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jorel845
Reviews
Daredevil (2003)
What Spiderman wishes it could be
Red, dark and liquid; Daredevil is pleasantly brought to the screen by director Johnson with an adaptation that knows how to tinge the Marvel superhero with Catholicism and tragedy. Action wise, the stunts by Affleck and Garner are complemented by CGI instead of being showcased, although most of the kudos belong to Colin Farrell for a villain fluid, lethal and funny.
Affleck sheds enough of his celebrity skin to be both Murdock and Daredevil, a quality actors lack when playing one of the iconic superheroes (Keaton's Batman and Tobe Maguire's strained attempts at the wisecracking Spiderman). A sense of intimacy and understanding is created with the Murdock/Daredevil after the quick, if not sometimes sappy origin sequence. John Favreau as Foggy Nelson interjects cynicism and masterful comic timing to make him see more like a kid brother than as the sidekick his character is normally portrayed in the comics. Michael Clarke Duncan's Kingpin is intimidating if not a bit mischeivous; his impish grin makes him seem more like a kid who's gotten away with something despite his 300 lbs plus girth.
Garner is probably the weakest link in the cast. Yes, she's beautiful, yes, she can do her own stunts, but there's an element of stiffness to her when she's jumping from rooftops or twirling her Sais. You can almost catch her counting along with the choreography during most fight scenes. Elektra's dark beauty is lost in her brown locks, but there are flickers of spice in her performance that isn't always ruined by her pouting and breathless dialogue.
An excellent adaptation, comic fans will love all the references that are sure to be missed even if you're not blind.
8.5 stars out of 10.
SPOILER!!!!!!!
I'd put dollars to donuts the combination to Murdock's apt. is 666.
Style Wars (1983)
Amazing Documentary
This documentary on subway grafitti in New York City in the early 1980s had it all: it was beautifully shot, had a great soundtrack, and captured the essence of what was going on in the city after the 70s and under the regime of Mayor Kotch. The best thing about this documentary is how it can be studied on so many levels- it makes you realize why "bombing" is done and what it accomplishes. It helps you understand the psychological reasoning behind it, and how it plays on human character traits such as territorial rights, pursuit and the need for recognition. It shows how graffitti had a strong impact on society, and how it tore some homes apart. A must see- plus a great representation of early hip hop music and style. Love those TWAs! (Teeny Weeny Afros!) 9 out of 10.