As Harry Callahan goes into the Diner there is a cinema hoarding showing Play Misty For Me, a nod from Don Seigel to Eastwood's first outing as a Director.
Extreme violence from the start, the uncut version has buckets of physical violence deleted from other versions.
Some camera angles are skilfully used. The scene as the camera retracts from the football stadium is an inspired shot.
Modern Jazz features in the soundtrack from the beginning and plays a part to set the scene very well where utilised.
Eastwood at his finest as a cop who does not suffer fools gladly; this first outing is definitely the best.
This movie contains some offensive language and scenes of physical violence and is not intended for minors.
10/10
Cop/Crazed Killer, Murder/Kidnapping, Cat & Mouse.
Seventies, Violence, Jazz Soundtrack.
Alan Bleasdale's incendiary, often surreal, seven-part satire hasn't lost its edge since it was first shown on Channel 4 in 1991. Focusing on the stressful, heady misadventures of working class, 'Labour' politician Michael Murray (an excellent Robert Lindsey) and mild mannered, hypochondriac headmaster Jim Nelson (Michael Plain) 'G.B.H' is a masterful, humorous and well written account of good intentions, bad decisions, Machiavellian schemes and the manipulation of a long gestating vendetta. Julie Walters co-stars as Michael's mother, but the floor belongs to Robert Lindsey; who manages to imbue the ambitious, embittered and hubristic Northerner with eloquence, wit, arrogance and charm; to create a complicated, deeply flawed but ultimately sympathetic, character. 'G.B.H' just about manages to rival Bleasdale's 1980's anti-Thatcherite opus 'Boys From The Black Stuff' and is a reminder of the serious, quality dramas that seem to be missing from our screens today.
Although I was expecting this film to be good, it still managed to surprise me how good it actually was. The film is in two half's, the first half is more story driven and concentrates on making the world real, and it really does feel very plausible. The second half continues to drive the story on but with a lot more action.
The story and plots is excellent and although may feel a little bit familiar, as a whole it does enough to come across as original.
The action is on a par any Hollywood blockbuster and doesn't go over the top whilst giving more than enough to entertain and delight any member of the audience.
The cast is unknown which helps given the plot and setting. The cast do a good job with one slightly bad point being the South African accent that doesn't always sound authentic.
If you can spare £10 and 2 hours, then this film is definitely for you.
"Invasion Earth - The Aliens Are Here"
(Boulevard Entertainment - U.S.A. - 1988)
Starring: Janice Fabian & Christian Lee.
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This motion picture contains a compilation of various 'B' Science Fiction motion picture clips from 1950s and 1960s. The plot is - or could have been a great idea.
Unfortunately, every human character in this motion picture is portrayed as being so obnoxiously stupid that you could possibly cheer the insect like invaders. Film clips include: "The Thing From Another World" (Winchester Pictures Corporation - U.S.A. - 1951) & "The Invasion Of The Body Snatchers" (Walter Wagner Productions - U.S.A. - 1956).
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Filming Location:
It is of interest to cinema fans because the cinema scenes were filmed in the 'Warner Grand Theatre' 478 West 6th Street, San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, United States Of America. A lavish, art deco theatre opened to the public, 20th January 1931. Jack Warner called it "The Castle of Your Dreams." The theatre was designed by architect B. Marcus Priteca and interior designer A.T. Heinsbergen. The Warner Grand is one of the last original theatres left intact and has been undergoing gradual refurbishment after a thirty year decline.
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An alien spacecraft lands behind a motion picture theatre in the town of Dead Rock, United States Of America. They vaporise the projectionist and in a real mucking fuddle he splices together an incredible collection of Science Fiction film clips - from the 1950's/1960's 'B' Science Fiction motion pictures - featuring monsters all in the act of destroying the Earth. The mind controlling aliens try to melt people's brains! Local teenagers, who are attending a 'Science Fiction' film festival stage a fight back and the local teenagers come up with an idea to get rid of them. As the aliens try to gain control two ten year olds realise that the incredible visual effects on the screen aren't effects at all ... but real aliens invading earth.
Great movie and very very funny! A must see!
Judd Apatow manages to package up the seediest and most repulsive aspects of the comedy genre and make it sell. Clearly he's a more clever man than his films suggest, but if you judged him on the basis of this effort (which he financed) it would be very hard to find anything redeeming about him.
