Se7en (1995)

The following review contains spoilers.  You have been warned.

"Ernest Hemingway once said the world is a fine place, and worth fighting for.  I agree with the second part."

- Det. William Sommerset

So says Det. Sommerset (Morgan Freeman), in voice over, at the conclusion of Se7en, a film that is one of the most gruesome pieces of filmmaking I have ever seen, yet is surprisingly graphic only in the details of the crime scenes.  Had this movie been made today, where we have been desensitized by Saw and Hostel, we might have gotten scenes of the killer actually carrying out these acts of torture, instead of the intelligent mystery that is wrapped around the reason for these killings.

Today, the movie might have opened with John Doe (Kevin Spacey) torturing the gluttony victim, instead of Sommerset and Det. Mills (Brad Pitt) meeting at an unrelated crime scene.  Thankfully David Fincher, who had only been known for Alien 3, defined a very unique style that he would lay out in two other films in which the minds of the insane are explored.  This is still my favorite film he's made, unlike Fight Club (1999), which is entertaining for two viewings, and then becomes overrated with each subsequent observation.

The movie is about a killer who's M.O. is the seven deadly sins as laid out by Dante and observed in many classic books (Canterbury Tales and the Divine Comedies are mentioned frequently).  Sommerset and Mills set-out to try and solve the case: Sommerset is retiring, on his final week, and Mills is new, training to make a difference in the world.

The characters exist in a city that has the look and feel of Los Angeles in the 40s, and the weather of Seattle.  The film bleeds of film noir in every frame, as muted colors, especially blacks and grays, are used throughout the film to establish the somber mood.  Is this movie an allegory of our times, still relevant today?  Definitely.  Sommerset hates living in the city, where petty murders happen a mere four blocks from the police station and are ignored for the higher profile murders of famous lawyers.

The film does a very good job of incorporating the cop buddy cliché into this movie because rarely have we ever seen it used in this setting.  If you think about it, the relationship between the cops isn't any different the relationship between Danny Glover and Mel Gibson in the Lethal Weapon films.  Sommerset is established as very traditional and studious, going to the library to research the seven deadly sins and tying his own ties (a lost art, apparently).  Mills, on the other hand, needs CliffNotes to get through the Divine Comedies, and has all his ties pre-tied for him.  The contrast between the two is very distinct, most obviously in Sommerset's placidity and Mills' yearning to get things done.

A question I kept posing myself throughout the film was why do I like this, and for that matter, why is it so good?  The film is depraved on many levels, but a little depravity probably isn't a bad thing, as long as mature viewers are witnessing it.  But one could argue that the film is merely a slideshow of gruesome acts dressed with classic literature to give it some sense of higher meaning.  The meaning of it all, though, is only evident to John Doe, the crazed mastermind behind it all.

We do enjoy villains who are articulate, who say exactly what they mean to say.  Why else was Hannibal Lecter so appealing?  Kevin Spacey is terrific as the killer, and it is to this movie's credit that he doesn't show up until the last half hour of the film, and that he isn't a raving lunatic.  He is crazy, but like all crazy people he believes he is working for a higher cause, that he was chosen to carry out the acts laid out before him.

"Only in a world this shitty could you even try to say that these were innocent people and keep a straight face.  But that's the point.  We see a deadly sin on every street corner, in every home, and we tolerate it.  We tolerate it because it's common, it's trivial.  We tolerate it morning, noon, and night."  This is how John Doe puts it when asked why he murdered the innocents.  Yes they were imperfect human beings, and so are all of us.  That's John Doe's sermon: our world has gotten so bad that these Seven Deadly Sins are seen by many on a regular, daily basis.  And who can say they haven't experienced gluttony, greed, pride, sloth, lust, envy, or wrath at some point in their lifetime?  I can attest that I have experienced at least gluttony and/or sloth on more then one occasion (those two go together, almost).

As I stated before, there is no real exhibition of actual violence in the film, save one chase scene.  However, the film graphically depicts the violent acts the victims undergo throughout the course of the film, and leaves the actual crime to your imagination.  The crime scenes even help clearly illustrate to you how the crime scene is played out, but the film isn't here for all the gory details.  We don't every see the whore's mangled body, or the disfigured face of the woman, though we do see the fat man, the lawyer, and the drug dealer who has been lying down for a year.

I guess the great irony of the film is that only in a society such as ours could a film like this be considered excellent, a real tapestry of violence and insanity.  Of course, the film is merely an adaptation of the great works of literature it displays in the film.  The Bible is very bloody, as are some of Shakespeare's plays (Merchant of Venice is directly referenced here, and we can thank God John Doe decided not to take note of Titus Andronicus).  Violence has been a natural part of society, from the gladiators to the current spectacle we see depicted on celluloid.

