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The Revenant (2015)
A True Masterpiece. The Revenant (2015) Movie Review
From Academy Award Winning director, Alejandro G. Inarritu and 6 Time Oscar Nominee , Leonardo DiCaprio comes "The Revenant", inspired by true events and based in part on the novel of the same name by Michael Punke.
The film starts off with a group of men in the 1820s, searching for pelts (animal skins) in the 1820s. However, a member of the group, Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio), is brutally attacked by a grizzly bear, doing great damage to his legs and torso. Following this, the rest of the group struggle to carry him on a stretcher, especially when approaching high, rocky ground. The leader of the group, Captain Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson) gives orders to three members of the group, Bridger (Will Poulter), John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) & Glass' son to stay behind and watch over Glass. Fitzgerald soon gets tired of this, kills the son and buries Glass alive, leaving him for dead. Days later, Glass awakens and must get back to their camp, enduring the inability to walk, freezing cold temperatures, and of course the long journey home. But he is driven by revenge for what Fitzgerald did to him.
This is probably one of the most intense movies I have ever seen. Watching the screen with my undivided attention, I could hardly believe some of the things happening on screen. The opening battle scene was in my opinion epic, you could really believe that all those men really were being killed in the most brutal ways possible. The bear scene will be something not forgotten for many years to come, with flawless visual effects, making the entire scene very realistic, with small but effective touches put in here and there to make it that bit more credible. For example, when the bear breathes out while close to the camera, you can see the camera being fogged up momentarily: small but effective.
If Leonardo DiCaprio doesn't win an Oscar this year, then he never will. This is one of the greatest performances by an actor I have seen in quite some time. He really sells the fact that his character is constantly in pain, and for also climbing inside the carcass of a real horse, just for a movie. If that's not dedication, then I don't know what is.
It's not just DiCaprio that deserves praise, though. Tom Hardy puts in another intimidating, evocative and breathtaking performance as John Fitzgerald. I really felt a strong sense of hatred towards this selfish character near the end of the film and greatly anticipated the excellent climax to the film.
Finally, I must give credit to the director, Alejandro G. Inarritu. After winning 3 Oscars, most directors would sit back and take it easy for a few years, but Inarritu has brought us a film with breathtaking visuals and a great story that will be adored by film- viewers for generations to come.
The Revenant is nothing less than a true masterpiece. This is definitely the best film I've seen in 2015 and I'd strongly advise anyone to go out and see this movie while it's still in cinemas.
Rating: 5/5
Road to Perdition (2002)
Another Brilliant Performance from Tom Hanks. Road to Perdition (2002) Review
Academy Award winner* Tom Hanks is back in Road to Perdition, the epic tale of father and son, on the run from hit-men. Hanks gives yet another brilliant performance here, as Michael Sullivan. He is a very mysterious character for the first half and hour or so. His sons don't even know what he does for a living.
But one fay when Sullivan sets out on a "mission" for his employer and father figure Mr Rooney (Paul Newman)his young son Michael Jr. sneaks in the back of the back of the car and witnesses his father murder someone. Rooney soon finds out about this and puts a hit out on young Sullivan. And so the perilous journey to Perdition begins as father and son travel across the country to reach Sullivan's sister-in-law's house on the beach. The on-screen chemistry between father and son is visible throughout the whole movie, as they learn more and more about each other and become closer as the film goes on.
Backed up with some brilliant visuals, a beautiful soundtrack and a brilliant screenplay, Road to Perdition is a film not to be missed. Not to mention, director Sam Mendes who's given us a true masterpiece and the brilliant acting from Hanks, Newman and Daniel Craig. And finally one of the most unexpected endings I've ever seen, leaves your jaw dropped and your heart racing. This is a film I'll definitely re-watch in the future.
Verdict: While not Hanks' best film to date, this is definitely one of his most enjoyable. It'll keep you on the edge of your seat throughout and is definitely worthy a place in my Top 20 Movies. Very underrated and well worth a watch.
Four and a half stars.
*Tom Hanks won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 1993 for "Philadelphia" and in 1994 for "Forrest Gump".
Gran Torino (2008)
Eastwood at his Finest! Gran Torino (2008) Review
You'd think that at 78 years of age, Clint Eastwood would have run out of steam by now. Well you couldn't be more wrong. Gran Torino is easily Clint's best film since 1992s Unforgiven.
Serving as director and star of this flick, Eastwood turns a simple story into a masterpiece. Starring as a racist veteran of the Korean War, Walt Kowalski, the story begins with the funeral of Walt's wife. It's clear that his sons and grandchildren aren't too bothered about him and all they care about is their inheritance. To make matters worse, a new Hmong family move in next door to the Asian hating Walt. In this family are teens Thao and Sue, their mother and grandparents. Thao is pressured into joining a gang and trying to steal Walt's prized possession: his 1972 Gran Torino, but is unsuccessful. Thao's mother insists that Thao do chores for Walt as punishment and what follows is one of the greatest on-screen chemistries of the last 10 years.
Eastwood is brilliant as Walt, who one minute is laugh-out-loud funny, but the next is the scariest old man you've ever seen. What you're in for is basically one big roller-coaster of emotions that is one of the most suspenseful, well thought out, simply brilliant films I have ever seen. It also includes great dialogue (especially Walt's many insults), a brilliant soundtrack and an emotional ending that you'll remember for years to come.
Verdict: Without a doubt one of the best dramas I've ever seen and definitely in my Top 5 Movies now. I'd strongly advise anyone to go out and watch Gran Torino as soon as possible. If you don't, it's yourself who's missing out.
5 Stars