This hideous film stars Jason Segel (who's also the film's author) as a lazy 30-something male who composes incidental music for TV dramas. For some preposterous reason, his character spends a lot of time unclothed (sparing the viewer no detail), which makes him unlikable and, surprisingly, rather boring. No wonder he loses his girlfriend, the Sarah of the title, to a British rock star (the consistently unfunny Russell Brand), giving him the excuse to sleep with countless women to "get over her". This, he finds, isn't the way to cure his upset, so he takes himself off to Hawaii to forget Sarah Marshal.
It's surprising how many films try to make their audience laugh using unlikable, loathsome characters. I didn't much mind Russell Brand as a comedian. I never found his over-exaggerated, filthily executed delivery style at all amusing, but at least I was safe by avoiding his stand-up shows. Now he's turning up in romantic comedies, playing a horribly annoying English celebrity (aka himself) without any of the charisma his fans claim he has. Jason Segel isn't really any better. His depressed, beaten-man-faced humour is less obnoxious than Brand's habit of alienating the audience, but does nothing to improve the tone of the film.
Kristen Bell is an average actress at best, but even she seems short changed with the weak script and 1-dimensional characterisation. But if you have watched any Judd Apatow comedies before you'll know that in the world these movies present, females are there for one reason: sex. So between the scenes of laddish humour, women are used as objects for indiscriminate bed bouncing. This is sick minded, misogynistic and irresponsible, considering this is the type of trash that is aimed at teenage boys. I would worry about any guy who finds a connection with the onscreen male characters or starts to view them as soul mates or role models. The levels of nastiness displayed in this romcom are more nauseating than many sickeningly gory horror movies.
If Judd Apatow continues to send these tokens of lowlife smut out into cinemas, and audiences keep going to see them, we will undoubtedly end up as morally bankrupt as the people that make them. Save yourself while you still can.
Enthralling, brilliantly acted, if ultimately underwhelming, political thriller. Adapted from the BBC miniseries; 'State Of Play' sees grizzled investigative journalist Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) stumble upon a labyrinthine political conspiracy involving old friend: Representative Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) and criminal factions of 'The Military Industrial Complex'. Russell Crowe is on fine form as the old school reporter who takes umbrage at being paired up with young blogger Della Frye (Rachel McAdams) whilst Helen Mirren (reprising her role from the series) blusters around the newsroom issuing deadlines and ultimatums. The talented, and unjustly maligned, Ben Affleck turns in another powerful performance that can't quite escape the script's surprisingly unstructured final act and baffling, wholly unnecessary, attempt to cram in a last minute twist.
I agree with it's core message about the need to re-establish 'The Forth Estate' (i.e. journalism) as a serious, independent contender to those in government; one empowered with the confidence to convey truths which help channel and define a moral imperative amongst the people. 'Good Night & Good Luck' is still my favourite film about journalism, though 'State Of Play' had all the right ingredients to eclipse that and industry favourite; 'All The President's Men'. I've not yet seen the BBC series from 2003, but intend to seek it out as soon as possible to make a comparison. As it stands: Kevin Macdonald's movie is 90% masterpiece, and 10% work-in-progress.
Babylon 5 for many years was one of the only science-fiction television shows that I never came in to contact with. In comparison to everything else - there is something different about B5 - which other shows of the '90s - including the Star Treks- did not have. It has a unique quality about it that no other programme had - that is the good news.
But the unique quality of the programme, and by that I mean the specific thing that makes it different, is unquantifiable. I have heard Straczynski (B5's auteur creator) describe the series as a 'novel for television' - an interesting notion - but when you compare the early B5 to the new Battlestar Galactica - it seems extremely un-serialised in its approach to a series arc. But then again - in the '90s, television networks did not want serialised television - they wanted stand alone week-by-week stories (a la X-Files) and that is what you get for the most part here.
The endless similarities with Star Trek Deep Space Nine are always a point for discussion - but, from what I've read, Paramount practically stole the premise for DS9 from Straczynski, who initially pitched B5 to them a few years before. B5 has a much larger canvas than DS9, however, and a much larger ensemble cast - which can, at times, be difficult to keep track of, trying to remember who is who.
