Love how different it was to the original. Same basic concept but with added complexities and different execution. I also like that Guadagnino didn't even try to replicate Argento's style. It's very much a Luca Guadagnino film, which makes for a refreshing experience even to those who've seen the original.
Dario Argento's direction is reason enough to watch, but the mystery of a killer who admires an author's work a little too much kept me guessing until the final twist. Giallo films don't get more entertaining than this.
Oozing with as much style as only David Fincher can provide, this is a brutally engaging mystery that, despite some cliches later on, remains an overall fantastic experience. The film is absolute golden when it focuses on Lisbeth Salander (with an intense and captivating performance from Rooney Mara), who is one of the most realized and three dimensional characters in recent memory.
Once the downbeat ending arrives (which is downbeat in a different way than what one would expect from such a film) I wanted nothing more than to see more of Lisbeth and Mikhail in future installments. Bring on the remaining two films I say.
Under Tom Alfredson's skillful direction, the complex and enthralling story along with a top-notch cast led by Gary Oldman; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is easily one of the most remarkable films of 2011. A must-see.
A gripping piece of work. I do, however, feel that it needs just a little push for the film to go into "outstanding" territory. Perhaps a more focused direction could've pushed the material into something more than it is. As it is, it's an engaging film with fantastic performances from the cast, but nothing extraordinary.
"Above average" about sums it up. Not a bad way to kill ninety minutes, but nothing really profound or meaningful unfortunately. A wasted opportunity, but still a solid effort.
I've probably spent a grand total of thirty seconds in my entire life watching baseball, but I was captivated throughout the entirety of this film. Highly recommended.
Intense and captivating. Warrior may have been structured around a formula, but the film is so gripping that you forget some elements in the film have been done ad nauseum before. It takes quite a lot of skill to make cliched drama scenarios utterly involving, but in this film everything just works. Nick Nolte and Tom Hardy provide powerhouse performances.
I would highly recommend this, especially to those who don't particularly care for sports movies. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Outstanding in every aspect. The film ends with such astonishing power that I'm honestly having difficulty articulating just how good this film is. I can't recommend this enough.
Overall it's a rather simplistic film. A story of revenge bookended with a philosophical notion. However, its simplicity is not meant to be a criticism. Everything is on the surface with this film, but what it does is push it so far to the limits that you can't help but be captivated despite its conventional story.
It's a compelling and rather unique piece of work. The film may not say much in the end, but what it does is present its tale beautifully.
A decent film, but with that kind of storyline this could've been something spectacular. It does a good enough job showing the chaos, but the film's ambitions are apparently too low to really go for it. There was a sense throughout the entirety of the film that it was holding itself back, almost afraid to take any drastic step.
I praise its realism and its refusal to devolve into standard apocalypse schlock that so many "disaster films" resort to, but by the time this film ends it's an unsatisfying experience.
Indeed a step-up from its predecessor, but that's not exactly saying much considering how bad The Final Destination was.
This one is still full of atrocious CGI and forgettable death scenes. The supposed twist ending isn't even clever since it has no bearing whatsoever on the events that transpired before.
Don't bother with this one. Although if you've seen the first four films another one won't kill you.
Did it need to be almost three hours long? No. Nonetheless, you won't experience any other film quite like this one, and that alone is enough to recommend it.
A fascinating and captivating tale about life after death set in the hyper romanticized city of Tokyo.
Winding-Refn's excellent and stylish direction make Drive a must-see film. However, once the third act starts it becomes clear that all that style, although delivering a unique experience, also serves to hide the film's generic and lazy plot.
Gosling's characterization is the highlight, giving the nameless lead character the right amount of mystery and danger to make him one hell of a compelling figure. Give it a few decades and the Driver will eventually become an iconic character akin to Travis Bickle.
The first half has great build-up and really tense scenes. Once the film blows up it gets a little disappointing with its incredibly paper-thin and been-there-done-that plot.
Nothing extraordinary, but it's still a fun and worthwhile horror film to watch.
This sprawling production from HBO is a must-see. Seven plus hours of storytelling done so masterfully with career-defining performances from both Giammati and Linney. This miniseries not only rivals the most accomplished historical biopics in either film or television, but puts most of them to shame.
You do not need to have even the slightest interest in American history to find every minute of this utterly compelling.
One of the best films made in the last decade. Steve McQueen's unyielding portrayal of Bobby Sands and the inmates of the Maze Prison leading up to the 1981 IRA Hunger Strike is striking in the inherent beauty found amongst such brutality. I cannot recommend this film enough.
Visconti's attention to detail pays off with this extravagantly gorgeous epic. The production design and cinematography are close to perfection.
I did feel its length, however. I don't believe this needed to be three hours long. Some smart editing choices could've been made to considerably trim down the film without compromising its tone and spirit.
Despite the short amount of time actually spent in New York (It should really be called Jason Goes on a Cruise) the film's unique setting and Rob Hedden's technical direction brought much-needed fresh air into the repetitive franchise.
Oh, and Jason punches a character's head off in this movie.
Comments 1 - 20 of 20
Movie comment on Suspiria
The Fable Muncher
Love how different it was to the original. Same basic concept but with added complexities and different execution. I also like that Guadagnino didn't even try to replicate Argento's style. It's very much a Luca Guadagnino film, which makes for a refreshing experience even to those who've seen the original.Movie comment on Tenebre
The Fable Muncher
Dario Argento's direction is reason enough to watch, but the mystery of a killer who admires an author's work a little too much kept me guessing until the final twist. Giallo films don't get more entertaining than this.Movie comment on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Fable Muncher
Oozing with as much style as only David Fincher can provide, this is a brutally engaging mystery that, despite some cliches later on, remains an overall fantastic experience. The film is absolute golden when it focuses on Lisbeth Salander (with an intense and captivating performance from Rooney Mara), who is one of the most realized and three dimensional characters in recent memory.Once the downbeat ending arrives (which is downbeat in a different way than what one would expect from such a film) I wanted nothing more than to see more of Lisbeth and Mikhail in future installments. Bring on the remaining two films I say.
