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• 
  I recommend you see...

  Highlander

  by Alexander

  ''There can be only one!''
  
  He fought his first battle on the Scottish Highlands in 1536. He will fight his greatest battle on the streets of New York City in 1986. His name is Connor MacLeod. He is immortal.
  
  Christopher Lambert: Connor 'The Highlander' MacLeod
  
  There is an important part missing in the US cut of Highlander.
  During World War II, MacLeod finds an orphaned little girl hiding amongst ruins. When a Nazi guns them down, his body shields hers, absorbing the bullets, and they both fall. In answer to her amazed, "You're still alive?", he flashes that winning smile and whispers, "Hey, it's a kind of magic!"
  
  We learn that the orphan is his present secretary, Rachel, now an attractive older woman, whom MacLeod never took as a lover, though it is obvious she spent years yearning for him to do so.
  
  When MacLeod leaves Rachel to face The Kurgan, both knowing it is the last time they will ever see each other, his parting words, ''Hey, it's a kind of magic, lack the tear-jerking poignancy they should possess, for in excluding the war scene, this line is not a callback but simply a cute phrase tangentially apropos to the moment.
  
  It's a kind of lethargic.
  
  Notwithstanding this omission, Highlander is still a fantasy masterstroke, a film of 80s proportions but with nowadays dated effects.
  Brought to life by former music-video director, Australian Russell Mulcahy and writers Gregory Widen, Peter Bellwood and Larry Ferguson, this tale is so original and well-executed, it is hard to imagine it was not culled from Scottish folk legend. As far as I can tell, there is still no evidence to suggest this.
  
  The opening tracking shots across a frenzied wrestling arena foreshadow how the movie intends to move us in great arcs, with the bulk of humanity becoming a blur, as grander designs are played out. Long before Michael Bay abused the swooping camera pan, Mulcahy utilized it with heady effect for the grandeur it purveyed in tales such as this. The sweep homes in on the hawk eyes of a lone serious figure amidst the multitude of ululating rednecks, Christopher Lambert (A French Actor playing a Scotsman, what the hell??!), who makes his apprehensive way to the parking garage and the first of many charged sword battles! Intrigue is piled high in these first few scenes, as the samurai milieu is juxtaposed with the grittiness and cynicism of modern-day New York, harried talk about blade-steel folded 200 times and millennia-aged weapons.
  Look closer, this is a white guy in blue jeans and sneakers wielding a samurai sword, an iconic image, soon to be burned into our minds eye.
  
  After Lambert beheads his immortal opponent and before any questions can be formulated, let alone answered, the Scottish Highlands are revealed in a breath-taking horizontal montage.
  A piece of the puzzle is given to us, it is the 16th century and we see Lambert in another role, a young man adorning a kilt and flowing mane, riding into his first battle with his clan. He is Connor MacLeod, of the Highland MacLeods.
  
  Back and forth, between present-day New York and medieval Scotland, in creative transitions, Mulcahy reveals ever more details of MacLeod's storied life until the character of Ramirez (an overdressed Sean Connery, A Scot playing a Spanish Lord, does this ever end??!) fills in all the gaps after his timely appearance and battle-training of the inexperienced Connor.
  
  Ramirez and MacLeod are a breed of Immortals who cannot die unless beheaded. They anticipate The Gathering, a time hence when every remaining Immortal will battle to the death, for There Can Be Only One to claim The Prize,the unknown condition that overcomes the last man standing.
  
  That time is now!!! present-day New York, where MacLeod must face the most malevolent of the last Immortals, The Kurgan (''Better to burn out than fade away!!).
  
  The invented Highlander mythology provided the sturdy skeleton upon which to drape the incredible story. It would nevermore be so seamless, as the film's cult success was its undoing, systematically murdered by its own inappropriate and diabolically inferior sequels and offshoots.
  
  So overall Highlander has some brilliant music especially from Queen and some moving scenes that make me want to watch this time and time again. Admittedly it's plot is abit chaotic and it's effects look a little worn but there's some brilliant originality there.
  
