samuri5 Reviews

Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Recently Re-Watched HW...still powerful. DVD review

[9/10 · 22 August 2006]

I recall seeing the previews for this and thought "Oh God, they CAN'T make a Hollywoodized version of this tragedy." I had read Fergal Kean's book "Season of Blood," which detailed the horror and violence of this event. Kean was a correspondent for the BBC and provided perhaps the most detailed account from a Westerner's perspective. The book is harrowing and hard to get through. It's not pleasant, and with the images from his account still haunting me, I didn't trust Hollywood to do things right.

Thankfully, with Don Cheadle in the lead, and director Terry George at the helm, actively recruiting the involvement of the actual Paul Rosesabagina (portrayed by Cheadle), there was a responsible effort to NOT exploit the horror. I also think it was a good move to edit this to a PG13. Some scenes push the rating limit, but restraint allowed the events to emerge and not get overwhelmed by the violence. This film should be seen by young people, especially those who entertain themselves slaughtering thousands in realistic video games.

The DVD has a strong commentary by both Director Terry George and Paul Rusesabagina that is truly enlightening. This was an embarrassing event for the World, and the fact that the UN and Clinton Administration did not classify this as a "genocide," despite what news footage showed, is shameful. As I understand it, and as discussed on the commentary, if a genocide is recognized, the UN is REQUIRED to act and put it to rest. But politics of the time intervened. The Clinton Administration was still stinging from the mess in Somalia, and the UN really doesn't amount to much without the US providing military logistics.

A good companion piece to this is HBO's film "Sometimes in April," but it's far more brutal in its depiction of genocidal scenes. For a written account, find the above mentioned SEASON OF BLOOD; A Rwandan Journey by FERGAL KEANE, winner of the 1995 Orwell prize and published by Viking. Amazon or eBay should have it.

I'll show Hotel Rwanda to my kids, but I'm waiting a couple years until they are both over 13, since I think the age rating should be heeded. The character of Paul Rusesabagina as portrayed by Don Cheadle is truly a heroic one. Here's a guy who didn't set out to be a hero, he just took responsibility. Scenes with his family are truly painful to watch, and anyone with children can relate to scenes of children gone missing and the desperate search for them. This film is a nightmare, but since it happened, and we know we don't learn much from history, it's good to see the "other" side of war. This is bigotry at its worse, on par with the Holocaust. Had the victims been white, I'm sure the reaction from the UN and the West would have been far different. Thankfully, Hotel Rwanda doesn't wear accusations of racism on it sleeve, but it's clear, especially when white tourists are hand-escorted from the crowd by UN Soldiers, even nuns carrying children, the black children pushed from their arms.

This is certainly not a fun, dinner & date movie. It's not meant to be. It's quite a downer. I'd put it on par with The Killing Fields, Under Fire, and Salvador. There are a few films out there that can present serious events responsibly. Hotel Rwanda is one of the very few. No Rambo came to save everyone in the end. Tom Cruise doesn't hop from a tank or Porsche with a thumbs up and toothy grin. This story doesn't fit the Hollywood FORMULA.

Tragically, I don't think we've seen the final chapter to Rwanda's sad story yet. Many Tutsis had no choice but to return to their homes, many the site of the slaughter of loved ones, only to endure neighboring Hutsis returning, the same who actually killed their relatives. What writer can create such an ending? The New Yorker covered the "homecoming" of both victims and murderers a couple years back. I don't recall any follow up.

This film should be seen by young people. It shows how bigotry unchecked does destroy us as a species, and we cannot be defined alone by pigment or cultural heritage. It's cheesy, but we all bleed red. Thankfully, Hotel Rawanda chooses to not focus on the blood, which lesser filmmakers might have done.

Lady in the Water (2006)

Shyamalan Finally Hits Back...

[10/10 · 25 July 2006]

M. Night Shyamalan has the enviable/unenviable position of being an original. This can be a double edged sword. Having a huge hit such as The 6th Sense puts added pressure on such a relatively young filmmaker/visionary. For every Michael Bay, we need a dozen Shyamalans to bring balance to American film. The two are polar opposites, Bay driven my noise and chase, while Shyamalan respects the craft of story. He can still deliver a jolt in most unexpected ways, and there is no shortage of jolts here. I saw it last night and there were a few SCREAMS provided.

M. Night Shyamalan gives us depth. While the "blockbuster factories" stick with "the formula," with carefully calculated "plot points" occurring at specified moments, even PAGES, of a script, Shyamalan instead lets character and story drive his films, over chases and explosions and over the top, overloud soundtrack.

(okay, here's a SPOILER...skip this is you haven't seen it...)

His frustration with the smothering studio, dollar driven manufacturing heads is becoming the stuff of legend in Hollywood. This certainly is evident in Lady, especially given the treatment of the film critic and his monologue prior to his demise. There was a great giggly irony that Bob Balaban portrayed the critic, given his body of work and independent roots.

(minor SPOILER...)

Shyamalan makes great films. The Village was under-appreciated, as this film is already apparently destined to be. By casting himself in a pivotal role, I felt Shyamalan was speaking directly to audiences and critics and film execs. He could look them/us in the eye. He speaks of his "cookbook," his view of the world and what's happening in it. His films appear to be his "cookbook."

