Barry Kruse Reviews

Mountains of the Moon (1990)

Indiana Jones who?

[9/10 · 20 March 2002]

This is an excellent film, and it's unfortunate that it wasn't more widely seen. I wish I would've caught it in the theater, as I'm sure it would be magnificent there.

In it, you're going to see some of the most painfully memorable scenes in cinema (that I refuse to give away), and an epic story that is most remarkably, wholly true.

I loved Raiders of the Lost Ark, and before "meeting" Sir Richard Francis Burton, thought characters of Indy's ilk were simply figments of Steven Spielberg's imagination. However, with study you will find that Burton's experience (and that well beyond this expedition) makes him one of the most enigmatic, interesting people to have ever walked the face of the earth. As they say, truth is stranger than fiction.

Slow, smart, challenging, beautiful. And highly recommended viewing.

Bubble Boy (2001)

Absolutely pathetic.

[3 September 2001]

PLEASE DO NOT SEE OR SUPPORT THIS FILM!!!

This movie is trite, stupid, and truly offensive. And although I am not easily offended, and appreciate, good, wacky humor, not a single person laughed in the theater at 95% of the attempted jokes in this film. I've rarely seen more racial and ethnic stereotyping in a single piece, and those used here should be taken as serious affronts to all who they've offended.

If you're Asian, African American, Indian, or "different" in any other way, stay away from this drivel. There is absolutely ZERO redeeming value in seeing this piece. And please recommend that no one you know sees it either. Please don't support the message here.

Okay, so for great credits, this was written by the same geniuses who wrote the "hilarious" "Dude, Where's My Car?", the masterful "Private Parts", and the icon-of-a-film, "How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog." Gentlemen, congratulations - you've succeeded in being unfunny, unintelligent, and offensive all in one go. You owe me $12 and an apology to my Little Brother.

Listen, Jake Gyllenhaal; October Sky was brilliant, funny, smart, and uplifting. For this film, though, fire your agent. He's lowered your class and marketability by a great measure.

I am really still seething that I was lured to see this movie. I'm all for free speach, but this isn't what that is. Please, please do not see this film.

She's Having a Baby (1988)

Sweet, sometimes sad, often charming

[6/10 · 12 March 2001]

If you haven't seen this lovely little film yet, and you are due to be a young family man, I recommend it. Watch it with you significant other, and dare to try and not shed a tear, both laughing and really crying. If you're an 80's music fan, there's simply another great reason to love this film. Plus, Hughes uses fantasy outakes in a way few people had done prior to Ally Macbeal. It renders what could have been a generally typical, boring "chick-flic" a decently entertaining picture.

Matewan (1987)

Brilliant, beautiful, unique.

[9/10 · 1 March 2001]

I am astonished that this film garnered so few accolades. I wish I would have seen this beautiful piece in the theater.

Like "Lone Star", it is a masterful, touching, authentic-looking story that moves at a slow, deliberate pace. It shows us a set of characters and characterizations that challenge us, defy stereotyping, and give us a great insight into a period of history and culture that we likely know nothing about. I was moved, and entirely swept up by this piece, and I deeply recommend it (as I do Lone Star) for something that will cause you to question your own opinions about unionization now and in history. Many actors in the film step well out of their typically expected roles. The cast is generally masterful.

My sole criticism for this film is that Will Oldham looks more Mormon than Applachian. I'm not sure how to describe this, but I lived in Utah for a year, and recognize it anywhere. It's not a bad thing, but it is distinctive - consider the very toothy smile of the Osmond family, and the fact that "Oldham" is a fairly common Mormon name, and there you have it. For this reason, I felt the role was mis-cast as maybe being too obvious. His performance is frequently overacted, I feel.

Chris Cooper is arguably the finest actor in American Cinema, and as truly commonly American as they come. I'd love to see him paired with Denzel Washington or Gene Hackman on something.

Memento (2000)

Quirky, inventive, a bit gimmicky.

[5/10 · 16 February 2001]

Elegantly acted, and interesting put together, but so messy, and with so many plot holes, that it became distracting. Friends and I who had seen the movie discussed it afterwards, and while we were intrigued and interested in the devices used in the film, ultimately, it simply didn't hold up. Were it 10% less jerked-around, I think it could have held much more tension. The concept was nevertheless fascinating, and I recommend that you see it once to see what experimental film is all about. True, I believe: there are no (or few) new stories; only different ways of telling them. This was about as original as it gets, though.

