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boardbryce
Reviews
Brick (2005)
Mildly entertaining, but nothing more.
To start, let me say that I had high expectations when I started watching this film. It had received several recommendations and I was fairly excited to see it. There were several things I enjoyed about this film. Although the plot was not completely foreign, the progression of the storyline and the characterization were somewhat creative. I was also pleasantly surprised by the quality of the cinematography. The composition, the lighting, and the scene transitions were all very well done. My problem with this film is mostly in the writing. The characters, and the interaction between them, make it very hard to believe that the setting is at a high school. This extravagance is only heightened by the relationship between Brendan and the Assistant Vice Principal. I also felt the screenplay put far too much emphasis on the roles of each character to the story, rather than to the story itself. In addition, the dialog, a nice attempt to be unique, seemed completely unnatural and forced. It does little more than hinder the comprehension of the audience. The style of dialog might have worked if the setting and the characters were not that of a high school, and if the acting were far superior. With the exception of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the acting was mediocre at best. I don't mean to say that this was a bad film, but it's certainly nothing to get too excited about.
Bu san (2003)
Innovative, and utterly flawless.
I can certainly understand others comments about this film being dull and uninteresting. However, I find it refreshing that a director has taken the risk in creating a film as neutral as this. At a glance, the plot is extremely simple. But I find each of the characters to be intriguing as they each have so many tells. I also enjoyed the parallels between the film in progress and the interaction between viewers in the theater. All sense of emotion has been left at the door in the creation of this film, and the soundtrack is barely existent. The photography was phenomenal, and the transitions between scenes were fantastic. I suggest you not think of this as a movie at all, but rather a work of art.