25th Hour

25th Hour released in 2002, is directed by Spike Lee. This film stars Edward Norton (American history X), Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Berry Pepper, and Rosario Dawson.  Its about a drug dealer Monte (Ed Norton) who gets snitched on and gets caught up for selling heroine. He has 24 hours before he has to go to prison. He decides to spend his last hours with his best friends Frank(Berry Pepper) and Jakob(Phillip Seymour Hoffman) and go out partying for his last night. This drama, really captures the reality of getting caught by the authorities and the stress and pressure it comes with.

Before watching this movie in class, i had seen this movie before. i have always thought of it as a good movie. I have only seen three spike lee movies. Malcom X, Do the right thing, and 25th hour. I would say out of the three spike lee movies i have ever seen, i think this is the second best flick that he has directed, after Malcom X. I can see in each of his movies, his directing is different at times, but also similar. Like when he has the Montage at the mirror and he also has that in Do the Right thing. I have to say, that was probably on of my favorite parts of the movie. His rant about life, and everybody in New York. I thought it was pretty funny at moments, and thought it was interesting how he used a mirror this time in the movie instead of just talking into the camera like he did in Do the Right thing. In 25th hour, i really like how Monte's Character develops. You can see he is clearly stressing out, but is trying to keep his cool. He is also trying to figure out some sort of way to cope with the situation that is already dealt for him. The pace is somewhat slow, and there isnt any action at all in the whole movie. But appreciate the story that spike lee is trying to tell, and the way he tells it. I think that he tells the story mostly from his characters. His character developments are very strong. For example, you see what Monte and Naturelle are like when they first meet and how much their relationship develops. Then you see the pressure that they are both under after he gets busted. Him getting busted ultimately affects him, but you can also see that it affects the ones closest to him as well.

I believe that this film has a lot of life lessons in it. To not do bad because there will be a consequence, to appreciate freedom, and stuff like that. Like i said before, even though there isnt any action, the acting is really good. Another thing that i noticed was the music fit the tone of the film perfectly. I believe the film was a sad, regretful tone and that Spike Lee directed this very well. Much better than he did Do the right thing. I could see that he was going for more of a life lesson type of thing, or symbolism of life. Overall i think that the movie was pretty good, and appreciate the plot and character development. I give this film 3 stars.

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A Prophet

A Prophet is French Thriller, Drama and Crime/Gangster film. Its dialogue is in french and i believe a bit of Arabic. This film is directed by Jacques Audiard and stars, Tahir Rahim, and Niels Arestrup. This film portrays the life of a 18 years old Arabic guy transferring to a French prison when he turns 18. He is the new guy in the prison with no one to protect him, so he seeks protection from the Corsican Mafia. At first he is their work horse, doing every little thing that they tell him. But as time passes, he earns more respect and gains more and more power and knowledge due to language abililities. He begins to understand Corsican, French and his native tongue, Arabic.

The first time that i read about this movie, i thought it would be like any other prison movie. I thought it would be like Blood In Blood out, or American Me. But really, it isn't. The prison and action aspect is much like any other prison movie. but the plot and story line is much more interesting and creative. Having a bilingual inmate, and having language being a strong weapon in the pen, now that's creative. The way that the director starts the film, introducing Malik (Tahir) as a minor transferring to a prison for a unknown crime keeps the audience guessing who he is. But later on you see that he is just a guy trying to cope with his new surroundings and needs help, being a new inmate and having no connections. The director really shows his character development through out the story. From, starting as a coffee maker to becoming his own man, to even having psychological problems. I think that the masterpiece behind this movie is the character development of Malik. Sure, the plot is pretty cool and has some surprises, but the real surprises come from Malik. This is a gangster movie, but also a clear character study of him.

