DAS BOOT

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.

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THE THIEF OF BAGDAD

3 out of 5. Raoul Walsh would have given James Cameron a run for his money with his epic THE THIEF OF BAGDAD. The energy that Douglas Fairbanks brings to this film must have been how we feel watching parkour today. It had to have blown people's minds. If not that then the sets that were just out-freaking-standing. This film played with scale in so many ways. Incredible production design. It reminded me of other grandiose films like INTOLERANCE. Also, Anna May Wong's magnetism is hard to beat. She was execellent. The story is pretty epic as well to the point of collapsing in on itself. Even for a silent-movie which many may feel impatient about, I assure you there's a lot of great elements that do keep on moving. I had dreams of emotive hand gestures for the next two days.

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YOJIMBO

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.

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THE IRON GIANT

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!

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