Friday, November 30, 2012

The Ladykillers (2004)


2004 Black Comedy film

Director: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen

Writer: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen

Cinematography: Roger Deakins

Running time: 104 minutes

Country: United States

Tagline: The greatest criminal minds of all time have finally met their match.

Cast:
Tom Hanks as G.H. Dorr, Ph. D
Irma P. Hall as Marva Munson
Tzi Ma as "The General”
J. K. Simmons as Garth Pancake
Marlon Wayans as Gawain MacSam
Ryan Hurst as Lump Hudson
Diane Delano as Mountain Girl
George Wallace as Sheriff Wyner
Stephen Root as Mr. Gudge

Plot
An eccentric, if not charming Southern professor and his crew pose as a band in order to rob a casino, all under the nose of his unsuspecting landlord: a sharp old woman.

Awards:
  1. Black Reel-Best Actress, Musical or Comedy-Irma P. Hall-Black Reel Awards
  2. Jury Prize-Irma P. Hall- Cannes Film Festival
  3. Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Technical/Artistic Achievement
    Roger Deakins-Evening Standard British Film Awards
Trivia
The portrait of Mrs. Marva Munson's dead husband Othar is stationed over the fireplace. Throughout the movie, Othar's visage in the portrait changes as the story unfolds. The portrait appears to have the same stoic expression at the approximate time stamps of 05:25, 33:20, and 01:07:22; however Othar's portrait is clearly disapproving when shown at the 01:14:35 mark. After Mrs. Munson's ultimatum to G.H. Dorr, Othar's portrait returns to its stoic visage at 01:15:15. At 01:27:58, when he fears for Mrs. Munson's safety, Othar's portrait's expression reflects his surprise. At 01:29:44, Othar's portrait appears satisfied and almost smiling. This was probably done in tribute to Preston Sturges' "Sullivan's Travels" in which the portrait of Mr. Kornheiser's expressions change. "Sullivan's Travels" was one of the inspirations for The Coens' "O, Brother Where Art Thou". 

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5 star out of 5 stars



Friday, November 16, 2012

Kill Bill: Volume 2


2004 Action/Thriller Film

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Writer: Quentin Tarantino

Cinematography: Robert Richardson

Running time: 136 minutes

Country: United States

Tagline: Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Cast:
Uma Thurman as The Bride / Beatrix Kiddo
David Carradine as Bill
Lucy Liu as O-Ren Ishii
Vivica A. Fox as Vernita Green
Michael Madsen as Budd
Daryl Hannah as Elle Driver
Julie Dreyfus as Sofie Fatale
Sonny Chiba as Hattori Hanzo
Gordon Liu as Pai Mei
Bo Svenson as Reverend Harmony
Jeannie Epper as Mrs. Harmony
Chris Nelson as Tommy Plympton
Samuel L. Jackson as "Rufus"
Larry Bishop as Larry Gomez
Sid Haig as Jay
Michael Parks as Esteban Vihaio
Perla Haney-Jardine as B.B
Helen Kim as Karen

Plot
The murderous Bride continues her quest of vengeance against her former boss and lover Bill, the reclusive bouncer Budd, and the treacherous, one-eyed Elle.

Awards:
  1. Saturn Award-Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film- Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
  2. Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor-David Carradine- Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
  3. Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress-Daryl Hannah- Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
  4. American Choreography Award-Outstanding Achievement in Choreography – Fight-Keith Adams, Sonny Chiba, Quentin Tarantino & Woo-ping Yuen-American Choreography Awards, USA
  5. COFCA Award-Best Sound Design-Central Ohio Film Critics Association
  6. MTV Movie Award-Best Fight-Daryl Hannah & Uma Thurman-MTV Movie Awards
  7. Sant Jordi-Best Foreign Film-Quentin Tarantino-Sant Jordi Awards
  8. Taurus Award-Best Fight-Monica Staggs & Zoe Bell-World Stunt Awards
  9. Taurus Award-Best Overall Stunt by a Stunt Woman-Monica Staggs & Zoe Bell- World Stunt Awards

Trivia
Ricardo Montalban was cast to play Esteban. Unable to make an early read through of the script, his lines were read by Michael Parks, who impressed Tarantino so much that he recast Parks instead. 

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5 star out of 5 stars