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Reviews (17)
Nov 16, 2008
A contemporary war film vehicle for Randall Wallace
1 of 1 found this helpful Mel Gibson's gives an engaging portrayal of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, commander of the 7th Calvary air mobile's drop into the initial engagement of The Viet Nam War. But this film is really a vivid glimpse into the lives of the soldiers and their families, the courage and the tragedy in wartime 1965, with Moore as the focal point of the documentary. At times, a bit too graphic (of course Wallace DID direct Braveheart, so no surprise there), and a tad melodramatic (perhaps to remain true to Moore's book), yet still plenty of substance to draw you in and keep you there. An interesting filmmaking perspective parallels the defense of the air-dropped U.S. troops with those of the Viet Cong entrenched in the mountains assumedly real-time. The better-than-average production characteristics of the film more than compensate for the flash-panning scenes of the battles that require more than a single viewing to fully understand. [Warning: Use discretion for younger viewers due to the extremely visual violent effects.]
Dec 05, 2008
Worth Waiting for Bill
1 of 1 found this helpful The 2nd half of the Tarantino's latest masterpiece neatly tidies up the loose ends left from his initial installment. For those whose threshold for the gruesome, vivid graphic portrayal of violent conflict is weak, calm down. This offering displays a more tamed-down presentation with noticeably-lacking spurting blood baths. What we get is more what we experienced in Pulp Fiction, the human side of the killer mind, almost an analytical treatise of the violent nature of killing. Here Tarantino shines like no other, distilling the drives and emotions of socially deviant psyche into everyday terms albeit extremely coarse, pithy and, above-all, to the point... another QT forte'. The significant mood change from scenes of massacre to those of well-planned, detailed storytelling almost leaves one yearning for the choreographic excellence of the camerawork in the first episode. Make no mistake. There is no fortuitous expression of violence displayed in this film. The action itself is designed specifically to reveal cinematic innovation and plot details rather than an attempt to evoke a carnal reaction from the viewer. To appreciate QT's screenplay you must step back, ponder, consume, then proceed (at your own risk, of course). Rewind as needed.
The casting is perfect, some stars like Gordon Liu & Michael Parker are recast with new, electrifying character portrayals. Tarantino's ability to place personages of highly competent actors/actresses in just the right situation makes you wonder if he ever sleeps at all. His integration of soundtrack/screenplay keeps developing as his filmography broadens. Just when you think he's mastered the craft, there's innovation that you've never seen before. This is a "top-shelf" film (Vol 1 & 2, together).
Buy or rent Kill Bill if you enjoy having your perceptions tested on the razor's edge. (Caution: IMO, not suitable for those under 16 or so.)
Nov 13, 2008
Television's credibility exposed by masterful filmcraft
2 of 2 found this helpful A 1950's quiz show is investigated by a Federal agency for fraud in this tight and powerful offering directed by Robert Redford. A perfect Paul Attanasio script is combined with an ideal cast. The relationship between Ralph Fiennes as the WASPish Van Doren protege' and his Columbia professor father (Paul Scofield) intensifies the ethical bombshell waiting to explode. John Turturro's performance as the egotistical, manic-compulsive supplanted contestant remains edgy and unpredictable to the last scene. This film should evoke some doubt in any viewer as to the validity of television's "reality".