Aug 21: Se7en

"Two detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi."

Directed by: David Fincher, Rated: R, 127 minutes

There aren't as many serial killers movies as one would think, let alone effective ones. The idea of a man (or woman) going around a city murdering unsuspecting people, leaving calling cards or signatures, has always been a creepy fascination a lot of us have. But in that fascination, there is fear and one would think that movies inspired by that fear would be aplenty. Some of cinematic history's greatest villains are serial killers- Norma Bates (Psycho), Alex DeLarge (A Clockwork Orange), Hannibal Lecter (The Silence of the Lambs). These performances are also considered some of the best of all time, so perhaps a big reason there aren't as many serial killer flicks is because of the level set so high by these previous people. However, David Fincher has managed to produce two terrific movies about this topic- Zodiac, an underrated masterpiece about the Zodiac Killer, and his most certain masterpiece, Se7en.

The movie also has the most disturbing opening credits of all time. 

Se7en follows Dt. David Mills (Brad Pitt) and Dt. William Sommerset (Morgan Freeman) as they pursue a serial killer that bases each of his murders on one of the seven deadly sins. As the two detectives get closer to discovering the identity of the killer, they're thrown into a loop and find themselves even further away. The film's plot is formulaic, and you know that another body will be discovered every fifteen minutes or so, but the way Fincher crafts the story makes everything more intense and downright eerie. Going into the film, most people are aware of the seven deadly sins, but the creativity (if that's the right word) that goes into each of the murders, turns the film into something you can quite never expect. 

You won't be able to eat spaghetti for a long time after watching the film. 

As in all of his films, Fincher throws fully fleshed out characters into an absolutely miserable and bleak setting, where right off the bat he abandons all hope. You're constantly on edge, as are the characters, and each turn holds a danger you know is there, but still can't avoid. It's full force fear in the most successful way, and Se7en grabs your throat at the beginning of the film and only lets go (and throws you to the ground) days after the credits roll. Se7en also features one of the most compelling, frustrating, and genius endings in movie history and brings everything together in the most depressing way possible. As for the identity of the killer, you're completely left in the dark with the detectives, and it's only when they know "whodunit", that the audience is aware as well. Se7en also has terrific performances from both Pitt and Freeman as well as a phenomenal performance from the killer (who's identity I will not disclose for those who have not seen the film). 

Who is the man behind the murders? *ominous music*

I cannot recommend this film enough. Fincher has quite the filmography under his belt, with films (along with the previously mentioned Fight Club and Zodiac) such as The Game, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Panic Room, and The Social Network. With films like those, it means a lot when I say that Se7en is his best film. It's full of f**ked up imaginative murders, taps into the fear we all have, and creates something so dark with no hope you can't help but feel uncomfortable. The audience only witness the destruction one man puts out on a bunch of strangers, and while we never see the actual act of murder happen on film, the consequences and aftermath are all on display. Each glimpse leaves you bothered but also intrigued, and while the film doesn't make you a bad person, it taps into a part of your curiosity you probably wouldn't want on display. 

The Good:
great performances from the entire cast, who are each given moments to shine
The Better:
masterful sequences that play close to even the smallest of details, showcasing a man so disturbed and so twisted, yet genius in his work
The Best:
an overall eerie feeling that doesn't leave you right away and a lasting effect that leaves you knowing full well that you just witnessed a masterpiece

Overall: 9.7/10

Trailer:

Jan 19: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

"Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for forty years by Lisbeth Salander, a young computer hacker."

 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the newest movie by the always amazing David Fincher, is a good movie with a lot of issues. A lot of the issues are minor, yes, but I did not walk out of the theater being blown away by what I saw. I went in thinking I would be punched in the gut by a graphic, violent, and disturbing film but instead, I felt like it was just a slap in the face...but I kind of liked it. 

Aaaaaawwww yyyeeeahhh!

  The film suffers from TMSCMS, or "Too Much Shit Crammed into one Movie Syndrome".  The pacing suffered throughout, as some scenes felt out of place or out of order. There are a lot of characters that go undeveloped or who are visited once and then forgotten. The climax of the film happens rather quickly, and it is very underwhelming. Not to mention it takes place with nearly twenty minutes or so left in an already lengthy film. I felt that, at times, the scenes that were already written were thrown into a hat and then chosen at random and pieced together to make the movie. 

Unaccredited, Mr. Hat Hattington is seeking what he's owed for his screenwriting work. 

   Now, even with all of the issues that I mentioned, I still found The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to be a very good film. Visually, the film was dark and moody, fitting the themes very well, and the locations surrounding the story are beautiful, yet melancholy. The acting by Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara are both praiseworthy. The two have an interesting chemistry. But, as the story has a larger focus on the relationships between the characters than on the mystery itself, I expected to see more scenes of the two and their growing connection. They both nearly solve the mystery around the same time, but on their own and not together. 

"You go in the other room and do this half, I'll do this stuff."

   Overall, even though I had a lot of complaints, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo proves to be a great film. Had I not had such large expectations, I don't think that I would have had such big concerns. The story, although messy, is intriguing and captivating, and I did find myself engaged in the plot and the characters. The great score beautifully fit the dark atmosphere and added much to the experience. David Fincher proves that he can still make the dark and gritty films he is known for and I would recommend this film. Last but not least, the film has one of the most disturbing and unusual opening credits I have ever seen, and that alone is worth some praise. 

Sight: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a beautifully shot film, even with a dark subject matter. The locations are used to the film's advantage, and the gloomy setting heightens the experience and the mystery involved. 

Sound: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross prove again they are master composers with a beautiful and original score. 

Skill: Rooney Mara is incredible as the sheltered, yet genius Lisabeth Salander and Daniel Craig is great as the damaged investigative journalist, Mikeal Blomkvist. The supporting cast, although limited in screen time, are just as strong.

Script: Messy and inconsistent, the script does present the mystery unfolding with suspense and intrigue, but not without confusion as well. 

Overall: 7.3/10

Best Quote: 

Henrik Vanger: "I need your help. You come, stay on the island. By way of avoiding all those people you might want to avoid right now. You would be investigating thieves, misers, bullies, the most detestable collection of people that you will ever meet. My family."


Oh, and the film suffers from way too much product placement. It is very distracting. 

My eyes are murdered with hidden advertisements!