Films can put too much on the screen, or too little. For many LA VIE PROMISE puts too little. Personally, I prefer too little; I can always fill in what I need to make sense, enjoy, understand, etc. Fortunately, in LVP, Isabelle Huppert's face tells the whole story. She's a woman who is looking for her life and thought she found it in her medical record (she was hospitalized in a psychiatric institution). She senses she lost her memory, but learns that she had lost nothing. This is a woman who has no substance, and if you don't understand what that means, you won't appreciate this film. Hers is a great tragedy, a double tragedy; she is nothing, and now she knows it. Still, she grasps at life and may.... I first saw LVP in JAN2004 at the PSIFF and was glad to fill in more with another viewing.
Reviews
27 Reviews
Saints and Soldiers
(2003)
deserves a theatrical release
28 December 2003
I saw Saints and Soldiers a few months back at the San Diego FF. It is an
accomplished work, on every front: story, talent, cinematography, sound,
costume (uniform is a more appropriate word). It clearly deserves a theatrical release. I was certain it would win a festival award even though it was the first film I saw at the festival; and it did. When it gets theatrical release, Saints and Soldiers will garner more awards. See for yourself.
accomplished work, on every front: story, talent, cinematography, sound,
costume (uniform is a more appropriate word). It clearly deserves a theatrical release. I was certain it would win a festival award even though it was the first film I saw at the festival; and it did. When it gets theatrical release, Saints and Soldiers will garner more awards. See for yourself.
Monster
(2003)
CHARLIZE THERON's performance is a performance for the ages
6 December 2003
Saw MONSTER at Palm Springs AFI showings.
MONSTER title refers to an amusement park ride called THE MONSTER.
It's early DEC and I haven't seen all the movies yet, but I can't see any one topping CHARLIZE THERON's performance. This is a performance for the ages, Theron totally embodies Aileen...appearance, clothes, gait...these are easy (yet not often done right)*, but to get into a personality is not.
Theron's performance will be archived for study by all in the film industry. Few can go to such a dark place. PERKINS knew of what she was directing; Theron knew where she was going.
There will always be controversy about AILEEN's guilt reference her history of abuse. What is interesting about this story (if the movie is true) is that Aileen's killing spree only occurs when she has a sense of love in her life and someone to live for. She killed for money to support her only love. That's what the story is about as portrayed in the movie; the killer is humanized, a bad intersection of emotions, but a powerful story that is not melodramatic.
*I saw two movies this year where the heroines had a difficult backstory that would have drained most people and yet these gals look gorgeous. Don't people know that stress and strain can be seen in most people's faces? Look around...most people can look nice but the difficulties surrounding them just drain all the beauty out of them.
MONSTER title refers to an amusement park ride called THE MONSTER.
It's early DEC and I haven't seen all the movies yet, but I can't see any one topping CHARLIZE THERON's performance. This is a performance for the ages, Theron totally embodies Aileen...appearance, clothes, gait...these are easy (yet not often done right)*, but to get into a personality is not.
Theron's performance will be archived for study by all in the film industry. Few can go to such a dark place. PERKINS knew of what she was directing; Theron knew where she was going.
There will always be controversy about AILEEN's guilt reference her history of abuse. What is interesting about this story (if the movie is true) is that Aileen's killing spree only occurs when she has a sense of love in her life and someone to live for. She killed for money to support her only love. That's what the story is about as portrayed in the movie; the killer is humanized, a bad intersection of emotions, but a powerful story that is not melodramatic.
*I saw two movies this year where the heroines had a difficult backstory that would have drained most people and yet these gals look gorgeous. Don't people know that stress and strain can be seen in most people's faces? Look around...most people can look nice but the difficulties surrounding them just drain all the beauty out of them.
Design for Living
(1933)
ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE: germ warfare
4 July 2003
When the writer (Fredric March) and artist (Gary Cooper) are reconciling their reversed positions as favorite of a common lover (Miriam Hopkins), the writer recalls a congratulatory letter he sent to the artist on his initial conquest of the lover:
Writer: May I refer to a letter, sent from London, in a similar crisis?
