Change Your Image
noahturks
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Cat People (1942)
Cat People -- Fine, Not Much to It
The movie's about fear of the past, immigration, and mysterious prophecies. The strongest scene in the film is Irena's swirling fever dream in which Serbian King John unsheathes his sword which turns into the key of the panther's cage. Wonderful associations. Some interesting, innovative work with shadows. The movie didn't seem to have enough content for each of its subjects to really make me care though. Oliver seemed like a doofus from the beginning. The two leads' marriage and strife was sprinted through. Every plot point was sprinted through. I wish this movie developed a little more fully and slowly. The shot in the museum of Irena next to the Egyptian cat (dog?) goddess statue was brilliant. The scene where Alice is pursued while swimming could have built into something more important too because it was the second time she was being followed. I liked the restaurant scene with the other Serbian cat-woman as well. The way the din quieted when she repeated 'Moja sestra'. A lot of moments in this movie with much potential but the end pay-off was weak. Thank you
La haine (1995)
Holy Cow, a thrill ride
In a similar vein to 'Kids', released in the same year (1995). They both investigate poor youths riled up in the big city. While 'Kids' focuses more on sexual irresponsibility and the AIDS crisis, 'La Haine' looks more at the class and race disparities, guns, and police violence.
The acting of 'La Haine' is top notch. I don't speak French, so that's not a hard and fast judgement, but they were convincing, dynamic and fluid throughout. Then the minor characters, in contrast with the three main characters, were much more grounded and stable. That was an important piece to the puzzle. The three main men had to be fiery. The monologue of the old man was astounding.
Then the ambiguous ending, absolutely killer, and Said's closed eyes say it all.
Both 'Kids' and 'La Haine' are incredibly tragic time capsules. OH, and it's just as potent today with all that's going on with the cops and violence here in the U.S.
The Panic in Needle Park (1971)
A Vague Plot Held Together By Strong Lead Performances
The dire content of 'The Panic...' is groundbreaking. Al Pacino is great as a street urchin in this early role, a precursor to his 'Dog Day Afternoon' performance. In this one, he's just as passionate and intuitive, but the script hinders the effect. Kitty Winn has an old-time-y feel, like she was meant to stay in the 70's, and film-wise, she kind of did as this and 'The Exorcist' are her most famous roles. She was solid here though. Instead of a clear plot, this movie's more impressionistic with it's storytelling, revealing more brushstrokes as it moves along, and I can appreciate that.
The weak links were the dialogue, which was lame at times, like with Pacino's movie brother's line about, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" being particularly offensive on the lame-o-meter. Then some of the addicts spouted a few too many buzzwords, though the way they only had drugs, sex, or crime on their minds did ring true in my experience.
The actor who played Hotch was expressionless the entire film. He was a pile of tapioca pudding warbling around, and he brought the energy down with him whenever he came on-screen. I understand that acting, especially in grittier, 'street-life' films, is meant to be naturalistic, but he was boring, which I can understand as I've fallen into that trap too: "Am I being too theatrical and demonstrative?" No, you're really not, Hotch.
Blade Runner (1982)
Well-paces, Stylish, Iconic, Intense, Excellent all-around.
It's easy to see why this movie is so loved to this day. There are some incredible and iconic shots. Vangelis created one of the most integral soundtracks of all time. It's noir, sensual and dark, and futuristic with eerie synthesizers. The showdown between Roy and Rick is superbly tense and shocking, so well- shot. The moral question: 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' becomes more pertinent with every passing day.
Sausage Party (2016)
A strong concept marred by cliché
The swearing has no effect by the end because the movie's so completely over saturated with it. The voice acting is predictable, bland. The plot is unadventurous. The CG is pretty weak, with minimal extraordinary detail. I do like some of the food puns, and the riffing on other movies, like the Saving Private Ryan part and the Terminator reference. It's a concept with much potential. Wasted on a poor script. The orgy part is pretty consistently funny too.