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Reviews
Before Sunset (2004)
Terrific film in its own right
There are a lot of sequels out right now, and normally the major concern is, will this one hold a candle to the original? In this particular case, "Before Sunset" does not hold a candle to the original. It does not have to, since it IS the original. If I have never seen the first on, and only saw this, I would still think it is one of the most masterfully movies ever made. Yet, it is hard not compare the two in the context of the change of the characters. And even though the "younger" version was maybe more about romantic, this one has more of a sense of urgency. The whole movie, they had a lot less time to catch up than the last time, so they have to get more out in the open in shorter time, being more cautious adults this time. This is probably one of the few films your don't really have to see the original before. I know many people will disagree, but I compare it to listening a foreign opera with no subtitles: enjoy the emotion, understanding will come later. And as a side note, both the director and the stars (Delpy and Hawke) are producers and writers, which is yet another reason to see this film.
Mission: Impossible II (2000)
A lot better than the first one
Not bad. Really. Actually, quite smart, witty and sensuous, if these words can ever be used about an action flick. All of the credit goes to John Woo. He makes action movies worth watching. Nothing in this one is overbearing, the story line is actually existent, and the villain (Dougray Scott) actually seems smart enough to even be likeable on some level. Both Newton (Nyah) and Cruise (Ethan Hunt) are not stellar actors, but they have terrific chemistry together, and that saves the movie. Word to the wise, if you do not like action films, don't see this one. Don't look for great storyline and drama. As line from the movie `Corrina, Corrina' goes, "there is no THERE there". Save the video for rainy day.
She's So Lovely (1997)
It's that good
Movies that will never have an Oscar do not possess the following: 1. Extensive gripping plot of historical nature, or about a famous personality (read `The English patient,' `Braveheart,' `Titanic,' `Beautiful Mind') 2. Unreal or almost unreal plot twists (read `Lord of the Rings') 3. Clearly morally defined characters (read Billy Zane character in `Titanic;' Mel Gibson's character in any movie he is in). You either love them or hate them. 4. Long viewing time. 5. Sense of the plotline ending at the end of the movie (you pretty much can picture the life of Forrest Gump after the movie end, and you know what's going to happen to Rose from `Titanic', at least key things) The movie `She's so lovely' is a tale of Eddie (Sean Penn), a drunk with a mental problem, and Maureen (Robin Wright Penn), a drunk with lots of other problems. They are in love, he goes to mental institution, she is pregnant, but marries another, Joey (Travolta is for once in a movie he really belongs in, and does a terrific job). Ten years later, Eddie comes out and comes back for Maureen. All of these characters are semi-crazy, semi-abusive, semi-kind, semi-dumb. How can you love someone who hit his wife then tells her he loves her? And how can you not love that same person for being a dad to 3 little girls, one of them not his own? How can you forgive a woman for divorcing her husband while he is sick, and then not sympathize with her when she paid for it by 10 years of being separated from the man she loves? And what to think of a man who comes to take a woman from a family she made without him because he clearly sees her love for him? Penn's performance is as always vulnerable and smart. Wright Penn is the most under-appreciated actress of our time; I still cannot forgive the aforementioned academy for not even nodding her way with her brilliant performance in `Forrest Gump.' These two actors can act with their eyes alone, seems fitting that they are together also in real life.
Having said all that, `She's so Lovely' is clearly not an Oscar material. It's too real. It's too good.
Mondscheintarif (2001)
German film-making at its finest
Well, after having seen the Metropolis and Cabinet of Doctor Caligari, I thought the Germans cannot surprise me further with great films (and those movies are ooold). Der Mondscheintarif is much newer, has nothing to do with crazy doctors, like Caligari. There is a doctor, but young and handsome, and there is Cora, fittingly surnamed Huebsch (meaning "pretty" in German). She is looking for love, she finds it and then normal rules of dating come into play. This movie is remarkable for its plot. Finally, a movie about relationships from a true woman's point of view. This woman likes single life, likes sex, fun, friends, and in light of a new relationship is dumb-founded. And this truthfulness (wonderful feature of only German films today) adds spice, flavor, chic, whatever you call it that makes a good movie great. Watch it. This IS Oscar material, but trust me, it'll never get one.
Sliding Doors (1998)
great for those who love British films
Actually, in the recent years I've been trying to distance myself from what I call "my-cheeky-poo" movies, i.e., melodramas with no beginning to end with no sense of purpose. Only some successful few come to mind. One is of course "When Harry met Sally," another more recently, "High fidelity." Ultimatelly, they are both great comedy/romantic films. Then came "Sliding doors." It's catching enough to actually watch and care about Gwyneth Paltrow's life as Helen. I personally do not like her as an actress, but a woman CAN fake a great British accent, what can I say. John Hannah is superb, I totally believed him as a guy one can be comfortable with. The premise is also pretty good, gives you enough imagination to not recognize a somewhat familiar plot. Hey, I am not saying it's Oscar material, but I always liked movies that were not.