(end SPOILER alert)

Like Wells, Kurosawa, and Spielberg (lofty comparisons, I know, but I feel worthy), Shyamalan's "good" films are still superior to the typical mainstream films dumped into theaters. This, however, is beyond "good." I'm not sure it's his BEST, but compared to the noisy, plotted by numbers films cramming the other theaters, this is easily one of the better films this summer, and this has been a good year. Some soul seems to be returning to developing characters, most notably in Superman Returns.

Shyamalan makes a great plea for letting independent artists work independently. I hope the studios here it, if they are not deafened by the sounds of coins being dropped into the hopper. I wish this film great success. We need more high profile directors championing story over sequel.

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV (2000)

It IS what it IS and knows it...

[6/10 · 20 July 2006]

I tried to visualize what a story meeting for this would be like.

"Let's think of everything you CANNOT put in a movie these days...and DO IT!" (applause and agreement) However extreme your humor tastes might be...this will STILL make you squirm. This makes TEAM America look like Davey and Goliath.

If you have a total, annoying, political correctness extremist acquaintance, you can exact a satisfying revenge by screening this for him or her that might put an end to your relationship. And, be sure to read through the final credits. Perhaps the most creative laugh is contained therein (look for "famous movie lines").

Any film that casts Ron Jeremy as a religious town mayor must be worth a look. I hope Troma stays well. There's room for their brand of humor. Without extremes, we'd never know where the "middle" is.

Aquamarine (2006)

Excellent "Tweener" Film.

[9/10 · 12 March 2006]

I have two daughters, ages 10 & 12, and they loved this film. As a Dad who can't stand cheese, I found myself wrapped up in this very well made film. Hollywood seems to finally get the message that "family films" don't have to insult the intelligence of adults in the audience.

This film hits all the notes just right. It's predictable, but in a good way, but kids will go with it. I think this film will have "legs" (no pun intended, given it's a mermaid tale) and will get great word of mouth. It really is a tweener version of Splash, but very cute and fun.

What I liked best was it actually took the time to develop characters well. You really are drawn to and root for these kids and their dreams. It hits the notes just right, it's entertaining, and I laughed along with my daughters. It was a great time at the films, and there weren't the surprise "edgy" nods forcing profanity, sex, drugs, etc.. The writers and director knew who the audience was, and I feel made great efforts to RESPECT their audience. I'm not wimp when it comes to film. I can sit through overrated garbage like Hostel, but I appreciate a film that doesn't strain to be "edgy" and copy Tarantino any chance it gets. Regardless of rating, if the story is there, it will draw an audience. Simply put, this little film has a great story.

If you have kids, this is a fun, safe film. There's no profanity, some bullying (but in an appropriate way -- every film like this needs an appropriate antagonist), and no gratuitous nudity. The actresses really hold their own and create very believable characters. There are some serious emotional sequences as we learn some of the emotional baggage the characters carry, but at least these are handled well and not forced. Major cheesiness was thankfully avoided.

If you appreciate well made family films, this ranks up there with The Princess Diaries. And, the Hilary Duffs and Linsay Lohans now have some serious competition for tweener audiences. These young actors and actresses will certainly have higher profiles after this film's run.

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

One of the Best Comic Book Adaptations...

[11 July 2004]

One of the aspects needed for ANY decent story is a sense of characters, motivation for them, and personal CONFLICT. This film hits all the right notes. From the quick summary of S1 with the credits, the viewer is quickly brought right up to date. This film underscores how important it is to have an ACTOR in a lead, despite 1/2 of it being in costume.

Like Michael Keaton did for Batman, Maguire gives Peter Parker a soul. He creates a character we feel so much empathy for. But...the film doesn't slight supporting characters in the least. This very worthy, superior sequel should be required viewing for any screenwriting course. Note the character nuances, the CONFLICT each faces, their MOTIVATION. There is far more here than a guy wearing a black hat who kicks puppies vs. the white hatted hero. These are BELIEVABLE characters, despite the SPFX. Dunst, Molina, Franco, and of course, the incomparable Rosemary Harris as aunt May, keep the story and characters grounded in humanity. This is the greatest conflict, not the CGI FX, although they are stunning.

Add this in with the LOTR trilogy and Harry Potter films. Hollywood hopefully will take note. RELATABLE CHARACTERS drive great films. Not explosions, wacky, inappropriately humorous one liners, but CHARACTERS, and only great actors can deliver these.

The Fast and the Furious (2001)

Delivers the Unexpected

[15 February 2003]

I didn't expect too much from this film. I respect the presence Vin Diesel generates (most notably in Pitch Black, the only other film I'd seen him in besides Saving Private Ryan). The previews of this film made me believe it was another dumb, illogical car chase movie. I've always had a spot in my heart for the heat of street racing, having a 67 Camaro as my first car and muscling it whenever I could. It looked like another dumb, overproduced action film.

I was wrong.

While Diesel and Walker definitely jelled nicely and played off each other very well, credit to this must go to Rob Cohen and his team of photographers and soundmen. What's impressive is the feeling of speed this flick generates, and I saw it on HBO. I regret not seeing it on the screen with a major digital sound system.

The plot is so-so and rather predictable, but the real stars are the cars and the races, as well as an adrenaline pumping chase sequence during an attempted hijacking of a big rig. This has the best driving sequences since The Road Warrior. The attention to detail, from the design of the cars to the chirping of car alarms as drivers scatter from a police raid is inspired and humorous.

If you were skeptical of this film, give it a chance. It's not The Hours and doesn't aspire to be. It's 90 minutes of well paced entertainment I couldn't shut off when it started.

Rob Cohen is one of our most talented action directors. He's one to watch.