This is a movie for people (like me) who liked American Beauty, as well as Magnolia. Like these two, it plays in US suburbia and - beneath the surface - deals with pretty existential topics. Overall, Little Children is rougher than American Beauty. Its atmosphere is darker, more desperate, there is less comedy. Little Children is less "artsy", and it touches more unsettling issues, as exemplified by the creepy, and partly likable, pedophile who is so impressively incorporated by Healey (should have won the Oscar he was nominated for!), or by the lonesome, mentally ill woman he once dates. The brief but very explicit sex scene with the two main characters is also rough, very believable, and thus one of the best I have seen in years. When I first saw this movie I was disappointed by, actually felt fooled by, the abrupt and unexpected ending. When I saw it a second time, I came to appreciate the ending as an important component: For a long time, Little Children seems to argue in favor of unconditional self-liberation (like American Beauty). But in the end, its characters are abruptly confronted with reality, with their responsibilities as adults, and have to learn that their childhoods are over. In fact, like the narrator's voice did from the very beginning, the movie mocks all its characters (and probably most of its viewers) for being immature and childish. That's mean. Wonderfully mean.
Reviews
11 Reviews
The Fox and the Child
(2007)
Not recommended if you're over ten years old
6 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I went to see this movie with the most positive expectations. I had seen Jacquet's previous movie (march of the penguins) and had heard a very positive review of this one on the radio. However, I was severely disappointed. Most of all, this movie is terribly boring. Literally NOTHING happens. I tried to describe the content of the movie to a friend, and we both ended up laughing because I could only stammer things like "well then the winter comes, and then spring, and then there's an eagle, and a river, and one time it is dark, and the girl goes into a cave, and another time the fox has babies" and so on. After about half an hour I began sighing, yawning, rolling my eyes, cursing the reviewer at the radio station, and hoping that it would be over soon. But the movie went on and on. When it finally ended I had sunken so deep into my chair that I must have looked somewhat similar to Stephen Hawking. The most annoying parts of the movie are (a) The girl, who is obviously there to give children someone to identify with. She wears the same clothes throughout the entire movie (one year), and shows exactly two facial expressions: Joy and Seriousness. She is cute, no question about that. However, a movie about the beauty of nature like this one would have done better without her all-too-human presence. I found myself constantly hoping that she might get eaten by a bear, drown in the river, or something similarly terrible. (b) The commentary by the girl's adult voice, which tells us nothing but negligible, obvious, boring, redundant things. (c) The music, which is desperately lacking subtlety. When the girl is happily jumping around, the music jumps around, too. When the fox is threatened by an eagle, the music becomes threatening, too. It reminded me of the very early days of film-making, and was just too predictable to enjoy. Admittedly, many of the children who saw the movie with me did obviously like it, at least they got somehow involved. Thus, my warning concerns adults only: If you are over ten years old, avoid this movie. You can get a better (and cheaper) sleep in most other places.
The Darjeeling Limited
(2007)
OK, Wes, we got your point now
5 January 2008
This is another nicely made, strangely beautiful, interesting piece by Wes Anderson. As always, I liked the costumes, dialogues, sets, and the mixture of touching personal topics and shere absurdity. However, I think it is time Wes Anderson tries something new. After having seen all of his movies (Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and this one), I think that another movie of this kind would probably destroy Anderson's reputation of being innovative. In actual fact, the Darjeeling Limited does show us little that we haven't seen already in his earlier works (the only exceptions being more sex and more landscape). Admittedly, The Darjeeling Limited is the most mature of Anderson's movies. So if you would like to get a taste of how his movies are - this is the one you should see (and Life Aquatic, maybe, which I liked the most).
The Vexxer
(2007)
Mediocre comedy, but great advertisements
21 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This sequel is not as good as the first part, which I really enjoyed very much. It's been only two days since I have seen "Neues vom Wixxer" and I can hardly recall anything that went on in the movie. Only one thing I remember very clearly: The advertisements in the middle of the film. They were actually fantastic. The ads took only three minutes or so, but they alone made the movie worth seeing. Best of all: Roger Willemsen's self-parody as a hyper-intellectual classic music lover who advertises a symphonic version of the world's most beautiful ring-tones: "You won't find this collection in the stores - because it's crappy". Wunderbar.