  Connery's closing monologue achieves it's harrowing yet meaningful purpose, as applied to ALL mere mortals: "You are generations being born and dying. You're at one with all living things. Each man's thoughts and dreams are yours to know. You have power beyond imagination. Use it well, my friend."
  "Don't lose your head."

  AgentOfChaos2132

  A film I saw growing up which appears to have aged in ways. Effects are sadly not as good as I remember and the plot slightly all over the place.
  
  Still love the premise and idea behind Highlander and the irony that we have the French Christopher Lambert playing a Scot, then we have Sean Connery playing a Spanish Lord. That always amused me, maybe Sean could give Lambert tips on his accent and performance.
  
  An iconic film which still leaves an impact with me, plus Queen and the immortality Samurai Sword Beheading thing is quality.
  (My dad loves this film)
  
  7/10

  posted 1 hour ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  Definitely, Maybe

  by Alexander

  ''I wanna marry you because you're the first person that I wanna look at when i wake up in the morning and the only one I wanna kiss goodnight, because...the first time that i saw these hands i couldn't imagine not being able to hold them but mainly when you love someone as much as i love you...getting married is the only thing left to do, so... will you... hum...marry me? ''
  
  ''Definitely, maybe... i have to think about it.''
  
  A political consultant tries to explain his impending divorce and past relationships to his 11-year-old daughter.
  
  Ryan Reynolds: Will Hayes
  
  Definitely, Maybe marks a step back from Love Actually's multiple plot threads, opting instead for a brilliantly crafted script played out by a tight ship cast (Kevin Kline was class and very funny in his wee role). Cleverly Definitely, Maybe turns out charisma charged enough not to be soppy, but with lots of loving heart to be touching where it counts.
  
  Screenwriter Adam Brooks, co-writer of Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason and Wimbledon, so assured behind the camera. Maybe it's the unblemished array of vision but beyond a over indulgent voice-over and an odd musical interlude over the opening credits, there's barely a trace of the problems that beleaguered his previous workings.
  
  Ryan Reynolds as Will Hayes results in a acting talent with a beautiful combination of charm, a penchant for comedy, and good looks. He's been repeatedly stuck with bad roles like Blade:Trinity and the flat Smoking Aces but this romance movie shows his talent in spades.
  
  Like most good ideas, Definitely, Maybe has a true similarity to life and love, like a modern remake of the classic Princess Bride, where the child is told a story.
  Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail Breslin is the kind of adorable whippersnapper who knows she doesn't have to act too much and though she's still growing up, she applies the same sweetness and naivety that bagged her an Oscar nomination in last year's ceremony.
  
  If there's a fault, it's maybe the seesaw of attention divulged to the three women in Will's life: college sweetheart Emily (Elizabeth Banks), free spirit April (Isla Fisher), and ambitious intellectual Summer (Perfect Rachel Weisz). All three play gracefully and beautifully, but they're not given a huge amount of screen-time, which soon reveals where the story is leading. That is, however, a minor criticism so definitely, maybe unjust to complain.
  
  There's something about Definitely, Maybe that the inclusion of both Rachel Weisz and Clint Mansel's music that increases and makes my heart really pulse. A fleeting, distant, connection to my favourite film The Fountain that echoes around my feelings for Definitely, Maybe. In a way it has a soul and a message at it's core.
  
  Beautiful.

  AgentOfChaos2132

  A beautiful Romance as well as a study of life and love.
  
  Best film with Ryan Reynolds I've seen to date.
  
  9/10

  posted 3 hours ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  Star Wars: The Clone Wars

  by Alexander

  ''This is where the fun begins!''
  
  As the Clone Wars sweep through the galaxy, the heroic Jedi Knights struggle to maintain order and restore peace...
  
  Matt Lanter: Anakin Skywalker (voice)
  
  Clone Wars interested me mainly due to the fact it's animated and its another story derived from the saga. As soon as it begins we the audience are thrown straight away into the story, leaving us little time to soak it in but we manage.
  
