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johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies ... my own version (2000's) list
Notes: First of all, this movie was really gorgeous and it was something really unexpected from Ang Lee, considering he just directed a Western (‘Ride with Devil’), a 70's drama (‘The Ice Storm’) and a periode piece (‘Sense and sensibility’). The first time I saw this movie, it was my first contact with the wuxia genre and I really liked this flick, it gave also a new international exposure to this genre and many really neat movies followed like 'Hero' and 'House of Flying Daggers' both directed by Zhang Yimou. To be honest, after all these years, I was actually rather surprised by how small the scope actually was. Indeed, except for a fight scene in a restaurant, you usually get only a handful of characters involved. It doesn't mean that it was an issue and I especially enjoyed the sweet and gentle relationship between Li Mu Bai an Yu Shu Lien. Eventually, they would release a sequel 16 years later, produced by Netflix, but I have some serious doubts that it is really worth a look but maybe I will check it out at some point.4 years, 2 months ago
johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies Chosen By Johanlefourbe list
Notes: First of all, this movie was really gorgeous and it was something really unexpected from Ang Lee, considering he just directed a Western (‘Ride with Devil’), a 70's drama (‘The Ice Storm’) and a periode piece (‘Sense and sensibility’). The first time I saw this movie, it was my first contact with the wuxia genre and I really liked this flick, it gave also a new international exposure to this genre and many really neat movies followed like 'Hero' and 'House of Flying Daggers' both directed by Zhang Yimou. To be honest, after all these years, I was actually rather surprised by how small the scope actually was. Indeed, except for a fight scene in a restaurant, you usually get only a handful of characters involved. It doesn't mean that it was an issue and I especially enjoyed the sweet and gentle relationship between Li Mu Bai an Yu Shu Lien. Eventually, they would release a sequel 16 years later, produced by Netflix, but I have some serious doubts that it is really worth a look but maybe I will check it out at some point.4 years, 2 months ago
johanlefourbe posted a review of The Invisible Man
“I didn't have some huge expectations concerning this movie but since I kept hearing some good things about it, I thought I might as well check it out. Well, following the huge flop of ‘The Mummy’, Universal cancelled their Dark Universe for the 2nd time (They had already failed with ‘Dracula U” read more
4 years, 2 months ago
johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies ... my own version (1960's) list
Notes: Well, it is such a solid and entertaining WWII feature. First of all, the cast was pretty neat (Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn) and they all delivered some solid performances, especially Steve McQueen who was at the top of his game at the time. And, of course, it is a fun movie, that’s for sure but, after rewatching it, I was actually surprised that most of it was actually pretty realistic. Sure, some of the details were not really convincing. For example, even though it was supposed to be a high-security prison, there was barely any checks from the guards but, still, most of it made sense. Furthermore, I was also positively surprised by the ending. Indeed, even though the whole thing was rather light, the ending was actually pretty dark (they were actually planning to have 250 inmates to escape, 75 got out, 50 got shot and only a handful actually managed to really escape after all). Anyway, even if it is not one of my favorite WWII movies, it is a genuine classic.4 years, 2 months ago
johanlefourbe added 1 item to Top 10 best movies 2020 list
Notes: To be honest, I still think the concept was really flimsy but there is no doubt that Leigh Whannell made the most of it. Indeed, in spite of its title which was there only for some marketing purposes, he basically made the ultimate stalker movie and the fact that the guy had the possibility of becoming invisible was eventually almost an afterthought. Well, I have never been a huge fan of the stalker genre but what made this movie still work was above all another fearless performance by Elisabeth Moss. Indeed, from the very beginning, her character was just so completely strung out and only became worse as the movie moved along. In this genre, they usually shows the main character has being terribly strong and resilient but, here, they put much more focus on the psychological turmoil experienced by this woman and, combined with a strong performance from Moss, it was really compelling to behold. However, this movie still followed the rules of the genre and, during the 3rd act, the main character completely changed and became some kind of super vigilante. It was not really surprising but not only it vastly contradicted the rest of the movie, it was above all hardly satisfying. Anyway, even if it was not really ground-breaking after all, it was still a decent thriller.4 years, 2 months ago
johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies ... my own version (2010's) list
