Zoe-Trope Reviews

Dekalog (1989–1990)

Fantastic

[10/10 · 22 October 2004]

**Very Small Spoiler** I rented this on DVD recently (3 DVDs, 10 1-hour films) and was entranced. Very well done portrayals of people dealing with difficult situations. I noted that other comments indicate that each 1-hour film was later given a subtitle. The DVD I rented did not have this. The films were simply given numbers. It would be interesting to see how individual viewer interpretations compared to those subtitles. For example, the film about the peeping tom was apparently intended to be about adultery, whereas I interpreted it as relating to the commandment against coveting.

A must-see for those who appreciate masterful film making.

EastEnders (1985– )

Never hooked on soaps before

[22 October 2004]

I've never been hooked on a soap before, but for some reason I am hooked on EastEnders. I watch it on PBS, not BBC America, so I am about 4 years behind. I think the first thing that caught my attention was that the actors all look like real people -- the middle-aged ladies LOOK like middle-aged ladies, and not like they've had five face lifts and spend all day in the salon. There are young, pretty girls with large hips or thighs, not liposuctioned to death. And the guys look like regular guys, receding hairlines and all. That's a nice change of pace.

Based on the episodes from 1999 and 2000 which I've seen, I would say that the acting isn't fantastic and it isn't horrible, the plot lines are unrealistic but good when you're seeking some candy for the brain -- which is the level of personal investment one usually gives a soap opera. (Er, you would hope...) For the people from England and Scotland who said they worry what kind of image the show gives outsiders, I think most people realize that it's just a soap opera and, if they have half a brain, are not going to develop an opinion about the British based on a TV show.

Whale Rider (2002)

Theme that's been done, but so what?

[1 February 2004]

SPOILERS FOR THIS MOVIE AND FOR KING OF MASKS

I was surprised that none of the comments I read so far drew parallels between Whale Rider and the fantastic Chinese movie, King of Masks:

Whale Rider (Set in modern New Zealand): Old man needs to pass on traditions (Maori customs/chiefdom) to male heir, his actual first born fails him (not into being chief), believes he has found an heir in grandson, grandson fails him (dies at birth), ends up with a useless girl, gruff with girl, girl tries to please grandfather, girl sacrifices herself, grandfather finally realizes her merit, tradition passed on to girl

King of Masks (set in late 1800s or early 1900 China): Old man needs to pass on traditions (mask performance artistry) to male heir, his actual first born fails him (dies in childhood), believes he has found an heir in (adopted/purchased) grandson, grandson fails him (is really a girl), ends up with useless girl, gruff with girl, girl tries to please grandfather, girl sacrifices herself, grandfather finally realizes her merit, tradition passed on to girl.

So what? Stories are regenerated and retold all the time, it doesn't make them any less fun to listen to. Both movies were fantastic. I'd give King of Masks a higher rating between the two for depth -- Whale Rider was a much "lighter" movie, though as far as visuals it would rate higher if you're into beautiful geography and vibrant color. I watched both with my six-year-old son, and he loved them both, too. I agree with the person who said they wished they had seen it in the theater to fully appreciate the cinematography. Great movie!

Peter Pan (2003)

The best version I've seen so far, good for kids and adults

[8/10 · 27 December 2003]

Wonderful acting, well-cast characters, gorgeous visuals, and more emphasis on the various layers of the plot than previous versions of this story. This is my favorite version so far, and here's why...

Given the fact that the entire premise for this story is that Wendy has turned twelve years old and is torn between girlhood and womanhood, the level of "sexual tension" was perfectly realistic and appropriate for the age of the characters -- they started off by playing house, and as things developed they weren't thinking of anything more sexual than holding hands or an innocent, closed-mouth kiss, Peter being even rather clueless to that. Keep in mind that goo-goo eyes between boys and girls starts at this age, if not earlier (and that's not just a modern phenomenon). (Even menstruation begins before age 12 for many girls...) Peter's age was perfectly matched to Wendy's (I haven't read Barrie's original, but an adolescent Peter would seem to make sense). The only possible inappropriate tension might be between Hook and Wendy on the ship, but coming to that conclusion takes a great deal of stretching and over-analyzing.

Was the scene with the boys' nightdresses flying up erotic? Only if you look for eroticism in everything. I've been around enough kids to know that there's also just plain old "butt humor..." The PG rating was appropriate due to the violence alone, which was comparable to other PG movies (Harry Potter, etc.) and children's stories (including Hansel and Gretel, Goldilocks, etc.), but good to be there to discuss things with the kids. It almost bothers me more when a movie is given a G rating, but includes people calling each other idiots and imbeciles (as in 101 Dalmations, which I enjoy nonetheless) because my kids are more likely to imitate that behavior. I was slightly dismayed to see the kids in the film chanting for the croc to get Hook, though... I went to this movie with another adult and two six-year-old boys -- we all loved it. Kids at that age LOVE to make believe that they can do anything -- it's called "imagination." It's fun, it's empowering, and it's one of the things Peter and the other children were holding on to in their resistance to growing up. Go see this movie!

Prey for Rock & Roll (2003)

Real Women Who Rock

[6/10 · 1 June 2003]

Prey for Rock and Roll is a great movie for anyone who likes to rock, especially women who have grown up admiring the likes of Joan Jett, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Lita Ford, Chrissie Hynde, or any women in the predominantly male music industry who have taken control of their music rather than allow themselves to be molded into the industry's "male fantasy" of a female musician. (Britney Spears, are you listening?) But it's not a movie only for women -- I saw PFRR with a guy, and he loved it. We are looking forward to the soundtrack coming out -- great music. Just to balance out my comments, my very small criticism is that once or twice (and only once or twice) a line sounded a little canned or flat, but I tend towards overanalyzing in that regard. (I won't say which lines so I don't give the movie away.) But overall the dialogue was great, very real, with a lot of humor also thrown in. The interactions between characters were great for building them up beyond 2-dimensions. (For example, Jackie's relationship with her mother made Jackie's character more interesting, Tracy's relationship with her boyfriend made her boyfriend more interesting -- a role that could have otherwise easily have been a caricature instead of a character. Ivan Martin was also great in the role.) I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone ready for a movie that balances the heavy (harsh aspects of life) with the light (finding the humor in life and following your dreams).