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Reviews
Eight Below (2006)
Nowhere as good as the original Japanese film
With all of the technical advances that are used in movie making today, I looked forward to watching "Eight Below", which unfortunately turned out to be a so-so Hollywood rip-off of the award-winning Japanese film, "Nankyoku Monogatari" (aka "Antarctica"). Disney turned a grim drama about abandonment and survival into bland, feel-good fluff for the masses, complete with an unnecessary romantic subplot, and equally unreal main character who is willing to singly go on a suicide mission to find his dogs.
What actually happened was this: while on expedition, two Japanese researchers, Ushioda and Ochi, released their two lead sled dogs (Taro and Jiro) in hopes that the dogs would understand that they had to seek out and bring back a rescue party. And that is just what the dogs did: they found the main base and led a rescue team in the nick of time to save to Ushioda and Ochi from certain death.
Afterwards, Ushioda and Ochi left behind 15 sled dogs for use by the people of the next scheduled expedition that was supposed to arrive the day after Ushioda and Ochi evacuated back to Japan. But the other expedition never arrived, having been cancelled. Ushioda and Ochi learned of this terrible turn of events after they arrived back in Japan, but could do nothing and had to wait a full year to participate in the next Antarctic expedition. In the meantime, seven dogs froze and/or starved to death while chained to the line. Six others broke free, but no one knew what fate became them because they were never found. Taro and Jiro survived to be rescued were: they were only dogs the men had not left chained to the line.
Those true events were faithfully and magnificently immortalized in Japanese filmmaker Koreyoshi Kurahara's 1983 "Nankyoku Monogatari" (a.k.a. "Antarctica"), (available only on VHS). Kurahara's film won top prize at the Japanese Academy of Film Awards and was Japan's 2nd highest grossing film-to-date. It was also nominated for top prize at the Berlin International Film Festival. The original is a "MUST SEE" for all animal/nature lovers and I hope will one day be released on DVD.
Duga mracna noc (2004)
Goran Visnjic's masterfully portrayed of the main character draws you in and keeps you watching.
On April 2, 2005 I went to the "Cinema Croatia" film festival in Santa Monica to see DUGA MRACNA NOC. Goran Visnjic was there to introduce the movie. He explained that the movie is a distillation of scenes taken from the Croatian TV series, of the same name, that is presently airing in his homeland. He further explained that the 5 1/2-hour long, original director's cut, was edited down to the award winning (Pula Film festival), 3-hour theatrical release that was Croatia's official submission to the American Academy Awards best foreign film committee.
I enjoyed the film and think Goran Visnjic masterfully portrayed of Iva Kolar, and made the character so real that I was immediately drawn into the movie. Mr. Visnjic's talented use of body language and facial expression, as well as the particular way he delivers his lines, is nothing less than genius.
"DUGA MRACNA NOC" is an intense story about how friendship and personal loyalty can ultimately mitigate the ravages of intolerance, war, and political upheaval. Its message of personal honor and love of humanity is something any one can relate to, and learn from.
I am also following the progress of the TV series, "DUGA MRACNA NOC," now airing on HRT, via the detailed descriptions and dialog translations sent to me by a Croatian pen pal, as well as from watching video clips of the TV episodes that can be found at the Bleu Profond website (see miscellaneous links at IMDb's Goran Visnjic page). I look forward to obtaining the TV series as soon as it is published as a DVD or video.
Nancy Lion-Storm
Die Geschichte vom weinenden Kamel (2003)
You Will Weep for baby Botok.
Among the Oscar nominees for best documentary is "Weeping Camel." Of the films nominated in this category, I hope this one wins.
The story is a serious exploration of a mother's capacity to love, her baby's very real need for love and sustenance, and how an isolated community rallies to save the newborn. Ingen Temee's newborn son's uncharacteristically large birth-size caused such a traumatic and painful delivery that Ingen completely rejects him. This rejection is contrasted to the loving care the film's other mothers give to their infants and young children. Botok's tearful and plaintive cries for sustenance cut across species barriers. At the story's climax you will find yourself weeping when Ingen Temee's postpartum depression lifts and Ingen finally accepts and breast feeds Botok.
