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Fermented
Reviews
Henry Fool (1997)
The only film I found thought-provoking but not enjoyable
I found myself in a bizarre predicament with this film. It was a film that I could easily see myself discussing with a group of friends, and remained thinking about it after seeing it. However, I got no enjoyment out of it. From an intellectual point of view there were plenty of topics worthy of discussing, such as the worth of the mass view of your work and what constitutes art versus pornography but the problem for me was the presentation of these ideas.
For me, the supposed hero of the story did nothing of his own accord and was led around by the ear of the title character doing exactly what he said. It's hard to root for him if he really has no stock in what he is doing. As well, the title character Henry Fool is unlikeable, and not just because he has a history of deviance. He practically forces his desire for success on someone who otherwise would not want it. There is no dynamic between the two, just a man and his tool that he uses for his own personal gains. To me, neither was likable and it ruined the chance of me rooting for their successes.
Meanwhile, the film as a whole seemed needlessly self referential, occasionally fashioning some blatant point through the main character's work or another character's comment that applies almost directly to the film itself. It makes it feel as if the characters are only ways of forcing the writer's concepts about his own work to come to the open, and it uses them for whatever it wants and lets them pick up the pieces afterward.
After all this, however, I think that I would still recommend you watch the film. While I have much bad to say about it, it made me think, and when any film does this, it is worth watching simply because I can easily see how a variety of opinions could be formed about the film. Furthermore, not being a writer I found it difficult to identify with any of the predicaments, which might add a personal touch to those who can. At the least I can appreciate an intelligent man trying to make a film of the topics that feel relevant to him.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Sometimes, there's a man... that man is The Dude.
It took me a few views before I fully appreciated all the subtleties of this film. Beyond being humorous from both a character and a situational point of view, it has a near genius way of combining the extraordinary with the mundane, putting The Dude in a situation which he does not fit into at all. The outrageous exploits of just about every other character, including the Dude's friend Walter and his rich and powerful counterpart, also named Jeff Lebowski, are made even more outrageous in the fact that the Dude just wants to lay back, smoke a joint, and not get involved in any of this.
The overly hyped exaggeration of the mystery plot, combined with the extremely downplayed acting of Jeff Bridges as the Dude, make this film work on many levels, and the irregularities of every character really play off each other, especially between John Goodman and Jeff Bridges. John, as the Dude's friend Walter, is such a huge presence with his wild outbursts and near frantic insanity, that it winds up the Dude's already seemingly high-strung personality and creates a great contrast that really made me respect John's acting abilities.
Overall, the great dialogue, both subtle and blatant humor, and excellent mix of situational and character comedy make this a film that I will definitely recommend for just about any collection.
Insomnia (2002)
Expected more from director of Memento
I was very disappointed when I came out of my schools theater from this. Robin Williams, who apparently strung himself thin, was in two movies that aren't going to make it very far... this and Death to Smoochy. Meanwhile, Al Pacino plays his overused character as it is... overused. The "intrigue" in the subplot is marginal, causing some of the extremely predictable scenes to drag even more with talk of internal affairs and some thingy with people in jail. There's some teenage angst which is thrown in for the hell of it, and just general uninterestingness. The insomnia scenes are also quite boring. So yeah. It's a movie. Might make a good deal at the box office, but not really worth it.
Batoru rowaiaru (2000)
So sad...
I don't know if I've just been softened up by society, but let me tell you, I didn't like this film. And not because of the message it's sending, but because it's just downright disgusting. I'll admit, I enjoyed such movies as Clockwork Orange and... well, I can't think of anything else that had such gratuitous violence. But, this movie was just disgusting. Maybe the kids were asses, but suddenly it is realized that they must become as "mature" as "adults" (two words used here hesitantly, because, one, the adults in this move are terribly immature, especially the man who ran it all, with his run in at the end of the movie, and the painting, and his failed family life, and mature because, I wouldn't exactly say they matured, they just became more hardened to life). Frankly, what I found so awful about this movie is that I just can't stand to see 40 kids slaughtered in such ways. I thought it was absolutely disgusting, and made me throw up. And not in the "Requiem for a Dream" way was it disturbing, because Requiem had a point. And I wont right out deny that this movie had a point, but I couldn't gouge my way past the horrible gratuitousness to try and see it, nor would I be willing to watch it a second time. However, some of the boldness, and the harshness, and possibly even some human nature made me feel pity and remorse in this movie, and for that, I commend the director. I will give it 6 stars.
Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)
A new side of Jeunet
This is indeed one of the best films I've seen in a long time. Coming from my long time favorite director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who is separated from Caro, and the difference shows. This movie indeed can not be compared to the previous works of Jeunet, because it is an entirely different movie altogether. It includes all the tiny details of Jeunet's precise ideas, and creates an amazing story of passion, love, and sex, though as three different things. Amélie herself is terribly captivating and amusing as she carefully and meticulously tracks down her, as you may call it, soulmate, although I think she would have an entirely other word for it. But make no mistake, this is no simple love story. It is amazingly clever and exciting, and very very funny. Of course, don't watch it expecting another City of Lost Children, it is far from the dark, hidden worlds of the hidden lair of the dreamless genius. To the contrary everything is open for all to see, and there are no secrets here. And so, to take the easy way out, I can say no more but see it yourself.
