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Brian reviewed...
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
Probably the best Robin Hood film I've seen with a great performance… More
Probably the best Robin Hood film I've seen with a great performance by Errol Flynn as the charismatic Robin Of Locksley. There is a great use of plot and characters, of swashbuckling action, epic sets, three strip Technicolor photography, and most of all the romance. I really enjoyed the romance between Robin and Mariam (Olivia de Havilland) real actors giving of a natural chemistry which made me believe. Surprisingly I enjoyed this marvel picture all throughout.
16 days ago via Rotten Tomatoes
Brian reviewed...
The Age of Innocence (1993)
THE AGE OF INNOCENCE
This is probably my fav Martin Scorsese… More
THE AGE OF INNOCENCE
This is probably my fav Martin Scorsese picture and one of the most painful films I have ever seen. Probably more painful the Hitchcock's "Vertigo". The story of an upper class man who is to marry a woman because society wants or expects him to due to moral and traditional values. Something that would be considered irrelevant in today's society. That man, sadly is Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) who at first has no qualms about marrying May Welland (Wionna Ryder) that is until he meets May's cousin Countess Ellen Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer) who knows how to capture Newland's attention with her mind. Archer is head over heels for the Countess and is clearly obsessed being with her almost willing to sacrifice his own marriage and reputation just to be with her. Newland Archer and the Countess want to express themselves somewhat and to break the rules of 1870's traditions, but in those days it would be considered immoral and disgraceful. Things get way complicated when the Countess asks Archer to marry May (which he does) but fails to forget about Ellen. Archer and the Countess agree to continue their relationship together just as long as it's not sexual which Archer obliges. The Age Of Innocence is considered to be a very brutal romantic picture.
I simply love this movie because of the main character Newland Archer and the obesssion he has for the Countess. I identified his feelings because I too was once obsessed with a woman before never to see her again. It's a painful story because Newland Archer has to decided on two things. Should he marry follow society and marry May or leave May in order to be with Countess Olenska. Scorsese also shows painstankly how the families relate and mingle through the mannerisms and the great use of rich furnitures and paintings and ballroom dancing into the mix. Scorsese also introduces the audiences to the other characters into the picture so we understand a bit about who these people are and why they practise such a strict discipline. If "The Age Of Innocence" isn't the most violent picture Scorsese has ever made it is certainly the most brutal. Roger Ebert put it best "The story told here is brutal and bloody, the story of a man's passion crushed, his heart defeated" rightly so because in later years Newland Archer will understand that he will never see Ellen ever again. The only thing Newland Archer will ever cherish of Countess Olenska will be the passion they had for one another kept in his memories.
27 days ago via Rotten Tomatoes
Brian reviewed...
For someone who has no experience in filmmaking, Kerry Konrad was able… More
For someone who has no experience in filmmaking, Kerry Konrad was able to cast and direct big budget stars, work on a blue/green screen, command, use a lot of computer graphics and technology and well I must say I was impressed with the results. SCATWOT pays homage to the old noir, sci-fi pictures of the past and although some sequences looks sorta obvious there are other shots that is breathtaking making the movie feel at whole again. I'm not really sure what to make of the plot but I admired the relationship between Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow (Sky Captain and Polly Perkins) Angelina Jolie is in a decent role where she doesn't upstage or take over the leading characters parts but is able to adapt well on her own terms. I wish the look of the picture looked more gritty and scratchy as it did when Kerry Conrad showed studios his visual concept to studios when he tried to get financing back in 1998. Overall this picture is not something that wowed me like say Indiana Jones but I have to give credit again to Kerry Conrad for his debut attempt and the fact that he admitted to having no expereience in directing able to direct and do a magnifiscent job nonetheless.
37 days ago via Rotten Tomatoes
