tink-1 Reviews

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Just....brilliant

[10/10 · 27 July 2006]

I saw this film in a movie theatre in Times Square...hardly my first choice for viewing movies. But I will say that Little Miss Sunshine is so excellent, that you could screen the movie in Siberia or in a Wal Mart parking lot in Missouri... and the audience will be transfixed and fall in love.

So many indie movies are so quirky that they mean little to anyone other than the actual filmmaker. And other indie movies fall too much into the "it was a dramatic road trip but we are all so much happier now that we made it" category. Little Miss Sunshine, while quirky and dramatic, never treads these lines. Instead, what you find is a brilliant movie that makes you laugh, that makes your eyes tear, that makes you cringe and reminds you of your family in some shape or form.

If anything, it is a story about who we are, and who we often end stuck with.

Girl (1998)

Read the book because the movie is junk

[4/10 · 29 February 2004]

This movie was a true heartache of a film. Girl, originally a novel by Blake Nelson, was the story of a highschool girl who discovers sex and the local music scene. Both enrich her life and make her feel differently in relationships with other people. It was a well written, subtle but powerful book that affected the lives of many young women. Sadly, the movie is studio junk.

The director and screenwriter chose instead to turn this into a movie about hot highschoolers going at it and acting like groupies. Each character has been flattened out to a cutesy stereotype. For example, Tara Reid was chosen to play Cybil, who in the book is a lesbian rocker and very withdrawn. The movie really has no plot, other than Andrea chasing around Todd as if she is an NSync groupie. I felt like I watched a two hour commercial for noxema or saw a 17 magazine come to life as a movie.

If you want to watch a goofy film about over sexed teenagers, rent this movie. If you want something th more heart, read the book. Or better yet, rent Blue Car or Thirteen.

Gigli (2003)

Not worth your time

[28 August 2003]

I too, went to see this movie to see if it was really that bad. And yes, it was that bad. Not because it had JLo or Ben. It was bad because it had no heart, no truth, and no ideology. It was not fun, it was not well paced, and it was not even a good escape from reality. JLo makes a mess of lesbians. Of course she would give up her identity to fall in love with Ben. Of course her character would use crude jokes, such as the gobble, gobble turkey one. Of course she would have to be super hot and hip for us to like her as a lesbain...this is Hollywood. JLo has made a career of playing awful, superficial, stereotypical parts. The violence was sick. Unlike nuanced films, it showed off. In Reservoir Dogs, Tarantino makes us think we are seeing more violence with the ear slicing scene, but we never do see the actual ear sawed off. In this film, you get treated to a finger sawed off by a plastic knife. The kidnapped guy was supposedly mentally handicapped. Like most untalented writers, actors, and directors, the team that made Gigli depicted a mentally handicapped person as a bumbling, whining, grunting moron. Yepp, integrity is rampant in this film. Finally JLo and Ben force the chemistry thing so much it becomes non existent. They are not portraying characters, they are merely caught up in themselves, forcing the issue. Yes, not all films are Oscar winners. Some are solely for entertainment. This one is merely trash. That budget of 50 million should be divided up among 5o talented young indie directors because they at least have something to say. And JLO, darling, please stick to singing dumb songs and talking about your ass. It is all you are worth. And Ben, reconsider the Project Greenlight thing, because if you thought this was a good role, you dont have the right to pick writers and directors.....

Crossroads (I) (2002)

AWFUL, NOT BAD, AWFUL!!!!!!

[1/10 · 30 July 2003]

Certain people have dedicated their whole lives to writing beautiful, nuanced screenplays and recognizing the art and craft within screenwriting. And many people have dedicated their live to pursuing thespian roles and understanding the craft. Britney Spears is not one of them. She has hot abs, so she got to pitch and idea and then star in it. I watched this film on HBO and I was close to peeing my pants due to the ridiculousness of it.

Full of stereotypical characters will dull problems. Melodramatic, whiny, and stupid. Dialogue is trite, camera work sucks, and worst of all the directing is obvious. This movie takes itself way too serious. Elvis movies are better than this film.

One scene will tell all: Britney reads a poem, about not being a girl and not yet a woman. Some dude they picked up comes in and tells her he played guitar while she was reciting her poem. He tells her she should try singing the poem, while he plays. She balks, and then sings, hey who would have realized she is a great singer? Crap like that will destory Western Civilization as we know it.