Every year I make a list of top 50 favorite movies I have ever seen, usually to incorporate some new discovery I have made in the past year, or to reorder something I don't particularly agree with now.  On the four lists I have made thus far, I have consistently ranked Se7en as one of my favorites, a couple of times in my top 10.  What makes this movie so sublime, I think, is that every time I watch it I discover something new and yet am able to relive the suspense the first time I saw the movie.  Even though I anticipate that ending, it still makes my jaw drop in horror every time.

Though the final moment of the climax is something I continually agree and disagree with regularly.  The movie has an alternate ending that personally sounds like a better one to me.  Mills has too much time to think about the action he is going to take, and Sommerset just stands there and lets him think about it without physically intervening.  It's a moment that wouldn't happen ever, but as I've said, this movie incorporates the buddy cop formula into a deadly situation.

Ultimately, Se7en is a movie I will always love, despite my minor disagreement with the final moment of the ending.  But it's a film rich with acting, set design, directing, writing, and of course, a killer ass opening credits sequence.  If I ever make a list of the 10 best opening credit sequences of all time, Se7en will definitely be on that list.

Summer 2009: May

May 1^st:

 

Battle for Terra –

First up for the month is what will be a terrible, horrible animated film, which also appears to rip-off the plot for James Cameron’s upcoming film Avatar.  Battle for Terra concerns the humans leaving earth after it is destroyed and setting out for Terra, where humanoid fish things live in peace and harmony (puh-leeze, every intelligent organism fights).  Not only does it rip-off Avatar, it also has terrible visuals, on par with George Lucas’ Clone Wars film that came out last August (that was worse because the characters all had polygonal faces).  Finally, this movie is in 3D, and only because the producers know that no one is going to see it when it comes, so they can squeeze as much out of the unfortunate souls who go as they can.  I likes the 3D and all, but only when it is reserved as a special event, and only when it is in IMAX theaters.  Otherwise, I’ll dodge it and view it in its regular 3D format.

 

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past –

I love trailers like these because basically I get to see the whole movie for free and condensed into 2½ minutes.  Sweet.  Basically, McConaughey leads a successful and has probably had upwards of 500 girlfriends, ranging from a couple months to 48 seconds.  Jennifer Garner plays the one true love, the girl that got away, and the movie applies A Christmas Carol’s structure to teach McConaughey about his sins, and he wins Garner over.  It’s a movie that will hold no surprises, be dull, and will get bucks from the females that are attracted to this sort of syrupy crap.  Nothing wrong with a rom-com, but you can use the formula in a fresh way, and this ain’t it.

 

X-Men Origins: Wolverine –

I remember hearing about this project being announced right after X-Men: The Last Stand was released, and hearing it would come out in 2007.  Well, it’s 2009, and here we are with the prequel to the X-Men movies (I seem to remember one being slated for Magneto too, which has a 2011 release date).  The X-Men Origins is a good idea, I guess, since the X-Men are such vast array of colorful characters with different paths (Lost, anyone?).  Since this movie was leaked almost a month ago, I’m wondering if anyone’s going to show up to see this one.  My guess is the Internet leak will impact the box office, though the copy was unfinished so people that liked the film may go to see it in it’s finished form.  I am indifferent to the whole thing, though, and might see it out of mere curiosity.  I’ve heard its good, and I’ve heard its bad, but I’ve never really been interested in the movie, so there you have it.

 

The Limits of Control [limited] –

In my many film viewings I haven’t really watched any Jim Jarmusch films, which I guess is a terrible crime.  Broken Flowers is the only of his films I’ve seen, and I found that to be terribly overrated.  However, since I haven’t viewed anything else by him, I’ll definitely keep my eye open for this one.  It has a great cast (Issach de Bankolé, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton) and its trailer entices you without telling you anything.  So already I’m sold.  I’ll probably make a venture out to see this one when it is released, and I’ll make sure I brush up on my Jim Jarmusch viewing.

 

 

May 8^th:

 

Star Trek –

Of any movie getting released this month, or for that matter this summer, this is probably the most highly anticipated film we’re going to get.  Already the movie has received rave reviews from its press screenings, notably one in Texas that Ain’t It Cool News set-up, tricking the attendees into thinking they were going to see Wrath of Khan.  Personally, Star Trek really isn’t my thing; my dad has watched all the TV shows, and I have seen a fair share of Star Trek: TNG and Voyager.  I’ve also seen all the NG movies, and one of the original ones (Undiscovered Country, I think).  So I stand in no official capacity to be excited for this movie.  The casting seems odd, but then we have been surprised in the past from “bad” casting (everyone scoffed at Heath Ledger when he was cast as the Joker), so really nothing can be said until the movie is out there in theaters.  Do we really need a Star Trek reboot?  I think not, but if this movie does actually live up the early hype it is generating, then dammit all I’ll eat my words off a sliver platter.  I’m not saying the movie will be bad, I’m just not particularly excited for it.

