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Reviews
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Excellent film-making and acting
I saw this movie two days ago and the story just sinks deeper and deeper into my consciousness. This is a very outstanding achievement in storytelling, acting and directing. I am now beginning to cry for Ennis, Jack, and their respective families. I cry for the the ignorant who will not allow natural true love to exist. I cry for the innocent who are unable to change their fate. I cry for the loneliness of the many Enniss' of the world who are unable to live their god given lives. I cry for the many men and women who have died for being something other than heterosexual.
The Academy voters will give strong consideration to this great film. I am in awe of the magnificence landscapes and scenery. I felt as if I was on Brokeback Mountain. Mr. Ang's superb direction was extremely focused. The acting by all involved was especially pleasing. Mr. ledger and Mr. Gyllanhall should definitely receive Oscars for their performances. Ms. Williams was also exceptional.
Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005)
A series of very bad overdone clichés does not make a movie.
This was a really bad film. I believe the people who liked this film never apply a critical eye to anything or have not seen An Officer and a Gentleman, The Nutty Professor, The Color Purple, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, One Life to Live, General Hospital, As the World Turns, or any of the many televised soap opera. It is obvious that the writer and director have because they borrowed heavily from them. I felt the writer and director spent more time trying to create a film that would manipulate a canned audience than in writing and directing a good movie for all to enjoy.
At the very beginning of the film we meet a couple who on the surface appear to be a very happy and successful black couple. However soon we learn that it is all a facade. Not only are they not happy but the husband hasn't touched his wife in an amorous way in the last two years. I don't know about you but I think I could easily perceive the relationship is over at this point. But nooooooo! This dumb browbeaten, no self-esteem, physically abused idiot continues to think there is hope in this none existent relationship. Then when he finally confronts her in their home with his new love interest at his side she begs crying and screaming for him to let her stay. Now I don't think there are many women - especially black women who would have continued to subject themselves to this type of abuse. I mean she should have at least tried to whip the other woman. But no instead she's on her knees groveling and crying at the door like some deranged stray animal that has suddenly been displaced. This all happens within the first half-hour of the film. Everything goes downhill from here.
Then we are introduced to this obvious man in drag who delivers one of the most over top performance since the soap opera vignettes offered on the Carol Burnett show or the Milton Berle drag parodies. His character in this film actually negates the seriousness of the rest of the film. It was difficult for me to accept his character. His appearance usually followed or was followed by a more serious subject matter. It was difficult to accept the seriousness of the rest of the film when this over the top drag queen continued to pop-up in the story. Maybe they should have played this film as a straight comedy or cast a real woman in the Madea role. Madea's antics were ridiculous and mostly childish.
The rest of the film deals with the main character rebuilding her life and finding a new love. This film should have ended here. But no she decides to go back with her abusive husband after he meets a horrible fate and is combined to a wheel chair. There were so many things wrong with this film at this point. I did not understand her being so abusive to an individual who could not possibly fight back. Given all the "Christian values" extolled throughout this film how could the writer justify a character that was more abusive than her abuser. I actually thought I was watching a bizarre performance of scenes from Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. Where is Bette Davis when you need her? Her behavior was inexplicable. I probably would have been more accepting of this premise if this had happened soon after she was kicked out of her house. But no this occurs after she finds redemption and a new love and decides to allow him to have everything from their marriage. I would think the act of letting everything go would imply forgiveness. Not. The abuse was horrific and if I was her new lover I would constantly watch my back. This chick was certifiably NUTZ! What was even more appalling was an endorsement of her behavior by the film's Madea character as if revenge was a guaranteed right to all who had been abused. I'm sure that's what Jesus would do.
Now back to the new love interest. I don't think many men would have stayed around after being kicked to the curb the way she did him. The man was pouring his heart out during an unrequited marriage proposal. I am uncertain of the time line but a lot of things happened after she left the new love. The husband was healed of his paralysis, the cousin's daughter became a singer in the choir, the cousin's wife kicked her drug addiction, and the mother and daughter gave a commanding performance in the church. (Was the drug addicted wife hanging out at the juke joint/rehab before her church appearance?) At this point I felt as if I was watching the final act of a really bad play. Close huh? I was actually watching a really bad movie.
If you have nothing else to do for a couple of hours maybe this movie will serve as a good time waster because it definitely wasted my time.
Sugar Hill (1993)
Excellent Film
I thought this movie was the equivalent of any Greek tragedy. The acting was superior. The plot was compelling and a grand feat in storytelling. I was deeply moved by the performances of all the actors. Wesley Snipes, Michael Wright, Clarence Williams III, and all were extremely effective in delivering the emotionally charged performances. This movie is a classic. It ranks with the Godfather in the story and acting categories. Although the scope and scale was a lot smaller and intimate the movie was still capable of delivering the emotional impact as a film like the Godfather.
I quickly added this to my collection after the first viewing. This is a movie makers movie. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to see a urban drama played out as Greek tragedy. I was especially touched by the acting.
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
No Plot
There is not much of a narrative to this film. Instead you get too many scenes of gratuitous violence and suffering. I'm am not a religious person therefore my comments are solely based on the film as a film. Apparently the director was expecting the audience to have PR-knowledge of this story. I didn't. The film never helped me to understand why people believed this man to be the son of god. I never understood why he was eventually crucified other than the fact that he defied the laws of that time by declaring he was the son of god. I feel the director could not see the forest for the trees. Apparently he was too far into his understanding of religion to provide a narrative that was sufficient enough to enable the less versed to follow the story. I have seen other religious films that have better conveyed this story (King of Kings for example). I ma amazed that people actually paid to see this trash. I saw it for free and wanted my money back.