Thirteen Days (2000)

Mandatory viewing for every American

[10/10 · 25 January 2001]

This film is very nearly perfect, and should be shown to every single American high school history class. It's riveting, and terrifying sending the most powerful message about cold war politics, and is dead accurate right down to the vintage Ovaltine bottle on the kitchen table.

It certainly answer the big question: how important is it to have the most intelligent person you can as President of the United States. (I couldn't help thinking about George W. Bush during the film... how would he have reacted in this situation? Scary.)

Costner is masterful, and his accent is just fine. (Do you want to see him speak the same way every single time? Open your hearts and minds, and suspend the fact that you saw Waterworld for just a moment.)

Bruce Greenwood's performance is exemplary. He shows a JFK who is both supremely in charge, and extremely human, fallable in both character and confidence in his own leadership.

There's nothing funny about any of this, and though I'm not old enough to remember the event, I am sure that it tells the inside story in a way that most people would never have known. I can imagine no time in the history of humanity where we were closer to extinction than these thirteen days. It is a deeply important message to learn.

Directors: yes, please!!! More films like this, which unlike The Patriot and U-571 (decent films), tell real, true stories of our past and history. Our heroic forefathers, John Paul Jones, George Washington, Eddie Rickenbacher, etc. were certainly colorful enough!

The Golden Bowl (2000)

Like a promising date gone bad... (Possible spoiler)

[4/10 · 9 November 2000]

Beautiful (or handsome), but a complete bore. Deeply unsatisfying.

Warning: This review may include a spoiler. But because nothing happens in the film, there's not much to spoil.

I've not read James, and therefore haven't read the book upon which this film is based. It might be wonderful, but at this point, I certainly never will.

This film, like Passage to India, and so many other wonderful Merchant Ivory films is absolutely lush and beautifully filmed. Sets, costumes, and cinematography were wonderful. The period setting was extremely convincing. But the story literally goes nowhere, and gets there really slowly. The show ends nearly identically as it starts.

I'm not looking for Raiders of the Lost Ark here, but the film moves at a glacial pace, and while I deeply admire each of the actors in the film (as well as Merchant and Ivory), their performances were, in my opinion, far more wooden than the characterizations required.

Merchant and Ivory answered questions in person about the film after the showing I attended here in Cambridge, UK. Few people attacked the film, with the exception of a comment about the ridiculous Italian accent of Jeremy Northam (a usually fine actor). (Why not use an Italian actor for the role?) But I certainly heard little or no gushing over the work. The audience seemed deeply underwhelmed.

And if you're looking for depth, hidden meaning, or metaphor, the auteurs confirmed that there is none. What you see is what they intended to show. Where they could have drawn a deeper, much more interesting picture, they exploited none of the many opportunities to do so.

By the way; where is "American City"? The use of the name was distracting, I felt.

If you loved Remains of the Day (which I did), and other slow-moving romances of this genre, you Might enjoy this film. Plan to be patient, though, and potentially unfulfilled. And do not plan to consummate your affair with this date.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

Great, quirky, Coen fun

[9/10 · 18 September 2000]

I'm a Yank living in England, so in a rare turn of events, we received this film, for some reason, before my home country did! (Usually, American films arrive here 2-6 months after they have in the States, which sucks!)

This is a great "little" film, with extraordinary cinematography, a well-paced storyline (which vaguely recalls the Odyssey), and some wonderful performances.

If there are any weaknesses at all, it might be the marginal and obvious overacting in some cases, and John Turturro, who I never enjoy, for some reason.

Generally, though, the performances, especially Clooney's, are superb and wonderfully fun. The music, which certainly plays a large part in the story (You could call this film a musical, but don't let that put you off for a second...), is wonderful. Surprisingly, part of this film's greatest appeal is the incredible scenery!

See this film, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It's great, clean fun.

Blade Runner (1982)

One of the smartest films ever made.

[10/10 · 4 September 2000]

There are only two reasons why you wouldn't appreciate this movie: a. an aversion to violence (understandable, sensible), and/or b. you just didn't get it.

This is simply one of the most intelligent films ever made. I'm not a nut about it (okay, maybe I am), though I've seen it more than 50 times. I'd rather watch this than waste my time on garbage that doesn't work or challenge me.

If you're Just watching it for the action, or Just for the special effects, or Just for the style, then you're really missing the point. All of those details are fine, and help create the story, but they're not the message.

This story is really a commentary on the human condition and the questions we all have: How long have I got? What happens after I die? Why can't I live longer? Doesn't my maker care? Is this all real, or is it a dream?

