City of Ghosts
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Movie Reviews of City of Ghosts
Movie Review: Very average movie, beautiful cinematography
Summary: 3 Stars
I think the worst thing I could say is that this movie reminds me of "Wild Things" and comes up short. Really! There are a couple of scenes and plot devices that seem to be lifted from "Wild Things". Overall average plot, average script (a couple of times I winced at very cliche lines) but the cinematography was beautiful. That was actually one of the things that brought me to this movie. I've been to both Cambodia (and Thailand for that matter) and they captured the sweat, grime and chaos of Phnom Penh but forgot all the lizards and other critters you encounter.Movie Review: First Time Director And It Shows
Summary: 2 Stars
I really wanted to like this movie, but it just falls flat. I had the opportunity to view this at a pre-screening in New York. Palm, Inc. was sponsoring the event and I was lucky enough to be invited. Given the pre-party and the potential for celebrities to attend (there were none), I was pretty hyped. Loving movies like I do, this was the one of the best of all possible worlds in which to see this movie - it didn't help."City of Ghosts" is Matt Dillion's first shot at directing and writing a film and it shows. The main character, Jimmy Cremming, is supposed to be this un-trusting scam artist that's been trained in it all his life. That may sound good on paper, but you have to demonstrate it on the screen and Dillion simply refused to show his character as un-sympathetic. If the character has grown up grifiting and scamming then there should be some evidence of it in his demeanor at least and there just isn't. As a result, the main character has no story arc. Although he is supposedly going through a transformation, there is no evidence of it.
None of the major characters have any depth or range to them either. James Cann walked through this role, Stellan Skarsgard does nothing but play a drunk and Natascha McElhone was nothing but eye candy. A lot of good talent that was simply wasted. There were two notable exceptions. Two actors were able to brake out of the bad script enough to create a character that you could actually care for. Gerard Depardieu plays a very funny inn keeper/bartender. His role could have been almost forgotten, yet instead Depardieu instilled such humor and compassion in his role that it's one of the more memorable. The other actor was Kem Sereyvuth, who plays Sok, the local rickshaw operator who takes a liking to Jimmy Cremming and vice versa. Sereyvuth may have been type casted a bit in his role, I don't know much about him, but his portrayal is honest and sincere. You get the feeling that they found the actor pulling a rickshaw and gave him a job. I'm sure that's not the case, but it's a testimony to his acting ability.
There is one facet of the movie that I greatly enjoyed and that was the portrayal of Cambodia. I have traveled some, but I've never been to Cambodia. Having said that, I got the feeling that I had truly traveled there. The use of music and the almost documentary style of the cinematography in the early portions of the movie transports you into another place. Hats off to Jim Denault for giving the film a distinct visual feel that gives the viewer something to chew on.
Movie Review: 2.5 STARS FOR EFFORT
Summary: 2 Stars
Matt Dillon co-wrote the script and co-stars in his directing debut, about Jimmy Cremins (Dillon), a con artist under investigation by the feds who flees to Cambodia to collect his share of an insurance scam. He eventually meets up with Marvin (James Caan), his mentor and partner in crime, also uncovering a mysterious and dangerous world that could prove to be his undoing. Unfortunately, the only intriguing aspect of CITY OF GHOSTS involves the often rare glimpses into the remote and exotic culture and landscape of Cambodia. Aside from the cinematography this film has little to offer the audience, besides some laughs from Gérard Depardieu's character. The dialogue and acting are often uneven and scripted and the relationships between the characters are not convincing. Bottom line: I was disappointed in CITY OF GHOSTS...
Movie Review: City of Ghosts is as rich as they get
Summary: 1 Stars
I am mesmerized by this movie. With DVD I was able to dissect this gorgeous movie, scene for scene, and there are many memorable scenes, believe me. From the beginning I knew I had a movie I was going to enjoy. Check out the perfectly cast Jack Shearer as the FBI guy, the Cambodian rickshaw driver, the general, the wheelchair expatriate, the doorman at the hotel, the Russian mafia, and these are secondary roles, but each had nuances and texture that is rare in films today, in my humble opinion. Matt Dillon, who co-wrote and directed this film, displayed patience and allowed these actors the time they needed to create these scenes. Dillon was perfect in his role as a confused and guilty grifter, who travels to Cambodia to seek out his mentor, James Caan. Caan is absolutely great in his role, and the karaoke scene with him singing in Cambodian is worth the price of admission. Every scene he is in is memorable. Cann's sidekick, Stellan Skarsgård, has you guessing throughout the movie. Secondary to these three you have very interesting performances by Gérard Depardieu as the hotel owner, and Natascha McElhone as the archeologist. The film score is fabulous, the Cambodian city and country scenery is tantalizing, and with DVD the director's commentary allows you to hear Dillon discuss the details of filming in this foreign and beautiful land. This is filmaking at its best, and, probably its hardest. The physical difficulties encountered and overcome to make this movie are reason for applause. I have a friend who rented it on DVD, watched it one time, and returned it. I rented it, watched it over and over again, dissecting every scene, and bought it. This explains the mixed reviews for this film, but take it from me, this movie has it all. This is the first DVD I have ever purchased, and I am sure I will enjoy watching it from time to time when every thing on the tube sucksMovie Review: What were they thinking?
Summary: 1 Stars
OK... I'll give them this: the scenery with the temples and such was nice to look at, but the script was awful, the acting was awful, and the whole thing just ...stank. I asked Blockbuster for my money back.Six of us watched the movie and we all were left dumbfounded that anybody even funded this boondoggle. I think my dog could write a better script.
If I could possibly give this movie "0" stars, I would.