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ariah01
Reviews
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
I want a sequel!
In my subjective opinion, the best action-adventure-pseudo-historical movie since Kevin Costner's 'Robin Hood, The Prince of Thieves'. There are numerous similarities between them: both treat historical truth rather loosely, both are packed with humour and both are thrilling to watch. Even though everyone knows how the story will end.
Johnny Depp is excellent in this movie and steals (commandeer, nautical term!)the show. Orlando Bloom is so handsome it hurts and - he can act. Maybe he still has bits and pieces of that cool, elvish charm, but he sure looks better non-blonde. Keira Knightley prooves that not every girl in a pirate movie should scream and run around with no purpose (save the purpose of falling in the arms of a leading male). Geoffrey Rush is demonic but one can feel pity for him. And the monkey Jack is the best. Really.
One may nag, that the plot is a bit conventional, but that's the way it is; it doesn't spoil the fun. The sea battles are - on the other hand - totally unconventional. Shooting cannon with forks and knives aspire to one of my favourite scenes... Of all movies, altogether.
Not to mention a corset scene... All corset scenes, actually. It may be a little far fetched, but does it not remind You of a scene from the 'Titanic'? And 'Gone with The Wind'? Having in mind that the script came from the men who gave us 'Shreck', I am not surprised at all.
Face/Off (1997)
getting philosophical about an action film
First of all, this is an action film; if anyone wants to see a movie challenging intelectualy, please watch something else. As an action film, this should be viewed and judged among its so to say 'species' - and as for me - it gets 5/5.
Why?
I'm pondering on it myself. I'm a girl; I should hate action movies and go watch romantic comedies instead (yuck!). I should search the screen for handsome hunks with bare torso and do other crazy, girlish things like that. 'Face/Off' doesn't have handsome men (come on! Travolta in his 40's and the ever sad, puppy-eyed Cage? No fun!). So what is in this film, that makes me watch it whenever I have a chance?
Let's see. The plot - no big deal. Good guy, bad guy, tragedy in the past, revenge, remorse etc. Been there, done that, in dozens of movies before. So what is there left?
Actors. Travolta playing Cage and vice versa. Fun to watch, especially Travolta the good bad guy (or the other way round, the bad good guy). Gershon - liked her in 'Bound', now she's straight. Too bad there's so little of her.
Directing. It's Johny Woo. It was the first film by him I saw, it stayed with me a long way. Why other directors can't stage a simple scene the way he does it - beats me. It's pure poetry; the music, the motion - at one time You forget the people are shooting there, because it all looks like a ballet... Yet, it's 'just' an action film; there's no need in getting too philosophical about it...Or is there?
The split personality. The fact that your worst enemy knows you better than you know yourself... Oh, stop it. It's just an action film.
I wish more action films were like that. Wishful thinking?...
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
The greatest love scene I've seen so far...
...Not the greatest movie, but... For the first time, I saw 'The Enemy...' at the cinema; it was dark (as cinemas used to be...), cosy, and quiet. I did not bite my nails all the time, yet there were some moments in which I was quite uneasy. Uneasy and uncertain of what will happen next, surprisingly finding myself entangled in the characters' lives. And there was that love scene...
First things first, however, let's face the facts. The main reason for me seeing the movie was Jude Law. I may be mistaken, but he did not look better in any other movie I have seen. The scenes in which his eyes play the main part - makes me shiver. And I like the feeling.
Apart from being a handsome man, Law is a suberb actor. He has the ability to take most of the character, however one-sided the role may be. Joseph Finnes boldly tries to keep his pace; Ed Harris does so with grace and Rachel Weisz accompanies the men as the leading lady with style. After seeing her in both Mumies, I had doubts... The Enemy made me go 'hmmmm... Good.'
As far as the history is concerned... The American point of view of Russians is... Well... For many people out there, Poland equals Russia. It does not, these are two seperate worlds, but I guess we here, in cold climates, undrestand each other better. The primitive, drinking, bestial men shown in the movie... It was that way; it used to be like that. But throwing all Russians to one bag and all Germans to the other? I know it's easier this way. Yet 'easier' does not necessarly mean 'better'.
And now for the previously mentioned love scene... Those of You who has seen it, know what I mean; those of You who still hestitate wheather to see the movie - do it, for the sake of this scene. Imagine a love scene among a crowd of sleeping, tired, dirty people, a love scene without a word spoken, without sweet music in the background, without tearing off the clothes and rolling on the floor... (Yes, yes, I know. I'm exaggerating now.)Or better don't imagine. Just go and see it.
Really worth while.