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marian_chuang2004
Reviews
The Green Mile (1999)
Not Shawshank, but still haunting
Frank Darabont again presents us a gritty look at prison life. But unlike his previous work, The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile focuses not on the prisoners, but on the prison guards. The movie does a great job depicting both the humanity and the brutality that takes place inside the wooden jailhouse, dubbed "the Green Mile", where men sentenced to death row reside. Head guard Paul Edgecomb, played by the ever-amazing Tom Hanks, is disturbed by the gut-wrenching crime committed by new inmate John Coffey (Michael Duncan), but as he comes to know the gentle giant he begins to believe that John is actually innocent. This summary sounds simple enough, but once you reach the middle of the film, you find out that John is more
let's say, different from anyone else you've ever met.
Like its predecessor, Mile has a great unpredictable plot, amazing acting (especially from Hanks and Duncan), a wonderful script, and excellent direction. But it falls short, lacking the majestic spirit Shawshank embodies. One reason could be the static characters. They never seem to grow in wisdom or maturity. Sure the good guys are affected by John Coffey, but they never become better people; they have been practically faultless to begin with. And the bad guys, from start to finish, are cruel, sadistic psychos. Why they are so despicably evil is never explained, which bothers me since I like to see characters in shades of gray, not in black and white. But really, this is a just a pet peeve, and this mystery by no means diminishes the antagonists into cartoonish villains. Doug Hutchinson gives an electrifying performance as the cowardly bully Percy, who commits one of the most bloodcurdling atrocities I've ever seen on screen, and will incur utter disgust and rancor from anyone who has a beating heart. Still, I wish there could have been more character development in at least somebody. Another reason I didn't enjoy the movie as much is that it ends on a glum weird note, in stark contrast to Shawshank's optimistic and beautiful closure. The ending isn't dismal, but it definitely isn't happy either, and I am a sucker for happy endings.
Overall, watching this film is like undergoing surgery without anesthetics: the process is painful, and when it's done, you feel better, but the experience will haunt you for a long time afterward. Okay, I'm exaggerating about the pain part (I just have a real weak stomach) but you will definitely be haunted by this film. If you want to feel ghostly chills, engross yourself in a heart-breaking plot, and experience intense drama, this is it.
Clueless (1995)
Best high school chick flick ever!
Clueless is by far one of the cheeriest, cutest, and funniest romantic comedies I have ever seen *squeal!* Based on Jane Austen's story Emma, this rambunctious chick flick centers around Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone), a rich, spoiled high school popularity queen who concludes, after successfully setting up two teachers into romantic bliss to boost moods (and subsequently her GPA), that she is a born pro bono matchmaker, and sets off to meddle in everyone else's love affairs. When new girl Tai(RIP Brittany Murphy) arrives, she immediately gets her lotion-lathered nail-polished hands on her as her next project, and hilarity ensues. Unlike her British counterpart though, who's often been described by many as selfish and bossy, this modern-day shopaholic protagonist is just
well
clueless, but endearingly so. She may be manipulative and high-handed, but she really does believe she is doing the best for everyone.
Thanks to the script and Alicia's acting chops, there is no flighty blonde I adore more than Cher. The script sparkles with comedy and wit, and from her words you can tell that beneath her airhead appearance is actually a smart girl, albeit misguided. I know it's hard to imagine that she's both smart and dumb at the same time, but she pulls it off. The other characters are just as funny and adorable: Di with her insane fashion sense (bridesmaids in sailor suits, anyone?), and Tai, who frankly knows a lot more about love than Cher does, but isn't aware of it. Even her father is funny, and not in the nerdy wanna-be-hip manner that's been recycled in Hollywood a bajillion times, but as a fierce guy who doesn't take sh*t from others and encourages his daughter's scheming behavior. There's also great chemistry between Cher and her eventual love, and the happy romantic ending, which is a big plus, since I live my love life vicariously through movies *sighs* All in all, besides the fact that it leaves me craving for more, this movie is perfect!
Playing by Heart (1998)
At best...not bad.
No one I know has heard of this movie, and that's a shame. Somewhat. The film's huge cast is similar to the better-known Love Actually, with the eclectic mix of seemingly-unrelated characters who finally congregate together in the end. It's also got a British actor (Sean Connery) to boot, as well as some big stars like Angelina Jolie and surprisingly, Jon Stewart (being a lot more romantic here than on his Daily Show, of course). But Playing by Heart isn't that funny, which may be why it's escaped everyone's ears. It's undoubtedly a well-made film, but it just didn't leave me gushing with praise. The acting was good, and the tribulations and angst the characters felt were real and at times somber (especially the poor man dying of AIDS), but the film left no lasting impression on me. The humor was rare and the drama on the dry, "oh well, too bad" or (in monotone) "wooo, problem solved, happiness for all" side. But then, I'm a finicky watcher and I admit, a borderline pretentious critic. Since I didn't dislike the film, it probably means most people will enjoy or even love it, so I give this a 7/10. Just don't watch it expecting to burst into uproarious laughter or a free flowing sob-fest. You'll most likely chuckle here and there (like when discovering John Stewart's bed buddy) and feel sorry for those afflicted with disease, who, for me, are the only truly touching characters in this not-bad, not-contrived, not-unimpressive film.
Benny & Joon (1993)
Another Johnny Depp Classic!
During my Johnny Depp film binge I discovered Benny and Joon, a charming little piece that left me tingling with optimism and warmth long after the credits rolled. Johnny Depp again transfigures himself into another quirky yet endearing character: a dyslexic young man who channels his shyness through his jaw-dropping imitations of Buster Keaton, and finds his soul mate in Joon, a girl who suffers from a mental illness, maybe schizophrenia. She cannot get along with anyone besides her protective brother Benny, as she is prone to panic attacks at the slightest provocation, which includes the former housekeeper having smelly hair. But throughout the film, we see, as Depp's Sam sees, that despite her mental illness she is a strong-willed, bright, and beautiful individual who may be more independent than her brother presumes. Not that Benny is an overbearing hover-copter; we see how concerned he is for her happiness and well-being, sacrificing his freedom and romantic pursuits to give her the best care possible. You can't help admiring him (his good looks and steadfast love for his sister) and wishing he were your older brother. All three characters are marvelously portrayed, and the plot, though somewhat predictable and cheesy, ends in such a hilarious and sweet note that it makes the whole movie experience delightful. Not too melodramatic, but not the typical Hollywood fluff either, this rom com will leave you contented, with just a tad squeeze in your heart.