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Reviews
Zero Effect (1998)
Where's the Planetarium?
I couldn't find the planetarium in the Movie. I saw it on TV so I can't back it up to check the name, but it was something like MacRidges or MacFadridge, Does anyone know if there is really such a planetarium or did they make up the name? It would seem silly to do so. I did enjoy the movie, and to me too it seemed a precursor of Monk. I also don't think we'll ever get bored with the Holmes and Watson combination theme either. Overall a great whodunit with plenty of plot twists and foreshadowing. Ben Stiller was great as usual in his supporting role. I wouldn't mind seeing a Zero 2 myself. I was impressed with the directing and also the photography in this movie. It was clear, easy to see, and therefore easier to follow the plot.
The Nativity Story (2006)
Enjoyable and Biblically Accurate
Sectarian ratings for this film weren't quite high enough for me to to see this film under normal circumstances. But due to the subject matter and the timeliness of the opening, my family and I went to see it two days before Christmas.
We were very pleased with the movie and found it enjoyable and inspirational. It's biblical accuracy was very reasonable, and the dialog and supporting story line were very plausible.
The filmography was excellent. I rate it a 9 instead of a 10 because I think the director missed the opportunity to display more of the angelic interaction that took place in the bible. I'm assuming they wanted to tone it down and make it look a little more "realistic". But either you believe it or you don't so bringing out the heavenly chorus wouldn't have hurt a thing.
The World According to Garp (1982)
Artistic Triumph
I consider this one of the best movies ever made. I rate it up there with Citizen Kane, Twelve Angry Men, and other such classics. The difference is "The World According to Garp" (Garp) isn't a typical drama.
One cannot truly appreciate the symbolisms, metaphors, ironies, and foreshadowing without seeing the movie several times. Garp, like most movies based on books, takes artistic license from the novel.
Garp, played by Robin Williams, is the bastard son of Jenny Fields (Glen Close), an extremely independent and idealist woman. One of the first ironies is that such a woman who rejects men in her life would have a son.
Jenny, a nurse, is under the impression that men are guided mostly by their sexual desires and as such are untrustworthy and highly suspect. Jenny does want a child however, and decides the solution to having a child without the bother of a relationship with a man, is to have sex with a dying airman.
Please note that the father being an airman plays a determining factor in the life of Garp. This is reflected many times throughout the movie in life and in symbolism. A beautiful thread is the beginning of the movie where Garp as a baby is being tossed repeatedly into the air (sky background), then several more times during the movie and finally at the end where Garp is being medevaced via helicopter to a hospital.
Sex might be the most dominant theme, with such sub-themes as...
...the illegitimacy of Garp ...the infidelity of both Garp (implied) and his wife ...the rape and mutilation of a young girl (Helen James) ...the development of a self-mutilating cult of Helen Jamesions ...transexuality (John Lithgow) ...prostitution
Death is the second most theme, with such sub-themes as...
...the death of Garp's father (a flier) ...the death of Garp (implied) (flying) ...the death of Garp's son (a result of two sub-themes, sex and flying)
Garp decides to become a writer, Jenny Fields is an indomitable force throughout the life of Garp and becomes more so after writing her own book, "Sexual Suspect". The book becomes a "manefesto" creating a cult of women in society who reject men in their lives. The cult also integrates the Helen Jamesions sub-cult.
As with any movie, watch it before reading the book. As another reviewer said, this is a textbook example of how to make a movie based on a book.
The only exception to this rule I ever found was Steven Spielberg's "Carrie". While I am fond of Steven King's books, reading "Carrie" was a disappointment after seeing the movie.
Additionally, I need to add that this is a very enjoyable movie to watch, light-hearted and full of hope at times, humorous at others. Watch it at face value the first time, enjoy it, then watch it over and over and appreciate it.
My Pal Trigger (1946)
Blast from the Past
Roy Rogers was the epitome of the stylized singing cowboy of the mid 20th century. This movie and others with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans are probably better received by those who have an understanding of the real relationship and lifestyles of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans off screen.
Typically the Roy Roger movies and television series were very stylized between black and white morality. This movie breaks the mold to the extent that while at heart, Roy plays an honest cowboy, his solution to being falsely arrested is to become a fugitive from justice. He also forces his way into a barn on private property when his mare goes into foal and fights the owner and ranch hands when they insist that he leaves.
As with most "hero" movies, the truth comes out in the end when Dale Evans becomes to believe in Roy's innocence which is ultimately proved and the bad guys go to jail.
On the surface this movie had Roy's fancy clothes and saddle, pistols and rifles, beautiful horses, cowboy singing, and even a square dance on horseback. By the 1940's, this was one version of the west that the movie companies presented to the public.
As a side note, it is always interesting to reflect upon the style of any movie made just before, during, or after the depression or WII.
La vita è bella (1997)
Artistic Achievement of Excellance
Is spite of its immediate success, "Life is Beautiful", is destined for even more significant greatness. This movie will stand the test of time. The picture is a swirl of metaphors, symbolisms, contrasts, and foreshadowing.
The movie starts with one man's extremely carefree life, a comedy. The movie in contrast concludes with the same man's sacrifice and agony, a tragedy.
I'd highly recommend this movie for a film appreciation class. A close study in a group setting would be very enlightening and entertaining for all.