A very nice romantic film with some great moments of humour and a wonderful central performance from Bill Murray, who was deservedly Oscar-nominated. However the Japanese scenes annoyed me, as did a scene with a prostitute, and I think it has attained a reputation it does not deserve. In other words, I thonk it's overrated.
Every year, US critics (led by Roger Ebert in this case) pick a film which they deem to be the start of a new era/the greatest film of its type since .../an utter masterpiece which deserves to sweep the Oscars etc.. Many of the films that they pick are good (in the case of LIT very good) but few of these particular films are as astonishing as they deem them to be. Ebert even made a comment that if you don't fall heads over heels in love with LIT, it says more about you than it does about the film. Right. 8-)
To finish with, I'll just say that I think it's a very good film with some wonderful things going for it but it is flawed and is not the greatest romantic film released in X number of years. I would certainly recommend it though.
BTW there are films which IMO fit the above descriptions (the start of a new era/the greatest film of its type since ...etc...) however they are not necessarily the films which seem to be targeted by these critics every year. (Crash was another one of these films.)
Next: Dances With Wolves.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
There are only two white men amongst the natives movies I can stand. One is Bruce Beresford's astonishing Black Robe, which shows the culture clash between Christian and Native American cultures and at the same time is a moving portrayal of religious belief. Second is Last of the Mohicans which is great entertainment. Dances with Wolves is one of the many others that annoy the hell out of me. In these types of movies there's always one Native in particular who is overly-hostile, but ends up becoming like a brother, leading to an absurd "you are one of us" type moment. To me DWW marks the turning point in Kevin Costner's career. It's the moment when he went from being a likeable leading man who made terrific movies, Fandango, The Untouchables, Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, and Tony Scott's underrated Revenge to the self-regarding egotist who made Waterworld and The Postman. I think this was the movie that stopped Scorsese picking up any awards for Goodfella's. That's another reason to treat it with contempt.
EVIL DEAD II -- Likeable sequel to superior original, played for laughs with slapstick and horror, great popcorn entertainment with loads of quotable lines. I enjoy Army Of Darkness more, mainly for medieval trappings which register a soft spot.
Oh, and for the record, I'm totally in agreement regarding DWW. In all likely hood, Eastwood's underrated A Perfect World is my favorite Costner role, along with Revenge, mainly for the brilliance that is Anthony Quinn. (I would have done the same thing if you messed with my wife) :v
On the whole, Costner just leaves me cold. Except for Connery I'm not a fan of Depalma's Untouchables. That movie is hardly the classic the awards would have you believe. Connery replayed his Malone "mentor" role later in Rising Sun. It's the same part, only better.
I saw this drunk in amongst a rowdy bunch of other Scottish people, who were probably drunk as well. At the time it seemed like the greatest film ever made. It was like being at a Scotland/England football match. 6 months later I saw it on VHS and realised it was a manipulative load of crap.
A fantatsic genre film, that has amazing music, some fantastic scenes and a trio of really good performances. Some people has blamed this for leading tp the blockbuster; I say get over it! Spielberg himself has complained about it, saying that it is rather impersonal. While it is not as personal as some of his other films, I think he should be proud of it nonetheless. It truly is a masterpiece and is one of the greatest films ever made.
Next: Witness (with Harrison Ford.)
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Excellent thriller with Ford as a tough city cop protecting an Amish boy who witnessed a murder. This has my all-time favourite Harrison Ford moment B-) , which thankfully somebody has posted on Youtube.
A wonderful thriller, featuring great performances, vibrant cinematography and a fantastic screenplay, which remains among the best 'political' thrillers in years. One could debate about the idea of rich white people coming to the rescue of poor black Africans, however I don't think it destracts from the film in any way. I think it's a very good film which I would recommend to anybody.
BTW the scene in Witness is indeed fantastic.
Next: Dick Tracy
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
A fun, campy movie with a compitent all-star cast, whom all play their characters perfectly. As a campy comic-book-film-noir-action flick, Dick Tracy is pretty good and accomplishes what it set out to achieve. Taken seriously, its pretty mediocre. I enjoy watching it every once in a while, but it's not a great movie by its own merrit (Not sure what I mean by that).
