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Reviews
Lost in Translation (2003)
Lost in Dullsville
While I enjoyed The Virgin Suicides, I was quite bored with this one. I don't mind that nothing happened throughout the movie, I don't mind that Bill Murray played the same character he always plays, and I don't even care that it wasn't funny. What bothers me is that every critic in the land raved about this film like it was the best of 2003. Give me a break! What were they watching? Certainly not this stinker. Don't waste your time. I think the critics must all be middle aged men who want to see a pretty young girl fall in love with an unattractive whiny middle aged man.
Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
Very enjoyable end of summer flick
Not up to par with the Coen brothers usual stuff, but very funny nonetheless. Some scenes were a little too cutesy, but overall I enjoyed it. The cast gave good performances, especially Thornton. Clooney and Zeta-Jones have a nice screen chemistry. I would like to see them in more movies together.
Shichinin no samurai (1954)
At times quite powerful, but ...
While this movie is a pioneer of the action film and has some great cinematography and direction, I found myself bored for long sections of the movie. While many in the film are good actors, some of the supporting actors are ridiculously broad and hammy. Good film, but not really anything I'd care to sit through again.
The Horror of Party Beach (1964)
It must be voodoo!
This is a must see if you like bad movies. It's amazingly bad, and although much of it drags at a snails pace, it has a lot of cheesy goodness to offer. The beach scenes are hilarious as are the scenes with Eulabelle. I wish the lighting was better because many scenes are pitch black. I like the way the fighting guys shook hands at the end of their fight on the beach.
Mulholland Dr. (2001)
10/10 (Warning: Contains Spoilers. Please be warned!!!)
This film is basically the story of a disturbed actress, Diane, who has been jilted by Hollywood and her girlfriend, Camilla. The first part of the film consists of Diane's dream/hallucination of her alter identity, Betty, who embodies her initial naivete and hope as a young actress coming to Hollywood to find her dream. In Diane's dream, Betty/Diane meets this mysterious woman, Rita, who symbolizes her girlfriend, Camilla, and upon finding that the woman has amnesia, decides to help her find herself (symbolic of the feeling that Diane has that Camilla must not really know who she is if she is leaving their relationship for a man). Throughout the first part of the movie, we follow the two women trying to solve the mystery of sexual/psychological identity which culminates in their sexual joining/completion of self. After an evening at a nightclub where the MC explains how things may not be as they seem, Diane's dream begins to unravel, much the same as a dream unravels, when the dreamer becomes aware that he or she is dreaming.
In her waking, however, her psychosis still remains (just as in the beginning of the film when Rita says that she had hoped that sleep would cure her insomnia). At this point, we realize that Betty no longer exists, and that Diane is the Hollywood jilted and jaded remains of that wide-eyed girl. In reality, Camilla/Rita has left Diane/Betty for a director of the film in which Diane had desperately wanted to be cast. Instead, Camilla got the role, causing a rift between the two women. Diane's waking world is delusional and paranoid. Eventually, she is driven to have Camilla/Rita murdered (the scene where the murder plan takes place is a place where a monster broods in the dumpster, perhaps the monster is Diane).
Diane's world is filled with guilt, anger, and jealous torment, which splits her identity and reality into slivers of a mirror so shattered, she is unable to see where she begins and Betty/Camilla/Rita end.
A great film, expertly directed, with performances that are precise and confident. The two leads are completely in sync with Lynch's vision and know exactly where the twists and turns lead. Naomi Watts displays such diversity and confidence in the role of Diane/Betty that one can't help being intrigued and attracted to her. She is PURE GOLD. This is a movie not to be missed, and a second viewing probably improves its flavor. Mulholland Drive is an exhilarating journey down the treacherous roads of Hollywood.
Mulholland Dr. (2001)
10/10 (Warning: Contains Spoilers. Please be warned!!!)
This film is basically the story of a disturbed actress, Diane, who has been jilted by Hollywood and her girlfriend, Camilla. The first part of the film consists of Diane's dream/hallucination of her alter identity, Betty, who embodies her initial naivete and hope as a young actress coming to Hollywood to find her dream. In Diane's dream, Betty/Diane meets this mysterious woman, Rita, who symbolizes her girlfriend, Camilla, and upon finding that the woman has amnesia, decides to help her find herself (symbolic of the feeling that Diane has that Camilla must not really know who she is if she is leaving their relationship for a man). Throughout the first part of the movie, we follow the two women trying to solve the mystery of sexual/psychological identity which culminates in their sexual joining/completion of self. After an evening at a nightclub where the MC explains how things may not be as they seem, Diane's dream begins to unravel, much the same as a dream unravels, when the dreamer becomes aware that he or she is dreaming.
In her waking, however, her psychosis still remains (just as in the beginning of the film when Rita says that she had hoped that sleep would cure her insomnia). At this point, we realize that Betty no longer exists, and that Diane is the Hollywood jilted and jaded remains of that wide-eyed girl. In reality, Camilla/Rita has left Diane/Betty for a director of the film in which Diane had desperately wanted to be cast. Instead, Camilla got the role, causing a rift between the two women. Diane's waking world is delusional and paranoid. Eventually, she is driven to have Camilla/Rita murdered (the scene where the murder plan takes place is a place where a monster broods in the dumpster, perhaps the monster is Diane).
