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LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007) in Movies

Sep 19, 2020 (Updated Oct 12, 2020)  
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)
2007 | Drama, Mystery
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Completely fucked, 'from worse to even worse' filmmaking in vein of something like 𝘜𝘯𝘤𝘶𝘵 𝘎𝘦𝘮𝘴. I think this is a terrific - even in many instances traumatizing - thriller with even more gobsmackingly terrific performances (particularly from Philip Seymour Hoffman in a straight up *brutal* role). It's very nasty and gritty but also very sophisticated, and looks wonderful while doing so, too. That all being said, sacrilege as this may be, is it too much to ask for one Sidney Lumet film to actually have some momentum? Good God, at least from the ones I've seen - still good as they are - they're absolutely killed from prestige greatness because of the dire sag in pacing. Scenes here drone on well past the point of no return for really no reason, granted at least in this one it's mostly salvaged by the clever asynchronous way the stories are all edited together - but still, it'd be nice for this to be a little snappier at times. That aside, it's a testament to all these mammoth performances and emotionally gripping writing that it was able to come out as solid as it was - and it is something that Lumet, into his 80s here, was able to end his career with such a stimulating, grimy drama. Legitimately jaw-dropping ending, nearly gave me whiplash.
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated Joker (2019) in Movies

Oct 10, 2019 (Updated Oct 10, 2019)  
Joker (2019)
Joker (2019)
2019 | Crime, Drama
10
8.5 (147 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Joaquin Phoenix (2 more)
Great cinematography
A realistic origin story
Send in the Clowns
I've been looking forward to this since seeing the Trailers a while ago. Also the fact that it appears to be a dark, gritty more realistic origin story. Looking and feeling more like a film set in our society, rather than Gotham city. There are enough hints and elements to the film to give it the DC universe setting. It was nice to see these touches in the film.
This film won't be for everyone. It is a slow burner, character driven piece with little action to speak of. It does showcase Joaquin Phoenix talents though in a performance that must make him the favourite for the Best Actor Oscar. It's a dark film, showing his descent into madness, not coping with his mental illness with a bleak look at his past as well. Set against a backdrop of civil unrest in the city. There are obvious comparisons with @Taxi Driver (1976) which had similar themes. It's also quite violent in places but I think compared to many other films it's no worse than you would expect.
Overall I think this could be a modern classic and definitely deserves high praise for the cinematography, which is very artistically shot and the acting. It's Phoenix's portrayal of Joker that this film will be remembered for.