The one thing about B5 that grated with me was its tone - initially I assumed this was bad writing and bad dialogue that made everything jar - but, having recently experienced Straczynski's 'Changeling' with Angelina Jolie, dir. by Clint Eastwood, which was simply amazing - it certainly isn't because Straczynski is a bad writer. The blame for the lack of tonal quality of B5 can only be placed firmly on the actors - who do exude a quality only comparable to 'soap opera' acting. If B5 had had the classically trained actors of DS9 - I think the overall watchablilty of the programme would have been much greater.
The good news is that the DVD is brilliant - great packaging and a comprehensive set. For the makers of the programme to have the forethought to frame the programme in 16:9 in the early 90s was a fantastic prediction that pays off here - with all the episodes remastered in the widescreen 16:9 ratio to fit your 2009 screen is simply superb - I only wish more programmes of this era had been wise enough to do the same thing (God only knows why The Wire, a far more recent programme, was filmed in 4:3). The only thing that suffers are the CGI effects which have not been remastered - they are the original effects that have been 'stretched and cropped' to fit 16:9 - which doesn't work to great effect. It would be a massive job to re-work the CGI effects to 2009 standards - and I wouldn't imagine it's at the top of anyone's list of priorities.
An interesting series - not without its problems - but worth dipping in to if you are curious about what it has to offer.
The Babylon Project was our last, best hope for peace, a self-contained world five miles long located in neutral territory, a place of commerce and diplomacy for a quarter of a million humans and aliens, a shining beacon in space, all alone in the night. It was the dawn of the third age of mankind, the year the great war came upon us all. This is the story of the last of the Babylon stations. The year is 2259. The name of the place is Babylon 5.
An Education, set in 1961 (arguably a more innocent age), sees a 30-something man picking-up a sixteen-year-old school girl soaked in the rain, with the fantastic chat-up line "If you had any sense you wouldn't take a lift from a strange man, but I'm a music lover and I'm concerned about your cello."
David (who's rather creepy at times) is a charming man who's got the gift of the gab and has confidently graduated from the "University of life". He offers, the gifted yet bored teenager, Jenny, a new adventure-filled life, which leads her to forget her Oxford University aspirations along the way. However, David, the confident, parent-pleasing schmoozer, is too good to be true. He lures Jenny with the trappings of adulthood but she soon learns (the hard way) that there's no such thing as a shortcut and that the life she dreams of means hard work, not hard play.
Verdict
This seductive coming of age film features a stunning performance from Carey Mulligan (Jenny) and fantastic direction from Lone Scherfig - well deserving of its Oscar nominations!
When I first heard many, many months ago that Star Trek was about to be re-made I have to admit that I was far from excited about the prospect. A self confessed Star Wars fan, I was always puzzled as to why Star Trek, set in the distant future and even more distant Worlds could have so little action in it. What a waste. It was like The Waltons in space!
I then discovered it was to be directed by J.J Abrams of Lost and Cloverfield fame and I began to follow the hype that preceded its launch. The trailer looked good too.
However, I wasn't swayed enough to go to the cinema to see the film but being a DVD addict, I tend to buy all the big Blockbuster discs doing the rounds. The fact that the German version of the movie has been released as a special edition with the discs mounted inside a replica of the USS Enterprise was too much to resist. Alas, it arrived this week, two weeks ahead of the UK edition.
Meanwhile, onto the film itself. Firstly, the cast and probably some of the most inspired choices in cinema history. Chris Pine as Kirk is probably the weakest of the main players, doing a great job but maybe too cocky to really convince. Zachary Quinto (Sylar from Heroes) as Spock looks like he could be Leonard Nimoy's son and he takes to the role like he was born to play it. The real surprise though for me was Karl Urban as Bones. I couldn't believe how well he nailed the manerisms of the late DeForest Kelley. It was uncanny. The supporting cast were more than adequate, including the very watchable Simon Pegg and a welcome cameo from old Spock himself, Leonard Nimoy.
The film itself was a refreshing mix of action (a real plus for me), humour, interesting storytelling and spectacular effects. The premise of going back to when the epic journey all began made a lot of sense and laid the foundations for a whole new franchise.
