Category: Classics

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After attending Oxford University, up-and-coming filmmaker José Padilha started his production company, Zazen Produções, in 1997 with classmate Marcos Prado. Padilha’s first film was the 2002 documentary Bus 174, about a bus hijacking in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning numerous awards and ending up on several best film lists. However, the film was not without controversy, some feeling that Padilha was sympathizing with the criminals and demonizing the police. For his next film, Padilha turned to Elite da Tropa, a book about the Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais (BOPE). The BOPE are essentially the Brazilian equivalent of the American SWAT, only they’re considered more aggressive and brutal. Rodrigo Pimentel, who co-wrote the original book, penned the script with Padilha and City of God writer Bráulio Mantovani. Despite being leaked online before release, Elite Squad was released in October 2007.

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Synopsis

In 1997 Rio de Janeiro, Captain Nascimento (Wagner Moura) is an elite BOPE officer who’s looking for a replacement. Not only is the stress getting to him, but his wife Rosane (Maria Ribeiro) is pregnant with their first child. Coincidentally, BOPE is putting together an operation to secure the slums at Morro do Turano in preparation for the Pope. Meanwhile, longtime friends André Matias (André Ramiro) and Neto Gouveia (Caio Junqueira) join the police force, unaware of the corruption. Turns out the majority of the police force is paying off the local gangs, extorting protection money, and even stealing. Seeing the corruption firsthand, Matias and Neto decide to join BOPE alongside Captain Fabio (Milhem Cortaz), who’s a corrupt cop. Despite a gruesome training course, Matias and Neto pass, making Nascimento confident in finding a suitable replacement. However, all that training can’t prepare our heroes for what’s coming.

Review

Elite Squad has divided audiences since its release, and it’s easy to see why it earned such controversy. Every criminal is treated as the lowest form of scum and the BOPE are seen as good and virtuous. Additionally, the police aren’t shown in the brightest light, either screwing over each other or turning a blind eye. However, the point the film is trying to get across is how life in Rio de Janeiro can be unforgiving. It shows how a broken system can lead to violence and corruption, and how extreme measures must be taken. While we’re shown the BOPE taking out drug dealers, there’s also a grey moral area to what they do. We see them torturing suspects, verbally and physically assaulting people, and kill criminals and cops without a second thought. It makes you question just who the real good guys are.

In terms of filmmaking, some might be put off by the shakiness of the handheld camera and quick-cut editing. Still, this helps add a sense of intensity and uneasiness throughout, putting you right in the middle of the action. You start to feel just how on-edge and stressed-out the characters are with how up-close and personal the film gets. In a way, it’s somewhat similar to RoboCop, but here it’s presented in a more realistic and less fantastical setting. It’s easy to see how this launched Padilha into superstardom as a director and how he moved onto bigger projects. Acting-wise, everyone delivers an excellent performance, with Wagner Moura, André Ramiro, and Caio Junqueira easily giving the best performances. As stated before, you’ll either love or hate this film depending on your ideologies, but regardless, it’s still powerful. Overall, Elite Squad is an engaging and haunting depiction of life in Brazil.

Buy Elite Squad from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mruz1o.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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Where to watch Elite Squad (2007)

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At age seventeen, screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen was assaulted by bullies, so he started studying martial arts to defend himself. His first teacher tried training him to use martial arts for violence and revenge, so Kamen switched teachers. His second teacher was a Japanese man who didn’t speak English but was a practitioner of Chōjun Miyagi. Years later, his mentor Frank Price introduced him to producer Jerry Weintraub, whose credits included Nashville, Oh, God! and Diner. Weintraub had optioned an article about a single mother’s kid who earned a black belt to defend himself against bullies. Kamen decided to combine elements of his own life and the article into a screenplay that Weintraub would produce. They hired John G. Avildsen, who had earned an Oscar for Best Director for the 1976 classic Rocky. After a roughly three-month shoot, The Karate Kid was released in June of 1984.

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Synopsis

Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and his mother Lucille (Randee Heller) have just moved from Newark to Los Angeles. He befriends high school cheerleader Ali Mills (Elisabeth Shue), much to the ire of her ex-boyfriend Johnny Lawrence (William Zapka). Over time, Johnny and his gang, the Cobra Kais, continue to bully Daniel, so he decides to practice karate. During one beating, Daniel is saved by Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki “Pat” Morita), who works as a handyman at his apartment. Daniel asks Miyagi to train him, but he instead takes him to the Cobra Kai dojo to resolve the conflict. The sensei, John Kreese (Martin Kove), turns them down but agrees to a deal so Daniel will be left alone. Miyagi will train Daniel for an upcoming karate tournament so he can fight the Cobra Kai on equal terms. With so little time, Miyagi’s gonna have to whip Daniel into shape.

