Kev22 Reviews

Great Expectations (1998)

Uh, not quite

[9/10 · 10 February 1999]

Ok, I've now seen this film three times. The first was in the theater in early 1998 (I really enjoyed it, although, I admit I didn't pay that close of attention to it...I pretty much just enjoyed the visuals without ever getting a feel for the story.) The second time was on video last summer. After the second screening, I thought it was really quite a miserable film. Contrived, corny, and unbelievable, with bad performances from both Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow to boot; although, still I recognized it as a visual gem. Then, I began reading the original Dickens novel early this year. And I thought, Well, now that I truly understand the story and the character's motivations, maybe I should pick it up again and give it another chance. I have just finished watching "Great Expectations" for the third, and most likely final, time. Overall, as you may guess, I have extremely mixed feelings about it. The script was extraordinarily disappointing. The characters were drawn so weakly that it was hard to really get anything from the story and, alas, I understand where the poor performance from Ms. Paltrow came from. Aesthetically, yes, this is one of the most visually decadent, artistic, incredibly beautiful films I have ever seen. The cinematography and art direction (both in extraordinary shades of green) are marvelous. These are the qualities which make the film worth watching and I suppose if you're a sucker for ham-fisted romance, the story will suit your purposes very nicely. The drama or realism never cuts skin deep, instead we are drowned in ridiculous, flight romanticism. Charles Dickens' novel is chopped into pieces, none of the gritty manipulation or character depth is included and hardly even mentioned (in tiring voice-overs by a wooden Ethan Hawke.) Luckily, though, the film does feature two incredible performances from both Anne Bancroft and Robert De Niro (both in supporting roles, stealing every scene from their younger cohorts.) If only the visual splendor had been fused together with the wonderfully brutal depth of the novel, we would have had one of the most brilliant film adaptations of all-time...well, this isn't. I do urge you to rent it (if only to see a very hot-looking Gwyneth in the nude) for the beautiful visual style and the possibility that it might peak your interested in Dickens' original novel. So, I guess the best way to describe this one is...Uh, not quite...even this, though (all visual style included), is quite an understatement for how unbearable and disheartening the final scene is. Just leave before the last five minutes and come back to watch the incredible art-work show with the ending credits ;).

The Governess (1998)

One of 1998's Best Films

[31 December 1998]

Why all the negativity about this utterly brilliant motion picture? First of all, Minnie Driver is absolutely splendid. The entire film is beautiful to watch, the story palpably intelligent and erotic. The characters rich and spellbinding. I was enraptured by the first 5 minutes and the story never let me down. Tom Wilkinson was excellent as was Harriet Walter. A definite must see for lovers of intelligent period pieces. Very reminiscent visually of Jane Campion's "The Portrait of a Lady" and Shekhar Kapur's "Elizabeth." Too bad the film (and especially Driver's performance) got so little attention when it was released this summer. Rent it, and then decide how you feel.

Set It Off (1996)

Good enough

[28 December 1998]

This film is not flawless. The characters make extremely vapid, insipid decisions during many of the plot's key twists. It still qualifies, I suppose, as far above a waste of time. Actually, my favorite part of the entire film was the opening bank robbery scene. Vivica Fox's dead on portrayal and the sheer terror of it make it vividly memorable. The film then takes us on an interesting journey (albeit the film is on a downward spiral from the start). The key story elements are unique, thought-provoking ones, the script is neither. I had a hard time caring one iota for either Jada Pinkett or Queen Latifah. Both respectable actresses in their own right, but conveying nothing substantial here. Therefore, the core of the film lies in the very ample hands of the aforementioned Vivica Fox and newcomer Kimberly Elise (dauntingly superb in this year's "Beloved") and they do excellent jobs of carrying the film forward. The beautifully constructed bank robbery scenes also help quite a bit. By the time it's all through, you realize you knew exactly where it was going. A nice finale (and I don't mean the final scenes involving Jada Pinkett escaping to Mexico, which were extremely useless and indulgent), though, helps to cover up the fact that the screenplay (complete with cliches about cops, the ghetto, etc.) was simply and mechanically going through the motions.

