300

Many comic book or graphic novel fans will remember Frank Miller as being an extraordinary artist when it comes to dark stories. 300 is no different from any of his other works, in this sense. However, this story had been transformed from a graphic novel into an epic film about the Spartan's struggle against the Persians at Thermopylae. Based on actual events that happened at this battle, an amazing film was able to be created. The use of dynamic special effects and an amazing cast allow this film to be a successful piece of art.

When looking at the graphic novel that was created by Frank Miller, director Zack Snyder decided to keep with the style and create a film that looked like a graphic novel. This was done mostly using blue and green screens indoors and most of the backdrops were added later with a computer. This method of creating the backgrounds allowed the movie to keep the graphic novel look and still seem somewhat realistic. Actors are sometimes morphed beyond their true dimensions such as when King Xerxes meets with Leonidas. Xerxes stands a good foot and a half over Leonidas, but this is merely a metaphorical height. It shows the difference in the amount of soldiers each side has.

Despite the graphics of the novel, however, the characters themselves can be extraordinary at times and lacking at others. King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) has the voice and controlling aura that fits his character well. He belts out speeches and orders to his troops in a way that is honored by all who listen. He never goes unheard by his men, as he is their trusty leader that will stand up front in battle. However, the development of the characters is almost nonexistent and if it is there, it is too predictable.

Overall, 300 is definitely a film to watch because of the astonishing visuals and the comic book style battle scenes. If realistic battle scenes are what you are looking for, you might be deterred by the amount of gruesome blood and epic deaths. Also, the plot and character development are not the best, but the visuals and soundtrack should be enough to keep your attention throughout the film.

Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark

Many great films were directed by Steven Spielberg and Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark is no exception. In 1981, this film hit the box office and it has been a legend since then. Adventure is what fuels Indiana Jones as he goes on an expedition to take the Ark of the Covenant from the Nazis before they can use it for evil purposes. As Indiana searches for the artifact, he falls into numerous traps and daring escapes.

Raiders of the Lost Ark is a film that grabs the audience at the beginning and doesn't let go until the very end. As Indiana Jones makes his way to the Lost Ark in an attempt to snatch it before the Nazis, he runs into numerous traps from which he must make split second decisions in order to save himself. The amazing stunts done in this film cause the audience to sit at the edge of their seats as Indiana Jones escapes from seemingly impossible situations. This nail-biting excitement could not be accomplished without the help of executive producer George Lucas and director Steven Spielberg.

The past productions that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg have done has made it possible for such an amazing movie to be made. However, the entire movie is not good simply because of the production. The use of humor and the character's styles also make this film one that will not be soon forgotten. The humor is not very frequent in the dialogue of the characters, but rather in the actions that take place. For instance, one such moment is when the swordsman faces off with Indy in the marketplace. He shows off his sword skills and then waits for Indy to demonstrate his skills. Instead, Indiana Jones just shoots him and then continues his task at hand.

Raiders of the Lost Ark is one such film that is a classic and holds up to the hype. The amazing staff along with the actors all come together to create a film that will not be forgotten. This classic Nazi film is one that is memorable, to say the least.

Pulp Fiction

When Quentin Tarantino gets behind a camera and directs a film, there is always a great movie being made. One such movie that had this taste of greatness is Pulp Fiction. This film was created in 1994, a staggering fifteen years ago, and it is still a great movie to this day. Tarantino has created such a great film through the use of dialogue mostly and character creation.

Throughout Pulp Fiction, there are two elements that bring everything together and tell the whole story. One of these elements are the characters. The actors in this film do more than just act out a character, instead, they actually become the character that they are portraying. There is no sign of forced acting in this film and that is what completes it. Since there is no artificial feeling, the film feels more sincere and real. Also, the characters are well developed in the minds of the actors as well as by the dialogue taking place.

Dialogue is the other such element that helps to bring the movie together. All of the characters seem to have a different way of talking and they are all very dialogue heavy. There is little need to read the faces of the characters on screen to know what they are thinking and how to react. Through their communications between each other, it is easy to understand just where the characters stand. With very little guess work on the audience's part, it allows for a more fast-paced movie, one that can say a lot and still keep going.

