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exceldriver2002
Reviews
Three Days of the Condor (1975)
A forty year old film that still puts most modern day espionage movies to shame
I first saw this film on CBS' "Sunday Night Movie" when I was a senior in high school. Because it was edited for TV, it was kind of choppy and maybe a bit over a seventeen year-old's head. I watched it recently and I it came back to me quickly, like meeting a long-lost friend.
The cast is amazing and at that time, had to have been one of the most difficult ensembles to assemble. Almost every actor gave a performance that is a highlight in his/her career. Faye Dunaway and Robert Redford were probably the highest paid performers in their respective genders at that time.
The plot is prophetic in a sense; especially since the our familiarity with PNAC and the Iraq/Afghan wars. There are some great, yet subtle comebacks from Redford and Dunaway, such as' "You know you can count on the spyfu**er".
Before going out to blow 10 bucks for some high production, crappy dialogue movie, settle in and watch this. It will make you appreciate what great film-making is all about.
The Killing Room (2009)
Nidal Hassan ..meet Jared Loughner
This is a pretty decent movie and is based on a lot of compelling psychological research. It is basically a sobering remake of the Manchurian Candidate.
I watched this on My Rabbit TV download, and for the most part, the majority of movies on Rabbit TV are average, save for the documentaries. This movie caught my eye and when you research the backgrounds of some of the most recent spree shooters, Hassan (Fort Hood), Jared Loughner and The Batman Shooter in Colorado, it's not difficult to come away with a point of view that, "yes...this type of stuff is going on". I believe that if you don't consider that, you might as well just keep watching Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
The sound editing is for crap, which is really a shame. Otherwise, I would have given this film a higher rating. It's worth watching, if you have an open mind and you've "crawled down the rabbit hole" a few times.
Donnie Darko (2001)
The best 80's Movie made in 2001.
I would label "Donnie Darko" as "The thinking person's "Twilight". For anyone looking to rent or buy this movie, I would suggest getting the original version on DVD. Watch the movie in it's entirety and then watch the deleted scenes. A couple days later, view the entire film again. Then you can get a grasp of how many levels this movie was made on.In the meantime, you'll be thinking about it often.
Every now and then you'll see a movie that has such a great cast that you can't pick out just one superb performance because they're all top notch. This is one of those movies.
Jake Gyllenhall and Jenna Malone portray their characters with so much realism, you're pretty easily drawn into their relationship as a teen couple, both dealing with troubled lives.
Mary McDonnell plays Donnie's mother with such empathy, that you feel as sad for her as you do Donnie.
The one thing I noticed about this movie that I haven't seen posted a lot is the Messiah-like undertones. If you pay attention to when Donnie does something under the control of Frank, he always has his hood up looks "Satanic".
At the end, Donnies realizes that he must sacrifice himself so those dear to him ( his mother and Gretchen especially) can live. IN other words, he crucifies himself. If you watch the deleted scenes, you can see what I mean.
One of my all time favorite movies.