Nate-48

Saw this for the third time recently after not having seen it in 20 years. First time I saw it was in the 90s.

Even more brilliant when watching it today.

Script is one turn after the other.

Brilliant dialogue by Quentin Tarantino and superb direction by the late great Tony Scott.

But that would all be for nothing without this sensational cast which is one for the ages.

Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette give the performances of their lives. When I see this film the question I keep asking again and again is how Slater's career didn't catapult into superstardom after this? He was clearly one of the top 5 young up and coming actors of his generation at the time. He had recently been in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and had a turn the next year in the blockbuster Interview with the vampire but ironically it would be brad pitt who has only a minor role here who would surpass Slater and end up getting a lot of the great big roles that Slater could have just as easily played.

On a scale of 1-10, Slater and Arquette are an 11 here and I would rate their chemistry as among the best of the last 40 years while also ranking this film among the 20 greatest of the last 20 years.

Christopher Walken pulle out one of his top 5 acting performances of his life with arguably the best dialogue in the film in a masterclass showdown with Dennis Hopper who is equally great.

I showed this film to a couple people who love Gary Oldman and they didn't even recognize him.

Blink and you will miss Samuel Jackson.

Val Kilmer unrecognizable.

One of the earliest looks at James Gandolfoni and Michael Rappaport who are both superb.

Victor Argo, a favorite of Martin Scorcese, makes a noticeable appearance.

Saul Rubinek nails his role as a bigshot Hollywood producer.

The late Tom Sizemore in an early role before he got big.

The late great Ed Lauter in one of his classic police roles.

Last but certainly not least is the late great Chris Penn, who has a few flashes of absolute brilliance in a supporting role giving his usual 110% to the role and who should have been a bonafide Hollywood star. Gone too soon. Rest in peace.

Brilliant script from the lead actress Amanda Jane Stern.

A true star who shines throughout the thriller.

It's a shock she has not broken through in a bigger way as she is one of the most impressive young actresses I have seen come across the screen in the past two decades.

This is a low-budget independent movie in which the movie is entirely filmed on two sets. Stern and co-star Stephen Carlile are on the screen for nearly the entirety of the film.

Carlile is a talented actor as well, fitting the part with his British accent in which the script revolves around his chauvinistic attitude toward Stern - his love interest.

There is some snappy dialogue written by Stern - the kind you rarely see anymore which is reminiscent of a 1930's Jean Harlow movie or 1940's film noir.

Stern reminds me at times of Janet Gaynor, a young Jodie Foster or Anna Paquin.

There are some interesting twists and turns here. First class cinematography and great use of music.

The direction is first-rate.

I found this to be one of the best films I have seen in the last decade.

I have seen Stern in some smaller roles before and think she is one of the most hidden gems in the film world. She is a student of film who has studied the classics and has written and spoken about movies in-depthly.

She has the potential to be an actress/writer/director like Ida Lupino or Sophia Coppola.

I am interested to see what she comes up with next.

Demille shows his wizardry near the end of his life as one of the greatest directors.

An epic and daring achievement successful through its magnificent artistic direction, special effects, cinematography, costume design, acting and bold stunts including great chariot scenes.

The special effects during the exodus are light years ahead of its times. The deliverance of the tent commandments and the scenes of charlton heston leading the Israelites from Egypt are among the greatest images cinema has ever produced.

The outrageous Egyptian sets are some of the greatest and largest to have been Constructed.

The film wanders a bit in the latter stages, awkwardly handling the plagues and portraying the pharoah in a strangely sympathetic and weak manner, ultimately even as a shakesperean mcbeth to a degree.

Charlton Heston's finest moment, almost the same for Baxter, Brynner and Dexter.

Other great actors include Edward G Robinson, Vincent Price, Yvonne DeCarlo, Debra Paget, John Carradine and Olive Deering among others.