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travis-lipshus
Reviews
Amadeus (1984)
What just happened?
Amadeus. A twisted story of the prodigy and genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the most brilliant composer of all time who according to this film was a young rock star who somehow wrote boozed up masterpieces all day while dealing with a persistent fever.
Set in the late 1700s, Amadeus is a classical biopic directed by Milos Forman who seems to have given the musical genius some annoying habits like an ugly boring wife and a ridiculous laugh that he insists on delivering time after time.
Mozart's supposed secret rival, Antonio Salieri, a sleazy jealous wog, who years later finds himself in an insane asylum on a confessing bender to a priest tells the story of Mozart with help from a harmonious soundtrack.
This movie won Oscars, eight of them, so it can be a bit boring. This 1984 cast has reserved Mozart for most annoying character who is aptly played by Tom Dulce. The god crazy rival, Salieri, whom begins the movie by trying to kill himself is fine tuned by F. Murray Abraham.
God is referenced repeatedly (even the title) and is the motive behind the frustrated Salieri. Beginning his confession from youth, Antonio Salieri describes his love of god/music and hate of Mozart the tramp leading to his downfall, the confession bender.
The opera and classical performances scattered within this film are thoroughly enjoyable and authentic being filmed in the original theatre Mozart performed them in Prague. Important to note, the film isn't historically accurate though which is great for catching douche bags at parties as a conversation trap.
The extras of the eighties deserve extra credit for their ability to outperform their contemporary counterparts (and most actors of the eighties) in something that should be straightforward, but never is now. No characters demand more screen time than the tormentor and tormented which the story revolves around.
As the film progresses and Mozart's talent, Salieri's character evolves from praising god to hating him whilst using everything in his power to secretly ruin his rival. As Wolfgang degenerates into a sickly mess he leaves his house less frequently providing...
The most horrific scenes of the film. They always occur when anyone attempts to contact Mozart via knocking on his door. The repeating drone of the door being loudly hit shatters what precious mood you've managed to absorb from the costumed lineup.
The failure of Salieri's plan is evident with his decayed elderly form juxtaposed regularly with his retelling. Well worth watching if you have any respect or passion for music.
Everything in moderation, even god. I give this two and a half joints.
By Travis Lipshus for more reviews goto http://travislipshus.blogspot.com.au/
Flashbacks of a Fool (2008)
Such is life
Flashbacks of a Fool. Daniel Craig proving his ability outside of Bond has played patron to both lead actor and executive producer in this cagey 2008 film. He plays aged actor Joe Scott, a Hollywood veteran who experiences a rude awakening for the shallowness of his life when fame begins to fade. His life, that of copious amounts of cocaine use, an abundance of loose sex with beautiful women, expensive wine and no real connection to anything just isn't going well allegedly.
Meet young Joe Scott, the star of the second act and most of the film played by Harry Eden who delivers a powerful performance exploring the romanticism of the female and her sexual fruits for most of the film. Joe as a teenage boy supplies the detail and meaning for act one, the cause of a washed up crackhead years down the track.
Written and directed by Baillie Walsh who has a sterling resume of involvement in music producing previous documentaries on INXS, Oasis and Massive attack, develops in the story great nostalgic rhythms created by a host of details but the soundtrack especially, a dilemma of David Bowie and early Roxy music.
An even greater Romanticist than Amory Blaine, every sexual encounter for Joe Scott is like speeding round a blind corner, indeed the first shot of young Joe is of him and his best friend masturbating together. Here builds the reason (they're not gay) for his returning to England for his old friends funeral in act three.
The casting is correct providing the trimming to already well characterised and emotional identifiable roles. This allows nostalgia to sweep you along with the second acts new adolescent pace connecting stories recited by your parents and filling it with everyones common knowledge of fashion and hey I'm not discounting epigenetic memory either.
Costume design is fantastic the familiarity of the present and retro delivered near perfect again being helped along by the casting. The awesome cinematography beginning with the splendid blue horizon in the beach side Malibu coastline contrasted against the rugged British summer and their excuse of a beach.
With some eventful appearances from Eve, Mark Strong and Gina Athans (see below) its worth watching just for the off chance the film incites some feeling in you lost by the bashing of hollywoods seasonal crap.
Just one of the women Joe Scott penetrates The ending ties the first two acts together, barely and far too bluntly as if lacking closure to some (my girlfriends sister) but the emotional carry through from the middle defining point allows it to sublimely close, at least for me, being stoned does help.
If you enjoy good music and diabolical sluts then you'll be stoked. Its two out of five joints!
By Travis Lipshus, for more reviews check out http://travislipshus.blogspot.com.au/