Reviews
The Sixth Sense (1999)
damn good
I saw "The Sixth Sense" for the first time last night at the world premiere right here in the City of Brotherly Love. After having read the script beforehand, and after having even seen a few of the audition tapes I was very eager to view the finished product. Now, I'm going to move all my criticisms aside and say that this was a damn good film. This film is intense, uplifting, sad, and downright chilling. I tell you I will NEVER forget the scene when the amazing Haley Joel Osment, who plays the haunted little boy, Cole, is revealing to his mother, Toni Collette, his "secret". The chemistry between Haley and Toni is absolutely stunning.
I really think that this is the BEST movie out there right now. My hats off to the writer/director M. Night Shyamalan. He will go very far--perhaps even so far as the Oscars. You never know right? One more thing, if you are at all skeptical about seeing this film, please, just see it for the ending. You won't believe what you see.
Gummo (1997)
Complete and utter crap!
I saw "Gummo" a year and a half ago in Nashville,TN at the Belcourt Twin Cinema where it first opened. I must say that I was completely and utterly embarrassed by it. How can anyone in their right mind call this art? It is complete and utter crap. Does anyone really know what this movie is about? Well, I do. This movie is about nothing. Xenia,Ohio? Please, give me a freakin' break. All Harmony Korine did was go back to his hometown, Nashville, and find a bunch of helpless people and capitalized upon their horrid lifestyles. I actually knew one of the young men in the film. Remember the cross dressing teenage boy? Well, that's actually what he is.
"Gummo" is not an original idea. All it is is a series of bad home movies. One more thing, I don't know if anyone read Gus Van Sant's little ode to this piece of s***, but after reading his praise for these bad home movies called "Gummo" I lost all respect for the man---not that I already hadn't after seeing "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues". Anyhow, for those who liked "Gummo", I feel sorry for you.
Gods and Monsters (1998)
Oscar sweep
I went to see this movie not knowing at all what to expect. I came out having watched one of the most profoundly moving films I've ever seen. If it were up to me "Gods and Monsters" would make a clean sweep at the Oscars (with the exception of "Life is Beautiful" and "Babe: Pig in the City").
This film, as most reading this probably know, is about James Whale(Ian McKellan), director of the original "Frankenstein", during the last week of his life and what could have been an extremely slow demise. During the course of the film a very delicate relationship is formed between Whale and his new lawnkeeper, Boone(Brendan Fraser). Both men are fragile but in very different ways. I won't go any further except to say that the symbolism and imagery that proceed throughout this film will shock you, amuse you, sadden you, and make you think like you've never thought before.
My hats off to the director, Bill Condon. Mr. Condon, you are damn good. And that last shot, what can I say about that beautiful last shot? Before I forget, Lynn Redgrave WILL get the Oscar for her role as Hannah. If she doesn't, I may just have to boycott the Oscars.
Dogfight (1991)
simple and honest--rent it!
After surfing the Internet Movie Database for a couple of hours I stumbled upon this film. I saw "Dogfight" about three years ago and loved it. I think I was going through my "Lili Taylor is the greatest actress in the world" phase and that's why I rented it. Anyway, needless to say this is a very touching film. It's simple, honest, sad, and heartwarming. I don't know if I ever would have thought to pair together Lili Taylor and River Phoenix, but it turns out they worked beautifully together. So if you're ever in the mood to rent a very DIFFERENT kind of love story then rent "Dogfight".
Hilary and Jackie (1998)
Rachel Griffiths highlight of film
I only have a few things to say about this film. First of all, I found the directing and script to be very convoluted. For example, by the end of the film I had no idea that Jackie was 42 years old. Did you? Perhaps the makers of this film could have come up with a better way to present the time lapses. Anyway, the second thing I have to say is I really enjoyed Rachel Griffiths quiet craftsmanship in this film. Her portrayal of Hilary du Pre` is the kind of performance that is too often overlooked. Griffiths displays such startling restraint in her performance which is so hard for most actors to do. So many times I see these big, over the top performances that just do not impress me. Life is filled with small, unique gestures and far off glances, not huge, dramatic hoopla. Rachel Griffiths is a truly gifted actress and the highlight of this film. Oh yeah, Emily Watson wasn't too bad either.