So, Star Trek won me over. I gave it a chance and it delivered on several counts. It didn't make me want to revisit the old series or films or indeed any of the multitude of spin offs that followed but I can recommend it even for people like me who aren't Trekkies. I look forward to the next one.
I love Highlander.
It's a great action, comedy and romance all in one. The sequels were OK but it needed revamping.
This does it!
I had not seen much of Anime before this but I have to say it works really well for this franchise.
Firstly, it's a great story. Although I was dubious about it being set in the future, it added to the feeling of torture and longing the main character must be going through at not being able to avenge his murdered wife through the many, many centuries.
It's not focused around Connor or Duncan Macleod of the films and TV series but a different 'clansman' Colin.
Originally from Scotland in the 2nd Century, he goes through life with one focus, vengeance.
The film flows well with smooth cuts between the past and present history between Colin and his immortal enemy Marcus Octavius of the Roman Empire.
There is 'comic relief' with the character of Amergan, a spirit who acts as a kind of narrator of Colin's long life and defeats at the hands of Marcus on so many occasions.
I really liked this film. I have my fingers crossed for a sequel.
Better than the sequels
This DVD is a must for any Red Dwarf fan. Hosted by Kryten with help from Lister, this highlights the best and funniest outtakes from 7 series of Red Dwarf. The mistakes that were made my cast and crew are some of the most hilarious I have ever seen. The video for Tongue Tied is brilliant because Cat is such an amazing singer and watching Lister and Rimmer dancing is funny. Every single member of the Red Dwarf crew has multiple outtakes and if you can stay in your seat without laughing, it's a miracle. Every clip is brilliantly shot and the cast have such a laugh it's impossible not to laugh with them. Through the DVD you will find even your favourite episodes have had outtakes from them and clips from the Red Dwarf Convention are brilliant. Plus how Kryten can't laugh while reading the "10 most asked questions about Red Dwarf" I don't know. If you are a fun of this show or if you just want something to laugh at then this is a must have DVD. I found it hilarious and I couldn't stop laughing. I'd recommend it to everyone.
Academy Award winners Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson team up once again after their fantastic performances in Stranger Than Fiction.
Hoffman is New York musician Harvey Shine who works as a jingle writer for TV. But as with any job in the fickle music industry Harvey is about to get his last chance at winning a big contract or he's out of a job.
There is some good news however, he's off to see his daughter get married in London. But things get worse when he finds out that his daughter has chosen her stepfather instead of him to give her away at her wedding and his ex-wife still hates him. A fateful (or movie-contrived) meeting with airport worker Kate played by Emma Thompson (Emma Thompson as an airport worker? I can believe her as a writer, or a university professor, as a children's nanny or even the sister to the Prime Minister, but a lowly survey taking, airport (Office of National Statistics) worker Emma Thompson is not!). Where was I? Oh yes a meeting with Kate presents Harvey with one last chance for real happiness.
So does this all weave together to create a lovable, unmissable, magical romantic comedy? Well I'm sorry to tell you that it doesn't quite deliver. It's OK. It's watchable. It's something to help pass the time but does it have flashes of brilliance? Some perhaps. Does it match up to Hoffman and Thompson's work in Stranger Than Fiction? Not a chance.
The direction is passable, although slightly irksome as it flips from one story to another before Harvey and Kate finally properly meet some 40 or so minutes into the film, when things start so promisingly with two lost and wounded souls coming together. But in all honesty this is the high point, there's not much to tell after that.
Last Chance Harvey is just about worth watching for some decent performances and a few special moments. At 89 minutes it's bearable, but the plot was too thin to drag it out to anything longer and fortunately we are spared their embarrassment of having to string it out.
Everyone has seen Groundhog Day. It's one of the most delightful family comedies to come out of Hollywood in the past two decades and sees Bill Murray giving one of the best performances of his life as the luckless weatherman Phil Connors.
Phil Connors is strangely forced to live the same day, Groundhog Day, over and over for eternity. I think most people will have felt like this at some point in their lives and the film resonates with people in a whole manner of ways but more than anything, it's a wonderful feel-good movie that will perhaps make you look at your own life in a slightly different light.
Andie MacDowell and Chris Eilliot co-star as Rita and Larry, Phil's producer and cameraman respectively. Both add a huge amount of humour and charm as their characters have a beautiful natural feel about them.
