dave1 Reviews

Sonatine (1984)

Grim, upsetting, study of alienation

[9/10 · 16 January 2000]

This is one of those movies where you must be patient with. For the first 45 minutes or so, you will believe this film is going nowhere. It doesn`t help that some of the subtitles are poor, and not everything is adequately translated. But if you stick with this story, you will discover that it is a simple, cold, but powerful tale of two lonely, somewhat self-absorbed teenage girls, who feel alienated enough to attempt to connect emotionally with strangers. One girl tries to strike up a friendship with a bus driver, while the other girl tries to run away on a cargo ship, and for a brief time connects with a European member of the crew. When their hopes are dashed, however, the girls take desperate measures. I was not prepared for the conclusion to this seemingly uneventful movie. I did not expect it to be as strong... and as upsetting....as it actually became. I myself was very shocked and upset enough at the end of this movie to say that Sonatine contains the most depressing ending of any movie I`ve seen....so if you are of fragile emotions, and are easily upset, be prepared!!

Bubbles Galore (1996)

Terrible......and the taxpayers paid for it!

[1/10 · 21 June 1999]

This is without a doubt, one of the most tackiest films I've seen. It makes "Clerks" and similiar amateur films look as if they were directed by David Lean! And the worst part of it is that we Canadian tax-payers shelled out 125000 dollars for it. The film claims to be a feminist sex fantasy, detailing the issues surrounding pornography and women's place in it. In actuality, it is a hardcore porno film, with numerous bad actors, and many real, as opposed to simulated, sex scenes. The "message" seems to be window-dressing on such a non-story. The filmmaking itself is humurously inept, as it seems to be shot by somebody who just purchased a cheap home-video camera, and is just learning how to use it. At least Ed Wood had the good sense to use black-and-white film, which is about all that could make this film better. When the controversy broke over the fact taxpayers money was used to fund this film, I assumed the fuss was the mere fact the film dealt with the sex trade and pornography. I actually believed it was a serious film, knowing "of course, government art agencies wouldn't knowingly fund a xxx-film." Showcase cashed in on the fuss by airing it, uncut, on their late-night slot a few days ago, and the truth.... the film was a porno, after all. Apparently, the funders loved the premise so much they didn't bother to check on the final product. I bet they're embarrassed. The idea of a movie revolving around a female porn star is a great one. It would be a chance to study what sort of person she is, etc. But this movie lost that chance. And as a MOVIE, it fails big time.

For the first time in my life, I will give a movie less than one star! 1/2*