yurivangeest

In short, a very interesting movie. Why? 1) Good combination of different genres (comedy, thriller, mystery, romance, drama, documentary etc.). 2) Good acting 3) Good music (Nina Simone enchants) 4) Interesting story (real life, depth, actuality)

OK, I understand some critics related to this movie. Most are true but still, the movie leaves its mark when you leave the cinema.

The movie has some strong similarities with the directing and films of John Sayles (see Long Star, Men with Guns etc.). Great that there are more Sayles like directors around these days.

Looking forward to the other upcoming Malkovich movies!

8/10

This movie doesn't live up to the hype at all. Ok, the scenes are beautifully shot, the martial arts are great, the music is very good, the references are interesting BUT....the story is very thin and the violence is really over the top. Maybe people are desensitized and need this kind of violence to feel again. I feel sorry for that. Is it necessary to show it to underscore the enormous anger and revenge of the leading character? I don't believe so.

I prefer Reservoir Dogs en Pulp Fiction....less shallow and more complete.

5/10.

One of the most provocative and original movies in 2002 (for me though). Not the best but definitely one to watch. Why? 1) It arouses lots of emotions 2) Good acting and directing 3) It shows the fragility of life, of the very very small difference between white and light on the one hand (referring to the final scene in the movie) and black and darkness on the other hand (referring to the first scenes and the nightlife). This juxtaposition of light and darkness epitomises in the final shot in which we see only a flashing strobo light. This light shows the fragility of life for me. Time can destroy some lives in less than a second. 4) It is about human nature indeed: the positive and the negative combined. It is about normal human beings getting lost in their pain and anger. Shown in a disturbed camera style like in the movie Sombre. 5) It also shows the delicate and subtle between love and hate as Marcus says and does almost the same things to his girl Alex as does the rapist. This is what is so striking in this movie. 5) The role of fate and (profetic) dreams.

OK, the story is quite simple but the details and the effects of the storystelling are convincing for me. Indeed, I would rate it a 9/10.

By the way, time destroys everything might refer to the second law of thermodynamics in physics :-) Entropy increases with time, this is certainly the case in this movie.