not to trash Ron Maxwell's professionalism, but I wish "Gods and Generals" could have been cleaned up a little bit by removing some of the obvious flaws. The dialogue, editing, and overall tone of the movie could have used a few more strokes of the writer's pen or a little extra bit of director's flare. Ted Turner, while I don't at all agree with most of his politics, should be commended on fronting the time and capital to make this project work. Despite its failures "Gods and Generals" was an interesting movie and worthy of a screening to at least enjoy the good qualities of the film. But unfortunately attention deficit sex&violence movie going society and impatient slanted film critics will all trash "Gods and Generals," leaving it to the Civil War and history buffs to extract the worthy messages from it.
Gangs of New York (2002)
Titanic II: Washed Ashore?
Scorsese is a brilliant director, creating some genuine masterpieces of film - but I think Gangs of New York may have been just out of his league. Scorsese had everything to work with that usually makes his films blast off: A great cast, true crime story (as true as Hollywood gets, anyhow), and of course dramatic violence to drive home the point that sick human beings are really capable of that kind of stuff. For some reason, it just didn't work out here in GNY. As much as I wanted to really enjoy this film, when asked by others how it was, I can only reply "Ehnnn..." while turning my hand back and forth.
Gangs of New York displays its Titanic feathers in its very premise. The scenario pits the hero from the bad part of town (Leo), an initially reluctant love interest (Cameron Diaz/Kate Winslet), the upper echelon villainous villain who has her (Zane/Day-Lewis) and a major historical backdrop with impending doom (SS Titanic/1863 Draft Riots). Mix it all together, put the dramatic climax during the historical climax (Leo and his love dodging people falling off the titanic into the ocean during the sinking/Leo and his love dodging Navy shelling during the riots), put into context here and there miscellaneous social and political aspects of the historical period (the treatment of the poor and class wars on the Titanic/the treatment of immigrants and Civil War issues in 1863 New York), add a dash of gratuitous nudity (need I embellish?). Bake at 70 degrees - 55 if the heat's out at the Cineplex - for 3+ hours and...BAM you have yourself a Titanic blockbuster!
Other problems also came to mind while watching this film. First there's the fact that Leonardo DiCaprio is just not believable as a mid 19th century crime lord. As good an actor as he is (and his performance in this case wasn't terrible)...the guy is just not believable in GNY. The accent didn't stick and every time he spoke as the narrator, I momentarily wondered "Who cast the Malcolm in the Middle Kid to do narration?" He needs to stick to films that he can be really great in such as Gilbert Grape, Romeo and Juliet, and of course, Titanic.
All in all, GNY was not without its merits. Daniel Day-Lewis turns in the performance of his career as Bill "Da Butcha." Several scenes with the Butcher were great and the scenes during the election were hilarious. Between those, things could get slow. The ending was entertaining but overall a letdown.
Gangs of New York had a lot of potential, but when all is said and done at the end, we have another Titanic - beefed-up/heavy, overdone, ==seemingly=> unsinkable?
Glory (1989)
STILL The Best Civil War Movie To Date!
This movie falls into the "must see" category for historical dramas. Much like the films Saving Private Ryan and Last of the Mohicans, Glory stands as the war film to beat for its time period.
Glory arguably contains the most technically realistic and memorable Civil War reenactment scenes ever shot. Who didn't wince and watch in horror when Shaw and his regiment were blown to bits during the Antietam scene (which I would guess it was the West Woods portion of the Antietam battle??)? Who didn't feel uplifted when the 54th cuts down the Confederate cavalry charge which foolishly thought it would be no problem to break the lines of an inexperienced -and black- regiment? And finally, who didn't watch with solemn pride the dramatic climax of the Fort Wagner assault.
This movie shows that even though the men were treated as (even below) second class citizens by their own country and army, they still had the integrity and honor to fight the best they could for the Union - and eachother. That's why those men in the 54th and every other black regiment stood out from the rest. They must have known of America's potential even before America did and fought to develop that and win black people the dignity and respect they always deserved but never got. Glory puts that struggle on film for us to experience - and doesn't disappoint.
Time Bandits (1981)
"REEEETURN THE MAP!!"
One of my all-time favorite films from childhood, Time Bandits remains timeless (pardon the pun)! This entire picture just emanates fun, quirkiness, and fantasy - while still managing to be intelligent and very witty. In fact, I have trouble even categorizing Time Bandits into a film genre. While not being the greatest or most coherent movie of all time, it remains one of the most memorable. Based on the most timeless and ongoing good-vs-evil struggle: God vs. The Devil (or Supreme Being vs. Evil Genius in this case), Time Bandits moves all over in and out of reality mixing fact and fiction. (*Minor Spoiler*) We're even left in the end to come up with our own conclusions about what happened, further proof that to watch this movie you need a good imagination and a strange sense of humor!
If you're too nitpicky and have forgotten how to just relax and enjoy a fun movie then this may not be for you. For those of us with the runaway imaginations and an "off the wall" outlook on life - this is it right here!
I have just picked up this movie on DVD and can't wait to show my kids one day - hopefully before they become spoiled by $100 million CGI special effects, bland story lines, and characters without heart.