tom-3160 Reviews

Paranoid Park (2007)

Brilliant use of depth of field

[8/10 · 22 March 2011]

Brilliant again from van Sant, the shot making of a true genius, the out of focus depth of field pushed to its limits forcing the eye to roll round the image. Also one scene in the corridor going from over exposed to under exposed is mesmerising, not something the ordinary director would think of doing, normally the whole scene is correctly exposed. As for the story,its brilliant and deep, and makes you think of what would go on if such a ordeal happened to you.

Overall a brilliant 8/10 and both story and shot making is brilliant, one for all film students and film buffs to watch if just to be mesmerised by the visuals.

My Own Private Idaho (1991)

Like a super 8

[7/10 · 19 February 2011]

Like a super 8 film from the 70's/80's New York this felt like it was art created for the screen on a setting, the open plan falling down dilapidated building. Beautifully shot with scenes of the hills and fields that seemed to roll on forever.

The acting even included San Sant himself as well as Grace Zabriskie who is normally in David Lynch's films.

The story was maybe even too weird for me and didn't really get a resonance and stayed very flat, it was not his best but showed how he can make his films.

Although it was maybe too weird it still made me want to be there in that building, the place where creativity happens, as spaces like that spark imagination.

Elephant (2003)

Brilliance in direction

[8/10 · 13 February 2011]

Brilliant, a work of brilliance by Gus van Sant, Makes you feel like you are there, feel like you are a student in the school as it shows the mundane parts of everyday school life inter wined with brilliant corridor movements and sound recordings, the slowing and filming of the sky and the thunder.

Another of Van Sant's brilliant films like Drugstore Cowboy, engages you into the role of the idea. Using kids, the students to play the parts of the 'Loosely based on the massacre of the Columbine High School' students similar to that shot and similar to the shooters, making them all feel ordinary and very mundane. Done in a documentary style, but acted unscripted.

A clear 8/10 and a must see for all, along with his other brilliant titles.

Irreversible (2002)

Brilliant

[9/10 · 29 January 2011]

This is another of Noe,s brilliant masterpieces, which he uses his very visceral shooting styles, above and in between making you immersed in the film. The shots feel real and the sexy scenes, very visceral, as well as the violent scenes. You feel like you are watching fire unable to take your eyes away from it, unrelenting and brilliant, it encompasses your soul and body, and fills you full of emotions.

A clear 9.4/10 and one of those brilliants like such films as memento.

Another Noe film to be seen to believed and brilliant film like this doesn't come around that often and caress the mind body and the spirit inside.

A must see for all film fans, and one of those very few French films I find entertaining and beguiling as well as thoroughly enjoyable and enthralling.

We Are What We Are (2010)

Not bad, but not good, awful acting and bad shots.

[6/10 · 21 January 2011]

When I saw the beginning and the first 10 minutes, I thought what have I let my self in for, this is going to be awful, but it got better, and by the middle seemed to have an OK story line and the cinematography improved. But at the start the shots were unbearably bad and throughout the whole film the acting was atrocious, some of the worst acting I've ever seen in a film.

However, this film is OK at the end, not really one to go out of your way to see, but if your bored, and have nothing better to do and are at the cinema already, It's watchable. Although my flat mate said, it was one of the worst films he has ever seen, worse than piranha 3d, but what does he know, his favourite film is Phone Booth.

A 6/10 and an OK watch, for South American film fans, but not for those usual Hollywood film fans.

Broken Embraces (2009)

Brilliant, Instantly a classic

[8/10 · 17 January 2011]

In my eyes this is one of Almodovar's best, just coming in behind Bad Education and talk to her, It has his usual brilliant directing and shot making, with his usual outstanding, hand and feet ahead, slightly over the top story, that follows through. It also has his usual bright and vibrant character and sets.

One of those instant classics. A Spanish masterpiece, one for all to see and one of those 8.5/10 scores.

