Change Your Image
aafine
Reviews
Velvet Goldmine (1998)
Images Good Story Bad
I agree with the reviewer who said the images stay with you long after you've seen it. Very true. I also enjoyed the glam soundtrack--especially the use of the Eno songs. However, the film tries to do too much. While the images are striking, the film fails to offer any in-depth emotional involvement, partly due to the division of screen time between too many (almost interchangeable) male characters, none of whom are very sympathetic or likeable. Another problem is the wretched singing of Ewan McGregor's character (I'm not sure if it was really Ewan or not, but either way it's baaaaaad) and the lack of charisma of the Bowie dude--a fatal problem for a character who's meant to represent the ultimate in pop stardom. Also there are ridiculous UFO allusions. The Wilde references were appropriate and welcome. Basically a sensationalistic gay melodrama, which may be your cuppa tea or not.
Le salaire de la peur (1953)
A Masterpiece
The first time I saw this amazing film I was first fascinated by the photography, the locale, the development of the all-too-human characters, and as the plot thickened I became glued to my seat, then wriggling with the unbearable suspense. After it's all over, you're left with a lot more than a sigh of relief--it leaves you thinking, and you remember the characters as if you knew them. One of the top ten movies I've ever seen for its ruthless existentialism coupled with pure entertainment value. The second time I saw it it was....almost as good.
The Tango Lesson (1997)
Self-indulgent and embarrassingly bad
Probably encouraged by admirers of her much-better "Orlando", Potter here delivers a vehicle for herself in the worst way: she writes, directs, stars, and actually co-writes the music, including a mawkish love song. The film strongly resembles a high school or college project by a teenager convinced that her own intimate loves and melodramatic obsessions are as fascinating to us as to her. But Potter's character is as unsympathetic as the object of her romantic obsession is unlikable, and the whole film is an embarrassing display of narcissism masquerading as a celebration of the tango. Perhaps if she hadn't cast herself it might have worked. She just can't act, whether playing herself or not. Pretentious, over-ambitious, dull, and silly.
Sydney (1996)
beautiful
A beautiful study of the intersection of character, environment, and personal history, displaying P.T. Anderson's great crossing of cool (brain, strategy, starkness) and hot (love, passion, sadness, etc.). With superb cameo by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Truly interesting from beginning to end.