Artist: A very high class document.
Writer: I could have enclosed some SMALL POX GERMS, easily.
Artist: But you didn't. Very considerate. Let's drink to that.
They refill their glasses and toast:
Artist: To small pox germs.
Writer: In Latin, Variolla Cocca
Writer: May I refer to a letter, sent from London, in a similar crisis?
Artist: A very high class document.
Writer: I could have enclosed some SMALL POX GERMS, easily.
Artist: But you didn't. Very considerate. Let's drink to that.
They refill their glasses and toast:
Artist: To small pox germs.
Writer: In Latin, Variolla Cocca
The Last Movie
(1971)
some of the images reminded me of THE WICKER MAN
21 June 2003
some of the images reminded me of THE WICKER MAN, even before I saw the wicker camera / horse / etc.
The beauty of the landscape, The earthiness of the people, The songs, The 'primitiveness' of the people, The sheparding of the children, The masks on the villagers faces, The treatment of the foreigner, The nudity
I know these are different movies...but if you haven't seen The WICKER MAN...
The beauty of the landscape, The earthiness of the people, The songs, The 'primitiveness' of the people, The sheparding of the children, The masks on the villagers faces, The treatment of the foreigner, The nudity
I know these are different movies...but if you haven't seen The WICKER MAN...
Three on a Match
7 June 2003
When Julio is in the trenches with other soldiers (around the 2 hour mark), he lights their three cigarettes on the same match. THREE ON A MATCH is a movie that makes reference to bad luck following if three use one match, a marketing effort of Ivar Kreuger, the real-life "Match King" industrialist who attempted to monopolize the match market.
Spun
(2002)
Difficult for content, yet the cinematic talent makes it easy to watch
4 September 2002
After I saw SPUN, I felt there was no one I could recommend the movie to but simultaneously felt that EVERYONE SHOULD SEE IT. Difficult for content, the cinematic talent makes it easy to watch, though several viewings would be necessary and desired...it would be easy to get addicted to SPUN, and feeling like you missed something, you'll want to slow it down at times.
My sole suggestion is that the movie end with childhood pictures of all the stars/characters. All these people probably are our neighbors at one time or other; interesting that we only learn The Cook's past and future.
I now recommend SPUN to everyone...see if you agree. Careful, you might recognize one of your neighbors, or family members.
My sole suggestion is that the movie end with childhood pictures of all the stars/characters. All these people probably are our neighbors at one time or other; interesting that we only learn The Cook's past and future.
I now recommend SPUN to everyone...see if you agree. Careful, you might recognize one of your neighbors, or family members.
Children of Paradise
(1945)
the street crowd scenes had served their unexpected purpose
18 May 2001
Just a gift.
I would like to share 2 comments about this film. 1) Les Enfants du Paradis was described as a good movie to see if you have a few hours to kill. I immediately suggested "a good movie to see if you have a few hours to LIVE!"
2) Several reviewers comment about the length of the movie. During the few minutes break between reels, a fellow viewer commented about the length. Although this was during my first viewing (without any reading about Les Enfants du Paradis -- the way I like to see movies), I suggested that the totality of the movie would seem to need all the scenes in order to come together....although I didn't know the how of that. The viewer said he could do without all those street crowd scenes. Undoubtedly, Baptiste's battling the crowd to reach his beloved is sheer perfection that could be achieved only with the setup of the repeated crowds. When I saw the viewer at the end of the movie, he agreed that the street crowd scenes had served their unexpected purpose.
I would like to share 2 comments about this film. 1) Les Enfants du Paradis was described as a good movie to see if you have a few hours to kill. I immediately suggested "a good movie to see if you have a few hours to LIVE!"