American Beauty
(1999)
The best movie I have ever seen
20 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
"American Beauty" is simply the best movie ever made. The photography is wonderful, the acting is great, the music is haunting and unique, and, most of all, the script by Alan Ball is fantastic. You would probably expect that after about 100 years of movie making, every topic has been dealt with a hundred times already. How surprising then, that in 1999 it was still possible to make a film about something that has rarely, if ever, been a movie theme, and still touches most viewers very personally: Sensitivity.
You need to be sensitive in order to fully appreciate this movie. Only then you will be able to identify with Lester's development, and see why Caroline's is a fake one. You will also understand what touches Ricky so much in the key scene (the one with the plastic bag), and Lester's final words at the end of the film.
American Beauty works on many levels. As a comedy, as a criticism of society, and as a lesson in how to rediscover your vitality. You will laugh, you will feel tension and rage, but in the end, you'll recognize that it was all about something completely different. Not about the characters' "stupid little lives".
The movie is constantly surprising the viewer, by shattering preconceived expectations. Most importantly, the "psycho" next door, who was in a mental institution, who deals drugs (both among the worst American nightmares), turns out to be the savior in the end. He is the one who knows about true beauty. "American Beauty" is not about what most people in the world would first associate with the title - a superficial, arrogant cheerleader-type girlie like Angela Hayes. Rather, it's about the beauty that is in the simplest of things, and in yourself. Angela's beauty lies not in her aspirations of becoming a model, and her having "been in Seventeen once". It lies in her being insecure, an inexperienced virgin, who, in the end, admits how fearful she is. The most stunning thing, and I am sure that the makers were completely aware of this twist, is that this is a Hollywood movie.
You need to be sensitive in order to fully appreciate this movie. Only then you will be able to identify with Lester's development, and see why Caroline's is a fake one. You will also understand what touches Ricky so much in the key scene (the one with the plastic bag), and Lester's final words at the end of the film.
American Beauty works on many levels. As a comedy, as a criticism of society, and as a lesson in how to rediscover your vitality. You will laugh, you will feel tension and rage, but in the end, you'll recognize that it was all about something completely different. Not about the characters' "stupid little lives".
The movie is constantly surprising the viewer, by shattering preconceived expectations. Most importantly, the "psycho" next door, who was in a mental institution, who deals drugs (both among the worst American nightmares), turns out to be the savior in the end. He is the one who knows about true beauty. "American Beauty" is not about what most people in the world would first associate with the title - a superficial, arrogant cheerleader-type girlie like Angela Hayes. Rather, it's about the beauty that is in the simplest of things, and in yourself. Angela's beauty lies not in her aspirations of becoming a model, and her having "been in Seventeen once". It lies in her being insecure, an inexperienced virgin, who, in the end, admits how fearful she is. The most stunning thing, and I am sure that the makers were completely aware of this twist, is that this is a Hollywood movie.
I beg your pardon. This one's quite OK !
6 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
What's so bad about "Santa Claus conquers the Martians"? As another reviewer on IMDb has already stated correctly, this is a KIDS' movie. What do you expect? I really do not get why it is in the "Essentials" collection of MST3K, together with the truly unspeakable "Manos, the Hands of Fate". In contrast to that one, "Santa Claus" at least has a story and real actors. What's more, the cheap looks of the robot and ice bear, as well as the extremely colorful sets and ridiculous space-costumes give it an air of cuteness.
SCCTM has only two real flaws: The way the children defeat that evil Martian by throwing toys at him is not exactly convincing. And the "funny" Dropo character, instead of becoming Mars-Santa in the end, should have been executed. That would have given Pia Zadora an even better reason to smile. Apart from that, I found the movie quite tolerable, even entertaining.
