marco-111 Reviews

What Dreams May Come (1998)

Do yourself a favour, watch the original ending on the DVD

[10/10 · 27 February 2001]

After watching the original ending on the DVD, I had to revise my vote from 8/10 to 10/10 for this movie: I had originally detracted two points because I thought that the ending I saw at the movie theater was completely stupid, absolutely unrelated to the plot elements discussed until then, and definitely tacked on for no apparent reason.

Watching the original ending on the DVD, makes this movie much much much more meaningful and enjoyable (at least for me), unfortunately it seems that the powers-that-be decided that it was too 'intelligent' for the average viewer (in the director's words: requiring the viewer to do one too many leaps of imagination).

I am really happy it was at least included on the DVD, and didn't just end up on the cutting room floor: now if only there was a way to set up the DVD movie to play this ending automatically it would be perfect ;)

She's Having a Baby (1988)

Illogical and cliche

[4/10 · 21 October 2000]

Warning, spoilers ahead (even if I doubt that anybody hasn't seen this yet)

The movie starts off rather well, but about halfway through it falls apart and becomes a corny, sugary sweet, predictable and unrealistic 'harmony romance' mess. I mean, it's very obvious that there are serious problems in the main characters' marriage, but these problems are never solved but just forgotten.

Basically, as soon as she decides to have a baby behind his back (without even asking) all of their problems magically disappear without a trace or an explanation. Given what had happened up until that moment it would have been far more logical if the marriage fell apart rather than becoming the trite and cliche' 'having a baby will change everything' ending.

The two main characters' families and neighbours are also extremely one-dimensional, and don't seem to serve really any purpose if not to irritate the viewer, and they also mysteriously disappear from the movie as soon as the 'harmony moments' start.

I am sorry to be ripping this movie, but given the start I would have expected something more. 4/10 for me.

Almost Famous (2000)

Great movie !

[10/10 · 16 September 2000]

I just caught a sneak preview (the movie opens here next week) and I have to agree with most of the posters, it's really great and very close to perfect.

Only very very very very minor nits are that IMHO Anna Paquin was a bit under-utilized, and in a couple of scenes Patrick Fugit (main character) came across a little bit too much as if he was acting rather than being spontaneous.

These are anyways very very minor nits, for me this was a solid 9.5/10 (I wish I could give half scores here on the IMDB), great story, great lines and an amazing (as usual) job by Frances McDormand.

Sun Alley (1999)

Great movie !

[8/10 · 4 September 2000]

I caught this one on a long flight from Singapore to Vancouver in German with English subtitles and I really loved it, it was really funny and sad in some ways at the same time.

I probably can relate to it more than the average North American because I grew up in Europe, but I think the movie would be very enjoyable for more or less everybody, and surely better than some crappy movies recently seen on this side of the ocean

Highly recommended if you can find it.

The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

Great movie if you cut the last 30 or so seconds

[5/10 · 13 August 2000]

I have never submitted comments, but this time I feel so ripped off I really have to say something. Spoiler-free version: stop the VCR or turn off the TV about 30 seconds before the end, if you want to know why please read ahead.

** SPOILERS ALERT READ AT YOUR OWN RISK **

This movie would have been an 8/10 if it wasn't for the last 30 seconds or so (the scene in the airplane): I really can't understand why a movie has to be ruined for the sake of the typical happy ending.

My opinion is that the director wanted to cut the movie with the main female character on the plane, just before the obvious handkerchief appears, but that the powers-that-be thought that such a perfectly logical, consequential and meaningful ending would have been too much to bear for the average movie goer

The director probably decided to try, without succeeding, to not ruin the movie by cutting the following scene short. I wish he just had the guts to stand his ground and let the male character do what most people in his situation would do.

My advice: turn off the vcr/television as soon as you see the female character on the airplane, maybe you can wait 5 more seconds if you want, but please do not wait for what happens after the handkerchief magically appears beside her.

Vote: first 112 and a half minutes 8/10, last 30 seconds 1/10, average 5/10