Name: Kaya Savas
Age: 19
I've been into film since I was 9 years old. My mom says the first movie I ever saw was Fantasia, and that I was still in a baby rocker when I saw it. Maybe that's why I'm obsessed with film scores, who knows? Hans Zimmer is my inspiration and it was his work on Michael Bay's The Rock that made me want to learn about movies. I had that score on tape and took it everywhere with me. Right now I currently own every single Hans Zimmer score commercially available as well as every single score available from all the composers that collaborate with him in his studio. Sergio Leone is my favorite director since it's his visual style that inspired my style as a filmmaker. I love his long shots with immense visual depth and the way he structures his films and specific scene. I also love the fact that score was one of the most important aspects of filmmaking to him. I own over 450 DVD's right now and being able to watch films over and over help me become a better reviewer and a better filmmaker.
I started reviewing movies for fun in my AOL Instant Messager profile starting in 9th grade, I would have a little list of movies and I would give it rating on a 4 star basis. That slowly evolved into this website, which I started running late in my sophomore year of high school. I did it just for fun, and I thought why not share my thoughts like any other critic. The goal I have with each review is not just to state if a movie is bad or good, but to state why it's bad or good and then describe how. I specifically look at techniques used and plot structure, and specifically if the movie was able to emotionally involve the audience. I try analyze a bit to make my reviews worth reading before seeing the movie and after you see it.
I keep running this site because I have gotten numerous compliments for it, and it has attracted people in the business. My reviews got the attention of composer Gary Pozner, who composed the score for the Emmy Award winning documentary, Russia: Land Of The Tsars. In fact, he sent me three of his scores for various historical documentaries for me to review them, which I did. I have also gotten offers from other media reviewing websites as a response to my reviews. I am a regular review writer for national websites like Movieweb.com and DVDivas.net. I love writing reviews because it makes me focus on the little things that matter in movies that no general audience member would notice, and hopefully that will be a benefit for me in the future. So, if you are a regular visitor here to the site I hope you enjoy the material I provide. So, continue to read my reviews and articles and continue to agree and disagree, and If you want to see what other people think of my reviews then visit my Amazon.com profile. Even though I have been writing for a long time I only have my reviews archived starting with my review for The Passion Of The Christ. On Amazon you can look at every review I have done since then and see how people vote on each of my reviews.
Visit My IMDb Profile HERE
My Ratings & What Each Of Them Mean:
No Stars = I don't think I have ever given out a "no star" review, but if I did then the movie would have to be pure trash. No comprehensible plot, no plot structure, horrible acting, and no character depth.
1/2 = A half star means that this movie is bottom of the barrell. You can't get much lower than this. The movie is pure crap, is not entertaining, and has no artistic value. Basically, it's unwatchable.
* = A 1 star movie is pretty bad, nothing new to offer. Holds no originality and is poorly executed, not worth the price of admission, not even worth the wait for cable.
* 1/2 = The movie is trash, but there may be a hint of flavor that can be considered "guilty pleasure"
* * = A movie that is not orginal by any means, but rather a rehashing of previously seen stuff that makes it worse. It may be entertaining here and there, but that doesn't help make it worth paying the price of admission. Wait for HBO.
* * 1/2 = A popcorn flick, it may not be original but it's not bad. Offers everything that is required to make a comprehensive movie, but doesn't go above and beyond to make it stand out. It is entertaining, but you'll find it for $9.99 at Best Buy in no time.
* * * = A good movie that stands out of the normal trash that is usually released. Decent directing, decent acting, and a plot that holds the audience's attention. It never really achieves a level that will make it a movie to remember, but you'll tell your friends that you saw it and thought it was very good.
* * * 1/2 = Practically a brilliant movie, one that you will see and be talking about. It has everything from perfect acting, directing, editing, etc. It is the perfect film, but it has one minor flaw. Usually a plot problem, or maybe one actor misses the mark by a bit, but something that holds it from being perfect. Oscar caliber movie if the ingredients are right.
* * * * = A masterpiece of cinema. Combines everything that is needed for a perfect film: a compelling protagonist, amazing plot structure, brilliant techinical aspects, amazing acting, and it evokes the right emotion from the audience. It balances art and entertainment equally and you will remember it for as long as you live.
