Rating: Summary: one of his best. Way to go Tarantino. Review: This is a bounce back from Jackie Brown and why it wasn't as good as pulp fiction the movie is so cool and I really really thought it was just an entertaining and fun flick.
Rating: Summary: Almost obscenely fascinating Review: I will admit that this is a film I had decided to hate based upon the hype surrounding it and the insipid title. Yet I persevered and was aptly rewarded with a scintillating performance by all concerned and in particular Uma Thurman who, as a bride, was brutally beaten while her groom was being murdered. And what a beating it was - kick, pow, bam!! In fact, throughout the movie, one can't decide if it is a comedy, mystery, farce, drame or arte nouveau.
I remain ambiguous about Quentin Tarantino as a director but in this film he delivers the goods. The comic book presentation was another "juvenile" element that worked perfectly, the fights a combination Matrix, Bruce Lee and Live Studio Wrestling. (The Oriental sword scene made me want to stand and cheer.) What WAS important were the things left unsaid: Why the horrific beating? What about the child? What was her past? For heaven's sake, what's her friggin name??? (Or did I miss that?) Of course the ending sets us up for Episode II in which our Supergirl / Jane Bond delivers an licking that won't stop. But that's for another review.
Rating: Summary: Incredibly Creative Review: Kill Bill Vol. 1 is one of the most creative films on the market today. Quentin Tarantino masterfully weaves together several vignettes on the journey of X (I will not say her name, since it is part of the storytelling process to make her name have more value by awaiting the moment it is revealed in Vol 2). The story unfolds in flashbacks rather than in chronological order, creating more interest, suspense and mystery about how the female warrior winds up on her path of revenge. Lucy Liu is magnificently feminine, powerful, courteous and vicious, and her scenes are an incredible dynamic between the image of a fragile beautiful woman in Japanese robes and a well-trained killer who is respected and feared. Tarantino uses a wonderful juxtaposition of happy little musical tunes over scenese of conflict, and he utilizes a variety of film techniques, including animation, as the story unfolds. If you have issues with violence, do not see this film. It is, however, wonderfully creative and the female warrior comes into her own power, has a cause, and her steel will and determination allow her to overcome the limitations of her body to undertake her journey. I don't agree with her methods, but I love her power, her strength, her courage and the beauty that emerges.
Rating: Summary: Action Packed! Review: Quentin Tarantino's ode to martial arts films is for true martial arts fans. He kept it very close to the movies of the 70s, those that came out after the untimely death of Bruce Lee. At least that's as far back as I can remember. He even had the music and coming attractions themes of that era.
The one problem I had with the film was the spraying blood scenes. While it was probably done in keeping with the traditional martial arts films he was portraying, I think he should have left that relic out.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters, even those with minor roles like the master sword maker, played by the legendary Sonny Chiba. It would have been nice to see him wield a sword instead only making them.
Uma Thurman was okay as a martial artist, but I have to wonder if they took the proper amount of time training her for the action. Or perhaps it was the fight scene choreographer. I don't know but it could have been better. It could have been and should have been spectacular as a matter of fact, but sadly it wasn't.
To get a better idea of what I mean, view the 2nd Matrix picture and watch Keanu Reeves' work as a martial artist. Upon viewing his fluidity, his timing, and his flexibility, one can only imagine the work he put in to be so authentic on screen. Much of the credit goes to the fight choreographer who came up with the sequences in the first place.
To be fair to women, take a look at Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and see how well the women perform the art in that picture. My point is this: If Michelle Yeoh and Ziyi Zhang were able to do it well, there's no reason why Uma couldn't have done equally as well. Perhaps they had a very tight shooting schedule. I don't know, but to me, why bother with the fight sequences if it wasn't going to look great on screen?
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the film. But, I love Tarantino's films so I may be a bit biased in this review.
Rating: Summary: Kill Bill... wait, kill me first please.. Review: I understand that many people love Quentin Tarantino's work. However, I do not see it at all. Kill Bill was plain stupid. The movie was interesting in the beginning where the chicks fight but it gets old. The movie turns into a cartoon which I do not understand at all. Did they not have enough money to preform these actual stunts so they drew them up?