  Clone Wars, obviously is set between the events of Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. If you have ever played the Star Wars: Battlefront series of games then you will be right at home with Clone Wars. We have such things as ship dogfights, infantry skirmishes and frantic chases all displayed with gloriously captured animation.
  
  The main story that Clone Wars executes, is one of Jabba the Hutt's son who has been mysteriously kidnapped. Predictably Anakin and Obi-Wan are chosen to sort this matter out while Count Dooku, Ventruss and Sidious do there best to deter them for their own means. General Grievous isn't in this story at all.
  
  The voices are all recognizable to their respective characters although alot of the original actors who took part on the prequels understandably haven't returned. Two I know of that did decide to return were Anthony Daniels and Samuel L Jackson, who as C-3PO and Mace Windu, give their character's life. Although they are mainly sub characters here.
  The new voices such as Tom Kane voicing Yoda, or Ian Abercrombie as Palpatine are pretty spot on with their accurate tones and accents.
  James Arnold Taylor voicing Obi-Wan Kenobi does a bit too much of a good job elaborating on the English accent a little too much.
  Asajj Ventress, the Sith Assassin wasn't in it as much as I thought she would be. She does however make an evil impression and have a memorable light sabre frenzied battle with Obi-Wan which made for some sparkling show of light and colour.
  
  Another nice thing about Clone Wars is the fact that it's got a perfect blend of humour and seriousness. We are treated to the cute little son of Jabba, the Huttlet, Droids saying dumb comical little remarks, and a new apprentice Padawan in the guise of Ahsoka Tano. She injects the story with some much needed freshness.
  
  So on the whole Clone Wars was alot better than I thought it may be. Some fun and brilliantly captured moments, all animated accurately. Only things I was disappointed with, was that posters misled me with, was the fact Yoda has his light Sabre out. In the film he doesn't even use his Sabre, talk about false advertising. Little things like this or the whole sub-plot and diminishing qualities of narration did spoil some of Clone Wars.
  
  On the whole Clone Wars is a brilliant choice for the family, children or anyone who is a fan of animation or Star Wars. Still love the Clone Wars cartoon series they used to have on TV, which even was 2D had alot of depth to it and artistic vision.
  The Clone Wars film does the whole thing in 3D and results in a glorious explosion of light, colour, and fun.

  AgentOfChaos2132

  Went to see it for the Animation, and I must say I enjoyed the experience.
  
  Cleverly Clone Wars, succeeds in being something different and a mice little story in between the Saga. Merging new and old characters with more possibilities.
  
  7/10

  posted 14 hours ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  Cinema Paradiso (Nuovo cinema Paradiso)

  by Alexander

  ''Life isn't like in the movies. Life... is much harder.''
  
  A filmmaker recalls his childhood, when he fell in love with the movies at his village's theater and formed a deep friendship with the theater's projectionist.
  
  Salvatore Cascio: Salvatore 'Toto' Di Vita - Child
  
  Cinema Paradiso is one of those films you hear made in some kind of reference too many times and ponder, yes, I must watch that one someday.
  
  Unfortunately that day kept passing me, but I now believe this was meant to be, for when I did finally catch, it was a very different film than everybody had been going on about.
  
  The most enjoyable moments to me were the scenes with the child Salvatore (real name in fact Salvatore), or Toto as he is known in the village. A little acting marvel, his face truly lights up brighter than the cinema screen with which he is enraptured, and his scenes with Philippe Noiret as projectionist Alfredo are touching and magical without being overly sentimental (Spielberg could learn a lesson here). I could also have easily believed he would grow up to be the older Salvatore (French actor Jacques Perrin) who returns to the village. The adolescent Salvatore (Marco Leonardi) however bears no resemblance to these two whatsoever and, if I have a complaint, this is it, and so my disbelief was unsuspended for a while.
  
