smweaver911 Reviews

Dreamgirls (2006)

Looks good, but where's the depth?

[6/10 · 20 January 2007]

As a rule I cannot tolerate musicals. I find it kind of embarrassing and painful when people sing instead of speak.I was disappointed they went that route with Dreamgirls. I adored Diana Ross and the Supremes growing up and I never really did know what happened to Florence Ballard. Too bad they did not take advantage of the opportunity to get some hot Motown music back into our techno lives...anyway Jennifer Hudson was the only one to evoke any feelings in this whole movie - especially with her solo about 'you gonna love me' - the movie was really well produced, but lacked emotional depth, with the exception of Jennifer Hudson. She really did rock the screen - acting and singing - and I totally agree she deserves the G/G award for this. Eddie Murphy was convincing as a sleazy egomaniac, and Beyonce, well she is so totally gorgeous but lacking in emotional depth. I think she was worried about JH stealing the limelight right from the beginning, her acting was so tense! Anyhow, this movie does not merit any big time awards, it was adequate, polished and without Jennifer Hudson to add major depth, soul and all out singing style, this movie would have sunk totally.

Cuban Blood (2003)

Little boy grows up in confusing time and place

[1/10 · 20 January 2007]

The central theme in this movie seems to be confusion, as the relationships, setting, acting and social context all lead to the same place: confusion. Even Harvey Keitel appears to be out of his element, and lacks his usual impeccable clarity, direction and intensity. To make matters worse, his character's name is 'Che', and we are only told (directly, by the narrator) well into the film that he is not 'that' Che, just a guy named Che. The family relationships remain unclear until the end of the film, and once defined, the family is divided - the younger generation off to America. So cliché. Other reviews discuss how the movie depicts the impact of the revolution on a boy's family; however the political stance of the director is murky at best, and we are never quite sure who is responsible for what bloodshed. So they lost their property (acquired by gambling profits) - so what? Refusing to take a political stand, when making a movie about the Cuban revolution, is an odd and cowardly choice. Not to mention the movie was in English! Why are all these Cubans speaking English? No wonder they did not get permission to film in Cuba. And if family life is most important to look at here, it would be great if we could figure out who is who - we are 'introduced' to them all in the beginning - a cheap way out of making the relationships clear throughout the film! The acting was mostly shallow, wooden, and unbelievable, timing was off all around. The 'special' visual effects were confusing and distracting. References to American films - and the black character as Greek chorus - strictly gratuitous, intellectually ostentatious, and consistently out of place. I only watched the whole movie because I was waiting for clarity, or some point to it all. It never happened.

Punch (2002)

'Punch' - real women, real problems - a welcome change!

[8/10 · 13 January 2007]

I was impressed and delighted that CityTv aired this movie on a Saturday night in a relatively prime time slot - a welcome change from the usual Hollywood schlock that dominates the airwaves. This movie courageously, if not deeply, explores some interesting family dynamics, thankfully not the usual ones. Instead of the usual predictable, boring,stifled family life anecdotes, Punch gives us a glimpse into REAL people with REAL - and interesting -problems - not the usual TV and Hollwyood fare that doesn't reflect any families I know! EXCELLENT MOVIE! The writing, directing and acting was absolutely top quality on all counts: I don't think anyone missed a beat - first class acting throughout - making these interesting characters totally believable. Thankfully, the women were all strong, interesting and compelling - the topless boxing was a welcome change from the plastic (and I mean that literally) "beauty" queens that bare - or don't quite bare - their breasts. This is part of what makes this an important movie - women come in all shapes and sizes and thanks to this movie for reminding us of this. If you want plastic tits, boys, you can find them almost anywhere(unfortunately)... 'Punch'is real and totally rocks. Every character has issues that they are actually working through, in different kinds of ways, and the exploration of the relationships between these characters demonstrates how we learn from others in relationships. Very cool. Unusual to encounter, although Canadian films seem to be good at this overall. UNFORTUNATELY, the narration gimmick was a real distraction! What was that about? I'd love to see it 'sans' narration - whatever the intent of the narrative technique was, it din't work. Too bad, apart from that, this was an outstanding film.