Andrew Panaretos (Rewster)

The Rescuers Down Under G

One of Disney's most underrated films. This may be because it was released between two absolute masterpieces, 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Beauty and the Beast', and in fact being amongst the Disney renaissance. This is a late sequel to 'The Rescuers', which was released 11 years prior. What we have here is a vast improvement. A simple rescue story which is boosted by thrilling set pieces, entertaining characters and a mysterious Australian outback setting.

The Hangover Part II R

A shameless money grab from Hollywood. I mean, when a sequel is so much like the original in plot development, character development, and jokes/comedy, like The Hangover Part II is, then there really is no reason for it to exist other than Hollywood milking the original's concept for all it's worth. This sequel is almost exactly like the original except swap the setting from Las Vegas for Bangkok, the missing character from Doug to the new brother in law, Teddy, and lessen the quality of some of the jokes.

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.