The Juror (1996)

Yeah, Demi can act

[8/10 · 24 December 1998]

Yeah, I know it's popular to diss movies like this and even more popular to diss Demi Moore. I'm gonna have to report, though, that Demi Moore IS the best thing about this movie and, as I have discovered, she CAN act. It's been a long time since I saw this film but I can still remember her wonderfully fierce, beautiful performance that rises above the pouty, mediocre script. I was also struck by her performance in "The Seventh Sign" (which was better written than "The Juror"). So, I guess what I'm trying to say here is, C'mon give her a chance, watch some of her films and decide for yourself. This may not be her best film, but it is one of her best performances. Oh yeah, other reasons to watch this film are nice supporting performances from Alec Baldwin and Anne Heche. Oh yeah, and if after watching this you don't believe that Ms. Moore can act, check out "Ghost" or "GI Jane" and then tell me that those are two of the gutsiest performances of the decade. So, take it or leave it...I guess it sounds like I'm a big fan of hers, which I'm really not, just sick of all of the trash talk that she can't act.

To Die For (1995)

Nicole Kidman is perfection

[24 December 1998]

Nicole Kidman is dynamite in this sharp, ferociously malicious comedy of sorts from master director Gus Van Sant. Full of wit and sublime intelligence, this is a MUST SEE. Also check out Joaquin Pheonix, Illeana Douglas, and Matt Dillon who are all excellent. Nicole Kidman shows once again (as she did in THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY, DEAD CALM, MALICE and THE PEACEMAKER) that she is the leading lady of the 90s to contend with. And this is her most ravishing performance to date.

Twelfth Night (1996)

A beautiful adaptation

[7/10 · 5 December 1998]

Trevor Nunn's beautifully photographed and acted, deftly written film is one of the most enjoyable adaptations of a Shakespeare play ever made. Helena Bonham Carter is pitch perfect as the beautiful Olivia, who in "deep mourning" for her dead brother, falls in love with Cesario (who happens to be a woman named Viola dressed up as a man, wonderfully played by Imogen Stubbs, the only actress I've ever seen able to create both a charming Viola and a totally believable Cesario), meanwhile Viola falls for the Duke of fictional Illyria (the exquisite Toby Stephens) who is desperately in love with the Lady Olivia. Meanwhile, Viola's lost twin brother (Steven Mackintosh of "Gentlemen Don't Eat Poets", excellent again here) winds up in Illyria and adds to the confusion. Wonderful, layered support comes from Ben Kingsley playing Feste, Olivia's fool. The only flaw, perhaps, is the few minutes before the conclusion when everything seems to be coated with a thick gloss of sugar; the film comes through this unscathed. Trevor Nunn comes through with an exquisite Shakespeare film adaptation (which is a do or die task). A great showcase for the heavenly cast featuring some of the best performances ever by Bonham Carter (save "Wings of the Dove"), Kingsley (in his best supporting turn ever), novice Stubbs, and Stephens. A very worthwhile effort. Rent it, you won't be let down.

I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)

Tedious Piece of Trash

[28 November 1998]

