Were it not for the truly cool abduction scene in the end, this poorly written thing would since have been forgotten since ages. Filled with unnecessary pathos and stereotypical character developments and story beats, it didn't age well...
Reviews
13 Reviews
Kill Bill: Vol. 2
(2004)
The Man, The Bride, The Flute, The Sword
16 April 2004
So it has come to this. From the first eastern-flavored outing of the revenge of the bride, the action moves just a bit to the west to Italy. Having clearly seen one to many Sergio Leone flicks, there's a complete shift in pace and tone in this second volume.
The Bride is back, the usage of fake blood was reduced, the plot thickens and so do the characters. They're far more fleshed out this time and I was quite happy to welcome back the quirks and fanboytalk of a "usual" Tarantino-Script (> Superman anyone?)
But: Does it deliver? Does it all add up? Yes! The fight of Elle and the bride is one of a kind. Beautifully shot, beautifully cut, tough, vicious and violent. The included Flashbacks throughout the film give lots more information on the who, what and why and come the final act, you can't help but care about all the characters. As a whole, Kill Bill offers the essence of all those trash-films, we just love to watch and Tarantino successfully shows his affection in this ultimate homage-movie. If you don't like the originals, you won't like this. But if you indeed do like 'em, he just brought the best Luxury-Trash-Movie to a noble end!
The Bride is back, the usage of fake blood was reduced, the plot thickens and so do the characters. They're far more fleshed out this time and I was quite happy to welcome back the quirks and fanboytalk of a "usual" Tarantino-Script (> Superman anyone?)
But: Does it deliver? Does it all add up? Yes! The fight of Elle and the bride is one of a kind. Beautifully shot, beautifully cut, tough, vicious and violent. The included Flashbacks throughout the film give lots more information on the who, what and why and come the final act, you can't help but care about all the characters. As a whole, Kill Bill offers the essence of all those trash-films, we just love to watch and Tarantino successfully shows his affection in this ultimate homage-movie. If you don't like the originals, you won't like this. But if you indeed do like 'em, he just brought the best Luxury-Trash-Movie to a noble end!
Skinhead Attitude
(2003)
A gripping tale, that runs out of steam
23 March 2004
This documentary gives a very good insight into the different fractions of the Skinhead-Subculture. The main protagonist is a traditional skaconsuming Skinheadgirl, who travels from place to place around Europe to America to highlight different sides of the movement. Beginning with the birth in the late sixties, the film then concentrates on the political aspect of the whole thing. Which sadly makes it rather repetitive in the end.
Since the consumer made up his mind about the political stance long before entering the cinema, there are no fresh notions to be learned in the right/left-discussion at all. The script shifts from an engaging portrait to an excessive tally sheet-like approach.
After reaching a controversial peak with the introduction of Combat 18, the film fails to enthrall again and thus the tragic segment about a homicide in Nevada, in itself an entire movie, never really unfolds.
It was a bold move to try to outline this contradictionary culture in such a short time, but for a filmviewer, who has no clue about the Skins in general, this is a pretty good initiation.
Since the consumer made up his mind about the political stance long before entering the cinema, there are no fresh notions to be learned in the right/left-discussion at all. The script shifts from an engaging portrait to an excessive tally sheet-like approach.
After reaching a controversial peak with the introduction of Combat 18, the film fails to enthrall again and thus the tragic segment about a homicide in Nevada, in itself an entire movie, never really unfolds.
It was a bold move to try to outline this contradictionary culture in such a short time, but for a filmviewer, who has no clue about the Skins in general, this is a pretty good initiation.
Delivers on every level
11 December 2003
I was fortunate to see this film at the press-screening and it didn't let me down one bit.
An overlong running time, filled with action, suspense, drama and one of the greatest battle-sequences ever filmed. It's a safe bet, that if you liked the first two installments, you'll like that one as well.
Technically, it's top notch! Where the second one was a bit rough around the edges (especially the Warg-Riders, this one is a big step forward. Gollum has even more punch this time around!
LORD OF THE RINGS is now completed and here to stay. One of the greatest books turned into one of the greatest films and there will be generations benefiting from the pure imagination both of them delivered so deliberately.
Hollywood, please take note, that in these dark times, we need films with heart and passion to get us through. LORD OF THE RINGS is the best example of how this is achieved.
An overlong running time, filled with action, suspense, drama and one of the greatest battle-sequences ever filmed. It's a safe bet, that if you liked the first two installments, you'll like that one as well.
Technically, it's top notch! Where the second one was a bit rough around the edges (especially the Warg-Riders, this one is a big step forward. Gollum has even more punch this time around!
