My Favorite Movies

Jurassic Park; Michael Crichton's infamous book turned into the the blockbuster defining, CGI creating, Steven Spielberg mega movie. The book pre-dates the film by just a year or so, after Spielberg and Crichton met and decided to create this landmark film. The film is so special because with out it, modern CGI would not have been created. Spielberg and his SFX team formed technology that has revolutionised the industry. Everyone knows the premise, but what made this film more than a story was the superb believable casts acting, and the plot which has basically foreseen the future (the ability to grow and clone animals). Personally this is my favourite film of all time, and definitely one of Spielberg's best (this list of Spielberg's films is crazily amazing). This film is a must see!

Tarantino; the best contemporary director? I think so. With huge hits (Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction coupled with Jackie Brown, From Dusk Till Dawn, and True Romance) comes the ultimate in revenge films. The infamous Tarantino non-linear storyline, reveals Uma Thurman's character, dressed in a bridal gown beaten to a pulp shadowed by a figurine known as Bill, in the opening scene. As the chaptered scenes progress we see The Bride (Thurman) take revenge against the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, the team that tried to murder her. In Volume One Tarantino treats us by revealing The Brides revenge on O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu) and Vernita Green (Vivica A Fox); as well as revealing Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah) and Budd (Michael Madsen). This film is pure Tarantino with references to Samurai and Hong Kong Martial Arts Films, Italian Horror, Spaghetti Westerns, Yakuza, Exploitation, and references to pop culture and homages to other films; most blatantly the Shaw Brothers films. The film is cool, sleek, exciting, and overly violent; the cast is brilliant and shows Uma Thurman at her best. A must see movie for everyone.

I could write way too much for a review of this film. This is one of Tarantino's best, and arguably one of the best films ever made. It is a warsploitation, mixed with spaghetti westerns most notably. The usual 1970s look and feel of a Tarantino film is present; scored and shot as a perfect homage. The plot is deep and complex, yet allows all audiences to understand, by splitting the film into his usual chaptered sequences, each with a particular style, packed with references from his vast knowledge of film. The cast is superb, each actor fulfilling their role excellently. Although advertised as a Brad Pitt movie to the USA and UK audiences Christoph Waltz steals the film. Diane Kruger plays the most pivotal role however. The film is instantly quotable and many scenes stuck with me; my favourite being the scene showing Shosanna preparing for the Première, accompanied by David Bowie's soundtrack "Putting Out Fire With Gasoline". This has been the best film I have seen this year, and one of the most fun I have ever watched. This is a definite must see, whether or not you like war films, or action films, or Tarantino as a director / writer; this is a film to see. Can't wait to watch it again!