Change Your Image
dcoppard
Reviews
O Beautiful (2002)
Haunting and Disturbing
"O Beautiful" is a hauntingly beautiful film about a student who has been gay-bashed and left without his pants in a cornfield. It takes place between Brad (Jay Gillespie), and Andy (David Clayton Rogers),another student who may have been one of the bashers, but who was certainly a witness.
As the story unfolds, we begin to understand that Any is also gay, but can't admit it.
The movie, despite being only 29 minutes, is eloquent and powerful and raises many questions about violence, about being gay and coming out. These two could have been close friends, but are separated by religion and fear.
I was a bit startled by the split-screen technique, but as the movie proceeded, one understands why the Director did it this way. All the emphasis is on the two faces, and their expressions and emotions. Both actors give superb performances, their faces express every shade of emotion and feeling.
This movie is part of "Boys Life 4: Four Play" and has stayed with this viewer long after seeing it. I really recommend it. It also occur to me, that this could be used as the core of a much longer movie.
In one word, Awesome.
Christmas Glory 2000 (2000)
Glorious Christmas music from Westminster Abbey
This is Christmas music at its finest. It's a BBC Christmas special service from Westminster Abbey (1999) London, with an introduction to the abbey by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, who also reads from the first chapter of John's Gospel later in the service.
The hour-long service tells the Christmas story alternating poetry and Bible readings with musical selections from the Westminster Choir, and soloists, Andrea Bocelli, Bryn Terful and Charlotte Church.
To hear such singing is a real treat, Terful and Bocelli are at their finest, and although Charlotte Church is not in the same league as the men, her voice is very sweet and is quite pleasing to listen to.
The readings of poetry, prose and scripture are all enjoyable with the reading of Kipling's 'Eddie's Service' by Dame Joan Plowright being an especial delight. Readings from the Gospel of Luke by Betty Boothroyd the Speaker of the British House of Commons, and from John's Gospel by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh adds a sense of occasion to the service.
The color, the choir (the expressions on the faces of the boy choristers, not to mention their fidgeting is quite enjoyable to watch), while the Westminster Abbey setting makes this DVD something to cherish. For me, there are two wonderful moments, the glorious singing of 'It Came Upon The Midnight Clear' by choir and congregation and Andrea Bocelli's singing of Mascagni's Sancta Maria, which takes on a prayer-like quality.
This is not just a DVD for Christmas, but for anytime of the year when you want to be uplifted and inspired. Its an hour of exquisite peace and beauty.
One criticism, the DVD menu leaves a lot to be desired. It only lists the musical numbers, and does not allow access to the readings. Unless you know which musical item they proceed, it can take sometime trying to find a particular reading.
A Closer Walk (2003)
A beautifully produced documentary about AIDS in the world.
A beautifully produced and moving documentary about AIDS in the world, especially Africa. There are no actors, but those who affected and those involved tell their stories. Its about the world as it is an the way AIDS impacts upon the world and us. It also carries a sobering warning - its only just begun. To put it another way, "There is a storm coming".
We are not overwhelmed by figures and statistics, just enough are given to help us understand what it is about. This has to be one of the best documentary's on the subject I have seen.
The photography is beautiful, a great deal of effort has gone into the making of this. It should be shown in all our schools to give teenagers an understanding.
Xi zao (1999)
A beautiful moving story of family
This beautiful story of an elder son coming home, and learning to love and be a part of all those things that he left home to get away from, is poignant and moving. It shows a society that is perhaps strange to us in the Western world, with a sense of family that we have lost. The story is beautiful, sad, and at times funny and comic. It has a feeling of realism that we don't seem to see any longer in our western movies.
The acting is unusual, in that as the movie progresses, it almost gives the impression that it is not acting, but a documentary of ordinary people. This is brilliant directing and movie making.
Would love to see more movies by this director.
The Cure (1995)
moving reaction to movie
Found the movie to be very moving. Well acted, has a realistic quality to it. A sensible approach to AIDS and the associated stigma. It also portrays the deep friendship that can develop between boys of this age, and although its ending is sad, the overall story is one of courage, hope and faith.