Change Your Image
jsweeney42
Reviews
Fame (2009)
Fresh New Faces; Same Old Lessons
My first impression of the movie was that "Wow! They've kept the same feel of chaotic creative energy as the original movie." As I watched, I kept looking for Coco and Bruno and Angelo and Shorofsky and all the other people I remember from the original. When I finally stopped doing that, I was able to focus on what they were doing with the new cast of characters. I saw minor elements and situations from the original, but these played out differently based on the character. The students themselves were fresh and new, with a wonderful modern take. The teachers had the same real-life lessons for the students - a nice touch of consistency. The one negative I noted is that the students this time did not seem to have the same level of character development as in the previous version. These students do not stick in my mind as strongly as the original cast. All-in-all, I would call this a great sequel rather than a remake.
Reign Over Me (2007)
Camera Made Me Dizzy
Most of the characters were very well done, and the story-line was not formulaic it took a few unexpected turns. A very well told story. For the most part, the actual 9/11 tragedy was handled in a very circumspect manner, keeping the story focused on Cheadle and Sandler. Both men clearly needed healing in their own way.
One scene I feel could have been re-written is the court-room scene in which the young prosecuting attorney is allowed to continue talking about the wife and children to the father-in-law (who is on the stand). My wife, a former attorney, kept asking why the defense attorney did not object. I can understand why the prosecutor wanted to do that - to push Sandler's character to the breaking point, thus proving the case. From a story-line point of view, it certainly heightened the drama.
I suspect there are some scenes on the cutting room floor that explain the role of Saffron Burrows character Donna Remar a bit more clearly. She seemed to be primarily a side-issue to illustrate problems Cheadle was having at his office. Her interest in Sandler's character is not completely obvious, other than the fact that they are both in pain. The reason for her transfer of interest from Cheadle to Sandler is not clear.
What really bothered me most was the constant tilting and movement of the camera. I felt quite dizzy several times - I thought I might get motion sickness. There are a few TV shows that do that for dramatic effect, and I cannot watch those for long.