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Reviews
Dekalog: Dekalog, siedem (1989)
Thou shalt not steal
Dekalog Seven isn't the strongest of the ten, but, like Dekalog Five, Kieslowski takes a fairly straightforward commandment and adds a twist to it. Sure, we may think Majka steal Ania, but, as Majka says, can you really steal something that was yours to begin with? It's an interesting question, and Kieslowski forces you to consider (And ultimately decide) who, Ewa or Majka, is really at fault for stealing Ania. But that's typical Kieslowski. To have a straightforward plot with a cut-and-dry scenario would be far too easy for him, and I've come to expect nothing less from his work. The types of questions he subtly asks the viewer are more important than any moral he could tell us because it forces us to question our own values and morals, instead of being told, and this kind of questioning is why Kieslowski and his works are so highly regarded.
Dekalog: Dekalog, piec (1989)
Thou shalt not kill
Dekalog Five was an interesting viewing experience for me, because of the question Kieslowski seems to subtly ask the audience. Three men are the focus of this chapter, and Kieslowski present the two involved in murder with traits both good and bad (In one's case, almost overwhelmingly bad). With such vile characters, I found myself almost glad that they would receive some sort of punishment. However, when the time comes for the murder (And it's subsequent effect on the murderer), Kieslowski takes an interesting angle and seems to ask those of us who shared my view, "Are you not as guilty as this man?" This sort of indirect address of the audience makes the finale of Dekalog Five that much more profound as Kieslowski (As usual) doesn't stay within the literal confines of his theme. Just as the other parts of the Dekalog don't take their Commandment's theme in it's literal sense, neither does Dekalog Five. It asks us what is murder, who is more guilty of murder, and what should be the appropriate punishment, if any? It's a fantastic film and, typical of Kieslowski, absolutely stunning.
Frida (2002)
Visually stimulating, but rest is flawed
The sets and costumes for Frida are beyond imaginative, and the use of Frida's paintings to show her emotions was a great idea, and it works very well.
On a whole, this was not a bad movie. But it was far from excellent. Salma Hayek does give a good performance (Not Oscar worthy) as does Alfred Molina (Who, ironically, IS Oscar worthy). The problem comes with some minor details and one major cast flaw.
My MAJOR complaint about Frida is Ashley Judd: I did not believe her for a second. She never looked, sounded or acted (If you can act) mexican. Ever. The other complaint is that as harsh and terrible as Frida's life had to have been, the film never portrays it that way. I should not want to live in Frida's world after seeing this movie, but I did. She has a great house, wonderful friends and ideas, but her life is that of pain and sorrow and grief, something we never get from Hayek.
The score is fantastic, and Burn It Blue gave me chills. So, overall, I would reccomend this, but that's about it.
8/10
The Recruit (2003)
The Trouble with the Trailer
Okay: Are we all in agreement that the trailer to this movie absolutely ruined it. If you actually didn't get the trailer and see right through it and understand and how this movie would play out, you don't want to see Mulholland Drive...or Memento.
In any case: I knew what was going to happen going into this, but the acting by Al Pacino and the writing was good enough (ENOUGH...we'll come back to this)to sometimes make me second guess myself.
What the movie falls prey to is having a looooong exposistion. The Farm, the people, blah blah blah. Only about forty minutes of this film could be used for the actual plot. Also, the writing, while good enough to make you second guess yourself, is still mediocre; Al Pacino spews Yoda-isms right and left so much that at SOME POINT you would think Colin Farrel's character would start to think something was up.
Colin Farrel, while massively overexposed right now, does have talent. He can act, and fairly well. He's done well to play opposite Tom Cruise and Al Pacino and manage to stay with their pace of acting (Of course, Tom Cruise can't act anyways, so Farrel stole the spotlight from him all throughout Minority Report) and really seem into his character. If only he would get a good script. Another Tigerland, perhaps?
