brileyvandyke

Astonishing highlight of German expressionism. What an innovative film that still holds an uncanny look. A simple plot involving a madman who psychically manipulates a somnambulist to commit murder. Simple, but highly effective due to the makeup, set designs, lighting, shadows and execution of set pieces. Told in six acts, we watch how an innocent carnival act of a sleeper awakens and becomes a sinister killer.

The set designs of uneven lines and shapes sets a mood of uneasiness; the colored filter and fade outs give the movie an surreal quality. I was amazed and mesmerized watching this movie. I haven't seen anything quite like it and to think its over a century old!! For me, the silent era horror films hold up. I think its horror cinema perfected.

Unbelievable film. Its a kind of love story gone horrifically bad. Lon Chaney is a tour de force. Astonishing how he applied his own makeup, and I love his performance here. All his costumes are impressive and memorable. Honestly, for me, no other adaptation of the Phantom comes close to the imagery in the original. I know the film doesn't follow the book strictly, but I do find this film as a work of art. The colors, the music, the opera house. The Red Death scene-nothing in modern cinema aspires to be both elegant and horrifying. Just watch the film and enjoy. "Feast your eyes, glut your soul, on my accursed ugliness!"

Oliver Stone is an effective director when he restrains himself and doesn't get carried away with emotion or conspiracy theories. Wall Street is a testament to Stone's effectiveness. Martin Sheen, Daryl Hannah, Hal Holbrook and Terence Stamp are solid in support roles, but the movie centers around Bud Fox, played by Charlie Sheen, and Gordon Gekko, portrayed masterfully by Michael Douglas.

We fo!low Fox from a mid to low level broker with ambition to pursuing and ultimately winning the confidence of big time, ultra wealthy Gordon Gekko and the world of perks and wealth that provides. It is an unscrupulous, cutthroat world where bending the rules or flat out breaking them are deemed necessary for ultra wealthy success. As expected you burn the candle at both ends and you get burned. We see the inevitable fall as Bud is led out of his office and fighting back tears. That was a memorable moment.

My main reason for writing a review is to express my admiration for Michael Douglas's portrayal of Gordon Gekko. What an fantastic villain is Gordon. He is an excellent example of an anti-social, sociopath without being a serial killer. Unfortunately, this type of sociopathy is more prevalent and I think many know someone like this. Gekko doesn't believe in love or friends or have any compassion for anyone or anything. He chases money because he can, and he doesn't care who is impacted. His "greed is good", and " money never sleeps" lines are often quoted. Gekko is the ultimate predator in the concrete jungle, and this is one of the defing roles of Douglas's career.

Towards the end of the film Mr Fox, Martin Sheen's character, tells his son to create and not live off the buying and selling of others. For me, that is powerful and eloquent advice. The kind of sage wisdom a father should tell his children. Overall, I really enjoyed this film and I think it's one of Oliver Stone's best.