Next:Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Mr MartiniThat nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,707MI6 Agent
A great movie. Mixing animation with real actors. When I saw this in the movies for the first time i loved it, my Mom thought it was very campy. To this day, I think it's one of the best movies made. it should be a classic in years to come. how can you not love Christopher Walken? And how could I forget Jessica Rabbit?
Next film: Pulp Fiction
Some people would complain even if you hang them with a new rope
A wonderful film that proves that Tarantino, for all of his ego, is indeed a genius and among the finest directors of his generation. Pulp Fiction is a delight in that every element of the film (from the performances to the script to the direction) are wonderful to watch. The dialogue is a real highlight of the film ("Oh, I'm sorry, did I break your concentration? I didn't mean to do that. Please continue. You were saying something about best intentions..." being among the best speeches in the film), while Travolta, Thurman, Willis, Walken and especially Jackson are all wonderful.
I think that Tarantino is an egomaniac and overestimates his love of cinema. I would not want to meet him, but I do think that he is a supremely talented and enormously important filmmaker and Pulp Fiction is a major reason for this. For anybody who are interested in cinema, I would very much recommend this film. {[]
Next: JFK.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Very silly biopic from the tiresome windbag Oliver Stone. It concludes that the death of JFK was brought about, if I understood this correctly, by a group of fanatical right-wing, homosexual neo-nazi's. Whether or not you believe Lee Harvey-Oswald had accomplices, or was just a really good shot, JFK is a facile look at a tragic event.
Overrated melodrama with a tinkly-tonkly soundtrack by Michael Nyman. It breaks one of the cardinal rules of filmmaking. Never show Harvey Keitel in the nude.
An extremely boring film of one of the greatest superheroes of all time. Kate Bosworth was IMO quite good, however Kevin Spacey was so dull that I wonder whether he still has the ability to act anymore. The worst thing about the film, however, was the familial twist involving Supes. I can't say that I'm desperately looking forward to the sequel (The Man of Steel.)
Next: Cape Fear (1991.)
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Scorsese's worst film. A remake of an old Robert Mitchum movie, with Robert De Niro method gurning his way through a truly ridiculous performance. Michum cameos. I do hope he had a good laugh at De Niro's expense.
Scorsese's worst film. A remake of an old Robert Mitchum movie, with Robert De Niro method gurning his way through a truly ridiculous performance. Michum cameos. I do hope he had a good laugh at De Niro's expense.
Interesting. Although I don't think it's a great film, I don't consider it to be Scorsese's worst film. It was however a letdown after Goodfellas. Plus, I think that De Niro was terrific; one of his 10 greatest ever performances IMO.
A very impressive French film which I've seen many years ago and which I've been been intending to see again, but have not had the opportunity to do so. The lead actress (Béatrice Dalle) is extraordinary. I saw this film on TV and I believe that the station edited it. I still loved it though.
Next: In the Name of the Father
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Righteously angry biopic from Jim Sheridan about Gerry Conlon and his father Guiseppe, both wrongly convicted of an IRA terrorist attack on a pub. Daniel Day-Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite are outstanding as the Conlons. There's also a great soundtrack with contributions from Gavin Friday and Sinead O' Connor.
Although the subject matter is serious, it's not a worthy film. There's some wickedly funny dialogue and Sheridan is not the type to preach. He'd much rather get in your face, which trumps the rather pious approach somebody like Richard Attenborough would have brought to this material.
I'm not sure which version you're referring to, but the original version with Michael Caine was a classic while the newer version with Stallone was pretty disappointing. I like Stallone, but I think he should stick to original material such as Rocky, Cliffhanger and First Blood (which was admittedly based on a book.) Get Carter wasn't great, and as a remake of one of the best and toughest crime films of the 70's, it was terrible.
Next: Adaptation.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Although the subject matter is serious, it's not a worthy film.
