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SimonL
Reviews
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Pantom Menace
The prospect of yet another Star Wars film does not fill me with new hope. To give credit where it's due, the fourth episode, or original film, was quite entertaining, though it started to meander half way through. The other episodes, especially the first went downhill from there. Just think of the Batman/Lethal Weapon franchises; the first instalments were fantastic, but the others have been quite appalling. Back to Star Wars, and it seemed that for the recent film, George Lucas was carried away by the developments in SFX and CGI. Can anyone explain what Jar Jar Binks was actually for? He wasn't funny and did nothing for the narrative. What a waste of time, money and effort. Also, I think we've seen enough laser battles in our time to become quite annulled to more, so the climax to the film didn't satisfy. Probably the best thing about The Phantom Menace was Darth Mual, but we won't be seeing any more of him. Obviously the second film in the series will be a worldwide hit, swelling the coffers of George Lucas and studio executives, but is it deserved? I think the format of Star Wars is wearing thin, and it is now more about marketing and merchandise than the art and craft of film-making, but what do I know? I'm only a film student, just as Lucas was once.
Little Voice (1998)
Slice of Life
Little Voice, based on the stage play `The Rise and Fall of Little Voice', arrives on our screens with much critical acclaim, especially for the three main leads, Brenda Blethyn, Jane Horrocks and Michael Caine and this acclaim is rightly due, thanks to the splendid performance by Horrocks as LV. The basic premise of the film is of a character, LV, who after her father's death, becomes a recluse whose sole pleasure in life is listening to, and imitating the singers of old records. In contrast to LV, we have her dominating mother, Mari (Blethyn), who likes nothing more than going out for a good time with her many gentleman friends, one of which is local talent spotter, Ray Say (Caine). One night, Ray listens to LV sing and not only hears the sound of her perfect voice, but the sound of cash registers ringing
The film progresses to show the whirlwind of frenzy that whips up around LV's extraordinary talent, with Mari, the ever-present Ray, and local Night-club owner Mr Boo (Jim Broadbent) all attempting to cash in on LV's voice. A romantic sub-plot is thrown in for good measure, with local pigeon fancier Billy, Ewan McGregor, attempting to woo LV. Overall, Little Voice will please many people with its earthy characters, who aren't afraid to use colourful language, and powerful song renditions by Horrocks, who before this film was known to many as Bubble in BBC's Absolutely Fabulous. You'll be surprised to learn, as I did, that Horrocks performed all her own songs in the film, and her vocal likeness to stars such as Shirley Bassey and Judy Garland is extraordinary. The only criticisms that could be levelled at Little Voice are Michael Caine's appalling version of the Roy Orbison hit It's Over' and the weak ending, which would have been better if Blethyn's character found solace. In conclusion then, Little Voice marks the start of a promising year for both British film and talent alongside what looks likely to be a good year for film anyway, with Nicolas Cage in 8MM' and Frank Darabont's follow up to the Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile'.
Snake Eyes (1998)
Great opening sequence, pity about the rest...
Whoever enjoyed Pulp Fiction or The Usual Suspects should find something to their taste in Brian De Palma's new film Snake Eyes, I however felt it could have been a whole lot better than it actually was, especially with such a notable director as De Palma, whose previous films have included Scarface, The Untouchables and Carlito's Way.
That once star of the independent filmmaking circuit, Nicolas Cage, plays crooked cop, Rick Santoro, who's best friend, Kevin Dunne (Gary Sinise), is in charge of arranging security for a big fight taking place in Atlantic City, with an important member of the government in attendance. When this government member is assassinated, while watching the boxing, Santoro investigates and gradually uncovers a conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of US Government, bringing his professional' behaviour, friendship and loyalty into question
As previously mentioned, fans of Pulp Fiction and The Usual Suspects should find Snake Eyes an interesting proposition, as it's a film that requires concentration, due to the complexity of the narrative. Often flashbacks are used to further the story and gain unique perspectives on unfolding events from different characters' viewpoints. What is especially great about this film is that it features one of the longest continuous tracking shots in cinema history, abet for a couple of hidden cuts.
The Player, Touch of Evil, even Bonfire of the Vanities (De Palma again!) all had continuous tracking shots at their inception, but they lasted, on average, six minutes, whereas Snake Eyes opens with one which lasts for twenty! Quite an achievement, but after this plateau of cinema excellence, what follows is a by-the-numbers' potboiler of a thriller/drama. The film has one or two visual flourishes but overall does not live up to the grand opening. Nicolas Cage, well, plays Nicolas Cage and Gary Sinise is good, but the film, unfortunately, is not. Worth seeing for the opening 20 minutes, but after that, go home and watch Scarface or Carlito's Way to see De Palma at his best.
