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Reviews
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Mel Gibson's Freedoms of Speech and Religion
I haven't yet seen this movie, but I cannot help but comment on the alleged anti-Semitism. According to what I have read and seen in the media storm surrounding this movie, Mel Gibson has been the object of religious prejudice. Many individuals condemned the film even before they saw it. In addition, many of the reviews of critics who have seen the film seem to convey a personal condemnation of the filmmaker. I'm sure it's not a perfect film, but many of the critics have been exhibiting intolerant and close-minded attitudes. It seems to me that Mr. Gibson's rights of freedom of religion and speech are being violated by this barrage of accusations. Christians have the same rights as other groups to express and defend their beliefs.
Cold Mountain (2003)
Oscar bait? You're kidding!
This movie, like Minghella's "The English Patient", is vastly overrated. It is beautiful to look at, but contains phony, unbelievable characters and dialogue. Renee Zellweger thinks she's in a vaudeville remake of "Oklahoma". Nicole Kidman's accent is terrible and one could almost see her makeup, costume and hair designer entourage behind the camera. Who cares if Inman and Ada get back together -- they barely know each other! Only Jude Law, Brendan Gleeson and Natalie Portman are believeable. Oscar voters, resist the Miramax marketing onslaught, please.
Gangs of New York (2002)
Daniel Day-Lewis is back.
Regardless of the flaws in this movie (too much violence, for one), you must see it for Day-Lewis' thrilling performance. Ever since seeing My Left Foot, I have felt that there is simply no other actor alive who can compare with him.
Gangs of New York (2002)
Daniel Day-Lewis is back.
Regardless of the flaws in this movie (too much violence, for one), you must see it for Day-Lewis' thrilling performance. Ever since seeing My Left Foot, I have felt that there is simply no other actor alive who can compare with him.
A Room with a View (1985)
A classic
MINOR SPOILER I loved this film! It is populated by the most textured of characters, portrayed by the most accomplished of actors. Daniel Day-Lewis stole the show. By my second viewing I noted that I had a big smile on my face whenever he was on screen. A lessor actor would have made him a stereotype. Only Day-Lewis could portray a prig like Cecil as such an interesting character. I felt genuine sympathy for him when Lucy "dumped" him. It was fun seeing a vivacious, young Judi Dench,too.
The Bounty (1984)
Amazing cast
I came upon this movie quite by accident. I was perusing the DVD's at the public library, and decided to check it out. I found it compelling, beautifully shot, and exceedingly well-acted. I haven't seen all of Anthony Hopkins' work, but this performance must certainly be one of his finest. Liam Neeson's characterization of the caged animal Churchill was gripping. This movie also featured the world's finest actor, Daniel Day-Lewis, as the uptight Fryer. My favorite shot of him is when Bligh and the others are being put in the boat to be set adrift. Look for Fryer in the boat -- very amusing. The only flaw in the film is the photography of the Tahitian women. The camera stayed a little too long on them, making the nudity more gratuitous than it needed to be.
La vita è bella (1997)
This is a beautiful film.
Any movie about the Holocaust must be undertaken with great care. Some may be offended by the humor in "Life is Beautiful", and say that the concentration camp is not realistic. But it is important to note that the voice-over narration at the very end tells us that the story is being told through the eyes of Joshua, the son. His father Guido was able to protect him from the true horrors of the camp, and that is why it is a sanitized, not realistic perspective of his early life. This movie is not primarily about the Holocaust, but rather about the human qualities that can make life beautiful. These include courage, opitmism, a sense of humor, perseverance and the ability to love sacrificially. One of the best films I have seen.
Gettysburg (1993)
Not as good as "Glory" but an admirable effort
I just saw Gettysburg for the first time. I applaud the producers for their powerful and pain-staking depiction of this amazing event. Unlike the makers of "Pearl Harbor", they knew that the truth of it was infinitely more interesting than any melodramatic fiction a Hollywood screenwriter could make up. I agree with others who have posted that it is too long. Many of the scenes cried out for editing. The acting was generally good, although I would have preferred a different actor to portray Lee. Martin Sheen did what he could, but I think the legendary status of Lee required an actor of similar physical stature and charisma. I thought Tom Berenger's performance was wooden (even though the real Longstreet was a stolid figure,I would have preferred more nuance). But Richard Jordan and Jeff Daniels were very good.
Kate & Leopold (2001)
dreck
Hugh Jackman was wonderful in this movie, but he was the only good thing about it. Could Meg Ryan have been more annoying? What in the world would a classy 19th century duke see in such a self-absorbed, whining woman?
*SPOILER* It was all so implausible, I wanted to jump off a bridge.
Road to Perdition (2002)
Don't believe the PR hype
These days, movie studios begin campaigning for Oscar votes even before the pictures are released. In the case of "Road to Perdition", I got sucked in to believing that I was about to see something on par with "The Godfather". WRONG!! True, the movie was stunning visually; many of the scenes looked like Edward Hopper paintings. But the screenplay was cryptic and uninteresting, and I was troubled at the amoral tone of it all. I understand that the source material ended with Michael Jr.'s reflections on his "Road" after having become a priest. Including that would certainly have brought some moral context. Instead, both Michaels are given a level of hero status after committing multiple homicides. It was especially disconcerting to see the attempts at humor injected into the father-son antics, such as Michael Jr.'s adventures with the clutch. These are murderers, and we are supposed to be laughing? Part of the problem, I think, is with Hanks' performance. I enjoyed him in Big and Saving Private Ryan. But is miscast here. Jimmy Stewart had the talent to play dark roles as well as every-man and comedic ones. But Tom Hanks, talented as he is, is no Jimmy Stewart. His portrayal of Michael was stolid, somber and boring. Were we supposed to feel sympathy or contempt? I felt nothing. Fortunately, there were two stand-out performances. Paul Newman was riveting and memorable as the Irish "don". Jude Law, who always inhabits his characters fully, was fascinating. The movie would have benefited with more screen time from both of them.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
The most offensive movie I have ever seen.
