Reviews

Most films are entertainment fast food. Some give you a positive momentary taste. Very few films give you spiritual nourishment that you can savor for years to come. Fearless (1993) is such a film. I hope someday there will be a DVD package worthy of such a courageous and moving experience. Assuming the brilliance of all involved, especially Peter Weir (director), Rafael Yglesisas (Writer), and all of the actors, this profound viewing experience changed how I look at life. One very perceptive friend described the plot as a journey from "not dead" to "alive." Max Klein (Jeff Bridges) makes such a journey, but not alone, even if he thinks to the contrary. This is also one of the best depictions of marriage on screen. The scenes between Bridges and Isabella Rosselini really crackle with emotion and intensity. It's rare to see a marital conflict where you can sympathize and even empathize with both characters. That is a tribute to Isabella and the writing/directing. Also successful (though not as universal) is the strange relationship between Max and Carla (Rosie Perez). Nice atypical work from John Turturro, Benecio Del Toro, and Tom Hulce provides some much-needed humor.

Also, this film avoids dwelling on the simple psychological clichés of PTSD and survivor guilt. Instead of talking about it, the viewer sees, feels and experiences it. This is a rare gem of film history and one of the most overlooked movies in history. Here's hoping that changes soon.

Much has been written and praised (deservedly so) about "The Shawshank Redemption." The fact that it's #1 on this list gives me faith in humanity. Instead of talking about its obvious care with excellent writing, directing, editing and cinematography, I'll just say how much the film has meant to me personally. Its message of hope and, above all, perseverance, kept me going through many of life's travails. I think I responded to how it dealt with the day-to-day grind of life (albeit in dramatic fashion)and even the stress of boredom. The other thing it demonstrated was how profoundly one person can affect another without even saying much to them. After all, Andy and Red only have one true baring-their-souls conversation in 19 years together (One of the greatest scenes in the history of movies, by the way). Yet we are fully aware of how much these two meant to each other and how moved we are when they are reunited. It's a real spiritual journey (visually as well); almost like Red has died at the end (leaving Hell/Shawshank) and is reborn in Zihuatanejo (Heaven)to be rejoined with the one person who understands him. Just a marvelous, life-changing experience for me. My thanks to all who've supported and created this movie. It will live on and be remembered throughout the years as one of the pinnacles of human achievement.

My kudos to John who had a similar experience with this movie. I had just been stationed to NAS Key West in the summer of 1982, and felt like I was on the dark side of the moon. The isolation, the loneliness was reflected back upon me like a sledgehammer when I went to see "Blade Runner" the first time. I was impressed by it, but not really moved. In retrospect, I believe the movie was so layered and textured that it overwhelmed me. Months later, I watched it again on video, and this, I believe, allowed me to get more into the story, theme and characters. I then thought it was the greatest movie of all time.

Like a lot of hidden masterpieces, "Blade Runner" went from disaster to masterpiece without ever having been a success. I believe it is so richly constructed that it takes most people a couple of viewings before they begin to realize how much depth is there.

This phenomenon, not the "Director's Cut", or the lack of narration, or the -Deckard- is- a- replicant question is what really occurs when people walk out of a second viewing thinking, "That was a great movie!" Basically, everyone, especially critics who panned it originally, can't admit to anyone (even themselves) that they didn't "get it" the first time around. So, instead they say, "Wow, those changes made all the difference!" Wrong, moron, you just weren't able to appreciate a challenging piece of art with just one viewing. I, at least, can admit that. And I'm grateful to all who made and supported this movie.

It isn't perfect and I have a lot more to say about it, but I'll leave it at this for now. This movie has changed my life and has stayed with me for over 25 years now. Thanks for listening.

Mike