Well here's the 1st of the reviews from the PATRIOT test screening last night to cross Father Geek's (that's Geek Paterfamilias' for the more educated among you) desk this morning, I'm sure they'll be several others...
Harry(and everyone else I sent this to, because Harry is in Orange county, or at least Southern California right now)-
MadMan, here with a quick review of the Patriot TEST screening last night in Orange County, California. I was going to ask you (Harry) for your opinion last night, but by the time I had wiped the tears from my eyes and turned around; you had vanished. You move pretty damn fast for a big man.
Without giving too much away.."This movie rocked!!!!!!!". If I were to write this review last night following the film, that phrase would have been the only thing escaping my mouth. That phrase...and alot of drool. Its been a long time since a film has been able to draw me into it so deeply. Sure, I felt like I was following a rockband and making freinds with its lead guitarist in Cameron Crowe's "Untitled"(Stillwater) and I'm pretty sure I could feel bullets grazing some very neccessary body parts while I watched "Saving Private Ryan". But nothing, NOTHING!! could have prepared me for what happened last night. I lived the entire course of a war last night. I don't know if I fought along side Benjamin (Mel) or If I was Benjamin himself, hell I could have been Gabriel (Benjamin's oldest son); all I know is that I lived it.
Few times in a film do you get a chance to see so many character's develop before your eyes. You actually see them grow in this film, you see the war in their faces, when they change you belive the change and know why they do the things they do. Mel Gibson's performance will inspire the next generation of actors to follow in his steps. Not just give them a push . But this performance will be the spark that changes their lives forever and sets them of on their pursuit of stardom.
With every word I write the chance my mind betraying me and giving away too much grows closer. I will end this review by saying one last thing.
This film is not a contender for a Best Picture award. This Film is the winner!! It damn well better be!!!! I have seen many great movies this year and hope to see many many more, but the level of quality in this film cannot be outdone this year. Chances are that it will not be outdone for years to come. I hope they don't cut a frame a this film, not a second should be shaved. On June 30th go see this film. Call in sick to work, stop by 7-11 and fill your pockets with snacks then make your way to the first showing of this movie that your local theater has avalible!!! Then make sure you go see Cameron Crow's "Untitled"!!! It is a great movie and deserves not to be lost in the wide shadow of the Patriot.
P.S- Harry, I was told last night that there will be another screening of "Untitled" in Orange County on Thursday night.
-MadMan
Father Geek back with another look at last night's flick...
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Sith Bitch here, with a new report about The Patriot screening in Southern California.
First of all, there must have been enough people to fill up 2 theatres for this screening (I think they actually had 2 theatres running the show). I arrived about an hour early (6pm) and I was still hundreds of spaces behind the front of the line. Everyone and their Grandma wanted to see this show.
The best part about waiting in that long-ass line was glimpsing at this rather large red-headed fellow at the front doors. At first, I thought 'Hell no!' Sure enough, my eyes did not deceive me. There he was, larger than life- Harry Knowles, standing casually at the front of the doors with about 4 or 5 people around him. I can't believe how much this guy gets around for a sneak peek!
The movie was relatively finished, or at least it looked finished. The battle scenes are really violent (Braveheart Style, but with guns added to the blade weapons). The scenery looks authentic and at time you really think you are sitting off to the side of the battlefield in that era. Near the end, the movie does get a little "Hollywood" with the Twist scenarios. One of the lamest scenes is the Mel Gibson "ducking at the last minute" scene which you will all find to resemble a sequence from a John Woo movie.
There were many scenes that were uplifting in the movie. I swear I almost cried my Sith Bitch eyes out when Mel Gibson had a close moment with one of his daughters. To fight back the tears I had to think about Harry standing up at the front of the line while I fought the crowds at the back.
That is my 2 cents.
Sith Bitch out!
