I was able to see the new Martin Scorsese film, "Bringing out the Dead", at a screening on 19th street on August 3rd. (I've supplied this info so that you'll know this review is for real).
Scorsese's new flick is a meandering, plotless film, completely unsure of itself from start to finish. The story is centered around a troubled paramedic (Nic Cage) who's haunted by the ghosts of those he's lost on the job and is, it seems, on the verge of a complete nervous brokedown.
That's the story. At times, "Dead" is quite funny, using a dark-comedy-like strength to carry the picture. But Scorsese's film implodes in its attempts to be compelling. Partly due to Nicolas Cage's dull and lifeless performance, and partly because of Pat Arquette's underwritten and underacted one.
The breathe of fresh air in this fog-filled flick is Ving Rhames, who exudes energy. When he's on screen, the hunger for greatness is gone, but when he's off screen, you're drooling for more. Scorsese gets over-stylish, making his film seem more like a music video and less like the Martin Scorsese that has made some of the finest films of this century. Grade : D+
Scorsese's new flick is a meandering, plotless film, completely unsure of itself from start to finish. The story is centered around a troubled paramedic (Nic Cage) who's haunted by the ghosts of those he's lost on the job and is, it seems, on the verge of a complete nervous brokedown.
That's the story. At times, "Dead" is quite funny, using a dark-comedy-like strength to carry the picture. But Scorsese's film implodes in its attempts to be compelling. Partly due to Nicolas Cage's dull and lifeless performance, and partly because of Pat Arquette's underwritten and underacted one.
The breathe of fresh air in this fog-filled flick is Ving Rhames, who exudes energy. When he's on screen, the hunger for greatness is gone, but when he's off screen, you're drooling for more. Scorsese gets over-stylish, making his film seem more like a music video and less like the Martin Scorsese that has made some of the finest films of this century. Grade : D+