mjazz1

I am on my knees thanking the almighty and the film makers for such a wonderful piece of work. It is such a welcome break from the regular, loud, in your face, over the top tag line, poorly acted product that is coming off the Hollywood assembly line these days as regularly as lies out of the white house.

This movie is astonishing, it combines all the best elements of Tsui Hark's earlier very best films like The Blade, The Lovers, Legend Of Zu, Once Upon A Time In China, and creates a bleak whirlpool of (not poetic) the brutal and painful to watch violence, and conversely (not bland) the ever-present romanticism - not just between people – but in the beauty and simplicity of the nature and human soul, and in their harmonical relation, just like the relation between heaven and earth.

Here one can sense what Tsui Hark is really capable of doing, given the proper DIRECTION and THEME. The landscapes, the love affairs are simply breathtaking. As if the movie didn't want us to be completely part of their affairs and issues, but just gently touches on them with an honest sensitivity and tenderness that let them move with a tranquility and an innocence which evokes in the viewer the sense of the genuine art of film-making that I have not seen in a very long time.

I did not go to the theater to see this movie (which i'll probably regret for the rest of my life), but rented the DVD, but my thirst for a beautiful, not just entertaining, but a truly BEAUTIFUL movie was finally quenched! Thank you Mr. Hark for your unique artistic voice and talent. You will be remembered as one of the greatest for evermore!

This film The Master is wonderful. Admittedly it may initially disappoint, but this should only happen on first viewing. It is a movie that requires attention to detail (as all masterpieces do) and knowledge of other martial arts movies and legends. Nonetheless, after first viewing (during which time the proverbial penny should drop and deeper understanding commence), there are amazing viewing rewards! In fact, if you should ever want to show off your knowledge to others of the deeper purpose of martial arts and/or Jet Li, well, this is definitely THE movie to have! First, though, to find the deeper story! So, to help the penny drop and to help find full appreciation of the consummate mastery of this Tsui Hark movie (especially its script), consider the possibility that the Master = Bruce Lee, the first internationally-recognized master of martial arts. On another level, to move closer to the story's higher purpose, consider the Master as the true spirit and/or reason for the practice of martial arts.

Second, consider the possibility that the movie is an extremely respectful criticism of the post-Bruce-Lee commercialism of martial arts (and the resultant use of martial arts in street violence).

Finally, consider the possibility that the martial arts people of the East saw a need to reinforce (via another master: Jet Li) the true spirit and/or reason of martial arts to the people of the West. This last point helps explain why the movie is set in modern-times and why it deliberately avoided the high-wire tricks; the movie is introducing to America the real martial arts mastery of Jet Li. In so doing, it is dealing with real social/cultural issues in a real way with a real and meaningful answer; for that answer watch the non-preaching and non-judgmental corrections to violence in this specific movie!

Now, to match the above viewing suggestions to the movie! The Master opens with the master as a doctor who is physically healing and attempting to mentally heal/warn/correct a macho streetfighter type. In fact, the movie actually links this doctor (via the Po Chi Lum herbal medicine shop) to Wong Fei-Hung. Wong Fei-Hung, you may recall, was the master from Once Upon A Time in China: an all-but-divine hero in Chinese martial arts history who was born in 1849 and who inherited a herbal medicine shop call Po Chi Lum, a shop where he also taught Kung Fu! The dimension and breadth of the movie should now start to tease sensibilities into a state of alertness! Jet Li, of course, had already starred as Wong Fei-Hung in earlier movies (and how!) but, because there is a higher purpose to this story than pure commerce-driven martial arts entertainment, Jet Li does not play the role he immortalized for cinema-goers. Instead, Jet Li plays one of this master's students! Why? Well, in brief, Jet Li is paying homage to the mastering spirits and legacy of martial arts. Why? Well, in brief, that's the lesson the West needs to re-learn; otherwise, the martial arts can be used for violence and destruction, not personal and community peace and safety.

