Faisal_Flamingo Reviews

The Dark Knight (2008)

The Dark Knight is Victorious !!

[10/10 · 18 October 2008]

The Dark Knight is certainly "THE Dark Masterpiece" .. absolutely stunningly amazingly great in every way you look at it .. every little detail has been taken care of carefully .. when I saw "Batman Begins" I thought it is great, "The Dark Knight" superior to "Batman Begins" easily. Both are great, though.

It is hardly a comic movie .. I'd say it is a crime-mob movie with a comic flavor .. it is by far & easily --it is easily by far-- the best movie of the year, one of the best movies ever.

Late & great Heath Ledger gave an outstanding performance as The Joker .. therefore, sealing his career in a great way .. he'll be remembered by it .. Bravo!, Legendary Ledger ! .. almost everyone else gave a great performance, especially Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman and even Christian Bale .. I've seen few movies with such great character development, "The Dark Knight" is one of the best among them if not THE best already!.

The movie has a dark thrilling theme that never lacks the depth which is presented by a brilliant vision of brilliant director Christopher Nolan who reunited with cinematographer Wally Pfister for one more time .. Wally Pfister's cinematography as in all of Nolan movies is great & at its best here .. you'll appreciate the great cinematography especially in the action scenes.

The original score was great which and was a team work of two of our times greatest composers; Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard.

All I have mentioned above is more than enough to give you a cinematic euphoric dose, you'll get addicted to it easily .. I personally have watched it 3 times in the theater and I can't wait to watch it again.

words can't do this masterpiece justice .. and I prefer to let you discover its greatness yourself .. the purpose of this comment is to encourage you to see it otherwise I'd write 10'000 words or even more (can I ?) but I would still feel I didn't say much about it.

Get ready to an edgy, provocative, breathtaking & wonderful cinematic experience.

"The Dark Knight" is Victorious .. it redeems Hollywood's sins for a while .. perhaps, for a long "DARK" while.

Two Thumbs Way Up !!

The Warriors (1979)

One of the Worst Movies I Have Seen

[1/10 · 26 November 2006]

I can't believe how ridiculous this movie is .. it is absolutely one of THE worst movies that I have ever seen.

I can't believe how highly rated this movie is! Maybe the novel is good but that doesn't necessarily means the movie is good.

The movie sounds like if it was shot in the early 60s .. bad picture!.

The script is full of NOTHING .. a few pointless-shallow words. What a horrible movie !! they should ban some movies from being released for the public health.

Well, the movie isn't a Hollywood cliché type of movie but still horrible movie.

The acting is terrible .. they supposed to be serious but I was hardly holding my laughs.

This movie is so boring that is unbearable .. I wonder, how many people died watching it? Never try even to watch it. Unless, you want to test the dying-while-watching-a movie theory.

Tupac: Resurrection (2003)

A Documentary Full of Facts Told Frankly by Tupac Himself!

[8/10 · 26 November 2006]

This is a very good documentary .. it gave me an inside closer look to a world I don't know much of. I've heard some stories about Tupac .. some myths too in my high school but I wasn't 100% convinced and sounded just like lies.

I'm not a big fan of rap. I heard some songs of Tupac, though. I don't remember his songs but I remember that I didn't like them due to the foul language with all the swearing and the excessive use of the "F" WORD!.

Anyway, that didn't mean that his life story wasn't interesting .. the movie showed me briefly the life of a controversial young man who's music was popular in many places of the world .. I'm amazed of how frank Tupac is and that he has such courage to tell his stories publicly.

Good documentary..entertaining, brief and goes right to the point!

Misery (1990)

Wonderful Performances by Bates & Caan !!

[9/10 · 26 November 2006]

Rob Reiner directed one of the best movies adapted of Stephen King's novels .. what's makes it so good movie is many elements and the key element is the great performances by James Caan & Kathy Bates .. we are (at least myself) used to see good performances by Mr. Caan in many of his best movies .. he is a clever actor and he did not disappoint me in this movie .. Kathy Bates was the real star here .. I've never seen here in a better performance .. it is one of her best performances (which are rare).

Frank ?? (The Straight Story) was cool in the movie .. and his performance was very good.

Rob Riener is a good director but sometimes, I feel he is more commercial director than artistic .. in this movie he showed us a combination of the two which wasn't bad at all .. very good, actually. Except for certain scenes that I felt he could do much better. Anyway, in the end the result was good.

