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Reviews
Se7en (1995)
Who's right and who's wrong?
This is an outstanding movie. Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey are pitch-perfect, and Brad Pitt is solid. Pitt actually had a lot to do with this movie's success outside of his acting. He forced the studio to keep the original ending, and he forced them to shell out the money to get Spacey. It is fortunate that he did, as those two elements are central to the movie's greatness. Spacey played the killer so chillingly that it makes his message seem all the more unnerving and, perhaps, correct. The uncompromising ending leaves the viewer shocked and reeling. This movie could not have worked without it. Outside of those obvious elements, another key to the film is Freeman's character. His outlook on life is and how it is affected by the murders and by his new partner is a key subplot the film. It brings more weight to the picture. Also, David Fincher's dark, dreary direction adds to the film, somewhat similar to the way Ridley Scott's dark vision adds to Blade Runner. The constant rain is a nice touch, especially when it ironically recedes after the killer shows up. I was never a Nine Inch Nails fan, but their dark brand of music fits this film well, as evidenced in the opening credits. Overall, I think this is one of the great films of all time. Watch it if you can handle grisly images and if you like unnerving endings.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
Brilliant to see in the theater
This was hilarious. Sam Rockwell was excellent as Zaphod, and the sound of Alan Rickman's voice is enough to make me laugh. The plot is pretty good, but you don't have to understand it to enjoy the movie. Mos Def was good as Ford Prefect, and Martin Freeman is a great everyman. A lot of the people who didn't like the changes from the book to the movie should know that every version is slightly different, something Douglas Adams liked. Besides, it's not like John Malkovich would ever ruin a movie. He's too good of an actor. The romance between Trillian and Arthur seemed to be conspicuously absent from the book, but I guess Adams didn't want to be formulaic with his book. He did add it here. Marvin is funnier than the book, just because of Rickman. Watch this in the theater, as, like most movies, the visuals are more stunning. Reading the book beforehand is also recommended. You might understand it a little more.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Don't worry about the plot, enjoy the characters.
The Big Lebowski features one of the most convoluted plots in film history. If only it mattered. The greatest thing about this film is the characters that are created. The Dude (Jeff Bridges) is one of the all-time great film creations. Walter (John Goodman), standing in stark contrast to the Dude's pacifism, is similarly brilliant. Steve Buscemi is funny in a minimalistic role as Donny, who is always one sentence behind everyone else. The Stranger (Sam Elliott) is a classic narrator, completely unrelated to the plot. Other unnecessary characters include the unnervingly funny Jesus (John Turturro) and the painfully awkward landlord Marty (one of the underappreciated moments in the film is his dance routine). Honestly, would the plot really be affected if the stranger, Donny, Jesus, Marty, Brandt, or Knox Harrington weren't in the film. What about the private detective at the end, or the fascist policeman. The plot need not be understood to enjoy the comedy gold of this film. I gave it the a ten on this website's ratings, and it is my personal favorite Coen brothers movie (right ahead of O Brother, Where Art Thou and Miller's Crossing).
The Usual Suspects (1995)
Extraordinarily well-made film.
Great acting. Excellent script. Brilliant ending.
That's The Usual Suspects.
I knew who the bad guy was all along, and it was still a good ending. Not just the twist, but the quote montage that went with it. Having the film end with the two most famous quotes was genius.
"And like that...he's gone."
Then the last note of the theme music. That's how a mystery movie ending should be. Lead in one direction, then radically shift to another.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Seen many films, this is the best.
I have to say that Pulp Fiction is the best film I've ever seen. Quentin Tarantino's greatest talent as a filmmaker is his ability to pull career-best performances out of actors, particularly his first two films(this and Reservoir Dogs).
Samuel L. Jackson is as good as advertised. His bible quote has gone down in history next to Robert Duvall's napalm speech in Apocalypse Now and Marlon Brando's contender speech in On the Waterfront as one of the most memorable monologues in film history. Travolta, Willis, and Thurman were all also good, but the film's other great performance comes from Harvey Keitel. The Wolf is so cool that even Jules is left in awe.
Tarantino and Roger Avary's script is composed of elements of other famous films yet remains original in its conception. The dialogue is profane, but hilarious and sometimes even profound. Even with this excellent script, the acting is what makes this film great.
Other great movies include Scarface, the first two Godfathers, the original Star Wars movies(but not the new ones), The Usual Suspects, Taxi Driver, and the aforementioned Apocalypse Now and Reservoir Dogs.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Part of me thinks this is better than Pulp Fiction.
I consider Pulp Fiction to be the best movie ever made, but sometimes I think this might actually be better. The story might not be as entertaining, but the acting may actually be better. Steve Buscemi is perfect as the professional Mr. Pink. Tim Roth's performance as Orange is often overlooked for some reason(kind of like Roth himself). Michael Madsen is scary as Mr. Blonde and that's a good thing seeing as how Blonde is a psycho.
The actors actually become their characters. Each is perfectly cast and Tarantino(like in Pulp Fiction) gets some career-bests from these guys. Also, the ending is very realistic. That is usually what happens to bank robbers(not normally that dramatic though).