Reviews
Los amantes del Círculo Polar (1998)
IT IS A WONDERFUL FILM - SAVE FOR THE ENDING
I heartily concur with the praise heaped on this film. I found the story engrossing and captivating - but oh dear, I think there was a little stumble at the last fence. As the climax loomed I realised exactly where we were going - only the fatal mode of transport caught me out. For all its tenderness and humour elsewhere, the last minutes were leaden footed. Enjoy this film in all its glory, for it is a gem, but be prepared to finish with an 'oh, come off it'. I wasn't expecting happy ever after, there was enough previous pain and angst to indicate that this was not a likely outcome, but my disbelief was being suspended for a rather more original ending.
Schindler's List (1993)
A SINGULAR ACHIEVEMENT
I have only ever seen this film once, I only ever want to see this film once and I will only ever need to see this film once. It is etched on my mind. I, like many others, left in silence. I could not imagine inventing a critical analysis of this film, picking small points of detail or of style, or even scoring points off the Director. It stands alone as a monumental piece of cinema, a magnificent accomplishment.
Blade Runner (1982)
You're not helping ...
Aha, I DID see this first time around and I thought it was jaw dropping back then (but I was well into ploughing through PKDs entire bibliography at the time and firmly in possession of an anorak). Of course, I have spent the rest of my life trying to explain why I think Blade Runner is a Sci-fi tour-de-force to the unenlightened (which sadly includes my wife). You do spot the continuity gaffs with repeated watching and I'm still sure there is a discrepancy between the number of skin jobs supposedly on the loose (as initially briefed) and the number aired out (and I am including the one vapourised on escape). That said, there is sufficient gem quality material here to last a life time. I even found a reference to Blade Runner in an Oxford University text book on International Relations which sites its future view as redolent of 'radical neo-idealist ethical anarchy and urban decay'. There you have it - academic street cred as well. 10/10
Dark Star (1974)
WORLD'S GREATEST ELEVATOR SCENE
One of the classics in my collection but I only take it out once in a while as it does not take frequent watching too well - just now and again and it keeps its sparkle better. Aside from being a splendid achievement for college film makers, the script is spot on and the visual gags are (sorry) out of this world. The elevator scene is side splittingly funny! Take it for what it is - a thoroughly clever and humourous lark in space (with a taster of philosophy).
Shame about the Dodgers.
12 Angry Men (1957)
THE BARE ESSENTIALS - ACTORS AND A BRILLIANT FILM MAKER
This is indeed the one film I'd take if I could only take one! When reviewers say you can watch this over and over, they're not kidding. It is simply an exceptional story, performed by exceptional actors and filmed with exceptional skill. 10/10
The Piano (1993)
WATCH WITH YOUR HEART AND EARS
I thought I would chip into the very mixed debate on this particular film. I must confess, I adore this film. I am not a great devotee of either the director or the cast but their combined effect is greater than the sum of the parts.
Visually, it is a stunning piece of work - a succession of film canvases from sweeping landscapes to intimate portraits. Nyman provides fitting support with a score that picks up every sight and emotion. Written to accommodate Hunter's capacity as a pianist, the score's concerto expansion builds upon solid foundations and is to be recommended. None of this really guides you to why some people rave about this film.
This film may be about rampant feminism, Victorian values, the colonial backwaters and sexual repression but I doubt it. I simply take it as being about love, all-consuming passion -passion expressed in music, in physical love, in longing, sacrifice and in pain. Over analyse it if you want but I wouldn't dream of scraping the paint from a Turner any more than I would of deconstructing this film.
Every time Ada encounters her husband in the woods her eyes open wide and I have fallen into them a hundred times.