It is a very good movie .. you will like more if you are a fan of Stephen King's movies.

Kamikaze Girls (2004)

Tries Desperately to be a Japanese "Amiele"!

[6/10 · 21 November 2006]

This movie starts very good and reaches a point where it starts to go downhill until it becomes only an OK "pretty" picture to watch .. I don't know why I felt that ?? is just trying to be a Japanese "Amiele".

At least "Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain" puts you at ease .. this movie uses the same cinematography technique but in a very annoying way.

Don't get me wrong .. I'm not saying it is a bad movie .. it is just an OK watch-able movie.

Anna Tsuchiya was unconvincing sometimes .. and her character is too innocent in the other hand, Kyôko Fukada was overreacting Director Tetsuya Nakashima has done a good job .. especially with the visual effects.

8 Mile (2002)

Rubbish!

[1/10 · 21 November 2006]

I'm not a big fan of rap .. I've listened to a few songs of the so called the legend of rap "Eminem" .. I didn't like his songs, it is a bad way to use the language .. using nasty words in songs .. I don't like also the way Eminem acts .. especially his bad manners with almost every relative to him.

Maybe he is a legend to rap fans .. I believe his just nothing but a big lie.

The movie is really awful .. possibly the rap songs are the best thing about the movie .. I can't believe that Curtis Hanson did direct this movie! .. Hanson could do much better and I was disappointed when I was watching the movie just out of curiosity.

Kim Kim Basinger was good.

In the end, it is just a bad movie .. it sings only rubbish.

Clerks (1994)

Hilarious!

[9/10 · 21 November 2006]

This independent low-budget movie makes you laugh out loud more than most of Hollywood's big studios movies. It is amazing how original and hilarious this movie is.

Kevin Smith is a genius .. the secret behind this great movie is the good script that is loaded with good & funny lines.

Brian O'Halloran , Jeff Anderson & Marilyn Ghigliotti were good .. Kevin Smith as Silent Bob is fine.

The conversations are funny .. no matter what subjects it includes & how long it takes.

One thing maybe was missing in the movie .. music .. it is not necessary in some kind of movies but I'd like more if there's a nice piece or two in the movie.

Simply amazing movie .. I can't wait until I see the sequel.

The Tiger and the Snow (2005)

Roberto Benigni's Comeback Movie!

[7/10 · 21 November 2006]

I missed Roberto Benigni & and I miss his good movies ..

and not since "A Beautiful Life" he has directed a successful movie.

This movie is poetic and I wish I speak Italian to understand all the nice poetic speeches and the Italian poems.

As in "A Beautiful Life" Benigni mixes the tragedy with a light comedy that is funny and touching in the same time.

His performance was good ..

Jean Reno was good .. Nicoletta Braschi wasn't bad.

It is a good movie that you will fell in love with it if you are a Benigni fan ..

and will at least like it if not.

The Dreamlife of Angels (1998)

Realistic One of the Best of 1998!

[9/10 · 21 November 2006]

Real life is no sweet dream .. it is a painful struggle to many people.

Real life is harder even to women .. this movie realistically shows how rough life can be through two young women point of view .. it is a world of materialism that doesn't care about the human being needs.

I don't know what else can I say about it? .. it is too simple to be described in words .. beside I don't want to spoil it for the readers. I think European movies in general care much more than Hollywood about the characters .. especially French movies.

Élodie Bouchez & Natacha Régnier.. were truly amazing and they gave a high class performances It is realistic & absolutely one of the best in 1998 .. don't miss, it is a very good movie.

The Pink Panther (2006)

Watch Peter Sellers in the Original!

[2/10 · 21 November 2006]

I was hoping that Steve Martin could play the role of inspector Clouse in a strong French accent but I was let down. It is not that I didn't like the accent of the legendary Peter Sellers in the original and the sequels .. I just felt it is not a strong French accent .. other than that Peter Sellers performance was good.

The movie unfortunately is not that good .. the original still a little better ("a Shot in the Dark" is the best pink panther, I believe) .. at least, you will laugh naturally of Peter Sellers' hilarious performance.

I hardly laughed watching the movie repeating all the clichés in Hollywood's book.

I highly recommend watching the original then watch "a Shot in the dark" and you will see the difference yourself.

Inventing the Abbotts (1997)

Brotherhood could be a Tough Bond!

