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Reviews
À ma soeur! (2001)
Being deeply unsatisfying is satisfyingly deep
Most people watch movies in order to enjoy them. Every so often a film comes around that is hard to enjoy, but is undeniably artistic. And I'm not saying the movie isn't good -- I'm saying you're not supposed to leave the movie with feeling satisfied, happy, or particularly having enjoyed it.
I found the relationship between the sisters to be superbly crafted. Despite their differences and constant bickering, they love each other. This is clear. The sisters meet Fernando, who proceeds to seduce 15 year old Elena with every clichéd "you have to have sex with me to prove you love me" technique imaginable. However mind-bogglingly obvious his impure intentions are, Elena falls for it hook, line, and sinker. Though it sounds rather formulaic, I found it intriguing because it really does happen this way so often.
It is interesting how the younger Anais recognizes Fernando's intentions, yet allows her sister to make her own mistakes. Inevitably, it becomes apparent to all that Fernando betrayed Elena in the worst way. The mother responds in what is a rather cold and unsympathetic manner, but in reality this is exactly how any parent would react in the situation.
This is a spoiler-filled review, so I will now tackle the ending without holding back details. I'm sure many people are reading this in order to find out the opinions of others over the shocking and violent final scenes. Most of the parallels that this form explains have already been mentioned in other comments here. Is virginity sacred? Anais and Elena would answer that differently. Nonetheless, the end result is the same for both -- their first mates betray them. Elena believed her virginity was sacred, but was easily seduced and lost it. Even though Anais has a different take on virginity, she is also betrayed, this time by a rapist. You can also ponder the moral quandary of whether or not Elena was raped by her Italian lover. She may as well have been. In fact, it seems that having her heart torn out was more emotionally traumatic than when Anais's virginity was forcibly torn away.
Of course the responsibility for the tragic ending lies solely on the maniac who commits the acts. Yet, situationally speaking every single character (both sisters, both of their parents, Fernando, Fernando's mother) is somehow responsible for putting them in that place at that time.
If you're looking for a deeper meaning in the ending, I believe there is a notable parallel between the narrative and the ending. So many people have said, "the director ran out of ideas" or "it's a gimmick" or "it's just shock value" or just think it doesn't fit the narrative. Many have expressed feelings of cinematic betrayal in the end of the film -- this betrayal mirrors the betrayal of both sisters. The director is like Fernando, seducing us for the entire film, screwing us, then abandoning us. It is so sudden, shocking, and unbecoming that we feel raped... much like the Fat Girl.
The cinematic and artistic values hold true in the ending. You just have to look for it. It is up to personal taste whether this makes for a "good movie" or not.
Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002)
Makes absolutely no sense
I watched Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever in order to find out how bad it could really be. It was already famously bad, but one wonders just how bad it really is. I just want to say that this film is remarkable. Never before has a film's plot contradicted itself so many times and still attempted to have a plot. This would have been much better if they altogether abandoned any semblance of a storyline, and just showed more fighting. The story makes absolutely no sense. The action is nothing special. At one point I do believe there are many large explosions, literally for no reason whatsoever.
If you are interested in watching a film filled with anti-plot, this is the film for you. You will be in awe at how you're watching a big budget movie where the writers / editors / directors obviously don't know the first thing about making a film. Just how bad can a plot be? The answer is simple. Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever
Saving Silverman (2001)
Most Underrated Comedy of 2001
After reading tons of horrible reviews I decided to pass on Saving Silverman. Eventually I saw it in the discount theater on the advice of a friend. What I discovered was a movie, while stupid in its plot, was truly funny.
There are many funny situations, and the script is filled with memorable lines. Steve Zahn and Jack Black are truly the stars of the show, even if you see Biggs and Peet in print. Zahn and Black are hilarious guys who adlibbed a lot of good stuff in this movie.
From the same director as Big Daddy and Happy Gilmore, this is more of the same. Those movies were "horrible" too if you were a critic, but if you were looking for comedy you found it. Dennis Dugan has a real knack for making a memorable and genuinely funny movie.
Seriously one of the most underrated comedies out there.