Boycott this film and pray that deserving actors, writers, and directors will see money and be able to make their films. This is so awful, it is not even worth watching to laugh. Glitter, is a more noble film than this.

Love's Deadly Triangle: The Texas Cadet Murder (1997 TV Movie)

Overly dramatic...

[7/10 · 14 July 2003]

This story is loosely based on the real story of Diane Zamora and David

Graham. It was recently played on Lifetime Television for women because

the real life Diane Zamora wed a fellow inmate in a civil ceremony

(stood in by her mother and a friend) a few weeks ago. This story is

sick and sad, a young couple so caught up in one another they become

fanatically jealous. What is truly sad is that Diane and David, who

commit a murder due to David's infidelity, turn on one another in the

court. Their strong love wilted to personal defense and bad mouthing.

Like most television movies (and admit it, we are all suckers for tv

movies) this film plays up the sex, lies, and murder. If you want the

true story, buy the book or hit up the various sites on google. If you

want an interesting melodrama or to see some early work of the sweet and

fun Holly Marie Combs, watch this. It is well shot and acted for a

Lifetime Movie and tells such a sad story of two people who could have

been so much. ______________________________

Capturing the Friedmans (2003)

Overwhelming, Amazing, Upsetting

[8/10 · 26 June 2003]

I saw this documentary last night with three friends. One cried, the

other was speechless, and I couldn't sleep I was so jazzed up and

intrigued. This documentary is so fascinating and haunting. I alternated

through the film feeling furious that I had paid money to see a family

self destruct, elated with the heartfelt reunion between Jesse and his

mother, touched by David's willingness to ruin his career for Jesse, and

annoyed by the incompetent police. Other than Requiem for a Dream, never

has a film drawn out so many emotions from me at once. What was just as

interesting was the verbal reaction of the audience. I heard sighs of

frustration as Elaine babbled on, laughs when the detectives were

speaking, gasps at various information. At one point a man yelled out

bitch when Elaine was speaking. In the lobby on our way out so many

people were discussing it and on the subway I heard a couple arguing

about it. What a response! This powerful documentary affects everyone in

someway. See it twice. I am going again tonight because I am still so

overwhelmed and impressed by first time director Andrew Jarecki and the

Friedman's destruction. The mix of film, super 8, tv footage and home

photographs along with the expert editing will stay in your mind

Raising Victor Vargas (2002)

A Sweet Story

[8/10 · 26 June 2003]

This film is underrated. I loved it. It was truly sweet and heartfelt. A family who struggles but isn't made into a dysfunctional family which is so typical of films today. The film didn't make it an issue that they have little money or are Dominican Republican the way Hollywood have.

Instead the issue is Victor is immature and needs to grow up. He does, slowly, by the film's end. He has a ways to go, but it was a heartfelt attempt to move forward. His grandmother is very cute and the scene where the little boy throws up had me laughing for the longest time. A truly heartfelt indie

The Last Unicorn (1982)

A gem with a soundtrack by America

[10/10 · 25 June 2003]

This animated film is a wonderful whimsical tale. I drove my mom up the

wall when I was little because I watched it over and over. I own a copy

now and still watch it for nostalgia. The animations are oddly

beautiful. The whole soundtrack was done by America, totally eighties. A

gem of an animated film. The cartoon Red Bull and Unicorn have more

personality than Vin Diesel and Tara Reid (and many other Hollywood

actors today). A wonderful film for all

Stevie (2002)

A sick badly done documentary that wastes 180 minutes of your life!

[2/10 · 24 June 2003]

This documentary was a sloppy mess by an overrated documentary

filmmaker. Basically, Steve James returns to his "little brother"

because he feels bad over deserting him. However, instead of coming

there to help Stevie, he parades Stevie around in front of his camera

making money off his twisted life. Steve James seems to feel that

slapping up interviews from his grandmother, mother, fiancee, and Stevie

make up for lack of point and care. Was this film about Stevie's crime?

Bad parenting? Lower income? The midwest? I do not know and neither does

Steve James as he make almost three hours of mash, seemingly presenting

things that never add up. His family is portrayed as hicks and Stevie

becomes the main attraction. And how in the hell did Stevie's poor

fiancee be able to afford a several thousand dollar capping job, a job

specialized dentists can only perform? Hmmm, seems like Steve James

enjoys paying people off with teeth capping and portable stereos for

their cooperation. I doubt Stevie even understood what James was doing.