I will praise the movie for this: With such an intricate web the movie haas to spin regarding the finale, it doesn't trap itself and make it to implausible, such as Vanilla Sky.
7/10
Lone Star (1996)
Can we get much better?
John Sayles has a talent that few directors have, and that is the ability to take a large cast, one complicated story driven by one main plot, with subplots popping up right and left, and make it make sense. Lone Star starts off slow. We know nothing of the story. But as the movie goes on, little bits of information start to arise and become the focus of the movie. We learn everything along with the characters. We are part of the movie.
The main premise of the movie is the investigation of a murder. But that is not the only plot. There are the plots of romance, forgotten history, evil police officers, forbidden love, illegal aliens, and so much more.
Now...the ending is where the movie really hits you full force. I will not even hint at what happens, but DAMN. I walked away with my mouth hanging open. Sure, it's insignificant to the main plot, but it really leaves a warped image in your mind.
10/10
Dancing at the Blue Iguana (2000)
Amazing
When ranking movies on IMDb, I try to go through the things i found wrong with the movie. each thing takes off one point. I found nothing wrong with this movie. Each actress did a great job with their individual character, and this couldn't have been an easy role to play: They all strip at least once, most twice.
Sandra Oh gives the best performance of the ensemble, proof that independent films never get the recognition they deserve at the Oscars, Golden Globes, etc. Her pain is fully visible when she does a strip show in front of her boyfriend. It's a subtle moment, but when the boyfriend walks out, she tilts her head back, and when it comes back down, a tear is running down her cheek.
Daryl Hannah, not usually a great actress, gives another good performance. You want so much for good things to happen for Angel, but you know it will never be true. She's on too many drugs, she can't support herself, and at the foster home, it's obvious she wants a kid. I wanted her to get a child, but knew I would be worried for the child if Angel did get it.
All in all, an excellent movie that was overlooked at Award Shows last year, especially for the performances by Sandra Oh and Daryl Hannah.
10/10
Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)
Good until it tries to become an action movie
The movie starts out as a promising Sherlock Holmes-ish adventure. Murders, suspects, clues no one would think of, etc. But then...oh, but then. About halfway through the movie, the movie veers on the course of action. A temple collapses, a swordesque fight on ice...it's just not Sherlock Holmes. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle always has a more mystique over the crimes, and it rarely turns into a fast paced, adrenaline pumping adventure. The hallucinations, while interesting, are also farfetched, such as Watsons hallucination in the graveyard.
Though, if you make it through the credits, and know about Holmes' arch enemy, you will be pleasantly surprised.
Many Holmes sayings and trademarks appear ('The game is afoot', The hat and pipe) and for a fan of the books, those will also be appreciated.
It could have been so much better, but alas, it was not. 5/10
Undressed (1999)
Guilty Pleasure
Okay...The actors: Bad. The writing: Worse. The situations: Never gonna happen.
So why do I watch this? It's a guilty pleasure. I don't make sure I'm in front of my TV every night to watch it, but it's just fun...partially because you get to laugh at how bad the actors are.
Yes, it's stupid and not even remotely real life like (The previous season, for example. I think around 20 high school students came out of the closet in one season. Sorry...doesn't happen. I'm an an arts school, and only three or our people I know are out.) but I find myself watching it...again, a guilty pleasure
Adaptation. (2002)
Good, but doesn't live up to hype
I liked Adaptation, don't get me wrong, but, like Kaufmans theory on The Orchid Thief, nothing really happens. There is no plot. It's characters moving around doing things. Then the ending.
The ending is my major complaint. It leaves the audience unsatisfied. What happens to Orlean? What about Amelia and Charlie? What about...
Too many loose ends are left, which, might be a good thing if this were a thinking movie. I was too focused later on why it has all this Oscar Hype. Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper deserve the nominations the will likely get, but the nomination for Best Picture (Which, again, it will likley get) is not deserved.
Good, but could have been better. 8/10