Diane's world is filled with guilt, anger, and jealous torment, which splits her identity and reality into slivers of a mirror so shattered, she is unable to see where she begins and Betty/Camilla/Rita end.
A great film, expertly directed, with performances that are precise and confident. The two leads are completely in sync with Lynch's vision and know exactly where the twists and turns lead. Naomi Watts displays such diversity and confidence in the role of Diane/Betty that one can't help being intrigued and attracted to her. She is PURE GOLD. This is a movie not to be missed, and a second viewing probably improves its flavor. Mulholland Drive is an exhilarating journey down the treacherous roads of Hollywood.
Dead of Night (1945)
Great acting, tight storyline, Classic!
The spiraling of the linking narrative from reality??? to surreal nightmare is handled very well. Very creepy film. Could have done without the golfing story and the nightclub song (that always seems to be thrown into movies of the forties). Googie Withers and Michael Redgrave are awesome, as is Mervyn Johns as the architect. The "other" bedroom in the mirror sequence is lovely (too bad it makes you want to kill your wife). A great classic of British film. The mirror story reminded me of "The Picture of Dorian Gray", and the Ventriloquist spawned "Magic" and countless other films. PEOPLE, YOU NEED TO SEE THIS FILM. It is definitely original and chilling.
Wit (2001)
great
beautiful film. Emma Thompson did a wonderful job. While the straight on monologues were a little disconcerting, they worked for the film. Very painful to watch, but stayed with you after the film was over. The best performance of the year. Emma Thompson deserves kudos for her brave and powerful depiction of a life ending with doubt of the intuition and wit that seemed to be the sole savior of itself. Pure gold, comma, the end
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
As cinematically pretty as it is...
BORING. I expected more from Peter Jackson. His previous films had characters that interested me. This was like watching a very prolonged game of dungeons and dragons. The technical aspects of the film were absolutely stunning as expected, but the movie was sluggish and unentertaining. I had high hopes and maybe I shouldn't have. Overall, a disappointment.
Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994)
I finally made it through this film!
While her performance was one of her better ones, I still couldn't get past the feeling that Leigh was "acting." By piling affectation on a character who was already quite affectatious, Leigh's performance became weighted down by her characterization. Albeit, she is the only shimmer in this otherwise flat depiction of a subject that should have been witty and intriguing. With a cast as phenomenal as this, it is unfortunate that the majority of them were simply short and two dimensional cameos that left this viewer wondering why bother telling this story at all. At its best, it has some witty lines, but it's muddled, boring, and directionless at its worst.
Dancer in the Dark (2000)
Beautiful Film
I am still moved by this movie. The acting was superb. The musical numbers were stunning. I can definitely see how some folks will hate or love it. It all depends on whether one can immerse him/herself in the characterization of Selma. I had no problem suspending disbelief and crying my eyes out. Innovative and unlike anything I've seen before.
Strangers with Candy (1999)
Fandango? Hobo Camp? Hobo Camp!!!
Why!!! WHY!!!! WHYYYYYY!!!!!!! Did Comedy Central take this completely original and extraordinarily entertaining show off the air? I miss Jerri and her cohorts. I could watch this show for weeks at a time. I hope that someone will have the sense to put all of the episodes on DVD. I have about 6 or 7 episodes on VHS that I've lent out to friends, who report back after watching a few episodes (can take a while to grow on you), that they absolutely love the show. We say lines from the show all the time. Amy Sedaris and company are very talented, and I hope that they go on to do more, maybe a movie with the help of her very talented brother, David. Check out his audiotapes. They have Amy doing some of the voices. One story, in particular, "You can't kill the Rooster" is especially funny. More, MORE, MORE!!!
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Claustrophobic brilliance
This movie is nothing short of a masterpiece. The performances were excellent, as was the editing. It punches you in the stomach and leaves you breathless. Painful, sad, and thought provoking. Ellen Burstyn gives the performance of a lifetime. While not for everyone, I would recommend it highly.
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Claustrophobic brilliance
This movie is nothing short of a masterpiece. The performances were excellent, as was the editing. It punches you in the stomach and leaves you breathless. Painful, sad, and thought provoking. Ellen Burstyn gives the performance of a lifetime. While not for everyone, I would recommend it highly.
Waiting for Guffman (1996)
Fresh off a destroyer with nothing but a dance belt and a tube of chapstick
This movie made me want to bite my pillow to keep from laughing to death! Christopher Guest and Company did a booming job of reflecting the aspirations of an American town with high hopes and silly ideas. It might have been a malicious attack on the values of those depicted, but instead we end up caring about these people and hoping against hope that they succeed in their individual quests. God bless the Corky St. Clairs of this world and the gumption they possess that drives them to dream of greater things even though those things are completely out of reach. Hysterical, yet lovingly made.
Paul Monette: The Brink of Summer's End (1996)
An inspiring film about an inspiring individual
What an amazing person Paul Monette is! And what a great tribute to his life this documentary is! I've read all of Monette's non-fiction work and quite a bit of his fiction. For those of you who have not yet read his non-fiction, please do so. Becoming A Man, Borrowed Time, and Last Watch of the Night were all extraordinary, passionate, and painfully honest masterpieces of gay literature. This film captures a glimpse of the man whose sincerity and heroism served to uplift a generation of men who were imprisoned by the closet and another generation who can now stand proud of themselves and those they love.