Movie comment on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
The Fable Muncher
Under Tom Alfredson's skillful direction, the complex and enthralling story along with a top-notch cast led by Gary Oldman; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is easily one of the most remarkable films of 2011. A must-see.Movie comment on The Ides of March
The Fable Muncher
A gripping piece of work. I do, however, feel that it needs just a little push for the film to go into "outstanding" territory. Perhaps a more focused direction could've pushed the material into something more than it is. As it is, it's an engaging film with fantastic performances from the cast, but nothing extraordinary.Movie comment on 50/50
The Fable Muncher
"Above average" about sums it up. Not a bad way to kill ninety minutes, but nothing really profound or meaningful unfortunately. A wasted opportunity, but still a solid effort.Movie comment on Moneyball
The Fable Muncher
I've probably spent a grand total of thirty seconds in my entire life watching baseball, but I was captivated throughout the entirety of this film. Highly recommended.Movie comment on Warrior
The Fable Muncher
Intense and captivating. Warrior may have been structured around a formula, but the film is so gripping that you forget some elements in the film have been done ad nauseum before. It takes quite a lot of skill to make cliched drama scenarios utterly involving, but in this film everything just works. Nick Nolte and Tom Hardy provide powerhouse performances.I would highly recommend this, especially to those who don't particularly care for sports movies. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Movie comment on Y tu mamá también
The Fable Muncher
Outstanding in every aspect. The film ends with such astonishing power that I'm honestly having difficulty articulating just how good this film is. I can't recommend this enough.Movie comment on Irréversible
The Fable Muncher
Overall it's a rather simplistic film. A story of revenge bookended with a philosophical notion. However, its simplicity is not meant to be a criticism. Everything is on the surface with this film, but what it does is push it so far to the limits that you can't help but be captivated despite its conventional story.It's a compelling and rather unique piece of work. The film may not say much in the end, but what it does is present its tale beautifully.
Movie comment on Contagion
The Fable Muncher
A decent film, but with that kind of storyline this could've been something spectacular. It does a good enough job showing the chaos, but the film's ambitions are apparently too low to really go for it. There was a sense throughout the entirety of the film that it was holding itself back, almost afraid to take any drastic step.I praise its realism and its refusal to devolve into standard apocalypse schlock that so many "disaster films" resort to, but by the time this film ends it's an unsatisfying experience.
Kate Winslet was the most compelling character.
Movie comment on Final Destination 5
The Fable Muncher
Indeed a step-up from its predecessor, but that's not exactly saying much considering how bad The Final Destination was.This one is still full of atrocious CGI and forgettable death scenes. The supposed twist ending isn't even clever since it has no bearing whatsoever on the events that transpired before.
Don't bother with this one. Although if you've seen the first four films another one won't kill you.
Movie comment on Enter the Void
The Fable Muncher
Did it need to be almost three hours long? No. Nonetheless, you won't experience any other film quite like this one, and that alone is enough to recommend it.A fascinating and captivating tale about life after death set in the hyper romanticized city of Tokyo.
Movie comment on Drive
The Fable Muncher
Winding-Refn's excellent and stylish direction make Drive a must-see film. However, once the third act starts it becomes clear that all that style, although delivering a unique experience, also serves to hide the film's generic and lazy plot.Gosling's characterization is the highlight, giving the nameless lead character the right amount of mystery and danger to make him one hell of a compelling figure. Give it a few decades and the Driver will eventually become an iconic character akin to Travis Bickle.
Movie comment on The House of the Devil
The Fable Muncher
The first half has great build-up and really tense scenes. Once the film blows up it gets a little disappointing with its incredibly paper-thin and been-there-done-that plot.Nothing extraordinary, but it's still a fun and worthwhile horror film to watch.
Movie comment on John Adams
The Fable Muncher
This sprawling production from HBO is a must-see. Seven plus hours of storytelling done so masterfully with career-defining performances from both Giammati and Linney. This miniseries not only rivals the most accomplished historical biopics in either film or television, but puts most of them to shame.You do not need to have even the slightest interest in American history to find every minute of this utterly compelling.
Movie comment on Hunger
The Fable Muncher
One of the best films made in the last decade. Steve McQueen's unyielding portrayal of Bobby Sands and the inmates of the Maze Prison leading up to the 1981 IRA Hunger Strike is striking in the inherent beauty found amongst such brutality. I cannot recommend this film enough.Movie comment on Il gattopardo
The Fable Muncher
Visconti's attention to detail pays off with this extravagantly gorgeous epic. The production design and cinematography are close to perfection.I did feel its length, however. I don't believe this needed to be three hours long. Some smart editing choices could've been made to considerably trim down the film without compromising its tone and spirit.
Nevertheless, it's highly recommended.
Movie comment on The Last House on the Left
The Fable Muncher
Delightfully campy with genuinely harrowing moments even today.The two cops were the best part of the movie.
Movie comment on Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan
The Fable Muncher
Despite the short amount of time actually spent in New York (It should really be called Jason Goes on a Cruise) the film's unique setting and Rob Hedden's technical direction brought much-needed fresh air into the repetitive franchise.Oh, and Jason punches a character's head off in this movie.