[7/10 · 21 November 2006]

It is not that great movie .. I felt it is uneven sometimes. Anyway, I liked this movie because it says brotherhood could be tough bond sometimes.. other times it could be really something great, I believe great times between brothers is the common thing (or at least wish for it).

I don't know if most of people who have seen it share me my admiration of how the movie realistically & truthfully shows this great relationship ..

Billy Crudup & Joaquin Phoenix were good .. I felt like if they were good friends at least to have such a natural brother-chemistry thing.

There were a few good lines here and there .. some moments were touching.

Liv Taylor's performance was the best female performance in the movie .. not to forget Kathy Baker's performance which was very good .. Jennifer Connelly, Joanna Going & Barbara Williams weren't bad but they were so good either.

Guy (1996)

Brilliant!! Forget About "The Truman Show " .. A Little Annoying, Though!.

[8/10 · 21 November 2006]

The idea is brilliant and very well done .. what makes it interesting to watch is Vincent D'Onofrio's good performance which truly represents his mixed feelings about the unusual situation that he is facing. It also represents the good & evil battle within everyone's soul.

"The Truman Show " is the only similar movie that I could think of at the moment.

"The Truman Show " is big studio production yet it is far behind that movie which is based on simpler idea & cheaper budget that carries a much stronger message than Hollywood's garbage "Truman's Show".

I felt it was annoying sometimes .. and when I finished watching it .. I asked myself did I feel that way because it was really annoying or because I am interacting with the movie? .. I think it is the latter .. which means the movie is good that you cannot be neutral while watching it, you have to take a side .. you should be part of the movie.

It is not that great movie .. but it is nice little movie.

Sideways (2004)

Very Well Written, Very Well Acted, Very Well Done in General But .. it Could be a Little Boring!

[8/10 · 20 November 2006]

The 4th movie by Alexander Payne is very good movie .. the editing is special .. the script is good and is loaded with expressive lines .. the acting is one of the most beautiful things in the movie .. especially Paul Giamatti who is underrated actor .. Thomas Haden Church was good too .. Sandra Oh & Virginia Madsen were OK.

The movie is funny but it could be boring sometimes .. I like the movie very much but still feel a little bored when re-watching it.

I believe Jim Taylor & Alexander Payne deserved their Oscars for the best adaptation .. I've not read the book but I still believe it is a very wonderful script.

Arabesque (1966)

The Stereotype American Hero Kind of Movie .. Another Anti-Arab Movie!

[1/10 · 20 November 2006]

This movie is terrible to begin with .. it is just another anti-Arab movie that shows wrong general ideas about Arabs.

At least, some names were Arabic in this movie .. and it sounds Gregory Peck has trained very well to pronounce them at the closest way to Arabic.

The plot is just ridiculous and any 9 years old kid could figure it out.. you know, the usual bad guy-good guy type of movie.

Gregory Peck tried to be funny .. but I'm afraid he has a bad sense of humor.

It is one of the worst movies that I've seen. Terribly awful movie.

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

"Do you know anything about a guy going around playing the harmonica? He's someone you'd remember. Instead of talking, he plays. And when he better play, he talks."

[10/10 · 20 November 2006]

Wow! .. is that masterpiece was REALLY made in the late 60s !! .. I feel it is still fresh like if it was made in the late 90s.

The cast is amazing .. Henry Fonda, Claudia Cardinal, Jason Robards,Charles Bronson and Gabriele Ferzetti .. they are all were great and everyone plays exactly the role which fits him/her 100% .. like if they were born to play these roles.

Sergio Leone is one of the best directors .. he is an artist .. every movie of his is full of artistic shots .. I believe this movie was his best achievement .. it was really full of artistic little details that gave the powerful script a very unique nice picture.

Sergio Leone & Sergio Donati wrote a very powerful script that is one of the best scripts .. and probably the best western script ever .. the characters are colorful & deep .. the lines were very good .. especially the lines of "Cheyenne".

"Cheyenne" is my favorite character .. he is one of the most wonderful characters you will ever see in a western movie .. i liked everything he says .. he speaks wonderful lines!.

The musical score was very good by Ennio Morricone ..

What a great movie it is! .. it is a joy to watch.

Airheads (1994)

Losers' Dreams

[4/10 · 20 November 2006]

It is not a favorite movie or something .. I just enjoyed it a little bit and decided to continue watching for Steve Buscemi's sake.

