mitzkity Reviews

Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995)

I'm a Candyman Junkie - anyone with answers out there?

[7/10 · 14 September 2006]

Okay, I admit it, I love horror movies, even this one. And even now, watching Candyman, I find it hard to realize that Virginia Madsen is the one doing all the killing. I mean, where's the magic? However, I believe that the prevailing opinion is that Virg is the Candyman-obsessed murderess.

But, speaking of Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh, well I just love the whole New Orleans scene and its mystique, so I was enthralled, even with the scenery. I just think there was a LOT of work that went into it. The thing that bothers me most is --- What IS the TRUTH of the plot? Was the Annie's Father doing the killings, and then his son took over, and then she took on the search to end this...is there any possibility of finding a "real world" plot line, aside from the supernatural? Or is it just that Candyman keeps popping up to each member of his family line --- but were there other killings all along, between Cabrini Green and this time? Has anyone ever tried to make sense of it using dream sequences, hallucinations, etc? Maybe I'm just trying to give the movie too much credit and should just accept it for the entertainment value.

The Unfinished Dance (1947)

It's on today!!!

[7/10 · 13 July 2006]

Oh, I was so thrilled when I saw a Margaret O'Brien film on the TCM slate for today!!! And then when it came on in COLOR!!! My daughters were in dance lessons most of their lives and one continued to dance even after becoming a mom and a teacher. They would love to see this old movie. Since I am watching the movie currently, I can't comment on the overall, but I am thrilled to see such a young Danny Thomas! He looks a little like Mandy Patinkin. Just watching makes me smile and think of my own childhood, dancing, dreaming. Just know out there, that you can still find this movie on TCM. The Technicolor is vibrant and the values are old-fashioned and lovely. The blacker elements are still to come -- hang in there and watch it with me...all the way to the end!!!

Touch of Pink (2004)

I didn't KNOW!!! I Really Didn't KNOW!!!

[7/10 · 14 June 2006]

I thought this movie was adorable, enchanting, amusing, and all those romantic comedy clique words...yes, I really bought it ALL. Except, I couldn't quite figure out what was up with Kyle's character - he seemed so stiff and odd, and I seemed like the only person who noticed how odd he really was. Okay, I have an ear infection and 102 deg fever - maybe that's what it was, but I tell you, I almost turned beet red in my own living room when I saw Kyle DISAPPEAR! Was I the LAST one on earth to figure it out? I LOVED IT!!!! Yes, I guess it was a gay plot line, but really the MOM is the story and she is a class act all the way. What a great part, well acted and --wow, how she can be both youthful and shrewish in a minute! Her behavior at the wedding was a triumph and my hat's off to her. Her son's cute, but a bit of a sissy - I loved the boyfriend and think they'll make a great couple. I'm not gay, but if I was, I'd want to go live in their honest world. This film must have been a real hit at the film festival... such a pleasure to watch!

African Journey (1989 TV Movie)

Fell into this accidentally, spent such a lovely afternoon!

[11 September 2003]

I think sometimes it's best to see a movie without knowing anything about it - - you take the time to puzzle it out, get oriented, and if it pleases or intrigues you, then you let it unfold as it may. This is how I encountered this film, and I enjoyed every minute. It's a very long movie, and it rambles a bit, but you learn to care for the sweet characters: the Canadian teen and his newfound friendship with an African peer, Themba; Tunami, Themba's sister and first love interest, who needs to make her own way in the world; the village men and women who depend on one water hole and their jobs at the mine for their very lives.

Yes, you see the evil ones, the poachers, the users of people, and you learn to deal with misery and death, but there's no need to knock your teeth out with it -- we get it, gently.

Some quiet afternoon, try this one out, and lose yourself to the beauty and wisdom of the simple South African life. It's time well spent.

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

I never expected to like the soundtrack more than the movie.

[8/10 · 28 June 2001]

You know how disappointed you are when they completely destroy a great book by making it into a mediocre movie? Well, I listened to the Soundtrack for a month before I had a chance to get to the movie, and I have to say I felt the same way. I had grown so attached to each full-length cut on the CD, I would have been happy with a string of music videos instead of a plot. However, this movie is much more than its music, it's a sensory experience. Much of the music is too deeply buried in that experience for me, but I still give it an 8. In fact, I'd pay double to be able to see it again - - in slow motion!!

I also have to say that the movie's lush surroundings just bowled me over! With so much staging and constant activity, music within music, plots within plays within plots, it was okay for the main plot to be a bit unimpressive. The actors were a bunch of strong characters and Nicole Kidman's incredible accuracy of pitch was a happy surprise!! Who knew?? Throw in the humor, the surrealistic historical venue of Moulin Rouge, and the bows to dozens of musical hits from the past and it's a rollercoaster ride! No, more like a pinball table with me crying "Tilt". And then, I felt dizzy and kind of slapped in the face when it ended.

This was one of the most unusual movies I have seen in years, and when I think back on it, all I can say is "Hurry Up, DVD". I wanna see it again.