I personally like prison movies, and find them really gritty and clever. This movie is one that not only gritty, clever, but also has you thinking what will happen next? How will Malik get out of this or that situation? He is a likable character, coming from nothing, and then building his respect and himself to the top. You cant help but wonder if he will be like the other bosses, and a rutheless criminal or will he be better than that? Will he resist all of that and be a good guy? He has the good heart and personality, but he also has his criminal side. He is very spontaneous on how he does things. I think that this movie has a lot of sentimental symbolism as well. It shows a lot about the life of a criminal, respect, choices, loyalty, and self discovery. The acting is great, i think every single person in this movie acted great. The story line was great. The Characters were great. The action is great, and lastly the obscure surprises. Overall, i give this film 5 stars, and highly recommend this to any one that loves, crime dramas, crime thrillers, gangster, prison, and mob movies.

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Election (Hak Se Wui)

Election is a unique triad movie about the Wong Shing Society, Hong Kong's oldest triad. The film was released in 2005, and directed by Johnnie To. It stars Tony Leung, Ka Fai, Nick Cheung,  and Simon Yam. Tony Leung Kai Fai (hong kong movie star) plays a hot headed triad, money making machine. Simon Yam plays a mellow, well mannered, and well respected triad member. The two go head to head fighting for contender of the next chairman whom will obtain the power and dragon baton of the Society for two years. 

This film has a very intriguing story.  I have never seen a Triad movie before seeing this film. I have known about them, being chinese and all, but never really knew much about them besides the fact that they are the Chinese version of a mafia i would say. When i saw this movie on Netflix's Instant play list, i decided to watch it and give it a shot. Especially when i saw the quote from Quentin Tarantino saying, "The best film of the year." So when i saw this and saw that it was in Cantonese i decided it would be fun to watch a film with dialogue that i can understand besides english. The first half of the movie there isnt any action, it forms the plot. So i can understand if one can get bored with the circumstances. But if your patient i think that it will pay off. I like how the director shows the power of the Society by simple gestures. It consists of a few comedic scenes that show the power of the society and status of the characters.The second half of the film is when the action starts. This is when both sides of the leaders, are on their mission to find the dragon baton. 

I think that this movie is really clever. The way that Johnnie To (director) directed this is great. How he incorporates the culture of the Chinese and their old traditions will really help the understanding of the movie. i would say that this is completely different from typical Mob movies such as Godfather and Goodfellas. If i had to compare it to a American Gangster film, i would say the closest is like a chinese Godfather, mixed with a little martial arts, and unique clever twists. Election isn't much like our typical American gangster movies. I think that Johnnie To shows more of a emotional side, from anger to patience that depict the character and culture. For example, the way that Big D (Tony) reacts when he doesnt get his way is priceless. He acts like a spoiled child with a major anger problem. His anger is pretty intense. His brutality is also another thing that the director did well in. They are creative and not typical nor predictable. The character development of the two contenders, i would say are two of the most original gangster personalities that i have ever seen in a film. Lok's (Simon) character is very fascinating to watch grow. Same with Big D. I think this whole movie is clever, and every little dialogue and scene has a reason behind it that you will later find out. I would have to say my favorite part of the movie is the unexpected twists that occur and the moments that build up to them. I honestly didnt care or pay attention to any lighting, music, or camera angles. This is because i was so caught up in the movie.

 

Overall, i think that is movie is awsome. I highly recommend this film to everyone. If you dont like regular American mobster/gangster movies, then maybe this is the film for you. The story line is very good, the characters are original, funny at some parts, brutal violence at other, and very clever. If you like unexpected twists that surprise the hell out of you and a great plot then this is the movie for you. You can find it on Netflix's instant play, and also the sequel Triad Election which is also good.I give this 5 stars. 

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Children Of Men

Alfonso Cuaron directs this Oscar-nominated film version of P.D. James's classic dystopian novel. The film is a futurisitc drama in which the world suffers from infidelity, discrimination, and possibly the extinction of the human kind. Clive Owen (the dude from shoot em up and king arthur) is the main character in this movie. Some other people that are in it are Julianne Moore and Michael Cane. 

I am not really a Sci fi guy, but this movie, I actually liked. I think this is because they combine Sci Fi with a real life drama. At first when watching the film, it goes kind of slow. But as the story starts to unfold and you find out what the hell is going on, i started to get more and more interested.  Its basically about Clive Owen going on a mission to take a pregnant girl (which is a miracle) to the, "Human Project" where the baby and girl will be safe and which they can do studies to stop the problem of infidelity. Julianne Moore (his ex wife, with a dead son) reaches out to him to take care of the girl that can bring society back. 