Beyond Borders (2003)
If only Goran Visnjic was the lead.
Not since "Girl, Interrupted" have I enjoyed Angelina Jollie's performance as much as I did in "Beyond Borders." She proves that she has what it takes to give us a convincing performance. All she needs is the right script, the right director, and the right male lead.
As much as I like Clive Owen - he did a great job in a BBC series about a detective going blind - he wasn't the right actor for this movie. As I watched, I found myself thinking, "If ONLY they'd picked Goran Visnjic to be the male lead!" I think Mr. Visnjic has greater acting range (from his award winning title role in Hamlet to his Alek Spera in 'The Deep End') and would have given a nuanced and multi-layered performance as Nick.
Welcome to Sarajevo (1997)
Score: Visnjic - 10; Movie - 7
I did not read "Welcome to Sarajevo" until a year after seeing the movie. Therefore, as I watched this film for the first time, I was under the impression that Risto (played by Goran Visnjic) was the lead character. Yes, I know the opening actors' credits listed Goran Visnjic fifth in line, but as the movie unfolded, it was evident that Risto had the ONLY fascinating character and story line. When a sniper killed Risto, I was in shock and actually thought the movie was over. Everything shown afterward seemed anticlimactic and inessential.
I think "Welcome to Sarajevo" would have been better served if it had focused more on the Risto's life: a peaceful intellectual finally forced to take up a gun to defend his city. While the film does give us snippets about Risto's life and character, more could have (and should have) been done to portray the effects of the siege on it's inhabitants. That would have been covering new ground for a British or American film.
There are numerous movies depicting American and British journalist's point of views in war torn countries. What I wanted to see was the BEFORE as well as the AFTER in individual lives of the different ethnic groups caught in the besieged city.
How do I rate this flick? Well, only a 7, but I give a 10 for Mr. Visnjic's performance.
Third Finger, Left Hand (1940)
Rare 1940 dignified Black role
While this comedy is about the romantic complications facing a woman executive and the artist who loves her, "Third Finger, Left Hand" provides a rarely seen dignified Black role. When first we see Sam (portrayed by veteran African American actor, Ernest Whitman) he is a train porter speaking in an 'uneducated' manner - employing the type of language structure used by script writers of the time to reinforce negative racial stereotypes. Later, however, a Sam is revealed to have taken college correspondence courses for years and to be someone quite knowledgeable in matters of Law: able to quote court rulings and present effective legal arguments on behalf of his client, the artist. Ultimately, Sam is the hero of "Third Finger, Left Hand", making it possible for the protagonists' love to triumph.
Escape (1940)
Condemned to death for selling your home!
Imagine! Returning to the country of yourself birth and finding yourself convicted of treason, then condemned to death, and for the sole crime of selling your old family home. Thus begins the nightmare one woman is plunged into in 1936 Nazi Germany, and is the setting for her son's desperate attempt to free and get her to safety. Robert Taylor plays the American-born son who goes to Germany to find out what has happened to his missing mother.
Feel his shock and incredulity when he learns of his mother's impending execution. See his mounting desperation and frustration as his inquiries are met with fearful denials from the very people who were once his mother's friends and neighbors.
To who can this lone American turn to for help? You will find yourself on the edge of your seat as you watch the unfolding horror, the near misses, the turning of fate. Better yet, read the novel this movie is based on.
Outward Bound (1930)
Fine beyond compare
The cast's dramatic performance style reflects that of serious stage dramas of the time. Over all, the feel of this movie is very "English" when compared to the crudely mannered World War II era remake.
I was swept up into the young couple's dilemma. The dramatic tension of this (the original) version, is so finely honed that I found myself sitting on the edge of my chair, nervously biting my nails, on the verge of tears. The 1930s was truly the golden age of movies.