As Phil realises that Groundhog Day is repeating over and over again, he is confused, panics and eventually gives up on life with repeated suicide attempts. Eventually he takes the view that he is a God - "I'm A God, not THE God" he informs Rita. He goes onto seduce women in the town over time after learning about their likes/dislikes/history, he learns the piano, he learns to ice sculpt amongst other numerous things.
He uses his vast experience of the same day to his advantage by helping people in various ways, ranging from a kid falling from a tree thus saving his life to saving a gentleman from choking while in a restaurant. Phil wins over Rita with his seemingly perfect abilities and this culminates in a wonderful day for Phil, the perfect day you could say.
In the end, words cannot do this film justice. It's simply one of those rare movies you can watch over and over and never tire of and always spot something new with each watch.
Also, keep your eyes peeled for the cameo from director Harold Ramis!
As for DVD extras, there is a 20 minute documentary called The Weight of Time, which is an insightful piece with offerings from some of the cast and filmmakers.
There are also three trailers on offer which are always nice to see again.
In a word, this DVD is magic. 10 / 10.
The Hills is everything that you would want in a semi reality show; glamorous, dramatic, fashionable, pretty and fit to burst with amazing fashion, locations and events. Perfect for curling up and watching on a rainy day, it's the ultimate show to cheer you up and make you aspire to be like Lauren Conrad.
"The best movie to star both the King and JFK."
4 stars
OK. If you can't get past the next sentence, don't even *think* about getting this movie - or, for that matter, reading the rest of this review.
Elvis is alive and elderly in a Texas convalescent home and goes up against a resurrected soul-sucking mummy to save the lives of the residents around him.
Now, if you've managed to bear with me thus far, I'm going to guess that you just might be a fan of Bruce Campbell. You know, the "Army of Darkness" guy. Even if you're not, you might have the taste for the absurd, and the darkly comic, that's required to enjoy "Bubba Ho-Tep."
Campbell plays Elvis, who, in facility, has been identified as an Elvis impersonator. But, you see, Elvis at one point became tired of all the fame, the drugs, and the hangers-on, and switched identities with an Elvis impersonator. It actually was the impersonator who died, not the real King, who is incapacitated after he broke his hip during a show.
Campbell narrates this bizarre, strangely funny tale quite seriously, almost as though he's delivering the monologue for a straightforward documentary. He makes references to his daughter, to his wife, and to the regrets he has about his family.
When the residents in the home begin to die, Elvis suspects that something sinister is happening involving huge flying beetles. He teams up with another resident, Jack Kennedy (yep, one and the same) played by Ossie Davis, who says that he was dyed after his fake assassination. It's Jack who figures out what may be going on, and Elvis who begins to piece together how this dreadful supernatural event occurred.
Davis and Campbell play their roles straight - they earn laughs because they're so serious about their characters.
Don Coscarelli, who directed the "Phantasm" flicks, wrote and directed this high-camp story that certainly won't appeal to mainstream audiences.
I don't know how to categorize this movie, because it's not a full-blown comedy, although it certainly offers humour. It isn't a real horror movie, either, although it contains horror elements. And it certainly isn't a murder mystery, although that's part of the concoction too.
Maybe it doesn't need to have a genre. If you've read this far, you'll know whether this is the sort of picture that appeals to you.
Thank you. Thank you very much!
Running time: Ninety-two minutes.
Rated: R for foul language, sexual situations and violence.
Stars: Bruce Campbell, Ossie Davis, Ella Joyce, Reggie Bannister, Bob Ivy, Larry Pennell and Heidi Marnhout.
Screenwriter and director: Don Coscarelli, based on a short story by Joe R. Lansdale.
Elvis and JFK, both alive and in nursing homes, fight for the souls of their fellow residents as they battle an ancient Egyptian Mummy.
"Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs"
(Walt Disney - USA - 1937)
This classic animated feature length cartoon was nicknamed "Disney's Folly" by many critics who doubted that the short animated cartoon films - lasting on average 8 to 10 minutes - and generally screened as part of the 'full supporting' programme to the main feature film could ever successfully make the transition from programme filler to becoming a main feature film presentation in its own right.