2) Several reviewers comment about the length of the movie. During the few minutes break between reels, a fellow viewer commented about the length. Although this was during my first viewing (without any reading about Les Enfants du Paradis -- the way I like to see movies), I suggested that the totality of the movie would seem to need all the scenes in order to come together....although I didn't know the how of that. The viewer said he could do without all those street crowd scenes. Undoubtedly, Baptiste's battling the crowd to reach his beloved is sheer perfection that could be achieved only with the setup of the repeated crowds. When I saw the viewer at the end of the movie, he agreed that the street crowd scenes had served their unexpected purpose.
Rome, Open City
(1945)
parts of society intentionally foster a subset of materialistic people
12 May 2001
One insight: some parts of society intentionally foster a subset of materialistic people; these controllers readily get the info or behavior or whatever they want by merely providing the gifts, tokens, etc that people want. One might say that much of human behavior is controlled by the desire to get things, but it seems that at any given time there is a special group of people ready to sell their bodies and souls for whatever.
the older you are, the more you will enjoy this film
7 April 2001
I suspect the older you are, the more you will enjoy this film because it takes you back to childhood. The longer the trip, the greater the reward. A gentle smile, a warm memory or a frightened moment, an anxious time...all there for you, again -- through the eyes, heart and soul of a young child. If you don't feel this movie, you are not just missing a movie, but have forgotten your childhood. Hope you can find this movie, and this time of your life.
Bicycle Thieves
(1948)
? effect on young thieves if they were forced to watch
2 April 2001
I rarely make social commentary - but I wonder what would be the effect on young thieves if they were forced to watch THE BICYCLE THIEF* until they left the theater crying.
* THE BICYCLE THIEVES is the actual name and people are trying to get it so labeled/named in the English language.
* THE BICYCLE THIEVES is the actual name and people are trying to get it so labeled/named in the English language.
Blow
(2001)
the story never carried the weight of trafficking such a heavy load
26 March 2001
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** Blow is a silly name for what should be a serious movie about a man's life in the drug trade; yet the title fits not because it is Ha-Ha funny but because the movie is incongruous and superficial for the most part.
The abbreviated bookends of George's life with his parents and his own `kid' do not offer the insight needed to understand George; what should be explanations are merely exposes of what happened. We never see George in want; even when his father is forced to bankruptcy, George is well groomed and neatly dressed; yet, it is the desire to avoid being poor that is neatly but merely verbalized as his motivation. Who is fooling who here?
George's biggest childhood problem is his father's unstable relationship with his mother, emphasized when his father pleads `not in front of the boy.' George, although he is meant to have grown up possessing the parental love of his father's tenderness, only duplicates his father's poor choice in a marriage partner. Unfortunately, the father's love is wasted on George in subtle ways. When he first returns, George is called `our son' by the loving father; later, George is emotionally disowned when announced as `your son' to his mother (even though it is the mother who has turns him in). When George refers to his own daughter it is with the perfunctory "not in front of the (generic) kid." What attempts to foster a father-child relationship is just one birthday anniversary after another...no wonder the kid wanted to have nothing to do with her father. His efforts at love were superficial at best; only too late does he learn `it's not the money;' which is most unfortunate in that he had a father enlightened enough to teach that valuable truth that it is about the love...and keeping yourself available to provide that love, rather than in a prison cell or strung out on drugs or away at work in another part of the world.
Unrealistic drug trafficking scenes cause the empty void of the movie. Only way into the 2nd hour do daily problems in the real world: jealousy, competition, back stabbing, emotional instability, communication errors, miscues, etc. seem to show up... too little too late. It all seemed too simple, too nice, too well put together... too unbelievable. For example, with a half dozen revolvers drawn point blank on him, George is hit in the shoulder by a solitary shot. Weren't any of those other drug traffickers trigger happy?
It was almost as if emotion was drained from the story. By rapidly addressing Barbara's condition, a frank opportunity to intensify disloyalty just slips by. Even the simple phrase "I want a Dad at home," would have been more painful than the kid's "What do you want from me?" when George tries to reclaim his position as father.
