Andrew Panaretos (Rewster)

Deliverance R

'Deliverance' is a film brilliantly directed by John Boorman with outstanding performances from his cast. The story of four city slickers who go on a river canoe camping trip who find themslves attacked by hillbilles is presented as a great suspense film. Like most great suspense films, such suspense is slowly built upon. When the shocking and intense scenes do arrive, you can feel your heart race as the scenes become almost unwatchable even though you cannot look away. This is a sad story of innocence lost and finding what humans are capable of when under the right, or wrong, circumstances. Harrowing and tragic. Also, I must mention the brilliant performances from Jon Voight and Burt Reynolds especially. What fine actors they once were.

Star Trek PG-13

I never got into Star Trek. I had some knowledge of the concept and the characters and the original cast, but I was never a "Trekkie". This reboot of the franchise makes for great entertainment for those who aren't Trek fans like myself. The character development and special effects are what's most impressive. The main plot is descent enough, albeit with a few cliches. Eric Bana's villain was one of the weaker points of the film, as his character was a little underdeveloped and cliche. However, Chris Pine as Captain Jim Krk (originally played by William Shatner) was excellent as the cool, funny rebel, and even better was Zachary Quinto's portrayal as Spock (originally played by Leonard Nimoy, who also features here). Star Trek fans will love this, but you don't have to be a "Trekkie" to enjoy it.

GoodFellas R

Before 1990, Martin Scorsese had already released not one, but two absolute masterpieces in the form of 'Taxi Driver' (1976) and 'Raging Bull' (1980) respectively. Very few directors have created even one film that can match the greatness of either of these films such is how remarkable Scorsese's achievement is. However Mr. Scorsese wasn't done. In 1990 he returned to the world of gangsters he had previously visited in 'Mean Streets' and released yet another superb, brilliant, astounding, amazing and down right awesome masterpiece called 'GoodFellas'. While 'Mean Streets' touched upon the way gangsters work, 'GoodFellas' gives the closest, in-depth, in-your-face, look in the world of the mafia in America than any other movie ever. The film opens with goodfellas, Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), Tommy DeVito (Jow Pesci) and Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro) opening the boot of their car to find the bloody body of a "made-man" they tried to "wack" is still alive, so they finish the job with a few stabs of the knife and a few shots of the pistol. Henry closes the boot door and his voice-over narrates "As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster". This opening is a perfect way to set up the movie. It throws the viewer straight into the world of gangsters with intensity and violence. This is the tone of the entire film and Scorsese never hold's up. The performances are realistic and believable. Everyone is so good. Liotta in the lead role of Henry is fascinating as he takes us along a ride, showing us his life of royalty, getting whatever he wants by way of violence. This is how gangsters live, there is no sugar-coating. Robert De Niro as Jimmy gives a cool, yet cold and intimidating performance. Once the police are on his tail, his paranoia is quite scary. Only De Niro could pull it off so perfectly. But the film's best performance comes from Joe Pesci as the unpredictable, violent psychopathic Tommy. He can change mood at the weirdest times. Laughing and joking around with friends, Henry calls him a funny guy...big mistake. 'Taxi Driver' and 'Raging Bull' showed us what Scorsese was capable of; telling dark, fascinating character-studies with great technique. But 'GoodFellas' surpasses even those masterpieces. It's a film that is usually labelled one of the greatest gangster films of all time. But it's more than a gangster film. It's a film where technique takes a simple story and erupts into an amazing movie-going experience, and a work of art. Scorsese uses all his powers; whip-pans, crash zooms, slow motion, jump cuts, time-lapse, freeze frames, narration and an awesome soundtrack. If there ever was such a thing as the single greatest movie ever, my choice is 'GoodFellas'.

The Godfather, Part II R

The best sequel ever made. Part I was about a man's inner struggle and change, how he attains power. In Part II he is a ruthless leader who rules with an iron fist. Pacino's portrayal as the tortured Michael is the best acting performance ever, while De Niro as young Vito is also compelling. Coppola's artistic direction excels that of Part I as he is able to weave two stories together in comparison with one-another. The film has a dark and sinister feel which is grimmer than Part I. It's a masterpiece.