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steveculton
Reviews
Pumpkin (2002)
Oil and water
I thought it was just me until I read your viewer comments. I'm not alone. I believe if someone is going to put the energy into making a film, the least I can do is watch it. Pumpkin is not like anything I've ever seen. This film had to be scripted to be this thorough. It spoofed everyone including those who promote special Olympics. I was expecting a heartfelt love story. What I got was pulp-diction. If the object was to shake the status-quo, they did it at every level. So much so that I had to check IMDb to see if I was still on the same planet; in the same culture. If the object was to make a predictable, lovable film, well, we've all been had to the bone. If the idea was to strain the viewers brain between absurd and imaginable than this production company left no stone unturned. This film will probably die on the vine. Its disturbing and not fun. It tenderly reaches into your heartstrings with a few moments of believability. Then splashes iced absurdity everywhere. Mix "Legally Blond with "Animal House", "Brians song","Mask" and "Love Story". Let the sound track play where ever it lands and you have pumpkin.
Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran (2003)
Very well done. Courageous coming of age circumstantially forced awakening.
Very well done. Everyone grows up eventually. This film was easy to identify with having left this viewer hopeful that, given similar circumstances, I might make the same decisions. This child's assessment and assimilation of his environment are dynamic. Courageous. The in-workings of his emotional pathways are balanced without being confusing. Nicely softened with understanding, interest, caring and tolerance. This is a coming of age drama without a lot of symbolism. What you see is what it is. The views from this child's window tenderly become the pivot points of his young life. You might see "A Little Romance" with Lawrence Olivier. Also excellent cast. Believable. Balanced. Tender.
Rang-e khoda (1999)
The single most compelling film I've ever seen.
I've personally viewed over three thousand films. For many years, "Les Miserables" (French) with Jean-Paul Belmondo was my highest recommendation. "The Bridge" (German) was equally haunting. But having discovered "Color of Paradise" (I watched it every night for five nights)I bought the DVD. I don't imagine that I will ever see a more emotionally invasive film. I've joined IMDb simply to enjoin others who loved this film. For some months, I've been trying to find the words to help organize my impressions. Where other senses may become more acute with the loss of one, perhaps the congenitally blind don't realize how emotionally transparent they are. For me, this film really struck a nerve. It is a story-journey into the world in which we live but don't often see. It left me wondering who, in this world, are actually blind? This child, his grandma and two little sisters, are consummate. I must remind myself they were only acting. I must picture set, sound, lighting, script, direction etc. to decern that this is "only a movie". For everything this little boy appeared to need, he found ways to give real treasures to everything around him. The sound and cinematography were excellent. The pointed themes of this film were were heart rending. Six months later, they remain so.