Overall, Pulp Fiction is one of the great cult-classics of the nineties. It is an epic film that uses dialogue like few films have before. The amazing character development allows the audience to feel closer to the characters and feel a sense of remorse when any of them gets knocked. No movie-goer will go home disappointed with this film.

Ratcatcher

Ratcatcher, a film by Lynne Ramsey, is a film that focuses on a 12-year-old boy, James Gillespie, during the 1973 strike of the garbage workers. This grim tale takes place in the Glasgow projects and focuses on the life of James as he goes through a tough time in his young life.

We are introduced to this film in a way that is unlike most films. At first, there is no soundtrack. A boy is having fun by spinning around in some curtains seemingly in his own world. However, we are quickly brought back to reality by a slap in the head from the boys mother. The way that slow motion is used in this scene is astonishing. For a few moments, the audience is captivated in this child's play and it seems as though nothing could go wrong. Little does the child know what will happen when he goes out to play. The death of the boy causes James' a mental dilemma. When he watches his friend drown in the pond, he doesn't tell anyone about it, for fear of being blamed or beaten. This eventually causes James to lose another friend close to him.

The camera work in this film is something to behold. Artistic angles of the camera create beautiful imagery that every viewer should enjoy. The camera acts as though it is an extension of James' imagination as he explores the new housing complexes being built in a better part of the neighborhood. An extraordinary bird's eye view is used as James climbs down a flight of stairs in the new structure and close-up view then shows his curiosity as he enters a room with an amazing view of a wheat field. Close-ups and unique camera angles are not the only things that stick out, however. The camera uses many wide shots to show the slums that James lives in and focuses more on his surroundings it seems than himself.

As amazing as the camera angles are, they are not the only part of the movie that is sure to catch the attention of the audience. The amazing use of lighting plays a very important role as well. Overall, this film is one that should be seen by anyone that is in love with the film industry. This breakthrough, first-time film is one that should be appreciated by all.

Inglourious Basterds

Nazis, Jews, and Americans all come together in a spectacular way in Quentin Tarantino's film Inglourious Basterds. Brad Pitt, a Tennessee-born Lieutenant, gathers together a group of rebels who's only desire is to kill a lot of Nazis. Unforgettable characters are created through Tarantino's excellent use of action, dialogue, and an all-star cast that really takes their roles to heart. A bat-wielding "Bear Jew" (Eli Roth) is one such unforgettable character as he beats down Nazi's with relentless vengeance. A crazy Sgt. Stiglitz (Til Schweiger) murders Nazi's for fun before he is recruited to the Inglourious Basterds' team.

The tension in the air of the first few minutes of the movie sets the scene for the rest of this World War II cinema event. Actors switch between French, German and English throughout the film which sets a more realistic mood to the film overall. Its easier to envision oneself in the room with the characters as they speak their native languages. For those who dislike reading subtitles to know the actions taking place onscreen: this film may not be for you. However, despite the almost constant subtitles, the film is an epic venture into the heart of World War II.

Quentin Tarantino has taken his sweet time to perfect a movie that has been his passion for ten years. His patience and creative efforts have paid off in a film that is far beyond the typical World War II movie bloodbath. The gore in the film is taken to a level that Tarantino is not unfamiliar with. Looking back at past project like Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, the level gore in Inglourious Basterds is on par. There are scenes that may shock many such as the scalping of Nazis and a bat bashing a general's head in. However, the gore is not the only thing going for this film.

Dialogue is plays a large part in this film. In the beginning scene, the level of tension that is reached is only attained by the use of dialogue between the Nazi colonel and the dairy farmer. Its a verbal game of cat and mouse that eventually leads to a dramatic finish. A tavern scene is another such scene where verbal exchanges lead to a dramatic finale. Tarantino takes special care with the dialogue in this scene where the suspense is created all due to an accent. With such care being given to the exchanges of words, its no wonder Tarantino creates a masterpiece of a film.