scott gibbons (scottydgibbs)

The Cold Light of Day PG-13

This is my first introduction to the new Superman "Henry Cavill" and while this in no ways a fantastic film, for a entertaining piece of fun it has something and Cavill shows he has what it takes to carry a film, he runs around a lot shouts for his family and runs some more so its no big stretch but the film entertains in a way a action film/on the run film should do at times, some pretty decent action set pieces when needee using the Spanish city of Madrid well, and as a tourist video of course, the story total b movie "we want the suitcase back" and a not totally convincing Sigourney weaver phoneing it in as the rogue baddy. Willis lending a bit of support also okay. so its no classic but it entertains and when action starts its worthy.

Headhunters R

A norwegian thriller which starts off as one film then moves into diferent territory very well, Aksei Hennie is marvellous here as the Headhunter for major corporations sidelining in stealing art, replaceing the art with a cheap knockoff to cover tracks then selling original for a price, but things get rather complicated when a prospect turns up played by Nikojai Coster Waldau, and from here the film plays very well and our lead doesnt know how to deal with this new situation, the film has some great devices to move us along, strong violence at times action beats when needed and scenes you just dont want to be in(toilet poo) Hennie at the start plays his charactor like a more handsome Steve Bushemi and we see his life well, even some touches of humour moving us along hidinmg for whats to come. a film thats never dull, and come final outcome you know "yeah the US will remake this. like Point Bliank last year, a film in production, Let the right one in, Anything for her, THe girl with the dragon tattoo, these films are being remade for people thart dont want to read before the ink on the film is dry, so get to see them fresh when you can.

Taxi Driver R

scorsese and deniro step up a gear after mean streets and create a genuine classic of 70s cinema, deniro is travis bickle, a newyork cabbie and vietnam veteran, who drives the streets, just doing his job, but is sickend by what he sees going on, the crime rate, and the general state of the city, its here he eyes up betsy, played by cibil sheperd, a campaine worker, for palantine, a candidate campaighning for election, he gets to go on a date with her, but blows it by taking her to a pawn film, this adds to his personal problems, but he also meets iris a 12 year old prostitute working the city, he sees in iris whats wrong with the city and wants to help her out, but her pimp, played by harvey keitlel controls her life, these things that happen to him pushes him further into despair, as travis buys guns and gets into more desperation, its clear to him what hes gotta do, free iris, and assassinate palentine, as he ses he is no better, than any other politician, deniro is suberb in this film, a really convincing portrayal of a man in possibly depression, this is why the 70s for me is the golden age, and with cities in america being at there most violent, it really helped film, and n.y york is a charactor in this film, you really see society and violence there in front of you, you dont get that in todays films, nothing looks more gritty than newyork films of the 70s, foster and keitel are also superb, and foster who was around 12 at the time is amazing, keurel reuniting with scorsese after mean streets, is good, scorsese shows the potential, that will cement his career, and wit later films like after hours bringing out the dead, goodfellas, and the departed, a great score as well by bernard herrman a great catchy main theme. my no 1 off all time, and along with goodfellas changed my viewing habits, and got me into proper films, please check this out

GoodFellas R

scorsese,s other masterpiece, and my 2nd fav film off all time. ray liotta stars as henry hill, a kid who grows up in queens newyork, who all his young life is dazed by the life style of the local gangsters, as they pass there time between jobs, at the local cab stand, henry is employed to work there, and is emediatly put to work, on small time jobs, here he starts a career as a gangster, and meets tommy, later played superbly by joe pesci, and of course jimy conway, played by de niro, from this point on we get henrys commentery on the life of a gangster, the money to be made, the women on the side, and the threats awaiting which is part of the life, here he meets karen, lorraine bracco, and they get married, as the 60s turn into the 70s life changes for henry as more pressure and jail terms happen, and its when he gets into the drug distribution side of things( a mafia no go area) and paulis(head of the family) dislike of the stuff, that things turn for the worse, and his life with the family is coming to a head. what can i say, this film changed everything in terms of film watching for me, it got me into scorsese for 1 thing, got me watching films by great directors, coppola, de palma, and a lot of others, and not just knowing who spielberg was, his direction is faultless, the pacing in this film, is probely the best ive seen 2 hours 20, flys by, his music choices are superb, and fit well into the story, the use of layla(piano exit) is superb, acting is top notch, bracco, as the wife, paul srvino as paulie, and de niro all great but pesci is chilling here, a real nasty piece of work,his funny guy speech is not only the most chilling scene ive seen, but funny as well, and liotta, well im apalled he wasent even nominated for a oscar, its top 5 performances of all time for me, his charm in the beginning to drugged up at the end is great, influenced by the greats, scorsese says, and a influence to many, watch paul thomas andersons boogie nights, for pacing and plot, there so alike, and next to taxi driver a modern masterpiece, love this film, and depending what mode im in overtakes taxi driver, please watch this film