Motion-Picture-Watchmen

Do you know that feeling of 'palpable greatness'?

What do I mean by that?

It's that electrifying feeling that manifests itself as a huge, cinema-loving grin towards the screen. The feeling of cinematic greatness. It is palpable through the eyes and sensed throughout the entire body.

I had that feeling during the opening sequence of Casino, which has one of the best title sequences in cinematic history thanks to the musical accompaniment of Bach's Passion according to St. Matthew and the great visual sequences.

When a film starts by giving you this feeling, you know the audiovisual feast you are about to enjoy is going to be incredible.

Apart from the film's only weakness - a small, unfocused and overlong middle part - the film delivers such an experience.

From the enthralling crime story set in Las Vegas to the fabulous acting, marvellous script and unique directorial style, 'Casino' wins on all fronts.

An iconic film for eternity. Because- as a seasoned cinephile will know- 'it's all Disneyland' now.

This movie therefore deserves 9 out of 10.

The Constant Gardener is a perfect showcase of a film - independent of genre - that finds itself in a constant state of 'drifting off'.

While there is an interesting plot, the film quickly loses itself in a self-aggrandising, documentary-like deep dive into Kenya, losing track of the main plot.

Furthermore, the Big Pharma plot was interesting, but it was treated in a generic and boring way.

Add to that the rather mediocre acting, and the result is a forgettable, unfocused film.

Note: This film was watched on 27/07.

Could Stanley Kubrick even make a bad film?

Just when I have to think about the non-existent reasons to answer this ridiculous question, I think of films like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Paths of Glory and Barry Lyndon, which are some of my favourite films and some of the most finely crafted films in cinema history.

While Full Metal Jacket doesn't quite reach the near-perfection of the aforementioned films, it's still a superb war film.

Structurally schizophrenic in that the film is divided into two parts, the first set in a boot camp and the second in Vietnam, it chronologically delves deep into the US military during the Vietnam War.

While doing so, it takes a satirical tone, a skill Kubrick mastered in Dr. Strangelove and once again excels in this instalment.

Add to that a great story, perfect satire, top-notch production design, a vivid cast with an unforgettable R. Lee Ermey, and enthralling action, and you've got a fantastic film.

Note: this film was watched on 5 July.