At this point, consider the role that Jet Li plays in this movie: like his master, he is a healer (i.e. of the policemen's ulcers, which also suggests the authorities have not quite learned how to correct and stomach street violence! So, the movie has a social critique at work too! Truly, this story gathers to a giddying greatness the more it is meditated upon! It's great! Then, of course, Jet Li is a man of peace despite, and because of, his great martial arts skills. This is why he won't teach the Latino gang the martial arts (because they will use such skills violently for personal ends, not to help ensure personal and public peace; later in the story, Jet Li teaches them enough to protect themselves. This is a very fine edge of difference; but a critical difference! Jet Li is also a worldly innocent (as beautifully and humorously demonstrated by the one-sided romance).

Of course, all Jet Li's don't-call-me-master positive qualities are in sharp contrast to the call-me-master "bad" student's ego-driven mistakes (including the mistake of never having learned what the true purpose of martial arts actually is i.e. mastery over self and the resultant increasingly-perfected personal path to peace! So, as the bad student very capably shows, to challenge and/or kill a master = to lose directions to the true meaning of martial arts = to not be a master; regardless of physical prowess = to be killed by the self as a martial arts exponent). To become a true master (and, thus, find the invisible hands of non-terrestrial-power making you effortlessly invincible), this movie suggests, requires a full willingness to place martial arts in the service of humanity ....!

Actually, enough ... it is time to stop! It will take a book or two to explain this movie ... it is great! There are problems for viewers, certainly, because both before and after this specific movie, Jet Li starred in some of the most sublime action/martial arts movies in the history of world cinema; nevertheless, The Master is also an awesome achievement once the deeper story starts to become visible! Be patient with this movie, it will reward ... a masterpiece is patiently and respectfully waiting to speak to you! Be warned: when the glory of the story starts to gather momentum, your eyes will widen and smiles will arrive like a thousand chuckling sunrises! A masterpiece of reverence for life and community spirit has been scripted here and, as is clear from the fact that he doesn't play Wong Fei-Hung (the master), Jet Li clearly demonstrates his accord with the spiritual values offered by the infinitely disciplined, fully loving immortal heart of martial arts!

A few years back, while cleaning out my storage for a major move from Arizona to Georgia, I came across, within 15 minutes, a white scorpion the size of my fist and a black widow spider the size of a silver dollar. At the urgings of my helper, I reluctantly killed both,after first marveling at their beauty. I believe this experience helped me to prepare for "Chicago", a beautiful/ugly, mean-spirited masterpiece. Never before had I witnessed a major film in which the principle characters were either loathsome or pathetic. I can marvel at the beautiful dance numbers, the colors, costumes and performances of "Chicago," but I don't particularly enjoy the bitter aftertaste. Nonetheless, this movie is a keeper.

Brilliant performances abound, from Richard Gere to Catherine Zita-Jones to Queen Latifah (although John C. Reilly is one of my favorite actors, his one-note portrayal of Amos Hart is overpraised). However, Rene Zellweger, as Roxy Hart, is beyond brilliant. She's phenomenal. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new star in Hollywood. When a homely, skinny, shapeless Rene Zellweger can perform beside them shapely, beautiful and talented Catherine Zita-Jones, and my eyes are completely drawn to Zellweger, I know I'm watching a major star.

Certainly Zellweger's character, the murderous, slutty, adulterous Roxie Hart, is one of the great creations of the theater. Nevertheless, Zellweger has demonstrated she not only fully understands the character, she is capable of affecting every necessary nuance. Unlike most lead characters, Roxie Hart doesn't develop; she slowly disrobes, revealing layer-by-layer until we realize Roxie is an utterly ruthless, incredibly dangerous psychopath. "I fear for Chicago," Gere's character says at one point. I strongly agree.

While the songs are no great shakes, the dancing is uniformly terrific, as are all the technical elements.

My only quibble with "Chicago," is the "Mr. Cellophane" number. It slows the film to a crawl and is totally unnecessary. I much prefer the deleted "Class," which, I believe, would have left me feeling much better about enjoying this movie.