Despite these story faults, there is simple entertainment value in BLOW. Although Depp does not convince me of anything except his inherited but profound poor choosing of a marital mate, he is always interesting to watch. Liotta is the best, especially in his quiet hurt over his son; Griffiths as his wife is a bit much; how did he put up with her? Barbara is too empty to be taken serious and it is too weak a role for Potente; Mirtha's range, especially her wrath, cannot be covered by Cruz even though her turning on George is one of the most emotional scenes. I would have reversed the Potente and Cruz characters. Cruz exudes support and affection, her sweet voice dampens intentional anger. Rubens is most entertaining as the gay distributor. Only Derek looks like he ever inhaled, again well into the story after the betrayal.
The body of the story, the actual drug trafficking is made to look interesting, if you are a new viewer to these things. But the execution scene, the gun barrel in the mouth, the apartment overloaded with money, the constant sampling of product have all been done better when seen through more realistic eyes. That's the problem with BLOW, it looks as if the characters were never really involved in the drug trade, they might as well have been inhaling sugar powder as they never really looked the part and the story never carried the weight of trafficking such a heavy load.
Who is fooling who here? BLOW seems to turn out to be more about boasting than about cocaine. But what would you expect from a director who needs to tell you with a sub-title that it is the 70's. If you cannot create that feel from all the distinctive dress, hairstyle, manners, speech, and music of that time, you can't expect to tell one of the prime stories of that period without blowing it!
The abbreviated bookends of George's life with his parents and his own `kid' do not offer the insight needed to understand George; what should be explanations are merely exposes of what happened. We never see George in want; even when his father is forced to bankruptcy, George is well groomed and neatly dressed; yet, it is the desire to avoid being poor that is neatly but merely verbalized as his motivation. Who is fooling who here?
George's biggest childhood problem is his father's unstable relationship with his mother, emphasized when his father pleads `not in front of the boy.' George, although he is meant to have grown up possessing the parental love of his father's tenderness, only duplicates his father's poor choice in a marriage partner. Unfortunately, the father's love is wasted on George in subtle ways. When he first returns, George is called `our son' by the loving father; later, George is emotionally disowned when announced as `your son' to his mother (even though it is the mother who has turns him in). When George refers to his own daughter it is with the perfunctory "not in front of the (generic) kid." What attempts to foster a father-child relationship is just one birthday anniversary after another...no wonder the kid wanted to have nothing to do with her father. His efforts at love were superficial at best; only too late does he learn `it's not the money;' which is most unfortunate in that he had a father enlightened enough to teach that valuable truth that it is about the love...and keeping yourself available to provide that love, rather than in a prison cell or strung out on drugs or away at work in another part of the world.
Unrealistic drug trafficking scenes cause the empty void of the movie. Only way into the 2nd hour do daily problems in the real world: jealousy, competition, back stabbing, emotional instability, communication errors, miscues, etc. seem to show up... too little too late. It all seemed too simple, too nice, too well put together... too unbelievable. For example, with a half dozen revolvers drawn point blank on him, George is hit in the shoulder by a solitary shot. Weren't any of those other drug traffickers trigger happy?
It was almost as if emotion was drained from the story. By rapidly addressing Barbara's condition, a frank opportunity to intensify disloyalty just slips by. Even the simple phrase "I want a Dad at home," would have been more painful than the kid's "What do you want from me?" when George tries to reclaim his position as father.
Despite these story faults, there is simple entertainment value in BLOW. Although Depp does not convince me of anything except his inherited but profound poor choosing of a marital mate, he is always interesting to watch. Liotta is the best, especially in his quiet hurt over his son; Griffiths as his wife is a bit much; how did he put up with her? Barbara is too empty to be taken serious and it is too weak a role for Potente; Mirtha's range, especially her wrath, cannot be covered by Cruz even though her turning on George is one of the most emotional scenes. I would have reversed the Potente and Cruz characters. Cruz exudes support and affection, her sweet voice dampens intentional anger. Rubens is most entertaining as the gay distributor. Only Derek looks like he ever inhaled, again well into the story after the betrayal.