Notes: To be honest, even though it was indeed really good, I don't think it was really so great after all. I have actually a strong feeling that many critics and viewers have overpraised this movie because everybody pretty much dismissed its predecessor when it was released when it was in fact a masterpiece so, this time around, they didn't want to feel like some idiots. Anyway, coming back to our main feature, sure, it was visually really neat and it was quite amazing to come back to this fascinating futuristic world but it was not as groundbreaking as I expected. Same thing about the story, I mean, it was pretty neat to see a sequel coming so long after the previous installment with a really decent story but, once again, the story in 'Blade Runner' worked better for me and I didn't help that the damned thing was just so long. Even the soundtrack which was very nice was not present enough in my opinion. On the positive side, I really loved how they developed Ryan Gosling's character who was really complex and constantly interesting and entertaining. Anyway, don't believe the hype, it was a very good movie, no doubt about it, and Denis Villeneuve displayed once again that he is easily one of the best directors at work nowadays, but it is probably not a revolutionary masterpiece like its predecessor was and still is.4 years, 2 months ago
johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies Chosen By Johanlefourbe list
Notes: Well, it is such a solid and entertaining WWII feature. First of all, the cast was pretty neat (Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn) and they all delivered some solid performances, especially Steve McQueen who was at the top of his game at the time. And, of course, it is a fun movie, that’s for sure but, after rewatching it, I was actually surprised that most of it was actually pretty realistic. Sure, some of the details were not really convincing. For example, even though it was supposed to be a high-security prison, there was barely any checks from the guards but, still, most of it made sense. Furthermore, I was also positively surprised by the ending. Indeed, even though the whole thing was rather light, the ending was actually pretty dark (they were actually planning to have 250 inmates to escape, 75 got out, 50 got shot and only a handful actually managed to really escape after all). Anyway, even if it is not one of my favorite WWII movies, it is a genuine classic.4 years, 2 months ago
johanlefourbe posted a review of The Blue Kite
“I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this flick but since it seemed to have a decent reputation, I was quite eager to check it out. Well, to be honest, I did struggle to really connect with this movie. I mean, it did give an interesting and really bleak view on the life in China back in the 50” read more
4 years, 2 months ago
johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies Chosen By Johanlefourbe list
Notes: To be honest, even though it was indeed really good, I don't think it was really so great after all. I have actually a strong feeling that many critics and viewers have overpraised this movie because everybody pretty much dismissed its predecessor when it was released when it was in fact a masterpiece so, this time around, they didn't want to feel like some idiots. Anyway, coming back to our main feature, sure, it was visually really neat and it was quite amazing to come back to this fascinating futuristic world but it was not as groundbreaking as I expected. Same thing about the story, I mean, it was pretty neat to see a sequel coming so long after the previous installment with a really decent story but, once again, the story in 'Blade Runner' worked better for me and I didn't help that the damned thing was just so long. Even the soundtrack which was very nice was not present enough in my opinion. On the positive side, I really loved how they developed Ryan Gosling's character who was really complex and constantly interesting and entertaining. Anyway, don't believe the hype, it was a very good movie, no doubt about it, and Denis Villeneuve displayed once again that he is easily one of the best directors at work nowadays, but it is probably not a revolutionary masterpiece like its predecessor was and still is.4 years, 2 months ago
johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies ... my own version (2000's) list
Notes: This flick is probably one of the last Asian flicks that I have seen that truly blew me away. Recently, I have re-watched it with my step-son. Honestly, I don't know why but I thought it could be a fun movie to watch with him. Eventually, I'm afraid he wished there were more fighting scenes and I think the poor fellow was rather bored by the whole thing. Anyway, just like the previous times I watched it, I really loved it. To be honest, I'm not big fan of Jet Li and this movie is probably the only one he made that I really enjoyed. Basically, the story was really entertaining but, most of all, it has to be one of the most gorgeous movies I have ever seen. Indeed, every single scene was basically a beautiful canvas and the whole movie was an impressive combination of sword fighting, music, calligraphy, conspiracies and love intrigues. It also reminded me of another great Asian movie, 'Rashomon', in the way that the same events was displayed from 3 different perspectives.4 years, 2 months ago