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Reviews
Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
Shadow of an Idea
Now, then there's John Malkovich. I never know what to make of him. Sometimes he's the brilliant actor in such movies as "The Ogre" and "In The Line of Fire". And other times he's the miscast weirdo in such films as "Man in the Iron Mask" and "Mulholland Falls". So, i'm not really sure what to make of him usually. He is, certainly a unique actor, and that's exactly what "Shadow of the Vampire" calls for. He's a sort of Dr. Frankenstein for the infant film industry of the 1920's. He plays the character of the director of the dark story of Dracula. AS the director, he's just sane enough to have gotten financial backing and production support to produce the film, but bordering on the insanity of tracking down a real vampire to play the Dracula (aka "Nosferatu"--since the rights hadn't been allowed to film "Dracula") part. John Malkovich is both calm and professional, while there are sudden bursts of his insane fanaticism with vampires and realising his demonic vision of the ultimate horror film. John Malkovich needs to find his niche, but once he does he is brilliant. Congratulations to Nicolas Cage for casting Malkovich so perfectly.
Willem Dafoe on the other hand is always excellent in even minute characters such as "Wild at Heart" and "Born on the 4th of July"! Willem Dafoe, unfortunately hasn't had the career making movies that his abilities deserve. However, "Shadow of the Vampire" is certainly his most amazing effort and he enveloped himself in the role to the extent of unrecognisability. To watch the original film of "Nosferatu" you'd think that Willem Dafoe had played the part originally. His actions and movements, his mannerisms are uncanny. Obviously, the makeup he covers himself in adds so much to the part as well, but Dafoe becomes "Max Shreck" the Vampire actor who has the innate desire for human blood. He rightfully deserved all the praise and the 2000 Oscar nomination for best supporting actor (which ended up going to the equally talented Benicio del Toro for "Traffic").
The film is about a director's passion for film and how he is willing to risk the lives of his actors and even his own life in order to make his lifelong dream of the best and most perfect horror film. I'm not sure how much of the film is true, as far as whether any of the actors or crew really died on/off the set, but it would be interesting to find out that they really did die. Obviously the story is based on the filming of "Nosferatu" but the vampire killings are for the sake of "entertainment" (for lack of a better word).
The only problem i have is the end of the film seemed unresolved. The film also starts to border on the campy horror movies where everyone dies all at once. And as in many ficitious concept stories, there's the thought that maybe it was a better concept than it was a movie (see "Unbreakable"). If anything the performances of both Malkovich & Dafoe are by far their best and it is worth it just to see the slithering and depravity that Dafoe's character exudes and the creeping insanity that overtakes Malkovich's character.
Three Kings (1999)
David "O NO!" Russell: Director...Writer...Hack
Who is this guy David O. Russell? Who is he to write and direct such a god-awful piece of trash?
Well, looking back a ways, he seems to be a master of trash! It seems David O. Russell also wrote & directed "Flirting with Disaster" (1996). This has got to be one of the most whiny and annoying films to date...on par, of course, with "Three Kings" (1999).
He also wrote & directed AND produced that delightful whimsical romp "Spanking the Monkey" (1994), which is about everyone's favourite subject: the Oedipus complex! That's right, he hates his father, and has unadulterated sex with his mommy. No, thank you Mr. Russell.
Granted, i went into "Three Kings" not realising the baggage that this Writer/Director brought with him. Aside from the wretched plotline, and blathering dialogue, there are the pitied actors who had to be in this film. Mark "Marky-Mark" Wahlburg is a fine actor (see: "Boogie Nights"), and tries his best to wade through the drudgery and only remove his shirt a few brief times. Ice Cube (or is it Ice T? or is that Ice Cream?) is also a swell actor. But it's hard to strut your stuff, when you're cast as the "token-black-guy." And George Clooney is still scrambling for his "star-vehicle." Georgey doesn't realise, though, that his destiny as an actor lies as the doofy romantic leads, wooing opposite the likes of Michelle Pfeifer. His aching to be an action-star is painfully obvious, and always ceases to thrill. Hopefully, he'll realise that he's not meant for action films--sooner than Harrison Ford has (see: "Seven Days and Seven Nights").
I could go on about the contrivances, and the dreaded comic-relief of the profanity-ridden reporter, or the supposed timeliness of this movie about a war-for-our-times. But it would all essentially be about the same theme: bad film.
What's his name? David O. Russell? Stay away from this name; it does not bode well for whatever project he is involved with. I mean, come on...Mary Tyler Moore exposing herself?! (see: "Flirting With Disaster"). What's wrong with you Russell?
Arlington Road (1999)
Will the Summer Never End?