Fortunately, Walt Disney , assisted by his army of excellent animation artists persisted and the world's first full length animated feature was finally released in 1937.
Adapted from the German academic Brothers Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm fairy tale, 'Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs' is a story which was/still is chillingly dark in places, reflecting its roots in European folklore. Snow White was known as Schneewittchen in the original German story which also features the elements of the magic mirror and the seven dwarfs, who were first given individual names in Walt Disney's 1937 film.
The masterly touch of Walt Disney, his story line writers and skilful animators ensured that the overall tone remains light and the story develops rapidly and is aided by the perfect musical score. Any undertones of lingering gloom is balanced by dispelled by the superbly characterised dwarfs and their humorous antics.
The pioneering multiplane animation is breathtaking and makes the action really 'come alive'. Songs such as "Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho" and "Whistle While You Work", are now firmly embedded in popular culture, are seamlessly interwoven with the action. Made long before the advent of C.G.I. When the animators and ink artists took extreme pride in their work - and not a computer in sight. Even today it remains an enduring masterpiece of family entertainment and millions have fallen under its spell over the years, this magical fairy tale remains one of Disney's most enchanting, best animated and best loved films. I have seen it, as it was originally intended to be seen, on the big cinema screen, numerous times over the years and never get bored.
Even though the film 72 years old the Disney studio has done a great job in the transferring it to D.V.D. the bright colours shine clearly, the blacks are deep and the whites clear. There is little or no visible wearing on the film and the digital transfer has done wonders in restoring Snow White and her seven little friends. The sound is very clear making for enjoyable listening to the well-loved songs.
The extras on the D.V.D. are packed with information on this classic motion picture. Documentary information, out takes section showing abandoned footage and ideas that were never included in the final film. It still remains the best full length animated feature film that the Walt Disney Studios has ever produced. Do not hesitate by it children from 8 to 90 plus will all enjoy it!
Evil Queen, Jealous of the young beautiful Snow White plots to have her killed. The hired assassin fails and Snow White seeks refuge in the cottage in the woods which is home to 7 Dwarfs. Despite the evil plans of the Queen Snow White Triumphs - and the 'Magic Mirror' was right - she is the fairest of them all!
Burt Lancaster sets aside the typical tough guy routine to portray a Newspaper Columnist of single minded disposition.
Tony Curtis plays an odious manipulative agent.
The venom that Curtis' character is apparent and caught up in a spiral of lies and deceit, you just know it will end in tears and there's no sympathy for him.
Lancaster's character utilises the most vile attributes of Curtis' character for his own ends, in a double act of selfish and poisonous behaviour everyone they come into contact with gets hurt.
A fine script and so well played as to this day it is commended in its power.
No DVD collection is complete without this movie, Curtis and Lancaster are on fine form.
Two great actors in their element and playing off each other with precision.
10/10.
Drama,Society Columnist/Agent,Manipulation/deceit.
Black and White, 1950s New York.
The Hangover is such a great movie for men and women. I think it was so funny, I was glad that I went to the pictures to see it. It is an all rounder action/comedy movie. It has a great cast that are believable as a group of mates. It has good 1 liners and very funny scenes which all the actors take part in, they all bring their own bit to the movie to make it what it is. It's 1 for my DVD collection and I will be watching it more than once. A great movie to make you laugh your pants off!
Simply put, Sin City is a modern masterpiece of film making, cementing itself as one of, if not THE greatest graphic novel adaptation to come out of the film industry. "Sin City" is based on Frank Miller's series of gritty, violent and stylistic graphic novels, co-directed by Robert Rodriguez (Once Upon A Time In Mexico, Spy Kids and Planet Terror) and the genius behind the Sin City universe, Frank Miller, "Sin City" follows the path of 3 citizens of Basin City, Hartigan (Bruce Willis) a cop with a personal vow to protect a very "special" and stunning woman called Nancy (Jessica Alba), Marv (Mickey Rourke) a brutal ex-con and barfly on a quest to avenge the death of the one true love of his unorthodox and violent life, and finally Dwight (Clive Owen), the boyfriend of a distressed barmaid Shellie (Brittany Murphy) who ends up with responsibility of protecting Gail (Rosario Dawson) and her Old Town girls from the sadistic and vicious Jackie (Benicio Del Toro) stalking the streets for unsuspecting victims.
