Remember that a man's Name is to him the sweetest and most important sound in any language. - Dale Carnegie, How To Win Friends And Influence People.

What sin is humping a tub of margarine? Am I in the clear?

Genre: Crime Mystery Thriller Noir

Starring: Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby; Unleashed), Brad Pitt (Babel; Snatch)

Directed By: David Fincher (The Game; Fight Club)

Overview: A veteran cop and his new partner are on a serial killing case rooted in the seven deadly sins.

Performance:

The roles are all really well directed. The deliveries are perfect. All the players are well known veteran actors. Sometimes it's good to see a cast full of pros, directed by a pro.
Rating: 8

Cinematography:

The images are bleak, suiting the mood perfectly. Darkness and filth seemed prevalent. There was just enough gore to put us there while (as in lust) some scenes left far too much to the imagination. The helicopter shots in the end are great. Of all movies ever made, there is one image from one movie that has permanently etched its way into my mind: a rain-soaked gun barrel pointed down at the viewer, with only the tip in focus, held by an indistinguishable man in a hat and trench coat. I thank Se7en for that shot.
Rating: 9

Script:

There is a bit of a two-dimensional feel to the Pitt and Freeman characters. It's as thought the writer took the developing good cop / bad cop idea and combined it with the unpolished veteran and his new rookie partner idea and fused them into a perfect union. Yet it works here, and the dialogue adds to the mood.
Rating: 7

Plot:

The beginning of the plot, the whole veteran cop on his last assignment paired up with the young spitfire may make you roll your eyes at the cliché, but honestly, it's good. And as for the murders themselves and the plot development, also mindblowing. As for the ending, that is this films' strength... look, it's not as if you don't know this is an amazing movie already. It was the biggest thing goin in '95.
Rating: 9

Mood:

The mood is the thing. We are immersed into the bleakest city, pouring rain, into the mind of a calculating psychopath. The characters exude the desire to slough off the mire of filth that is this shit-stained world. I like this perspective very much, and this movie never stops reminding up how unlucky we truly are.
Rating: 9

Match the quote: 1.) "What's in the box?" 2.) "...mastrubating in your own feces..." 3.) "Yo biotch, get yo dick out my ass!"

Overall Rating: 84% (Dark as Hell)

Aftertaste:

This is one of my repertoire films. I've seen it several times, and I'll see it several more I'm sure. The only thing I regret is that I hadn't seen it in theaters. If you don't like this, I'm sure you'll prefer your Bambi and your Forrest Gump. A truly memorable film, even if it's not for everyone.

Originally reviewed way back in December 15, 2006

Hi All, 

As you can see I haven't been posting, but I have begun drafting reviews again this week, no worries, I'm coming back.

One of my readers and occasional film recommender, Ben Saddington, wrote me today extolling the virtues of two Apocalyptic films, Kubrick's Dr Strangelove and The Day After (1983), a made for TV movie starring Steve Guttenburg.  Rather than having my response read by Ben only, I thought I'd include it for all of you to read, especially given the caliber of these films I list below - So here it is for your reading pleasure:

Amazing letter Ben. Thanks so much for your recommendations.  I also very much enjoyed Strangelove, as a matter of fact I reviewed it in '07.

Apocalyptic film is one of my favourite genres, so if you come across other stuff, please let me know. If I may recommend something I saw last month that had a profound effect on me. Because of the passing of my father my reviewing has been halted for a while, so unfortunately I did not tell the world about this great find, but I urge you to see Fail-Safe (1964), directed by the great Sidney Lumet, especially now that you've seen Dr. Strangelove and it's still fresh in your mind. Both films are based on the novel Red Alert, and Fail-Safe takes a far more serious approach. It is absolutely incredible. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. The film stars Walter Mathau and Henry Fonda. Because it's in no way a comedy, Fail-Safe is far more poignant than Dr. Strangelove, terrifying in fact.

If you want to check out a twist on the nuclear theme, you may also want to check out When The Wind Blows (1986) - it's animated and also based on a book of the same name.

The China Syndrome (1979) starring Jack Lemmon also has left quite the impression on me and I certainly recommend it to anyone interested in a story about critical failure in a nuclear power plant. And finally, though not nuclear, the consequences of Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) are certainly world-changing. I recommend it as well.

 

Have yourself a great viewing, Ben.

 

Squish

Hi Kiddies, and welcome to what's certainly going to be one of my own personal favourite pages. For those of you who have not seen the original Dawn Of The Dead, this is just one big spoiler. For the rest of you, here is a celebration of every single one of the 82 onscreen kills that can be found in the 1978 Romero Zombie Classic, Dawn Of The Dead, screen capped by yours truly, for your viewing pleasure.

Enjoy

You're quite welcome.