  This notwithstanding, Cinema Paradiso is beautifully framed, lensed, and is enhanced immeasurably by an exquisite score by the Morricones which has become a favourite soundtrack for collectors. As with many of Morricone's scores it was composed based simply on the script and before any filming took place, so that the actors could perform and react to the music and tempos being played in the background of their scenes, a la theatre. According to Tornatore 'Some of the themes that are now in the film were composed right in front of me during those first few days. His music was an inspiration to everyone, whilst Morricone himself states 'The music was born of my collaboration with Giuseppe. It reflects how I was inspired by the story of a boy, in love with a beautiful woman and coming of age in a small town in Sicily. After reading the script I attempted to write music that would aid the film in its slow transformation from comedic and ironic to heavily dramatic'.
  
  He succeeded beautifully.
  
  The movie Nuovo Cinema Paradiso moved me greatly and the feelings are so strong that I can't even describe it. As they say, beauty in terms of human words can only go so far before it becomes meaningless.
  
  It is a film about film, a story about love and friendship and everything that a living human being can feel. A lovely and smart child ,living with a desperate mother waiting for her beloved husband at war,grew up with movies and finally became a famous director.
  
  He once loved a beautiful woman and the woman loved him too. However,as we all know, love is fragile. Love immediately comes to an end the moment it meets with marriage.
  So,is there a way that makes love eternal,always smiling at you when you open your eyes in the morning? I had guessed the beginning but I didn't get the fine.That's why it's such a film of greatness and a masterful work.
  
  A Moving Masterful Piece of film that is Cinema Paradiso.

  AgentOfChaos2132

  Needs to be seen.
  
  Another Foreign Film that succeeds in being an accurate portrayal of life, love, friendship and film.

  posted 1 day ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  ...And Justice For All

  by Dina

  A tremendously underrated, well crafted courtroom drama in which Al Pacino delivers one of his best performances in my opinion..
  
  Gripping all the way through, the perfection Pacino shows playing his role is almost unbelievable.. The final scene alone is a masterpiece, it's a must see for every fan of his.. and who isn't ?!
  
  Excellent cast, perfect direction.. Just terrefic !!

  pure388

  Watch it ..

  posted 1 day ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  Frozen River

  by Michael

  A gritty independant gem. FROZEN RIVER feels almost like a documentary, with it's shoe-string budget, HD shakey cam photography, and very believeable performances. A gripping story and lush snow-covered locales reminded me a little of Fargo, but there is no dark comedy, or comedy of any kind here! Expect to be saddened and a little depressed, and you may be truely surprised.
  
  Melissa Leo gives easily one of the best performances this year. Lets see if she's remembered come Oscar time.

  YLOWBSTARDreturns

  Here's one worth looking for. A great first effort from director Courtney Hunt, featuring one of the year's best performances.
  

  posted 2 days ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  Norbit

  by Alexander

  ''Remember, black people run very fast. But problem run faster.''
  
  ''That's kinda racist.''
  
  ''Yes, Wong very racist. Don't like black. Don't like Jew either. But black and Jew love Chinese food. Go figure.''
  
  A mild-mannered guy who is engaged to a monstrous woman meets the woman of his dreams, and schemes to find a way to be with her.
  
  Eddie Murphy: Norbit / Rasputia / Mr. Wong
  
  Eddie Murphy thinks he's clever. Eddie Murphy believes he can keep regurgitating his multiple roles in Nutty Professor proportions. Norbit shows us it's getting past the point of being not funny, old hat and completely irritating. Long gone are the days of Beverley Hills Cop and Golden Child or even Coming to America. But why Mr Murphy can pick an amazing film like Dreamgirls, then have the cheek to be in rubbish like this is beyond me.
  
  So Eddie Murphy as Norbit, he plays a loser in this first so called main role. He's an Orphan who ends up being raised by Mr Wong, a Chinese Restaurant owner, who's about the funniest character in Norbit.
  Mr Wong surprise surprise is played by Eddie Murphy too. Ends up being a smart cracking, one liner ridden, crease of laughs with his racist disposition.
  God knows what possessed Thandie Newton & Cuba Gooding Jr to take part in the Norbit atrocities is beyond me.
  
