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Reviews
The Romance of Robert Burns (1937)
Campy...
...but cute.
The plot is obvious, but it's only 16 minutes long! It's the "history" of the song Auld Lang Syne.
It's worth seeing, if only to catch a couple of glimpses of Jean Armour! And it's fun to watch "Robbie" take the upper class of the time to task for being the snobs they are (were.)
The fight scene is staged terribly. The dialog is contrived. (People didn't REALLY talk that way in Ireland {or anywhere else,} did they?), but it was entertaining, nonetheless.
If all you have is 16 minutes to watch a film, and TMC happens to be showing it, watch it.
The Final Cut (2004)
I don't understand why people underrate this film
It blows me away that the IMDb rating on this film is so low! I agree with Linda Stuurman's review - this may be the best acting Robin Williams has done to date, and the writing and directing are superb. I gave this film a "9" rating, but I'm not exactly sure why I didn't give it a ten.
This movie is as innovative as Momento. The ideas presented are unique to me, the sets and cinematography are innovative.
The whole concept of seeing through someone else's eyes is fascinating (and one I have contemplated many times over.) In one portion of the movie, one man questions whether Robin's character changed the color of a boat in his brother's "rememory" to green. He remembers the boat as red. I have always wondered if each of us really sees the same color when we look at something. We have the same name for whatever color we see because others have given us the word for that color. But Omar brings my question to the world.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. See it and judge for yourself.
Crash (2004)
A must-see film that is sometimes hard to watch
This movie is disturbing and dark. You could call it a horror film, but it's based on how our society (American) exists in too many places today.
Blind anger. Anger without thought. What it does. How it affects others. It's scary how people treat each other in this movie. And yet, I can see it all happening in the "real" reality (not what is called "reality" on TV.)
Don Cheadle is soft, hard, caring, and very conflicted. His character is caught up in events he cannot control. Sandra Bullock plays out of character - a woman who is just angry and scared. No one seems to notice enough to care.
Shaun Toub plays an Persian who appears to distrust and hate anyone who is outside of his family. He has blind rages. He doesn't see others as real. They are just in his way.
The other characters are played just as real, and the situations are believable. And they took me to places I didn't want to go.
Every day, I see people wandering around in their heads - that is, they are too busy thinking about what happened yesterday, or the performance review meeting they have with their boss next week, or the fight he or she had with his/her spouse this morning. Too many people living somewhere other than the moment. Not seeing what (or who) is around them. Not letting those people in.
When something happens to break their concentration, many of these people react with anger or disinterest. Polite gestures by others go unnoticed - no response ("thank you") for someone holding a door open, or for someone opening a hole in traffic.
What kind of interruption is necessary for these people to come into the moment and recognize that there are other people around them with needs, desires, dreams, and many of the same issues that you or I have to deal with? To see them as people, and to treat them with respect and courtesy?
As I said, this movie can be hard to watch. Go see it. Then go out and be that "interruption" in people's lives. Bring them into the moment, even if it is just to say "Hello" and and make eye contact. Let them know that you recognize them as a fellow human being, not really any different than you or me. Maybe if enough people do that, we can turn things around on this planet.
The Interpreter (2005)
Well worth seeing
Sean Penn is a chameleon, and one of our finest actors. In this film, about a U.N. interpreter (Nicole Kidman) who overhears what might be a plot to kill an African dictator, Penn moves from untrusting and not particularly sober to an intense Secret Service agent trying to understand what (and who) is behind the plot (or even if there IS a plot.) He shifts from frustrated to soft and gentle, from angry to caring with such ease and grace. His character is very complex, and is played well.
Ms. Kidman, another fine actor, plays a woman who has secrets, but wants to make the world a better place through her work as an interpreter. Her character is secretive, smart, scared, and, sometimes, heavy.
I enjoyed the dance of the two characters with each other, as well as the intelligence of the plot. I don't like to be pandered to in movies of intrigue. This one was fun and not easy to figure out.
The scene bridging shots of New York City from directly above the streets are excellent. The music (James Newton Howard) kept me on the edge of my seat.
It was money well spent.
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
THE movie of 2004
I saw The Aviator, as well as all the other movies nominated as best picture for the Academy Awards. The Aviator was top of my list until today. This movie is one of the most stirring I have seen in a long while. The acting is superb. Hilary Swank was incredible. Not to take away from the amazing job Cate Blanchett did in The Aviator, but Hilary gets my vote above all the rest. Clint is among the best there is today at making movies. The cinematography is wonderful - the use of lighting is excellent. The use of silence is outstanding. And Morgan Freeman continues to blow me away! I laughed and cried(hard)with the characters, and marveled at the performances of the actors.
Ya gotta see this one! It'll tear your heart out.
Good Fences (2003)
Not a good movie
I was true to my regard for Mr. Glover and Ms. Goldberg. I watched the entire film with my family and some friends. I have no idea what the movie was about. After much discussion, we all agreed that this was not one of their better efforts.
It doesn't hang together very well. It is too choppy, and there is little comedy. I am disappointed. It could have been much better.
I waited months to see this film based on the liner notes.
Don't waste your money unless you are a completist and just want to see all of Mr. Glover's and Ms. Goldberg's films.
It was a poor way to spend an evening.
Signs (2002)
An excellent movie with a few surprises
M. Night Shyamalan has done a wonderful job of taking somewhat mysterious events and weaving them into the lives of an ex-minister, his children, and his brother. I'm glad Mr. Shyamalan didn't chicken out on the concept and what it might mean. Mel Gibson does a great job of portraying a man who has died while still alive.
The story is intelligent and the cinematograpy is captivating. A thoroughly enjoyable movie!
Enough (2002)
An intense flick!
J-Lo is low key, but determined to save hersef and her young daughter from a husband who gets what he wants, no matter what it is. And he will do whatever he thinks it will take. Billy Campbell and Noah Wiley are fun to watch as TV good guys gone really bad. I love the part of Jupiter; it is unfortunate that the part was not more substantial. The best aspect of the movie is that J-Lo's character, although a waitress, is extremely intelligent. The steps she takes for protection are clever and well thought out. Viewers may question why she doesn't just blow the guy away, but I think that she would have a hard time explaining how she got a gun, since she never had one before. Besides, I think she got beter closure her way! The audience clapped at the end of this one.