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Reviews
There Will Be Blood (2007)
To forget you are watching a film
Daniel day Lewis gives possibly the best acting I have seen, ever. When I'd read my own words without having seen there will be blood, I wouldn't believe it too. For the record, I've seen quite a few good movies in my life, just as most people here probably will have.
Whether Deniro plays a disturbed cabbie in taxidriver or a boxer falling from his throne in Raging bull, or even when Brando plays parts like the famous Don Corleone, they are only acting their parts.
Daniel Day Lewis IS the part. And that is the biggest reason why this movie is already destined to be remembered by coming generations.
One could argue that this movie stands out so much because of the overall lack of quality coming from Hollywood for the last 10 years or so. I beg to differ. Were this movie made in the good 70s, it would still be one of the high and mighty.
So why is this film so astounding to me? It's certainly not perfect! It has a few scenes of which (I think at least) are either too long or just obligatory. The Preacher role by Paul Dano isn't hardly fitting or acted too well for the claims I just made!
Well, first of all; if you get this film, you can proudly say you are a lot smarter then all the self-proclaimed film-critics who saw this movie and immediately drew lines to citizen Kaine and socialist themes. That's just incredibly silly. Whereas Citizen Kaine is indeed a movie with a clear objective against materialism (as well as a personal vendetta with Welles and the man he portrayed behind the screen), this movie is much more alive and breathing. The main character can't be summarized in 1 sentence, only the full 2,5 hours will do. This is where all similarities end, besides the fact that both characters are becoming wealthier, and the perfection of both movies.
There will be blood isn't about one theme really, the circumstances (the oil, greed, time and other characters) function more like a setting, where the main character is created and evolves. Although the movie does (very) effectively display the use of new technologies, and sketches an especially accurate image of the circumstances of small towns during the oil rush.
I am fond of history and I really like it when movies accurately portray such things whilst not bragging about it, or making it hinder the plot or feel forced in any way. Because it oftentimes goes so horribly wrong I'm under the conviction that this is also a showing of true artistry, combining this element of film, without the viewer noticing it.
I think the greatness of this movie can be summarized in 2 things. The perfect acting that daniel day lewis is doing here. I can't even remember the last time I saw a flick in which I was terrified and melancholic at the same time about a character. Mister Plainview (d.d.l.) isn't good, bad white or even gray, he's very complex, and it will be quite rewarding to study this film more than once to just see more of this conflicting behaviour. Just like the real world (something movies always have difficulty portraying for obvious reasons), this character is not just hard to read, but wholly multi-interpretable. This makes watching his actions and reactions to his surroundings very rewarding and looking closely is not, as in 99% of any stories in any form, something you shouldn't do, in order to find the boundaries of the creator's mind. In fact, it only gets you deeper into it. I can't even remember the last time I had that notion on film or book.
The story is also superb, and while complex and long, it's also great writing that revels here. Why is the story so great? Same reason like the acting: It takes a hold of you and you'll forget that you are looking at a movie or a story. You are experiencing it.
Personally I think method acting is just a Hollywood fad, I'm partially referencing to this inferior actor who was in the machinist and lost some weight with a lot of huzzah. The Stallone's Or even Deniro who started boxing.. for one of his parts. For Daniel day Lewis however, it seems to work perfectly. I've yet to meet the Hollywood actor who refuses medicine against pneumonia on ground that those things weren't there in that period of time, because he's playing bill the butcher and want's to ''stay in character''. I think that's just nuts, but I can't praise his stellar acting enough, so I won't.
I doubt this movie will ever get as much credit as it deserves. I think it's a little too dark and difficult for that. But in my opinion it's the nihilist and very human (although many won't see it) touch this story has, which makes it one of the best movies created so far.
The Trap: What Happened to Our Dream of Freedom (2007)
Just watch this.
You may agree or disagree with the vision this documentary exudes. I certainly thought the steps taken where a bit rash at some places. I do agree however, with the message which is given as a whole.
Regardless of what your opinion is on current day socio/economic/political society. This documentary is of such outstanding cinematographic quality, that it just cannot be ignored. It looks like they went through all the pieces of film of the last 4 decades to make this! And the use of sound is simply astonishing.
I usually loathe the 'leading' documentary, like Michael Moores cheap propaganda I just refuse to watch out of principle. However, 'What Happened to Our Dream of Freedom' is very direct and conscious about it guiding the viewer. To redeem itself it simply contains so much facts and correct historical reference, it doesn't become a 'mockumentary'.
If you do not agree with the vision that we are all trapped in a system of numbers and targets, just see this film document as you would a riefenstahl. Commend it on it's graphical excellence supported with great sounds, a vicious style and sublime directing. See it anyway if you like (political) documentaries.
If you are a person that does connect with the message this document conveys: Try to see it as soon as you can and be enthralled.
The Matrix (1999)
Nice effects and sound, average (STOLEN!) movie, 7
I give this a seven because so many people (especially fan boys and star wars fanatics or the ordinary children) tend to grow up and see this as their new religion, as I happened to see up close and way too personal with people all around me.
This is not a great movie!!!!
Depth: If you think the matrix is the fulcrum of philosophy, I think you should never be allowed to read any other book than Bob the Builder builds a house. If any of you who have seen the Matrix, have also seen the totally superior Dark city or Ghost in the shell and understood the story, you will hopefully know what I mean. Those films posses depth, as every scene has a story to tell, a point to clear out. I leave the exploring of those 2 films (you have to watch them more than once) to you all. In the matrix this is not the case. The movie is base. It's simple storytelling ground is a bad soil for the pretense it gives by shrouding itself in mystery and greater questions of society/humanity. It's not a bad movie! Hell no, I enjoy it a lot, but it remains just an action flick with a nicer story than most action films, say Soldier, hehe. This is not a brilliantly designed film though. It is a great action film and it's IMDb score can only be justified in that sense, but never in a way in which people say that it is an intelligent movie. A film that has 50% of it's screen time having people fighting kung fu and shooting bullets has a really hard time to fill the other half with challenging matter, if you understand what I mean.
so, lets talk film:
Originality: Most of it is stolen, so less points for that originality thing anyway, but, better stolen right then created poorly. The plot: basic, but interesting with a nice open end, which is not put to good use as we all would find out later with the horribly flat and mind-degrading sequels The acting: Keanu defines cardboard pinnochio's on strings, no surprises there, Moss is not put to use, Fishburne is cool... his simple role requires him to have only 2 expressions (not his fault), Weaving is good for he is the only character with interesting lines and a little depth and puts that to good use. The graphics: Very good, great use of special effects some sets literally stolen from dark city. Check green intro in Ghost in the shell for more info on how to steal ideas as well. (No, the green alphabet is not an homage, trust me) The camera work: Apart from the new world shaking bullet time technique, actually quite basic. Some camera angles literally stolen from dark city. Nice use of the then still new digital camera filters.
Well, that's all actually. It's more just a call to the mostly teen audience (and the few elder retards) to see other (better) movies as well. If you just like action films I suggest you stick with those, no offence, I like action movies too, but don't confuse the films with depth with action movies with pretences.