From: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org (chakram-refugees-digest) To: chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Subject: chakram-refugees-digest V6 #130 Reply-To: chakram-refugees@smoe.org Sender: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk chakram-refugees-digest Thursday, August 3 2006 Volume 06 : Number 130 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [chakram-refugees] OT: V For Vendetta review ["Xena Torres" Subject: [chakram-refugees] OT: V For Vendetta review Hello all. Here's my review for "V For Vendetta" now that it is FINALLY on DVD (gods, that was a PAINFUL wait!!) There's no spoilers in my review, but, just in case... S P O I L E R S P A C E V FOR VENDETTA Starring: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea, Stephen Fry, John Hurt and Tim Pigott-Smith Directed by: James McTeigue Written by: Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski Based on the comic by: Alan Moore Edited by: Martin Walsh Scored by: Dario Marianelli Rating: A+ The only film that I have ever discussed in length for hours on end, V For Vendetta makes my top ten list and is certainly among the top of my must see list. After first seeing it in the theatres, my friend and I had an in depth political discussion about the movie and the current political climate for over an hour. V For Vendetta is the boldest movie Ive ever seen  an American film made after 911 - its daring to make a movie where the leading character, the hero, is a terrorist. This film challenges the viewer to remember, that, in this era of terrorist hunting that one countrys terrorist is another countrys freedom fighter. To remember that most, if not all countries, can look back in their history to find a terrorist that was key to making the country they live in today what it is  people who are hailed now as heroes. This is not to say that I support terrorism (far from it), but V For Vendetta certainly makes you think about it and the fact that might does not equal right, though violence can be justified as people should not be afraid of their government, government should be afraid of its people. There are few movies that have made me sit and think as much as this one. Though hard to pinpoint a time, it is set in the near future, though it references the past quite a fair bit. A strong and continued chilling image in V For Vendetta is nazism, the warnings that while we might think were progressing, in fact, we are far closer to going backwards and recreating one of the most horrifying moments in human history. Its fitting that the movie was shot in Germany with this haunting statement that were walking a dangerous line towards the past in our failure to learn to treat all people as equals. It also serves as a warning to allowing governments to rob us of our civil liberties, that those hero freedom fighters and soldiers fought and died for, in order to believe their actions can keep us safe  whether from terrorists, war, or those trying to open our eyes to what this age has become. I think few films can claim to be as on the edge as V For Vendetta, and I applaud the makers of this film for what they have been bold enough to do. To me, a movie is not worth watching unless it makes you think, and V For Vendetta holds nothing back. The script is strong, witty and humourous, all while bordering being terrifying and heart wrenching. The Wachowski brothers have done an impressive job of bringing Moores graphic novel to the screen, to compress it to fitting into a two hour film. Bringing comics to the screen is challenging as writers have to bring characters that have been around for decades into a movie format that can only run a couple of hours. Yet, even more challenging is compressing a graphic novel like V For Vendetta, that has a long and continuing story, which is all needed to tell the story from start to finish. It can even be more daunting than converting a novel to the screen  but the script was perfect in every regard. Of course, what is a script without a visionary director and talented cast? McTeigue is one of my favourite comic book directors, on par with Del Toro, in my opinion, as he captures shots that look like 3D renditions of a comic book page. His use of character stance, shadowing and framing is complete comic book style. The shades and colour of the film enhance the darkness of the material that hold your eyes to it, even in scenes you wish you could turn away from. But McTeigue gets the biggest tip of the hat for his choice to never show the man behind the mask of V. After all, what is behind the mask is not just flesh, but an idea. Though all of the actors are worth mentioning for their performances, I will single out Portman and Weaving for outstanding deliveries. Portman delivers the greatest performance of her career. Starting with her British accent, Portman catches your attention immediately and in the first few minutes of the film, you already connect with Evey, our important eyes into Vs world. Like Sarah Connor in the Terminator films, though V is our hero, Evey is the one whos journey we are following. Eveys is a painful journey from her tragic childhood, her fearful present and the chaos and danger that enter her life with V. Portman, so dedicated to the character that she shaved her head for the role, completely submerges into Evey, which shows itself on the screen. Every second she is on screen, her eyes haunt you, and her strength lends itself to you. Masks can ruin a film. The simple truth is most actors lose their ability to convey emotions enough to sway you when their eyes and mouths are covered, as actors of film (whether TV or movie) are used to tight close-ups where the subtle look in their eyes can express the most serious emotions. Weaving is brilliant. He knows how to bring life to a mask. With subtle moves of his head and hands, Weaving makes you care about V, to allow him to pull you into his word. He is charming, while deadly. Freeing while containing. I do not believe any other actor could have pulled off the performance. If you have not yet seen V For Vendetta, dont wait any longer. Its a must. Remember, remember the fifth of November. Julie XT Ruffell Screenplay writer of AWAKENINGS AWAKENINGS OFFICIAL SITE: http://www.roachsrealm.com/awakenings XENA TORRES SITE: http://www.bitchofrome.com "Save me from the dreaded hopping bracelet." - Croft AWAKENINGS ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ End of chakram-refugees-digest V6 #130 **************************************