Wow,
Long day today, Renaissance Festival, and Friend hang outs,. capped with the Amazing Prisoners starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal
I'll update with Ren Fest stuff in a later post, this one is all about the Review!
Pros:
Holy Crap, I loved this film. It's an amazing movie. I went into it rather tired from the long day, yet I never once felt tired throughout the movie. It hooked me right away and it stayed with me all the way through to the end.
I'm not going to spoil the ending but I loved it, It was perfect. Even though there were tons of groans from the audience, Just use your brain and think before reacting, it is the perfect ending.
The best parts of the film were the Writing, acting, and Cinematography. I'll do individual sections for each.
Cons:
Well, It's hard to come up with any cons honestly, It was a long movie, but it wasn't bad at all, I loved that it took its time and didn't feel the need to be short and brisk.
I personally didn't have a problem with the subject matter but I can see where the subject would turn people off, it's a very very dark movie and never fluffs up the movie for the audience. There were a few people in the audience cringing and groaning throughout the film, but I was transfixed the whole time.
Writing:
To me the best part of the movie was the writing. above the acting and Cinematography the writing was spotless. it dealt with the grief of the parents perfectly, and the frustration and inner turmoil of the Detective. The story unfolded perfectly, setting clues early on and taking its time laying out the breadcrumbs leading out to the perfect ending. The movie never devolved to shock value or cheap gags. it always felt natural and overall I loved it.
Acting:
Hugh jackman could earn a nomination for this movie, it was a great portrayal, starting as likable then just going downhill from there. shattering and falling apart as the film goes on the scenes with Paul Dano were agonizing to watch, and not because of the violence but because of the inner turmoil on Jackman's face. Perfect.
Gyllenhaal was very different as Detective Loki (loki?) and I wanted to learn more about the tattoos and such, i'd love to hear the backstory of his character and how Gyllenhaal came at portraying the character. but he was much different than he usually plays.
The rest of the actors were great and none of them felt out of place. you felt bad for just about everyone in the film.
Cinematography:
Not often do I point out the camera work in a movie. but this one was great, the choices in shots were very unsettling and kept me on edge throughout the whole thing. Shots purposely hid parts of the action at times, leading to a disorientation that fit perfectly with the movie. i love when a director and cinematographer take time to sculpt out the movie with the camera instead of just showing us the action and cashing in.
Comparisons:
Prisoners reminds me of Zodiac by David Fincher and the Korean Thriller The Chaser (one of my top 5 movies of all time) dark nature and gut wrenching when it needs to be.
Final Verdict: 95
Perfect movie, top notch acting, writing, cinematography and production design.
So there it is, a surprisingly amazing film in the doldrums of the fall. Go see it! it's what a movie should be, I left the film with an emotional reaction, that doesnt happen often.
Long day today, Renaissance Festival, and Friend hang outs,. capped with the Amazing Prisoners starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal
I'll update with Ren Fest stuff in a later post, this one is all about the Review!
MOVIE REVIEW: Prisoners
Pros:
Holy Crap, I loved this film. It's an amazing movie. I went into it rather tired from the long day, yet I never once felt tired throughout the movie. It hooked me right away and it stayed with me all the way through to the end.
I'm not going to spoil the ending but I loved it, It was perfect. Even though there were tons of groans from the audience, Just use your brain and think before reacting, it is the perfect ending.
The best parts of the film were the Writing, acting, and Cinematography. I'll do individual sections for each.
Cons:
Well, It's hard to come up with any cons honestly, It was a long movie, but it wasn't bad at all, I loved that it took its time and didn't feel the need to be short and brisk.
I personally didn't have a problem with the subject matter but I can see where the subject would turn people off, it's a very very dark movie and never fluffs up the movie for the audience. There were a few people in the audience cringing and groaning throughout the film, but I was transfixed the whole time.
Writing:
To me the best part of the movie was the writing. above the acting and Cinematography the writing was spotless. it dealt with the grief of the parents perfectly, and the frustration and inner turmoil of the Detective. The story unfolded perfectly, setting clues early on and taking its time laying out the breadcrumbs leading out to the perfect ending. The movie never devolved to shock value or cheap gags. it always felt natural and overall I loved it.
Acting:
Hugh jackman could earn a nomination for this movie, it was a great portrayal, starting as likable then just going downhill from there. shattering and falling apart as the film goes on the scenes with Paul Dano were agonizing to watch, and not because of the violence but because of the inner turmoil on Jackman's face. Perfect.
Gyllenhaal was very different as Detective Loki (loki?) and I wanted to learn more about the tattoos and such, i'd love to hear the backstory of his character and how Gyllenhaal came at portraying the character. but he was much different than he usually plays.
The rest of the actors were great and none of them felt out of place. you felt bad for just about everyone in the film.
Cinematography:
Not often do I point out the camera work in a movie. but this one was great, the choices in shots were very unsettling and kept me on edge throughout the whole thing. Shots purposely hid parts of the action at times, leading to a disorientation that fit perfectly with the movie. i love when a director and cinematographer take time to sculpt out the movie with the camera instead of just showing us the action and cashing in.
Comparisons:
Prisoners reminds me of Zodiac by David Fincher and the Korean Thriller The Chaser (one of my top 5 movies of all time) dark nature and gut wrenching when it needs to be.
Final Verdict: 95
Perfect movie, top notch acting, writing, cinematography and production design.
So there it is, a surprisingly amazing film in the doldrums of the fall. Go see it! it's what a movie should be, I left the film with an emotional reaction, that doesnt happen often.
Nice review. A wonderful cast that's been perfectly assembled, but an even better story to go along with them as well.
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