Not a single newspaper had nothing nice to say about this movie, almost each one said thing like "over-ambitious", "could have been good" and "if only". In my opinion it was these critics high-expectations that made them dislike the movie. If they could have just sat back and enjoyed the movie instead of marking down all the spots where something could have been done better, they would have been able to see the movie through eyes of the average "uncultured" person who just want to enjoy it not analyze all the "should haves". If a person does this then the movie they see is a smart, cool Canadian film that is a refreshing change from the movies like Black Knight and Shallow Hal which are also playing. When I went, there were no more than ten people in the theater and my bet is that half of them (myself included) were big Our Lady Peace fans who wanted see Raine Maida's acting debut. He wasn't bad and though he's a way better songwriter I'd like to see him in a movie again, his voice brings a dramatic quality to both his speaking and singing. This may seem weird but I like that the long hair and dark lights hid his good looks because it gave him a chance to get people to appreciate him for his acting, not that the critics really cared. I liked each of the setting for the seven stories except the eighties one which was a little depressing and irrelevant. I really enjoyed the story of the young flapper bride, it was really frightening and real, but still it grabs your attention. I loved the whole movie and I really think that critics should stop worrying about small meaningless points of a movie and focus on the big picture. By the way, for those who have seen the movie, does anyone know the title of the theme song for the movie by Raine Maida and Chantal Kreviazuk and if there's a place I can find it?
Reviews
3 Reviews
The Kids in the Hall
(1988–2021)
The Kids are Alright
29 August 2001
As we write this summery, visions of gay bartenders and head crushers run through our young minds. And we can say only this, we love the kids for everything that they have taught us, that to have a cabbage for a head is a great and noble thing, that two Kathy's are better than one, and that even those who were born yesterday can STILL go shopping. Yes, all thirty Helens agree, the kids are alright.
Quills
(2000)
Thoughts on Quills
21 August 2001
It seems that the first comment I get from people when I tell them that Quills is my second favorite movie (next to A Clockwork Orange)is, "Isn't that the one about the Marquis de Sade?" which is inevitably followed by "Aren't you only 15?" Well the answer may be yes on both counts but I beleave that my age shouldn't be an excuse for what movies I should or should not see. The movie was gross at times, yes, and I could have done without seeing Geoffrey Rush's genitalia but overall the movie was incredible and I'm glad I ignored its restricted rating.
I have always loved Geoffry Rush especially when he was in Les Miserables and Shakespeare in Love but as the Marquis de Sade he seemed like he was the Marquis rather than playing him. The infamous writer is scene as an irrepressible, flamboyant character who's only form of survival is to write his pornographic stories, no matter the condition. As he says during the movie, "Homo Perversio, doctor. A species that thrives in captivity." No matter how unhappy he was as soon as he found a way to write his mood changed, whether he was behind bars or not.
The three other lead characters were also marvelous. Kate Winslet (I can't believe people say she's fat!) was wonderful, her character was so sweet and didn't deserve what she got in the end. As she pointed out, "If i wasn't such a bad woman on the page, Abbe, I'll hazard I couldn't be such a good woman in life." Jauquin Pheonix again proves incredible range as the good hearted, idealistic Abbe de Coulmier. Not only does the young actor have beautiful eyes (and everything else) but his eyes are so expressive he rarely needs to say his lines for the audience to know what he's thinking. His character is, at times tragically naive. During a conversation with the Marquis over why it alright for him to visit but not Madeline he states, "I am not a beautiful young prospect, ripe for corruption." The Marquis slyly replies, "Don't be so sure." The only character I wasn't as pleased with was the evil doctor, played by Michael Caine. Though I love the actor he didn't seem right for the role, he just didn't seem like the best person to play someone so cruel. I've pictured Michael Caine playing a good guy, like in the Cider House Rules. My only other complaint is that the movie, which starts off very light hearted and funny becomes so tragic in the second half. I would have rather the two been combined better or at least not having all the good characters have a bad ending. But apart from that the movie is a must-see and gets 9 out of 10 stars with me.
I have always loved Geoffry Rush especially when he was in Les Miserables and Shakespeare in Love but as the Marquis de Sade he seemed like he was the Marquis rather than playing him. The infamous writer is scene as an irrepressible, flamboyant character who's only form of survival is to write his pornographic stories, no matter the condition. As he says during the movie, "Homo Perversio, doctor. A species that thrives in captivity." No matter how unhappy he was as soon as he found a way to write his mood changed, whether he was behind bars or not.
The three other lead characters were also marvelous. Kate Winslet (I can't believe people say she's fat!) was wonderful, her character was so sweet and didn't deserve what she got in the end. As she pointed out, "If i wasn't such a bad woman on the page, Abbe, I'll hazard I couldn't be such a good woman in life." Jauquin Pheonix again proves incredible range as the good hearted, idealistic Abbe de Coulmier. Not only does the young actor have beautiful eyes (and everything else) but his eyes are so expressive he rarely needs to say his lines for the audience to know what he's thinking. His character is, at times tragically naive. During a conversation with the Marquis over why it alright for him to visit but not Madeline he states, "I am not a beautiful young prospect, ripe for corruption." The Marquis slyly replies, "Don't be so sure." The only character I wasn't as pleased with was the evil doctor, played by Michael Caine. Though I love the actor he didn't seem right for the role, he just didn't seem like the best person to play someone so cruel. I've pictured Michael Caine playing a good guy, like in the Cider House Rules. My only other complaint is that the movie, which starts off very light hearted and funny becomes so tragic in the second half. I would have rather the two been combined better or at least not having all the good characters have a bad ending. But apart from that the movie is a must-see and gets 9 out of 10 stars with me.
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