I'm confused. Didn't you like the film? ?:)
Sorry Dan. By 'worthy' I meant well-meaning, eager not to offend and full of good intentions. Think Beyond Borders or plenty of other movies that deal with big issues. I do like In the Name of the Father and think it dealt with it's material in exactly the right way.
A terrific film written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze, it featured amazing perfromances from (in particular) Nicholas Cage, as well as Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper. I really loved this film however I didn't like the ending. Some people say that the ending was a critique of the 'typical hollywood' ending. I disagree. I think that it was just a bad ending which showed that like with Being John Malkovich, Kaufman isn't great at doing endings (although he would greatly improve with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.)
A classic. The extremely underrated Christopher Lambert is a near immortal who can only die if his head gets decapitated. Sean Connery co-stars and proves that although he plays a Spaniard with a Scottish accent, an actor doesn't need to put on an accent in order to give a terrific performance. ) The dialogue is also cool, the central concept is one that has always appealed to me and there are a few great sword fights in the film. Oh, and the music is by my all-time favourite group; Queen. I would definitely recommend this film.
Next: The Kingdom.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Wow, bringing back the memories. I was just 8 years old when that came out and it scared me at parts. Since then I have watched it a couple times and I love it, very entertaining and obviously started something big. Seems a bit campy at times, but otherwise a good film for thos interested in such a genre or just a fun flick.
"Here I was born, and there I died. It was only a moment for you; you took no notice."
Hitchcock's dreamy masterpiece. James Stewart loses one lover and tries to shape another in her image. But as ever with Hitch, things are never what they seem. Bernard Hermann's score is possibly the greatest ever.
Comments
Every year, US critics (led by Roger Ebert in this case) pick a film which they deem to be the start of a new era/the greatest film of its type since .../an utter masterpiece which deserves to sweep the Oscars etc.. Many of the films that they pick are good (in the case of LIT very good) but few of these particular films are as astonishing as they deem them to be. Ebert even made a comment that if you don't fall heads over heels in love with LIT, it says more about you than it does about the film. Right. 8-)
To finish with, I'll just say that I think it's a very good film with some wonderful things going for it but it is flawed and is not the greatest romantic film released in X number of years. I would certainly recommend it though.
BTW there are films which IMO fit the above descriptions (the start of a new era/the greatest film of its type since ...etc...) however they are not necessarily the films which seem to be targeted by these critics every year. (Crash was another one of these films.)
Next: Dances With Wolves.
There are only two white men amongst the natives movies I can stand. One is Bruce Beresford's astonishing Black Robe, which shows the culture clash between Christian and Native American cultures and at the same time is a moving portrayal of religious belief. Second is Last of the Mohicans which is great entertainment. Dances with Wolves is one of the many others that annoy the hell out of me. In these types of movies there's always one Native in particular who is overly-hostile, but ends up becoming like a brother, leading to an absurd "you are one of us" type moment.
Next: Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn.
Oh, and for the record, I'm totally in agreement regarding DWW. In all likely hood, Eastwood's underrated A Perfect World is my favorite Costner role, along with Revenge, mainly for the brilliance that is Anthony Quinn. (I would have done the same thing if you messed with my wife) :v
On the whole, Costner just leaves me cold. Except for Connery I'm not a fan of Depalma's Untouchables. That movie is hardly the classic the awards would have you believe. Connery replayed his Malone "mentor" role later in Rising Sun. It's the same part, only better.
Next in line --- Braveheart
I saw this drunk in amongst a rowdy bunch of other Scottish people, who were probably drunk as well. At the time it seemed like the greatest film ever made. It was like being at a Scotland/England football match. 6 months later I saw it on VHS and realised it was a manipulative load of crap.
Next: Freddy vs Jason
Only for the most ardent (or desperate 8-)) horror movie buff; a face-off between two horror titans which will not interest anyone else.
3/10
Next: JAWS
Next: Witness (with Harrison Ford.)
Excellent thriller with Ford as a tough city cop protecting an Amish boy who witnessed a murder. This has my all-time favourite Harrison Ford moment B-) , which thankfully somebody has posted on Youtube.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ghCKNC857Pc
Note Viggo Mortensen in the background.
