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Reviews
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Haunts me the next day.
Kaufman's work as a writer has always been unusual and fresh. (Adaptation, The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Being John Malkovich).
This film reaches deep for big ideas about life and death. It is ultimately depressing, but also very "honest", whatever that might mean. I feel as I did after seeing Ozu's Tokyo Story which actually changed my view of the world, deepened my feelings for my friends and family.
It is a bumpy, rough ride over sharp and course terrain, but here are rare nuggets of insight in this film that make it worth the trip. If you see it, do not expect to be "entertained" in the ordinary sense. I can say if you have given much thought to the nature of life and/or your own mortality this is the film for you.
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005)
What am I missing?.... NOTHING!
I do not understand the praise for this film. The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada has to be the most plodding, pretentious, poorly written, poorly cast, poorly directed films EVER! This film features illogical leaps all over the landscape, underdeveloped characters, weakly defined relationships, unclear motivations, leaden pacing and an air of self-importance that reeks as bad as the corpse. I suspect all you need is racist white people, a good hearted Mexican, harsh Texas-Mexico landscape and really bad dialog to pass-off a crappy film like this as some kind of deeply thoughtful art. This ranks with Kitano's Brother as one of the big mysteries of cinema... and wildly flawed, awful film that gets rave reviews. Go figure.
2046 (2004)
Beautiful and worth the wait
I really liked "In the Mood for Love" so I have anxiously awaited "2046". Like all Wong Kar Wai films, "2046" lacks any adherence to conventions we in the west look for regarding plot, but I found every frame entrancing and each scene filled with emotional meaning.
Regarding the DVD quality: The DVD I have came from MEI AH Entertainment. I have the good fortune to live in L.A. where I can go to Chinatown and pick up these films early in the release cycle. So far I have not been disappointed with the quality of any films I have bought there. I watched it on a 42" HD screen, component, progressive, with 5.1 surround sound and had no problems with the quality.
Moonstruck (1987)
Love this movie. It is on my "at least once a year" list.
This movie is brilliant in every way. It touches on the complexities of loving relationships in a meaningful way, but never lectures. The script never condescends toward any character, not even the hapless Johnny. It also and benefits from spot-on direction, production design, casting, and performances. The fact that Cher is so perfect in the film and is more unlike "Cher" than she has ever been is a wonder to me. I watch Moonstruck at least once a year and I just viewed it again this Christmas eve with my 16 year old twin daughters and they loved it as well. It has something for everyone with a heart and leaves you filled with joy in the end.
Ju-on (2002)
Really creepy, steady supply of goosebumps
This film and Ju-On 2 creeped me out more than anything since Robert Wise's "The Haunting" back in the '60s. Ju-On and Ju-On 2 are fairly low tech, but very effective, and neither film wastes any time with useless back story or character development. They get right on with the scary stuff. What these films demonstrate is that good horror does not require expensive sets, puppets or special effects. Often it is the simple tales that tap into our innate fear of the unknown and skillfully use cinematic technique to both reveal and hide just enough information to cause a fearful reaction. I noticed my son closed the window in his room that night and I myself was a little more interested in what might be lurking in the darker places in the house. That is the lingering effect of a good horror film.