Seven

Rating:
Summary: An absolute masterpiece - moving, compelling and intelligent
Review: I watched this film for the first time three years ago in a film festival. As soon as the closing credits sequence (one of the most imaginative ever committed to celluloid, incidentaly) popped on the screen, I turned to my friends and said "I love this film!"

Well, this may sound a bit revolutionary, since Seven can hardly be accounted as a feel-good flick. But that is the whole point. Seven is as ground-breaking, in a way, as Citizen Kane was, the proof that there still are filmmakers that have the courage to defy conventional Tinseltown formulas and follow their initial convictions all the way to the end.

I have talked to people who deemed Seven a violent film. In my opinion, nothing could be more wrong. I can mention hundreds of more violent films, films where we see the hero blowing the 'baddies' to pieces without the slightest qualm of conscience. Bar the final scene, there is not one instance of violence in Seven. We can only see the shocking aftermath of violence, and that is what makes some people judge it too gruesome. But that is the whole point. This film is appalled at the way how our society has become innured to horror. It is a film about the consequences of violence, a bit like Pulp Fiction, but while in Tarantino's work the line between morality and entertainment was somewhat blurred, in Seven it is as visible as the central reservation. It is as if Fincher and his writer, Andrew K. Walker are sending a concerned message to the young auteur, something along the lines of "Please, please, DO NOT glamourise violence."

Much of the credit for this masterpice must go to the brilliant script by Andrew K. Walker, who took the semblance of order sustained by most Hollywood thrillers and put it in a washer machine in hot spin for about two hours, creating a moral haze where things are much, much more important than just catching the 'bad guy' (although there is quite a surprise here). My salute to cinematographer Darius Khondji, who managed to brilliantly and succintly convey moral darkness with his gloomy, oppressive photography, as immerse in a quasi-apocaliptic feel as "Blade Runner" was. Howard Shore (he who scored "The Silence of The Lambs") once again demonstrates that there is no rivalling him when a feeling of despair and desquiet is to be achieved by the means of music.

Finally, kudos for the impressive acting - at last, a film where Brad Pitt can display his acting abilities rather than his torso. Morgan Freeman positively sparkles in what must be the performance of his career, his humanity and virtue the very ocean through which the film drifts. However, the most impressive performance, albeit in a mere twenty minutes, is that by thespian wonder Kevin Spacey, in what surely must be the most unsettling portrayal of evil since Robert Mitchum in "The Night of The Hunter". If his appearance at the police station doesn't blow your socks off, then you must surely have been lobothomised during the last twenty-four hours.

And what is more, at last a film that ends in a note as unique as the one that opens it. In the emotional turmoil that descends during the last ten minutes, you might not even notice how the characters remain as convicing and fully-rounded as before, how Freeman's character still upholds the values he has defended throughout the whole film. A thriller that is intelligent, moving, absorbing, and where a) the serial killer is not only moral but also literate, a twisted but intrincate opponent, very, very far away from the usual goggle-eyed psycho-babble and b) the filmmakers have the strength and the courage to present us with an ending where the loosers are the winners and the winners are the loosers... well, in this day and age that comes close to revolutionary.

Rating:
Summary: As dark and oppresive a Movie as was ever crafted. SEE IT!!
Review: Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt as Detectives out to catch serial killer Kevin Spacey. All 3 have moved on to more noteriety with other films, but none have yet been able to match the intensity and subtlety of Seven. All the scenes inside the city are shot after dark, or in foul, rainy weather. At the end of the film, once outside the city, the Sun is shining. It's little touches like this that set a grim mood to tell a grim story. In the Serial Killer genre, this one is a 1st rate instant classic. The Smithsonian should keep a copy safely locked in a vault for future generations of filmakers to study and learn from. A gritty, grown up look at dementia. This is NOT a date movie, it's not a feel-good human drama. This film captures every element striven for in Film Noir. The rating system only goes to 5 stars, but this one should get "Seven".

Rating:
Summary: The Darkest Film Of the 90`s
Review: Se7ven(1995) is a murder mystery par excellence. It`s dark, gruesome... in which surprises stand in line. Standout performance by Kevin Spacey, but Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman also good.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite movie of all time!
Review: Very scary and thrilling is a descent way to describe this film! I have viewed it over fifty times! But nothing is like the first. It is about a homicidal maniac who's victims coincide with the seven deadly sins known to man. Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Envy, Pride and Wrath. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are the Detectives who must catch this madman! Very good acting and the best direction I have ever seen in a film!!!

