Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The Kingdom (2007)

Another great movie in my book, With extremely tight editing and a great ending. The camera work in places reminds me of another movie, The Bourne Ultimatum, which has very quick, hand held, up close camera work that makes it hard to figure out just what is going on. In this movie, unlike The Bourne Ultimatum, it really adds to the realism of the nature of the Movie. Here the camera work when used in this style, is taught, up close and personal. I have never been in war, but now I feel I know a little bit better of what our American soldiers are going through at times when checking homes and rooms in the city environment. Some scary times indeed.

I found the ending to be refreshing and complete. Just about the time when you think every thing is winding down ...

I gave the movie a well deserved 8 out of 10.

The Kingdom (2007)

Director: Peter Berg

Writer (WGA): Matthew Michael Carnahan (written by)


Cast:
Jamie Foxx ... Ronald Fleury
Chris Cooper ... Grant Sykes
Jennifer Garner ... Janet Mayes
Jason Bateman ... Adam Leavitt
Ashraf Barhom ... Colonel Faris Al Ghazi

Monday, March 17, 2008

American Gangster

Been a while since I posted here. Been awhile since I saw something that was decent enough to post about.

American Gangster is a great movie. Granted, it is very violent in places, like the first 5 minutes, and deals with a terrible human beings rise in the crime world. It is deplorable how the main bad guy lives his life. But the direction, the lighting, the camera work, the writing, .. it just all works quite well. The Actors, The supporting actors, the scenery, the costumes, the cars, its all a great combination that I have sorely missed.

Bravo American Gangster. Bravo.

I give it an 8 out of ten. Would have been higher but for the main thrust of the movies bad guy. Yucko.

Director: Ridley Scott

Writers (WGA): Steven Zaillian (written by)


The cast

Denzel Washington ... Frank Lucas
Russell Crowe ... Det. Richie Roberts
Chiwetel Ejiofor ... Huey Lucas
Josh Brolin ... Detective Trupo
Lymari Nadal ... Eva
Ted Levine ... Det. Lou Toback