Rachel770 Reviews

Powerhouse (1982– )

I LOVED this show!

[23 March 2004]

I remember this show. I LOVED it. All shows back then had a "low budget feel" So what? All those "retro" shows were SUPERIOR to the shows kids and teens have to grow up with now. (Few exceptions) I wish there was a way I could watch these old shows again.

Powerhouse was really good!! I remember they had some exciting themes for that day and age. I remember one time their "boss(?)', Brenda, got deathly ill and they had to solve the mystery. It turns out some lady with an infectious and deadly disease made her food. It's funny, I can't remember what I did last week, but I can remember a show I saw over 20 years ago! (I'm 30 BTW) I can even remember the theme song!!

I MISS shows like this one. It is so sad.

Monsoon Wedding (2001)

Not Bollywood nor Hollywood ... but better

[8/10 · 17 January 2004]

I just finished watching this beautiful film for the third time. The first time I saw it, I really liked it. The second time I got more out of it and I liked it even more. I just finished watching it with the director's commentary and I can honestly say I had no idea how good this film actually was! It was shot entirely on location, in just 30 days on a very low budget with a cast of 68 and only a handful of them were real actors! (A great deal of actors who were originally cast in this movie pulled out at the last minute or didn't even bother to show up) I guess that is the beauty of this movie though. Nair wanted to capture the essence of the Punjabi people in a true setting. She didn't want to go for the big elaborate sets where people spontaneously break out into a big song and dance number like you see in a lot of Bollywood movies. Nair wanted her characters to start singing because that is what they do. One of her comments compared Indians to the Irish as two cultures who love to use song. Throughout the whole movie, you get such a feeling of reality as if you are a voyeur who is really looking into these people's lives. They are lying naked and vulnerable before us. The character of Alice really stood out for me. Tilotama Shome's talent radiated from her and I found myself wondering what other films she had done. In Nair's commentary, the answer was revealed: ZERO. Shome was an English Literature student in Delhi University. The scene wear Alice is pretending to be a bride (like a child playing dress up) is so simple yet so powerful and beautiful. I have a few reviews stating that Tilotama was miscast as the maid. That she was to "elegant" and self aware to play such a character, however, that is exactly what Nair wanted in the character of Alice. Nair wanted to make a statement about people. Our beauty and presence comes from within our soul, not from our lot in life. Tilotama Shome can have a brilliant career ahead of her if she wants it. It is also worthwile to mention two more exceptionally powerful performances by Vijay Raaz (who was a struggling actor before this movie) as Dubey (Alice's love interest) and Shefali Shetty, as Ria (who has a dark secret that can ruin the binds of family) These three performances were outstanding, but the entire cast was incredible. This movie is definitely worth seeing, but I really have to recommend you watch it like I did - more than once. It really is worth it.

Shall We Dance? (1996)

A movie to love forever!

[10/10 · 8 January 2004]

I have seen this movie many many times and I will never get tired of it. It is a classic in every sense of the word. The movie is hysterically funny and yet quite touching all at the same time. For those of you who are not a fan of "subtitles" or of foreign film in general, open your mind. This is a great movie for "the beginner" because the story is so entertaining. Don't get me wrong, it is 100% Japanese (and that is what makes it work), but everyone will get something out of it (even if it is just a great laugh at one of the main characters called Mr. Aoki - one of the funniest characters I have ever seen!)

I can't even think of this movie without smiling!! I love it ... and I think most people will too.

Strictly Ballroom (1992)

STRICTLY ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES!

[8 January 2004]

I can not say enough about how wonderful this movie is. I have seen the movie so many times now and I don't think I will ever get tired of it. (So I did the only logical thing and just purchased the Special Edition DVD) I loved listening to the director's comments. - I learned so much more about this superbly wonderful film.

I think some people may not want to watch this film because it has "ballroom" in the title. I know my brother thought it was some "girly dance movie" ... but this movie is so much more. It is a true comedy in the Australian style of such movies as Muriel's Wedding and Pracilla, Queen of the Desert ... but this movie truly stands out. It is funny and touching all at once. The 94min length of this movie just go by too quickly.

I highly recommend this movie to EVERYONE. Give it a try, you probably won't be disappointed. - Wonderful acting, sets, costumes ... and dancing, of course.

Get Real (1998)

I am blinded by my tears

[8/10 · 4 January 2004]

Spoiler I just saw Get Real for the first time. It is not a film that I would usually watch because of the subject matter - but all I saw was a beautiful love story. I wanted them to be together at the end. I almost expected John to run up on stage and stand next to Steven while he was making his coming out speech - but I suspect that is because I watch too many American movies. Americans are notorious for their "happy endings"

Although I am writing this with eyelashes drenched with wet mascara, I realize that the movie had to end the way it did. Love is not always enough. The script never gave us any indication that John was going to stop being confused and afraid. He was never at the place where Steven was. We knew that from the beginning (John yelled at Steven while they were on his bed "you don't know how I feel. You aren't confused!")

This movie was completely realistic - except that I would have thought Steve would have looked a little more heartbroken as he rode away with Lisa.

Beautiful-wonderful film.

Love Actually (2003)

Mixed Feelings (may contain spoilers but not really)

[11 November 2003]

First, before I forget, I want to address the comment that someone made that this movie is not for children ("not under 12 at least") Do you not understand the concept of an R (AS IN RESTRICTED NOT MEANT FOR UNDER 17) Rating?

Then I have to address the fact that it was R. WHY?! Why did they feel they had to do that??! As a rule, I don't watch R films but I disobeyed my conscience on this one because I am a sucker for romance movies. (Plus I know it is an English film and what we consider curse words they do not - and I understand that. I was expecting some foul language) ... It was really over the top though, and the simulated sex scenes were just ... UNNECESSARY!(It didn't add anything to the movie and I found it disgusting) Notting Hill wasn't rated R and it still manages to be an EXCELLENT movie!!

Then there is the plot(S) Some of the stories were so enjoyable (I could have watched the one with Jaime and Aurelia as a movie by itself!) but call my old fashioned. I like stories with beginnings, middles and ends and I found these stories way to loose and without much end. (What EXACTLY happened to Mia and her boss?) AND we all know that this movie is the type that is supposed to be a "feel good" (Some romances are and some aren't ... but it isn't fair to pretend a movie is going to be sunshine and happy endings and then not only NOT give us a happy ending but forget to give us an ending at all (Karl and Sarah) ... Maybe I just need to see it again on DVD. (The airport scene at the end was so fast paced I missed a lot of what was actually happening)

Bottom Line: I wish they would have edited out some of the nonsence (Kid who goes to USA ... what a bunch of RUBBISH!!!!) and devote more time to the stories that have real potential.