Next: The Constant Gardener
BTW the scene in Witness is indeed fantastic.
Next: Dick Tracy
Next:Who Framed Roger Rabbit
A great movie. Mixing animation with real actors. When I saw this in the movies for the first time i loved it, my Mom thought it was very campy. To this day, I think it's one of the best movies made. it should be a classic in years to come. how can you not love Christopher Walken? And how could I forget Jessica Rabbit?
Next film: Pulp Fiction
I think that Tarantino is an egomaniac and overestimates his love of cinema. I would not want to meet him, but I do think that he is a supremely talented and enormously important filmmaker and Pulp Fiction is a major reason for this. For anybody who are interested in cinema, I would very much recommend this film. {[]
Next: JFK.
Very silly biopic from the tiresome windbag Oliver Stone. It concludes that the death of JFK was brought about, if I understood this correctly, by a group of fanatical right-wing, homosexual neo-nazi's. Whether or not you believe Lee Harvey-Oswald had accomplices, or was just a really good shot, JFK is a facile look at a tragic event.
Next: Joseph Losey's version of Modesty Blaise.
OK, no takers? Let's move on then. Next: The Long Good Friday.
Next: The Piano.
Overrated melodrama with a tinkly-tonkly soundtrack by Michael Nyman. It breaks one of the cardinal rules of filmmaking. Never show Harvey Keitel in the nude.
Next: Serenity
Next: Superman Returns
Next: Cape Fear (1991.)
Scorsese's worst film. A remake of an old Robert Mitchum movie, with Robert De Niro method gurning his way through a truly ridiculous performance. Michum cameos. I do hope he had a good laugh at De Niro's expense.
Next: Betty Blue
A very impressive French film which I've seen many years ago and which I've been been intending to see again, but have not had the opportunity to do so. The lead actress (Béatrice Dalle) is extraordinary. I saw this film on TV and I believe that the station edited it.
Next: In the Name of the Father
Righteously angry biopic from Jim Sheridan about Gerry Conlon and his father Guiseppe, both wrongly convicted of an IRA terrorist attack on a pub. Daniel Day-Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite are outstanding as the Conlons. There's also a great soundtrack with contributions from Gavin Friday and Sinead O' Connor.
Although the subject matter is serious, it's not a worthy film. There's some wickedly funny dialogue and Sheridan is not the type to preach. He'd much rather get in your face, which trumps the rather pious approach somebody like Richard Attenborough would have brought to this material.
Next: Get Carter
I'm not sure which version you're referring to, but the original version with Michael Caine was a classic while the newer version with Stallone was pretty disappointing. I like Stallone, but I think he should stick to original material such as Rocky, Cliffhanger and First Blood (which was admittedly based on a book.) Get Carter wasn't great, and as a remake of one of the best and toughest crime films of the 70's, it was terrible.
Next: Adaptation.
Sorry Dan. By 'worthy' I meant well-meaning, eager not to offend and full of good intentions. Think Beyond Borders or plenty of other movies that deal with big issues. I do like In the Name of the Father and think it dealt with it's material in exactly the right way.
Next: The Fisher King.
Kill Kill Faster Faster
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7gbWBrja2F8
Next: Highlander
Next: The Kingdom.
Next: The Kingdom.[/quote]
Worthy, but uninvolving attempt to combine the action movie with a balanced political view of the Middle-East.
Next: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
(The original 1992 movie)
Wow, bringing back the memories. I was just 8 years old when that came out and it scared me at parts. Since then I have watched it a couple times and I love it, very entertaining and obviously started something big. Seems a bit campy at times, but otherwise a good film for thos interested in such a genre or just a fun flick.
Next movie: Vertigo
"Here I was born, and there I died. It was only a moment for you; you took no notice."
Hitchcock's dreamy masterpiece. James Stewart loses one lover and tries to shape another in her image. But as ever with Hitch, things are never what they seem. Bernard Hermann's score is possibly the greatest ever.
Next: The Bourne Supremacy
Next: The Bridge on the River Kwai