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Reviews
Eye of the Beholder (1999)
underrated
I'd seen a lot of bad reviews of this movie, but I watched it anyway. I think the reason it was not well received is that the marketing for the movie created expectations that it was a very different type of movie than it really is. It's sort of billed as a thriller about a murderess and a man who is obsessed with her, but it doesn't have the fast pace and the same level of gruesome violence that many popular thrillers have these days. It's really a much more thoughtful and slower paced film that's more about obsessive attraction and loss than it is about murder or anything like that. I was surprised how much I liked it. It really should have been marketed to an art house audience and not a mainstream theater audience.
The movie was nicely shot. The characters were interesting people on the edge of insanity. Ewan McGregor's portrayal of a man starting to lose his mind was subtle, but convincing. It wasn't the raving madman stereotype you see so often in movies. The emphasis on the characters' astrological sun signs was an unusual and refreshing touch. The movie didn't go deep enough into astrology to really explain their motivations, but if you know astrology, you will see that the characters did reflect some of the keywords associated with their sun signs. As a student of astrology, it was really fun for me to see an astrological theme in a movie.
By the way, in case you don't really like violent movies (as I don't), close your eyes through the one pretty gruesome scene near the beginning of the movie, and the rest is not that bad.
Blue Juice (1995)
gnarly, dude
Even though I do live in Santa Cruz, I'm not particularly interested in surfing or surf movies, but still, I really enjoyed this one. The theme of being at a stage in life where you start wondering what you're going to do with it other than partying, what's really worthwhile in life, and what your values are struck a chord with me. It's a pretty universal one. I certainly know a lot of people that have dealt with it or are dealing with it right now.
The scenery of Cornwall was gorgeous. So was a very young looking Catherine Zeta Jones. The movie is beautifully shot. It was also very humorous, especially when you know lots of people like the characters in this film. It struck me as very true to life. Ewan McGregor really made me laugh as a drug dealing hippy dude who secretly just wants to be respected. I kept thinking "didn't I see that guy at a Dead show once?" The whole film kind of reminded me of Santa Cruz with an English accent.
Shallow Grave (1994)
well done, but not my type of movie
This actually is a very well made, suspenseful thriller. It started off kind of innocent and funny and the story built until it twisted into something rather startling and horrible. The acting was wonderful.
With all that said, I didn't really like this movie. I don't like violent films, especially when they have no hero but just a bunch of rather despicable characters. From the very beginning, it was rather clear that the "friends" in the movie really didn't care all that much about each other and were rather heartless, so it was kind of hard to care much about their fate anyway.
Actually, the only reason I watched this movie is because I'm a huge fan of Ewan McGregor and I liked the other Danny Boyle films he's been in, "Trainspotting" and "A Life Less Ordinary". Ewan's acting was top-notch as usual in this film, but I really didn't need to see THAT. It would spoil the film if I said what THAT is referring to, but you'll know if you see it.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
not funny at all
The glamorization of evil people in this movie was appalling. I nearly switched it off in the middle. I barely made it through the movie. I had heard it was great and I kept waiting for the good part and it never came. I didn't find it funny. I found it a sad comment on mass culture.
Yellow Submarine (1968)
Perfect!
I first saw this movie when I was 3 and it was on its first run in theatres. It has endured as my favorite movie ever through all the years and at least 20 viewings. The colors and animation are beautiful and they work flawlessly with the Beatles' wonderful music. The humor is witty and clever in a groaning, pun-stricken sort of way. And the message is, quite simply, one of the deepest truths of this solar system. Really. Love.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Opulent and toe tappin'!
I loved this movie. It was visually stunning - well worth seeing on the big screen or you'll miss some of the loveliness and glitter. It made me want to dance in my seat. Interesting renderings of some very familiar popular tunes. Ewan McGregor was adorable in this film. Nicole Kidman was beautiful as always. If you like dancing and singing and eye candy, you'll love this.
One caution: if you don't like those old Hollywood musicals where the plot is just basically an excuse for a lot of singing and dancing to occur, and wouldn't like them with updated music, either, then don't see it. I happen to love those movies and wish they were made more often these days. I'd compare it to "Hair" or "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" for being a fun musical with modern music.