TonyTaral Reviews

Unleashed (2005)

A sinister depiction of one mans return to the human ranks.

[7/10 · 25 May 2005]

For the record lets say that I inserted the DVD and moved into my position in the sofa.

I had two of my friends come over over to watch the new "Jet Lee movie". And as the movie kicks off all three of us sat there tensed up and uttered the Oooh and Ahh's of the opening fight.

This positive atmosphere would soon diminish into boredom on behalf of my two companions who for the record are die hard hard action fans. And I was mad... We are watching this great movie with some serious depth for once (no offense Jet) and they dare complain about the paste in which the movie's plot evolves... ignorant fools...For my part I was amazed by the sinister, dark quality that embossed the movie.

For this is truly a dark and sinister movie, not only by means of the plot but also the way in which the movie is shot, considering the lighting effects and the thoroughly made sets filled with props for a realistic look, it did kind of remind of something in between Se7en and 8mm(the look, not the plot).

To the director...Impressed by The Transported, amazed by Unleashed. As I mentioned earlier the movie did not sit right with all the action fans out there, I like drama, good drama, movies that has something to tell. And this (not to be taken literally) has definitely something to tell about the inhumanity that may occur in the dark corners of the world.

Go see it, but not for laughs...

Yesterday (2002)

First generation X-men

[8/10 · 1 July 2004]

Yesterday, an thrilling, exiting, sinister science fiction movie fresh out of Korea.

I do agree that i`ts kind of hard to keep track with the plot, but once you do get its a genius idea that confronts the ethics concerning cloning and gene manipulation.

The action scenes are a mere feast with fast moving handheld camera. It has its slow moments at the end of the movie, but cleverly used to reveal the "truth".

Well Recommended!

Chasing Amy (1997)

More depht and in touch with reality than the earlier ones...

[18 June 2004]

This is by my opinion, beyond any doubt Mr. Smith`s best movie.

First time I saw the film it did`nt make much sense really... but you know I was like 12 years or something. I saw it again now at the age of 20, and I gotta say you get a whole other perception of the whole thing...

I have no idea how he came up with the script but it is darn good!!! And he has added a lot more sense of reality with intricate sub plots supportet with outstanding acting performances. The plot is easy to relate to (relationship problems) and grips you by the balls at times, and gives you a little squeeze here and there. It actually gets you thinking about your own errors in your past, and maybe even about "the one that got away"

So to wrap it up: THE best Jersey film for now,

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

Those who didn't like didn't get it? whats there to get?

[31 May 2004]

I gonna be "frank" I didn't like it.

Don't get me wrong if you like some of Tarantino's techniques and so on go ahead enjoy. But if you're like me, and I like some of Tarantino's work, no I'll rephrase I like all his movies until kill bill.

Now what I loved about his movies is the humour and smart conversations. I've always ment that his strength is in his dialogue. And I think if you look at his previous movies you get the deal.

I've seen my share of violent movies and you there comes a time when you kinda "grow up" it's not that funny anymore, then you'll appreciate movies with a good story, acting and so on... And this story... well it's thinner then an anorexic cheerleader, but hey what do I know It's probably ment to be this way and I respect the fact that It's inspired by the 70/80's kung-fu movies like Shogun Assassin/Lady Snowblood and so on, but where is the great dialogue, the humour, the intricate plot?

So in the end I'm probably one out of a hundred but I'll give it a 6/10

Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami (1988 TV Movie)

Mediocre production with outstanding performances.

[31 May 2004]

Got to hand it to ya,

Bleckner did a great job directing in this gripping drama piece. But what I found the most impressive aspect of the production was the casting. This is an ensemble of high elegance and talent.

Robert Davi is totally convincing as the "terrorist on trial" And both Sam Waterson and Ron leibman is in the position where you could'nt imagine anyone else in their roles, this is textbook casting.

I had rather low expectations to this movie, mostly because of this DVD release, its a common Scandinavian release, the picture quality is as poor as the soundtrack. But in the end this does not matter at all-.

The story as it is told is as important today as it was then. we deal with some of the same conflicts today. And through this story you get to see the conflict from the Palestinian point of view and their story, and I gotta say it could be a wake up call for the ignorant.

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

Beautiful

[25 March 2004]

This is a deep and compelling study of the lifestyle and rituals concerning the average native cannibal.

I understand that some might get provoked by the use and abuse of live animals, but from my point of view it`s not all that bad it`s just what you could expect from a Rainforest documentary really. But for those of you who have empathy for animals getting slaughtered you are hereby warned.

The movie starts out fair enough, and continues fair enough although I must object to the selected soundtrack, it`s silly sometimes hillarious.

The movie is a movie.

###Possible - Spoilers###

The movie starts out with a rescue mission that results in the discovery of the remains of a documentary crew, and the salvage of some of their tape. A cable company now wishes to give the tape some screen time in spite of its horrible content that includes live execution of some animals(real animals) as well as the demolition of a tribes settlement and a violent rape of a native girl ( oh how they get to pay for that ).

The professor who went in the jungel to rescue the crew objects to the company`s intentions, as he have seen the whole thing and they obviously havent(poor excuse for showing the tape to us here at home but...). So they go through the tape in all its glory and horrific images to the ultimate death of the whole crew, on camera.

I think it`s a fair enough movie some of the scenes were a bit off the edge but it works as a jungel/cannibal safari.

Open Range (2003)

Original? I think not, but still it has its good parts.

[7/10 · 13 March 2004]

I went to see this picture yesterday with rather high expectations, I`d read some good comments conserning the film.

First things first, the acting is great especially Robert Duvall (as it usually is)he`s the leader of the outfit. Kevin Costner has his moments, but in some of the scenes with Anette Bening it just gets embarrassing. But anyway the character Kevin plays unquestionably the coolest I`ve seen him in(a quiet cold as ice killer). The two "boys" Mose and Button does a adequate job. But I`m not gonna talk about Anette Bening I`ts not worth mentioning.. The role of the bad guy is fairly simple just a lot of grinning and yelling it does not deserve a second thought.

The locations are beautiful, definently some of the finest I`ve seen in this genre.

And beware. If your walking in to the movies expecting a western/action movie your gonna be dissapointed like myself.

But in the end the standoff was beautiful I`ve never had such a good feeling when I see a bad guy getting blown 3-4 meters off his back by a dobbel barreled shotgun :D

The movie starts out kinda slow and continues kinda slow, all the way until the end. And there is alot of running back and forth between the saloon and the doc`s house. The character developement is very good. you get to know some of Kevins dark past and Roberts tragic reason that drove him to become free-ranger.

All in all it`s a good movie in it`s own way. It wight dissapoint you but in the end you`ll be glad you never left.

****out of******

The Warrior and the Sorceress (1984)

Beyond B

[13 December 2003]

The production values of this feature is at a minimun, the acting horrible, David Carradine I gotta laugh out loud at this character. The acting is in fact so bad that I appreciated Arnold's Conan enterpretation. The move sets a new standard for Bad bad bad B movies.

The sets are as cheesy as I've ever seen em... The plot is fair enough though. Special effects: laughable, cool talking lizard :P

If you dont have anything better to do, you could check it out but dont expect too much though.

Deathwatch (2002)

War, Gore, Suspense+++

[8/10 · 12 December 2003]

I just saw the movie on DVD and I gotta say... I think its a + to watch it in 5.1 dolby or DTS, the distant screaming in german ick, kinda freaks you out. Paranoid Soldiers killing each other in gross manners its cool.

The movie has its flaws but however it managed to rais my pulse at times. Descent Horror flick..