It is not given the right justification in the trailer, and is much better than I had even expected, yet I know he is the Best Director(in my mind). It also has my favourite actress Penelope Cruz and also brilliant acting by all of the wrest of the cast, with a particularly outstanding performance by Lluís Homar.

Blade Runner (1982)

A brilliant visual

[7/10 · 16 January 2011]

Its got a good story line, but the thing that sets this off from the normal film is that each and every set and part of the film have been impeccably shot, to create a truly mesmerising surface for the actors to act upon. Each of the scenes has some brilliant space age gadgets and viewpoints. The part I particularly talk about from this film is his home, with its stony coloured, decorated walls, lighting schemes and particularly the view and lighting streaming into the room.

A good film and a must see for as sci-fi and similar film genre, like Brazil, Logan's Run etc… Good acting meets brilliant visuals and directing, in this masterpiece by Ridley Scott and Harrison Ford.

Of Gods and Men (2010)

Don't bother to see this.

[4/10 · 15 January 2011]

What a load of boring material, from the trailer it looked like this film was going somewhere, but then I saw the film and was blown away by how little the film had in the way of entertainment. Yet another French spoken film, I do not like and think is wishy-washy.

A clear do not see, and it pushes me to boredom and tiredness, with a little bit of dosing off.

Why would anyone give this a good review and an award.

A clear 4/10 and that is pushing up the vote to the films maximum, but if you like absolute crap, then this is the film for you.

Even the acting and direction was lacking as well as the shots, which were boring and usual, nothing to make it stand out, and nothing to give this film merit.

Schindler's List (1993)

The best Holocaust film along with the Pianist

[8/10 · 13 January 2011]

This and The Pianist are the best War/Holocaust films, that I have seen and both deserve their recognition, both show how mistreated the Jews were but also show how not all the Gremans were bad people, some were good, and some helped the Jews to survive and prosper as a race.

A clear must see for anyone, and a clear 8.5/10 from me, not a 9 because it's not really my favourite genre.

Brilliance of acting by Liam Neeson and Ralph Feinnes, as well as Ben Kingsley and all of the other major cast and extras. A brilliant Spielberg film with direction, dialogue and shots as well as having a very moving story line.

Cape Fear (1962)

Again original is better

[7/10 · 7 January 2011]

I'll start by saying that this is much better than the Scorsese remake, it is more rich and deep and Gregory Peck is the perfect actor for this role, as he showed in To Kill a Mockingbird (very similar role). With this film his brilliance strikes through, with its really rich dialogue and story. This is why you can see they made a remake, to utilise this brilliant story, of stalking and endangerment.

This film is one of those many that is way better than the remake, in fact I cant think of any film that is better as a remake at this time.

Brilliant directing and acting by all of the cast to fully throw you into the mood of the family and the problems and frustration caused by such a savvy and dangerous man.

A clear 7 1/2 out of 10.

The Skeleton Key (2005)

well set in the South.

[7/10 · 7 January 2011]

I like this film, not just because its entertaining, in its subject matter, but because of the setting, that would be one of my dream homes, in the swamps, the deep South. The ending scene of the house from a helicopter, shows it is in the deep of swamps and woodland, thus making it a perfect home.

To the film, it has a nice story throughout and a nice ending, that I did not expect, the acting was quite good, the best being the old lady.

Not a bad film over the whole and I give it a deserved 7/10, one to see if you are bored, not one for true film lovers though.

The dream of the South.

Zodiac (2007)

Brilliant, Instantly a classic

[8/10 · 6 January 2011]

Another brilliant film by the director of Fight Club and Se7en, with a really rich and deep story, again, from this director. The story and acting is first rate by the brilliant cast, not forgetting the sequence with the Brilliant Brian Cox.

To be seen by all film lovers. It sets a spark in the mind to what is out there and to puzzles, completed or uncompleted.

Zodiac, the story of a serial killer, over many states and police departments, the case that was nearly forgotten and the case that thrilled many, in the force and the public.

A clear 8 1/2 out of 10.