The body of the story, the actual drug trafficking is made to look interesting, if you are a new viewer to these things. But the execution scene, the gun barrel in the mouth, the apartment overloaded with money, the constant sampling of product have all been done better when seen through more realistic eyes. That's the problem with BLOW, it looks as if the characters were never really involved in the drug trade, they might as well have been inhaling sugar powder as they never really looked the part and the story never carried the weight of trafficking such a heavy load.
Who is fooling who here? BLOW seems to turn out to be more about boasting than about cocaine. But what would you expect from a director who needs to tell you with a sub-title that it is the 70's. If you cannot create that feel from all the distinctive dress, hairstyle, manners, speech, and music of that time, you can't expect to tell one of the prime stories of that period without blowing it!
Beautiful People
(I) (1999)
need to share this joke
4 March 2000
Heard a joke that is perfect for this movie, "Beautiful People." Actually heard the joke in another movie, lines were spoken by a hit man who was claiming to be more mean and crazy than anyone else...
"I'm half Serbian and half Croatian. I wake up in the morning and want to kill myself!"
Seems appropriate without being offensive to anyone who has seen "Beautiful People."
"I'm half Serbian and half Croatian. I wake up in the morning and want to kill myself!"
Seems appropriate without being offensive to anyone who has seen "Beautiful People."
The Idiots
(1998)
"letting one spass!"
28 January 2000
I really had no idea what this movie was about other than that it was something about people letting out or getting into their inner selves. Given my lack of foreign language skills and the difficulty of reading the subtitles, I still got the gist of the film ok. I thought it was quite good and different, which I really appreciated.
As far as the story goes, as I understand it, these people are acting like "retards," but what their real motivation is remains unknown to me. In the least, they must have a terrible dislike for society, doing some intellectual trip, or just nasty people. Interestingly, most of the "idiot" situations show them to be quite nicely treated by the society they are pulling the wool over. "Society" comes across ok, although society's motivations are self centered also; the people buy the decorations to get rid of the "retards," the council man wants to assist the group's movement to another community, etc.... it seems that the bikers come across the best and I am glad there was no sexual molestation scene in the bathroom scene. (The best line of the movie is at the end of the bathroom scene.) Also, I think the "gang bang," scene, tho done as tastefully as possible, was gratuitous sex. The nude scenes were more believable.
It is interesting that the group members could not be idiots when the personal cost was too high; and I think that drives to the point of the movie. In the final scene: the cost of being an idiot to Karen was emotionally less than the pain she would have felt dealing with her family in the conventional manner after her child's death, husband's response, etc. ie, it was easier for her to be the "idiot" than cope with the strain of the situation...which makes one wonder how/why people go "crazy" to begin with?
What the others (who were so skilled in acting the idiots) could not do, Karen chose as the easier way. Brings to mind the expression..."letting one save face"... could perhaps be... "letting one spass!"
As far as the story goes, as I understand it, these people are acting like "retards," but what their real motivation is remains unknown to me. In the least, they must have a terrible dislike for society, doing some intellectual trip, or just nasty people. Interestingly, most of the "idiot" situations show them to be quite nicely treated by the society they are pulling the wool over. "Society" comes across ok, although society's motivations are self centered also; the people buy the decorations to get rid of the "retards," the council man wants to assist the group's movement to another community, etc.... it seems that the bikers come across the best and I am glad there was no sexual molestation scene in the bathroom scene. (The best line of the movie is at the end of the bathroom scene.) Also, I think the "gang bang," scene, tho done as tastefully as possible, was gratuitous sex. The nude scenes were more believable.
It is interesting that the group members could not be idiots when the personal cost was too high; and I think that drives to the point of the movie. In the final scene: the cost of being an idiot to Karen was emotionally less than the pain she would have felt dealing with her family in the conventional manner after her child's death, husband's response, etc. ie, it was easier for her to be the "idiot" than cope with the strain of the situation...which makes one wonder how/why people go "crazy" to begin with?
What the others (who were so skilled in acting the idiots) could not do, Karen chose as the easier way. Brings to mind the expression..."letting one save face"... could perhaps be... "letting one spass!"
