micmic1431968 Reviews

We Only Live Once (1958)

Timeless and universal

[10/10 · 4 July 2004]

Who wouldn't like to be rich, have the girl of his dreams and live the "big life" ? How many people, given the chance, would sacrifice their honesty in order to materialize their desires and live their dreams - even if just for a while ? And what about the price one has to pay for his thriftlessness ? All these questions were as timely in 50s' Greece as they are today all over the world. And if you ever had those questions yourself, you will surely identify with Dimitris Horn in one of his more exquisite performances. Javellas's direction is nothing less than inspired and conveys magnificently the nuances of the script.

This is not a comedy per se; a more appropriate description would be "a bitter but upbeat satire". I don't know how exactly a non-Greek could ever run into this film, but if you do you'd better not miss it. My only gripe is the -almost- happy end which is somewhat unrealistic in my eyes, and in direct contrast with the bitter realism of the rest of the movie. In a way, it reminds me of the ending of "Breakfast at Tiffany's". But I guess others will love it the way it is. In any case, this movie is an amazingly poignant comment on money and the way it relates to our dreams and especially the most fugacious of them: love.

Safe Sex (1999)

Better watch TV...

[4/10 · 24 March 2003]

I must have been the only Greek who hasn't watched this one on the big screen. It seems I knew better... Last week it was on TV. I must admit I wasn't expecting anything special, but I also didn't expect it to be so disappointing. There are some witty lines, but if we are given a couple of hours, me and my friends will come up with better jokes. No surprise however it was a huge success and got a decent Imdb score: The success springs from the majority, and it is the same majority who have made Greek TV such an idiot's sink.

City of God (2002)

The dark side of the magnificent Brazilian soul

[11 March 2003]

I've always been a lover of Brazil and have been fascinated by Brazilian music & culture for years, although I've never been there (yet). This movie is deeply Brazilian, and -strange as it may seem- it made me love Brazil even more. From the first to the last minute, you really can't take your eyes of the screen. It's a shocking movie, true, but it is also refreshing and unique. The directors have simply done the best work I've EVER seen! It's that simple. The actors are unbelievable when you think that most of them have never acted before. But the true power of the movie is the diffusive, captivating, romantic -and at the same time cruel- Brazilian soul. This is the kind of movie that after the first couple of minutes makes any noisy spectators shut up and watch with open mouths till the end titles and beyond. Those who have watched the legendary "Orfeu Negro" can't help but compare the happy, shiny faces of the children in "Orfeu Negro" with the scared and frightening faces of the children in this movie. The beautiful and the ugly face of the favela... I really can't say much more except that this movie is not entertainment but experience...

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

A movie you won't remember tomorrow...

[6/10 · 6 February 2003]

This is another movie in the long list of overrated movies here in IMDB. You know, war has always been a favorite subject for movies, because it generates intense emotions. These emotions are there de facto: Just imagine a seriously wounded soldier, screaming, covered in blood, surrounded by fellow soldiers with pain on their faces. You see, it can't be too difficult to generate emotions when the subject is war. And so does this movie, but not in any particularly original way. The most serious problem of this movie is its storyline, which you know from start to end if you read the following sentence: "A soldier has lost his 3 brothers in the war, and so we must find him and save him to soothe his poor mother". That's all folks. The rest is the typical adventures you would expect from a war movie. The same predictable results, the occasional conflict between members of the rescue team, and so on. We have seen all of this, and much better. The only reason this movie will get a 6 out of 10, is the very good (as usual) Tom Hanks. All in all, a great movie to see if you want to forget it in the next 10 minutes after "The End".

Fight Club (1999)

Don't expect a masterpiece

[5 July 2002]

As another reviewer noted, I don't understand why this movie has any special appeal to anyone who isn't a teenager. It's not a bad movie and I think I would have probably enjoyed it more if I wasn't expecting much more. There are indeed some questions asked concerning consumerism and petite bourgeoisie, but they never rise above a dissapointingly basic level. The infamous "twist" near the end is not as spectacular as advertised by other reviewers. Not really surrealistic, not really a protest movie, not really a psychological thriller, but something in-between that remains unacomplished. Good but not *that* good.

The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

This is the fever of God....

[4 July 2002]

I'm Greek and have read a lot of Kazantzakis, including the book on which the movie was based. Reading Kazantzakis is like taking a ladle and stiring your mind. It's like having a constant fever of questions and looking to the answers as water to cool you down. The movie tries very hard, but it certainly can't transmit us this fever. If you don't plan to read the book, then the movie is a must-see. But the book is much-much better and vastly more thought-provoking. Kazantzakis was a "burning Christian" for a long time in his life. He has also been a communist/atheist and a Buddhist, but on his grave the following words are written: "I believe in nothing, I hope for nothing, I'm free". Another movie based on a book of his is "Zorba the Greek" (with Anthony Quinn), and it captures the spirit of the book much better, but we have to admit that the subject of "The Last Temptation" is much more difficult.