3 out of 5. Marius Holst weaves a dark tale based on a true story in the KING OF DEVIL'S ISLAND. Having Stellan Skarsgard in the lead role doesn't hurt either. He's as icy and bitter as the winter winds in this Nordic tale of a school for delinquent boys. Benjamin Helstad does an equally excellent job at standing his ground and foregoing the harshest conditions. It's not much different than Cool Hand Luke in terms of story but it does offer some really excellent situations and character development that is harrowing and heartbreaking. The ending...man...good stuff.
=s=
4 out of 5. I think Rupert Wyatt's RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES washed a bad taste out of most people's mouths that the sequels of the original left. I mean, if I was truly being honest aside, other than the killer score by Jerry Goldsmith, the Planet of the Apes is a well-made B-movie. This one however was a great popcorn flick. It had a nice story set-up, great set-pieces, and characters who's actions were believable given the extraordinary circumstances. It delivers on all cylinders and doesn't leave you with an empty stomach like most tent-pole movies. It was a wild ride that you didn't want to stop. The motion-capture and stunt acting is tremendous. What are you doing right? GO WATCH THIS, ALREADY!
=s=
4 out of 5. Wolfgang Petersen's DAS BOOT should also be called a psychological thriller as it messes with your aural senses the entire time. This WWII film has a unique perspective of taking place for the most part in a German submarine. The claustrophobia and grime of living and making choices in close quarters grips you the entire time. Relief doesn't come until near the end where things open up and without warning the real Hell breaks loose. The cinematography choices were excellent all around especially in the sub. The detail could have easily overwhelmed the frame but choosing to use atmospheric fog and variations in saturated and desaturated lights to evoke mood was smart.
=s=
4 out of 5. Akira Kurosawa's YOJIMBO is an
excellent template that many a story has hung on. Sergio Leone's A
FISTFUL OF DOLLARS took what Kurosawa pioneered and pushed it a little
further owning it in the process. But I give Kurosawa full credit for
some amazing shots and a great balance of comedy in a grim and
unsettling time.
=s=
5 out of 5. Brad Bird and his team really
brought animation a shot in the arm with THE IRON GIANT. It hits on so
many levels it defies a single viewing. This is the kind of filmmaking
and storytelling that is almost
impossible. The fact that it's animated makes it even more of a miracle.
It's poignant without being saccharin. This and THE INCREDIBLES were
easily my two favorite Brad Bird outings. Highly recommended for
everyone!
=s=
3 out of 5. Mario Bava is known for horror but DANGER DIABOLIK is a
very cool flick. I don't know what to say, the color the production
design, the soundtrack (Ennio Morricone) is all super-spy and even
superhero. It's based on an Italian comic by two sisters. The lead,
John Phillip Law is a great match for Marisa Mell...beautiful people
doing extraordinary things. If you like James Bond and a little
Euro-camp to wash it down with you will dig this groovy spectacle.
=s=
