InfoBabe's Reviews

The Beguiled (2017)

10/10

A Masterpiece. Nice job, Sophia. Spoilers? But it is all in the trailers.

8 July 2017

Warning: Spoilers

I wonder how many of the negative reviews are written by guys. This film is visually beautiful, atmospheric, and erotic so it doesn't surprise me that men don't get it because sexuality is not overt. I don't think it is anti feminist at all and I consider myself to be a militant feminist, The females are suffocating with an uncertain future and this helpless person enters their hum drum lives. And it would be Colin Farrell at his most gorgeous.

It might not appeal to all, like a comedy, not everyone agrees on what is funny or in this case engaging. I thought it was believable and the ending is southern Gothic to be sure. Casting is perfection. I will say no more for fear of revealing too much.

I love it and expect to see it again.

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The Shining (1980)

10/10

What else but a classic (could there be spoilers after 24 years?)

10 August 2004

Warning: Spoilers

After 24 years we are still watching and commenting on Kubrick's The Shining. Like the Godfather, and The Talented Mr Ripley, the last 20 min of The Last of the Mohicans, I have to watch The Shining at least once a year.

The movie was so far ahead of King's version, King should have been ashamed to even try it. In 1980 there was not the technical ability to make topiaries that move. I think the maze was more effective when compared with King's version of moving topiaries.

The other actors are so sinister too; such at the bartender and Brady, the former caretaker. Loved those scenes with Brady. Kubrick was roundly critisized for making the scene in the men's room too drawn out, but I loved it as I watched Jack's wheels turning, trying to comprehend what is being said. I also loved the end of the closeups of the pictures on the wall and there is Jack the caretaker.

Great, scary film. Kubrick's films always bear much discussion. That is why he is great even if you don't like all of his work.

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To Live (1994)

10/10

Chinese Gone With The Wind (possible spoilers)

7 August 2004

Warning: Spoilers

What struck me the most about this film is that is was a story of survival of an upper class (not working class) family that get swept up in the revolution. They have few skills because of their background and are initially saved from the communists because of a fluke.

As the years roll on and calamities beset them, they blame each other for these events, however, their heartbreaking tragedies are no one's fault because they are engulfed in historical events over which no one is in control. They are so immersed in it they have no objectivity.

I rate it as one of my favorite films (a 10) partly because there are no stereotypes. There are no real heavies. I thought it was wonderful and really humanizes the Chinese people to those of us who have no concept of who the Chinese are and what their life is like (and that includes me). It is one of the most gripping, emotional movies of all time.

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Cold Mountain (2003)

Haunting

11 July 2004

At first I thought the film to be a bit long, and they could have shortened some scenes. However, it did draw me right in.

I thought the romance between Ada and Inman was believable because the infatuation grew because the hardships of war magnified the value of what had been left behind. WWII movies are full of it; the longing to go back.

I really enjoyed the DVD because of the historic background and the detail of the difficulty of making the film when so little of the world does not have modern physical features. However, I would have liked to see a director's cut because some of the cut scenes helped make sense of events in the film and really belonged in.

I did not like the English Patient because I did not like the book either. The Talented Mr. Ripley is one of my all time favorites and I own it. I could not get into the book Cold Mountain but my give it another try.

I highly recommend Cold Mountain but it is not a love story or an action flick. It is more about how difficult challenges effect a person. Some cannot bear the burden, but some survive.

I also found the music mesmerizing. I would like to hear the Scarlet Tide given different treatment by other singers.

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The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

10/10

Everything to love in a film

6 July 2004

Warning: Spoilers

*****Spoilers!!****

Ripley is a sociopath unlike what another poster said. He has no real remorse and just keeps on killing to continue the life style he stole from Dickie. And though I am not a fan of Paltrow, I think she was the best actor in the movie. First she was the sunny, pleasing, not too deep girlfriend, but in the end she was the only one who saw through Ripley. She knew it and he knew it. He would have killed her too but was interupted. Freddy knew too but did not survive Ripley's greed. He even killed his new boyfriend because of complications of meeting up with those who thought Ripley was Greenleaf.

Ripley was a hangers on like we have all run into in our lives; a mooch as Dickie says. Wealthy persons have radar and it is why they hang out only with others like themselves.

This certainly is one of my all time favorites and I even bought the DVD so I can watch it again and again when the mood strikes me. Extras on the DVD are great too.

I saw Purple Noon again a couple of days ago and I think it pales in comparison to the Damon/Law version. The latest is so rich in plot, character and mood of 1950s Italy.

Ripley's Game could have been so much better with the "Talented" director. However, Ripley should be played by Matt Damon, the Ripley we have come to know and love. Malkovich didn't suit the character and the entire production looked cheap, like a post war British flick.

