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Reviews
Catwoman (2004)
A great concept gone awry because of directing
Catwoman is such a fantastic idea -- like Spiderman, Batman, Wonder Woman, etc. And yet, the directing of the this film was so music video-influenced and A.D.D. that it did a disservice to Halle Berry and Ben Bratt. Bratt and Berry's talents remain untapped for what they could have done. Additionally, the reduction of Berry's power to sexual attractiveness is a bummer -- and what are girls and boys to take from that? Spiderman is sexy, but not looking like a centerfold. Compared to Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman's walking the line of vulnerability, sexual power, and physical power, this presentation of the superhero/antihero feels like a disservice to the genre & to women and girls in general. The base story pits woman against woman over beauty and sexual virility -- what's that about? Is an aging gorgeous model really a sufficient nemesis? And finally, is the overall "moral" that a strong independent woman cannot have a relationship? These are questions I fear the filmmakers never asked themselves, and, though this movie could have been great, it instead does a disservice both to the actors and to the audience.
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Brilliant movie
This is one of the classics. Worth watching a few times -- it's still as powerful today as it was when it came out. I remember this film as a child -- seeing it, could it be, on t.v.? I didn't understand everything then, but it inspired me. Now, the idea of making a film with this story is unthinkable, because films are so large, and the risk too great. DOG DAY AFTERNOON is an example of a time when filmmaking that took risks, expressed a voice, and was unafraid to be political also had the ability to get wide awareness by audiences. Terrific performances. Superb writing. Subtle, gutsy, and refined directing. I admire most anyone involved in this film. A Great American Film.
Fight Club (1999)
the poor vicitimized upper-middle-class white man?
Despite the clever crafting of this film, it is basically a complain-fest about the poor upper-class privileged white male blaming all his woes on Ikea. Is this the extent of self-proclaimed victimization that is taking over American culture?
Disturbingly to any intellectuals, this movie's amorality passes itself off under the guise of reason -- as if the central character has a logic to his rage and subsequent violent decisions -- as if the poor young white businessman who's been educated well and raised in an upper middle class lifestyle with all the benefits really is some sort of victim of retail stores. Is it really proving a coherent point to blow something up? It's even more upsetting to think about this after seeing 9-11 take this film's logic into reality...is the point of this movie to say that American commercial freedom SHOULD be attacked?
With all the sexification and glamorizing of violence, and its poor-me ranting against consumer products (rather than taking responsibility for one's own commercialism or participation in it), it's hard to find a redeemable net-sum to this movie.
Ed Norton is, as always, terrific. Brad Pitt very good in this role too. And I very much appreciate the filmmaker's talent, but I wish he would use it for something that was thoughtful.
Veronica Guerin (2003)
could have been a great movie
This could have been a great movie. Director should have let Cate Blanchett just act. When she is allowed to, she's amazing and carries the film up. I was with others, and we were split on the film, so some may love it. I found its script tedious with all the info-giving; it made me cringe at times. And all the shots of Guerin (Blanchett) smirking sideways at the camera -- it seemed like the filmmakers lost perspective. The story is remarkable and important, and there is so much talent in this movie, it's a pity that whatever happened in the execution didn't work to show the film's story as the amazing tale it is. I do not like criticizing films harshly, but for people with so much money and talent and resources -- what happened? The fact is, this movie should have been great. The story is great. One thing at least it does accomplish is get the woman's name and possibly some of her story out to the world.
Thirteen Conversations About One Thing (2001)
perhaps one of the best movies I have ever seen
13 Conversations is amazing. I don't say this lightly, but I would count it, perhaps, as one of the best movies I have ever seen. Concise, thoughtful, smart, perfectly woven. I have watched it a few times, and each time, it inspired me and made me think. The dialogue was economic; the shooting exact. The music was brilliant. Casting was terrific, and acting, excellent. The DP and gaffing work were masterful, as the film's colors were so clean and fresh, it made you think it wasn't New York City, but rather, any city -- allowing the story to breathe and blossom. That is a real achievement for a film set in NYC. In short, everything in the film was just as it should be -- fitting its own story perfectly, representing its thoughts, its characters, its themes with seemingly effortless grace and poetry. I am amazed that the Sprecher sisters aren't major household names with six picture studio deals -- they are talented filmmakers with a unique, creative voice. (It is frustrating today that the lowest common denominator of blockbuster fare seem often to be given more money and coverage than filmmakers like the Sprechers who make true gems.) 13 Conversations is intelligent, moving, and beautiful. Definitely a film to make sure to see.
In the Cut (2003)
Campion is a masterful filmmaker - worth seeing
Very interesting movie. Campion is a master at psychological drama and at storytelling. This movie captures the sense of RISK in life -- the close-ups, the out of focus shots, the moving camera, and the sense of NOT seeing everything -- it represented masterfully a woman's sense of risk in her life -- of the tiny decisions from minute to minute that can lead to danger or safety, even if we are barely thinking about them. Also the decisions that can become dangerous before we know it. It's a remarkable film in that artistry. It's only too bad that the ending had to become a cop-and-crime-thriller movie ending -- I am glad that the ending is as it turns out (rather than, I hear, how the book ends the story), but I have a feeling that Campion, if she'd had total control, would have ended this more ambiguously. Still, she's a remarkable filmmaker even in these constraints, and this is perhaps one of Ryan's best performances. This is not your typical Meg Ryan movie at all, of course! -- it's disturbing, so get in that mood. Very worth seeing.
Robot Stories (2003)
A lovely poetic look at life and love and the future
This is a lovely movie -- thoughtful, thought-provoking. It's a quiet meditation of the stages of life -- from birth to death -- and the love we find or hope to find along the way. Using Robots, the movie shows us the basic need for love and surprising, prescient takes on our humanity. Pak presents a delightful view of the future that echoes the best science fiction -- a realistic extension of the present that may be a bit surprising, but also recognizable, and with both good and bad developments. A feeling of hope underneath the pensive melancholy of the film, its abrupt end leaves us with a question and desire to change our own futures, to guard our sense of humanity, and to find love in our all-too-brief lives.
The Road Home (2003)
enjoyable, sweet film
This is a film with heart, and the whole audience really liked it. It's an enjoyable story set in Las Vegas which talks about baseball and love. Good interracial casting, and some fun performances. Beautiful cinematography too!