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UnseenWorld · 12-28-2002, 01:54 AM

I write reviews for a site just in the beginning stages of development (but having the site makes seeing a movie a 100% tax deduction!). Anyway, feel free to visit the site (http://www.PDXunderground.com). The main page and movie review page are just about the only halfway functional parts of the site. To save you the trouble of finding it, here's my review of Gangs of New York:

'If you're like me, you've probably seen previews for this movie and wondered, "Did those guys really wear such funny hats?" Somehow, I have to think that even back in the mid-1800's (1846, to be exact), a stovepipe hat 16" high would have looked pretty hilarious. But then I look around and see wannabe gangsta guys with jeans below their butt cheeks, and I realize that gang membership can take its toll on fashion sense. Anyway, this movie is the story of Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) and William "Bill the Butcher" Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis, who is reported to be retired and studying the art of shoemaking). Vallon witnesses Cutting murder his (Vallon's) father in a turf war and the rest of the movie is a revenge story overlaid on the Civil War and the gelling of the political pudding in New York City. We learn, if the film is correct, that not all northerners were virtuous anti-slavers and that many were quite conscious of race, ethnicity, and social caste. That underrated comic actress, Cameron Diaz, here plays a "hooker with a heart of gold" character quite well, despite the part having only occasional comedic glimmers. As with so many of Scorsese's films, GONY seems to take no ethical position, simply laying out the ugly and bloody facts with great cinematographic expertise. Tammany Hall, a mere word to me in the past, here does take on some life, as New York struggled to rise out of the chaos of ethnic and class conflict, with the Irish emerging victorious. Strangely, almost every ethnicity one thinks of in "traditional" NYC is here, except for the Jews and Italians. Perhaps they came later. At almost 3 hours, the movie is quite a bit longer than normal, but due to the deft directorial hand of Martin Scorsese, the risk you'll have to leave the theatre to pee away some of that 48-ouncer you brought into the theater is much greater than that you'll fall asleep during the showing. There might be a Best Movie or Best Director nomination coming Scorsese's way here, but I think Frida and The Two Towers have the inside track there. A Best Actor nomination for Day-Lewis is more likely. The costumes, sets, and special effects are all first class, but I'm sure The Two Towers is more likely to grab those awards even if this film is nominated. Still, a way above average movie from one of the greatest directors never to have received an Oscar for his directing.'

12-28-2002, 01:54 AM
UnseenWorld Confirmed User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Portland, OR, USA Posts: 5,279	I write reviews for a site just in the beginning stages of development (but having the site makes seeing a movie a 100% tax deduction!). Anyway, feel free to visit the site (http://www.PDXunderground.com). The main page and movie review page are just about the only halfway functional parts of the site. To save you the trouble of finding it, here's my review of Gangs of New York: 'If you're like me, you've probably seen previews for this movie and wondered, "Did those guys really wear such funny hats?" Somehow, I have to think that even back in the mid-1800's (1846, to be exact), a stovepipe hat 16" high would have looked pretty hilarious. But then I look around and see wannabe gangsta guys with jeans below their butt cheeks, and I realize that gang membership can take its toll on fashion sense. Anyway, this movie is the story of Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) and William "Bill the Butcher" Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis, who is reported to be retired and studying the art of shoemaking). Vallon witnesses Cutting murder his (Vallon's) father in a turf war and the rest of the movie is a revenge story overlaid on the Civil War and the gelling of the political pudding in New York City. We learn, if the film is correct, that not all northerners were virtuous anti-slavers and that many were quite conscious of race, ethnicity, and social caste. That underrated comic actress, Cameron Diaz, here plays a "hooker with a heart of gold" character quite well, despite the part having only occasional comedic glimmers. As with so many of Scorsese's films, GONY seems to take no ethical position, simply laying out the ugly and bloody facts with great cinematographic expertise. Tammany Hall, a mere word to me in the past, here does take on some life, as New York struggled to rise out of the chaos of ethnic and class conflict, with the Irish emerging victorious. Strangely, almost every ethnicity one thinks of in "traditional" NYC is here, except for the Jews and Italians. Perhaps they came later. At almost 3 hours, the movie is quite a bit longer than normal, but due to the deft directorial hand of Martin Scorsese, the risk you'll have to leave the theatre to pee away some of that 48-ouncer you brought into the theater is much greater than that you'll fall asleep during the showing. There might be a Best Movie or Best Director nomination coming Scorsese's way here, but I think Frida and The Two Towers have the inside track there. A Best Actor nomination for Day-Lewis is more likely. The costumes, sets, and special effects are all first class, but I'm sure The Two Towers is more likely to grab those awards even if this film is nominated. Still, a way above average movie from one of the greatest directors never to have received an Oscar for his directing.' __________________ SIG TOO BIG! Maximum 120x60 button and no more than 3 text lines of DEFAULT SIZE and COLOR. Unless your sig is for a GFY top banner sponsor, then you may use a 624x80 instead of a 120x60.