This doc sucked and I am ashamed that I watched it. Try Capturing the

Friedmans, Spellbound, or Winged Migration instead of this drivel. A

film student with a camcorder cou

All or Nothing (2002)

A look at the lives of a family in a cramped working class area in london

[9/10 · 17 June 2003]

I have to diasagree with the many people who found this film a bit naff.

I thought it was rather brilliant, a good dialogue nuanced film. Usually

a film about the lower working class makes an issue about it. All or

Nothing simply presents these people as people. The problems and issues

this family faces are not their socioeconomic status, instead their

problems come from their lack of talking and stressed out lives. The

director does not make them look stupid or worthless or hickish. In

fact, as we watch wayward unhappy people who arent always sure why they

are wayward or unhappy the films becomes almost self reflexive. It is

acted beautifully, especially the role of Penny's taxi driver husband.

There is something very hopeful about this movie and the respect of the

subject is unique. I would recommend watching this movie instead of

whatever new Renee Zellweger

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

A cute Christmas film about thrity minutes too long

[6/10 · 6 June 2003]

I, like many proud Jews, find Speilberg to be a total hyporctie and to

top that off, I always get bored in his movies save for private ryan.

However, this movie was fun. It was very lighthearted and Christopher

Walken shines, giving a fabulous performance. Tom Hanks was good but

didnt really impress me and his character was annoying. I thought Leo

was very charming but despite the good performances I began to be

restless, the two and a half hour film could have been about thirty

minutes shorter. Maybe read someone's review who actually likes

Speilberg and his

Deuces Wild (2002)

A crappy wannabe gangster film

[4/10 · 15 December 2002]

I wanted my dollar back after seeing this in the dollar theatre. Drea De Matteo is the only worthwhile part of the film. She is stunningly beautiful and the only non over actor. The rest of the film tries to be stylistic and ends up looking ridiculous. Watch for misplaced jump cuts and crap canted angles, straight out of junior college film school. Also watch for the ridiculous way they portray the Italians and the old Italian neighborhood where the writer clearly never has been or researched. Also watch for things they pull to make you care, like mental illness and mean mob men. Or dont and just watch Goodfellas

The Truman Show (1998)

A brilliant meditation of The Republics Book 8...

[10/10 · 15 December 2002]

It seems lost on people that The Truman Show stems from Platos

philosophy, mainly Book Eight of the Republic. Brilliant references, for

example Truman finds truth when he meets Laurel/Sylia (tricked man finds

truth in nature). Peter Weir is a thoughtful director, coaching a

brilliant performance out of Jim Carrey who can do drama as well as

comedy. The movie is vague but not because of lack of thought. A great

film and touching. Beautiful soundtrack. I would have loved to speak

with the art director, sets and design are great. A definate 10 all of

Schindler's List (1993)

A copout!!!!

[6/10 · 10 December 2002]

Warning, I am one of those Jewish people who has never been so offended in my life. This film shows that Speilberg cares only about likeable characters and whimsy. What a copout! Jews in this film are only shown as rambling ethnicities in tableau shots.

Speilberg would rather take a German Gentile, ficitonalize his story (that speech he gives at the end as Schindler is about to leave and Stein gives him the ring was made up, it is historically incorrect and totally made up) and make a movie about the Holocaust from that point of view. My grandmother, who was a Holocaust survivior, walked out in tears from the theatre claiming his film was all lies.

Spielberg makes lovely shots, just beautifully photographed, of violence. This is suppose to make us feel the pain, to feel the irony and all it really does is fetishize violence. We don't learn anything about the jews in this film so it doesn't even hurt that much.

Historically incorrect, Speilberg has the nerve to send the Jews to Auschwitz until Schindler can fix the mistake. UM excuse me by the time Schindler had a list, Auschwitz was practically empty and was no longer gassing bodies. If you want a real look at the holocaust, look at the footage actual nazi soldiers shot in the camps. Or read books by the surviovors. Don't watch Schindlers List because all you will get is a redemption story, designed to make us feel as if we too, like Schindler, would save the Jews. It's embarrassing and inaccurate. How dare Spielberg bastardize the pain my heritage, my family, and other Jewish families went through, make it historically inaccurate and then give it to schools around the country? Yep, thats cool.