I realise that Summer is a time for films with plots that require little thought and lots of action. I realise that the acting is not supposed to be paramount to the special effects. But the quality of movies keeps on deteriorating, and i don't know how much longer i can take it. When two of my favourite actors--Jeff Bridges and Tim Robbins--go out and make a brainless action movie about undercover terrorists, i have to wonder if they've lost their agents, or if they're now in it only for the money.
Tim Robbins seems to be doing his best impression of a Stepford husband, with his painted smile, psychotic eyes, and a phony voice that repeatedly says, "come on, buddy, trust me, i'm not a terrorist, i'm just the guy next door." Wink, wink! to the audience. We know what's really going on! But we don't care.
Sure, Jeff Bridges is paranoid, but he obviously should be, because his Norman Bates-neighbour is killing his friends, loved ones, and bombing major government buildings.
If i could come up with a more contrived story with two-dimensional characters, they could never be as lame as what the makers of Arlington Road have come up with. I think they would have been better off throwing Freddy Krueger into the story, and making Nightmare on Elm Street, Part XIII, where the folks of Elm Street all move to Arlington Road. At least, then, i could forgive them for making a Stupid movie.
I suppose i'll have to wait until December 31st for all the good movies to come out, just as i had to do last year, so that all the films could be re-membered for the Academy Awards. Arlington Road should not only be overlooked by the Academy but by every movie-goer out there. See something with more quality, like "South Park."
The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
What's wrong with Mamet?
Rebecca Pidgeon is wrong with Mamet! An excellent movie, with a subtley well-acted Steve Martin is practically ruined with the presence of Ms. Pidgeon as Susan Ricci--the pathetically miscast love-interest.
What saddens me further is that Mr. Mamet cast her in his newest film "The Winslow Boy." This, too, is sure to be a good film, but despite Rebecca Pidgeon's acting attempts. I almost turned off "Spanish Prisoner" due to her utterly horrid cue-card readings in every scene. Although I'm glad I didn't, I still can't help wishing she hadn't been in it!
I recommend the movie for it's twisting plot, it's finely crafted dialogue, and the rest of the well-acted cast.
I leave with one last gripe: was that a wig, or just a really bad haircut?!
Hideous Kinky (1998)
Tree-Hugging Hippie Crap
Plot Anyone?? No, no thanks, we don't want a plot ... or so it would seem. Kate Winslet reprises her Titanic role as a good girl trying to be bad. She throws off her English upbringing for a fling in Morocco with a lusty Moroccan street-entertainer. And she brings with her, her two little girls.
Much of the movie is manipulatively spotty, much like the "English Patient." The story consistently wants us to think, such probing questions as "why is she in Morocco?"; where is her "husband?"; "why did she bring her kids with her?"; "why is she such a conservative 'hippie'?" All these questions and more are more-or-less answered in a round about way. However, by the time we discover the answers to those burning questions, it's rather difficult to care anymore. The director must believe that audiences want to feel challenged and have subject matter that is thought-provoking. Unfortunately, the director does not know How to do this, and so throws in plot holes that are filled in later on, instead.
Recommended for those who were enthralled by the "English Patient."
'Til There Was You (1997)
Jeanne Tripplehorn: the next Debrorah Kerr or some Lame Romantic Actress
The film has weird annoying characters, strange unexplainable slapstick, and an insurmountable amount of dialogue about smoking. The movie has a contrived plot of a bitchy, empty-headed woman's (Jeanne Tripplehorn) search for love. Although who would ever like Jeanne's character, personality, or reading of the dialogue, I really cannot say. Except that she likes to smoke.
Sarah Jessica Parker gives an interesting character performance (who likes to smoke). Dylan McDermott does his best to look pretty and soulful (as he smokes). And, hey, what is Jennifer Aniston doing there? Oh, she's not really in it enough for anyone to care about her. (But she likes to smoke).
This is a waste of anyone's time. I don't even know how I was able to sit through as much of the movie as I did. I can't even believe I spent the time to write this, except to warn others of its banality. Anyone need a cigarette?
Silent Fall (1994)
Ridiculous!
Richard Dreyfuss is acting challenged. Liv Tyler fails in her very first attempt to act at all. Thank goodness she's had acting lessons since. Too bad Richard Dreyfuss hasn't.
Ridiculous voice-overs for the 9 year old autistic who supposedly "imitates" adult voices. I can't even go on about how stupid and contrived this film was. Why must we be subjected to the horrendous movies from Hollywood?
One day, films won't be released unless they've passed an audience approval. Until then, I'll be watching the only good movie left: Rocky Horror Picture Show. (HAha!)
La vita è bella (1997)
Oh, poor misguided youth!
