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Reviews
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)
Captivating, yet puzzling
Very, very interesting. I didn't know anything about this film before seeing it tonight, and I'm not sure I know much more now! I do know the use of stark color, blurred focus and shadows were breathtaking. The beauty of certain shots: the cinema's red doors in Chinatown against the white walls; the framing of the lead's pensive pose on the stage in front of the red wall; his retreat into the shadows after the climax; these were truly captivating. I'm definitely going to have to read some analysis of this one; there is a lot going on I'm not sure I picked up yet. So while I'm not sure I "got it", just the look of the piece was worth it. I'll probably be watching this one again!
Slam (1998)
Powerful!
Fantastic performances, a good story and interesting photography make Slam a very good movie; realism makes it a great one. I was in awe of the utter authenticity of the people, the situations, the energies in this film. I was suitably impressed by the emotions expressed and how effective it all was, for essentially a minimalist message (the odds are stacked against young black males in the inner cities) but even more impressed once I listened to the commentary on the DVD. I highly recommend you get your hands on the disc, and listen to the commentary after watching the film. Sure, it's a bit too self-congratulatory ("what a beautiful shot!" [it was only "nice"]) but the insight on the people involved--the writers, actors, poets... adds an incredible amount of depth to the experience.
To quickly generalize: if you appreciate Spike Lee's work, you'll probably like Slam. Although Spike might be a little upset that a white Jewish director brought this to film :-)
Il postino (1994)
Beautiful, touching
Quiet, yet entrancing. Surprisingly touching, and well photographed, Il Postino does a remarkable job of transporting you to the island off Italy where it takes place. The scenery, simplicity and beauty slowly envelops you. I had put off renting it (seemed a bit too "foreign") but was very impressed. Recommended!