Being a war movie directed by Ridley Scott, I thought it would be arty and self-important.
Hell no!
It's nasty and gritty, with small artistic touches only where they're inobtrusive. The only thing that might be wrong with it is it's too intense, too relentless. I had to take several breaks while watching it. But that only means Scott and co. did their job.
I'm impressed.
I agree Tubo. BHD is one heck of a movie. Really well done. Here's what I'm trying to figure out. How does Josh Hartnet go from doing an amazing movie like this to something like 40 days and 40 nights?
While I have defended this movie several times in this phorum, I have to say it doesn't look that intense too me. Actually, I found that Ridley's mistake is to apply a documental feel to the movie, and this kinda reduces the dramatism, at least for me.
On the other hand, I agree: Ridley Scott work here is impressive. I can't erase from my mind the last minutes of fighting, with those soldiers running after the UN vehicles and the inmediate contrast of them being welcomed at the stadium.
I saw it in the theater so I couldn't take breaks. I loved the intensity. It was directed and edited (Oscar winning, BTW) so well that even when things get super intense you sill know what's going on.
I don't if you guys have read the book but after reading it i didn't think it was possible to make a movie of. it's quite hard to follow with everything going off everywhere but the movie really does it justice.
on a completely unrelated point (sorry) how come there isn't review of cannibal holocaust (or have i missed it) and does anyone remember what that stephen king film was called about the comic book stories with leslie neilsen in?
anyway black hawk down is excellent.
NICK
Actually, it is a George Romero film with Stephen King serving the scriptwriter chore. The film with Leslie Nielson you are thinking of is CREEPSHOW, a film about 5 stories in a comic book.
thanks chris, i really need to watch it again :-), there was a sequel too wasn't there? with a raft trip or something as one of the stories, never seen the 2nd one but told it was good.
NICK
There is a reader review, written by Cody, for the first Creepshow:
http://www.badmovies.org/othermovies/creepshow/index.html
"The Raft," the mentioned short from the second movie, is plain awesome. It makes for an excellent short film. I wish that we could see more movies like "Creepshow" and its sequel.
"I beat you! I beat you! Oh HECK!"
>I wish that we could see more movies like "Creepshow" and its sequel.
If you're referring to anthology movies in general, SFC is playing one this Sat. called Shadow Realm, with Malcom McDowell and Thora Birch.