Panic Room (2002)
Disappointing... (With Spoilers)
Let me tell you, this was one of THE most disappointing films I've seen in a while, and from Fincher, no less (who I will not mention again, since his rep has been attacked frequently already). This movie is a typical thriller movie that doesn't even make you think. **Spoilers**
The first thing that truly disappointed me was the lack of any new concept in robbery. Just like all the trailers say, "What they want is in that room". Well, it's money. Yawn. Then, of course, there's the little girl. A plot device, nothing more. I was, of course, saddened to see Jared Leto in such a plain role after "Requiem". Of course, I could go on and on about how he should hold a higher standard, and whatnot, but then again, Jodie Foster did this movie as well. Then, of course, was the horribly disappointing ending. And the fact that the guy got hit in the head with a sledgehammer, fell down the stairs, and lived. And the "Add on" scene, which frankly was useless (What kind of house shall we get? I don't know, lets ask the director?). And the terrible typical tense scenes which, for some reason, I didn't find tense at all. Actually, my favorite part was when the door close on the guys fingers, and the other guy refused to open it until she left. That and the flying gas tank of fiery destruction.I think the entire second half of the movie should have ended in a giant slapstick "Three Stooges" type ending, with Jodie Foster running around the house and hitting people on the head with a sledgehammer, the masked wonder with his gun shooting at shadows and hitting the tubby guy in the butt, and some weird jokes involving needles. It would have been much more interesting. Nyuk nyuk nyuk.
Death to Smoochy (2002)
Clever... But not really...
When I saw this movie, I was in a cheap humor kind of mood. And of course, I got plenty of it. Plenty of personal injury jokes, and crude humor, and the "ooh, I'm so innocent, what's this you say???" humor. Reminiscent of (forgive me) Orgazmo and it's Mormon Humor. And at the time, it made me laugh. However, it also had a some clever, biting humor that strikes at society. The business was definitely a harsh attack on big Filmmaking USA. However, the characters were rather flat and seemed almost useless to the plot. Keener seems uninspired and flat, and almost unbelievable. Her personality moves too fast to make sense. Robin Williams plays a good jerk... There's really not much more to say about him. Danny Devito thought he should play in his movie. I dunno about him... The entire mob is only useful as a plot device and is... well... yeah. And of course, after watching, you'll be thrown off the loop by something outrageously amusing, but otherwise, you just have to be in the mood for it. And not be interested in Character Development.
Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)
A new side of Jeunet
This is indeed one of the best films I've seen in a long time. Coming from my long time favorite director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who is separated from Caro, and the difference shows. This movie indeed can not be compared to the previous works of Jeunet, because it is an entirely different movie altogether. It includes all the tiny details of Jeunet's precise ideas, and creates an amazing story of passion, love, and sex, though as three different things. Amélie herself is terribly captivating and amusing as she carefully and meticulously tracks down her, as you may call it, soulmate, although I think she would have an entirely other word for it. But make no mistake, this is no simple love story. It is amazingly clever and exciting, and very very funny. Of course, don't watch it expecting another City of Lost Children, it is far from the dark, hidden worlds of the hidden lair of the dreamless genius. To the contrary everything is open for all to see, and there are no secrets here. And so, to take the easy way out, I can say no more but see it yourself.
Memento (2000)
...movie top my been have could
This was ALMOST one of my favorite movies. I was captivated from the very beginning with the clever filming technique, the clear, yet confusing plot line, the interesting story... Memento lived up to everything I had heard and expected. Right until the end. NOTE: do not read any further if you wish to remain in suspense until the end of the movie.
The movie created an excellent mood of suspense and curiosity as the plot points slowly fell together and everything began to make sense. The girl, the drug dealer, the murder... it all started to come clear, and, as I had suspected from the beginning, there would be a surprise ending, though, given the terms of the actual movie, it was hardly a "surprise". The final confrontation brought Teddy and our "hero" together... and then, there was no hero. There is no one to root for here. There is no tragic savior, there is no revelation, at least one worth being excited about. The cop is as crooked as could be assumed, the drug dealer was a drug dealer, and our "hero" turns out to be nearly the worst of all. It is a huge let-down for me to discover that there is no justice in the world of forgetfulness of Leonard, our tragic man who is used by everyone, including himself. It's hard to even feel sorry for him anymore. It all falls apart. Of course, that is my only qualm with the movie. It was highly deserving of the eight it received for the ingenious cutting, dialogue and inner monologue of Lenny, and the most unusual plot. This indeed is a great movie, but for me, it was just not quite enough. Perhaps next time, I won't watch the end.
Il boia scarlatto (1965)
I laughed, I cried, I... well, I mostly laughed.
(sub-titled "The man with the sharp popsicle sticks") As one who likes a good bad movie once in a while, when I was informed about this movie, I wondered if it was bad enough. And oh yes, it was bad enough. Hideous, awful, terrible. I loved EVERY minute of it. If you just want to laugh at stuff, this is the movie to do it with. Forget that "Royal Tenenbaums" garbage! Who needs the subtle and striking humor of "Dr. Strangelove"? This is the highest form of humor - unintentional humor. Listen carefully for the upbeat, polka beat that plays in the background. And skips. And, my favorite line: Model-prostitute person: "I don't want to stay here" Pimp-photographer: "I'll double your salary!" Mpp: "My life is worth more than that!" Pimp: "I'll triple it" Mpp: "OK, I'll do it" Just see it. you'll be glad you did.