RJK-8 Reviews

The BBC Television Shakespeare: As You Like It (1978) Season 1, Episode 3

Well done adaptation - Helen is Great

[8/10 · 29 September 2006]

This production benefits from great use of natural settings and a cast that knows how to make "the bard" sing for those of us not steeped in medieval English. The music is an added bonus. The director included the wrestling match instead of just hearing about it, no doubt to provide a little bit of action to what is otherwise mostly talk. The pacing is a little slow at times, but since we're not really worried about the plot it doesn't matter. Helen Mirren sets the tone for all the actors in terms of really getting into the role. The emphasis is not so much the cynicism but the "looking at oneself from the outside." We are encouraged to look at ourselves thusly.

Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001)

Thoughtful and Enjoyable View of Wartime Life

[1 November 2002]

I found the movie to be very well put together -- excellent use of on location settings, believable battle scenes, well-developed characters, and a thorough look at the joyful, sorrowful, evil and tragic aspects of wartime life in an occupied country. It also introduced me to details of a part of history that I hadn't really known before.

I really enjoyed the quirky plot aspects of the entire Italian unit coming from one area, and all being members of the musical organization. I had no problems with the accents or other aspects of actors of various nationalities playing characters of various nationalities -- is there some expert at "accents" anyway?

I thought the emotions and complexities of emotions were well portrayed all around. John Hurt was excellent, but so were all of the actors playing the "lesser" parts. Except for the earthquakes, the movie made me want to go there on my next vacation... About the only aspect of the story that, when you stop to think about it, was unlikely, is that Correlli survived. But then who wants a "down" romantic drama?

The movie celebrates trying to make the most of a bad situation, and it certainly didn't pull any punches as to thinking that "thinking happy thoughts" and singing together can solve all the world's problems. The recent hostilities between the Greeks and the Turks at a soccer match show that some things never change.

Return to Me (2000)

Filled with warmth, details, fabulous character actors

[6 September 2002]

This movie takes me back to the warm, family films that I remember of my own childhood -- dealing with the pains and sorrows of life, but reminding you also of the joys and why it's all worthwhile. The story is beautifully acted, filmed, directed and edited. It provides a solid grounding in the details of the lives of an architect/builder, his zoologist wife, and the family and friends of a neighborhood Irish-Italian restaurant -- with real locations in Chicago. The plot involves a heart transplant and the kind of coincidences that don't only happen in the movies. It's got real heart, and you enjoy every little detail of the plot and characters that make the story so rich. You could watch it several times, as each scene is a gem in its own right, and beyond that the sum is definitely greater than the parts.

American Cuisine (1998)

A warm-hearted look an American and French Food and Culture

[25 February 2002]

I happened to see this movie on the WE - Women's Entertainment Channel the other night, and I found myself fascinated by it from start to finish. I can't wait till it's on again to tape it. While following the format of a light, romantic comedy, this movie takes a close look at some of the details of food and its place in society. It follows the career of an American would-be master chef from seeing why he is dishonorably discharged from the navy to life in his family's pizza parlor to the chance to go to France and study under a French "multi-star" chef. The comedy comes from a good natured mockery of the various pomposities of the chefs, sous-chefs, food critics, tax inspectors, doctors, etc. I thought the plot was quite elaborate, and I liked all the little elements of the movie that gave it the complex flavor of a good pot a feu -- the fight at the market, the dance lessons by the middle eastern kitchen cleaner, the tantric yoga sessions, etc. Even the restaurant's little white panel truck, which you see all over the place in France (they even use them up in the vineyards). I read the few reviews that this movie received, and I think the film is grossly under-rated. There are only a few minor dubbing problems, which I barely noticed. The acting is uniformly good, and you're left with a great feeling, and the urge to go out to eat at a good French restaurant right away! I would urge people to find the movie and watch it -- even though it apparently is not available in any format except German pal videotape. Check it out on WE.

Chocolat (2000)

A Feast For All The Senses

[28 December 2000]

I wish I could set up chocolate stands in the lobby of every theater showing this movie -- I'd make a fortune. You'd need a cookbook to list all the fabulous chocolate concoctions featured as the film progresses. Just describing them would take me past the thousand word limit. Perhaps my favourite was the statue of a naked woman that gets smashed up in a climactic scene. As a confirmed choc-o-holic, I was naturally attracted to "Chocolat," but I found it a truly rewarding experience on all levels.

