Change Your Image
kathy-18
Reviews
La lengua de las mariposas (1999)
Overrated, a big disappointment.
This movie consists of an hour and a half of meandering, sweetness-n-light fluff, followed by a rushed and overdone ending. The conclusion felt artificial because so little foreshadowing or tension was developed during the first 90% of the movie. If the director wished to make a point about the impact of war, one would think he'd have devoted a little more time to that subject, fleshed it out a little more, instead of wasting so much time on irrelevant events earlier in the film. On the plus side, the acting was excellent, especially that of the little boy Moncho, whose expressive, innocent face was a joy to behold.
But even Moncho's adorable face couldn't stop me from wishing I'd saved my eight bucks and instead rented "Life is Beautiful" a far better movie about war and the transcendence of the human spirit.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Stands the test of time - gets better with each viewing
The first time I saw Ferris Bueller I was 30 - not exactly the target audience. I thought it was corny but, for lack of a better description, strangely uplifting. I've seen it lots of times since and it never fails to have that effect. It makes me laugh and cheers me up. What more could one ask from a movie? It's become my all-time favorite comedy, flaws and all. I give it a 10.
Babe: Pig in the City (1998)
Destined to become a classic.
This movie is destined to become a classic, in a league with "The Wizard of Oz." Not having seen the original, I viewed it with no expectations other than if my favorite critic Gene Siskel thought it was great, it must be great.
Right he was, as usual. To expand on "great", it was original, imaginative, engaging, funny, technically brilliant, visually stunning and morally uplifting. Seen another movie like that lately? Critics who complain about the film's "darkness" must have forgotten the flying monkey scene in "The Wizard of Ox" and surely never read any of Grimm's fairy tales. Thank you George Miller for making this beautiful film. And bless you, Gene, for your integrity and lifelong (alas, not long enough) championing of little known but worthy films.
Breaking Away (1979)
A sweet, funny, poignant movie - one of my all-time favorites.
Though its other teen stars went on to more fame and glory, (Dennis Quaid and Daniel Stern) you'll never forget Dennis Christopher's performance in the lead role of Dave Stoller, an innocent, humble, fantasy-prone kid who dreams of becoming an Italian bicycle racer. A gifted athlete who does nothing halfway, Dave trains relentlessly. He also adopts an Italian accent, speaks in "pigeon Italian", sings opera and shaves his legs (to decrease wind resistance) - much to the disgust of his blustery father and the amusement of his reserved but kindred-soul mother (Paul Dooley and Barbara Barrie, in a moving performance.)
The plot focuses on four working class teens, residents of college town Bloomington, Indiana, who face a bleak,uncertain future after graduating from high school. They are reminded daily of their low status and limited options, thanks to the rich, callous college students who have taken over the town. Bad feelings escalate, finally culminating in a somewhat contrived bicycle race between the college students and the townies.But the conventional plot is made palpable by gentle humor, good acting and an unusual underlying theme.
It's the opposite of a coming of age flick. Despite taking his knocks, Dave's buoyant spirit and flights of fantasy emerge intact -- it's his cynical, crooked, used-car salesman father who is transformed, in a touchingly understated way. This movie is a rare gem - it is both suitable and tremendously appealing to all ages.