seanjenson Reviews

Last Action Hero (1993)

Underrated and needs a reappreciation

[7/10 · 13 December 2018]

This movie came when Arnie was at the height of his career and popularity. However Last Action Hero not only bombed at the box office it was a critical misery as well. However the film is being rediscovered and some have even asked for it to be reconsidered as if not a highly good satire, then at the very least a fun enjoyable charming film of the early 90s. Admittedly, this is not a good action film. Given its billing, director, and title, that's a surprise. On the other hand, Last Action Hero works as an unexpectedly witty comedy.

Bringing Out the Dead (1999)

Fantastic, underappreciated film from Marty Scorsese

[9/10 · 10 October 2018]

Bringing out the dead is about a NYC paramedic who works the graveyard shift. This is, along with After Hours, in all possibility the most underrated Martin Scorsese movie. Bringing out the dead is an extremely well-made film by a master filmmaker and ably acted by underrated Nicholas Cage and supported by the likes of Vhing Rames and John Goodman. Taking place in a span of three nights this is a dark comedy which is bound to become a cult classic soon.

Citizen Kane (1941)

Welles's legacy was cemented with Citizen Kane.

[8/10 · 27 September 2018]

Often rated the greatest of all films Citizen Kane is a towering piece of work made by then wunderkind Orson Welles. The cinematography is an inspiration to every director and DOP- the lighting and framing is astounding, and the black n white only enhances the aspects of lights and shadows. The script is well written and of course every principal actor is fit for their part. Which brings me to Orson Welles. It is staggering to think that he was barely 26 when the film was released. He is the anchor- the director of the film and its voice. His reputation was built on this movie and he certainly delivered later as well. Having said all of this there are people who get bored with Citizen Kane. So the choice is yours but for me this is a masterpiece.

The Quiet Earth (1985)

An unheard of scifi film that you must watch if you are a scifi fan

[7/10 · 25 August 2018]

This is one of the best films I have seen with an ending that shook me at the time of viewing and I still remember it. The Quiet Earth follows the basic apocalypse template: stranded humans all alone on deserted earth and makes a show out of it. Featuring great scenes shot in amazing New Zealand this film proves why independent films are so important to cinema- they bring out the true artist. Budget constraints only add to the creativity. Quiet Earth features local actors and it works in the favor of the film. The pacing is excellent, and the ending will surely stun you.

Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)

Nothing to recommend here

[2/10 · 9 August 2018]

His is a bad movie. You know a movie stinks when even the sub-par Alien vs Predator seems like a masterpiece juxtaposed with it. For one everything is so dark you cannot even see anything at all. The fight sequences (the only reason to even bother with this film) are badly staged and what is worse is that there is no coherence to the script. The actors-if one can call them that- are paper cut outs and the best you can do with them as a audience is to place bets on who dies first. At least the original AvP had some redeeming factors such as nice locations, good actors and something barely resembling a plot. This film has none of those. It's a waste of money and even time(if you illegally downloaded this one).

Solaris (2002)

Visually stunning and strangely meditative

[7/10 · 21 July 2018]

Solaris is an effort by director Steven Soderberg to bring to the screen one of the greatest science fiction novels ever- Stanislaw Lem's Solaris. Comparisons with Tarkovskys film will be expected but both are quite apart in tone and approach. Soderberg's film is more mainstream and thus much more colorful. I'll give him this: His pictures are gorgeous to look at. George Clooney plays astronaut Chris Kelvin who is summoned on a space station floating around the mysterious planet Solaris. When he arrives he sees not all is right and that the planet is playing mind games on the inhabitants of the ship. This is a good film and you should check it out.

Mallrats (1995)

Kevin Smith's earlier effort is well worth your time

[6/10 · 12 July 2018]

Mallrats was early in Kevin Smith's career and you can see that the less budget Smith has to play with the better the film is. Set entirely in a mall this film has great characters, a free flowing screenplay filled with snappy dialogues and great direction by Smith. Everyone of Kevin Smith's entourage till then is there in some spades and there are some connections and gags that only a person well versed in Kevin Smith's Universe would understand. This is a great watch.

Encounters at the End of the World (2007)

Great Herzog film

[7/10 · 7 June 2018]

A Werner Herzog film is fascinating regardless of the subject and Encounters is no exception. Featuring great shots of Antarctica, much like every Herzog film this one touches you in ways you cannot really express. (Great Herzog film)

The Jungle Book (2016)

Relive Rudyard Kipling's book

[9/10 · 26 May 2018]

Jon Favreau has created a great film which is faithful to the book and entertaining on the screen. All the beloved characters like Bageera, Ka and Mowgli are present in the Jungles of India as we go on a journey with Mowgli. The humor is sweet, action sequences are tidy, and the special effects are seamless. This is a great family film- probably one one of the best in recent years. (Relive Rudyard Kipling's book)