tomdolly Reviews

The Village (2004)

movie for people who actually understand movies

[10/10 · 8 August 2004]

If you didn't like this director's other movies, don't bother with this one, cause you probably won't "get it". But if you did, give this one a chance, you will find it beautiful and haunting.

Sure the are potential "holes" in the story, but is this a documentary? NO, so why can't fictions have holes as long as it communicates its theme? Which this movie does so eloquently.

This is not a "horror" movie, like "signs" is not a "sci-fi" movie, rather the settings/backdrop of the story serves as a stage whereby we get a glimpse of the people and their struggle of facing their real fears. I found this movie so refreshing in that it does not follow tried true boring Hollywood formulas of any genre, rather it digs down deep into the story and communicates with us on that level. I feel sorry for peole who wants a cheap thrill, this ain't your skunk beer, this is good wine.

The actings are just superb and Oscar worthy. A+ for me.

Gosford Park (2001)

aweful, and don't start give me that "deep" talk

[4/10 · 5 June 2003]

This movie is awful. Don't bother start up with that "if you don't like it, you can't appreciate a good film" etc, etc. I am happen to be very big fan of films and very critical of them.

No, I didn't have a preconceived notion that this was going to be a mystery. I watch it with an open mind, and it was all I can do to make through it. As far as this being a "comedy", I'd think a documentary on groundhog would be more entertaining.

While some people see all 138 minutes of fur and small talks as grand, splendid, charming, (notice all the big fat stupid words, oh just like the movie, w00t!) and "fleshing" out characters. I think it is as a mean of fill up 138 minutes.

As far as the movie is not about the mystry but about characters, how about these books: "the importance of being earnest?", "glass menagerie", "death of a salesman", and "war and peace?" All these are books that are capturing the heart and soul of people in an particular era and they are so much better than this, this, horrid, thing. Besides, why can't the director make it about the mystery AND the characters the same time? Oh, that is too hard for him? Akira Kurosawa beats him anyday.

If you like this movie, go check out "far from heaven", another pointless 2 hours waste of my time, oh yeah, it is about the era too and not so much the story, giveme a break. If i find more boring, overrated, pointless movies, I'd be sure to send them your way.

Sincerely

The Thin Red Line (1998)

no wonder it was only NOMINATED....

[2/10 · 4 October 2001]

I don't see how someone can sit through this stuff in theater, I watched it on tape and had to take couple of breaks to get through it. The entire movie is summarized by one word, DISJOINT. And don't think I can't handle it since it is so "complex", I liked Magnolia and Pulp Fiction just fine.

And what is the deal with all the incoherent narration? Half of the stuff didn't even make sense...

Was I suppose to feel something? What? It does not portrait the horror of the war like Full Metal Jacket or Platoon. In portraiting the realism or horror of war, it loses to Saving Private Ryan. I did not find a single character I can empathize with let along getting the film.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Nice visual but the story uses the same theme, again

[7/10 · 2 July 2001]

I am Chinese. Being Chinese, I think I can understand the movie in ways that English speaking population can't. (No offense, I don't think I understand some films here the same way you do). That been said, I think the movie received higher praises than it deserves. There is no question that it is a good movie, visually, musically, and even the story.

But if you have true fan of chinese movies, especially the ones about the older generation and the way they think, like "Raise the Red Lantern", you will realize that this movie's true aim is to criticize the old way of thinking and how it robs people their freedom/happiness. (which in subjective) I think it an old theme and should be laid to rest long time ago.

I also have a big problem with the character Yu Jen, played by Ziyi Zhang, she is not the victim, like many would think and she is, by no means, the hero. She is a spoiled brat that walked all over everyone else's interests in achieving her own. Her choice in the end of the movie is not some heroic outcry against the society, it is fitting, however, for someone that is full of pride and selfishness.

The Green Mile (1999)

Buffet style

[7/10 · 26 June 2001]

Like other comments here, the present day flashbacks are kind pointless. Especially the ending, it is way too much tongue-in-cheek to be taken seriously. The electirc chair scene for Del was unnecessarily long, not that I am appalled by the violence, but it is kind pointless to go on when we get the picture of what is happening. Hmmm...could there be some anti-death penalty propaganda going around? The performance by the actors are great, no compliants there.

I just think the director/writer did a poor job trying to present a difficult theme, they overdone it by making it cheesy and making the movie long. It is like going to a buffet: you expect a lot, and you see a lot cool offerings, you eat and eat but there are just more and by the time you are done, you are stuffed. That is when you realize that you are full but not satisfied, becasue the producer didn't cocentrate on quality.

Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)

Hopelessly Romantic?

[10/10 · 4 April 2001]

If you are a hopelessly romantic guy like me, you will love this movie. :) It is very poetic and moving. The english sub-titles forces you to really pay attention to the words, which are the best part of the movie. French IS the language of love, so they say. I bet your girlfriend will like it too! (In case you don't have a girlfriend, you can watch it and think of yourself as a diamond in the rough, romantic, poetic and underappreciated, just Cyrano. :p