JoElin Reviews

Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)

One good scene

[9 November 2004]

I love films so much that the idea of falling asleep in one in a movie theater makes me sad. But I did, and it happened in this movie. I have to say that the best part of this film is the scene with Alfred Molina. It was so representative and indicative of how social situations work, that was just beautiful. Everything else just wasn't my bag. It had this feeling to it, this tempo that drove me a bit crazy, drove me to sleep. It was like the jazz of cinema--always playing behind, over, under, but never with the beat. But I did get to see it with foreign subtitles, which made even the dull scenes hilarious at times. For example, IHOP was translated to "Il bar del'angolo" (the bar on the corner). Ah, good times.

Harold and Maude (1971)

forever

[10/10 · 29 July 2004]

I've been watching this movie since I was thirteen, and I have to say that on so many occasions it's helped me. It's such a beautiful concept..all that spirit

and those big ideas. Now I live in the same area that Harold and Maude were out to free, and the traffic alone just makes me want to cry. I think now, more than ever, this film is important. Take it for its anti-war message, take it for its idea of free love, but, most of all, take it for its undeniable love of freedom.

Kissing Jessica Stein (2001)

light but fun and affecting

[2 May 2002]

Simply put, I liked this movie. It was funny and fun yet had enough substance that it couldn't simply be dismissed as just "yet another lesbian flick." It feels like there's so many of those pictures made now, where some lonely girl finds her "true self" in the arms of another woman and then they both live happily ever after. But this was more complicated, and thus much more interesting. Watch for the scene between Jessica and her mother. You'll know it when you see it. It makes the whole film worthwhile (not that it wasn't already).

American Beauty (1999)

Does anyone care?

[26 December 2000]

Does anyone care about my little perception on this film? I think

not. But I don't care at this point. In sixty years I'll be dead anyway.

And if imdb.com is the only for me to make my mark on the world,

so be it. I saw this film twice. The first time I was blown away. The

second time I felt like a whore lying in a gutter. Is there a middling

point between these two emotions? I think not. Because like the

film, I am only able to feel in black and white.

And sometimes red.

8 ½ Women (1999)

no heart

[2/10 · 10 June 2000]

This movie was awful in the worst way: you just didn't care. You didn't care what happened in the plot; you didn't care about the characters. Everyone was devoid of heart. I ended up walking out about an 45 minutes into it because I simply didn't want to subject my mind to it any more. There is far too much sex in the film. Sex can be okay; it can even make the movie (hence Karma Sutra) but the intercourse here was not beautiful or sexy. It was just ugly. Don't see this film.

Jakob the Liar (1999)

a slap in the face

[1/10 · 28 April 2000]

This film was awful. There's no other way to say it. It took an awful historical event and trivialized it. C'mon, 11 million people died and our messenger of this is Robin Williams? Okay, fine. He was a great Mork, an incredible Mrs. Doubtfire...but not a war-worn jew! He adds impersonations and incredibly insensitive comedy to the film. But I suppose it isn't all his fault. For even without him, this movie would ring a very false note (right down to the english-speaking, accent-muddled guards).

The Straight Story (1999)

Worth the $26.50 it took to get my whole family to the movies

[10/10 · 27 November 1999]

This is one of the first movies of the year my whole family has gone to see. My mother (who should have a "kill your local cinema" bumper sticker) even liked it. I thought it started out in a mocking manner but eventually arrived at pure truth and sweetness. It painted a very human picture of the world, and that should be admired in a film these days. Plus it contains one of the most interesting cinematic vinettes ever involving a woman and her "car trouble." Pure magic.

Pontiac Moon (1994)

The worst film I've ever seen

[1/10 · 4 November 1999]

This is the worst movie I have ever viewed in my young life. I knew it was going to be bad because my friends had warned me but I was not prepared for the extent of its putridness. It was filmed in Mendocino (my old home town) and so I thought that it might have something to offer. But no. It, quite frankly, sucks.

Fight Club (1999)

You know it's violent when you consider "Seven" as light compared to it

[7/10 · 17 October 1999]

This film was well acted, well directed, and well written. But I could barely sit through it. I found it to be so brutal and violent that much of the time I shut my ears and closed my eyes. Helena Bonham Carter is great (and completely different as we've ever seen her) as Marla, a slightly disturbed woman. Plus, for all you yuppy Califorians, there is one cool thing in Edward Norton's refirgerator: Mendocino Mustard (that's a small town on the coast of Northern California). Plus, don't miss Meatloaf with breasts (don't ask).

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

"That's just what this country needs

[17 October 1999]

This is the absolute best film ever made about drag queens. It follows the life of three Austrailian beauties as they make their way across the outback in their lavender bus (Priscilla). It is a superb film, not only because of the fact that it shows a world that many have never seen, but also because all the stars are actually straight, which is unbelievable. Sure, it sugar coats the life of "lay girls" but the film is so glamorous and fun that you forget that it's not real.

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993)

and you Right-Wingers thought that "Harold and Maude" was odd

[17 October 1999]

If you think that being a model for a female hygiene company owned by a man who says the hardest thing about his childhood was being born a female Russian aristocrat to a strict southern Baptist home is funny, than this film may be for you. Personally, I kind of have a soft spot for it, mainly because I hate movies to be disregarded simply because they're "weird." Uma Thurman gives a good, quiet performance and that old guy from the "Karate Kid" appears. All in all, I thought it was interesting but I would never rent it again.

Snow Falling on Cedars (1999)

Like a music video, with no decent music

[13 September 1999]

I thought that this film was well-acted and well written but, I just hated the director's influence on the whole thing. For one thing, the film is dark even in daylight. It has that washed-out color thing going very strongly. And there are many musical "interludes" where a dreary, supposedly thoughtful soundtrack plays over shots of unrelated events. I suppose it's to show us what is going on in the characters' minds but in the end it just seems hokey. Also, the ending sequence in this film is simply too tidy and too happy to suit the rest of the film. I think this film was all "art" and no substance.

Snake Eyes (1998)

One of the worst films of my life

[18 August 1999]

"Snake Eyes" is a film that is so not worth anyones' time that it's hard to justify taking the time to write this review. It has poor writing, horrible music, and a pace that is like a hamster on speed running on a track. Sure, it has two wonderful actors, but they can't rise above the film.