 

Next Day Air –

Well, this movie looks insane, and not in a good way.  Basically stars the guy who plays Turk on Scrubs as a package delivery who mistakenly drops off a shipment of drugs (he does not know it is drugs) to the wrong apartment number, and chaos ensues as the people who were supposed to get it start shooting, and the people who got it start dealing and using.  I’m not particularly interested in this movie and, unless this receives the highest possible order of rave reviews (which is the case with every film) I will avoid it.  I’m sure it will be a fun time, but you can’t really root for characters that are idiots.

 

Rudo y Cursi [limited] –

Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna star as the title characters (I’m not sure if that’s respectfully) in this offbeat but funny-enough looking film about two friends or brothers or whatever who are scouted out for football talents, make it big, and then have a downfall (the impression I get from the trailer, at least).  Hispanic directors gave us three films in 2006 that all were unique in some way (Children of Men, Babel, and Pan’s Labyrinth) so keep your eyes on Hispanic cinema.  They come up with some good shit, though I won’t be seeing this first thing when it hits theaters.  Still, looks relatively simple, charming, and fun, so I may just go to escape the hot sun one day.

 

 

May 15^th:

 

Angels & Demons –

The prequel to DaVinci Code is being released, starring Tom Hanks again in the role of Robert Langdon.  I’ve been told that this is the most cinematic book, or easiest to film book of the series, so I guess that holds promise for the movie.  While the first one dealt with Jesus’ ancestry and his tomb, this one deals (I think) with the origin of life.  This movie has already caused controversy as Ron Howard was not allowed to film at the Vatican, since the church despises Dan Brown and likewise.  This could be a brisk, entertaining thriller, but I won’t prioritize it since there will be other things to see.  Still, if I’m bored it could be worth a visit.

 

The Brothers Bloom [limited] –

I previewed this film back in December when it was originally supposed to be released.  Now it has been moved to a May release, and the first seven minutes were released on Hulu.  The beginning of the film enticed me, more so then the trailer, and if you enjoyed the heightened sense of reality Rian Johnson created in Brick, then you are definitely shoe horned for this movie.  Adrian Brody and Mark Ruffalo play con brothers who decide that they are going to con Rachel Weisz (a rich recluse) out of $2.5 million.  Rinko Kikuchi (the deaf chick from Babel) and Robbie Coltrane co-star in what should be a popcorn-munching piece of delightful entertainment.

 

Management –

Basically Steve Zahn tries to win Jennifer Aniston’s heart over, even though she’s dating Woody Harrelson (who is always awesome).  The trailer opens with Aniston letting Zahn touch her butt, which leads him on a quest for her, so the set-up is already a little disturbing.  I really don’t think this movie will do it, and will not have high expectations for it when it comes out.  To avoid, for sure.

 

O’ Horten [5/14 – LA/NY] –

Well, the trailer makes no sense: the plot summary, though, is of a man’s retirement, and how that evening plays out.  Now that sounds more interesting then what’s presented in the trailer, which just shows a bunch of people running around and stuff.  So now my interest has peaked a bit, and when this rolls around I may venture to the U District to view this one.  Though it probably won’t reach me until June.

 

 

May 22^nd:

 

Terminator Salvation [5/21] –

The era of Schwarzenegger Terminators has passed, and now we focus strictly on John Connor (Christian Bale).  I still have to see T3 before I run out to see this, and I only have a couple weeks so I better jump on it.  Now, this movie has every reason to be good, save one aspect: director McG.  This guy has a great visual style, which is always useful in the medium of music videos (where he started) but I’ve seen Charlie’s Angels and his storytelling abilities were not very evident in that film.  This Terminator looks very gritty, though, which is a plus, and with Christian Bale, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Sam Worthington making up the cast, it makes up for the director.  However, this could very easily become a huge misfire, but my fingers are crossed that it will deliver and McG will finally make a decent or, hopefully, excellent piece of film.  This also receives the rare Thursday release treatment, so you can catch it a day early before you run off on Memorial Day weekend vacations.

 

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian –

Since it’s Memorial Day weekend, we’ll get a helping from almost every genre.  Terminator fits the action for male adults bill, so here’s Night at the Museum 2, to fit the family bill.  I never saw the first film, though I wanted to; it looked like it had a certain sweet charm to it.  However, this sequel just looks loud and noisy, adding more historical figures to the group, including General Custer (Bill Hader) and Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams).  This is the first of two movies this year to feature Earhart, though the other will be a biopic and not a family romp.  Jonah Hill is also in this, so this is a sure sign that the Frat Pack is seeing it’s way out the door and the Apatow crew is really taking over all (are they part of the Frat Pack too?).  Still, I won’t see this, mainly from a lack of interest and because I never saw the first one.