  Brian Robbins, a TV producer in real life, is maligned here as the director, Jay Scherick and David Ronn (co-writers of the Martin Lawrence-botched National Security) came up with a story of gore, body-function accidents, relentless pummeling of men, women and children of all races, although with more venom and contempt for blacks and Asians than the few token whites suffer.
  
  The movie was offensive on so many levels. The racial humor wasn't funny. There are some lines with attempts at humour that really go too far(My chosen one is a fine example). Many of you who have seen it will understand what I mean. And those who haven't, I hope you don't support this film out of a curiosity, that indeed will kill the cat. Please, wait for Sky or Freeview for this.
  
  I heard that it was Eddie Murphy's brother who came up with this idea. If EM did this as a favor to his brother, he could have done his brother, and himself a bigger favor by bringing Charlie in on a better project and tossing this script.
  
  Eddie Murphy does put effort into his characters as always, but it's wasted energy. His job as Norbit gets lost in the low class, low level so-called comedy. Even though I just saw the film, I had to really remember that his performance as Norbit was decent. All I can think about is how offended I was by Norbit. Eddie Murphy even has the bold audacity to put in a talking dog, that rips off Men In Black and shows Norbit for the unoriginal crass fertilizer that it is.

  AgentOfChaos2132

  Crash and burn.
  
  Eddie Murphy has done it again, this is why I didn't see Meet Dave. Was brave enough to see this on Sky Movies and it was simply awful. So awful in fact you have to laugh at how awful it truly is.
  
  Norbit shows us how unfunny and unrewarding a so called comedy done wrong can be.
  
  2/10

  posted 2 days ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  Pi

  by Alexander

  ''There will be no order, only chaos.''
  
  A paranoid mathematician searches for a key number that will unlock the universal patterns found in nature.
  Faith in Chaos.
  
  Sean Gullette: Maximillian Cohen
  
  Max is a mathematician who tries to find the perfect number/equation to life, to everything. Upon finding it, people will do anything to get what he knows.
  
  Beautiful sounds and music, fantastic camera work are a few aspects Pi has to offer. The whole flashes, views through keyholes, the ants, the black and white filming intensifies the ordeal that is Pi.
  
  I liked the Jewish lettering and numbering system. Was especially fascinating with some awe defining comparisons and links to certain symbolic aspects within the Torah.
  
  Darren Aronofsky has crafted a superb, psychological, analytical movie that spirals out of control to dizzying heights. Paranoia and madness soaked.
  Sean Gullette portrays Max in such a believable fashion. Incredible.
  
  Very meaningful quotes for instance, the following examples:
  ''When i was a little boy my mother told me not to stare into the sun.
  So once when i was six i did''.
  ''1. Mathematics is the language of nature.
  2. Everything around us can be represented and understood through numbers.
  3. If you graph these numbers, patterns emerge. Therefore: there are patterns everywhere in nature.''
  

  
  Pi is perfected in it's capturing of numbers and the mixture of faith and religion. Even in religions and nature numbers are in everything, which begs the idea that God, the big everything, or whatever you believe, patterns are in everything, reflecting how numbers are everywhere.

  Some interesting ambient music from some surreal groups too like Aphex Twin, orbital, Ront Size, Massive attack, David Holmes, Autechre and Clint Mansell.
  
  The whole film is surreal,beautiful and shot so differently yet originally. Reminds me of the Silent Hill video games on parts the way it messes with your head and stretches your fear of the unknown. Also is similar to Taxi-driver how its main guy seems to plummet and be consumed by craziness and chaos. How you get to the stage where you snap and there's no going back.
  What begins as an obsession to beat the stock market slowly transcends into something altogether higher and pivotal yet dangerous.
  
