Change Your Image
jeffandsarah-1
Reviews
The Ugly (1997)
Whats going on here.
Really a spoiler, but you might consider the idea. And resolution of plot holes. What is truth? as the man said. Rather than being a follow the dots type of story, how about going to the end and working backwards. Ugly duckling has to find a mirror to notice that he is all beautiful now. Who is Simon's mirror, and where is he residing, in prison or an abandoned hospital. Cue rather peculiar orderlies,psychologist and patient all with powers beyond any control. Answer: simulcra of past incarceration. Cue rather dopey female psychologist: newspaper review image devised by Simon. Cue which murders happened: possibly only his mother, seems fair to Simon. Cue aberrant pictures prior to any abuse: fellows already schizoid. Cue what happened at the end: Simon locates the newspaper psychologist, cuts her throat, thus freeing himself of his "victims" hanging about, by presuming that now she must atone for the murders since he is beautiful now in the mirror so he must now be the swan and she the UGLY DUCKLING. Understandings. All of the serial murders did not happen except in his mind, which is why he can deny the charge his head tells him Serial killer And not kill the deafish girl This is then why also the girl did not identify him as her brothers murderer People shift a bit in NZ and there may have been no knowledge of the house/murder info to the girl. "Kill the Bitch"; probably what Simon heard most of, in reference to his fathers new girlfriend from his alcoholic mother and this imprinted.
Great film, under-seen. Not one for gore merchants. Pleasant dreams. And if you are a psycho you really don't need excuses to kill just opportunity. Way better than S of the L and Seven which were pretty lame as to tension or shock. Love that blood.
Romance & Cigarettes (2005)
The anti- musical
Ever since i was forced to go to The Sound of Music instead of Dr No i have disliked musicals. So go and see this one. Not a musical but full of it.
Ilaughed all the way through, especially the Arresting Policemen taking away Deliah's killer. Of course the music was obvious, that's the joy of it, of course it was vulgar, that's the concept. Off course never. What a delight to see Kate Winslet in full glory, not those usual stick insects Hollywood pushes out. Christopher Walken as crazy Bo magnificent. Favourite Line - This knifes big enough for the job I'm gonna do. Just how violent do we take that. Susan Sarandon seems to be getting younger each day. Great movie.
Red Gets The Job Done Every time. Julie i forgive you after Victor Victoria
Babel (2006)
Listen up guys!
Seems to me a lot of people here did not 'listen', it was pretty obvious that no one in the movie was, but then again that is the point the movie is making. Who listens when you can talk. Perhaps Brad Pitts character when his wife wishes to pee, finally a bit of humanity in their failing relationship. Thought to consider, How did the Japanese father come to stand beside his naked daughter and not really notice. Perhaps nudism was rife in their family, though the thought i had was of prior sexual abuse, which would give meaning to his wife's suicide, Chiecko's inappropriate actions to older father figures and her inability to make friends with boys of her own age. Presumably the mothers death was prior to the hunting trip in Morocco. The Japanese portion of the movie was central to the whole theme, dysfunctional language and the loss of meaning, even more apparent when at one stage the Mexican nanny is speaking in Spanish to the American children at their home. I wonder if they knew what she was saying. All round great film.
Jacob's Ladder (1990)
Horror I think not
have viewed this film several times now and no way I would call it a horror, more of a love redemption story.