SCCTM has only two real flaws: The way the children defeat that evil Martian by throwing toys at him is not exactly convincing. And the "funny" Dropo character, instead of becoming Mars-Santa in the end, should have been executed. That would have given Pia Zadora an even better reason to smile. Apart from that, I found the movie quite tolerable, even entertaining.
Manos: The Hands of Fate
(1966)
Impossible
5 January 2007
Reading all the fantastic comments about this abysmal movie gave me some of the biggest laughs I have had in my LIFE. Thank you all for being such great soulmates when it comes to terrible cinema.
After reading those comments, I had to watch "Manos" myself. And so I did. Two days ago. I was determined to be strong, to prevail, to sit through the whole thing whatever was to come. But, alas, "Manos" was stronger than I.
I have endured a thing or two in my life: Plan 9 from outer space. Hercules against the moon men. Godzilla versus Megalon. German musical comedies from the early sixties. However, THIS was too much for me. About one hour or so into the movie, I quit.
I went to bed with an empty gaze, shaking my head in disbelief for about 15 minutes. Every now and then, I could hear myself chuckle like an idiot.
After reading those comments, I had to watch "Manos" myself. And so I did. Two days ago. I was determined to be strong, to prevail, to sit through the whole thing whatever was to come. But, alas, "Manos" was stronger than I.
I have endured a thing or two in my life: Plan 9 from outer space. Hercules against the moon men. Godzilla versus Megalon. German musical comedies from the early sixties. However, THIS was too much for me. About one hour or so into the movie, I quit.
I went to bed with an empty gaze, shaking my head in disbelief for about 15 minutes. Every now and then, I could hear myself chuckle like an idiot.
The Abyss
(1989)
Close encounters of the wet kind
12 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Yesterday evening, I watched this movie (the extended version) for the first time. I was expecting some wonderful underwater photography, and a lot of chills and thrills. In hindsight, I must say that:
The cinematography is actually breathtaking! The sets are great! (claustrophobic, dirty, dark, complex). The SFX are good, even by today's standards. Harris' and Biehn's acting was very good, but all the other characters (including that terrible woman) were only by-standers.
However, the SCRIPT is, uhm, well, ridiculous. First of all, it's obviously a rip-off from several earlier movies, like (e.g.) "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "The Day the Earth Stood Still". What's worse: It's completely absurd. Who in the world would believe this stuff: "A Navy SEAL gets psychotic and tries to nuke some aliens, who are residing in an underwater trench, by using a nuclear warhead from a submarine that was sunk by those very aliens, whom he - the navy seal - mistakes for the Russians"????
I actually found the first 50-60 minutes very exciting (most of all: the exploration of the submarine). Great stuff ! But when the SEALS started to pursue their own "secret mission" I quit. I watched the rest of the movie somewhere in between amazement ('cause of sets, cinematography and SFX), and amusement ('cause of the laughable story). It's hard to feel thrilled by something that you know would never be remotely possible. "Contact" by Robert Zemeckis was much more believable - and thus, much more involving.
What also sucked was the "climax" close to the ending: Monster waves, summoned by the aliens to intimidate and impress the earthlings (cf. The Day the Earth Stood Still), are stopped just before destroying everything. And all the people in the world (e.g. on the beach) cheer, applaud and probably live happily ever after. "There comes a time in each man's life when he can't even believe his own eyes" (Plan 9 from outer space). My such moment was when I watched the ending of this movie. Finally, the aliens' mother ship (cf. Close Encounters) looked as if Tron had tried to bake a pancake with handles (sic).
Despite these major flaws, I give "The Abyss" a 7, because of the many strengths it also has.
The cinematography is actually breathtaking! The sets are great! (claustrophobic, dirty, dark, complex). The SFX are good, even by today's standards. Harris' and Biehn's acting was very good, but all the other characters (including that terrible woman) were only by-standers.
