Ghost Dog is a film filled with small brilliant moments the sum of which do add up to the parts. The script, performances, music, camera work, direction are nigh on faultless. I confess to loving Jarmusch almost as much as Sayles so going in I was always going to like the film, but I was completely surprised by how much I liked it. Jarmusch has a way of doing that to you. Come on, Jim. How about another film, quickly.
Reviews
7 Reviews
Before Night Falls
(2000)
See this film before you hear too much about it. It's such a departure from the usual codswallop that the best part of seeing it is the surprise.
9 September 2001
Just when I thought I was tiring of this film, it would move to the next episode, thereby holding my attention. The story is not new but the performances of all the actors and the camera work add texture and richness. Badem's performance is engaging and it's hard not to care about his character, even when he acts foolishly, driven by his temperament. Depp is, as always, fully involved in his character. This actor should be offered work that will stretch him to the edge of his talent and that seems to be a long way. It's a beautiful film with heart and soul. My only negative criticism is that sometimes the tricky camerawork made me a little squeamish. See it soon.
Memento
(2000)
SPOILER *********************** Was Mrs Jankis Leonard's memory for Mrs Shelby's diabetes?
18 April 2001
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILER
If Mrs Jankis didn't exist and Mrs Shelby was a diabetic, then did Leonard give his wife too many insulin shots and therefore kill her? If not, and the simple truth was that she was killed by a random junkie breakin and not by Leonard, then what is the purpose of Teddy's instruction to Leonard that Mr Jankis didn't have a wife? Did Mr Jankis exist? Was Leonard the victim of an accident which removed his short term memory and did his wife not believe him?
Would someone be able to clear that up for me, please? Perhaps the screenwriter?
Thanks.
Apart from that ambiguity, I watched the film with interest. The last film to make an impact on me was "Wonderland". The way London was depicted in that film was truly disturbing. Characters living lives of noisy desperation. Memento left an impression because it raised so many plot questions and of course the big issue of lying to ourselves in order to carry one. As Jack said - "you can't handle the truth".
Oh and yes, Guy Pearce is good to watch. He needs a dialogue coach to enrich his vocals. The voice was a bit thin. He does, however, have screen presence and you can't buy that.
If Mrs Jankis didn't exist and Mrs Shelby was a diabetic, then did Leonard give his wife too many insulin shots and therefore kill her? If not, and the simple truth was that she was killed by a random junkie breakin and not by Leonard, then what is the purpose of Teddy's instruction to Leonard that Mr Jankis didn't have a wife? Did Mr Jankis exist? Was Leonard the victim of an accident which removed his short term memory and did his wife not believe him?
Would someone be able to clear that up for me, please? Perhaps the screenwriter?
Thanks.
Apart from that ambiguity, I watched the film with interest. The last film to make an impact on me was "Wonderland". The way London was depicted in that film was truly disturbing. Characters living lives of noisy desperation. Memento left an impression because it raised so many plot questions and of course the big issue of lying to ourselves in order to carry one. As Jack said - "you can't handle the truth".
Oh and yes, Guy Pearce is good to watch. He needs a dialogue coach to enrich his vocals. The voice was a bit thin. He does, however, have screen presence and you can't buy that.
The Confession
(1999)
Warning: Save yourself the price of the rental. A complete waste of the actors' time. Understand Baldwin's social conscience prompted him to produce the film, but the script and direction were amateurish,
12 January 2001
I wonder what induced Kingsley, Irving, Noth and Baldwin to participate in this tripe. Understand their beliefs may have led them to do it, but the next time they have a spare weekend, perhaps they could spend it interviewing directors who have a modicum of talent and originality. It was a toss up for me between the direction and the script as to which was the most banal. The consummate professional cast struggled to give the piece some dignity but it was hopeless from the start. On a lighter note, even the delectable Chris Noth plain-janed himself into obscurity.
Wonderland
(1999)
Wonderland depicts the teeming masses living lives of noisy desperation in their solitude.
14 May 2000
The city becomes a character and the camera tells a wordless story in the closing shot as it exalts Christopher Wren's dome from another era when the teeming masses lived lives of quiet desperation. It then moves back to show the concrete blocks of small flats where the inhabitants, some of whom are central characters in this film, are trying to live with some dignity. The ceaseless chatter and traffic noise rammed home to me how souless and isolating this life style can be. The is ameliorated by small moments of recognition and affection. Highly recommended.
American Beauty
(1999)
It is heartening to see that Dreamworks has attempted to examine contemporary life
26 January 2000
It is heartening to see that Dreamworks has attempted to examine contemporary life. American Beauty covers most of the predictable domestic tribulations of materialistic westerners. However, Chris Cooper, Wes Bentley and Kevin Spacey give such complex and deeply felt performances, particularly Chris Cooper, that the movie is elevated by them. The cinematography by Conrad Hall contributes a lot to the "beauty" of the title. The script would have been less impactive in the hands of mere mortals but whoever cast this film has contributed to its success.
Withnail & I
(1987)
Reasons not to miss Withnail and I
6 April 1999
King Curtis' "Whiter Shade of Pale" as Paul McGann struggles to meet the day. Richard E. Grant's rain-soaked Shakespeare. Richard Griffiths' persecution by his cat. The slaughter of the chicken. Danny's take on the world. This film takes pride of place on my list of favourite films, along with The Princess Bride, Hope and Glory, Local Hero and Another Country, all of which offer brilliantly insightful and hilarious scripts.
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