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Reviews
The One (2001)
Get your butt kicked into the next world....
Jet Li goes around dishing out death to himself, closely followed by Jason 'bad American accent' Statham and Delroy 'bit part' Lindo. Otherwise the cast are all good, and Jet Li is.....well, Jet Li.
The camera work and photography follow the current trend of fast edited 'dynamic shots' of no real importance other than 'gee that looks cool'. Still, it's got a lot of style.
The problem is (as with many action films)the story. There are several inconsistencies with the Multiverse concept, and the idea isn't explored as much as it should have been. Intertwined is the typical love interest thing, though you probably won't care (I didn't). The dialogue is typical of the genre. Jason Statham's fluctuating US accent is laughable at best. It's a shame though, as I am actually a big fan.
Lots of people are going to say that the special effects in 'The One' are ripped straight from 'The Matrix'. Truth is that some are, but I still found myself thinking how cool they looked, and how well done they are. Part of the credit for that has to go to Jet Li himself. If you watch the DVD extras you'll see pre-digital the footage; and it's amazing. As are the rest of the DVD special features: a real deluxe disc.
The One is a definite rent, and worth owning too. It's not revolutionary though, and I'd put it on a par with 'Romeo Must Die'.
7/10(I like!).
Long Time Dead (2002)
The best British horror film in over a decade
I didn't think I'd like this movie at all. The over the top advertising and awful trailers didn't help. I rented it because it was all that was left (that I hadn't seen) at the Video Shop. Lucky for me!
This is an excellent (an underrated) horror film. More subtle than most; the power of suggestion is very apparent, and used with intelligence. The performances are all excellent, including memorable performances by Lucas Haas and Joe Absolom. The movie is paced brilliantly, and thus creates moments of genuine tension. I can only admire this film, and considering it's comparativly low budget and it being Marcus Adam's first; they've done an excellent job. The photography and lighting are also used with expertise which greatly add to the experience.
I'm surprised that the story works so well too, considering that there are seven writing credits, combined with the fact that it's about the biggest cliche: The Ouija Board.
8/10 : The best British horror film since the brilliant 'An American Werewolf In London'
Now comes the wait for 'Dog Soldiers'!
Get Carter (2000)
It hurts me to say it, but another misfire from Stallone...
I must confess I hadn't seen the original Get Carter before watching this.
I'm glad, this way I'm not biased.
Carter is a 'heavy' for a loanshark. When he hears about his brothers death he travels back to his home town he left years ago to dish out some pain, and (of course) play father to his Brother's daughter. What follows is a gangster farce about porn, hookers and 'Mr. Bigs'. Sounds cool?, in fact Sly even looks cool, but unfortunately it isn't.
Get Carter (2002) is one of the best looking movies stallone has ever been cast in. The cinematography of Mauro Fiore (Training Day) is exquisite. It's a shame that Director Stephen Kay couldn't match that. And I'm not sure what went wrong with the editing (strange, because it was the same guy who edited 'Apocalypse Now'). The Film just feels out of sync. It doesnt flow very well at all. The action is good(if too sparse) but seems to have an unwelcome comedy feel to it throughout. John McGinley, and Mickey Rourke in particular, give excellent performances as the bad guys. What bothers me is Stallone's attempt to play a 'hard man' and 'long lost loving uncle' at the same time. It just doesn't work. Stallone isn't helped either by the rest of the cast which boasts Rhona Mitra as a main character(with a particularly poor performance). Miranda Richardson suffers too in this movie as Carter's Brother's wife. Surprisingly, Michael Caine makes a cameo too, although I can't help thinking I wish he hadn't.
It could have been brilliant, but instead it's (dare I say it) a hard to follow, badly paced, and forgettable film. That sounds bad, but it's still worth a rent though (even just for the fact it looks great).
I'll give it 5/10. Average.