The Colour of Money


I think I'm getting a bit older. When I'm watching a movie or picking one out to watch I find I am less interested in how good the CGI, practical effects and excitement levels are going to be and instead am becoming more interested in characters, story and acting. This has led me to consider viewing some classics I've often heard about, even attempted in the past, but have never really had the yearning to sit through and enjoy.

Enter: The Colour of Money

A movie directed by Scorsese in the 80's starring Paul Newman and Tom Cruise, by default, has to be pretty damn good. Coupled with the fact that character, story and acting are now of much more value to me than in the past and I was pretty sure I was going to be in for a good time. The movie was brilliant. I was enthralled and entranced for almost the whole time watching Tom Cruise ACT! Boy could he act back then. A study in charisma, charm and boy next door wonder if I ever saw one. Taylor Lautner, Sam Worthington, Channing Tatum eat your hearts out and jump down into a fiery pit. You have nothing on the abilities of what Tom was like back in the day. Then to make it even more amazing lets throw in Paul Newman teaching his new protege (Tom) how to be charismatic, charming and boy next door to win 9 ball competitions. Now that's a movie my new self wants to watch.

It's a film not really about much other than an older man taking a gamble on young hot shot to make him loads of money playing 9 ball. How Scorsese was able to weave that into an intricate character study of depression, desire, achievement, manipulation and intrigue still amazes me. Why did only get an Oscar recently? Surely he should have 7 or 8 by now! Anyway, the last bit of the film let me down slightly after such a strong start, and unfortunately I think that's due to the editing of the film. The focus shifts from Tom to Paul's characters about 2/3 of the way through so abruptly it brought me out of the show. If he had been able to pull off the film climax of the century this film would be raved about forever, but unfortunately it just missed out.

If you find that you are also moving along in your film watching career and want a slower film full of characterisation and intricacy then please check this film out. If you are after a big whizz bang affair with 'splosions and robots fighting then maybe pass for now. But one day, when the time is right, definitely put this slow burner of a film on and be mesmerised at how good a director can really be.

SCORE: 8/10

IMDB Info for The Colour of Money

Weekend Trifecta - Argo, The Master & Savages

Had a mate staying from Ceduna over the weekend and we always smash a few movies while he's down.  It's always hard to choose what to watch but we ended up with some great movies.



Argo

Doubt there's many out there who either haven't seen or know about this one.  Ben Affleck both directs and stars in this gritty thriller about the American Embassy hostage situation in Iran in (1980).  Affleck just keeps getting better and he really delivers the goods in Argo with an incredibly engaging and edge of your seat experience.

The first thing that really jumped out at me was how 70's/80's it looked not just in the sets and costume etc but with the visual quality as well.  I read after that he actually shot on film instead of digitally and then cut frames and blew them up 200% for graininess.   This technique worked amazingly well.

The whole movie was pretty much perfect in my opinion.  I do want to make special reference to the brilliant building of tension throughout leading up to the escape.  Although I hear the film is quite a way off the actual events, when it means delivering a better story, who cares :)

Another special mention of Bryan Cranston from Breaking Bad who plays Jack.  Every movie is made better by having Bryan Cranston in it, so nice casting work there.

9/10

IMDB Info


The Master

I really don't know where to start here.  There is so much I loved about this move but did not feel satisfied when the credits rolled.   To me it felt more about the performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Phillip Seymour Hoffman than any sort of complete story telling.   It's one of those movies that you keep expecting to pull back a curtain and reveal something huge, but in this case it never does.

Story aside the movie is brilliant in all other aspects.   I recommend watching when you're in a more thoughtful mood and enjoy the reflection after.

7/10

IMDB Info


Savages

This is quite a fun film covering a subject we all enjoy - The Mexican Cartel and narcotic manufacture.  Add a gorgeous blond and a sexy Salma Hayek and you're pretty invested for the ride. 

The movie has some big supporting actors as well such as John Travolta and Benicio Del Toro whom is always great.