possible plot lines history Promising young Doctor to be blames himself for the death of his son. Finding himself in Vietnam he is accidentally killed by a fellow soldier in a fire fight. He takes a while to die. On the table he has issues to deal with: the death of his son possible affair with a coworker(Pena) the abandonment of his wife, and children(who may not exist) the possibility of going to hell how to escape from hell how to address these issues how to surrender to death and not fear. You might remember that Dante had a guide through the seven circles of Hell and I offer that Jacob's guide was Louie.As Kate Bush said Heaven is Hell, Hell is Heaven. You just have to surrender your mortal fears and accept. Jacob addressed the issue by accepting the love and trust of Gabriel and entered the light and died at peace. My take anyway. Too bad this sort of film is not made too often today. Happy screenings
Dead Man (1995)
Slide show
Saw this last night on DVD and what a great take on a spiritual journey of awakening at the gates of death. Starts slow, never picks up pace and ambles to a finish, bloody wonderful, and in amongst all that slowness we have abrupt and explosive violence and what surely must be a take on Shakespeares fools at the cemetery in those bible toting hillbillies. Just what was he doing in that dress, and let us not forget that bounty hunter lending the other one his hand. Absolute fun, the old west never looked like a better time. Beautiful in black and white. My only regret is that nobody got shot, I hope the great white spirit lives on.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
part two
I have to say I totally enjoyed the movie. Complete escapism done to a tee. Some reviewers complain about lack of plot, lack of development and a wandering story line. Some people can't see the woods for the trees. It was always going to be about debts called in, if you remember the first film, and of course Jack was always going to try to avoid paying that debt, he is a scoundrel you know. And of course Lizzie was going to fall under his spell, all woman love lovable rogues. He did come back and she did betray him. Plot point here, 'how come the kraken did not follow him in the boat?' Still, suspend your belief and have a damn good laugh or two, the audience i was in laughed from a to z. just love the way jack runs.
Alien Resurrection (1997)
do Americans ever get European ideas
I actually think this a great movie, much better than Cameron's dumb Joes who I couldn't wait for the aliens to polish off. I liked the convicts and their planet, but this movie has the adorable Ripley almost as alien as the aliens. Good acting for her to move as they do, and what about that end - Would Hitler's mother have killed Adolf if she had known what a monster he would become, and then the fellow calls to his mum to save him with a piteous look of betrayal at her. Top marks to that director, annoying that he cut the lines in the special edition. Favourite line - Fix things, i don't fix things i'm only here to hurt people a little bit. Or some such. Any way a fine entrant to the series. roll on the next, P.s. the earth was not destroyed. the ship disintegrated on re-entry, but don't forget there is alien human DNA quick frozen in space, see ya.
King Kong (1933)
oh yeah
Ah i remember this film from my childhood, mostly spent behind the chair looking at the screen of the TV when i felt safe. Very scary movie for the six year old i was. I remember the screams, the jungle, the ship and natives, and the look on Kong's face as he stared perplexedly into Fay's face. A look of unrequited love and when i saw it as a fourteen year old how sad i felt for him. It is one of those great movies where regardless of the motive or talent in making it, it through your biographical element allows subtexts to play out and unfold as you go through your life. I guess that's why it is timeless even though it can seem dated. And i've managed to get a copy on DVD, can't wait to play it. Go Kong Go. Part of me wishes he had whacked those planes and won out. Good lord you don't think it was some sort of political take on foreign barbarians besmirching the honour of American virginal woman do you?
Friends (1971)
memories
Well what do you know, I was painting my house today and an Elton john song came on the radio, which immediately took me back to this movie which i saw in 1971. So long ago and so far away. Ten years later i hitched hiked through the country side of France, and i sure would have been keen to see Michelle. The film is probably not very sophisticated by todays standards, more's the pity, but it seemed rather racy back then. A few years later a sequel was made with Michelle living in a high rise in Paris and Paul coming back to meet her, just like life they had moved on, the film was very downbeat. Still the original was fab, and if you can get a copy go rent it, just remember to give it its' due and treat it gently. I note Americans can be rather prudish, so take note, contains scenes and themes possibly upsetting to middle America.
The Fisher King (1991)
Arthur no, Parsifal yes
Finally i manage to track down this great cinema piece in the bargain shop. Thankyou above. I note some reviewers think that this is King Arthur inspired, it's not. The legend of the Fisher King is the story of a young Knight called Parsifal, who upon seeing a wounded king, did not ask the question- "what ails thee?", and goes in search of the Holy Grail. involving himself in all sorts of adventures, most of which if he would only pause and take stock would show him where the grail is. That being in his heart. With all myths, subtext is all and near anything can become important, overlaid, and gain meaning. Jack never knew he had a heart, New York the same, Parry (Parsifal) bleeding deeply from his and so on. I wonder if the red knight, a not very happy experience, for Parry is a dramatic representation of the blood splatter of his wife's hair in the restaurant scene, personified now and continuing to haunt Parry as he tries to break free. Good performances by all the cast, especially Jeff Bridges, who as an ace arsehole derides all responsibility for his actions, and i think his alcoholic stupor is not the result of his actions but the fact he got canned, He was still arse once he got back to fame, he receiving redemption from his ex when she took him back - surely a work in progress'
Good film do not miss it. Oh and NY found its heart in Grand Central for a couple of moments, Love that waltz.
