Peaches311 Reviews

Memento (2000)

A Very Intelligent Film

[1 June 2003]

Memento is one of the most intelligent films I have seen in a long time. It is a movie that really makes you think and gets better with each viewing. I don't understand why it didn't win the Oscars for best screenplay and best editing, but at least it was nominated. The editor of this film was brilliant and I can imagine how hard it was to write a screenplay that jumps back and forth so much (kind of reminded me of Pulp Fiction). Also, I am a sucker for anything that has a "tricky" ending.

If you enjoy a good mystery or a movie that will keep you guessing, I recommend checking out this awesome film.

Heavenly Creatures (1994)

My All-Time Favorite Movie

[10/10 · 1 June 2003]

I must preface this review by saying that "Heavenly Creatures" is my all-time favorite movie. I say that mainly because certain aspects of it remind me of my own youth. I am not a lesbian or a murderer, but I enjoy writing and had a few close friends when I was younger that shared my passion. We created characters and whole worlds, and yes, even the occassional alter ego. Watching "Heavenly Creatures" brought a tear to my eye because I could relate to the close friendship of Juliet Hulme and Pauline Parker. It also made me cry because of where they ended up and also how unfairly their friendship was viewed by their families.

Every time I watch this movie, I want to jump into the TV and stop the characters from their heinous actions. I want the movie, and their true lives, to end up differently, but of course that never will happen. This is a bittersweet film that is filled with sharp dialogue (some of it coming from Pauline Parker's actual journal), as well as amazing actors. I think Melanie Lynsky, who plays Pauline, has yet to get the recognition she deserves for her awesome acting skills, and Kate Winslet is 100 times better in "Heavenly Creatures" than she was in Titanic (the movie for which everyone seems to remember).

To sum this up, "Heavenly Creatures" is a unique and incredible film that will tug at your heartstrings while breaking your heart at the same time.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)

Guilty Pleasure

[1 June 2003]

This movie is my favorite "guilty pleasure." I first saw it when I was about seven or eight (before I knew who the Beatles were) and I thought it was so cool! When I got older, it was on the late, late movie one night and I taped it and watched it over and over again. Okay, it is very silly, the acting is horrible, and the plot is corny, but that's what makes it so much fun! I love to watch it and sing along with the tunes..I mean, come on, George Burns singing "Fixing a Hole?" How can you not love that?

Trainspotting (1996)

Disturbing Yet Worth Watching

[2 January 2003]

***Spoiler Alert in this Review***

Trainspotting is one of the most disturbing films I have ever seen, probably because it is one of the most realistic. This film hit me on a personal level because a good friend of mine is a recovering heroin addict and in a lot of ways the movie mirrored things that she told me about her experience.

To me, the hardest scene to watch in this movie is the one where they find the baby dead in her crib. Being a mother myself, this horrified me. It's hard to believe that someone could be so high that they will neglect a baby for days and days until the baby dies. But these things do happen, which makes the scene even harder to watch.

I think that this is a brilliant movie, though, and I think that it is one that young people should see. Yes, it is very gritty and there is a lot of bad language and things along those lines. But I think that this movie will definitely dissuade young people from trying drugs. Anyone who sees Trainspotting and then decides to try heroin is a complete idiot, in my humble opinion.

The accents are a little hard to take at first, but once you get involved in the story, they get easier to understand. The version I saw on HBO had subtitles in one scene, I don't know if it's always like that, but they definitely did help.

All in all, I think this movie is worth watching, hard as some of the scenes are to take. It gives the viewer a glimpse into a very horrifying world that is, unfortunately, very real.

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Above All Things - Love!

[28 December 2002]

Moulin Rouge is one of the best love stories I have ever seen. Yes, it has its tragic elements, but to me that's what makes the love story so great. It's better than some boring 'birds are singing, the sun is shining' kind of romantic movie.

Now, I must admit, the first time I saw Moulin Rouge I wasn't that impressed with the love story. I think that I was concentrating too much on the imagery and the music to appreciate it. This is definitely a movie that gets better with each viewing, so if you weren't that into it the first time, I recommend you try watching it again. You'll also be sure to pick up on new things every time you watch it, as some of the earlier scenes are very fast-paced.

The music is absolutely fantastic. It's so cool how Baz and Company use modern songs in unique ways. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor are surprisingly very good singers!

The visual effects are breathtaking, albiet a bit distracting the first time you see the film, as I have already mentioned. It's amazing what can be done with computers!

I would suggest you give Moulin Rouge a try, especially if you enjoy musicals, cool visual effects, and above all things, great love stories!