The cast is amazingly brilliant. The direction was raw and honest-- no matter the subject. The play on which the screenplay is based is a great work in and of itself which gave me a cause to be rather expectant of the movie's release. Depp, Pike, Morton, Malkovich (who originated the lead role on the stage) and the supporting cast were all wonderful. The disappointment came with the unfolding of events, with the editing choices, and the decisions to cut and paste so roughly that ultimately resulted in a rushed story line and a confused audience. What had the potential for immense cinematic greatness was defeated by pace and form. Very disappointing, but 5 out of 10 simply for the beautiful cinematography and outstanding performance by the cast.
Reviews
5 Reviews
The Libertine
(2004)
With brilliant performances, it's a shame this is not a brilliant movie
4 February 2007
A Walk in the Clouds
(1995)
Too bad about the script...
13 June 2001
It really is too bad about the script... it wasn't that great in the first place, but then to have Keanu Reeves in the lead, well there just wasn't any was to pull this off.
The cinematography was wonderfully done... the colors, the lighting... the scenes were breath-taking at times. It's almost a shame that Mr. Reeves did not play a mute character. I thought that (the now late)Anthony Quinn and especially Giancarlo Giannini gave splendid performances. The rest of the actors had little to work with and just as little to give.
Not a great movie... but also not too terrible if you have your mute button set up and ready to go.
The cinematography was wonderfully done... the colors, the lighting... the scenes were breath-taking at times. It's almost a shame that Mr. Reeves did not play a mute character. I thought that (the now late)Anthony Quinn and especially Giancarlo Giannini gave splendid performances. The rest of the actors had little to work with and just as little to give.
Not a great movie... but also not too terrible if you have your mute button set up and ready to go.
Father of the Bride
(1991)
I'm starting to get it now...
12 June 2001
Having been in on planning a wedding now, I can appreciate this movie all the more. Steve Martin as absolutely perfect in the role of George, and I don't have to mention how dead-on his comic timing is. His facial expressions are sometimes the funniest part of a scene. Martin Short is hysterical as the eccentric wedding planner whose accent is so unreal, you wonder how Short ever came up with it! Short and Martin play off of one another splendidly.
I think the most over-looked gem in this movie is the radiant Diane Keaton. She is just wonderful as the loving, level-headed Nina... in fact, I think best scene in the entire movie is with George and Nina after he's been arrested for stealing hot-dog buns. They have exceptional chemistry, and they play the parents with spunk (which keeps them from sinking into a stereotypical middle-aged "movie couple").
While Kimberly Williams was just fine in the role of the bride, Annie, I found her character to be spoiled and flat-out irritating at times. There were moments when just wanted to shake her! I thought maybe Williams could have handled the character's reactions a little differently to have a little variety and give Annie a little bit more depth. However, the scene between Annie and George the night before the wedding is very moving... it ranks on up there with a "Steel Magnolias" moment. Any daughter who has a close relationship with her father cannot help but feel at least a little heart-tug during that scene.
One minor problem I had with this movie was that it was difficult for me to feel sorry for the amount of money the wedding was costing George... while they may not have lived in Bel Air, George drives a very nice car, they live in a large and pretty gosh darn nice house...in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (anyone who has ever lived there should know why this is significant in terms of income).
All in all, it's a great family movie with several comedic moments, a few heart-warming scenes, some classic lines,and the realism to tie it all together.
I think the most over-looked gem in this movie is the radiant Diane Keaton. She is just wonderful as the loving, level-headed Nina... in fact, I think best scene in the entire movie is with George and Nina after he's been arrested for stealing hot-dog buns. They have exceptional chemistry, and they play the parents with spunk (which keeps them from sinking into a stereotypical middle-aged "movie couple").
While Kimberly Williams was just fine in the role of the bride, Annie, I found her character to be spoiled and flat-out irritating at times. There were moments when just wanted to shake her! I thought maybe Williams could have handled the character's reactions a little differently to have a little variety and give Annie a little bit more depth. However, the scene between Annie and George the night before the wedding is very moving... it ranks on up there with a "Steel Magnolias" moment. Any daughter who has a close relationship with her father cannot help but feel at least a little heart-tug during that scene.
One minor problem I had with this movie was that it was difficult for me to feel sorry for the amount of money the wedding was costing George... while they may not have lived in Bel Air, George drives a very nice car, they live in a large and pretty gosh darn nice house...in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (anyone who has ever lived there should know why this is significant in terms of income).
All in all, it's a great family movie with several comedic moments, a few heart-warming scenes, some classic lines,and the realism to tie it all together.
Carmen: A Hip Hopera
(2001 TV Movie)
Not what I expected
9 May 2001
As a avid lover of opera, my first reaction was one of distaste-- a stuck-up response, I'll admit. My thoughts were like many others: Where does MTV get off screwing around with once of the most beloved operas of all time?
I did decide to watch it however, trying to keep an open mind. I was actually rather pleased by the performances and really taken with the style of filming. It didn't try to be something it's not (which I can really appreciate). It's edgy quality was sensitive enough to the original story that I found myself actually enjoying the production. Not being a fan of rap or hip hop in general, I was surprised by how much I was NOT offended. You can even hear small bits of Bizet's music weave in and out of the fabric. It had it's week moments, and was by no means a great movie, but it was unique, and I can appreciate that. I can also appreciate how this type of "hip hopera" may actually reach some people who would never think of watching traditional opera (just as I had never considered watching a rap artist sing over Bizet's melodies). I recommend this movie because of it's uniqueness and because it honestly wasn't all that bad!
I did decide to watch it however, trying to keep an open mind. I was actually rather pleased by the performances and really taken with the style of filming. It didn't try to be something it's not (which I can really appreciate). It's edgy quality was sensitive enough to the original story that I found myself actually enjoying the production. Not being a fan of rap or hip hop in general, I was surprised by how much I was NOT offended. You can even hear small bits of Bizet's music weave in and out of the fabric. It had it's week moments, and was by no means a great movie, but it was unique, and I can appreciate that. I can also appreciate how this type of "hip hopera" may actually reach some people who would never think of watching traditional opera (just as I had never considered watching a rap artist sing over Bizet's melodies). I recommend this movie because of it's uniqueness and because it honestly wasn't all that bad!
Dirty Dancing
(I) (1987)
Take it for what it is....
3 November 2000
This movie may NOT be "Casablanca", but do try to see this for what it is. I believe it's a good movie, simple, but with stunning dancing and rarely-matched on-screen chemistry. The music, the moves, everything about this movie just delightful, and if you just want a good movie to share with your friends or that someone special, check it out.
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