It's colourful, it's violent, it's hollywood all over and reminded me a bit of Fast and Furious without the cars.  Although an enjoyable watch I'm afraid to say the movie just isn't as good as it could have been.  With the actors involved and the potential of the story it felt like this movie could have hit an easy 7 maybe even 8 out of 10 but it never quite gets there.  I can't put my fingers on it - but you will know what I mean if you watch.

6/10

IMDB Info


Hitchcock


Hitchcock is an interesting movie. The premise is wonderful: take a brilliant filmmaker, make a biopic about how he made his most famous film, make it a period piece starring Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson and Anthony Hopkins and win an Oscar. This seems like a fool proof plan. Anthony Hopkins is simply superb starring as the amazing Alfred Hitchcock. His transformation into this character is brilliant and the imposing, intimidating feel of what Hitchcock must have be like comes across wonderfully. Nearly as good is Johansson, which surprised me as I don’t rate her as much of an actress, but more a lady with assets that made her famous, but in this she really does portray an actress of the 60’s starring in a high profile film well. But, (in my opinion) overshadowing the whole cast is the astounding Helen Mirren. The portrayal of a deep complex woman who stands by her man through thick and thin, whilst being every bit his equal in potential capability, make this film as good as it is. The comparison of who she is and what she does for the great and powerful Hithcock, and how he is only capable of being the man he is with her in his life is the true heart of the film.

This is good as the actual structure of the film is a bit all over the shop. The continual dreaming of a Norman Bates type character in the life of Hitchock as a driving force was an interesting idea that falls flat, and the pacing of the film is unfortunately non-existent so any type of character arc or story arc doesn’t really happen. But, with the excellent performances of the three main characters this is forgiven as you really can’t help but be mesmerised by such people as these and wonder that they truly existed only a few years ago, and were they really like this?

This film is worth a watch when you just want an interesting drama to enjoy. It does have one specific scene of Hitchcock directing the music of the famous shower scene outside a packed theatre while listening to the audience scream that struck a chord with me, but overall it felt like a possible Oscar cleanup of a movie that just fell flat.

SCORE: 6/10

IMDB Information for Hitchcock

Great movies you might not have seen - Part 1

I can't stand the thought of missing good movies and love posts from other people who list some decent movie that may not be so well known.   Normally we've seen most of them but from time to time a new one comes along and if you're lucky it gets added to the collection.

Here's a few of mine that you might not have seen.   Please also add your own in the comments and we might need to arrange a little prize for anyone who can give me a new one worthy of adding to the re-watch list!  As it deserves it's own post I'll do horror movies at a later date.


The Name of The Rose - 1986

This is one of the darkest and creepiest movies I've seen and has actually given me nightmares before.  Sean Connery and Christian Slater give good performances and Ron Perlman plays the role he was born for with that face (a hunch back).

It's quite an interesting story told very well.   That's one thing about 80's movie scripts, they were less about trying to be clever but more about telling a good tale.

Watch if you dare...

Fun fact:  Watch this with a really decent bottle of red and afterwards go look at your tongue in the mirror.  (it will make sense after watching the movie)

IMDB Info


Tremors - 1990

Possibly the greatest horror comedy of all time?   Big call I know but everything in this movie, for me, is well.... perfect :)    Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward play some quirky cowboys - Val and Earl and pretty much steal the show.  But on top of that you have a great supporting cast, a great location, a brilliant script and a bit of corny rubbery monster action.  What more could you ask for?   This could go in the horror post but it's more comedy and action really.

"FUUUCK... YOU!!!... HA HA HA"

Fun Fact:  In an early scene watch Val try to hammer in a nail to a fence post.  Watch that nail carefully.

IMDB Info


The Mosquito Coast - 1986

Another 80's classic.  Possibly Harrison Fords best performance as well as River Phoenix (R.I.P).   It's a great adventure filled with a lot of messages still very relevant today.

"Ice is civilization!"

Fun Fact:  Harrison Ford himself rates this as his best and most satisfying role.

IMDB Info


The Omega Man - 1971

There's been a few film attempts of Richard Matheson's novel "I am Legend".. obviously the most recent is the movie of the same name with Will Smith.

