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Reviews
Stiff Upper Lips (1997)
Hilarious British Period Film Spoof
Based on the title of this movie, I expected it to be a droll British comedy. Instead it was a laugh out-loud spoof of such films as A Room With A View, A Passage To India, Sense And Sensibility and others in that vein. I must admit that once I caught onto the joke it didn't seem quite as funny as it was at the beginning, but it was still one of the most amusing films I've seen in quite awhile.
If you like British period movies and British humor, I highly recommend this one.
Stiff Upper Lips (1997)
Hilarious British Period Film Spoof
Based on the title of this movie, I expected it to be a droll British comedy. Instead it was a laugh out-loud spoof of such films as A Room With A View, A Passage To India, Sense And Sensibility and others in that vein. I must admit that once I caught onto the joke it didn't seem quite as funny as it was at the beginning, but it was still one of the most amusing films I've seen in quite awhile.
If you like British period movies and British humor, I highly recommend this one.
Fight Club (1999)
Brutally Hilarious - Surreally Realistic
After seeing countless advertisements for it, I thought I had a pretty good idea what this movie was about. A movie about a bunch of guys beating the crap out of each other didn't hold much appeal for most women except, I suppose, those who hate men. And why would someone use a pink bar of soap to advertise such a film? I didn't know and I didn't particularly care. I knew I'd get around to seeing it eventually--where and when didn't seem too important. But, after viewing a rented copy of this movie, I find I want to know everything I possibly can about it.
Surprisingly, Fight Club is a relationship movie. It's about the relationships one man has with himself, and others, and what they all represent. And, like most of my favorite tales, it includes at least one poignant love story.
The narrator of Fight Club, played brilliantly by Edward Norton, begins as a lonely insomniac. We accompany him on his search for some meaning in his life, which is irrevocably altered after meeting a new "single-serving friend" (Brad Pitt) on one of his many business trips. This new friend, who sells homemade boutique soaps, introduces the lost young man to a far more lively lifestyle, where each experience is met head-on and where fighting becomes a way to connect with other lost souls like himself.
The relationships in this film are complex and, for the most part, well-developed, with "Fight Club" being the character binding most of the others together. There are no women involved in the fight scenes of the movie, but there are a couple of women with significant roles, particularly Helena Bonham Carter, who plays the love interest. She seems to be on a mission to reverse the typecasting of the virtuous women she played in most of her early films and she certainly succeeds with Fight Club. I had a hard time relating to this brash woman throughout most of the film, identifying more with the male characters, though I never felt eager to fight. In the end, her character illustrated the differences that men and women have in dealing with the same situations and feelings.
The Fight Club DVD set truly takes advantage of the format in the best possible way, with multiple commentary tracks and all sorts of technical information for "how'd they do that?" viewers like myself. Fight Club is a story that will stay with me for a long time. I loved this movie and plan to add it to my permanent collection.
Lola rennt (1998)
This movie is truly an original that will be going into my permanent collection!
Lola rennt or Run Lola Run, is one of the most unique and clever films I've ever seen. Although not long in overall running time, I was drawn into the action and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. The acting is superb and the characters, even the most minor ones, are well thought out and represented.
This movie examines the alternate possibilities of slight changes that can take place within a split second. Although there are three main scenarios of a situation, the permutations are myriad. It's fast, fun, frantic and suspenseful. The soundtrack really impels the action to further draw you in. I highly recommend it!
Le violon rouge (1998)
Music, Obsession, Love, Lust & Intrigue
A poignant love story interwoven throughout several centuries, countries and cultures while following a very special violin and the lives it touches. This movie is definitely near the top of my "must see" list.
The Red Violin has something for almost anyone of intelligence who is interested in culture and music. It's main theme involves a poignant, yet tragic, love story or, should I say stories, as we witness the way this instrument effects the lives of the people who become enamoured with it.
The movie is not difficult to follow, despite the interweaving tales, however, it might be a bit hard on those who hate subtitles, as various segments are spoken in the native language of the people whose lands the violin resides in over the years. I barely noticed it, and probably found it more intriguing and believeable because of it. I hope it's the start of a new trend.
If you are a lover of violin music and human nature, this is a film for you!!!
First Born (1988)
One of the most memorable mini-series I've ever seen.
The acting in this series was superb! The subject matter is probably more pertinent today than it was when the show was released--definitely ahead of its time. Considering the incredible advances made in gene manipulation since then, I believe this is a series that should be seen by everyone.