Recent viewings, windtalkers and mandolines.

[Neville]

All right, my wicked subconscious picked two war movies starring, of all actors, Nicolas Cage. And then my whole being suffered the consequences.

1) Captain Corelli's mandolin: I shouldn't, but I did. I had heard from almost any reliable source I had checked it was going to hurt, but I had read the novel and it probably is the best goddam book I have ever read in my entire life, so I went for it. And... well, it stinks. Acting is sonambulistic wen not  openly unapropiate (Cage), the script just picks up as many isolate scenes from the book without caring for coherence, pace or tone, and what's worst, filmmaking by John Madden lacks any personality, which is the only thing that could have saved the whole thing. I'll be a gentleman for once and I won't say what I thought of Penelope Cruz work, even if it causes me an stomach ulcer (not saying it, don't be suspicious)

2) Windtalkers: A hell better film. It is quite surprising that the critics' reaction was so negative it almost ruined its career, and even more strange that John Woo's fans haven't spoken up to defend it, because it is somehow the pinnacle of Woo's Hollywood career until now: to make a movie from a genre created and dominated by american filmmakers that yet has his own style all over. The script, as it often happenned in his Hong Kong era, is nothing more than a mediocre blend of action and sentimentalism filled with stereotypes, but his unique approach to characters and action make it beliable and entertainning. Kudos for Nicolas Cage and Christian Slater here, as they both make their best performances in years.

[Ash]

Sorry to disagree with you Neville but Windtalkers was CRAP in my opinion!

I totally agree with Roger Ebert's review of that one.
Read it here:  
http://www.suntimes.com/ebert/ebert_reviews/2002/06/061404.html

It was a shoddy imitation/combination of Saving Private Ryan, The Thin Red Line & We Were Soldiers.

It was completely and horribly miscast as well.

I like Nicholas Cage in general as an actor but he sucked in this one!!

Save one bullet for the moron who cast him in it.

What a waste!

I am a SERIOUS military history buff and I've done a lot of reading and research on historic battles & I thought this film was a Hollywood joke.

(I admit, Christian Slater's death scene was cool though!)

[Todd R.]

"Filmmaking by John Madden..."

That just cracks me up.

"Ace is the place, baby!"

[Fearless Freep]

See when your big name star drops back into the pocket you have to have the key grip come over and pick up the papparazzi pash rush while the foley editor slips through the line to set up the screen(ing) pass(es)

[Todd R.]

Lemme show ya how that's done...I got my little computer pen right here...now, ya see those little circles I just made? That's a tight defense, right there...and Ace is the place...now let's see that replay...