1130. Wall Street

Wall Street

1987

Directed by Oliver Stone

I am very excited about the results of the election, even if it's nerve-wracking to imagine what's to come. Democracy only works if a loser accepts a result, and we have the biggest loser in US history on our hands. I guess we just have to wait and see what happens. Charlie Sheen's presence in this movie and reputation as another narcissistic maniac makes it easy to segue into talking about Wall Street.

Bud Fox is a young stockbroker who gets involved with Gordon Gekko, a greedy corporate raider. He begins to enjoy the lifestyle that Gekko offers, and the many perks that come with it, which include sex with Daryl Hannah and a penthouse on the Upper East Side. First comes the rise, then comes the fall.

I had actually never seen this before, but I was still familiar with the famous "Greed is good" speech. That was a damn good speech. The trouble was, the rest of the movie is pretty terrible. Apparently, Oliver Stone thought Charlie Sheen's stiff delivery lended his character a believable, naive quality. Um, okay. I guess Daryl Hannah overheard that praise, with dire consequences. 

The movie was still fun in parts, because of Michael Douglas and its intense 80s factor. But the performances really drag it down.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Charlie Sheen and Sean Young hated each other throughout filming.

Sean Young insisted throughout filming she would be better for the role of Darien. 

Tom Cruise campaigned for the role of Bud Fox.

873. Natural Born Killers

Natural Born Killers
1994
Directed by Oliver Stone

Oliver Stone's films have really been a mixed bag, but I think this movie solidified my negative opinion of him.  Is anyone else sick of the outlaw couple storyline?  It should have died (or been shot to death) with Bonnie and Clyde.

Mickey and Mallory are an emotionally disturbed couple who make headlines by killing and raping people across America.  The plot isn't told in a linear fashion or in a conventional way.  For example, the story of Mallory's abusive past is told in the style of a 50s sitcom.  Once again, scenes that involve sexual assault are treated with all the gravity and tact of a Donald Trump press conference.

I am not going to spend too much time talking about this one.  I didn't like it.  I didn't like the style, I thought the humor fell flat, and I think it was about forty five minutes too long.  I know it was supposed to be a satire about the glorification of killers, but self awareness doesn't negate the fact that Stone created the exact thing he was trying to criticize.

With the exception of JFK, I definitely am not too impressed with Stone.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Tarantino reportedly hated this film until he met Johnny Cash, who confessed that he loved it.

Editing for the film took 11 months.

838. JFK

JFK
1991
Directed by Oliver Stone

We have been on a streak of great movies, but I am afraid that will come to a crashing halt with some of the films coming up (Strictly Ballroom...ugh!).  Oh well, let's enjoy it while it lasts.

Basically, the film follows New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison as he tries to solve JFK's assassination.  I think we can all agree there are some missing pieces in the "official story," though some of Stone's explanations are equally dubious.  In true Kevin Costner fashion, Garrison becomes obsessed with the mystery, neglecting his family and making some powerful enemies along the way.

This is the kind of the role that Kevin Costner is perfect for; he is never entirely convincing as a romantic lead.  He can have kind of a dull screen presence, and the fact that he could give insanely long speeches in this film and remain interesting is a credit to the script.  I do think the three and a half hour running time was a bit...excessive.  The middle part of this film dragged a little, but I still feel like it was relatively well paced.

Only 13 more years until the official assassination records are open to public.  Then everyone can stop bitching at Stone for putting forth his own thesis.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

The real Jim Garrison plays Judge Earl Warren.

753. Salvador

Salvador
1986
Directed by Oliver Stone

Having just reviewed Platoon I pretty much have the same criticisms for this film, although at least this story is a bit more unique.  On the other hand, it also has James Woods.  It's a real toss up as to which one I hated more.

Photojournalist Richard Boyle is a cocky alcoholic.  He decides to takes some photos in El Salvador, hoping to capitalize on the political turmoil while enjoying some booze and drugs.  Of course, the conflict doesn't turn out to be the barrel of laughs that he was expecting.  Things are further complicated when he falls for a Salvadoran woman and must get her out the of the country.

So the rape scene was obviously very gruesome.  It's like one of those chalkboards that record how many days there have been since an accident.  I am going to go replace the four with a zero on my "movies watched without a rape scene" chalkboard (our last one being Platoon, although I suppose the rape was prevented).  The whole movie is very disturbing, which I suppose was its goal.  The "wake up America" message was quite heavy handed, but I guess it was effective as well.  I did get the sense that there were times when Stone was trying to get us to laugh, which seemed wildly out of place.

Not a film that I would recommend and I am quite relieved we are done with this director.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

James Woods improvised the scene where his character takes confession.

749. Platoon

Platoon
1986
Directed by Oliver Stone

Man, am I sick of the "young, idealistic man goes off to war, becomes disillusioned."  It's even worse than the "guy is a womanizer, meets quirky girl who changes him, guy gets girl" formula.  At least that has hot people having sex.  All we get is Willem Dafoe and Charlie Sheen and they don't even kiss.

Chris Taylor volunteers for combat duty in Vietnam.  He is stationed near the Cambodian border and bonds with Sergeant Elias.  Taylor becomes increasingly desperate as he must deal with attacks from the enemy, the harsh jungle, and the other sadistic soldiers, including the psychotic Sergeant Barnes.

So like I said, I am sick of Vietnam war movies.  I get all the points they try to make: there is nothing romantic about war, no side is morally superior, loss of innocence, blah, blah, blah.  It's nothing new.  I sound completely heartless, as this is obviously a very personal story for Oliver Stone.  But it definitely didn't open my eyes in any way.  In fact, it closed them due to excessive boredom.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

Banned in Vietnam because of its depiction of the Vietnamese.

Based on Oliver Stone's experience in Vietnam.