Saving Private Ryan

One line review: A war story that manages to both embrace all of the standard stereotypes of a war movie and also breath fresh new life into genre.

Movie Title: Saving Private Ryan

Actors: Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Adam Goldberg, Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi, Jeremy Davies, Matt Damon, Ted Danson, Paul Giamatti

Director: Steven Spielberg

Year: 1998

Genre: Drama

Method of Viewing: DVD

Location of Viewing: Home

Viewing with: No One

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% – Anchored by another winning performance from Hanks, Spielberg’s unflinchingly realistic war film virtually redefines the genre.

My rating: *****

My assessment (the first 101 words at least): This is another example of a movie that might not be my personal favorite, but I can recognize it as a powerful movie both visually and emotionally. It certainly show a lot of effort for how much each character is cared for and fleshed out. I admit I wasn’t as impressed by the war scenes as other reviewers have been, I either don’t have an appreciation for the complexity of the effects, or I’ve been spoiled by CG graphics. The movie certainly accomplishes something I didn’t think was possible, giving me the impact and legacy of World War II. Impressive.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

One line review: If you can keep up with the plot, it’s probably one of the funnest movies I’ve seen.

Movie Title: Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels

Actors: Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Nick Moran, Jason Statham, Steven Mackintosh, Nick Marcq, Charles Forbes, Vinnie Jones, Lenny McLean, P.H. Moriarty, Steve Sweeney

Director: Guy Ritchie

Year: 1998

Genre: Comedy

Method of Viewing: Netflix Instant Play

Location of Viewing: Home

Viewing with: Friends in #Jazzmess

Rotten Tomatoes: 71% – With visual style to spare, and a cast and plot you need a computer to keep track of, British writer-director Guy Ritchie’s first feature, “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,” lacks nothing in energy.

My rating: **** – A Legendary movie, but with some flaws.

My assessment (the first 101 words at least): This movie is just fun to watch. The plot at the beginning seems to be going in a thousand directions, and by the end has so many happy coincidences and funny moments that it’s insane. This movie doesn’t really let your eyes get a rest, as your either constantly studying the strange characters you’re introduced to, or looking in the background for some detail you missed. This is the definition of a movie that I need to watch again in a couple of months, just to appreciated all the details of the plot and characters even more. A solid four stars.