One other observation: Queen Latifah, sans makeup, is one of the most naturally beautiful women I've ever seen. One can only imagine how she would look 75 pounds lighter.

I have read some comments expressing outright hatred for this film. One user even made an analogy to Ed Wood that was just downright silly and absurd.

I think that this is a remarkable film, and although I would not classify it as one of my top ten all time favorites, I found it highly entertaining and, the more I think about it, very cleverly constructed.

This film is not for the faint of heart; however, if you are looking for a film that is funny, violent, shocking, disturbing, exciting, complex, and visually inventive, then this is the movie for you.

This is probably the craziest and most twisted revenge flick I have ever seen (and that includes Kill Bill), and I look forward to giving it a closer viewing when and if I can find it on DVD.

For those Star Wars fans who don't know who Lawrence Kasdan and Leigh Brackett are, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Lawrence Kasdan was the screenplay writer who helped edit out most of Lucas's God awful dialog and Leigh Brackett, was the one who wrote the original screenplay Empire Strikes Back. Maybe they deserve more credit for making Star Wars the success that it is because, without them the franchise just sucks.

Okay, so how about this movie? Well it had it's moments, especially when it came to the fight scenes. Yoda vs. Sith. Good. Obi-Wan vs Anakin. Good. How about General Greivous and Obi-Wan? Also good. The fight scenes are very well choreographed and saved the movie from being a terrible mess.

If it's one thing that really ruined the whole movie it was the non-existent character development of Anakin Skywalker. It is here that Geroge Lucas tries to transform the pansy into the dark lord that we should all be afraid of. Lucas throws around plenty of "motivation". His wife is going to die; he is denied the rank of master; he must spy on his beloved mentor Palpatine and so forth. It just feels so rushed and delivered with no emotion whatsoever.

"How dare they deny me the rank of master!" shouts Anakin. Apparently this is enough to become evil and suspicious of the Jedi. "The Jedi are power hungry" says Palpatine. Then "I must destroy them". Then he lops of Mace Windu's arm and cries "Oh no, what have I done?" He is traumatized for about...3 seconds and then vows eternal loyalty to Lord Sith. And all to save his wife. Apparently they are the perfect couple because they both deliver the same cheesy unemotional lines to each other. As one reviewer put it, they lust for each other, there is no genuine love.

Also, it's hard to feel sympathy for Anakin who doesn't exhaust all his options before turning to the dark side. How about taking her to a doctor and watch every attempt to save her life fail before seeking the dark master. No! How about showing a little emotion after killing 50 kids with your light saber? No! All the Jedi's seem to be little pansies after being wiped out so easily.

And the worst of all is having Padme die at the end of the movie. Despite being 100% healthy. She just lost the will to live because good IL' George just needed to get rid of her before the story ended. And what about the stupid idiotic lines of Anakin as the modern Dath Vader. It looked like it was ripped from Frankenstein.

Overall, the action scenes and the special effects made this movie watchable. I wouldn't mind seeing more of them so long as the characters don't say anything.

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, by those words, one of the most adored and loved trilogy started. In my opinion it is the second best trilogy after the Lord Of The Rings trilogy of course. When Star Wars, was out in the theater's the movie world changed. Star Wars is one of the first movies to have good special effects, after Star Wars other movies with good special effects came out. Like Terminator and other movies.

I think Episode IV is better then Episide V, other people say that Episode Vis the best of all the six movies, but i don't agree with that.

Pulp (pulp) n. 1. A soft, moist, shapeless mass of matter. 2. A book containing lurid subject matter, and being characteristically printed on rough, unfinished paper.

"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and a finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee." - Jules' version of Ezekiel 25:17 Pulp Fiction is a piece of art and is one of the best movies ever made in films history. It's not my favorite film(To Kill A Mockingbird is my favorite and that will never change)but it is my favorite Tarantino films by far.

I finish this comment saying: "This movie is one of the best movies ever made!"