Bulworth (1998)
Smart, but confused, political satire
To experience Bulworth, is to experience one of the more bizarre films to come out of Hollywood in recent times, as it features Warren Beatty as a rapping politician, who while on the political trail, insults minorities and takes a satirical stab at American politics in the process. The narrative, for what I can remember of it, runs something like this. During his campaign for re-election, a depressed Jay Billington Bulworth (Beatty) takes out a large life insurance policy, which his daughter will cash in if he dies. Bulworth goes on to arrange a hit on his own life, giving him just under a week to live, and live he does! As he makes route across America, Senator Bulworth starts to speak the truth, which jeopardises his re-election campaign, in the process meeting a variety of people including a group of young black women who introduce him to the world of rap music. As the film progresses Bulworth realises that he doesn't want to die and attempts are made to stop the assassins bullet while continuing to rap his way into notoriety. As previously said, Bulworth is a fairly bizarre film, as the narrative seems to be very segmented, and doesn't quite add up to a whole at the inevitable conclusion. Having said this though, Beatty, with more practice, could have a profitable sideline appearing with Ice-T at concerts, as his rapping is worth the admission price alone. Supporting cast members include the reliable Oliver Platt as one of Bulworth's advisors and Halle Berry as the love interest. I have mixed feelings on this film, as it did make me laugh, but at the same time I left the cinema feeling disappointed that an opportunity to poke fun at the establishment' had been wasted on what could have been a great movie.
The Truman Show (1998)
Best of '98
In a time when Hollywood is producing popcorn fodder' movies that cater for the lowest common denominator, it's very refreshing to see an intelligent film that works on so many different levels.
The Truman Show is just such a film. On a basic level, we have a serious Jim Carrey film, which deals with deception and creation. But though watching this film we find that it is so much more than that. We have elements of humour, satire and quite a few jabs at present day media practices, i.e. turning ordinary' people into celebrities, through the medium of television, evident in British shows such as Airport and Hotel.
This is done on a much grander scale though, with all Truman's life being turned into a television show. What interests me most about this film is the way in which the 5000+ cameras are represented on screen that film Truman on a day-to-day basis, and how products are plugged on air'.
In my opinion, ranking up alongside Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' as one of best films of 1998, The Truman Show will soon become regarded as a modern classic.
Schindler's List (1993)
A Masterpiece
Schindler's List is truly one of the most thought provoking films of the decade. Before seeing this film, I knew nothing about the horrors of the Holocaust, and to be honest, I wish that were still the case.
I cannot believe the sheer brutality of the Germans for committing such horrific acts on the Jews. Just because a person has a different religion or race to our own, does that give us any right to crucify them or make them feel less human?
With regards to the film, expert performances, especially from Neeson, Kingsley and Feinnes, combined with the superb cinematography of Janusz Kaminski and direction of Spielberg make Schindler's List an enduring, although disturbing, masterpiece.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Great Film. Why no Oscar?
This is one of the best films of all time, and I'm not kidding you. Yes, you're welcome to your Godfathers' and Citizen Kanes' but this is a film everybody can experience, preferably through the medium of cinema, for what it is, a truly great story, backed up by top notch performances by Robbins and Freeman.
Everyone I have ever spoken to has enjoyed this film and they were as surprised as me to find out that although nominated, the film did not receive one single Oscar. Why is it so, that a good film like Forrest Gump can win so many but a truly great film like Shawshank wins nothing?
Words cannot describe how great this film is, one to see again and again, and not just for the triumphant twist at its conclusion! Watch it!!
Sonachine (1993)
Great Scene
I have not seen this film in its entirety, but one scene does stick out in my mind.
About half way through the film, a few men are pictured on a beach taking part in a sumo match. The music played over this scene is hypnotic, and the scene itself is shot beautifully.
Just thought it was worth a mention.
L.A. Takedown (1989)
LA Takedown = Mann's blueprint for Heat
This is the original version of what we now know as the modern classic Heat. If you watch LA Takedown and Heat, you will see many of the scenes paralleled. LA Takedown is not a great movie, but it does make an interesting companion to its superior counterpart. Worth watching for this reason alone.
The Exorcist (1973)
BBC's Ghostwatch vs Exorcist
During Halloween night of 1992, the BBC showed a programme called "Ghostwatch". Having seen the Exorcist in 1994 and after reading all the hype about its re-release now, I would just like to point out that Ghostwatch scared me far more than the Exorcist did. Although I admire the Exorcist's reputation as a horror classic, I can't quite bring myself to say it was as scary as most people have made out. To be honest I found the film to be rather tired and slow, the only notable feature being the special effects used to convey the possession of Regen. While Ghostwatch created a "War of the Worlds" scenario to some people, including me at the tender age of 16, the Exorcist did little to raise my pulse.