Ok, "I Know What You Did Last Summer" was a whole lot of fun. Sarah Michelle Gellar was awesome and the film as a whole, I thought, was somewhat underrated. "I Still Know" is an utter piece of trash! I don't even know where to start. I felt bad through the whole thing that someone as fine as Jennifer Love Hewitt was stuck in this awful film. The end is so convoluted that you'll want to puke up your supper right there in the theater and pray to God that there's not another sequel. Here's one example: There's a scene where Brandy falls through a glass ceiling into a small conservatory of some sort. Of course the doors that lead from this room to the hotel are locked with a chain. Jennifer Love Hewitt and another woman rush to her rescue. Then (oh my!) the man with the hook comes through doors that lead from outside into this little room and starts walking menacingly towards Brandy. All through this the other woman is fumbling through her keys to unlock the doors (remember "I Know What You Did Last Summer"??), then Jennifer's character runs over to a glass case, smashes it and grabs a fire axe to try to break the chain and or the doors (remember "Titanic"??). Then with the axe, Jennifer smashes the small glass windows in the doors and Brandy tries to crawl out (remember the awesome Rose McGowan stuck in the doggy door in "Scream"??). I'll leave the rest up to your imagination. All I really have to say, though, is that if a sequel has to rip off its original...that's pretty damn lame.

Armageddon (1998)

The worst piece of crap ever on screen

[1/10 · 14 November 1998]

I really don't think I'm being unfair by calling this film the worst EVER made. This type of film not only insults the audience, but also assaults them in every manner possible. The writing in this film is so horrendously fake, predictable, and manipulating, and the characters so absolutely cardboard and idiotic, that by the end of this "film" I was extremely insulted that the makers of this film have the audacity to spell out in every way possible what idiots film goers are...and we lap it up and ask for more! Knowing that this piece of crap made over $200 million dollars makes me sick to my stomach...we must be idiots.

To Have & to Hold (1998)

Excellent new show

[9 October 1998]

"To Have & To Hold" is a well done new show airing on CBS Wednesday at 9 PM CST. Moira Kelly (of "The Cutting Edge") is wonderful, a sure bet for major stardom, as is Jason Beghe playing a recently married couple. He's an Irish cop, she's an attorney. The second episode wasn't quite as good as the fantastic pilot, but it's sure to get much better and become without a doubt, one of the best shows on television.

City of Angels (1998)

Terribly disappointing; badly written

[25 September 1998]

I rented this movie a few nights ago really excited and very eager to watch it. I had heard some mixed feelings about it from some of my friends who had seen it but decided that I would probably like it. I was sadly and entirely disappointed. The script is one of the worst things I've ever seen put to screen. It totally ruins the sweet (if somewhat off-kilter) concept. Not one of the scenes is believeable or all that interesting. Many are laughable ["We all fit together" (If you've seen it, you'll remember the scene)....etc., etc.]. Meg Ryan does her best fighting against the horrible script and lodgy, clumpy story development, while Nicolas Cage, who happens to be Hollywood's least expressive actor, simply crumbles, not once is his portrayal the slightest bit believable or inspired. Aside from "Armageddon", this has to be the biggest disappointment of the year, stay away from it. Unless you don't mind an awful story and atrocious writing, that is.

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

Gothic Romance; Stellar Adaptation

[10/10 · 20 September 1998]

Francis Ford Coppola and Jim V. Hart deliver in so many ways on this wonderful, heart breaking film. Gary Oldman is the tortured demon, who for once is given a soul. Winona Ryder is the reincarnation of his long lost wife who becomes the object of his all-consuming desire. The production values are absolutely flawless in every category, the acting is all top notch (besides Keanu Reeves, obviously struggling), especially, Oldman, Ryder, Sadie Frost, and Tom Waits. The tragic, crushing ending is one of the most emotional Hollywood has ever created. A success on many different levels, and the most faithful adaptation of Stoker's timeless classic ever made.

Mary Reilly (1996)

Highly Entertaining

[9/10 · 7 September 1998]

This film was unfairly shoved under the carpet in its early 1996 release. It's a actually a beautifully made film with deep emotional undertones, good acting, and a steady story filled with drama, passion, and gothic tragedy. If you haven't read Valerie Martin's stunning novel that this film was adapted from, run to go get it. It's a wonderful, wonderful book, and Stephen Frears did a nice job directing the adaptation. Julia Roberts is surprisingly excellent as is the rest of the cast. Give this one a shot, you won't be disappointed. Grade: A-