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jynnantonnix
Reviews
Hearts in Atlantis (2001)
just a sweet little film
I can understand all the comments about the film being too slow, or not faithful to the book. It is obvious there was a lot which was left out or unexplained, but I found myself totally enthralled throughout this sweet story. It definitely made me want to go out and read the book (something I am glad I did not do first). Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Ted Brautigan was simply mesmerizing, and he and the young boy seemed to have a real chemistry.I have seen comments on how the mother was not as thoroughly evil as her character in the book, but it seems that in such a low-key telling of the story it was enough to merely hint at her personality.Those who like things spelled out, or who like some action will likely be disappointed by this. Finally, the movie was not really faithful to the impression given by the trailer. The supernatural angle was barely played up, which may disappoint some who go with that expectation. Mainly, it seemed to be about things coming full circle, and in that context, I think it worked perfectly. So see it if that is the kind of thing you enjoy, otherwise, don't say you weren't warned.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
magic is where you find it...
I'm probably different from a lot of people in how I got to love this film...I first saw it at a full audience-participation screening when I was in college--1980, thereabouts. As an overprotected,sheltered, and seriously introverted individual, I hated the experience! The audience made it much scarier than it would otherwise have been! It wasn't until some friends in the dorm bought the soundtrack and started playing it practically nonstop that I got hooked on the songs...
Flash forward some 15 years. Married...3 kids later, I run across the movie late night on cable ,unaccountably think "Oh, cool!" and watch it again...
Chalk it up to nostalgia or what have you, but I have seen this a number of times since then, and have loved it every time. I still haven't had a repeat "audience participation" experience, but the music, the glitz, the sheer audacity of this movie always wins me over. Tim Curry as the "Sweet Transvestite" Frank-n-Furter never fails to gain my attention. He does an undeniably sexy job, and I was quite gratified to see his character swing both ways (Heck, he probably swung more ways than I could even think of!)
Despite the fact that I had originally thought this to be perverted, and shocking beyond words, I found myself, the other day, renting it to share with my teenage kids.Somehow, despite the outrageous premise and characters, it has morphed into something approaching a gentle fable. Not for everyone, granted, but the basic idea seems to be one of open-mindedness.I was somewhat surprised that my 16 year-old boy (whom I have successfully introduced to Monty Python) was entirely thrown by Frank-n-Furter, and refused to sit through the whole thing.My 14year-old daughter while taken aback here and there, generally found it a hoot! As for my 10-year-old, I'll not try this on him for a little while yet, I think....
Anyway, as with most things, this seems one of those films which is utterly dependent on your personality, and the circumstances for how you will perceive it, but all I can say is that if you once despised it, there may well have been enough emotional involvement there for you to find the magic the second time around!
Bringing Out the Dead (1999)
a harrowing ride
I am not generally a fan of gritty, depressing films, but something about this caught my attention. Granted, I am a huge Nicolas Cage fan, and will watch him in a lot of things I'd otherwise not sit through. I fully expected this to be one of those films, but I found myself drawn into his world, and mechanisms for dealing with it (as well as those of the other diverse characters). It seems sort of a slow-moving film, despite the veneer of being some sort of action movie. Maybe this is true of Scorsese's work as a whole...I haven't seen enough to judge, but in this case it seemed to enable me to just go along for the harrowing ride that made up his life.
I'd consider this definitely some of Nic Cage's best work of late, and look forward to seeing it again...I have a feeling this is one of those films that you get more out of on subsequent viewings, and would encourage anyone who hated it first time around to give it another chance.
Aladdin (1992)
a magic carpet ride (someone had to say it)
As the mom of 3 rapidly growing kids, I have probably seen every Disney movie out there.Of the "new" (beginning with "The Little Mermaid")crop, this is easily one of the best.
Most of the reviews I've seen have praised Robin Williams as the greatest thing about this movie, and, yes, he was wonderful,but don't overlook the smaller characters,the more subtle touches.One of my personal favorite characters was the carpet. The anthropomorphic artistry was a joy! Finally, the eye was kept forever occupied by the constant shifting of scenes between indigo blue and red/gold.I wa personally kept quite happy by that alone! As an aside, this is the only thing I have ever been able to stomach Gilbert Gottfried in, and he is actually very funny as Iago!
The songs were mostly catchy and effective, with clever lyrics...I wonder if any uncredited input could be given to Robin Williams.
All in all, I'd have to say I still prefer "The Little Mermaid" for msic,choreography, and being the first of the new wave....Then, possibly "Mulan" for characters, and Eddie Murphy, who just cracks me up as "Mushu". A nod, also, to "The Emperor's New Groove" which, while giving the impression of having been put together from stuff left on the cutting-room floor manages to be the freshest thing the Disney studios have put out in years. Along with these,rate "Aladdin" as one of Disney's masterpieces.
Great Performances: La bohème (1994)
A wonderful introduction to the world of Opera
I first saw this production (at least, part of it) on Public Television a few years ago, and was just smitten with the look and atmosphere.I had been haunted by it since, but unable to find it until recently. Anyway, suffice it to say I enjoyed it as much as I had remembered! The setting of the story in the 50's makes it truly accessible, and while I agree that the cast is vocally somewhat lightweight, this is not, in my mind, a flaw in this sort of production.It is not about huge and beautiful singing...this is an intimate production in which the personalities themselves are more important than some pinnacle of musical excellence.Personally, I found David Hobson's (Rodolfo)light yet musical voice perfect for the character. This seems to me a wonderful production with which to introduce young people to the world of opera (which is a tremendous merit in itself!).There is not the problem of having to look "beyond" the physical appearance of a character (no robust Mimi here, nor middle aged,rotund Rodolfo), and the very lightness of the voices may make it somewhat easier to swallow for those not accustomed to operatic style.
In short, if you are a diehard, pure "Opera" fan, you are likely to be somewhat ambivalent toward this, but if you can handle opera with a popcorn factor,it just might be a really enjoyable experience.
The Mummy Returns (2001)
check the demographics
First off, I did enjoy this film immensely, as I did the original.Obviously, neither is deathless cinema, and while the original had maybe a bit more innocence and charm, this one makes up for it with a certain depth. Problem is that it gets lost in all the special effects... Let me get to my main point, though, which was something I arrived at in reading the demographics on the votes. Almost every "real" review I have seen of this film makes a point of it being geared towards adolescent males, and this is where the surprise lies. Because across the board, this film is favored by women...and not necessarily the younger ones. Until I noted those figures, I thought I might be alone, but just let me speak for a moment to any of those ladies out there who might be wondering if this is something they might enjoy...Yes, it is too loud. Yes, it has way too many computer generated action sequences. Yes, there are gaping holes in the plot... But it's fun. It's a great movie to watch with the kids, and also one to enjoy alone. There's romance of both the worldly and otherworldly variety.There's a movie kid who is actually appealing.For those who like him, there's Brendan Fraser at his swashbuckling best.There are strong female characters(though I personally thought Anck-su-Namun turned out to be a real B****) It has some captivating eye candy in the shape of Oded Fehr, and last but by no means least, the writhe-in-your-seat-sexy Arnold Vosloo as Imhotep. Ah! Those guilty pleasures!