  Watch immediately if you are into deep films because Pi certainly is near the top of the pile.
  Darren Aronofsky, I see what he's trying to achieve here. In all his films. Has to be watched again and again to take into account all it's deeper messages and meanings.
  Simply Amazing, spirals into perfection and infinity like it's chaotic numeric, faithful subject matter.
  
  Faith is indeed in chaos, a myriad of God, man and math.

  AgentOfChaos2132

  A very deep film from Darren Aronofsky, who asserts himself as my fave Director with Pi.
  
  Fountain may have been a more spiritual approach but Darren shows that numbers never lie with Pi, and offer us a resolute philosophical debate on life itself.
  
  Worth seeing multiple times, a wonderful deep film which will make you think long after it finishes.
  
  A work of genius captured within the confines of film itself, which offers some answers and questions abut life.

  posted 3 days ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  Flyboys

  by Alexander

  ''None of us knows how much time we have left, and we can't waste any of it grieving over things we can't change.''
  
  The adventures of the Lafayette Escadrille, young Americans who volunteered for the French military before the U.S. entered World War I, and became the country's first fighter pilots.
  
  James Franco: Blaine Rawlings
  
  Flyboys was a pleasant surprise and a rather compelling WWI Period piece which tells the story of young Americans who joined the French Air Force, becoming the some of the first pilots.
  
  Director Tony Bill utilizes the feel and grace of the times, showing us a glorified vision of these brave young men fighting and dying for a cause bigger than themselves and for freedom and good. The aerial battles featured are something that would make anyone's elder relatives proud showing the frantic warrior styled fighting of the skies.
  The clever thing is, as Flyboys progresses you gradually begin to care for the characters, to feel for them, to care, when one is snatched away by death's cold grip.
  I must admit Flyboys is stereotypical in places, glorifying it's radiant young American charismatic Pilots while demonising the Germans who come across as typical evil bad guys. The French soldiers and English are bystanders, the shining stars remain the so called Flyboys. Still a rather poignant recurring theme that I still find interesting is that the good old American Allies of ours back in time always surprisingly were more often than not last to enter into any specific War, yet they are quick to boast on any involvement and particularly over-indulge.
  
  Going on to the performances beginning with James Franco as Blaine Rawlings, who does a wonderful job in the lead role. Breaking away from the overshadowing Spider-man franchise was never going to be easy but with Flyboys its a good start for Franco who manages to retain his charismatic charm in his film choices. His romance and humour really brings the character Rawlings to life.
  Another character I was pleased to see was Jean Reno as Thenault, the French Captain.
  Abdul Salis as Eugene Skinner who I recognized from Love Actually was a fine addition to the cast as the young African American Pilot Eugene. I liked the prejudice of the times at first from his fellows, and him standing up to it, even a fiery encounter with a guy who rubs his head. But his boxing skills come in useful as does his French linguistics which made him a very interesting character, plus Abdul pulls of the part really well.
  
  I have to admit alot of suspense is conveyed in the whole of Flyboys. Even when a pivotal character meets his demise, you really start to hate and seethe at the German antagonist in his Black Devilish Plane, who's smug, enjoyment of the killing knows no bounds. Predictably there's a final stand off which does not disappoint, with the added prelude of a giant blimp, accompanied with a fiery skirmish, a frantic dog fight of fighter planes.
  
  The bond with his fellow Co-pilots and even romance for a French girl, played by Jennifer Decker is one of the multiple draws of Flyboys aside from the battle sequences and suspenseful on foot action.
  There are some instances however on a critical level though where I did question the film's originality. Yes I know Flyboys is derived more or less from a true story but that doesn't stop the whole ''been there done that'' shadow looming forth. Having said that on the whole I liked Flyboys and the energy generated from the young cast especially James Franco who is really coming to terms with his acting talents, and improving. Granted he's got more acting skills to enhance but he's on his way.
  
  Flyboys doesn't just fly in the end, it soars into the distance, a good effort.

  AgentOfChaos2132

  A very good film, overall very impressed with Flyboys.
  
  Been done before but fans of WWI films or the period will love this. I 'm sure my late granddad would of been fond of it, having been into engineering.
  
