Word: actioneers
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Through the use of intense live-action shots along with extensive yet tasteful use of CGI, Woo successfully captures the enormity of the war scenes as well as the immediacy of one-on-one combat and melee face-offs. The sheer vastness of Woo’s Chinese navy and army—with tens of thousands of ships extending past the horizon—encourages a dizzying suspension of reality. Whether witnessing enemy horses blinded by mirror-shields, naval ships destroyed by suicide fireboats, or diseased, dead soldiers floated across to the enemy’s shore to infect...
...wise sayings of their philosophy and folklore, and harmonious music from their ancient instruments, Woo conveys with pride an important series of events in his country’s history, one unfamiliar to most Western audiences. In a dramatic departure from both his early mob movies and his American action hits, Woo’s “Red Cliff” serves as an entertaining war film set within a stirring and resonant celebration of Chinese culture...
Instead of the more rigidly defined progression of action and character development that define the plots of most plays and musicals, DeMita’s direction opts instead to expose the inner workings of one individual. The play is basically psychoanalytical; the busy, flowing, often frenetic musical numbers and dynamic stage direction affords the audience a rare glimpse into Poe’s psyche. Unfortunately, this “glimpse” extends into an hour and a half long exposition, a bit generous for the lack of a distinct plot; further, the abundance of scenes constructed to convey...
...Pirate Radio” puts the music center stage. Over its two-hour running time, Curtis has assembled a massive classic rock playlist of over 50 songs that never feels out of place against the on-screen action. Classics like “My Generation” and “Jumping Jack Flash” are immediately identifiable, but lesser known performers like The Hollies or Darlene Love fit just as well. Occasionally, Curtis takes a more literal approach; Cat Stevens’ “Father and Son” plays during a moment between Carl...
...film’s narrative of a small group of rebels fighting against the government is somewhat bland, but rarely, if ever, does the plot overshadow the characters of the film. The final segment of the film devolves into an unnecessarily long action sequence a la “Titanic,” but the movie ultimately ends on an upbeat note, and this feel-good conclusion works; there is a deep gratification in seeing such likeable characters succeed...