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gwensteiner
Reviews
Ran (1985)
Tale of power, corruption, treachery, vengeance
Akira Kurosawa's Ran is a splendidly crafted tale of power, corruption, treachery, vengeance & insanity and is efficiently realised on the film canvas with its meticulous set pieces, sweeping camera-work & committed performances but its overlong runtime & glacial pace may not go well with everyone.
The story of Ran follows a powerful but elderly warlord who hands over his vast empire to his three sons after choosing to retire. Expecting his sons to maintain harmony amongst themselves & keep the kingdom united, he vastly underestimates the corrupting nature of power he had just bestowed upon them and haplessly watches them turn on each other as well as him.
Co-written, edited & directed by Akira Kurosawa, Ran is an ambitious production by all means and Kurosawa leaves no stone unturned to recreate the era his narrative is set in. Making effective use of colour palette, long-shot photography, vast landscapes, period-specific costumes & extensive list of extras, it delivers as an epic but what benefits it most is the strong foundation in the script.
Despite all the chaos brewing in the kingdom, Ran is mainly about the downfall of a once mighty king and covers his descent into madness. Taking inspiration from Shakespeare's play, it weaves an original storyline that's quite interesting and its central character's arc is just as compelling but the slow pace at which its plot unfurls and the many meanderings in the middle does make it a difficult sit at times.
Coming to the acting department, the entire cast delivers sincere performances and play their part responsibly, with Tatsuya Nakadai impressing the most as the elderly warlord in what's a powerfully gripping & highly expressive rendering that nearly overshadows the input of the rest of the actors. Also worthy of mention is its background score that brims with a haunting vibe and aptly captures the film's somber mood.
On an overall scale, Ran is a competently directed, deftly written, expertly layered, elegantly shot & brilliantly performed cinema that does many things right over the course of its 162 mins runtime but is still not without its shortcomings. There are moments in it that linger on for too long and the dull pace, even if it is deliberate, doesn't help its cause either. All in all, Akira Kurosawa's last epic is an ambitious showcase of power & madness but it isn't as rewarding as I expected it to be.
20 Minutes (2023)
What a film!
This movie had me crying, laughing, praying and totally getting lost as this missile descends on the characters. This is arguably the most beautiful film ever made. It drips of courage, redemption, and sacrifice unseen in our society today. Literally, you must see this film or you miss out on something truly breathtaking. The filmmakers understood this and hit a home-run with this movie. Human connection is the theme of the film and in watching it you will find yourself evaluating your life and what matters to you and what you want in life. This movie offers terrific, sharp writing, great acting, solid pacing and perfect use of music as well, and a great blend of faith and tear-jerking drama. .. For me, this movie earns a rare 10/10! A stunning film from start to end.
Journey to Hell (2022)
If Your A Christian, This Movie is a MUST SEE!
I know there are a lot of critics out there who will say horrible things about this movie, but if you are a practicing Christian and consider reading the Word of God and Prayer for others a worthwhile pursuit, then this movie is the right one for you. I will not spoil the movie for you, but really listen to what the old wise pastor had to say because hell is REAL.
Don't leave this earth rejecting Christ.
As for those who call themselves Christians and continue to criticize, mock and make fun of the movie, I can only point out Psalm 1:
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.