metalawter Reviews

Shot in the Dark (2002)

A brave look at the humanity in our personal lives

[9/10 · 3 June 2007]

Amazing job Mr. Grenier! As a fellow "child of neglect," for the lack of a better term, I can promise you that there are thousands upon thousands in this world who can relate to this quest of yours for answers.

The results are wonderfully fulfilling. As a viewer and one who hopes, I love that the humanity you met in your family presents no black and white. All parties can be right and wrong and human. Everyone shown here involved in your life each had their share of wrong decisions which had an unfortunate result in your loss. We can't help but live with our hearts, sometimes to the detriment of our ability to think.

But hey - your choice to track down the past in the present, to face each character in your story and get their stories definitely gives you the right to take the role of "passive" off of your resume!

The few stills which dissolve into art were truly beautiful. It's how memorable moments should be seen in our minds and hearts.

You seem like a truly nice man and everyone in your family should be happy to claim you!

Da Vinci's Inquest (1998–2006)

This is a Canadian TV institution, eh?

[1/10 · 7 October 2006]

Clearly, I could not have been watching the same program to which all of these wonderful reviews are referring.

I came upon an episode recently very late at night on CBS and sat spellbound. Not because I found myself intrigued or even entertained, but because I thought I must have stumbled upon an awful Saturday Night Live skit and was wondering what it was doing on the wrong channel.

I recognized a number of the actors, all of whom I've enjoyed in the past. But honestly, I found myself having to almost walk right up to my television set to try and follow the so-called dialog. What is with the rambling, monotone mumbling with which every single line is delivered? I've been to Vancouver. I don't recall having difficulty understanding anyone. These people all seemed like they were in a race to deliver the most lines ever in the shortest space of time.

This was like watching The West Wing while having the flu and a goodly dose of Nyquil in your system. I can understand to some degree why this thing has almost cult status. You must feel quite amazed at yourself if you're able to follow the whole thing.

And similar to a problem I have with West Wing, I find it impossible to believe that everyone in one world speaks exactly the same way. There is absolutely no attempt to distinguish one character from another. On top of which, at least in the one episode I saw (and no, I could not stand to sit through the whole thing), emotions seemed forced and hokey. I had no interest in seeing who this show decided to make the guilty party. It was just too ridiculous.

I'll admit to being intrigued however, at the blanket admiration I am seeing on this board. Perhaps enough so to force myself to another try at watching this "best show ever, period" should I find myself up in the middle of the night with nothing better to do. I'll just have to hide the remote and find a bullet to bite down on.

Vigo (1998)

Julien Temple's inspired telling of French filmmaker Jean Vigo's passions, beautifully shot and acted, but sadly, overlooked.

[10/10 · 17 June 2002]

Sighhh.....I continue to be dismayed that "Vigo" never did better box office wise, and that more than a couple of critics seemed lukewarm or worse to it. I suppose I did have a positive "chick-flick" reaction to it as a love story. But I only like well done chick flicks!

I think that part of the problem is the pre-set attitudes mainstream film people may have towards Julian Temple. I've seen the documentary he did on the Sex Pistols, and "Absolute Beginners". They both left me scratching my head a bit. I love people who have range and take risks. He is CERTAINLY not a mainstream filmmaker! And yet, "Vigo" is an almost classically made thing of beauty. The cinematography was excellent and at times breathtaking, while never taking away from the flow of action. I was delightfully surprised by that, besides just being blown away by the performances of James Frain and Romane Bohringer especially. They were very well supported by the rest of the cast.

And this nonsense over English actors playing French characters! I've read more than one comment about that. Have you people NO imagination? If so, then stick to the History Channel or read only encyclopedias! Actors "act", they are not all doing reconstructed scenes for "Americas Most Wanted". These actors did a wonderful job at telling their story.

I really think that critics may have gone into this film with their own preconceived notions as to what needed to be said about Jean Vigo (as one may do with any bio-pic), and believed that Julian Temple couldn't deliver it. On it's own, disregarding a campaign FOR something comprehensive on Jean Vigo's career or AGAINST Julian Temple's, I believe that this film is a beautiful love story and a well told tale of a short life full of passion.