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The Anniversary Party (2001)

One of those you cannot stop watching

10 April 2004

I think this is just throughly engaging. I feel like I am there at a party that just seems to go on and on. Fortunately, I do not have these self indulgent, drug addicted people in my life. Are all creative persons really this whacked? I guess it is just voyeuristic and completely fun to watch.

I like Gwenyth Paltrow's character. She is trying to be complementary but is so unintentionally offensive. She is also headed down the same road where she too will be exploited and discarded.

Soundtrack is interesting. Would like to know more about the cut at the beginning of the pool scene which sounds like a castrato.

Good film.

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Gaslight (1944)

Classic and Modern - Perfect portrayal of a control freak

20 March 2004

If you compare this film with the earlier English 1940 version, I think you will find the quality much the same. The one thing I like about the American version is the better confrontation between Paula and Gregory at the end. We are all wanting the worm to turn and I think this was carried off better in the American film. I agree that Joseph Cotton was an odd choice for a Scotland Yard Detective. He even received visitors in his office wearing a smoking jacket.

One thing I find so interesting in these films made during the early 20th century is that when the film was made, the set decoration, dress and manners would be well within living memory of those making the film, hence the authenticity. You wouldn't have to go to an antique shop for props, they would be in many homes. For example, when a picture was taken from the wall there would be a light patch on the wall. This if from the soot from burning oil lamps. Who would think of that today. Meet me in St. Louis is another example of this.

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Bringing Down the House (2003)

Not Funny

26 August 2003

and a colossal waste of time. Generally I like Steve Martin and I thought this would be something like Bowfinger, but no such luck. The racist remarks were not only stupid in the extreme, they weren't funny either. Don't waste you time and money.

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All the Real Girls (2003)

Most boring film in years.

26 August 2003

I don't know why this film received so many accolades. It was so boring I was waiting for something, anything to happen. Maybe someone would get shot, anything. Most of the time I had it on fast forward.

The male lead was too old for the part and not good looking enough or personality or something, to make him the romantic lead. Seems like no one in the story worked; they just hung out. The girl lived in a nice home but where were the parents? Boarding school is expensive so where is the bred winner?

There was no humor, no personality; I just don't get it.

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About Schmidt (2002)

The trouble with Schmidt.....

10 June 2003

is that he is a throughly boring person. In the entire film, Schmidt never had an interesting conversation with anyone. He contributed nothing to his world, yet he was angry?? Looks like his wife thought he was boring too as she had an affair in earlier life. He rales against the in-laws-to be, but as low as they are, they were involved with life and loving it. His daughter was in the right place for her which he seems to concede at the end.

One thing that disturbs me is that the film seems to validate those international charities that no one seems to know where the contributions really go.

I admire Nicholson as an actor because I can think of none other who can take a role like this and make it live. If you like his superb acting then you should see The Border and Ironweed. Both of these are complex with personal issues, like Schmidt, but unlike Schmidt, they are engaging. They weren't big box office and maybe thats why other posters did not see them or hear of them, but they are two of my all time favorites.

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The House of Mirth (1981 TV Movie)

10/10

A Beautiful Film

9 June 2003

This was a very memorable production, and although the 2000 movie was very good, and I did buy the DVD, there was really no need for a remake. However, the addition of the Grace character enriched the story.

Neither film departs from the original story very much so the difference is in the production and the acting. I thought Geraldine Chaplin was very good casting as Lily. I just wish the 1981 TV version was available on disk. The story is so insightful and classic that is resonates even a century later.

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Gangs of New York (2002)

1/10

Worst big budget film of the decade.

17 April 2003

I agree with other posters about how boring this film was. My husband I walked out of the theatre wondering, what was that all about?

I could forgive, (Oh, I really can't) that it is historically inaccurate, but this film doesn't even rate as fiction. It is a simple straight forward revenge story. DiCaprio is horribly miscast. What's the matter? No Irish actors? That role needed someone like Colin Farrel, but that would not have improved the plot. There was the silly love story that we could have totally done without.

This is where I depart from others, I think Day-Lewis was more than just over the top. His character should have been named Snidely Whiplash. I say this even though I thought he was great in Last of the Mohicans.

If you want to waste hours of your life you will never get back, and a considerable sum of money, go to the Gangs.

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The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

10/10

Totally Absorbing

16 April 2003

This is one of only a very few films that I cannot stop watching once I start. As others have stated, the music, the scenery totally engage you from the beginning. The love story was not in the original Cooper story but in this case, certainly improves it.

Recently, my husband and myself and two other couples, all strangers to each other, at a dinner while on vacation in Hawaii started talking about films. I mentioned that the review we were seeing, South Pacific, that the story in the musical did not stand the test of time. However, the Godfather does and The Last of the Mohicans is one movie I cannot tear myself away from. All the others stated that they felt the same and all of us own the DVD and the CD.

It is amazing to me that this film was deemed not Oscar worthy, but what other films made in 1992 can you remember?

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