ada1crs

Having loved both Lock Stock and Snatch, I saw the trailer for Revolver and believed it could be great. However on viewing the finished film, I was not only left bewildered by the completely all over the place plot, irritated by the random visuals and deaf from Ray Liotta's desire to shout himself into an early grave.

It seems that Ritchie's plan was to explore the psychology of the seasoned gambler (a potentially fascinating subject). Yet his films plot becomes so bogged by unnecassary characters (Chinese gangsters, a Keyser Soze type underworld figure) and subplots (terminal illness) that it becomes far too confusing too comprehend. While the Kill Bill style animation does not fit into the plot and the settings confusing hybrid of London and Las Vegas is mind boggling and extremely irritating.

Ritchie would have better to cut out 1/2 the characters (especially Vincent Pastore), 1/2 of the plot and focus on one character beating an opponent through learning (along with the audience) the rules of the con.

Instead he's left with a mess that alienates it's audience rather than entertains them. And the 'fear me' scene between Liotta (a shoo in for a Raspberry if ever there was one) and Statham (should stick to the Transporter movies) was one of the stupidest ever committed to film.

A waste of time and money, go rent Snatch instead.

* out of *****

'Goodfellas', alongside 'Pulp Fiction' stands as my all time favorite film. Based on Nicolas Pillegi's outstanding novel the screenplay is intelligent and thrilling and gives credence to each performer. In crime movies the female leads (if any) are whiny and one dimensional but Lorraine Bracco's Oscar nominated perfromance is brilliant and her character is as dimensional as Henry (a slightly disappointing Ray Liotta, he rushes the voice-over and much of his dialogue). Jimmy (forget Raging Bull, this is DeNiro's greatest performance)Conway is pure genius and Pesci is great as the plain insane Tommy DeVito.

Scorcese directs with a fast moving and in your face visual style and punctuates the soundtrack with some of the best rock/pop songs of the sixties and seventies, ending with Sid Viscous's 'My Way' was a stroke of genius and putting 'Down Below the Ocean' over the Batt's murder was insane but it worked because it goes against the grain.

People say the Godfather is the greatest crime movie ever and perhaps they are right. But I have to disagree, 'Goodfellas' is more energetic more exciting and most importantly more FUN than the dreary, boring Godfather's.

A flat out, awe inspiring, no-one will ever make a film as good as this again MASTERPIECE.

10/10

Magnolia was a film I had a strange relationship with. I first saw it at the cinema on a one day only screening and came away not knowing what I thought of it but pretending to love it so I could fit in. A few years later I watched it on TV and completely fell in love with a film that is undoubtedly a ''magnificently made masterpiece''(a quote from The News of the World). Each of the characters is endearing to the viewer and no one character comes away without having a story that was worth hearing. In particular Jason Robards, Jeremy Blackman and an extraordinary Tom Cruise in the role he was born to play. Anderson's screenplay is a collage of ideas and theories which tie together intricately and perfectly (a perfect example of a Best Original Screenplay). And despite some criticisms, the cast rendition of 'Wise Up' was perfect. If you don't cry during Frank's emotional breakdown in front of Earl or Donnie's admittance of love to Brad the bartender, then you've no soul.

10/10 'I have so much love to give, I just don't know where to put it'