Pates Reviews

Sliding Doors (1998)

Creative, thought-provoking & well done.

[10/10 · 1 January 1999]

A good movie for relaxing after work when you want to be absorbed and amused. If you don't over-analyze the plot and just enjoy it like a good Star Trek episode, accepting the premise, it's excellent and can hold one's attention until the very end...and beyond.

Truly excellent "best friend" supporting roles are played by Turner and McFerran. (McFerran was particularly funny and I found myself waiting for scenes in which he appeared because he was so much fun to watch). I was impressed with the casting, Paltrow was excellent as were the two leading males, and it appeared that a great deal of thought went into all aspects of the film, unlike so many over-billed blockbusters. Even the soundtrack is good, with some obscure bands (particularly check out "Thank You" by Dido, plays during the credits - similar to Sarah MacLachlan).

White Man's Burden (1995)

Excellent because of its ability to disturb.

[8/10 · 1 January 1999]

Although on the surface a stupid, simplistic and "unrealistic" film, there is much more to the film. If the roles were reversed and every black character was played by a white and every white by a black I would be bored to tears, the film would never have made a dime, and we'd all hate it with justification. However, it was this very realization, during the film, which made me respect its message. Because the roles are completely and totally reversed, swapping black and white character for character, the film is disturbing. It's almost painful to watch. Ask yourself while you're watching how you're reacting and how the reaction would be different if there were no race reversals. Maybe that's because of the stereotypes we have in place and the roles we do play in the world - if it were just another story about a black man down on his luck we'd all yawn but because it's a white man and all of society is reversed, we watch, we wonder how it will play out, and we're bothered by it. I analogize the film to Planet of the Apes in some ways because of its ability to make us step back and take a look at society in a different way entirely. It is not as well done as Planet of the Apes but is worthwhile.

Planet of the Apes (1968)

Not the '60's & '70's cheesy film you may fear!

[10/10 · 1 January 1999]

No one I know under 40 had seen this film, though we all joked about it as being a stereotypical "bad" film based on rumors. the title, and clips seen here and there. Finally one weekend when I was working until 2:00 a.m. I went home and there was a sequel on late night TV, during the 30 year Planet of the Apes marathon. It made me curious about the original and I tracked it down. I have to say it blew me away!

The film is philosophical, creative, absorbing and scary. Excellent commentary on religion and just about everything else. I strongly recommend to anyone who has not seen it. So far I haven't even been able to convince my friends to see it because there seems to be such a strong prejudice against it and some sort of entrenched belief it must be bad; in fact it is one of the finest films I've seen and I can see why it is a classic.

If you enjoy films that make you think you simply can't dislike Planet of the Apes.