Review

From how I summarized the plot, The Karate Kid comes off as somewhat cliche and something we’ve all heard before. Of course, there’s the fact that it’s from the director of Rocky, which shares a very similar plot. However, its predictability is more so a product of how there have been so many similar films made since then. What helps is that this film works not only as an underdog story but also as a coming-of-age story. Daniel goes through the sort of issues many teens do: bullying, rejection, feeling isolated and alone, and acting out. Ralph Macchio plays the part like an actual teenager, not so much that he’s annoying but enough that’s he likable. However, Pat Morita steals the show as the wise yet eccentric Mr. Miyagi, who has great chemistry with Macchio. Despite not having many lines, he has some of the most quotable lines.

Martin Kove does a great job as the villainous John Kreese, relishing every moment he gets to intimidate people. William Zapka works as the prototypical bully, but even he cowers beneath Martin Kove and has moments of fear. Though she isn’t given much to do, Elisabeth Shue is a fine love interest and has good chemistry with Macchio. Additionally, there are some great appearances from notable character actors like Larry Drake, Frances Bay, and Larry B. Scott. The soundtrack has some memorable tunes, including “Cruel Summer”, “Moment of the Truth”, and the iconic “You’re The Best.” Speaking of, Bill Conti’s score helps accentuate the mood, whether it’s the calmer training scenes or the intense championship. For over 30 years, this film has remained a classic of 80s cinema, and it more than deserves that status. Overall, The Karate Kid is one of the ultimate feel-good movies

Buy The Karate Kid from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vNla8C

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Writer Reginald Rose wrote a screenplay based on his experiences serving jury duty that explored the drama that ensued. Rose was writing for the dramatic anthology series Studio One when his screenplay was sold to them for adaptation. In 1954, the screenplay was adapted for the show’s seventh season directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Robert Cummings. The teleplay was a success, earning three Emmy awards for Best Writer (Rose), Best Director (Schaffner), and Best Actor (Cummings). Following its success, the screenplay was adapted to film, with Rose writing the script and co-producing with star Henry Fonda. They hired Sidney Lumet to direct what became his first feature film due to his work on television. With a low budget of roughly $337,000 and a relatively small cast, Lumet set out to direct this film adaptation. In 1957, Lumet’s adaptation of 12 Angry Men was released to theaters.

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Synopsis

An 18-year-old Hispanic man (John Savoca) is on trial for first-degree murder, having supposedly stabbed his father to death. After being read the details and shown the evidence, the jury is sent off to determine a verdict. The verdict must be unanimous, meaning all twelve members must decide on whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. Initially, all the jurors vote ‘guilty’ except for Juror #8 (Henry Fonda), who’s unsure if the defendant committed the murder. Over the course of the next few hours, the jurors go back and forth questioning the evidence and their votes. Tensions rise as the men argue with each other, compounded by the sweltering heat while confined in a single space. As time goes by, the vote sways towards ‘not guilty, much to the chagrin of some of the other jurors. Soon, the men will examine not only the case but on themselves.

Review

Although not a financial success at the time, 12 Angry Men has gone done in history as classic American cinema. This film absolutely deserves its status given how powerful the material is and the themes that are explored. First off, every member of the principal cast, namely the twelve jurors, each give an amazing and career-defining performance. Henry Fonda gives a very grounded and sympathetic performance as the outlier and the one who sets everything in motion. Lee J. Cobb also shines as the polar opposite of Fonda, determined to see the defendant get the chair. Watching him getting more and more frustrated while Fonda remains calm and collected is worth the price of admission alone. The rest of the cast, featuring Jack Warden, E. G. Marshall, Martin Balsam, and Jack Klugman amongst others also shine. There isn’t a single cast member who gives a subpar performance.

What also makes the film stand out is the direction from Sidney Lumet, who became a celebrated filmmaker later on. He keeps the action moving given it’s set primarily in one location with plenty of tracking shots and wide angles. Its single setting also helps make you feel like you’re right there with them as the heat gets to them. With a roughly 90-minute runtime, the film moves at a solid pace and never feels bogged down by unnecessary padding. The film explores plenty of issues that are still relevant, such as prejudice, bias, and coming together despite different backgrounds. The fact that none of the characters are given names also adds to the realism, like they could be anyone. It’s one of the most well-made, well-acted, and well-written American dramas of all-time that everyone should see at least once. Overall, 12 Angry Men is a classic of American cinema.

Buy 12 Angry Men from Amazon: https://amzn.to/40uRleY.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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