I saw this schlockfest last night, and I am really offended. The name Pearl Harbor means something very solemn and sacred to this country, and there is something morally wrong about taking this subject matter and turning it into a brainless soap opera/thrill ride. I don't know which was lamer; the "love triangle" or the directors' efforts at historical accuracy (They didn't even depict the Japanese Admiral's reason for the attack correctly! duh.) When Hollywood decides to do a movie about an actual historical event, they have a responsibility to depict it accurately and with some taste. What a waste of all those millions of dollars. There were so many things that grated on my nerves, like the "nurses" who always traveled in a clump and looked like Veronica Lake wannabes. Hint to the directors - check out some actual pictures of nurses in the forties. They didn't look like that! They wore their hair up and were regular people. I was hoping somebody would steal their lipstick..then we would have seen real emotion! If the makers of "Pearl Harbor" were aiming to copy "Titanic", they did at least get one aspect down -- it was a disaster, all right.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
The most offensive movie I have ever seen.
I saw this schlockfest last night, and I am really offended. The name Pearl Harbor means something very solemn and sacred to this country, and there is something morally wrong about taking this subject matter and turning it into a brainless soap opera/thrill ride. I don't know which was lamer; the "love triangle" or the directors' efforts at historical accuracy (They didn't even depict the Japanese Admiral's reason for the attack correctly! duh.) When Hollywood decides to do a movie about an actual historical event, they have a responsibility to depict it accurately and with some taste. What a waste of all those millions of dollars. There were so many things that grated on my nerves, like the "nurses" who always traveled in a clump and looked like Veronica Lake wannabes. Hint to the directors - check out some actual pictures of nurses in the forties. They didn't look like that! They wore their hair up and were regular people. I was hoping somebody would steal their lipstick..then we would have seen real emotion! If the makers of "Pearl Harbor" were aiming to copy "Titanic", they did at least get one aspect down -- it was a disaster, all right.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
The most offensive movie I have ever seen.
I saw this schlockfest last night, and I am really offended. The name Pearl Harbor means something very solemn and sacred to this country, and there is something morally wrong about taking this subject matter and turning it into a brainless soap opera/thrill ride. I don't know which was lamer; the "love triangle" or the directors' efforts at historical accuracy (They didn't even depict the Japanese Admiral's reason for the attack correctly! duh.) When Hollywood decides to do a movie about an actual historical event, they have a responsibility to depict it accurately and with some taste. What a waste of all those millions of dollars. There were so many things that grated on my nerves, like the "nurses" who always traveled in a clump and looked like Veronica Lake wannabes. Hint to the directors - check out some actual pictures of nurses in the forties. They didn't look like that! They wore their hair up and were regular people. I was hoping somebody would steal their lipstick..then we would have seen real emotion! If the makers of "Pearl Harbor" were aiming to copy "Titanic", they did at least get one aspect down -- it was a disaster, all right.
Nuremberg (2000)
A worthy effort.
TNT is to be applauded for tackling this difficult subject.
I appreciate the attempt to depict the trial as historically accurate. The result is a flawed, yet better-than-average mini-series. Brian Cox gave a memorable, nuanced performance, and Christopher Plumber was charming as always (although I doubt they had tanning beds in the post-WWII era). I would have preferred a different actor in the role of Robert Jackson, one older with a more expressive acting style, and I felt that the weight given to the adulterous relationship was excessive. But it held my attention and had some very compelling moments.
Me, Myself & Irene (2000)
Evidence that the end times are upon us
Dear Jim, I have been a devoted fan of yours ever since "Ace Ventura". You are a comedic genius, and the hardest I ever laughed in my life was when you walked around in Ronald Camp's party. But I walked out of this movie. Jim, God has blessed you with so much talent and resources. Please pick edifying material next time. Do it for your daughter.
Me, Myself & Irene (2000)
Evidence that the end times are upon us
Dear Jim, I have been a devoted fan of yours ever since "Ace Ventura". You are a comedic genius, and the hardest I ever laughed in my life was when you walked around in Ronald Camp's party. But I walked out of this movie. Jim, God has blessed you with so much talent and resources. Please pick edifying material next time. Do it for your daughter.
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Thank you, Pixar.
This movie was the best that I have seen all year. It not only was an amazing treat for the eyes, but the narrative was perfect-- funny, charming and profound. Most movies I have seen in the last few months are flawed with either predictability, lame scripting, irrational plot twists, or immoral protagonists. I hope that these wonderful writers find time in the midst of writing "Toy Story 3" to undertake writing a script for a non-animated feature or two. I hope also that the Oscar powers-that-be can throw off their narrow perspectives over what constitutes a "significant motion picture" to consider this movie not just for the technical awards but for the major ones as well.
Sophie's Choice (1982)
A magical movie
After seeing another in a long line of flawed movies, I decided to watch what is for me the gold standard in movie-making. Much has been said about Streep's amazing performance, but Kevin Kline and Peter MacNichol were unforgettable too. Great plot, script, and direction.
For Love of the Game (1999)
Zzzzz...
During the last 30 minutes of this exceedingly snail-paced, derivative, predictable, poorly scripted cornball flick, I found my mind drifting to thoughts like "Seeing a perfect baseball game is indeed a rare occurrence. Seeing a genuinely GOOD movie these days is almost as rare!" The last one I saw was "Life is Beautiful" and one year later I am still reliving those unforgettable scenes in my mind. To Hollywood producers, directors, and screenwriters: You are in a position to create works of art. Concentrate on the art; let nothing else distract you.