  James Franco performance is very good.
  
  7/10

  posted 3 days ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  Rashômon (Rashomon) (In the Woods)

  by Alexander

  ''It's human to lie. Most of the time we can't even be honest with ourselves.''
  
  A heinous crime and its aftermath are recalled from differing points of view.
  
  Toshirô Mifune: Tajômaru
  
  Ironically, Japanese critics were not enthusiastic about Rashomon when it was released in 50's Japan.
  
  In today's world, however, Rashomon is generally considered to be the film that introduced both director Akira Kurosawa and Japanese cinema to the western parts of the globe.
  Often cited as the film that prompted The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to create an award for Best Foreign Language film. It is widely regarded as a masterwork of world cinema.
  
  Set in 12th Century Japan, the film's premise is at once both very simple yet very complicated. A man is found dead in a forest, and several people are brought forward to give testimony in the matter. In some respects their accounts agree but in numerous others, some obvious and some very subtle, their stories differentiate. As each character gives his or her version of events, the various differences pile higher and higher, leaving the viewer to wonder at the motivations involved.
  
  Personally, Rashomon has forever been among favourites of Kurosawa's directional works.
  
  During Akira's lifetime he managed to confirm himself as one of the world's leading film-makers. He was a film maker who created cinema which was impossible to compare, and his influence still resounds within even the most mainstream works of today. For example, the non-linear styling structure of Rashomon has been respectfully woven in numerous films since.
  
  Rashomon was the work which propelled the career of Kurosawa, even though it was not widely regarded in its own country at the time, it was hailed by the critics of the Western world as a definitive masterpiece.
  
  Rashomon is the compressed story of an innocent woman's rape and her husband's murder, performed by a ruthless bandit (acted out by Kurosawa's long-time muse, Toshirô Mifune).
  Even though the bandit is caught and consequently put on trial, the seemingly simple crime soon becomes questionably more complicated as it is recounted from four individually detached eye-witness perspectives. Posing many philosophical and debatable questions for the viewer, the picture asks which story is the one to believe, through -what was at the time and still remains- a highly stylized storytelling technique. Establishing a verdict on the heinous crime centered upon in Rashomon is as much an ordeal as the crime itself because it proves to be an incident which provokes moral questioning and fierce debate.
  
  The film-making techniques used in Rashomon gave birth to a distinct style that Kurosawa was prepared to develop further in his later works, which can be seen in films such as Yojimbo and Shichinin no samurai.
  
  Level-headed pragmatism plagued Kurosawa's features throughout his earlier years, this was something that came as an advantage for his films, being that the characters (even the bad) portrayed in his films were genuine people you could feel compassion and remorse for.
  Also, Kurosawa began to define genres throughout the 1950s and 1960s, while also bringing to light some now-popular methods of camera movement, e.g. dutch angles, revolving shots and amplified close-ups.
  
  For those who question the film's offbeat narrative structure, they should ask themselves whether or not the cut-throat editing is there as a means of symbolising the colliding viewpoints. I consider this to be a daring means of combining humanitarian lies and honesty, and also a means of creating a disorientating, volatile impression. With Rashômon, Kurosawa's admiration for silent cinema came into evident practice; this can be seen through the minimalist set-pieces, which are a contrast to the complex storytelling procedure that his work embodies. The ambiguity of Rashômon is detailed through subtly metaphorical cinematography and lighting techniques. I have seen the setting of the woods as a display of the work's central atmosphere (intrigue, depth) and the shadows periodically depicting a loss of empathy and symbolizing the isolated danger of the reflective surroundings.
  
  Kurosawa's skill is not just in dialog and relationships, his visual acuity helps accentuate these themes. When the story begins, the woods is magical, even colorful (despite the black and white used). It is a woods of fairy tale proportions, with mystical breezes and tranquil streams.
  As Rashomon progresses, the woods lose more and more of their mystical quality and become dirty, dry and ultimately more real.
  By the time the battle between the husband and the bandit is played out in its final representation, it is no longer a valiant battle of skill against two well-versed opponents, its a stressful, scary affair that has the two kicking up more dust than swinging their blades. The dust itself shows the degradation of the story, that is Rashomon, coming away from the abstract qualities, derived of truth and justice.

