Saw III

** Stars

Warning: Saw III is without a doubt one of the goriest films of all time. Yes, of all time.

The third installment of this trilogy is for horror fans and horror fans only. The jigsaw is back for the final test (who knows anymore, there could be two more installments if it wanted too) in this twisted and stunningly brutal slasher flick.

Jigsaw (Tobin Bell in his signature role) is dying from a frontal lobe tumor. His new apprentice, Amanda (Shawnee Smith) is taking over his legacy. While city detectives scramble to locate him, Dr. Lynn Denlon (Bahar Soomekhis) is the latest victim in his latest game. After finishing a shift at her hospital, Lynn is kidnapped and forced to keep Jigsaw alive until another victim completes his tasks. Jeff (Angus MacFadyen) and Lynn struggle to make it through each of their vicious tests, tests that are more disgusting then anything I have ever seen.

Jigsaw must have some sort of magical presentiment skill because he can predict every move that every one makes. The only problem with this installment, like the second one, is this idea to find a way to make the audience gag at every stage of the film. Take into consideration that the gore in this film has reached a new level in horror films. From cracking bones, to drowning in pig remains, to open brain surgeries, Saw III gives gruesome a new name for itself. Enter at your own risk. You may be leaving without your dignity and the will to ever eat again.

The Prestige

***1/2 Stars

The Prestige is a fast paced, dazzling white knuckler. Director Christopher Nolan is a wizard when it comes to creating elaborate magic tricks. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale turn in knockout performances as two rival magicians. This is one final act you won’t want to miss.

Two young magicians set out to become famous turn-of-the-century London. Robert Angier (Jackman) is the entertainer and Alfred Borden (Bale) is the creative genius but lacks the showmanship of Angier. They start out as admiring friends and partners. But then their biggest trick goes terribly awry when Angier’s wife is killed. They become enemies for life, outdoing and upending the other.

Michael Caine is explosive as Cutter, the insider who explains how every trick has three acts: The Pledge that sets the stage, The Turn that makes it disappear, and The Prestige that brings the magic back to life. Scarlett Johansson is sexier than ever as Angier’s assistant. Other cast members turn in great performances including Andy Serkis and David Bowie (that’s right, David Bowie) as Nikola Tesla, the creator of “The Transported Man” an illusion that is a scientific phenomenon. So sit back and enjoy The Prestige, because Nolan's thriller won’t let you take a moments breath.

Flags of Our Fathers

*** Stars

This is a three out of four star rating on a Clint Eastwood scale; meaning that this is not Eastwood's greatest work, but still better than most historical films you'll see. Eastwood is a master of his craft adding another somewhat well-worthy edition to his already brimming collection.

This is a study of war and its aftermath. The 1945 painfully hematic battle on Iwo Jima (a volcanic island of Japan) left 6,800 Americans dead and thousands more injured. Five days into the battle, a few men are ordered to raise a flag on top of Iwo Jima not to claim victory (the battle continued for 35 more days) but to give the troops a necessary morale boost. This flag was actually taken down to give to the men who conquered the island and an alternate flag was raised by six men, which was photographed and documented. It became an American symbol. Joe "Doc" Bradley (Ryan Philippe), Ira Hayes (Adam Beach), and Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford), the three surviving men of the photograph were allowed (basically ordered) back to America as heroes. Eastwood, through a series a flashbacks, shows these three young men fighting notorious battles, dealings with the media, visiting the President, and campaigning for donations towards the war.

The story behind the famous picture of Iwo Jima is frightening, disturbing, and realistic. These "heroes" were forced into a situation they had no control over. This picture was never staged (although there were rumors that it was fabricated) and never intended for medial coverage. It was a moment in time that will forever be stilled in many American hearts and Eastwood captures this well. His respect shines for this subject and his passion is clear. He will show more in 2007 with the Japanese side of the story with Letters from Iwo Jima.

Although the story concludes nicely, it is filled with some entangled flashbacks. It seems that too many stories are trying to be told here. From Joe's son retelling his father’s experience, to the effects of war, it can be overwhelming. However, don't let that stop you from seeing Eastwood's vision of an extremely important story. Flags of Our Fathers is a re-account of a landmark event. To bad the film itself was not a landmark .

The Departed

**** Stars

“Cops or Criminals. When you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?”

Martin Scorsese is a masterful storyteller who creates what he does best: a masterpiece that adds further strength to his walking stature among other film directors. If an Oscar is once again taken away from Scorsese, there is no justice in the world.

Based loosely on the 2002 Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, the story commences with a deliciously evil monologue from Frank Costello, (a brilliant Jack Nicholson, who has created a new character that will become legendary) an Irish mob boss who spends his days running the city, earning loads of cash, and destroying every life imaginable. He meets a young boy Colin Sullivan, who is convinced by Frank to later on his life join the Massachusetts State Police force and provide him with information and the first hand in every scenario he is in. Sullivan (Matt Damon at his best) is a man who will only save himself. He is the rat.

Soon after Sullivan joins the force, Bill Costigan (a perfectly cast Leonardo Dicaprio) a troubled young man who wants to do something meaningful with his life, is shot down from the academy. But instead, he is placed undercover to infiltrate Costello’s unit in which only two cops know of this: Captain Queenan (a classic Martin Sheen) and Sergeant Dignam (Mark Wahlberg in the best performance of his career). So the stage is set.

Dicaprio: Good Cop.
Damon: Bad Cop.
Nicholson: Mob Boss.
Scorsese: Director.
The Cast: Dynamite.
Execution: Breathtaking.

For a running time of over two and a half hours, The Departed is a fast paced, dazzling piece of work. Its violence, deceit, and tragedy will leave you staggered. Even with some minor flaws involving some underwritten characters, Scorsese’s brilliant mind is an example of our highest accomplishments in modern cinema. This is one of his best crime drama, ranking right with his classic Goodfellas.

Oscar or Scorsese. When you’re facing The Departed, What’s the difference?

The Illusionist

**** Stars

"Everything you have seen here has been an illusion..."

This is why I love the movies.

Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti unite for a dazzling story in this elegant and well-provoked concept behind the world of magic.

Director Neil Burger's screen adaptation of Steven Millhauser's short story 'Eisenheim the Illusionist' stars Edward Norton, in a dynamite role as Eisenheim, a magician in early 1900's Vienna. In his childhood, he fell in love with a young girl, Sophie (Jessica Biel at her best) who is of higher class. Now, when she becomes engaged to a Crown Prince, Eisenheim uses his powers to win her back and undermine the stability of the royal house of Vienna. Chief Inspector Uhl (A perfect Paul Giamatti) investigates Eisenheim's acts of magic and begins to unravel many of his tricks. He is considered almost of a sorcerer to the people. He has a power that can wheel the public into believing the unbelievable.

Forget and forgive the questions of his abilities. Let the story grab you and take you in. If you let it, you be entertained beyond most movies you'll see this year. The Illusionist is a wonderfully old-fashioned tale, filled with juice that was worth the squeeze. It is pure magic.