 

Dance Flick –

The trailer I downloaded off of Apple for this originally had it slated for a February release date, so for some reason this got pushed to May to fill the comedy bill on Memorial Day weekend.  The Wayans Brothers were originally responsible for Scary Movie, and a sequel or two (I think) but they have not been involved in the atrociously awful Date/Epic/Disaster/Whatever Movies.  That’s Friedberg or whatever (and I swear to God, if that idiot releases another movie, I will lead a group of pitchfork and torch wielding protesters and burn down his studio).  Flick replaces Movie so you disassociate it from those other ones, but it will be just as bad, I promise you.  The only witty moment of the trailer was the “no I in team, or group, or gang, or ensemble” joke.  Otherwise, predictable, stupid humor.  Over and out.

 

Easy Virtue [limited] –

For the older generation that doesn’t want noisy terminators, museum pieces, or dancers, here’s an adaptation of a Noel Coward play starring Jessica Biel as an American who shakes things up at a British mansion.  She shows off her promiscuity and causes scandal and uproar overseas.  Colin Firth and Kristin Scott Thomas also star.  Really, what this movie could do is prove Jessica Biel, once and for all, can or cannot act.  Really, I am not particularly fascinated by Noel Coward because what I have seen (one, actually, Private Lives) was fun, but not really very conclusive in any way.  So I probably won’t go out and see this one because it will only be available in limited markets, and it doesn’t look like the effort will be necessary.

 

The Girlfriend Experience [LA/NY] –

And finally, art house fans who live in LA or NY will get Steven Soderbergh’s new movie, the Girlfriend Experience, which centers around a call girl (porn star Sasha Grey) and the challenges of her clients and boyfriend leading up to the 2008 presidential election.  It’s funny that a porn star has crossed over into the mainstream cinema, since her IMDb page is filled with over 150 porn titles.  However, a call girl won’t be much of a stretch for a porn star, and anyways this movie should garner more interest from its director then its star (though it won’t).  So unless this gets rave reviews, I won’t see it.

 

 

May 29^th:

 

Up –

Pixar’s newest offering is a charming tale of an old man who flies his house up into the skies to go on the adventure of a lifetime, and the young Boy Scout who accidentally attends.  Pixar’s advertising department is masterful at telling you just enough about the movie that you want to see it, but nothing else so that when you do finally view it, there are tons of fun surprises waiting.  I’m always down for anything Pixar has to offer, though the fact that Pete Doctor directs this leads me to believe it won’t be as excellent as their recent efforts (Doctor directed Monsters, Inc. which I like, but don’t love).  Still, should be a really good movie.

 

Drag Me to Hell –

Sam Raimi finally returns to the Horror genre, a place where has produced one of the most frightening horror movies I’ve ever seen (Evil Dead).  Drag Me to Hell really doesn’t have much of a premise: insurance lady who wants a promotion denies a gypsy an extension on whatever or whatever, and so the gypsy curses her (more because she shames the gypsy then makes her homeless).  The one thing this will teach you is never to deny a crazy gypsy an extension on her mortgage.  I’m not a big horror guy, anyway, so I probably won’t go see this, but it’s nice to see Raimi back in the horror genre after he screwed up Spider-Man 3.

 

Departures [limited] –

The movie that came out of nowhere and won Best Foreign Language Film at the past Oscar Ceremony better be nothing short of amazing, which means better then The Class.  Waltz with Bashir has faded in my memory and the Class has stuck out as a stronger film, so I think Departures robbed the Class.  Basically, a musician loses his job and takes on the duty of preparing dead bodies for burial.  Kind of a Six Feet Under premise going there, and it has the potential to actually be amazing, but I’m inevitably going to enter this with the same bias I did when I went to see the Reader (and for the record, I never really thought that movie was going to be great).  So I will see this, just because it won Best Foreign Film, but my expectations are really, really high.  It’s like I want it to fail, but actually, I would be happier if it amazed me, because I always want films to be good (except the Reader, because that movie will always suck).

 

 

Coming in June:

Land of the Lost

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

Year One

Transformer: Revenge of the Fallen

Welcome to the Film Revue!

Revue is a French word for "a light theatrical entertainment consisting of a series of short sketches, songs, and dances, typically dealing satirically with topical issues."  While this blog will not feature sketches, songs, or dances, it will feature reviews of current movies and old movies, a preview feature each month of the movies coming out that month, as well as other articles of general interest in the film world.  I will also, on the rare occasion, review a television show I have recently finished viewing (in the works: reviews of The Sopranos, Lost and 24).  I hope to encourage a general forum of discussion on the movies I review, and welcome every opinion, even if I aggressively disagree.