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Showing posts with the label Martin Scorsese

Film Review #025 - Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

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  Killers of the Flower Moon is a 2023 American epic western crime drama film, is based on David Grann's 2017 non-fiction book of the same name. Directed and co-produced by Martin Scorsese, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Eric Roth, the film showcases Scorsese's signature style, albeit in a more balanced manner. The cinematography is particularly noteworthy. The movie employs varying camera shots (overhear, medium closeup, full level shots) frame ratios, seamlessly transitioning between black and white and colorful scenes. The color palette reminds me of Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023) striking a perfect balance between historical authenticity and visual appeal. However, the film's length feels excessive for its content. While I personally find the narrative structure of Christopher Nolan's films quite intriguing and could envision some scenes in 'Killers of the Flower Moon' being similarly rearranged, I fully respect and appreciate Martin Scorsese's unique...

Film Review #011 - The Wolf of The Wall Street (2013)

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The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) is a black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Terence Winter. The movie is based on a book called "The Wolf of Wall Street" written by Jordan Belfort in 2007. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Belfort, a stockbroker in New York who does illegal stuff on Wall Street in the 1990s. The Wolf of Wall Street is a great movie that is similar to "Goodfellas" in its storytelling style. The movie's camera work is really impressive, done skillfully with a lot of emotion in each scene. The camera moves in a lively manner, which enhances the film’s mood. Leonardo DiCaprio's performance is, as expected, brilliant. He performs his role with a lot of energy, especially in scenes that need intense emotions. He shows his skill by effectively portraying intense tension and loud dialogue. The movie's dialogue is really good and accurately represents the world of brokers. It feels real and interesting, making the movie more immersive....

Film Review #009 - Taxi Driver (1976)

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Taxi Driver (1976) is a psychological thriller movie directed by Martin Scorsese. The movie is about Travis Bickle (casted as Robert De Niro), a Vietnam War veteran who becomes a taxi driver because of his insomnia and loneliness which is the main theme of the movie. The cinematography in Taxi Driver is simple and effective. The movie uses different types of shots, like daylight, close-ups, and side shots, which I found really impressive. The music goes well with the movie and makes it even better to watch. Although I desired greater emotional profundity, the actors' outstanding performances served to increase the film's attractiveness. Beyond an elementary portrayal of the daily life of a cab driver in New York City, "Taxi Driver"' delves deep into the personal challenges faced by its protagonist. Despite the character’s witty, uncritical, and freethinking nature, in contrast with his unstable mental state, the character was sympathetic. This part of the movie re...

Film Review #008 - Shutter Island (2010)

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Shutter Island (2010) is a psychological thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo (known for Avengers playing Hulk). The film is based on the 2003 novel by Dennis Lehane. The story is set in 1954 and follows two US Marshals who are sent to a remote psychiatric facility on Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of a patient. This movie gave mixed feelings but in a good way to reflect about the humans. This story is very dramatic and scary from the protagonist's perspective due to his past and hallucinations. The main character's clash with his own thoughts adds a very compelling psychological tension. The delusional and nostalgic character is very similar to Nolan's movie Inception with the same protagonists in both movies. In terms of Cinematography, fast camera transition movements to another scene was a unique artistic approach for this movie but it was a bit too much. Although the movie used green screens and CGI...

Film Review #006 - After Hours (1985)

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After Hours (1985) is a black comedy (also known as dark comedy) movie by Martin Scorsese that captures his excellent skills in cinematography. His signature style is very noticeable if you have seen his films and adds a unique touch to the film. I was really captivated by the story of this theme. It is full of sharp dialogue and witty observations. Hence, I was very invested in it, and that's saying a lot, considering Joseph Minion's talent for dialogues that have depth. The script is interesting and highlights, in my opinion, the movie's main theme - trust no one. It was explored in a way that is both funny and thought-provoking, and at the same time a sense of pettiness from the protagonist's perspective. This is what black comedy is all about. Hence, the main character is sympathetic and relatable. After Hours (1985) initially reminded me of an episode from SpongeBob SquarePants called "Rock Bottom". Both narratives have a similar structure, but they tel...

Film Review #002 - Goodfellas (1990)

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Goodfellas (1990) directed by Martin Scorsese himself is a movie that tells the story of a person who becomes involved with a crime family and experiences both success and downfall over 25 years. "Goodfellas" by Martin Scorsese is an amazing movie that takes you back to the 1990s, just like watching an IMAX film. The film's cinematography is over the top, showing Scorsese's incredible skill in filmmaking. The frames in "Goodfellas" are very well done, with carefully crafted camera shots that help tell the story. The narration in the film stands out for its engaging quality. It's not just about the story being told but rather it's how it's being told. "Goodfellas" is also good at character development. Each character is clearly defined, with their own unique personalities that make the story more interesting. The actors did a great job being real and versatile, which made the film feel authentic. Tommy is a standout character. His funny ...