I'm not big heavy-metal rock fan .. but I know someone is .. and the movie is kinda reminds me of my heavy-metal rock friend whose character is close to Steve Buscemi character in many ways.

The movie started OK .. but ended very terribly, I think.

However, it is a little fun to watch some losers' dream .. like if they think they will rock the whole world when their song is been heard by some fans or critics.

It is just a little movie .. which will do you no harm to watch it .. maybe it is a waste of time, is it? .. I don't know.

The 400 Blows (1959)

Dated !! .. Still Not Bad Though !!

[6/10 · 17 November 2006]

I'm not a big fan of François Truffaut .. never was .. I don't see what is so great about his movies .. I only have seen three and I'm a little bit hesitated to watch "Fahrenheit 451".

The 400 blows has some powerful meanings and many appreciate it for its historical importance as one of the first (if not the first already) new wave movies in French cinema history.

The best thing in the movie .. in my point of view is the kid Jean-Pierre Léaud performance.

The movie is dated .. still has some of its wonderful meanings but it is not a joy to watch, I believe.

Watch it out of curiosity .. after all, it is just my opinion and you probably need a 2nd opinion about it.

The Thin Red Line (1998)

One of the Best War Movies .. and Definitely the Best War Movie in the 90s !!

[10/10 · 17 November 2006]

I don't know why many people keep bashing this great masterpiece !! .. probably because of the pure propagandist movie "Saving Private Ryan" which sucks in many ways.

It is one of the best war movies if not the best already.

Terrence Malick poetically entertain us in this meaningful masterpiece which is unlike many war movies .. is about war in general and it touches the depth of any human being .. in this movie .. no cheap propaganda .. and you don't have to take sides because this historical battle is only a frame to hold the humane meanings .. it is not just a war movie .. it goes far beyond that.

The cast is probably the best cast you could ever dream of .. just check the full cast list .. check the trivia to see how many actors were wishing to appear in the movie but unfortunately they couldn't .. many big actors had to play minor roles .. this movie is "Hollywood's Stars Heaven" if I may say so .. it is full of stars who just wanted to contribute at any possible way in this amazing masterpiece.

The movie doesn't try to direct you nor tries to manipulates the viewer .. it just asks the big question that should be asked in life .. especially in crisis times.

Whatever I say doesn't do this great masterpiece justice.

Just watch it and be your own judge .. and you wont regret watching it.

If you have watched it .. try to re-watch to see the greatness again!.

As It Is in Heaven (2004)

Superb Swedish Film!

[9/10 · 17 November 2006]

It is a superb Swedish film .. it was the first Swedish film I've seen .. it is simple & deep .. what a great combination!.

Michael Nyqvist did a great performance as a famous conductor who seeks peace in his hometown.

Frida Hallgren was great as his inspirational girlfriend to help him to carry on & never give up.

The fight between the conductor and the hypocrite priest who loses his battle with Michael when his wife confronts him And defends Michael's noble cause to help his hometown people finding their own peace in music.

The only thing that I didn't like was the ending .. it wasn't that good but it has some deep meaning.

Oldboy (2003)

A Mind-Blowing Revenge!! .. That is Great but it Doesn't Stand Steady in the Face of Time Test!

[10/10 · 17 November 2006]

It is a great movie .. don't get me wrongly .. I just lost a few appreciation with the first re-watch .. it was on my top 20 the first time I have seen it but I believe one of the main elements that helped to make it a great masterpiece is the visual effects which will get old and probably in a few years they will look worse & we will start to complain about it.

The plot is very good .. and the script is amazing .. and the performance of Min-sik Choi is one of the best in 2003.

There is so much excitement in this movie .. that is deep and well balanced.

The music is very good and plays in the best time .. completing the nice rhythm of the movie.

It is one of the best movies in 2003 .. and probably the best in 2003 but the problem is that I'm not so sure that it will stand steady facing the time test .. let's re-watch it two years from now and see .. if it is still keeps its good values.

It Happened One Night (1934)

The First Movie to Win the Main Five Oscars !

[10/10 · 17 November 2006]

I don't care so much about the Oscars .. but in the old days there was less robbing and cheating than today .. it is just honorary prize to the movies and not a certain indicators to show a movie supremacy whatsoever .. anyway, sometimes the Oscars are given honestly to the best achievement in any category .. like this movie which was the first to win the five main Oscars (( best actor in leading role, best actress in leading role, best script, best picture & best director )) .. only three movies won the five main Oscars (Silence of the Lambs, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest & It Happened One Night) .. I found it the 2nd best of the three after "Silence of the Lambs" and I don't think " One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" deserved even to get some nominations.

