5dawgz Reviews

Radio Cape Cod (2008)

Beautiful to watch ... Thoughtful, intelligent, and refreshing

[10/10 · 24 June 2008]

Of course living in the area, I admit to being a little bit prejudiced, but Mr. Silver's use of natural light, the leisurely pace of the movie, the sense that we are seeing real people dealing with real situations, delighted me. That the movie doesn't "go somewhere" feels true to life.

After all, other than death, there ARE no "endings" in life. We just go on, continue, stuff happens and we roll with it. The movie doesn't resolve into a Hollywood finale ... which is fine with me.

For those who must have a cinematic moment of "closure," this isn't the movie for them, but if you enjoy a movie stroll with people whose lives remind us of our own, this is a lovely, romantic interlude in a simply gorgeous setting. I loved it.

The Seventh Seal (1957)

Maybe my favorite movie drama ...

[3 August 2004]

Is it because I'm a history buff and this movie is set in the 14th century -- one Hell (literally) of a century -- that I so love this film? Is it the image of the Knight playing chess with Death on a beach, the breakers rolling in behind them? It it the incredibly haunting cinematography? The extraordinary acting? All of it?

I first saw this movie when I a girl of 13 (a whole other story). This was the time in my life when I thought Troy Donahue in "A Summer Place" was the final word in great movies. And yet, "The Seventh Seal" reached down into my subconscious and hooked me like a hungry fish to a lure.

There's nothing to criticize, unless you just can't tolerate this genre. Honestly, I too will almost always choose a lighter movie over a heavier one.

"The Seventh Seal" is an exception to all my rules, all my usual preferences. If you have not seen it, see it. You will never forget it.

Cold Mountain (2003)

A rare film where the movie is better if you've read the book ...

[9/10 · 31 July 2004]

Rarely is a movie improved by having read the book. Usually, whatever they do with the movie will be a disappointment if you loved the book. I love the book "Cold Mountain" and have read it at least 4 times. I think that it speaks to the horror of war, the wickedness of which the human species is capable, and the futility of the bloodshed better than any other book I've read.

I think the movie captures those feelings very well indeed. I hope I am quoting this correctly (but I'm close, anyway) -- when Inman says that he is like any other fool "going off to war with a lie and a flag" ... well, yeah. A lie and a flag. That IS what war is, for the most part. The battle scenes at the beginning of the film, according to those who have been witness to real battles in war, are as good or better than any battle scenes ever filmed.

The story is, of necessity, simplified for the purposes of the film and that's where it helped to have read the book. My husband and I were able to mentally fill in "missing pieces." I found that among my friends who saw the movie, those who did not first read the book thought it was okay, but didn't love it, whereas those of us who had first read the book, really LOVED the movie.

I also felt the casting was exceptional and that Renee Zellweger well deserved her Oscar. When I realized that she had been cast as Ruby, I was highly dubious ... but she made it work. Jude Law, who is not usually cast as a leading man, gives a super performance, for which he has received surprisingly little recognition.

Finally, if you love classic "old timey" country music, the score for this film is beautiful. As is the cinematography.

This is not an upbeat movie, but it wasn't an upbeat book, either. The adaptation is deeply faithful to the author's intent. It's definitely worth watching ... maybe more than once. But also, perhaps it would be worthwhile to read the book first. Great book. Fine adaptation.

Sunset (1988)

One of our favorites ... witty and highly entertaining

[10/10 · 31 July 2004]

I was shocked to read the reviews of this. My husband is a very serious movie buff -- a TV newsman, now retired after 40+ years in the business. I'm a writer (we never retire, we just get older). And both of us love this movie. In fact, when we started switching over to DVD, it was among the first movies we bought.

For me, the essence of a great movie is THE SCRIPT! I love words. I love wit. I love intelligent dialogue. And this movie has tons of wit, great dialogue, memorable lines (give or take a lie or two) and excellent chemistry between Willis and Garner. I liked Willis as Tom Mix, although I am not otherwise much of a Bruce Willis fan (except that I loved "Moonlighting" ... ) I thought he gave a much more subtle and textured performance than he has done in most of his movies. And of course, I've liked Garner since I was a girl watching Maverick on TV.

Black Edwards' movies are not everyone's cup of tea, I guess. I love most of them, and minimally, enjoy the rest. His movies are always intelligent: the wit biting, the dialogue sharp with some extraordinary monologues. For the Blake Edwards fans out there, is there a better monologue than William Holden's speech, which in many ways, was his own obituary -- in S.O.B. (another of Black Edwards' great films that hardly anyone seems to appreciate).

Okay. I'm finished. I think "Sunset" is a very fine movie. If what you are looking for are car chases, piles of corpses, slapstick, sex, and special effects, this is NOT your movie. If your love of movies includes a love of words, good acting, and sharp humor, this is a good'un.

S.O.B. (1981)

Hollywood hated it ... and maybe that's why we love it so!

[10/10 · 31 July 2004]

From the opening scene to the final fade out, this movie, for it's genre, is as good as it gets.

I noticed when they gave Blake Edwards his lifetime achievement award at the Oscars this past year, they did NOT mention S.O.B. amongst his list of films. Interesting. Could it be that this scathingly witting, brilliant, intelligent ... and, oh yes, HILARIOUS ... film cut too close to home?

The cast is top drawer and everyone is at the top of his or her game. From Julie Andrews, playing a delicious parody of herself, to William Holden, who in the course of the movie declaims his own obituary, to Robert Preston (not a shyster ... he is a QUACK), it is wonderful. I'm sure the Hollywood Power Players hated it. Unless you are One Of Them, you will probably love it. It's great.