June 25th, 2006
The Vanishing
George Sluizer, 1988
In this incredible tale of love, loss, philosophy and terror, a man's girlfriend vanishes as they are traveling. He then embarks on a search which lasts months and years looking for his girlfriend. What makes this film unique is the way the narrative is structured. It follows the main character as he searches for his lover, and then it switches to the man who kidnapped her. Yes, this is not a who dunnit, as the viewer knows all along who did it, which actually makes it all the more suspenseful. The Vanishing explores many thought provoking philosophies and it is amazing to have a look into the mind of both a man who has lost his lover and the man who has taken her. I should also mention that the ending is absolutely amazing. Go into this film without having it spoiled, and it will shock you. The Vanishing appeared out of no where for me, and instantly became one of my favourite films. I strongly suggest you run out and find this film (not the remake though), as I am quite sure you will love it. How couldn't you?
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Running Scared
Kramer, 2006
Running Scared may not have made much money in theaters, but it is certainly gaining an internet following. However, I must say I do not understand why. This is no Kill Bill, like it claims to be. In fact, it wasn't even that violent. Or that good at all, for that matter. From a narrative perspective, it is a mess. It lingers too long in certain areas, and rushes through others. There is an entirely unnecessary, pointless and terribly long pedophile plot in the middle, which was the worst offence, but the entire hockey rink scene was not far off. The movie really is quite boring despite having frantic cinematography and cuts. The ending is also hideously bad. I think this movie was trying all too hard to be the next Kill Bill or Pulp Fiction. It was trying to take elements from basically every Tarantino film and make something of them, but in the end it fails miserably. About the only thing I like was the Russian mobster with the obsession for 'The Duke'. Otherwise I have no idea why people are calling this a great movie. Yes it is over the top, yes it is violent. So? It's still crap in the end.
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Dead Man
Jarmusch, 1995
I still don't know what to think of this movie...it has accurately been described as the Apocalypse Now of westerns, but it really is not nearly as good as Apocalypse Now. It is sometimes maddenly slow, and it actually never really evolves. About the only transformation is that of Depp, who slowly grows madder and madder. He starts off skidish and ends up an unblinking murderer, but other than that there is no plot really to speak of, which made it hard to keep interest in. The score was really very good, by Neil Young, though it is occasionally too repetitive. The direction is really nice, featuring well done black and white photography. But in the end Dead Man really doesn't bring anything to the table, and it ends up accomplishing little. Still, it was nice to watch for the slow decent into madness (ala Apocalypse Now), as well as the score and direction. Not a bad movie by any means, and I should also mention the casting was fantastic, but it doesn't do anything to warrant being memorable or even re-watchable, though maybe that what I need to give it as the film was very different and against the grain...
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Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Gilliam, 1975
Many people bring up The Holy Grail when the discussion of 'best comedy ever' comes up, and with good reason as the movie happens to be one of the best comedies ever made. It is self aware, disjointed, takes place both in medieval Britain and modern day Britain at the same time, and is composed of ridiculously film making. Did I also mention it is a masterpiece? Yes, all of these seemingly debilitating traits actually make Holy Grail what it is! It is essentially a series of loosely connected scenes of pure hilarity. The movie and plot are more or less vehicles which lend themselves to deliver these brilliant comedy scenes. So many of them too! My favorites are likely The Black Knight (a given), the conversation with the guards ("Stay here and don't let anyone leave."), the part where the knight is charging from a huge distance and then he suddenly the editor made him appear (hard to explain, you have to see it), the killer rabbit, and perhaps the bridge where they had to answer three questions.
These are just the ones I can name off the top of my head! There are really many, many more, and they all are just so funny. I actually found myself wondering how the movie ended up with so much bloody material, as it has enough to supply a hundred comedies (as most comedies these days consist of one or two laughs which are given away in the trailer). However, I did feel the scenes which employed animation took away from the movie for some reason. I can't really pin point why, but I really wish they weren't there. I also felt it was just a bit short. But besides this, everything else was prime. Holy Grail is both a classic and a comic masterpiece, as it is stuffed to the point of exploding with classic and memorable scenes, lines and characters. All this coming from a guy who is notorious for his dislike of comedies!
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