It is one of the legendary Frank Capra's first and best movies .. it is one of the best road movies of all-time.

Claudette Colbert & Clark Gable made a very good couple.

The music .. the acting .. the atmosphere is amazing and very superior to its time.

I do not know what else to say .. I need to re-watch it again.

Two thumbs up! .. one of the best movies in the 1930s .. one of Capra's best .. and possibly the best road movie ever.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

" I'm the Dude, man! "

[10/10 · 15 November 2006]

What a hilarious movie it is !! .. it one of The Coen Brothers' best .. and one of the best comedies ever. The characters were very well written and acted .. I've never imagined Jeff Bridges in a comedy role .. not even in my wildest dreams but he really has a good sense of humor and was the best for THE DUDE role .. John Goodman is another member of this misfit gang .. Steve Buscimi completes the funny trio ..

The bowling shots were amazingly beautiful and it is a proof of how high was the cinematography in this movie.

Everything just sounds to be put in its perfect place .. the music is good and goes totally with rhythm of the movie like if it were written especially for it. Very wise music choices.

The performances were good .. especially by Bridges & Goodman .. Julianne Moore was an OK. Steve Buscimi wasn't bad.

The constant funny situations is one good point of the solid script .. the other good point is the funny lines all around the movie.

It is the 2nd last good comedy from The Coen Brothers before "O, Brother Where Art Thou?"

It is a very good comedy .. don't miss it.

Paradise Now (2005)

An Insightful Movie : One of the Best in 2005

[10/10 · 15 November 2006]

This movie is amazing and it truly deserved the golden globe prize for the best foreign movie .. it is an insightful look to the real daily life in Palestine .. it is a thin line for being a terrorist, especially when people are mad & desperate because of the injustice & poverty .. Hany Abu-Assad did a great job directing this movie.

There's good & evil fighting within every man's soul .. and even terrorist .. they are human beings and they have feelings. I feel sorry for the hard life the Palestinians live .. I blame Israel for not trying hard enough to solve the problems regarding Palestinians .. I also blame Islamic & Arab countries for not pushing harder enough to make peace reality for both sides in Palestine/Israel.

Paradise Now is so realistic like if it was a documentary movie .. it is a call for peace.

The performances by Kais Nashif & Ali Suliman were very good .. especially Nashif who did a great job.

It is an amazing movie .. a controversial movie from a controversial place.

One of the best in 2005.

Lost in Translation (2003)

Just Lose Yourself

[10/10 · 15 November 2006]

What a wonderful simple movie it is ! .. Sophia Coppola deserved the Oscar for the best original screenplay.

The movie is a comedy or romantic comedy if I may say .. two persons who live in on of the most closed societies in the world .. they had no choice but to spend sometime together in a middle of a city where they feel they are total strangers .. they are having difficulties living among a very different society and because they do not speak any Japanese they feel somehow misplaced or isolated at least .. so, they are destined to meet each other.

This is probably the best movie in 2003 ..

Bill Murray gave a wonderful performance .. possibly his best ever. Scarlet Johansson is amazing .. she keep choosing her roles carefully and it is amazing that she didn't go after Hollywood's crappy movies like many others in her age do.

Directing is good by Sophia who lived a couple of years in Japan .. so, she knew how to carry out these feelings on the script 1st and then into the big screen.

This movie is so smooth that you will have no choice but to lose yourself and get lost in its sweetness and beauty.

Das Boot (1981)

The Best Submarine Movie & One of the Best War Movies!

[10/10 · 15 November 2006]

This movie is a breaking point at Wolfgang Peterson's career .. it gave him a guaranteed 1st class ticket to Hollywood.

whatever I say will never do this movie justice but I'll give it a try anyway.

The acting was wonderful . especially by Jürgen Prochnow ..

Watching this timeless masterpiece .. bringing WW2 to life is amazing .. how realistic can movies be? This movie captures even the spirit of WW2 .. Hitler .. The Third Reich .. everything.

Germans built the best submarines in the world .. so, no wonder that they made the best submarine movie.

This movie is lengthy but enjoyable & exciting.

The music is wonderful.

What else can I say? .. it is a masterpiece! .. two thumbs up! ..

Just watch it .. you wont regret it.