LORD OF THE RINGS is now completed and here to stay. One of the greatest books turned into one of the greatest films and there will be generations benefiting from the pure imagination both of them delivered so deliberately.
Hollywood, please take note, that in these dark times, we need films with heart and passion to get us through. LORD OF THE RINGS is the best example of how this is achieved.
Politics on a corny issue
21 October 2003
This movie offers a very good insight in modern day democracy as it is practiced in Switzerland. Being left out of the actual meetings of the commission, the camera follows our protagonists in their breaks while slowly unraveling the mystery of how new laws are created.
The really good thing about the whole film is the absence of a personal agenda, meaning, that the camera just shows. It's just there, collecting information, never to take a side. As the debate progresses, we see other sides of argumentation and suddenly we start to see the motivations behind the statements. Actually it felt really good to be forced to just watch and listen, not to be part of the discussion. People we don't like come up with topics, that we can relate to and vice versa.
On a technical side, I was a bit let down, that the camera always showed about the same portrait shots. A wider angle-diversity or intercuts with some details like moving hands while talking couldn't have harmed. As it is, it's just talking heads, substance over style.
GO SEE!
The really good thing about the whole film is the absence of a personal agenda, meaning, that the camera just shows. It's just there, collecting information, never to take a side. As the debate progresses, we see other sides of argumentation and suddenly we start to see the motivations behind the statements. Actually it felt really good to be forced to just watch and listen, not to be part of the discussion. People we don't like come up with topics, that we can relate to and vice versa.
On a technical side, I was a bit let down, that the camera always showed about the same portrait shots. A wider angle-diversity or intercuts with some details like moving hands while talking couldn't have harmed. As it is, it's just talking heads, substance over style.
GO SEE!
Wham Bam Bang
27 June 2003
McG's done it again!
Buckle your seat belts, it's one hell of a ride. He throws you into this video-aesthetic-colour-overload-film with a delirious swing and hammers your head with a baseball bat, a sugarsprinkled baseball bat, that is.
The women are gorgeous, fast and furious, having clearly had to much fun on set, but the vibrant energy comes 'cross. You just sit there smiling and you completely forget about the paperthin plot. Who cares? Certainly not me! I knew what was to be expected and McG delivered. Action galore, insane Stunts, white smiles and a splendid music-taste. If you're looking for suspense and sincerity, you're defininetly in the wrong place.
A perfect sequel to the new Charlies Angel - Formula. Kinda like Spy Kids for grown ups... Now go grab some mates and off you go!
Buckle your seat belts, it's one hell of a ride. He throws you into this video-aesthetic-colour-overload-film with a delirious swing and hammers your head with a baseball bat, a sugarsprinkled baseball bat, that is.
The women are gorgeous, fast and furious, having clearly had to much fun on set, but the vibrant energy comes 'cross. You just sit there smiling and you completely forget about the paperthin plot. Who cares? Certainly not me! I knew what was to be expected and McG delivered. Action galore, insane Stunts, white smiles and a splendid music-taste. If you're looking for suspense and sincerity, you're defininetly in the wrong place.
A perfect sequel to the new Charlies Angel - Formula. Kinda like Spy Kids for grown ups... Now go grab some mates and off you go!
A worthy follow up
15 May 2002
Now, who would have thought! The story's starting to build up very nicely and the whole patchwork of open links are starting to make sense. Darth Sidious plan to conquer the universe shapes up and future actions are hinted.
George Lucas uses an array of spectacular visuals to set the scene for our two lovebirds and battalions of fighters to get it on. He even brings back the beloved 70ies zoom-function (through some fluid CG-created creatures).
Now I just have to wait 3 more years for the next installment... so be it...
George Lucas uses an array of spectacular visuals to set the scene for our two lovebirds and battalions of fighters to get it on. He even brings back the beloved 70ies zoom-function (through some fluid CG-created creatures).
Now I just have to wait 3 more years for the next installment... so be it...
The Time Machine
(2002)
A patchwork of good ideas, execution malfunctioning
8 March 2002
Now where did it go wrong... It starts of very nicely in a beautiful victorian setting. The character(s) get a proper introduction and about ten minutes later, he's sitting in the timemachine and gung-ho's through space and time to get an answer to his burning question. Mr. Hartdegen stumbles from one idea to the next, without really knowing, how he got there in the first place. Guy Pearce has the easy job to look astounded and bewildered.
The original story is still visible through all the added scenes but mostly missing in the last 30 minutes, where the film's rushing from point A to B in a neckbreaking speed and BOOOM the film's over. As soon as the lights go on you realize the tons of possibilities, how this could have been a fun and thrilling night out ("The Mummy" pulled that of, didn't it?). Sadly it's just OKish...