Rating:
Summary: A psychological thrill that keeps you guessing
Review: A dark thriller both figuratively and literally. Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt are two detectives coming from different backgrounds who blend nicely in their effort to find a serial killer who bases his murders on the seven deadly sins. Don't think things fall into place neatly as 'John Doe' promises his 'work' will be pondered and puzzled for years. Hollywood convention would have a happy, cuddly ending but writer Andrew Kevin Walker and director, David Fincher stuck to their guns and showed that a smartly done, yet shocking ending could perform at the boxoffice.

Rating:
Summary: Most suspenseful movie I have ever seen
Review: This movie keeps you on your toes. This isnt a horror movie, but it is tha only movie that ever made me think twice about going to sleep. This is tha greatest movie I have ever seen

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie on a Great Format, DVD!!!
Review: I will not go too much into the movie plot. The only thing I will say is that this movie is excellent. Not a movie for the timid. The real reason for this review is to discuss the DVD. Although somewhat lacking in special features, compared to some of the newer DVDs, the DVD presentation of the movie is the best. Here is an example of the way a DVD should look. The darkness of the movie was expected to create many problems for the encoding of the disc, but wow, great job. The only two problems with this disc were the somewhat lacking sound. Even though the sound was 5.1, it was not taken to full advantage. I am not sure whether it was lack of trying or just the way the movie lended itself to sound. The second problem is a minor one, halfway through the movie, the disc must be flipped. Alot of people I know say how bad this is, but with such a good picture quality I will not complain to harsely. The major complaint most people had was why not put the movie on dual layer which seems to be done with the longer movies that are coming out now. The reason when seven came out, it was way too expensive a process.

All in all great movie great presentation on DVD. END

Rating:
Summary: There are people...............
Review: ............who actually despise unhappy endings. They expect every story wrought with villiany should end with rainbows and kittens. Because we all know that's how the world works, right?

Most people that have seen this movie view it for what it tries to be. Mainly a twisted spiral of darkness and violence increasing in its disturbing imagry until the explosive finale. Then there are those that liked it up until the end. Huh?....the ending is what made it stand out from all the rest of Silence of the Lambs clones. This movie showed real cajones by submitting us to a disturbing and 'un-Hollywood' type ending. People should at least have respect for that. As one reviewer put it, "..this movie sucks you deeper and deeper into an abyss then leaves you there." Yeah, I know....great, huh? Then there are those that think the movie was pretty good...it just went too far. Look, it's rated R for a reason. Besides, some of the most memorable classics like 'The Exorcist' was proclaimed as, "..gone too far."

In case you don't know:

The plot: Mysterious serial killer murders victims based on the seven deadly sins.
-greed, lust, pride, gluttony, sloth, vanity, and wrath.

The characters: Hot-headed rookie detective played by Pitt + Refined, calm, and intelligent veteren detective played by Morgan Freeman.

The killer: Well, it's supposed to be a surprise since his name wasn't even in the opening credits.

Conclusion: I wasn't kidding about the ending. It's not cupcakes and roses. I remember seeing this on the opening night in the theater. As the credits rolled, there was no talking as people exited the theater. Actually most people didn't move for a couple of minuets. Only pale terrified faces across the masses. This is great filmaking BECAUSE it leaves you with such feelings.

Seven is already a classic amongst suspense thrillers and it will always be so. So do yourself a favor and check it out.

Rating:
Summary: Morgan Freeman Is A Genius....
Review: Robin Williams...Russell Crowe...Marisa Tomei...Angelina Jolie...Cher...How come these "actors"(& I use the term lightly)have an Oscar & Freeman doesn't? Between SE7EN & NURSE BETTY, 2 of the best performances of all time, there is something seriously wrong.. Watch this powerful film with a lead performance to match to cure any doubts...........

Rating:
Summary: The Head In The Box" Movie!
Review: Every once in a while a film comes along that is so well written, acted and directed that it transcends it's genre.
This is the case with David Fincher's "Seven," a superb film that transcends the fact that it's merely about two cops tracking a serial killer. The performances by Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are flawless, not to mention a superb cameo (by an actor who'll remain nameless for the benefit of those of you who still haven't seen it) as the psychotic "John Doe".
Working with an intelligent script by Andrew Kevin Walker (who also punched up some of the dialouge for "Fight Club", Director David Fincher gives us an intelligent thriller that remains relentless and uncompromising.
The DVD package is sensational...the two discs include commentary by Pitt, Fincher and Freeman, exteneded and deleted scenes, a segement that details the creation of John Doe's creepy notebooks and a host of storyboards and publicity material. Example:the commentary reveals the studio wanted to make the film with a less distrubing, more hackneyed ending, but Fincher, Pitt and Freeman would only do the "head in the box" version. Note...hats off to Brad Pitt for creating the line in which he mis-pronouces the Marquis De Sade as "The Marquis De Shar-Day"!
"Seven" is the "Citizen Kane" of serial killer movies.