Fidelio-3 Reviews

The Return (2003)

Zenith of Todays Cinema

[10/10 · 2 April 2004]

Simply put, this is the greatest film made in a very long time. The film is dense with powerful images that will haunt you every waking moment, every sleeping moment. The boys give their soul and heart to this devastatingly beautiful film about sons reuniting with their long-lost father. As a child, I was abandoned by not one but two fathers (my mom remarried when I was 3). My two fathers were irresponsible and had problems with alcohol. The film captures the emotion of the boys perfectly and it really feels like this when you're abandoned by your father. I'm immeasurably impressed by the director's vision, the boys' tour de force performances, and some of the most stunning photography in the history of cinema. The ending with the black & white snapshots will punch you in the soul and you will weep. It is a very melancholy film with a very little use of dialogues. THE RETURN is my idea of what a perfect film is.

For another equally great film with the similar haunting tone dealing with children, check out Aoyama's EUREKA.

And Your Mother Too (2001)

A Refreshing Piece of Cinema - Full of Honesty, Passion & Life

[10/10 · 15 April 2002]

The lesser you know about Y Tu Mama Tambien, the better and more powerful your experience with the Mexican gem will be. What sparked me to write this little comment is reading the previous review written by Naturalhealer.

SPOILERS

Louisa has a perfect reason for giving up everything to see Heaven's Mouth. She doesn't give up for the sake of those two horny teens ... it's a more personal reason. I would have done the same thing if I was in her shoes knowing that my life is about to end. One last taste of freedom. To discover Paradise. What life is all about. That's Louisa's personal journey to find the answers. Sex serves multiple purposes in the film ... which I'm not going to get into. The film is mysterious just like life. I came out of the film feeling refreshed and it made me to look at my life in a different light. We don't realize that til the very last scene.

I should add that the film has more than a handful of scenes that will leave you haunted. The camera works are raw, brilliant, and gorgeous. The underwater scenes are lovely and poetic. In one scene, the camera floats to the back of a country hotel where we see an ancient woman dancing and a family of women cooking and another scene (my favorite) is when Louisa dances toward the beautiful boys drunk on tequila. I got "marked" possibly forever by Louisa's haunting gaze.

It's a very beautiful film - bursting with honesty, passion, and life. I'm going to see it again.

Wild at Heart (1990)

My All-Time Favorite Movie..

[7/10 · 20 October 1999]

I first saw WOH when it first came out and I liked it for its sheer fun and craziness. But nearly ten years later, the movie stays with me. And my love for WOH continues to grow. WOH is so bursting with life full of energy and passion. You will never forget the characters as long as you live - how can anyone ever forget Bobby Peru and his nasty teeth, the psychotic mom, and of course the most passionate screen couple - Sailor and Lula? This is the only hell I'd not mind visiting. This is not the movie to be taken seriously even though in my opinion, WOH is pure cinema. Let Sailor and Lula take you for a ride.. the ride you will never forget. WOH is not currently available on VHS or DVD which I think is a pure travesty.

"You got me hotter than Georgia asphalt." - Lula