From Hell Opinions

From Hell (2001), a film based on mysterious serial killer Jack the Ripper, is a must-see film for anyone with an inclination for exploring the human psyche and the unknown. Starring Johnny Depp and Heather Graham, it was directed by Albert and Allen Hughes and released in 2001. The film is set in 18^th century England and focuses on Inspector Frederick Abberline, (played by Depp) a respected private investigator who has been assigned the task of finding the person responsible for the growing list of prostitutes murdered. The killer is unlike any Inspector Abberline has encountered, leaving baffling clues and displaying a high intelligence uncharacteristic of such gruesome person. Every time Abberline believes he understands something this person has done, Jack the Ripper turns and does something confusing as ever. Since Abberline is puzzled, he calls upon the victims’ friends, other prostitutes that are rapidly being killed as well. One of the women in particular, Mary Kelley (played by Graham), stands out to Abberline and they begin to grow a secret and passionate love for one another. This development makes it absolutely crucial to Abberline that he finds the killer, thus protecting Mary, who is sure to be the next target. 

I really enjoyed watching From Hell; it’s well-made and the subject matter is matter is extremely interesting. The plot is intriguing, and never lost my attention. There were many surprises and twists in the plot which I appreciate. I loved the love story, even if it’s not historically accurate, because let’s face it - I’m a teenage girl and I love romances in movies. Especially with Johnny Depp. HOWEVER. I hated the ending of their love story, and the fact that they never ended up together, despite that that’s what they both desperately wanted. For some reason he was saying that it would be impossible for them to ever live as a couple, but I don’t think that’s true at all. The fact that he died from a drug overdose before they could ever meet again was not a good plot twist in my opinion, it was just depressing. After the movie just ended, I sat there shocked and really annoyed at the writers. I felt like if we watched the whole upsetting movie, and suffered through watching all the violence and gore, they could have at least made us happy and had them end up together. 

Anyways, that’s just my opinion, and I really did like the movie as a whole. Even though we didn’t get to see Johnny Depp’s character end up with the Heather Graham’s character (who you obviously pretend is you), at least you get to watch a whole hour and a half of him, and it almost makes up for it. As well, the movie really is intriguing and exciting to watch. However, I once again have to caution about violence and especially gore, because there is aplenty. All in all, From Hell is a film that I would recommend. Enjoy!

Apocalypse (Please End) Now

The opening scene of Apocalypse Now (1979), directed by widely acclaimed director Francis Ford Coppola, made me think that I was going to greatly enjoy the movie. Portraying a deeply troubled Vietnam soldier, Captain Willard (played by Martin Sheen), who is unsuccessfully trying to return to daily life, the scene is set to the Doors’ incredible and very fitting saga of a song ‘The End’. The effect of Sheen’s phenomenal acting coupled with the chilling music made for an amazingly intense and intriguing opening. Unfortunately however, that scene was the most exciting the movie ever got, all going downhill from there.

            I do appreciate the movie’s aims; to honestly portray a soldier’s experiences in the Vietnam War, as well as to explore the psychological effects on him, but I personally didn’t enjoy watching the movie on the whole. I found it boring, and many of the scenes are too drawn out in my opinion. This is the case especially for the fighting scenes – despite it being combat, it’s not very exciting and a lot of unnecessary time is dedicated to those scenes. This made the movie very long, and drawn out. I think it would have been much more effective if the scenes were more concise. I also found these scenes to be extremely confusing – it was hard to tell who was who, and who was doing what, because it was so dark and everything happened. But I guess that was the point, to show that no one really knew what they were doing, but it still wasn’t enjoyable to watch.

            Another reason that Apocalypse Now did not appeal to me is because it featured so much violence. I hate watching violence!! I jump at every gunshot and feel like throwing up when I see guts and blood. Obviously violence is necessary to show in the movie because it’s a war movie, but I personally can’t stand gore.

            However, I did like how the war was portrayed as truthfully as possible. It wasn’t romanticized as it is in so many other movies and forms of media. Rather, they exposed many of negative psychological effects of war on soldiers, something that is not often openly discussed. It is very informative, and gave me some valuable knowledge about the Vietnam War, which I appreciate.

            I also really liked the characters of the guys on the boat with Captain Willard -- Chef, Lance and Mr. Clean. They added some comic relief to the otherwise very intense movie and were the most relatable characters.

            I thought that the ending, although slightly confusing, was very well done and interesting. I really loved how the second half of the song ‘The End’ was used for the ending; it was very effective and made it seem like everything came full circle.

            To conclude, the beginning and ending of Apocalypse Now were pretty fantastic. However, I really did not like the majority of the film’s middle. I am glad that I finally saw the film, because I had been wanting to, but likely would not watch it again.