The Butcher Boy (1997)

A brilliant, harrowing quasi coming of age tale about mental illness

[9/10 · 9 December 2002]

This film could be called a coming of age tale, but that would be sorely misunderstanding this film. This is a film about human frailty, mental illness, faith, and the working class. It is about time a film is made that doesn't produce the lower working class as ethnicities. Also one of the first films where someone with mental illness has agency, albeit dangerous agency. A good film to chew on and an exciting director to watch. I cried for thrity minutes after the end of the

Go Fish (1994)

A film about looking for love

[7/10 · 9 December 2002]

This film is about lesbians but it has a message for all. First off, it is to me the first film that does not have issues with being a lesbian or gay for that matter. Go Fish works from the inside out and features real members of the chicago lesbian community. Go Fish urges you to just get out there and date rather than waiting for the perfect woman or man. Unlike Philadelphia, it doesnt try and make any pc claims about sex or homosexuality. I give these girls snaps, they put it together for p

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

brilliant movie

[10/10 · 4 October 2002]

Aronofsky proves once again what a visual stylist he is. He gave

Jennifer Connelly and Ellen Burstyn chances after Hollywood snubbed them

and the performances are amazing. A harrowing tale of loneliness and

addictions, this movie pulls your soul out through your ears. Sound

design is absolutely amazing and fellinies

Meet the Feebles (1989)

a goofball warped comedy about muppets

[10/10 · 4 October 2002]

Peter Jackson must have done some serious drugs. This movie is a funny

farce but also disturbing. Jackson is truly a unique filmmaker and its

amazing to see how cheapo early gross out movies led to Lord of the

Rings. Meet the Feeblees has some crude humor but its a fun movie to

watch drunk with fellow film lovers. I think its much better than In Bad

T

Glitter (2001)

A struggling singer realizes her dream of becoming a star with the help of her DJ boyfriend.

[1/10 · 12 September 2002]

I watcheed this film when I was in the hospital recovering from mono and it made me even more depressed and frustrated. Mariah Carey plays Billie, a young girl whos struggling singer mother sends her to a social worker when she can no longer afford to care for her. Billie grows up, moves to NYC and begins to date a hot DJ who cuts her album. The movie sucks. Its a wah wah story with too many story lines: Billie wants to sing, Billie wants to find her mom, her boyfriend picks on her, she owes people money, her friends hate her success blah blah. Its set in the 80s despite not having anything to do with a period. Mariah overacts and underacts and basically looks like a moron on screen. The DP for some reason every once in awhile uses jump cuts which look ridiculous and arent done with true style. He also uses really awful eyeline matches. The music is boring, the costumes were stupid. Maybe someday studios will instead of making one awful multi million dollar picture like Glitter, they will make twenty meaningful student films. Until then boycott Glitter.

Blind Fury (1989)

One crappy movie about a crime fighting blind vet.

[3/10 · 12 September 2002]

A truly unbelievable story about a blind man with extraordinary sensory abilities that allow him to fight crime with a walking stick with spear heads on it. The whole film has cheesy dialogue, stupid fight scenes, no respect for the blind, and untalented actors. If you have a few bucks burning a hole in your pocket and want to laugh your ass off with your friends rent it. If not, dont waste your time on this horribly shot, poorly edited, goofball of a film.

The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964)

A brilliant look at Jesus Christ from the eyes of a reactionary critic.

[10/10 · 11 September 2002]

For any of you who do not know Pasolini, he was a reactionary leftist marxist critic, poet, essayist, and film maker. He was clubbed to death by a gay prostitute in the fishing village of Austia. He supposedly found a Gideon Bible in a hotel in the USA, read the book of Matthew and decided it would make a trippy movie. He named it the gospel according to Matthew, omitting saint b/c he felt saints weren't important. The film is brilliant considering Pasolini went to the poorest part of Southern Italy and used non actors, many of whom were illiterate. He kept their dialect and even Italian audiences wanted subtitles. I am Italian and have lived in Italy, trust me it is not a place to play around with the Catholic Church! This movie was gutsy and personal for him. I think it is devastatingly beautiful and takes both a loving and brusque look