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Scotty7777
Reviews
The Convert (2023)
Outstanding Film!
I was privileged to see this film Friday night at the Toronto Film Festival. It was a riveting and exciting story about the history of the Maori tribes in New Zealand and their conflicts with the British as well as with each other. Thomas Monro (Guy Pearce) is a lay preacher who comes to serve the British settlement in New Zealand. Pearce gives an emotionally riveting performance and the rest of the lead cast, particularly Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Jacqueline McKenzie, and Dean O'Gorman, were memorable and masterful in their roles. The story explores the age-old conflicts between tribes as well as those tribes and their victimization by the invading culture (in this case, The British). The resolution reflects the irony of the title. Overall, very worth seeing and I will see it again!
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Heartbreaking and utterly riveting
If someone had told me that the love story between two men would become one of my favorite tragic romantic tales of all time, I never would have believed them. But here I am writing a review for just such a movie and I would have to say that this is one of the most memorable love stories I have ever seen on film. Part of what makes this movie so compelling is the acting...Gyllenhaal and Ledger are amazing in these roles. Both men convey nuances of feeling with a look, a gesture, a stance....I've never seen anything quite like it. I have seen both men in other films and, for me, what makes a particularly good actor is that none of their roles seems the same. I would have to say that this is particularly true of these two actors. I had seen Gyllenhall in Day After Tomorrow, October Sky and The Good Girl...none of those roles has an iota in common with this one (and yet I enjoyed all these performances). Perhaps in this film I see a touch of the same character that Ledger created for Ned Kelley, but this is a complete divergence from Casanova (which I saw the next day), The Patriot or A Knight's Tale. Both of these men, in my opinion, are worthy contenders for Oscar nominations for their work in this film.
The writing for this film was amazing as well. The dialog was succinct and realistic. The other characters were true to life...unfortunately. Would that real life were not so true to the world portrayed in this film. Perhaps sensitively told stories like this one will serve to help change that world by showing people that love between two people doesn't depend on anything except the state of the heart and the joy and intimacy shared between them.
The Island (2005)
Solid Action Thriller
Just saw a sneak preview of this movie. I had been looking forward to this one because I really enjoy Sean Bean's work and Ewan McGregor is usually excellent as well. My summary comment is that I was not disappointed! Sean Bean is a very sexy bad guy and wonderful performances are turned in by Ewan McGregor and Ethan Phillips (of Star Trek Voyager). Scarlett Johannsen is very good as well. The chase scenes become a bit tiresome in places but overall, this is a solid film worth seeing. There are also a few fun places with some comic relief in addition to the action and tense drama. In addition the visual effects and cinematography are spectacular! They do a wonderful job of creating a future world that is credible and quite believable. If you like Orwellian or Brave New World type themes, this one is for you! It also reminded me a bit of Logan's Run for anyone out there old enough to remember that one. :-)
Batman Begins (2005)
Christian Bale IS Batman!
I'll admit it...I was a fan of the 60's TV series "Batman." Yeah all that hokey "Holy ____ Batman" and "Kerpow" and "Wham!" :-) It was fun and reflected the times. I couldn't motivate myself to go see any Batman movies because for me, Adam West would always be Batman.
However when I heard that Christian Bale had been cast for this film, I knew I would see it...he is such an excellent actor. For me he has redefined the role. And more than that, the writers have given Batman a history and a personal background that make him poignant and very real...he is no longer just a cartoon figure for me.
So whether or not you've seen other Batman movies, are a Batman fan or not...see this movie. It's outstanding! I can't remember when I've enjoyed a film this much (it was probably the last Lord of the Rings film). Yes it's THAT good!
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
This was the best!
First of all, if this doesn't get an Oscar nomination for best picture, and Ewan McGregor doesn't get a nomination for best actor....well I guess we already know the Oscars "aren't fair" so maybe that won't prove anything! But in a just world, these things would happen! I thought all the performances in this movie were first rate. Hayden Christiansen as Anakin also turned in a stellar performance. The rest of it was anything a true Star Wars fan would want from Light Saber battles to Wookies to the Droids! I'll be honest...I cheated and read the book first. So I knew what the story was. I remember thinking as I finished the book that the movie would stand or fall on the acting abilities of Christiansen and McGregor. As you can see from my comments above on those actors, I didn't think it disappointed one little bit! The movie lived up to the book, it lived up to the hype, it lived up to the legend which is Star Wars!