The Hidden Fortress (1958)

Classic brilliance from Kurosawa

[8/10 · 5 January 2011]

One of those brilliant classics from Akira Kurosawa, it has a bit of everything, and shows a way to newer films with its very brilliant acting and more so its shots, which really set you into the film. There is not a dull moment like in a lot of old films, the style of Kurosawa showing through and his quality of film making.

Clearly one for all true film lovers and one for all film students to watch and awe over, the brilliance of each shot and the refinement of brilliant film making.

A clear 8/10, a brilliant film.

One of two Japanese film makers to watch Kurosawa and Ozu, leading the way to modern film making.

The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005)

Good solid French film making

[7/10 · 4 January 2011]

A nice look at the thug, shows that a thug can change for the better but never really does. Shot nicely and well acted, but as with a lot of French films I often feel that something is missing, a bit of umph, a bit of extra drama to draw you in makes you really feel for the characters, never the less this is the best french film for that I have seen, and therefore gets a well deserved 7/10.

Not a must see, but is very enjoyable, one for those French film fans more than just film fans.

Extra steps needed to take this from a good film to a brilliant or excellent one.

Pepi, Luci, Bom and Other Girls Like Mom (1980)

A first for Almodovar

[6/10 · 3 January 2011]

The first slight disappointment when watching a film by Almodovar, It had promise at the beginning and middle but then followed on to a rather disappointing end, but never the less it is a starting point for his other films and you can see where his slightly unusual touches have started.

The usual shooting of Almodovar is usually more refined, so is the music and acting, thus making this a slight disappointment, but then again who makes a good film straight away, you learn from mistakes, improve on the weak bits and get out your ideas to the audience.

A six out of ten, not bad, but not recommended.

Lost Highway (1997)

The best Lynch film I have seen.

[8/10 · 2 January 2011]

Lynchian brilliance rules again and brings us his usual weired and fast/slow moving scenes.

The best David Lynch film I have seen so far, by quite a bit. It follows his usual weired style of filming and editing, with his usual stop start music. This film has by far the best story of his films and uses his style, to the best implementation. Normally I get a bit confused and a bit tired half way through so stop watching for a bit then to take them up later, with this I found none of this problem as it is interesting and the story is fulfilling throughout.furthermore this is Lynches best cast in a film, brilliant acting from all.

A definite see for all true foreign and weired film fans.

Wild Tigers I Have Known (2006)

One to watch out for

[9/10 · 24 December 2010]

Totally brilliant, it feels like an Araki film or a van sant, then you see that the executive producer is Gus van Sant. The great merit given to the film, by a brilliant director, van sant, a good reward. The film follows weired shots, with extended pauses looking at the characters, normally annoying but this director, seems to make this add to each feeling of the scenes. really differently lit, specially on the toilet roll on tree scene.

Brilliant a must see, I'm now going to look out more for this director. Weired, well shot, fitting music, dialogue and special effects make this a 9/10, and one of those few I can feel is brilliant.

Blow-Up (1966)

Inspring in its photographic elements

[8/10 · 26 November 2010]

A brilliant film on photography. It makes me want to get into the dark room and do some more of my own photography, with the amazement of the images that come out, they always look better if you do them yourself and much better than digital photos printed. Saying that this film is very clever in its subtlety and its story line, the main thing you notice is its brilliant story and screenplay, not its acting and directing as these are not its strongest points.

It is one to see for all those inspired film photographers, to get those juices going, I only wish I had a Delta 400 to hand, Iv'e only got 3200 and 100 which is not the best for this time of the evening, a snowy winters evening, captured on black and white film, brilliant.

See this film.

THX 1138 (1971)

Film student and sci-fi fan extravaganza

[7/10 · 25 November 2010]

Another good sci-fi from that time period, with brilliant effects and a very white overlay throughout the film, the story was just missing a bit for me and needed a bit more persuasion but over the whole, good acting by the three of them and a good early work of George Lucas.

I find this a much better film than the Star Wars trilogy, the only reason I chose to see another Lucas film was because it was recommended when I saw Blade Runner, Brazil, Logans Run etc. and also it fits in with a uni module I am doing on urbanism and is a good starting point for that architectural module.

