Witness (1985): A Plain Tale

Immediately, we are granted a bug's eye view of a wind-swept field. Maurice Jarre's tranquil score softly plays in the background. Suddenly, over the grass emerges a group of Amish settlers. This is their home.

We bear witness to their hard-working, yet peaceful lifestyle… until a son and mother cautiously venture into the city. After the boy witnesses a murder, he is brought to Harrison Ford, who plays Detective John Book, an experienced, by-the-book, nonchalant lawman. Obvious and often humorous contrasts of lifestyle present themselves between the two walks of life: one says a prayer before a meal and the other simply eats the food and feels awkward during the other's practice.

Symbolic tones, earnest characters, silent scenes overlaid with ominous music and a comfortable pace add to what would otherwise be a tired premise. Yet, suspense and action-packed shootouts lurk just around the corner when you least expect them. Unconventionality, mediocrity and simplicity fuel one's desire to see something more, but those aspects hinder this portrait from being great, though it is still enjoyable due to Ford's more-passionate-than-usual performance.

Troy (2004): Is There No One Else?

Even for someone who knows nothing about The Iliad, I had put off watching it in fear that the romance would be overblown, but was thoroughly pleased upon realizing it was more of an afterthought/backdrop than the main focus of the film. I enjoyed it 95% of the way, since it had performers I am fond of in it. I thought Eric Bana did a wonderful job as Prince Hector of Troy and the fighting was well done along with the performances. I particularly appreciated Peter O'Toole as the King of Troy, who had a very emotional and noble performance.

However, the climax is what harmed the film in my eyes. I understand why it happened, but would have rather seen something else, given the build-up of the prior battles. I also did not care for the romance with Achilles or Orlando Bloom's typical performance, sounding British for some reason in a movie set in Greece. Not to be pedantic, but does he ever change his voice? I also don't understand how they crafted a giant model of Poseidon in 12 days. What was it made out of, and where did they get the supplies for it? I'm open to suggestions, but it felt out of place and abruptly disturbing to the established tone of the film. Contrived, but whatever.

Otherwise, the music was pleasant in his poignancy and the film was mostly enjoyable. I didn't mind Pitt at all, whose stigmatic presence failed to hinder the film.

George A. Romero's Survival of the Dead (2009)

I went into this thinking it was going to be another typical zombie movie. I'm not well-versed in Romero films, so watching this film was basically a crap-shoot.

Honestly? I was blown away. It was 100% enjoyable. The story, characters, atmosphere and small focus on silly gore was delightfully surprising.

Alan Van Sprang was great in the lead role as the ex-commando with a monkey on his back, and I thought everyone in the film was perfectly suited for the roles. Each character was likeable in their own way, the perfect mixture of flaws and conviction.

For someone that has been displeased by the brunt of the Resident Evil films and a handful of other zombie movies, I was quite pleased by this one. I kept worrying if the film was going to ruin itself with overblown plot development or an exaggerated climax, but the characters were treated with respect (unlike in Miner's Day of the Dead) and the film was spared of a cheap finale. The atmosphere felt quite contained within its own limits and I liked that.

4/5, with my only criticisms being that it feels more like the first act of a film rather than some grand telling of the zombie apocalypse. Perhaps there is another film in the works that concludes the arc of the characters? I dunno.