The metaphor in this film bears the real message, and it works on so many remarkable levels. (Watch for eyes everywhere; they symbolize the way we look at ourselves and understand our world.)

Whether or not Deckard is a replicant is Not important (though intriguing); he is simply one of us, real or not, who ask the same things.

Given the choice, I think the original version was vastly superior to the Directors Cut. Enjoy, but think!

The Wood (1999)

Pleasant, but a shame

[21 August 2000]

This movie aspired to be great, and kudos to producers for creating a more upbeat film about American Black culture. There were a number of fun, smile-inspiring scenes. Unfortunately, the film dragged, lacking pace, or a real "beat" if you will. Great acting, generally, but the characters weren't always given great dialogue to work with. It's best moments are the bouncing, fun dialogue between the three main characters.

The Emperor and the Assassin (1998)

What a shame

[5/10 · 31 July 2000]

This film was so beautiful, and had so much potential, that it is a shame it didn't execute better and more consistently. The battle scenes were some of the most compelling and interesting that I've ever seen, but the show simply really dragged. Emotional scenes were way too long, and should have been trimmed. And the film deserved so much more in terms of the close-up special effects; when people are stabbed or thrust into by a sword, it looks like a high school drama lesson gone awry. Totally cheesy. Nevertheless, if you are a film student and want to see how to put big scenes together (assuming you get a $100,000,000 budget for your film), check this out (assuming you have 3 long hours to spend on something.) This film could have been better if I spoke Chinese, but I doubt it.

Lone Star (1996)

A modern masterpiece

[10/10 · 27 July 2000]

Yes, this film moves slowly. Yes, there isn't any great action. But YES! This is an AMAZING film! Rarely do you find a film so elegantly moving between the life stories of so many characters, times, and feelings. I've never seen a more intelligent portrayal of so many types of relationships all at once; fathers & sons, mothers & daughters, siblings, races, economic strata, generations, good & bad. And the acting is superb, including the two best American actors today (Chris Cooper and a cameo from Frances McDormand) amongst a fine cast. All of the characters are memorable, and you will leave the film really "knowing" at least 15 of them.

At the risk of being rude; if you didn't like this movie, you probably didn't get it. It delivers so vastly much more than the sum of its parts. What kind of movie is this? What's it about? That's just it; like Blade Runner, it breaks the bounds of a single genre, and challenges you to read much more into what you see and hear.

If you've never seen this film before, I envy the delight of your discovery!

The Patriot (2000)

A great film, though certainly not perfect (possible minor spoilers)

[10/10 · 16 July 2000]

As an American living in England, I regret the offensive historical "liberties" taken in the film for the "fire" scene in The Patriot. It simply wasn't necessary to demonstrate that the British were, in fact, at the time, "the bad guys".

The Brits I know and work with are wonderful people. But at that time, there were certainly powerful reasons why Americans declared independence, and that makes for a fascinating premise for this movie.

Cinematically, this is a beautiful film, and does a masterful job of winding several plotlines into an epic. While it can't possibly tell the story of the whole revolution, that's not the point. It's simply one story based on the feeling and general period of the Revolutionary War. It does not glamorize war, nor try to justify it. In fact, that's the main challenge of the plot. I enjoyed the character development, I enjoyed the actors' performances, and I loved the mis-en-scene.

If you choose to compare the two, I felt it was, in fact, better than Braveheart, which I found to be even more contrived and trite at times.

The film was certainly not perfect. I agree with one previous reviewer: with some minor editing (namely taking out a few lines), the substitution of the fire scene with something else less fictional, and some better SGI work (sea scenes were pretty lame), the film could have been perfect.

However, if you are an American, I urge you to see this film and to study your proud, colorful history.

If you are British, then I regret the partially unfair portrayal. But see the film anyways. As I walked out of the theatre here, most of the Brits I heard discussing the film seemed to have been thoroughly moved by it. Though we have been the closest of allies for at least 100 years now, at several times, we were not, and there were some very good reasons why.

Baraka (1992)

Magnificent

[10/10 · 26 April 2000]

Simply one of the most beautiful films you will ever see. If it's near you on the big screen, you must not miss it. Otherwise, pour a glass of wine, sit closer to the TV than your Mom would prefer, and drop in. Welcome to the world as it is in real, bigger-than-life images of humanity, and all the colors of the spectrum. It moves a bit slowly, but you'll want for more.