A good watch and good effects, but does not blow you away like Blade Runner, as although the effects are perfect and emaculate it doesn't have the same feel as blade runner and the others of the genre.

To see if you are a sci-fi fan or film student.

Thesis (1996)

Noriega and cast strike a brilliant tone with the direction and story of Amenabar.

[8/10 · 24 November 2010]

Another brilliant film by the director who brought us such others as 'the sea inside, with the brilliant directing and story again from one of his films, using his own name in the film, (floppy disk) entries and other really advanced techniques like the mirror scene.

Brilliant acting by all of the cast and of course by Eduardo Noriega. Well worth all of its awards especially its Goya awards, and one of the truly great films by a great director, Amenabar always excites and draws a truly suspenseful and meaningful plot to the table with carefully selected dialogue and choices of shots, one for all to see, and a clear 8/10.

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010)

Truly awful

[1/10 · 23 November 2010]

The most pointless film I have ever seen, why does it need to have 10 minute shots, on a cow at the start and throughout. I don't normally get annoyed and frustrated by films but this just got on my nerves with nothing really happening except the dodgy areas around the table near the start.

It just seemed disjointed, especially adding the princess bit in the middle part of the film, and adding a very underwhelming ending and underwhelming acting, with an over the top story, all adds up to one of the worst foreign films I have seen and one of the very few films I wished I had not seen at the Edinburgh Filmhouse, not worth the money, time, ticked or the paper of the programme.

Not recommended, Don't bother going to see it!

The Doom Generation (1995)

Brilliant by Araki again

[8/10 · 18 November 2010]

Totally brilliant psychedelic film by the director of Mysterious skin and Nowhere, Gregg Araki(one of my favourite directors).

He managed to create another brilliant sexual film with that bit of weirdness that I love in films, with brilliant acting by the cast (especially James Duval), with brilliant shots that could only come from a brilliant director like himself.

I don't understand why the overall rating is so low, maybe this film is just too far for most peoples stretch, a bit to arty and deranged, a bit to creative.

To be seen to be believed

A clear 8 out of ten.

21 Grams (2003)

Rich and heart felt

[9/10 · 6 November 2010]

A very brilliant film, a bit of everything in this deep dark tale, looks a bit like a Lynch film, but is better than say Mullholand Drive, as it is deeper and has a really distinct style of story and directing.

The acting is shear brilliance and all of the scenes are brilliantly acted and shot, another brilliant film by the director.

A must see if you like his other works or that of say David Lynch or the films Memento and the Machinist.

To see a brilliant film like this is always a joy compared to the usual drudged American films.

A clear 9/10 for its richness in story.

Bad Education (2004)

Another brilliant Almodovar film.

[8/10 · 2 November 2010]

Another brilliant Almodovar film, with its gritty, transvestite, scenes and very plasticly shot, like all brilliant Almodovar films, though not as good as Talk to her, on a weired way.

A must see for all Almodovar lovers, (the best director, in my opinion), Personally I would like to see him using these brilliant actors more, and also, on a tangent use Javier Bardem more (the best actor, in my opinion) This film had a bit of everything, and a large bit of that twisted Almodovar brain in it.

A tasty bit of film, with a bit of sex scenes and a feeling left of mystery in the story from start to finish.

A clear 8/10 and a must see.

Involuntary (2008)

Raw but brilliant

[8/10 · 30 October 2010]

Brilliantly simple in its story, yet it engages you right throughout, Simple doesn't necessarily mean it is not deep and meaningful. This film with its raw truth and its meaningful exchanges, I'ts a typical low budget foreign film, in that it is brilliant(though some of the low budget films are not).

Brilliant acing by the actors, especially the young girls, and a brilliantly shot film with unusual angles and unusual filming shots, that work well to frame the story.

A Swedish take on life with dramatic acting and choice of matter, brilliant on all levels and a must see, a clear 8/10.