Caught this one yesterday. I liked it.
It's like two movies stitched together. The first is a long, slow buildup which-- surprisingly, considering my attenuated patience of late--did not have me squirming in my seat. Dakota Fanning is a charmer, and she brings meaning back into the life of her bodyguard, alcoholic, soul-dead Creasey (Denzel Washington).
In the second movie Creasey goes on a vengeful rampage, and he's something to see. (To paraphrase a remark by Christopher Walken in the film: "Creasey's art is death...and he's about to paint his masterpiece.")
It's like two movies stitched together. The first is a long, slow buildup which-- surprisingly, considering my attenuated patience of late--did not have me squirming in my seat. Dakota Fanning is a charmer, and she brings meaning back into the life of her bodyguard, alcoholic, soul-dead Creasey (Denzel Washington).
In the second movie Creasey goes on a vengeful rampage, and he's something to see. (To paraphrase a remark by Christopher Walken in the film: "Creasey's art is death...and he's about to paint his masterpiece.")
FPW
FAQ
"It means 'Ask the next question.' Ask the next question, and the one that follows that, and the one that follows that. It's the symbol of everything humanity has ever created." Theodore Sturgeon.
fpw Wrote:Caught this one yesterday. I liked it.
It's like two movies stitched together. The first is a long, slow buildup which-- surprisingly, considering my attenuated patience of late--did not have me squirming in my seat. Dakota Fanning is a charmer, and she brings meaning back into the life of her bodyguard, alcoholic, soul-dead Creasey (Denzel Washington).
In the second movie Creasey goes on a vengeful rampage, and he's something to see. (To paraphrase a remark by Christopher Walken in the film: "Creasey's art is death...and he's about to paint his masterpiece.")
Steve D
You might want to check out the original version, with our old friend, Scott Glenn, in the lead role--I believe in 1989. Haven't seen the new version, but I own a copy of the original. For me, it's a keeper. I'll post my two cents after I see the new version. Hope I can be objective enough not to compare the two.
fpw Wrote:Caught this one yesterday. I liked it.
It's like two movies stitched together. The first is a long, slow buildup which-- surprisingly, considering my attenuated patience of late--did not have me squirming in my seat. Dakota Fanning is a charmer, and she brings meaning back into the life of her bodyguard, alcoholic, soul-dead Creasey (Denzel Washington).
In the second movie Creasey goes on a vengeful rampage, and he's something to see. (To paraphrase a remark by Christopher Walken in the film: "Creasey's art is death...and he's about to paint his masterpiece.")
Saw this awhile back and much preferred the first half over the second.
The ending was a bit too obvious and didn't really care for what was being suggested.
The Scott Glenn version seems to be comparable to this updated spin.
Fanning is far better at 9 than most actresses are at 30
I'm looking forward to finally seeing The Punisher where I work....
Anyone for Van Helsing ?
Annice Burdeos Wrote:I'm looking forward to finally seeing The Punisher where I work....I was extremely excited about Van Helsing until the barrage of horrible reviews that I have read.
Anyone for Van Helsing ?
Also, no one has been able to answer this question for me. This movie is being promoted as being about the "lengendary Van Helsing," however, Hugh Jackman's character in the movie is credited as Gabriel Van Helsing, not the Abraham Van Helsing of the Bram Stoker novel. What gives? Anyone?
The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. ... The piecing together of dissociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the light into the peace and safety of a new dark age.
~ Howard Phillips Lovecraft
I liked Man on Fire quite a bit. I thought the beginning was great. Few "action dramas" make me care about the characters, but I loved that little girl, and I loved how she slowly brought Denzel's character out of his shell. They had incredible chemistry, another thing difficult to find in adult/kid movies.
Spoilers--highlight below to read
It would have been better if she'd actually been killed, though. Given more resonance; the "she's alive!" ending was a bit too . . . typical. And I didn't quite see the need for the "Brotherhood" plotline; why give an overarching story to it--it should've just been corrupt cops and kidnappers.
Spoilers--highlight below to read
It would have been better if she'd actually been killed, though. Given more resonance; the "she's alive!" ending was a bit too . . . typical. And I didn't quite see the need for the "Brotherhood" plotline; why give an overarching story to it--it should've just been corrupt cops and kidnappers.
nijimeijer Wrote:I liked Man on Fire quite a bit. I thought the beginning was great. Few "action dramas" make me care about the characters, but I loved that little girl, and I loved how she slowly brought Denzel's character out of his shell. They had incredible chemistry, another thing difficult to find in adult/kid movies.
Spoilers--highlight below to read
It would have been better if she'd actually been killed, though. Given more resonance; the "she's alive!" ending was a bit too . . . typical. And I didn't quite see the need for the "Brotherhood" plotline; why give an overarching story to it--it should've just been corrupt cops and kidnappers.
Steve D
That was cool what you did with the highlighting. You're my new idol. Can you make fire?
Blades Wrote:I enjoyed the new version and the old one also. Both good.
"Thisisatest"
Is the old movie out on DVD??
Blades
Steve D
This is what I got from amazon.com:
Man on Fire
Availability: NOT YET RELEASED: The studio is currently not producing this title on DVD, but to be notified when it is available, enter your e-mail address at right. You'll also be voting for this release; we'll let the studio know how many customers are waiting for this title.
I picked up the VHS tape for a buck in the bargain bin some years ago. But with the semi-success of the new version, a DVD may soon be in the works to coincide with the new version's release....maybe.
thisisatest Wrote:Steve DA lot of times they will release a DVD in time to take advantage of the newer version's theatrical release. That way they can sucker people into renting a movie that they think is still playing at the theater.
This is what I got from amazon.com:
Man on Fire
Availability: NOT YET RELEASED: The studio is currently not producing this title on DVD, but to be notified when it is available, enter your e-mail address at right. You'll also be voting for this release; we'll let the studio know how many customers are waiting for this title.
I picked up the VHS tape for a buck in the bargain bin some years ago. But with the semi-success of the new version, a DVD may soon be in the works to coincide with the new version's release....maybe.
The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. ... The piecing together of dissociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the light into the peace and safety of a new dark age.
~ Howard Phillips Lovecraft
nijimeijer Wrote:I liked Man on Fire quite a bit. I thought the beginning was great. Few "action dramas" make me care about the characters, but I loved that little girl, and I loved how she slowly brought Denzel's character out of his shell. They had incredible chemistry, another thing difficult to find in adult/kid movies.
Spoilers--highlight below to read
It would have been better if she'd actually been killed, though. Given more resonance; the "she's alive!" ending was a bit too . . . typical. And I didn't quite see the need for the "Brotherhood" plotline; why give an overarching story to it--it should've just been corrupt cops and kidnappers.
They did the whole La Hermandad" thing to give the movie creedence with it's Latin American based viewers, as such criminal/terrorist organizations are widely prevalent in Latin American countries (I just did 6 months of military language training in spanish and latin american culture).
Jake
:eek: "Who are you mister?"
:mad: "Jacob McCandles."
:eek: "Jacob McCandles?! I thought you was dead."
:mad: "Not hardly! The next man to say that, I'm gonna shoot, so help me." -- from Big Jake