clueso Reviews

The Rice People (1994)

see a lost culture

[9/10 · 9 October 2006]

Farmers are the unsung heroes of the world. So it is true in Cambodia. This movie is not a documentary but contains more unbiased information than most of todays documentaries. The hardships of peasant life in a small Cambodian Village, waiting twelve full moons since the last harvest and beginning to prepare the fields for the planting. The incidents that occur are fictional but are taken from real stories of real people collected in a refugee camp. I have traveled for ten years in southeast Asia and seen the setting for this film, but I learned more about the resilience of the people and the communal approach to problems that occur day to day. The scenery is also spectacular.If you are lucky enough to see this on DVD there is an excellent interview with the man who made the movie. He is so selflessly true to the culture I hope he is successful in making another movie in Cambodia.

Monster (2003)

unpleasant topic, but great writing, music, and acting.

[8/10 · 27 June 2005]

If you are lucky enough to watch this on DVD don't miss the extras. The making of the music by BT in discussion with the writer/director Patty Jenkins shows you why this movie is so successful.Everyone is working to the vision of a subtly told horrid story of the victimization of helpless people. This process must have taken place with the two principle actors Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci as well, because they are brilliant! I am definite going to look up their early work. But Ms.Theron's performance is more than good direction and great make up - she has picked up the defiance mixed with hope that Aileen Wuornos was polarized with.

There are very few movies I have seen that are more well written and acted.

The Snow Walker (2003)

A good movie made worse by bad writing

[5/10 · 14 July 2004]

a marginal thumbs up for great camera work in beautiful hard to film setting. Too bad the director thought he could write. The real story of man against the elements is well told, while the back story could have been told in a much subtler manner. The plane crash is made unrealistic for dramatic effect and does not help the plot. If the movie started with the pick up of the Inuit girl and the pilot dead sticked the plane onto the lake it would be a five star move instead of the two star one that the so-called writer decided to make... still its worth a look, as the scenery and the well told story of the self sufficiency of the Inuit people to survive as a race over thousands of years in such a threatening environment. The movie is a must see for the real story inside the Hollywood stock plot.

Stepmom (1998)

starts off badly and gets worse

[1/10 · 9 July 2000]

I shut this pandering piece of tripe off after trying to hang on for thirty minutes. There are many ways to tell this story, (remains of the day comes to mind) but they have chosen to make a soap opera out of real life issues. Take my advice give it a pass.

The Impostors (1998)

A Real Sleeper

[8/10 · 20 May 2000]

Never heard of this movie, and wasn't expecting much. It started with farcical scenes setting up the setting of the ocean liner stage. Like most cruising movies the cast of characters was introduced, each with an imposter story. Much slapstick and action told like a silent movie with staccato scenes and fast moving action. Even with the over the top good/bad characters you find yourself cheering for the heroes and delighted as the plot resolves. The final credits even show Mr. Tucci's love of the play and the actors. See it if you can.