The producers and director have really put a lot of love into this movie -- from the generous photography, use of a real French village, taking the time to develop the story, characters and situations thoroughly, giving all the characters their chance to show us who they are, and developing a plot that, while somewhat "predictable" is none-the-less beautifully detailed and rich in the complexity of human behaviour. I'm writing this shortly after

viewing the movie. With more time I could do a more thorough, professional job, but I want to emphasise how great an experience watching "Chocolat" is! It's a film with the spirit of "magical realism" and I was totally wrapped up in its spell. The acting, from Judi Dench down to the smallest bit parts, is superb, and you have to give a lot of credit to the director for making the tone warm without becoming overly sentimental. There are so many details that ring true, that I could see the movie several times again just to savor them all. I strongly recommend this movie for everyone from 8 to 108! And pass the "Chocolat" - I feel the north wind coming on.

Les Misérables (1995)

Beautifully filmed, edited and acted story for the ages

[10/10 · 8 April 2000]

This movie looks at the whole range of human behavior through the window of Victor Hugo's Les Miserable, transferred to two generations of people in the 20th century French setting. Beautifully photographed, directed, acted and written, with good performances by all the actors, in parts large and small. The visual images of war, passion and humanity remain with you long after the movie ends, and its long playing time is well worth it!

A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries (1998)

Enjoyable, Rambling Story With "True Life" Feel

[8/10 · 21 March 2000]

We got this video from library without knowing anything about it, except for the good reputations of the actors & director. The story rambles along following the lives of a young American girl & family living in Paris -- their adoption of a French boy, and how their lives change as the two grow up, eventually moving to North Carolina. The acting is good, and the story details are fascinating and off-beat (her teenage boy friend who sings great soprano opera, for example). Perhaps the father is too good to believe (from a kid's point of view) but it's a warm story that just kind of ends after the father dies. I can see why it might not be hugely popular, but it provides much food for thought and discussion within families as to choices, values, etc. Another plus - great location photography.

Tremors (1990)

A Funny, off-beat film with great character studies & scenery

[9/10 · 19 March 2000]

I just happened upon this movie on TV several years ago, and it wormed its way into my heart despite being half over. Since then I've watched it numerous times, and I find myself waiting for each next development of the plot and the great characterizations by all the wonderful actors. Brilliantly directed making excellent use of desert locations, the film is a comic tour-de-force by Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward. And what a surprise Reba McIntyre is! Far superior to most of the "funny" horror/sci fi flicks.

Broken Arrow (1996)

Surprisingly good fun and well cast.

[6 March 2000]

I am a big John Travolta fan, so I decided to watch the movie, even though the trailer looked fairly mindless. I was pleasantly surprised that the movie was well paced, beautifully photographed (with lots of nice location views of the Utah countryside, etc.) and exciting while not overtiring action sequences. Sure, it was "mindless adventure" ala James Bond, but I enjoyed the banter between Travolta and Slater, and I thought that Samantha Mathis did a great job in playing a park ranger who gets drawn into the action. She seemed believable in the part, and held her own vis-a-vis Travolta & Slater.

The Thing Called Love (1993)

Great Music Movie

[9/10 · 6 March 2000]

This movie didn't get much notice when it opened, but it's a really fun "slice of life" look at young singer-songwriters trying to make it in Nashville. River Phoenix and Samantha Mathis really got into their roles, and the rest of the cast fill in nicely. The music they make, plus all the rest of the music on the soundtrack, and the cameo appearances by such folk as Jimmy Dale Gilmore, make it a pleasure.

Zeus and Roxanne (1997)

A fun movie for the family with great animal antics

[18 January 2000]

I got "hooked" on this movie while I was waiting to pay for a clock radio at my local electronics show. They had "Zeus and Roxanne" playing on a big screen tv by the cashier's area. The movie had just started and I watched a great scene of animal antics where Zeus the dog creates mayhem in the neighborhood through his obsession with chasing a cat. I've always been a sucker for movies featuring animal antics, and this one is chock full of them. It reminded me of the old "Flipper" tv shows, only with a somewhat more exotic locale.

The story line is that a widowed composer and his son and dog (the aforementioned Zeus) move into a house on some Florida Key (actually filmed in the Bahamas). By chance their neighbor is a marine biologist and has two daughters. Anyway, Zeus and the cat bring father and mother together, which leads to Zeus discovering Roxanne, a dolphin raised in captivity that the mother biologist is trying to re-introduce into a dolphin "pod." Zeus and Roxanne can "talk" with each other, leading to attempts by a nasty "animal-unfriendly" scientist to want to use Roxanne for his own selfish ends.

Sure the plot is contrived and filled with obvious gags, etc. but at least it has an interesting and environmentally correct theme, and the animals do a great job of keeping the movie visually interesting. I particularly enjoyed the way the camera shots were laid out so that viewers get an "animal's eye view" throughout the movie.

Unlike many "art" films, this story at least makes sense, shows people (including children) doing worthwhile things and being nice to each other. Another plus is the use of minority actors in non-stereotype roles.