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Reviews88
Manthorpe's rating
I had to check this out considering all of the raving reviews about the gore factor and the insane zombie action. With movies like this, where the sole intention is to freak you out a bit and make your stomach churn, gore is quite necessary and some films don't give you enough. Today's movies are especially guilty of this mainly because they're more concerned with pleasing a bigger audience. They've got their priorities messed up. We want to see zombies playing volleyball with babies for crying out loud. Or baby baseball using a chainsaw for a bat. What gives?
During my viewing however, I found that I disagree with most of the reviews here. The story, while not grand by any means, is much more present than I was expecting. The gore, while fairly vile, was not even close to what I was expecting. Sure, there are some moments that are pretty satisfying, particularly the way heads are split apart and bullet damage, but ultimately it failed to gross me out...which was the goal here. I wasn't expecting to be scared. There are really only two scenes that go beyond most other movies, one of them being the eyeball scene. I can think of a few films off the top of my head that have easily grossed me out more, or at least equally. I thought this was supposed to be the end-all-be-all of gory flicks? The famous eyeball scene is nothing special, even when taking aged effects into consideration. I will say that the shark scene is pretty impressive. Unless my eyes fooled me, it looks like they used a real live shark for that sequence. If so, I have no earthly idea how they pulled that off. I will say that the make up effects of the zombies are probably the best I've seen. These things look pretty damn real. Very impressive.
Some have praised it for its cinematography. Decent, but nothing spectacular. All in all, I think my opinion comes from the fact that I was expecting too much, mainly because of the reviews here. So, I must say, do not expect to puke bile or anything and you should be satisfied. For me, overall it was average, although I wanted to like it more. It needed more gore and more action in my opinion. On a side note, there are quite a few beautiful women that love to take their clothes off for the camera which is always a plus.
In the end, while entertaining, I think it has a better reputation than it deserves although many will disagree with me.
7/10
During my viewing however, I found that I disagree with most of the reviews here. The story, while not grand by any means, is much more present than I was expecting. The gore, while fairly vile, was not even close to what I was expecting. Sure, there are some moments that are pretty satisfying, particularly the way heads are split apart and bullet damage, but ultimately it failed to gross me out...which was the goal here. I wasn't expecting to be scared. There are really only two scenes that go beyond most other movies, one of them being the eyeball scene. I can think of a few films off the top of my head that have easily grossed me out more, or at least equally. I thought this was supposed to be the end-all-be-all of gory flicks? The famous eyeball scene is nothing special, even when taking aged effects into consideration. I will say that the shark scene is pretty impressive. Unless my eyes fooled me, it looks like they used a real live shark for that sequence. If so, I have no earthly idea how they pulled that off. I will say that the make up effects of the zombies are probably the best I've seen. These things look pretty damn real. Very impressive.
Some have praised it for its cinematography. Decent, but nothing spectacular. All in all, I think my opinion comes from the fact that I was expecting too much, mainly because of the reviews here. So, I must say, do not expect to puke bile or anything and you should be satisfied. For me, overall it was average, although I wanted to like it more. It needed more gore and more action in my opinion. On a side note, there are quite a few beautiful women that love to take their clothes off for the camera which is always a plus.
In the end, while entertaining, I think it has a better reputation than it deserves although many will disagree with me.
7/10
A review I have put off for far too long....
Bluntly, 2001 is one of the best science-fiction films made to date, if not the very best. Stanley Kubrick was a genius of a film maker and this is one of his very best works. And although it is misunderstood by many, and respectively underrated, it is considered one of the best films of all time and I'll have to agree. Back in 1968, no one had done anything like this before, and no one has since. It was a marvel of a special effects breakthrough back then, and seeing how the effects hold up today, it is no wonder as to why. The film still looks marvelous after almost forty years! Take note CGI people. Through the use of large miniatures and realistic lighting, Kubrick created some of the best special effects ever put on celluloid. This aspect alone almost single-handedly created the chilling void of the space atmosphere which is also attributed to the music and realistic sound effects. I can't think of another film where you can't here anything in space, like it is in reality. Not only is the absence of sound effects in space realistic, it is used cleverly as a tool to establish mood, and it works flawlessly.
Aside from the magnificent display of ingenious special effects, there are other factors that play a part in establishing the feel of the film. The music played, all classical, compliment what the eyes are seeing and make you feel the significance of man's journey through his evolution from ape to space traveler.
The story, while seemingly simple, is profound. Sequentially, several mysterious black monoliths are discovered and basically trigger certain events integral to the film. What are they? Where did they come from? What do they do? These are all questions one asks oneself while watching the story develop and is asked to find his own way. While most come away with a general idea of what took place in the story, each individual will have to decide what it means to them. Any way one decides to answer these question results in profound solutions. It's not left entirely up to interpretation, but in some aspects it is. Experience it for more clarification. The end result is quite chilling, no matter your personal solution.
While it is a long film, and sometimes slows down, it has to be in order to accurately portray the journey of man. It's not a subject that would have faired well in a shorter film, faster paced feature. Those with short attention spans need not apply.