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Excellent acting and intense drama makes this a great outing
Orlando Bloom and Liam Neeson are both outstanding in their roles but I have to say the person who stole the show in terms of screen presence, touches of humour and good acting was Alexander Siddig. Siddig (best known as Dr. Bashir on Star Trek: DS9) plays an elegant and principled aide to the Muslim leader Saladin, but his part is actually the most prominent among the Arab characters in the film. Massoud is also excellent but Siddig is the one who shows that both sides had people who were intelligent and principled. On the Christian side of the conflict, it is Balian (Bloom) who gives the Crusaders dignity and intelligence, although Ed Norton as the king of Jerusalem is also an exemplar for how things should be done in order to extend the peace.
My entire family enjoyed this film and we will be back to see it again! Don't miss this!
National Treasure (2004)
Wonderful Cast in a movie the whole family can see
This is such a good movie that I saw it twice in the space of four days. Nicolas Cage, Sean Bean, Diane Kruger and the rest are an absolute delight in this fast paced action movie. The young man who plays Riley is a delightful comedic character while Sean Bean play his usual charming "bad guy." The makers of this movie have shown that you can make an exciting movie without gratuitous violence, sex and bad language. Cage is charming, funny, sexy and intense in all the right moments. Jon Voigt as the father is a perfect blend of comedy and seriousness and is a perfect foil for Cage. The Cinematography is noteworthy as well...the opening scenes, in particular, are breathtaking.
Don't miss this one!
Hidalgo (2004)
One of the best movies I've ever seen
This movie was fabulous from beginning to end. Viggo Mortensen alone makes the movie worth seeing, but stellar performances by the likes of Malcolm McDowell and Omar Sharif just add to the pleasure of the film. The relationship between Hopkins and the Arab Princess is sweet. In the tradition of his other films, Mortensen's development of the character lends a sense of authenticity to the entire thing. I read in an interview that he went and stayed with the Indian Tribe that speaks the language he had to learn for the movie in order to make his accent and pronunciations sound authentic. This is just one example of Mortensen's dedication as a method actor and true tendency to live his parts and not just play them. One of the best "actors" in the movie was the horse! What a sweet animal with a great personality! And Mortensen's obvious real life affection for the horse makes Frank Hopkins dedication to Hidalgo ring true and feel real.
Don't miss this film! The cinematography is spectacular. The sound track is great. The acting is wonderful. All in all, it's a beauty!
Paycheck (2003)
Enjoyable adventure
I had read the reviews on here (mostly negative) before going to see Paycheck but decided to go and see for myself. I'm glad I did. Certainly I could dissect this film and find a plot hole or two but if you don't over analyze this one, it's an enjoyable afternoon at the movies. The actors were good and it was fun to see the guy from Six Feet Under as one of the FBI agents (can't recall the actor name but he's "David" on SFU). Certainly this was every bit as good as Minority Report, the film I most see it being compared to. If you're inclined at all to see this movie, I would recommend that you do so and decide for yourself!
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Wait and decide for yourself...
I had read the comments of quite a few people (mostly professional reviewers) before seeing this film, but now having seen it I've learned once again...wait and decide for myself. I saw this with my two sons and my husband. My husband and younger son were seeing it for the second time. Since my husband almost never goes to movies, this alone is a high endorsement for what turned out to be an exciting, action packed fun movie! My older son, as we left the theater, proclaimed the movie to be "awesome...the best!"
And I loved it too! I had heard criticism for the acting, but come on! We all saw the original three Star Wars movies. If you came for the acting, you were bound to be disappointed. Star Wars has never been about acting. In all five Star Wars movies to date, the acting has been OK, adequate, good....this one was no different. But it was hardly terrible...in fact, I was very happy with it after what I'd been led to expect by disgruntled reviewers!
One of the things Lucas does best is to show the women as strong and instrumental...not simpering in a corner waiting to be rescued. Padme is no exception to this and one of my favorite parts of the movie was when, in the arena, she takes on and defeats her monster all on her own without the help of the Jedi (the force is with her as well!). Star Wars has mastered the idea of the focused and powerful woman as Star Trek has never been able to do. Star Trek always ends up falling back on cliches with women ending up being sex symbols or mother figures. Not so in Star Wars...these women rock!
This was a very satisfying movie. I enjoyed it. I am looking forward to Star Wars III now. It was a fun family afternoon of entertainment. How often do you get that any more?