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Reviews
Inferno (2002)
not good but not bad (minimal spoiler)
No, this is certainly not an award winner, it doesn't even come close to Dante's Peak or even Volcano (another two of my favs) - yes, there is some pretty bad acting (I do NOT include the two leads in that) but I'm a sucker for these types of movies and I am definitely a fan of Janet Gunn ever since her days on Silk Stalkings. Jeff Fehey ain't half bad either *grin* I prefer to watch a movie on its own merits and while this seems more like a TV movie it is nowhere near the worst movie I've ever seen. I enjoyed the initial chemistry between Gunn & Fehey. I got girly goosebumps when Mom & Daughter find each other again. And I have always applauded any try at showing what firefighters (of any kind) put on the line each and every single time they hit that line. *shrug* Don't be a film critic. Just enjoy what's to enjoy in the movie and take the rest with the proverbial grain of salt.
Andromeda (2000)
Comments on (parts of) comments
Within one of the comments was this statement: "Is it a light space romp with plenty of humor? Is it a serious take on a potentially exciting premise? Is it experimental? Is it space opera? Unfortunately, the answer is 'All of the Above'."
But isn't that what (real) life is? Just because it's "fiction" and set somewhere out in time doesn't mean it shouldn't reflect what real life reflects - humor, seriousness, experimentation, operatic and at times just plain confusing.
Someone also said that the series lost its premise for a while - which at the time the comment was made might have been the case, but now that the show is, alas, finished, we can/should see in hindsight that every story line had its purpose, its connection to "the point of it all." Which means the show succeeded in obtaining what should be the ultimate goal of any show of this type - storytelling at its best, with a beginning, a middle and an end.
My own personal favorites? Trans-Gemini, of course, and her connection to the Route of Ages and "her sun" - energy at its most basic and powerful form.
House of Cards (1993)
THE most fascinating film I've ever seen...
This is a multi-faceted story with so many nuances that it doesn't surprise me that so many people who watch it miss most of them.
While watching this on IFC (Independent Film Channel), I was perusing the user comments and wondering where I'd fit in, once I'd reached the end of the film. I don't fit anywhere, really. I knew from about 45 seconds into the film where this child was going (to the moon, for her father). Exactly 44 minutes into the film Ruth tells the doctor her daughter is NOT autistic. He says "No, she's not, but..." So you see never once is this child "diagnosed" autistic. Jake the doctor and Ruth the mother are seeking the same goal, from completely different points of reference. They are BOTH right - but in the end it's the mother (who is herself "special") who has the better instincts - and it's that wondrous architectural "House of Cards" that ultimately brings her daughter back.
Key scenes? There are so many I hesitate to list any of them, but here are a couple: The American Indian construction worker who "rescues" Sally from the beam (or whatever it's supposed to be) and communicates with her on some silent, almost mystical, level was beautiful to behold.
Sally's softball catch was a REAL clue, as was her retrieval of older brother Michael's plane from the roof and her foray back onto the roof for the softball. From her fearless internal world she was able to do what most of us cannot.
All of the actors were terrific, but I think Tommy Lee Jones' portrayal of the troubled doctor was superlative, as most of his portrayals are.
If you decide to give this film a shot - PLEASE - pay real attention to the details. Without them you'll never get "the point."
The Guys (2002)
The hardest 9/11 gut-wrencher I've ever seen. Brilliant.
I am watching the film as I type this - and have read the other reviews. Revbgreer's eloquent comment pretty much says it all; but I have to add that this film is not about heroes; it is about the healing that is still (in Aug 2004) taking place. If anyone "out there" thinks the healing is done, please think again. It took one day, one hour, for the events to take place - it will take years, if not decades, for the healing to be "deep enough" to be considered "cured."
This is essentially a "talking heads" story, but I've never seen a more powerful one. The subtle nuances of facial expressions by LaPaglia and Weaver are nothing short of uncanny, and I think this is due to the fact that, while the characters may or may not be "real," certainly the essence of the characters is very real - they represent each and every person who had any kind of thought or feeling about the events of 9/11. Revbgreer was THERE, after the fact, giving solace and listening - just listening. It is also about the journey of grief taken by "sideline" survivors and those of us who wanted to do something, anything, but simply couldn't think of what to do - or felt the ability to give wasn't there. It *was* there - in the thoughts, tears, aching hearts; in the voracious reading of everything written; the days and days of being tethered to the television set, not wanting to be unleashed, not yet ready to "move on" to our day-to-day lives.
One does not just "watch" this film; one must also "listen." Hear - and listen - and be sad, cry and rejoice in the listening - rejoice in the "everyday stories" of everyday people - made "heroes" by mere circumstance.
Thank you, Anne Nelson, for writing this. Thank you to the producers, Lisa Diamond, Jason Kliot, Gretchen McGowan, Edward R. Pressman, John Schmidt, Bonnie Timmermann, Joana Vicente, who enabled the making of it and to Director, Jim Simpson, for letting it be what it was meant to be. And thank you to Anthony LaPaglia and Sigourney Weaver for portraying - "us."
Squanto: A Warrior's Tale (1994)
Inaccuracy aside, this film teaches
This is not a documentary so I can forgive the time-line inaccuracies. But it does tell a story that is based, at least in part, on a real human being, brave, intelligent, life-loving. To have suffered the loss of dignity through kidnap and slavery and then, when finally returned home, the additional heartache of the fate of not only his family but of his entire tribe, he continued to give of himself, no matter the purpose of his generosity. This movie may not teach history correctly (although it at least tries to include the people who most influenced Squanto), but it DOES teach children values... the value of treating people with dignity; the value of freedom; the value of humanity; that slavery is wrong; that war, even if necessary, is a "last resort." For teaching these things alone I recommend this movie.
Volcano (1997)
I am not ashamed to love this movie.
First and foremost I love disaster movies - not for the disaster but for the admittedly sappy message that man helping man is the ultimate goal. Volcano, for me, shows the dedication of the police, fire and EM departments of any city, state, country. Since I'm writing this AFTER September 11, 2001 (which no one believed could happen either), the movie (which I am watching as I type) means even more. Every time I see those firefighters with their hoses trained on the lava - and the ensuing helicopters, the goosebumps just rise to the occasion. This is approximately the 10th time I've seen this movie (I also own it). I don't care that so many don't like it. I'm not at all embarrassed by the emotions this film wrings out of me. Living so close to New York City I know people who lost people on 9/11/01. There's nothing sappy about acknowledging the heroism we saw on 9/11 - and this film, ironically made before 9/11, is not ashamed to show it either. Good for them. Good for Tommy Lee. Good for Anne Heche. And how sorry I am for those who watch this movie yet do not see.
The Iron Giant (1999)
Extraordinary
Simply one of the best movies I've ever seen. Unlike so many animated tales, this one actually teaches (both children AND adults) while it entertains. TV Guide gives it a 4 (out of 5) star rating. And it isn't even a Disney movie. By the time you finish watching this film you will have 1. laughed yourself silly; 2. smiled till your cheeks ache; 3. shaken your fist; 4. Stood on your feet and cheered; 5. Cried your eyes out; 6. Fallen in love - with a very large Robot. I hope anyone who has not yet seen it will go the extra mile and buy it, rent it, borrow it - but watch it you must. I absolutely promise you will bless the day that you do.