  AgentOfChaos2132

  Rashomon is a beautifully crafted film by Kurosawa.
  
  Overlooked in Japan in the 50s, now and indeed still leaving its mark on the Western world.
  
  Masterful.

  posted 3 days ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  The Air I Breathe

  by Brian

  Could have been better, but pretty good. Slow to start, but good once it got going. Forrest Whitaker and Kevin Bacon are underused and Sarah Michelle Gellar is overused.
  
  I enjoyed how it was put together in segments that all were related to each other in the end.

  DistractinglyBombast...

  Hey, you should really see this!

  posted 4 days ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  Hi, Mom!

  by Cris

  Criswell

  not a recommendation
  
  me and EarthlyAlien made a blog
  
  http://doistakes.blogspot.com/
  
  please visit it ;)

  posted 4 days ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  Rory O'Shea Was Here (Inside I'm Dancing)

  by Brian

  Thia is somewhat of a different kind of film because you think it's going to be somewhat of a kighthearted comedy in the beginning, but it really surprises you in a good way.
  
  Great performances by James McAvoy and Steven Robertson. Totally worth watching on several levels and I'm glad we finally got around to it.
  
  Why do people talk trash on McAvoy? See this and maybe you won't.
  
  One complaint: too slow at times.

  DistractinglyBombast...

  Hey, you should really see this!

  posted 4 days ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  Hi, Mom!

  by Craig

  SilentWar

  Hey everyone, thought I'd just share for those interested my first short film. I'm at the Film School in New Zealand and we just completed a '5 minute drama' where we each individually write and direct our own film with a team behind us who alternate the important roles depending on the director. Shot on a rather standard DVX102 (which isn't too bad I guess), this is my final product, but have edited my own DIRECTORS CUT outside of the school as the 5 minute cut made wasn't the way I intended it to pan out. Please comment and be truthful, I like hearing all feedback, keep in mind I ain't a writer and I know my dialogue isn't the best.
  
  
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By3I15h8EHo

  posted 5 days ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  The Twilight of the Golds

  by Brian

  This movir pissed me off a little biy. I can deal with dated movies, after all this came out in 1997, fine, but where my issue is is with the dated characters. All the gay men in the movie are such stereotypes. YAWN!
  
  Other than that tho the movie is good. It starts off slow, but gets good towards the middle.

  DistractinglyBombast...

  Hey, you should really see this!

  posted 5 days ago
• 
  haymon16

  hi

  posted 7 days ago
• 
  tina2ka4

  hi raja
  

  posted 7 days ago
• 
  victoriasat

  hello
  

  posted 7 days ago
• 
  I recommend you see...

  Hancock

  by Dina

  Ok, so maybe it wasn't one of Will Smith's best ones, still it works.. in a way !
  
  I mean he's still as funny as always, not the brightest plot but it is entertaining !
  
  And a memorable performance by Jason Bateman.. he was kind of a highlight at some points..

  pure388

  posted 8 days ago
• 
  anshumansrivastava79

  Hiiiiiiiii

  posted 8 days ago

In Theaters

On Dvd

• The Village
• The Game
• Men in Black II
• The Longest Yard
• O Brother, Where Art Thou?
• The French Connection

Lists Raja's Created

• My Favorite Movies (100 movies)
• Best of Robert DeNiro (25 movies)
• Best of Al Pacino (20 movies)
• Best of Martin Scorsese (10 movies)
• Best of Oliver Stone (10 movies)
• Best of Stanley Kubrick (6 movies)
• Best of Steven Spielberg (10 movies)
• Best Pictures (1990 ---> 2008) (18 movies)
• Top 10 Movie Scores (10 movies)
• Worst Films i've seen (10 movies)

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