I understand the story of getting revenge since she was left for dead on her wedding day but it was not enough to keep my attention.
Kill Bill left me wanting her to kill me so the movie could finally be over with. If you are a Tarantino fan then most likely this movie will be for you. I don't like lots of pointless action scenes, they don't impress me.
Rating: Summary: The Ultimate Samurai Exhibition Review: This movie is amazing in its well choreographed and intense samurai death scenes. Blood spraying like well planned downpours of rain with the unique and well placed use of Black and White film in a portion, the scene is just transfixing.
The entire movie is like that, and it all is Uma. Uma makes it work. Uma does what is clearly the impossible in this film, but with her steel cold blue eyes, she makes it work. Every bit of it. The choreography and execution of the scenes is edited flawlessly. And the realism of the film is gripping.
The film is especially recommended for all who like martial arts films. And those who like Quentin Tarantino's terrifically talented recent work.
Rating: Summary: It Grows On You After Multiple Watchings Review: Being one of those people who up to this point has no clue as to why everyone considers Tarantino a filmatic genius, I didn't have much hope for KB1. I still don't get the Tarantino mystique (VERY weird guy by any stretch of the word, and he can't act), but I admit I liked this film and have watched it several times. Of course the action and 'blood' are overwrought, but that's the point. He had very effective use of color versus black-and-white, action versus slow-motion, but the anime about O-Ren's early life went on far too long. And - Vernita's daughter was far too old for the plot: given the timeline, she should have been no more than 3 years old, and that kid certainly wasn't. Nevertheless, I found myself anxiously awaiting the debut of KB2 on the movie channel; however, I was disappointed for the most part in that film as well, for different reasons: the slow pace, the extended alndscape and bar scenes, the failure to 'explain' things I wanted to know, like where did 'The Bride' come from, how did she get hooked up with Bill, why was she the enemy of the other DIVAs (besides her defection from the clan)? But - there was that delicious performance by Daryl Hannah, and the great fight scene between her and Uma Thurman - that pretty much made the movie! I hovered between 3 and 4 stars because of the inconsistences and gaps, but what tilted the stars to a 4 were Uma Thurman's chameleon, gutsy performance, and, of course, Elle Driver.
Rating: Summary: "Matrix" what?? This movie is stunning! Review: In my honest opinion, this movie surpasses The Matrix by a long shot. This movie was made so well, and Tarantino added this awesome style to the movie, it's simply stunning. It has just about everything, humour, martial arts, great dialogue, very very very fake blood thats spurts out in fountains, and an awesome supporting cast of unforgettable characters.Four years after the massacre at her wedding, the Bride awakes from her coma and seeks revenge on the 5 people who did this to her. The cast is played very well by everyone. Uma Thurman truly shines, and the supporting cast is also very good: Budd (Michael Madsen), Oren-Ishii (Lucy Liu), Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox), Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah), and of course, you can't forget the big man himself, Bill played by David Carradine (voice). Other well done roles include the girl who plays GoGo Yubari and Hattori Hanzo (Sonny Chiba?)Every role in the film is very well done. If you don't mind A LOT of blood and lots of violence, this movie must be seen. It will take your breath away.
Rating: Summary: If this is art, than Review: WOW!!!!!! I had no idea such a crappy movie could get such praise. The characters are bland, the dialogue corny, and the action is like a fricken' cartoon!!!!! I hope you like cheap, artificial blood, cause there is sure a [...] The story is simple, a woman assasin swears revenge against her old boss who attemp to kill her failed. But first, she must get past her former business partners. The action would be cool if it didn't suck, and the reason why it sucks is because of the HUGE overusage of blood. The story, as you can tell, is week, and this could have easily been one movie. The actors apparently think this movie is the coolest thing since [...] bread, because no actor could be as bad as these ones without trying too hard. I hate this movie, with a PASSION. Worst movie of 2003, by a mile. No, wait, TWO miles.
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