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dwperdue
Reviews
The Five People You Meet in Heaven (2004)
All lives are connected, and all vocations are precious in God's eyes.
It's too bad that we are now in an age of declining literacy - people who can still read but increasingly choose not to take the time or the trouble. The Five People You Meet In Heaven is a novel that I now want to read as soon as possible, after having viewed it on DVD recently.
It might be one of the better films I've seen in this new century - or the last - and what a shame that it had to be released as a TV-movie. Unlike Mr. Tyler Berry, who gave this film a poor review after watching it on television, I was able to recently watch it on DVD, w.o. commercials. Perhaps that makes the difference.
However, Hollywood also makes a majority of its movies with an idea of 100 minutes viewing time, give or take a few either way. It's tough for people to sit down and watch a film of 2 hrs. or more in length, because they're now conditioned to watch shorter vehicles.
I found Jon Voigt's performance tremendously affecting - I wanted to see how he 'did' on his journey through the highs & 'lows' of his life, and couldn't wait to meet each of the next of "The Five People You Meet in Heaven."
Jeff Daniels was a revelation as the Blue Man. I didn't recognize him at all until I went to IMDb & read the credits.
Ellen Burstyn is always worth watching, and you can tell that she - and many of the other actors, most of them 'unknowns' - had extensive stage background. They're not just movie/TV personalities - they've learned their craft.
The actress who played Margeurite gave a very poignant performance. I wondered what might happen with Eddie and her after the war.
Jon Voight's problems with his father probably resonated with all who have had difficulties with their pater, and I am one of those. The scene in the diner was very effective. Not many words were needed - just the 'picture'.
Even more effective was his scene with the young Oriental girl, whose hands help guide him towards the end of his own journey.
I would highly recommend The Five People You Meet In Heaven to all who are interested in fine acting, good story-telling, and effective drama.
Darkness (2002)
Do not go gently into that dark night
My friend Clio and I saw "Darkness" for the first time on DVD, and we both agreed that it's one of the more interesting entries in the horror/suspense genre in recent years. The lead actors - especially Anna Paquin, Lena Olin, and Giancarlo Gianinni - do stellar work, and the young boy who plays Paul could give Haley Joel Osment acting lessons.
I found the movie suspenseful right from the beginning, never knew what was going to happen next, and thought throughout, "I don't know who to trust!" with my suspicions flying back & forth between the dad - someone presented to us a a father with a history of mental illness, the 'obvious'villain; his wife, played by Lena Olin, who has a built-in mistrust factor thanks to her chilling ice-in-her-veins portrayal of Sidney's mom on "Alias"; the grandfather, played smoothly and charmingly by Giancarlo Gianinni; and even the boy friend.
This film was written and directed by an independent film-maker,and the combination of the suspenseful, tight script; the keen-edged performances by the actors; the director's use of editing within the camera, and using lighting, to achieve special effects;and his variable pacing, all contribute to make "Darkness" a worthy entry in the horror/suspense genre, and NOT AT ALL like the usual, big-budget American schlock.
I highly recommend this film, available on DVD.
The Exorcist III (1990)
Correction of jacktheripper1888
I am sure I am not the first to correct Mr. Ripper's misidentification of George C. Scott as the actor who played Det. William Kinderman in The Exorcist (1973). It was the late Lee J. Cobb that played the part, not George C. Scott. Mr. Ripper did correctly identify Mr. Scott as the actor who took over the role of Detective Kinderman in Exorcist III: Legion, after Cobb's death.
Exorcist III: Legion - like its predecessor, Exorcist II: The Heretic - is a very underrated film. Most reviewers who have disliked it have made the same mistake as those who disliked Exorcist II: The Heretic; they wanted "The Exorcist." Unfortunately, that film had already been made.
As a piece of creeping terror, I think that Exorcist III: Legion can hold its head high - Brad Dourif is especially menacing, as is the uncredited voice of Colleen Dewhurst. And, Scott's gradual descent from the world of reason to the horror of Legion unleashed on earth is rivetting. It was gratifying to see Jason Miller reprise his role as Father Karras 'in the skin' of Brad Dourif. He will greatly be missed by Exorcist devotees.
Perhaps, someday the four Exorcists will be edited together by William Peter Blatty - or William Friedman to form a 'complete' story like the three Godfathers. I look forward to such a compilation.
The Clearing (2004)
Probably the best 'small' film of the year.
The Clearing is an intelligent, thoughtful, extremely well-acted drama. Helen Mirren can express so many different thoughts & emotions without having to even SAY anything, just in one close-up. Robert Redford has always been underrated as an actor, due to his Hollywood, leading-man looks, but he is the equal of the best of his generation - Nicholson, Hoffman, Pacino, De Niro et al. Watching Defoe & Redford in their scenes is like watching a master acting class, & it is a pleasure to see Defoe as a quiet antagonist.
This is a quiet film, with a measured pace, following different time-lines, & different threads of a story that surprises w.o. bombast. I strongly recommend that anyone interested in 'grown-up' film go & see this, no matter what your chronological age may be.
Someone earlier writing in this space told people to avoid this, but I have to argue the opposite, & am amazed that he & I seem to have viewed the same film! But, then, that is the nature of film, & of film discussion BBs.
Joan of Arcadia (2003)
"Joan of Arcadia" is the best new drama on television.
Joan of Arcadia is the best new drama of the television season. Joan Girardi, a new kid in a new school, just trying to get along by going along, is visited by God in different guises, who gives her sometimes inexplicable tasks to perform. They are always a challenge to Joan, but they usually wind up helping someone who needs help, even those in her own family - her policeman father, frenetic mother, dweeb younger brother & physically-challenged older brother. She has a couple of unusual friends in Adam - an artist with a crush on her - and Grace - a person with an attitude, and has managed to help them in various ways as well.
I read an earlier comment about "Joan of Arcadia" from someone who believes Joan was trying to "be" God, or perhaps trying to "come on" to a "hunky" God. I suggest that that person should perhaps watch a few more episodes to perhaps get a better understanding & feel for the show & the characters.
"Joan of Arcadia" is a welcome addition to television drama and a more than suitable replacement for "Touched by an Angel," another show which did its part to point us all towards God.
Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually was the best comedy I saw in 2003.
Love Actually was the best comedy I saw in 2003. I went back to see it twice, just to hear what I missed because I was laughing so hard the first time. All the stories work for me, especially the main ones: the Prime Minister & Natalie; Jamie & Aurelia; Sam & Joanna; and the Emma Thompson-Alan Rickman tragedy. Billy Mack was a hoot, & I so wanted to be Colin Frissel 'liasing'with the quintet of Wisconsin uber-babes!
I bought the soundtrack just to hear that little girl, Olivia Olson, sing "All I Want for Christmas is You," but the rest of the music - songs & score - is very good. I've used music to 'decorate' several plays I've written & directed, and I can see why Richard Curtis said that Love Actually wouldn't be a complete film without the music. Aristotle's Poetics still works 2500 years later - music helps the production, live or filmed.
I feel sorry for those who didn't 'get it' & made negative comments.