Martin Scorsese was renowned best friends with the legendary film critic Roger Ebert; and I thought what would Roger think of Killers of the Flower Moon if he lived to see it? Well I reckon he might have echoed everyone who's praised the film for its story, casting and cinematography but criticised the three-and-a-half-hour (intermission-less) runtime. But that last point would be relatively moot for the film itself, and Roger would still give it 4/4 stars, not out of obligation to Martin, but because the film is a full-bodied Western steeped in real-world history and giving equal depth to the Native Americans and the Whites (unlike some other Westerns past where things were more black and white) all against a story of fortune, conspiracy, love and it's many paradoxes.
Killers of the Flower Moon is based off the book of the same name, and it took some time to get this film made; Paramount bought the distribution rights only for Apple TV to take over, and then Paramount DOUBLED-DOWN and gave the film a wide theatrical release, and having it debut on Apple TV+ later; and the film is an R-rated $200-million historical epic. And Scorsese's last film The Irishman was a Netflix exclusive with a limited global theatrical run beforehand; and it was still eligible for Oscar Nominations (which it got a lot). Killers of the Flower Moon feels like it's getting the kind of wide release everyone (box office analysts really) expected The Irishman to get in 2019. And in typical Scorsese fashion, it looks like he's made ANOTHER modern classic!
Is there anything Martin Scorsese can't do with these lengthy crime epics? Maybe he COULD trim out some of the 'fat' that people have been complaining about, but everything on display here serves the story in a relevant way and shows America's oil-industry history is anything but rose-tinted glory; it was just as lively AND dirty as The Old West, even with the more modern 1920s sensibilities in full swing.
Martin Scorsese treats his films like wineries treat their drinks: he makes sure everything is aged just well enough that every aspect of the wine complements itself to make for a strong experience that's bound to stay with you long after you've come home to think about what you took part in and felt.
Killers of the Flower Moon is certainly a lengthy movie (an intermission wouldn't have killed the studios to put in, right?) but it's justified in the historical epic factor in that the story is too damn much for an under-two-hour feature to cover, and it takes its time instead of rushing things for the sake of 'modernised' pacing.
Killers of the Flower Moon is a 5/5 star experience. 10/10 IMDb points. And EASILY one of 2023's greatest films! Give it a shot (at the cinema or on Apple TV when it comes out there). 4/4 stars too (for you, Roger).
Killers of the Flower Moon is based off the book of the same name, and it took some time to get this film made; Paramount bought the distribution rights only for Apple TV to take over, and then Paramount DOUBLED-DOWN and gave the film a wide theatrical release, and having it debut on Apple TV+ later; and the film is an R-rated $200-million historical epic. And Scorsese's last film The Irishman was a Netflix exclusive with a limited global theatrical run beforehand; and it was still eligible for Oscar Nominations (which it got a lot). Killers of the Flower Moon feels like it's getting the kind of wide release everyone (box office analysts really) expected The Irishman to get in 2019. And in typical Scorsese fashion, it looks like he's made ANOTHER modern classic!
Is there anything Martin Scorsese can't do with these lengthy crime epics? Maybe he COULD trim out some of the 'fat' that people have been complaining about, but everything on display here serves the story in a relevant way and shows America's oil-industry history is anything but rose-tinted glory; it was just as lively AND dirty as The Old West, even with the more modern 1920s sensibilities in full swing.
Martin Scorsese treats his films like wineries treat their drinks: he makes sure everything is aged just well enough that every aspect of the wine complements itself to make for a strong experience that's bound to stay with you long after you've come home to think about what you took part in and felt.
Killers of the Flower Moon is certainly a lengthy movie (an intermission wouldn't have killed the studios to put in, right?) but it's justified in the historical epic factor in that the story is too damn much for an under-two-hour feature to cover, and it takes its time instead of rushing things for the sake of 'modernised' pacing.
Killers of the Flower Moon is a 5/5 star experience. 10/10 IMDb points. And EASILY one of 2023's greatest films! Give it a shot (at the cinema or on Apple TV when it comes out there). 4/4 stars too (for you, Roger).