It is a shame that the simple minds of our culture are only able to see true art for its surface value alone. The film is meant to be a sardonic look at how absurd the Nazi party and the infamous Holocaust really was. If you do not know how horrible the Holocaust was previous to seeing this film, then obviously your ignorance is unwelcome at such artistic fare.
Roberto Bernigni was trying to show how truly wonderful life was before the holocaust and how it should be just as wonderful in our present everyday life. While in the prison camps he stressed the true salvation of love and family, and how the strength of that love can help you get through the most horrible of life's challenges.
The fact that the Holocaust was a mad-man's dream of killing people based on their religion, culture, and aesthetic appearance, itself is ludicrous. And Roberto Benigni does a beautiful job of showing just how absurd the Nazis were. The idea that no one knew his son was not German until he spoke, is one indication of how we are really all alike. And this point is underlined when Roberto Benigni's character teaches all of the German children to say "Grazi," meaning that it makes no difference what you are, but who you are as an individual.
It saddens me to see so many disenchanted viewers. Perhaps, the full value of the movie was missed and the message was not revealed to your closed eyes and heart. Mayhaps it is just as well that there will no doubt be a sequel to Dumb & Dumber for all of the rest to enjoy. However, the ones who want to delve deeper into the intricacies of life and what it has to offer should not miss the oppportunity to take in Benigni's Masterpiece.
La vita è bella (1997)
Oh, poor misguided youth!
It is a shame that the simple minds of our culture are only able to see true art for its surface value alone. The film is meant to be a sardonic look at how absurd the Nazi party and the infamous Holocaust really was. If you do not know how horrible the Holocaust was previous to seeing this film, then obviously your ignorance is unwelcome at such artistic fare.
Roberto Bernigni was trying to show how truly wonderful life was before the holocaust and how it should be just as wonderful in our present everyday life. While in the prison camps he stressed the true salvation of love and family, and how the strength of that love can help you get through the most horrible of life's challenges.
The fact that the Holocaust was a mad-man's dream of killing people based on their religion, culture, and aesthetic appearance, itself is ludicrous. And Roberto Benigni does a beautiful job of showing just how absurd the Nazis were. The idea that no one knew his son was not German until he spoke, is one indication of how we are really all alike. And this point is underlined when Roberto Benigni's character teaches all of the German children to say "Grazi," meaning that it makes no difference what you are, but who you are as an individual.
It saddens me to see so many disenchanted viewers. Perhaps, the full value of the movie was missed and the message was not revealed to your closed eyes and heart. Mayhaps it is just as well that there will no doubt be a sequel to Dumb & Dumber for all of the rest to enjoy. However, the ones who want to delve deeper into the intricacies of life and what it has to offer should not miss the oppportunity to take in Benigni's Masterpiece.
Der Unhold (1996)
A brilliant study in disparity (*****)
Known in English as "The Ogre" this has got to be John Malkovich's finest film to date. He plays an ignorant man, Abel, living in a small town at the dawn of the Nazi movement. He seems to be mentally slow, but emotionally heightened as has a great passion for the vitality of the children in the town. He is fond of photographing, especially children. However, due to a mis-understanding, because the people of the small town are so ignorant and afraid of the quiet lumbering Abel, he is sentenced to jail (undeservedly) for the crime of molesting a child. He is transferred to help with the war effort in France, and eventually comes to work for the Nazi party, "recruiting" children for the cause. He, however, does not seem to know what the Nazis stand for, or why he shouldn't be taking in children. He cares for the children as if they were his own, and is eventually persecuted for harbouring a young Jewish boy, which is when he begins to realise the ramifications of his plight.
A brilliantly scripted film (filmed in English despite the foreign origin). A must see. It saddens me, though that it is so difficult to find, and that it was never released in the US (as far as I know).
-jjj
Ran (1985)
A new King Lear by a legend of a director
Mr. Kurosawa, perfectionist that he was, certainly put all he had into the film "Ran". It is an incredibly creative update of Shakespeare's "King Lear" that takes place in a war-ridden Japanese culture. Instead of the King bequeathing his castles and lands to his three "loving" daughters who then marry horribly corrupt husbands, Akira Kurosawa has the Japanese King bequeath his castles and lands to three "loving" sons who then marry corrupt harpy wives.
The most beautiful aspect of the film is the fantastic imagery in which Kurosawa delights so zealously. The opening war scene of Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan" seems to have been lifted directly from Kurosawa's "Ran" wherein a horrorifically blugeoning war seems to be taking place in a dream-like state. Kurosawa also has spectacularly vibrant colours so as to use them to vividly punctuate every aspect of the film.
To produce Shakespeare alone is an amazing feat; but to be able to interpret Shakespeare via the ancient Japanese culture is pure brilliance. This is one of Akira Kurosawa's definitive films and that which will keep him alive for generations to come.