Stuart Little
(1999)
fun movie for kids
7 January 2000
A fun movie for kids, with some real adult laughs.
I would have liked more of the out-takes played during the credits incorporated as part of the story, ie, more of the fun interactions between Stuart and George, rather than the "cats chase mouse" scenes through Central Park, etc.
I would have liked more of the out-takes played during the credits incorporated as part of the story, ie, more of the fun interactions between Stuart and George, rather than the "cats chase mouse" scenes through Central Park, etc.
Magnolia
(1999)
Sometimes a close up is so close, you don't get the whole picture.
29 December 1999
Many will say the acting was great, but the set-up of "Magnolia, " cutting and pasting together the "big" scenes, limits the range of acting. There's no time/space for the aura of a "personality" of a character* who is constantly seen in the "performance" role; otherwise the camera is on a face that fills the whole screen. The spotlight is always on; I'd like to know what is happening on the side, as that can be more telling. But there is no time for subtle transitions or shades of gray here; everything is over the top and hence, a bit much! Sometimes a close up is so close, you don't get the whole picture.
I liked the difference-ness of the movie and would see it again, but I think most would find it somewhat tedious after the initial humor and then going places not very appealing. The cinematography is good with many authentic, life-like scenes (yet no landscapes which often imply great cinematography).
*John Reilly's officer is the exception; some of his scenes are more "background" than in your face, and hence more fully developed.
I liked the difference-ness of the movie and would see it again, but I think most would find it somewhat tedious after the initial humor and then going places not very appealing. The cinematography is good with many authentic, life-like scenes (yet no landscapes which often imply great cinematography).
*John Reilly's officer is the exception; some of his scenes are more "background" than in your face, and hence more fully developed.
Snow Falling on Cedars
(1999)
addendum "To Kill a Mocking Bird"
12 December 1999
How could I miss the secret hiding place in the hole in the tree used by Bo to give gifts of a toy boy doll and girl doll figures...and the secret meeting place for young love of Ishmael and Hatsue? I will need to watch this film again just to make further comparisons!
What other "similarities" will be found? Is it a stretch to say that "Snow (when it is) Falling on Cedars" never hurts anyone?
"To Kill a Mockingbird" is a most respected film; "Snow Falling on Cedars" is a worthy pretender. It would be difficult for any sequel to match "To Kill a Mockingbird." ....perhaps "Snow Falling on Cedars" is a too much the pretender?
What other "similarities" will be found? Is it a stretch to say that "Snow (when it is) Falling on Cedars" never hurts anyone?
"To Kill a Mockingbird" is a most respected film; "Snow Falling on Cedars" is a worthy pretender. It would be difficult for any sequel to match "To Kill a Mockingbird." ....perhaps "Snow Falling on Cedars" is a too much the pretender?
Snow Falling on Cedars
(1999)
"sequel" to 'To Kill a Mockingbird'
12 December 1999
I could not help but think "Snow Falling on Cedars" is a "sequel" to 'To Kill a Mockingbird'
the paper mache strawberry in the festival parade is what first reminded me... Scout's ham costume for Halloween
the absent left limb...lame left limb of killer
the upper balcony setting of the courthouse scenes
the homage paid by the courthouse attendees
the northernness of the snow scenes... the southernness of the humid/hot summer
Of course, most apparent are the racial overtones in the trial of an innocent man
Ishmael is Jeb Finch grown up, trying to be Atticus... even to the point of saying something like "half the man my father was"
Did you see these similarities?
"To Kill a Mockingbird" is a most respected film; "Snow Falling on Cedars" is a worthy pretender. It would be difficult for any sequel to match "To Kill a Mockingbird."
the paper mache strawberry in the festival parade is what first reminded me... Scout's ham costume for Halloween
the absent left limb...lame left limb of killer
the upper balcony setting of the courthouse scenes
the homage paid by the courthouse attendees
the northernness of the snow scenes... the southernness of the humid/hot summer
Of course, most apparent are the racial overtones in the trial of an innocent man
Ishmael is Jeb Finch grown up, trying to be Atticus... even to the point of saying something like "half the man my father was"
Did you see these similarities?