The Omega man might not be as pretty as the new one but for me it's a timeless classic.   Charlton Heston gives a convincing role (for 70's acting standards anyway) as the 'last man on earth'.  This film would have had huge influences over the modern zombie and post apocalyptic genre's we love so much today.

Watch this bad boy, and while you're at it watch Soylent Green as well :)

Fun Fact:  The 'Abandoned City' shots were actually filmed on location in downtown L.A on the weekend.

IMDB Info


Solaris - 2002

The atmosphere of this movie is incredible.  It captures the peace and quiet of space yet delivers an intriguing thriller at the same time, beautifully shot and perfectly paced.   This is a must for Sci-Fi fans, and while you're at it if you haven't seen Sunshine, grab that too.

IMDB Info


K-Pax - 2001

Kevin Spacey is great as our visiting alien - Prot.  This is a very interesting watch with some very relevant social commentary.   Although it doesn't leave the planet Earth it feels to me like a Sci-Fi anyway.  Very clever script.

I'm running out of Fun facts.

IMDB Info


Eastern Promises - 2007

130k + votes on IMDB probably indicates most have seen this, but if not you're missing out.  A massively powerful film about the European sex trade.  This is my favourite performance from Viggo Mortensen, he is truly bad-ass.

IMDB Info


Existenz - 1999

One of Jude Law's earlier films and an overall brilliant Sci Fi.   Inception 'borrowed' a lot of concepts from this film which is a credit really.  Set in the future where you can plug yourself directly into a biological game console (borrowing from Strange Days maybe?) , the story and acting is cleverly done so we never quite know what's real.  "Are we still in the game?"

IMDB Info


The Basketball Diaries - 1995

Another incredible powerful film and is part of what I call the "Leo Trifecta" - Whats eating Gilbert Grape, The Basketball Diaries and Romeo & Juliet.  His performances in these 3 films secured his position as a Hollywood great.

His portrayal of a young talented basketball player turned heroin addict is chilling.

Fun Fact:  I think this movie caught my attention when it received a lot of bad publicity over a scene where Leo wanders into the class room and blows away his class mates with a shotgun.  This was after Columbine of course.

IMDB Info


The Lookout - 2007  +  Brick - 2005

Mentioned in a previous post, these are a must see for Gordon Levitt fans.

IMDB Info - Lookout
IMDB Info - Brick


Green Street Hooligans - 2005

Based on the violent world of football 'firms' this movie is great fun watching a regular academic Joe become a lean mean fighting machine and the way this affects his perspective on life.

Elijah Wood is great but even better is Charlie Hunnam who you will know from Son's of Anarchy (Jax).

IMDB Info


Grandma's Boy - 2006

What do you get if all the extras from Adam Sandlers films come together and make a film?  Possibly the most underrated and most quotable comedy of all time.

This is a great laugh and we've watched this so many times with the boys playing it as a drinking game.  The rules are as follows:

1) Every time the word game or Eternal Death Slayer 3 is mentioned, drink.
2) Every time the robot voice is used, drink.
3) Every time theres boob on screen, drink.

Christ, I think theres more rules but I forget.   If you survive the movie even with the above you're doing well.

IMDB Info


Waiting... - 2005

This is a really stupid, typical Ryan Reynolds style comedy but I love it.  "The Goat", haha.

IMDB Info



More coming in part 2....


Chained

I gave Chained a go after a review I read on BloodyDisgusting.com and am glad I did. 

It's quite a slow burning character driven thriller about a serial killer and his unwilling hostage "apprentice", who he calls Rabbit.  The relationship between these two is the main focus of the film and the murders serve only to help define and expand on this so are dealt with quite quickly and in a realistic manner.

Set mainly inside an old farm house there were many elements that reminded me of "The People Under the Stairs".   It works well though and adds nicely to the creepy vibe.

What lifts this movie a bit is the acting from the main killer played by Vincent D'Onofrio who you will know from Law & Order and probably Men In Black :).   His character is quite an interesting and unique psycho and the interactions between him and Rabbit were quite fascinating.   I don't think the movie would have been pulled off without this strong performance.

Overall a dark and disturbing yet interesting watch. 

7/10

IMDB Info