Search

Search only in certain items:

Pusher III: I'm the Angel of Death (2005)
Pusher III: I'm the Angel of Death (2005)
2005 | Action, International, Comedy
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"My relationship to film is dictated to a lot by what I’m working on at the time, and right now I’m writing so there’s a few films that I’ve been watching a great deal of. My top three films at the moment are Pusher III, A Prophet and Bullhead. I think that how those films are constructed, tonally, is what I’m looking for, because none of them follow a narrative that I’m interested in — although the worlds have some similarities. I’m looking to do a very personal exploration of a man’s journey that is, for whatever reason, slightly outside of everyday society, but still has all of those hopes and desires of everyone else in America. I just think, of the three Pushers, for me as an audience member, enjoying those films I go backwards. I think Pusher III is a masterpiece; Pusher II I like a great deal; and Pusher is my least favorite of the trilogy, which is the only time I’ve ever had that experience. I mean, I guess I do like Godfather II more than Godfather one; well I don’t know if I like it more, I find myself watching it more frequently. I really like the struggle of that character through Pusher III. Unlike the other films, he’s really, really trying to do the right thing with his life over the course of that film. And you just see that, because of the environment he’s in and the forces that surround him, that he keeps getting pulled down over and over and over until he descends into total darkness at the end."

Source
  
Three Colors: Blue (Trois Couleurs: Bleu) (1993)
Three Colors: Blue (Trois Couleurs: Bleu) (1993)
1993 | Drama, International, Mystery
Look, I swear I'm not trying to be a buzzkill - but it's not my fault 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘵 (2011) was such a staggering masterpiece that it retroactively ruined most films which tackle the same sorts of subject matter for me. I can't deny how formally unique this all is, and I ultimately think that it mostly? semi? kinda? works in the end (the finale in particular is a bracing work of art - if only on the surface). But I also found a lot of this to be heavy-handed and/or pompous - including but not limited to those cheesy "MTV Jackass"-style fade-outs paired with the capable but intrusive score which get overused into oblivion. I understand that the feeling of detachment with itself is purposeful - and sometimes it leads to successful results - but I have the same issue with similar-type films like 𝘒𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘦 (which - to be fair - this is better than) where it gets so lost in its sea of purposeful ambiguity that it trades out substance for an artificial sense of mystery. And again, I get that this is all the point. Maybe this would have resonated better with me had I dealt with such grief as depicted here? Is this even for me? Maybe not, but even still this is home to some hard facepalm schmaltz in general. Another unpopular opinion while we're at it, this looks good in the beginning but after that it mostly really looks various shades of okay-to-bland imo. But I'm a sucker for nuance - which even in its faults this is in entirety - so sure, I'll take it. I definitely won't be forgetting it any time soon.
  
Psycho (1960)
Psycho (1960)
1960 | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Psycho is a true all-timer, in every sense of the phrase. It still holds up now, as well as it ever did and is simply a masterclass in suspense cinema.

Anthony Perkins is fantastic as Norman Bates. He makes the character both approachable and sinister, subtly suggesting just how unhinged he is as the narrative steams forward.
The pacing in Psycho is perfect, even before Marion Crane pulls into the Bates Motel. It successfully reels you in from the films opening (and incredible music score) and just doesn't let you until the end.
Marion Crane is of course played by Janet Leigh. She has a hypnotizing presence thought the runtime, with every line of dialogue feeling important. Her performance alongside Perkins is a huge part of what makes Psycho such a classic.

Hitchcock achieved some truly magnificent shots here as well. The infamous shower scene has rightly earned it's place in cinema history, but it's easy to forget just how chilling it is when you see a shadowy figure through the shower curtain, silently enter the room. True nightmare fuel. Another favourite moment is the overhead shot when Bates flys out of his mother's room to attack Arbogast. Makes me jump every damn time.
Bernard Herrmanns score compliments all of this wonderfully as well. It's a timeless score that is constantly frantic whilst simultaneously beautiful. Much like Jaws, it's almost impossible to think of the film without hearing parts of the iconic music theme.

Psycho is a solid masterpiece that remains effective to this day. It's the perfect thriller, and in some ways, the perfect horror.
  
    Paintstorm Studio

    Paintstorm Studio

    Productivity and Entertainment

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    App

    Paintstorm Studio is the first iOS App designed not only for simple sketches, but professional...

    Type:Rider

    Type:Rider

    Games and Entertainment

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    App

    "An intricately-designed masterpiece that constantly throws fresh challenges and situations at you...

    Rings of Anarchy

    Rings of Anarchy

    Games

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    App

    3D Fantasy MMOARPG Masterpiece. Start your fantastic ring hunting journey! Rings of Anarchy is a...