"To Kill a Mockingbird" is a most respected film; "Snow Falling on Cedars" is a worthy pretender. It would be difficult for any sequel to match "To Kill a Mockingbird."
American Movie
(1999)
they keep working with the you
14 November 1999
Watching "American Movie" requires a lot of effort that is rewarded in a substantial but too brief way. Neither Mike nor Uncle Bill can sustain a movie of this length, but they keep working with the you (as they do with Mark!) Rather than build up to the brief black and white premier of "The Coven," it may have been better to present the premier part first, then show the effort it took to get there. After watching the tedious and difficult filming of "The Coven," I was too little rewarded for the work I had put it. I could have gotten almost as much out of hearing the audio alone, although the cabinet bashing scene is unique as is Mike's enduring pause with every delivery; Uncle Bill is familiar to many, and so, endearing. A valuable movie, an oft told tale of a man and his passion; a movie that will be much appreciated by independents.
The Limey
(1999)
what is the equivalent payback?
31 October 1999
The Limey story is an often told one, a man seeking revenge for a death persumably by heinous persons. Some might say a father seeking revenge for his daughter, but as there is not much reason to believe there is a tight bond because father/daughter, the revenge might just as well be a violent assault by a recidivistic ex-con. Yet Wilson is too neat for that sort of violence, he wants to know the why of Jennie's death and offer a equivalent payback.
And there is the story...what is the equivalent payback; only learned as woven through the dialogue that staggers forward and backward. Miss the dialogue, and you will miss the story. This is not just a film of flash backs and flash forwards to any of several potential events; the dialogue carries the story. Unfortunately, for those without an ear for an English brogue, the film requires more attention than it rewards, but if you hear the story there is plenty of payback for your effort.
And there is the story...what is the equivalent payback; only learned as woven through the dialogue that staggers forward and backward. Miss the dialogue, and you will miss the story. This is not just a film of flash backs and flash forwards to any of several potential events; the dialogue carries the story. Unfortunately, for those without an ear for an English brogue, the film requires more attention than it rewards, but if you hear the story there is plenty of payback for your effort.
The Story of Us
(1999)
grow from it
31 October 1999
Somewhat limited view of a "well to do" marriage. These people have health, comfortable lifestyle, "2 great kids," and no evidence of job woes...yet are too unconscious, taking too much for granted, to know that you have to "work" at some things, like really caring about another person.
Keeping in touch with the other person is more than making sure your feet touch at night... how about your hearts, souls, spirits, feelings?...you are more than your body ... whatever. Most common marital issue - finances - never addressed....probably because it didn't dawn on the now comfortable Hollywood types to consider it...and consequently, may not be well received by the general audiences. How often can the partnership/sharing/caring of marriage be reduced to who replaces the empty toilet paper roll? Real people have more real problems. (Incidentally, men may be less inclined to replace the toilet paper because they figure they use less of it...I've never seen toilet paper even available around all the urinal scenes in movies...and once a man has used it, he figures he isn't going to need it until a few more trips!)
An enjoyable diversion, script is funny at times, though the "shove it up your _____ " is too expected. Acting is uneven, but some high points.
Enjoy it.
Also, grow from it....
If you are latently embarrassed by this story because it reminds you of your marriage, then it is more than worth your money, as you may be onto something. (The high-low game is also a gift...but one the parents apparently didn't "work" at; rather "playing" through the years, never really addressing the real issues. (The game of) marriage is not one you play for the kids, but a job you work at for yourself (and the kids.) Elizabeth
Keeping in touch with the other person is more than making sure your feet touch at night... how about your hearts, souls, spirits, feelings?...you are more than your body ... whatever. Most common marital issue - finances - never addressed....probably because it didn't dawn on the now comfortable Hollywood types to consider it...and consequently, may not be well received by the general audiences. How often can the partnership/sharing/caring of marriage be reduced to who replaces the empty toilet paper roll? Real people have more real problems. (Incidentally, men may be less inclined to replace the toilet paper because they figure they use less of it...I've never seen toilet paper even available around all the urinal scenes in movies...and once a man has used it, he figures he isn't going to need it until a few more trips!)