What really bugged me is the esoterical soundtrack and one of the most boring fight-scenes I EVER saw in cinema (not the boss-fight, that is...)
The original story is still visible through all the added scenes but mostly missing in the last 30 minutes, where the film's rushing from point A to B in a neckbreaking speed and BOOOM the film's over. As soon as the lights go on you realize the tons of possibilities, how this could have been a fun and thrilling night out ("The Mummy" pulled that of, didn't it?). Sadly it's just OKish...
What really bugged me is the esoterical soundtrack and one of the most boring fight-scenes I EVER saw in cinema (not the boss-fight, that is...)
Ice Age
(2002)
Very nice looking pic!
5 March 2002
Just saw ICE AGE, a very funny and especially nice looking film. The story is simple but effective, the characters lovable and nicely fleshed out but what really shines is the digital set design.
More inspired by traditional animated movies than reality, the designs give you a really, really nice looking world in a astounding use of colour. Sometimes the touches of reality shine through (especially the water was impressive), but nonetheless, it's a fantasy-world based on reality. Including loads of vast landscapes especially helps to minimise the costs of rendering.
Pixar films shine with technical brilliance, this one shines with effective uses of technical know-how.
Enough technical babble, the film's entertaining, family-friendly and sometimes just hilariously funny.
More inspired by traditional animated movies than reality, the designs give you a really, really nice looking world in a astounding use of colour. Sometimes the touches of reality shine through (especially the water was impressive), but nonetheless, it's a fantasy-world based on reality. Including loads of vast landscapes especially helps to minimise the costs of rendering.
Pixar films shine with technical brilliance, this one shines with effective uses of technical know-how.
Enough technical babble, the film's entertaining, family-friendly and sometimes just hilariously funny.
Planet of the Apes
(2001)
Fun!
27 August 2001
I don't know, what the big fuss is all about! I had a fun night out! I mean, what did you expect from Mr. Glorious (Tim Burton for others...)? The lesson I have learned a long time ago is: Expect the Unexpected. So is it this bad just to make a film for people to entertain? And entertained I was. The script could've been better, the make-up less like the Jacksons and so forth. But all they wanted to do is tell a story the old-fashioned way, by just telling it. I mean, we all know the philosophical backgrounds since 1968, no need in going into them too deeply again.
The ending, the ending... I thought it was really brave what they did. They new, they couldn't top the original one. Leaving so many things in the dark by simply not telling them might for some be inacceptable. For me, it was a bold fresh breeze in the mainstream-movie-business.
To all those bickering about the ending being "illogical":(for those, who want to get into it stone-cold, please stop reading!) Do you really need an explanation for everything? Just accept the fact, that it happend that way. The film doesn't explain how, just THAT it happend. With all the Time-Jumping around, there are loads of ways the ending works perfectly well. Just use your own imagination! For all those who disagree please send a Mail. I would really want to know, what you have to say to the ending of "2001: A Space Odyssey"...
The ending, the ending... I thought it was really brave what they did. They new, they couldn't top the original one. Leaving so many things in the dark by simply not telling them might for some be inacceptable. For me, it was a bold fresh breeze in the mainstream-movie-business.
To all those bickering about the ending being "illogical":(for those, who want to get into it stone-cold, please stop reading!) Do you really need an explanation for everything? Just accept the fact, that it happend that way. The film doesn't explain how, just THAT it happend. With all the Time-Jumping around, there are loads of ways the ending works perfectly well. Just use your own imagination! For all those who disagree please send a Mail. I would really want to know, what you have to say to the ending of "2001: A Space Odyssey"...
Jurassic Park III
(2001)
Good SFX, weak Story
19 July 2001
I was really, really disappointed by this wreck of a movie. So many great actors, such splendid SFX-work and such a weak script. In "Jurassic Park III", they used all the left-overs from the original novel "Dino Park", they couldn't stick into the first film. No character development and no real link to the second film. Is it really that hard to make a quality-sequel these days? Even with such a strong product?
The effects on the other hand blew me away, mostly, that is... Some of the dinosaurs look so real, I wondered, where they bred them...
The effects on the other hand blew me away, mostly, that is... Some of the dinosaurs look so real, I wondered, where they bred them...
Human Traffic
(1999)
Youth in Britain
1 December 2000
In my humble opinion, this film is the best film ever made about the youth-culture in the 90es. It's down to earth while being totally honest. I had the feeling that I knew all the characters and wanted to go out with them. When I looked around in the cinema and saw all the smiling faces, I realised, I already do.
Heartwarming, funny; one of my all-time-favorites
Heartwarming, funny; one of my all-time-favorites
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