Last but not least, is the epitome of a remorseless antagonist, HAL 9000, the computer. Never has a machine held such a chilling screen presence. Which reminds me, for a film with such profound ambition and execution, there is surprisingly little dialogue. Another sign of Kubrick's genius.
All in all, one of the best films made to date and one of the very best science fiction films made. A personal favorite. Everyone must see this film at least once.
Very highly recommended.
Bluntly, 2001 is one of the best science-fiction films made to date, if not the very best. Stanley Kubrick was a genius of a film maker and this is one of his very best works. And although it is misunderstood by many, and respectively underrated, it is considered one of the best films of all time and I'll have to agree. Back in 1968, no one had done anything like this before, and no one has since. It was a marvel of a special effects breakthrough back then, and seeing how the effects hold up today, it is no wonder as to why. The film still looks marvelous after almost forty years! Take note CGI people. Through the use of large miniatures and realistic lighting, Kubrick created some of the best special effects ever put on celluloid. This aspect alone almost single-handedly created the chilling void of the space atmosphere which is also attributed to the music and realistic sound effects. I can't think of another film where you can't here anything in space, like it is in reality. Not only is the absence of sound effects in space realistic, it is used cleverly as a tool to establish mood, and it works flawlessly.
Aside from the magnificent display of ingenious special effects, there are other factors that play a part in establishing the feel of the film. The music played, all classical, compliment what the eyes are seeing and make you feel the significance of man's journey through his evolution from ape to space traveler.
The story, while seemingly simple, is profound. Sequentially, several mysterious black monoliths are discovered and basically trigger certain events integral to the film. What are they? Where did they come from? What do they do? These are all questions one asks oneself while watching the story develop and is asked to find his own way. While most come away with a general idea of what took place in the story, each individual will have to decide what it means to them. Any way one decides to answer these question results in profound solutions. It's not left entirely up to interpretation, but in some aspects it is. Experience it for more clarification. The end result is quite chilling, no matter your personal solution.
While it is a long film, and sometimes slows down, it has to be in order to accurately portray the journey of man. It's not a subject that would have faired well in a shorter film, faster paced feature. Those with short attention spans need not apply.
Last but not least, is the epitome of a remorseless antagonist, HAL 9000, the computer. Never has a machine held such a chilling screen presence. Which reminds me, for a film with such profound ambition and execution, there is surprisingly little dialogue. Another sign of Kubrick's genius.
All in all, one of the best films made to date and one of the very best science fiction films made. A personal favorite. Everyone must see this film at least once.
Very highly recommended.
Featuring a wonderfully heart-warming story about a man who would never conform or give up, "Cool Hand Luke" is a very enjoyable film, although not as great as it's ranking here may suggest. The story, although a simple one, works on the base level but fails to completely overwhelm...me. I realize many enjoy this film and consider it a great one, but for me it was a little too simple for my tastes. Simplicity works when that's all that is needed, but unfortunately it wasn't enough here to be truly "great". But enough of that ruckus, I enjoyed this film quite a bit. It is really good. I'm just trying to talk it down a bit so you won't get your expectations up to an impossible level.
Paul Newman plays his part marvelously, and although it's a simple role, he fills it more than adequately. Essentially, he is Luke and probably had no problems filling the role. Another good acting job comes from George Kennedy, who plays Dragline, the most prevalent supporting character and leader of the prisoners before Luke's arrival. He nailed the Cajun accent for the most part and that is no easy task for anyone outside of Louisiana. And although the prison setting and filler characters are for the most part, not realistic, I enjoyed watching Kennedy interact with Luke. Another enjoyable character is the lead guard, a man who always wears aviator sunglasses and never speaks.
Basically Luke has never been one to follow the rules, and never will be. This attitude has the ability to inspire and enlighten. That's the jist of the story.
My main qualm with the film is the fact that it's somewhat repetitive. It could've been shortened considerably if certain events happened only once. I won't say what these events are, but after the second time I was getting a little annoyed. Another qualm I have is the ending, while good, I feel it could have been better. That is simply my opinion.
All in all a really good film but not a great one, and a little overrated, but don't let that stop you. This could end up being one of your all time favorites. 8/10
Paul Newman plays his part marvelously, and although it's a simple role, he fills it more than adequately. Essentially, he is Luke and probably had no problems filling the role. Another good acting job comes from George Kennedy, who plays Dragline, the most prevalent supporting character and leader of the prisoners before Luke's arrival. He nailed the Cajun accent for the most part and that is no easy task for anyone outside of Louisiana. And although the prison setting and filler characters are for the most part, not realistic, I enjoyed watching Kennedy interact with Luke. Another enjoyable character is the lead guard, a man who always wears aviator sunglasses and never speaks.
Basically Luke has never been one to follow the rules, and never will be. This attitude has the ability to inspire and enlighten. That's the jist of the story.
My main qualm with the film is the fact that it's somewhat repetitive. It could've been shortened considerably if certain events happened only once. I won't say what these events are, but after the second time I was getting a little annoyed. Another qualm I have is the ending, while good, I feel it could have been better. That is simply my opinion.
All in all a really good film but not a great one, and a little overrated, but don't let that stop you. This could end up being one of your all time favorites. 8/10