From the opening moments of "Reservoir Dogs" you sense that you are watching a different kind of crime drama. The style and dialog of this picture bestows a level of intelligence upon it's characters that defies the reality of their chosen profession. Having said that,this movie is absolutely riveting in it's movements from the ordinary, to the grim, to the horrific aspects of a career criminal. Quintin Tarantino has written a tale of an almost corporate order to constructing a crime gang. The delight is in meeting these characters one by one. The particular crime is no more crucial to the film than a 7-11 stick-up. The crux of the movie is the portrayal of the rainbow of characters who find themselves involved in a life of crime. Much has been made of the violence in the movie, but it only serves to point out that all men are different......even the crooked. The director has included a number of very memorable scenes. This is not a linear film. The movie works more as a series of set pieces that weave together a story that is not as important as the individual parts that you have the pleasure of observing. This movie may take more than one viewing to truly appreciate
An Instant Classic
Reviewed by movieman444 for Pulp Fiction at 2010-01-14 13:07:51
Quentin Tarantino is a director that has changed how movies were made. Pulp Fiction is a movie that is one-of-a-kind in its time. The eccentric storytelling (using a non-linear storyline), the unbelievable acting by John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman and Bruce Willis and the ironic mix of humor and violence make this movie a classic. I recommend this movie to anyone!!
The second part of a proposed Trilogy, Escape from LA wasn't quite the hit that everyone expected, but like Escape from New York, the film has now gained a cult following. In my mind, anything Carpenter and Kurt Russell do together turns to gold - ELVIS, THE THING, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA... Russell also had a hand in the script of this action-packed, apocalyptic thriller fantasy. It's just a shame that they won't be doing ESCAPE FROM EARTH...
My favorite Coen Bros. Flick
Reviewed by KHL for Barton Fink at 2009-01-06 17:15:31
Turturro and Goodman are outstanding in this bizarre, mildy comic and ultimately dark tale about an inspired NY playwright turned Hollywood scriptwriting hack in the late 30s-early 40s. His idealism and ideas are pretty much gone to seed in this dry desert environment, and in his quest to make the ultimate play about 'the working man', he meets Charlie (Goodman), an honest-to-gosh working dude, or is he? Great art deco sets, perfect supporting performances by many (including Judy Davis as the wife of a deranged Fitzgerald-Faulkner type fellow hack and Steve Buscemi as the weird Bellhop 'Call me Chet!') make this film great to watch - not to mention the twists and turns of the story line that will leave you wanting to watch it again.
Fargo- **** out of ****
Reviewed by tonymurphylee for Fargo at 2008-12-16 04:55:11
In Minnesota, A car salesman hires two thugs to kidnap his wife so that his father-in-law can pay off the ransom and then he can collect a portion of the money to pay off his debts. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned and people begin getting killed in horrible and unusual ways. A gory, intense, extreme, funny, and original thriller of a film. Francis McDormand, William H. Macy, and Steve Buscemi are all top-notch in this flawless saga of quirky characters, bland atmosphere, and spraying blood. An American classic. This is the Coen brothers at their best! Rated R: Contains strong bloody violence and gore, strong language, and some sex.
This is good fun, if you can swallow its cartoonlike action sequences and shallow characters. It would be easy to scoff at how people are able to fall long distances and still survive, but if you can suspend judgement, it is possible to be entertained by this movie on the level that it asks you to be entertained.
Great Work From the Coens
Reviewed by brendoman for Fargo at 2008-08-28 18:32:20
When I really sit down and think about it, this is probably my favorite from the Coens and probably my favorite black comedy. So many great performances. Minnesota and North Dakota are characters themselves. Beautifully shot, great music really sets the tone.
They don't come much funnier. If you're a Baby Boomer, this is not to be missed. If you're not, you can laugh at their (our) expense. Jeff Bridges is great, but John Goodman's performance is out there in a category with the geniuses of modern off-beat comedy.
One of the greatest films ever! Incredibly innovative in its sequencing, with the some of the best, albeit harsh, monologues (i.e. Samuel L. Jackson's bible quote scene) of any movie. One of those films you can't help but watch every time it is on.
In a word, fantastic. This should become a classic. Strange cast, great performances, and Travolta played it to the hilt as a hit man. Samuel Jackson partners in a way that keep the energy going.
One of the best
Reviewed by moviehound for Pulp Fiction at 2008-03-21 12:45:44
This should become a classic. Strange cast, great performances, and Travolta played it to the hilt as a hit man. Samuel Jackson partners in a way that keep the energy going.
Excellent anti-hero comedy about a deadbeat beer-league bowler pothead trying to find a kidnapped nympho trophy wife and his stolen rug--in the parlance of our times.