The most striking and obvious technical achievement that "Sin City" provides is its outstanding artistic and visual flare. The colour palette of many of the scenes consist primarily of black and white, however there are also splashes of colour throughout the film that only add dramatic effect and emphasis on important visual details and features. For example, the colour of a woman's lipstick may be a lush red and her eye colour an emerald green, contrasting against the black and white features of her face. In the case of Marv, this gives the viewer an idea about what he finds so beautiful about his love interest, Goldie. The splashes of colour are most evident in the over the top gore which is plentiful throughout the entire duration of "Sin City", with most blood appearing as a crimson red covering many of the scenes within this graphic novel adaptation. "Sin City" uses a perfect blend of live action with computer generated graphics which makes each scene look like they have been ripped straight out of their source material of the original graphic novel, a real accomplishment by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller.
Even with a great story and incredible visual style "Sin City" would not be a great film if the performances from the cast were not up to scratch and I am pleased to say that every actor in the film performs their character fantastically, and is a great representation of their graphic novel equivalents. Bruce Willis, Benicio Del Toro, Clive Owen, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Mickey Rourke, Brittany Murphy and Elijah Wood all play an important part in the many overlapping storylines of the film. I can tell you now that I will never look at Frodo Baggins in the same way ever again due to Elijah Woods' disturbing, nauseating and incredible performance as Kevin, a cannibalistic disturbed young child raised by the corrupt priest of Basin City. Jessica Alba manages to bring innocence to a woman living a not so innocent lifestyle; Clive Owen shows that at least someone in Basin City still has some respect for women and that those who don't will suffer, and suffer they do, and Bruce Willis is just awesome as Hartigan the cop with "a bum ticker". Benicio Del Toro stands out to me as one of the better performances in the film; there is something extremely unsettling about how he portrays his evil character (in a good way), in one particular scene he is waiting outside Shellie's (Brittany Murphy) apartment door persuading her to let him and his "pals" in. You really get a sense of the evil that he is capable of inflicting upon the helpless barmaid, a credit to the acting talent of Del Toro. All of the actors manage to capture the tone and feelings of all their characters well, but without a doubt in my mind, Mickey Rourke is the star of the show. He portrays a character who is injured emotionally and physically, yet who is capable of indescribable acts of violence and brutality. Mickey Rourke somehow manages to make the viewers feel that his acts of revenge are somehow justified, however brutal these acts may be, a true sign of the talent this rejuvenated star possesses. Marv's story is the central plotline throughout the film and has the most "meat" on it, with Rourke making the audience feel the suffering and anguish that Marv goes through, partly due to the excellent script and partly due to the excellent emotion that Rourke pours into the soul of his character.
Rodriguez really deserves recognition for how he has captured Miller's essence on screen which really adds a sense of beauty to the cinematic production. Rodriguez and Miller set out to do something different, striking and special, and they have achieved their aim. Even Quentin Tarantino's one scene, in which Dwight is stopped, at what you could call an "inconvenient" moment, by a police officer with a boot full of severed limbs and a man with a near severed head riding next to him in the passenger seat, is a fantastic addition to the majority of the Rodriquez and Miller directing. The scene is full of great camera angles, lighting (made even more stunning from the contrasting black and white colour palette) and of course brilliant acting from Clive Owen and Benicio Del Toro.
Just the fact that Robert Rodriguez gave up his place in the Directors Guild of America when they told him he couldn't share the directing credit with someone who had never directed a film before, shows the passion, care and attention to detail that Rodriguez poured into this project alongside Frank Miller. "Sin City" is the finest piece of work that Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller have produced. The film portrays Basin City as a nest for all of the wrong things in this world, and they somehow still manage to create "good" characters in the "Sin City" universe, however flawed, psychotic and downright violent they may actually be. The only thing separating the good guys from the bad guys is that the good guys are sympathetic killers, whereas the bad guys are sadistic killers, this shows a lot about the tone of "Sin City" and how it certainly deserves its place as one of, if not THE most violent comic book adaptation ever made. The excessive gore, great storyline, fantastic performances and astounding artistic style and flair all seamlessly blend together to produce a near perfect film that will have a place in any film lovers heart for many years to come. I award this film 5 stars.
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