I think that the movie takes place in London, or somewhere in England. In the beginning the feeling i get from just watching how the society is, is extremely depressing. They did a great job portraying the depression and struggles the society has to deal with. Everyone either looks like they are a bum or a military soldier trying to enforce things. The lighting and costumes enhances the sad situation they are going through. Everything in the film looks all messed up and old that captured the plot setting. Also the director did a good job combining the music and the scenes. Throughout the whole entire film there is a depressing environment and very little happy moments. The film is concentrated on completing the task that the world is in desperate need of.

The character developments in the film are very strong along with the main character’s personalities. There are three sides in the film. I don’t want to ruin the film, but within these three sides there is a strong leader for each one. Basically Clive Owen has to pass all checkpoints that consist of military soldiers, and many other obstacles while facing many sides. The movie actually has a lot more action than one would think. I would say that half of the movie consists of shooting action and the other half explaining the story and the progression of it. There are also a few tragic twists that I didn’t expect to happen at all. I love movies that aren’t predictable, and this definitely satisfied me. 

I don’t think this is a movie that has many clever scenes and dialogue. But this film’s plot, and the entire idea and concept of the film is what makes this movie. The acting is really good, and believable. This Sci-fi thriller gives me a inspirational feeling in how its directed. This is not some typical movie where characters fall and love and everyone lives happily ever after. Its realistic in regards to the situation, and is very inspirational. You cant help but to like Clive Owens character, and also Michael Cane. Overall i think that this movie was very good. I highly recommend this movie and give it 5 stars.

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City Of God

City of God was directed by Katia Lund, and Fernando Meirelles. It was released in 2002, and the language throughout the whole film is Portugese. This film is based off of the Gang warfare in the slums of Rio De Janiero. The first time i had watched this film, i was amazed and blown away. I love how the story is told from Rocket, the main character's point of view. The way he introduces the characters and their stories are very clever and interested. It is as if he is actually telling the viewers the story of how the ghettos of Rio De Janiero came to be. I have seen a lot of gangster/crime movies and this is one of the few that greatly stands out to me. The number one thing that i always look for in a movie, is the storyline.

No doubt, this story line was absolutely intriguing, interesting and gritty. I didn't really pay that much attention to the music during the film besides a club scene playing, "Kung Fu Fighting," because i was so concentrated on the story line and guessing what would happen next, but i do remember the lighting being really good. At ominous parts, the light would be dark and shadow the characters and the surroundings. When it was a normal or happy scene, the light would be very light, mostly being out in the sun or outdoors. I felt the directors directed this film very well. How the different camera angles, and lightings are directed before a crucial scene is perfect. The movie is pretty fast paced, with so many killings and different types of stories. But this is what makes the movie so good. Usually when a strong character is killed off, the movie starts to suck or you start to wish he/she was still in it. But in City of God you can care less if he/she is still in the story cause your so engaged in the story and new characters. In the end, everything comes together and in the end you have a beautiful gangster movie and story. Especially since this film is based off of a true story.

City of God is not just one brutal murder after another, it also consists of humor and  has a feel good feeling to it. When there isn't killings and the story progresses to the money making and how the City of God profits start to rise due to Lil Ze, the film has the feel good feeling of watching them make money and grow. Also when the characters are just simply chilling, every scene you can notice the character developments. It kind of allows the viewers to root for the criminals. But when the drug war starts to get more intense, the story starts to get into some serious gun fights over turf. When there is a serious part, or a sad moment, the directors still seem to throw some comedy in the following scenes or prior scenes. I think thats what makes this movie so unique from other gangster filcks. It has comedy, brutality, thrills, great acting, and like i said before a sick ass plot.

Being that the film wasn't made in the U.S. it didn't have any famous actors or actresses, but yet the acting was really good. Not only was the story interesting, but every single character in this movie either has a strong personalities or a crazy one.They all have a sole purpose for the film, from Lil Ze to the Runts. Overall, i strongly recommend this film and give it five stars

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