An enjoyable diversion, script is funny at times, though the "shove it up your _____ " is too expected. Acting is uneven, but some high points.
Enjoy it.
Also, grow from it....
If you are latently embarrassed by this story because it reminds you of your marriage, then it is more than worth your money, as you may be onto something. (The high-low game is also a gift...but one the parents apparently didn't "work" at; rather "playing" through the years, never really addressing the real issues. (The game of) marriage is not one you play for the kids, but a job you work at for yourself (and the kids.) Elizabeth
Last Night
(I) (1998)
sincerely boring
31 October 1999
Sincerely boring, rather flat. Given the premises, I would not want this to be the last movie I would ever view...and these would not be the last people I would want to see in the last 6 hours on earth. Acting is good if you consider these fine portrayals of people whose lives were ones of quiet desperation. Not for me, especially if time is short; but as it's not (hopefully); I watched the whole film and listened to discussion of my movie club afterwards...still without redemption for me, but others liked it.
Boys Don't Cry
(1999)
Get into another person's skin
25 October 1999
There is not one scene that is comfortable to watch in this movie because the film captures the range of experiences and emotions that Teena/Brandon feels; because of that, the film should be seen by any one willing to get into another person's skin...which is really what Teena/Brandon was trying to do. Hilary Swank ought to be considered for an Oscar; entire ensemble cast is so good that it's as if watching home movie (with a Hollywood filming crew).
The Limey
(1999)
The story...what is the equivalent payback?
25 October 1999
The Limey story is an often told one, a man seeking revenge for a death presumably by heinous means. Specifically, a father seeking revenge for his daughter, but as there is not much reason to believe there is a tight bond between father/daughter, the revenge might just as well be a violent assault by a recidivistic ex-con. Yet Wilson is too neat for that sort of violence, he wants to know the why of Jennie's death and offer an equivalent payback.
The story...what is the equivalent payback?...is only learned through the dialogue that lurches forward and backward because masking this simple story is a cinematography of repeated sequences starting a little earlier and going a little further each time; varied settings for a continuous conversation; flash backs and flash forwards to any of several potential events. It makes for interesting viewing, but,
miss the dialogue, and you will miss the story. The cinematography, though out of the ordinary, is not enough. The dialogue carries the story. Unfortunately, for those without an ear for an English brogue, the film may require close attention.
Nonetheless, if you hear the story there is plenty of payback for your effort.
Quite a few script lines keep you attentive. The most irreverent follows `Who gives a s___ about you, ...' The most indecent has to do with a pseudo-intelligence test question.
Postviewing: given what you know about Wilson and what he says about Jennie...why wouldn't she call the cops on her dad? Did she care about him? Would she call the cops on Valentine? Did she care about him? Could there be an equivalent payback? Did Wilson ever really care about his daughter? We have no reason to believe so during the movie, and even less at the end.
The story...what is the equivalent payback?...is only learned through the dialogue that lurches forward and backward because masking this simple story is a cinematography of repeated sequences starting a little earlier and going a little further each time; varied settings for a continuous conversation; flash backs and flash forwards to any of several potential events. It makes for interesting viewing, but,
miss the dialogue, and you will miss the story. The cinematography, though out of the ordinary, is not enough. The dialogue carries the story. Unfortunately, for those without an ear for an English brogue, the film may require close attention.
Nonetheless, if you hear the story there is plenty of payback for your effort.
Quite a few script lines keep you attentive. The most irreverent follows `Who gives a s___ about you, ...' The most indecent has to do with a pseudo-intelligence test question.
Postviewing: given what you know about Wilson and what he says about Jennie...why wouldn't she call the cops on her dad? Did she care about him? Would she call the cops on Valentine? Did she care about him? Could there be an equivalent payback? Did Wilson ever really care about his daughter? We have no reason to believe so during the movie, and even less at the end.
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