henri-9 Reviews

Open Your Eyes (1997)

Intelligent Thriller!

[9/10 · 21 April 1999]

I saw the premier of "Open Your Eyes" earlier this week in Dallas and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Not only were the elements of surprise and intrigue abound, the direction was superb. I can honestly say that it was one of the most unique films I have seen in quite some time. Although similar to US films such as The Game and 12 Monkeys, Open Your Eyes crosses many genres like an all-in-one package. It's a love story and a tragedy, a dream and a reality. Ultimately however, you are left to decipher the true meaning. I am anxious for this young director's next film.

The Baby Dance (1998 TV Movie)

Thought provoking film

[1 April 1999]

"Baby Dance" is a fine addition to the onslaught of scrupulous films about birth rights and the dynamics involved when nature is not left to its own design, or is in some fashion revealed prematurely. In "Twilight of the Golds" it was homosexuality, and in "Gattaca" it was genetic predisposition, but Baby Dance is a bit more of a human drama with very real situations. I highly recommend this movie as a thought-provoking, intensely personal look at infertility and adoption. You may not like what you see, but what you see is real and genuine.

What Dreams May Come (1998)

"Dreams" review

[9/10 · 9 March 1999]

Many films reviewed by mainstream critics do not receive a fair shake for any number of reasons and What Dreams May Come is one such picture. This film was easily one of last year's best pictures and rightfully deserves its Academy Award nod for Art Direction (what happened to Cinematography?). This was an extremely thought-provoking movie, just the kind lacking in a year bombarded with mediocre scripts. It is a story about life-after-death with one central theme, "love never dies". I found that this film affected me like few others have this past year (like American History X, Pleasantville, and Life is Beautiful). If you are not afraid to suspend judgement, and are interested in a "thinking" film, don't miss this imaginative achievement. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!.