Secret World Live (1994)
just like being there
It was my good fortune to attend a Gabriel concert in 1980 just after he had left Genesis and embarked on a solo tour in the town of Taunton, England. What luck to travel 1/2 a world and find him. Even more astonishing to sit in a darkened theatre and exchange words with a latecomer over the concert and the support act and when the lights went up to discover it was Peter himself as he rose from the seat to take his place on the stage. It was memorable for a stripped down stage show, a baby who wailed at an appropriate moment in Mother of Violence, and a rapturous applause from the audience for the show. From that to this, full on stage effects, marvelous music, astounding camera work, and don't i just love the way that Peter does not hog the show. What an extraordinary group of musicians he has and how they enjoy each other and playing the music. You Europeans are damn lucky to get to go, pity us down the bottom of the world 12500 miles away, But this DVD brings them into your room, and as Jon Anderson sings 'It's almost like being there' .Oh yes! Go you bald men go. Glad Peter joined Tony and David in the head department, and now the drummer as well.
The Journey of Natty Gann (1985)
tough bits but thats life
I got this movie out for the family, and yes there are unsettling bits in it, vis - the dog fight, the abuse, the orphanage, the tree scene, when you think about it probably the whole film. And why is that? Probably due to the verisimilitude of the film to the times, the grainy nature just added to the realism, the times were tough so lets not sugar coat the experiences of those who went through them. Disney probably made this film by mistake but i'm glad they did. And I just love a story where a wolf gets equal billing in the sensibility stakes, even if it's a dog actor. Good film, good acting, great trains and the U.S. countryside never looked more beautiful. Oh and the DVD did jitter but settled down after clean ?, and it was letterbox for the widescreen so I didn't have to suffer amputation. 10 - 10
Kelly's Heroes (1970)
not as i remember it.
I got this movie out awhile back to have a family showing of a film that i enjoyed when first released. That was a mistake. I remembered it as a comedy, what i saw on the screen was a very graphic war adventure a la Peckinpah. Sure it was still humorous, but it was also violent,especially the railway scene,even with the soundtrack. It just goes to show what sticks in your mind and what doesn't. All said and done though it's a very good film. The anachronism of Oddball is no different to that of Shakespeare in some of his plays - such things are included to shed light. The American army may have been stiff but I'm sure the Aussies and the Kiwis would have had such characters, and as someone else said 'the tankers were a breed apart' as were the submariners. It's a great movie, but not for all the family.
Escape from Sobibor (1987)
edge of seat!!!
I first got this out on video many years back. Being interested in the holocaust from a young age,and having traveled through Poland in the early eighties I got this out of interest.Amazing to think it was done for television and not cinema. I,was on the edge of my seat all the way through,could hardly breath all through the film,did not take my eyes off the screen.The ending is both shattering and uplifting.Even more so knowing the outcome of some of the lives. And how simply fitting a denouement on the end credits the result of the police investigation, give that policeman a medal. On the whole the acting is exceptional, and by that I mean one forgets the actor and sees only the person as real. In fact it has that real life documentary feel to the story. Most satisfying to have seen it before Rutger got semi-famous.
Brazil (1985)
Stunner
All I can say is by far the best film I have had the pleasure to sit through. Yes it is dark, sardonic, satirical, but still a love story. Gilliam has somehow managed to place English humour into his American background and come out tops. SPOILER OF SORTS: how maddeningly of the film to predict state sanctified terrorism to maintain the status quo of political self interest,especially now in the Bush era. Who would have thought that twenty years ago. As for the end, well, Winston came out worse, crushed and consumed and at least our hero here is 'saved' from that.I thought the film was a bravura effort back then when first seen and each time I re-screen it, it gets better. Just like Casablanca and Birdy. Go on and view it, let your imagination soar and appreciate the comedy.