However, the SCRIPT is, uhm, well, ridiculous. First of all, it's obviously a rip-off from several earlier movies, like (e.g.) "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "The Day the Earth Stood Still". What's worse: It's completely absurd. Who in the world would believe this stuff: "A Navy SEAL gets psychotic and tries to nuke some aliens, who are residing in an underwater trench, by using a nuclear warhead from a submarine that was sunk by those very aliens, whom he - the navy seal - mistakes for the Russians"????
I actually found the first 50-60 minutes very exciting (most of all: the exploration of the submarine). Great stuff ! But when the SEALS started to pursue their own "secret mission" I quit. I watched the rest of the movie somewhere in between amazement ('cause of sets, cinematography and SFX), and amusement ('cause of the laughable story). It's hard to feel thrilled by something that you know would never be remotely possible. "Contact" by Robert Zemeckis was much more believable - and thus, much more involving.
What also sucked was the "climax" close to the ending: Monster waves, summoned by the aliens to intimidate and impress the earthlings (cf. The Day the Earth Stood Still), are stopped just before destroying everything. And all the people in the world (e.g. on the beach) cheer, applaud and probably live happily ever after. "There comes a time in each man's life when he can't even believe his own eyes" (Plan 9 from outer space). My such moment was when I watched the ending of this movie. Finally, the aliens' mother ship (cf. Close Encounters) looked as if Tron had tried to bake a pancake with handles (sic).
Despite these major flaws, I give "The Abyss" a 7, because of the many strengths it also has.
It's an adventure !
11 October 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This film was probably the most enjoyable cinematic experience I have had in years - since I saw American Beauty, probably. It was the first Wes Anderson Movie I watched (meanwhile, I have seen them all), and it may very well be the best. As Bill Murray correctly states in the Bonus Material on the DVD "it's so full of content", you hardly know where to begin: An aging adventurer (Steve Zissou), whose fame is fading, has to confront the fact that he is being overtaken by younger people in almost every respect (a younger researcher who is "getting all the grants", a guy who may be his son and gets the pregnant girl Steve wanted to get). For a long time, he struggles to get back in control, sometimes in pretty bad mannered ways, but in the end he realizes that life IS NOT controllable but "an adventure" (the last sentence spoken in the movie), that this is what makes it so fascinating, and that the unpredictable journey of life makes no sense without the company of people who are close to you (Wes Anderson's well known family-theme). The movie also makes a strong statement in favor of dreaming, innocent "childish" fantasies (stop-motion "sugarcrabs"), and explorer spirit, which give life meaning and direction. What makes it so extraordinary is the mixture of such serious topics and the lighthearted, sometimes absurd presentation (the uniforms and speedos, the cross-sectional ship scene, Bowie-songs in Portguese, silly action sequences, unreal underwater expeditions). The tragic, the touching and the ridiculous are simultaneously present all the time, just like in life. This trademark principle of all Anderson movies has probably been most perfectly implemented in "The Life Aquatic". It was a lot of fun to read some of the more negative comments here, written by people who were obviously disappointed because during the entire movie no-one holds up a sign explaining the message, the humor is slightly more subtle than in "Jackass", and there is only a handful of minor explosions. Never mind, folks.
Silent Running
(1972)
Touching and Disturbing
9 October 2006
Warning: Spoilers
What a sad, chilling and impressive movie this is. Judged from the perspective of a 2006 moviegoer, this science fiction film certainly isn't perfect in terms of special effects, although for the time it was made they were actually quite good - especially if one takes the tiny budget into account. But you don't watch this movie for breathtaking action sequences (watch Star Wars instead) or fascinating aesthetics (watch 2001 instead). The wonderful thing about this movie is its very unusual plot: A sensitive loner refuses to destroy the last remains of nature left from earth, kills his three colleagues instead, and embarks on an incredibly lonesome trip through space, only accompanied by plants, some animals, three taciturn robots and his own feelings of guilt. Finally, when he's unexpectedly discovered, instead of letting himself be "rescued", he blows up his ship, including himself. The only thing that remains is the last existing forest, drifting through space eternally under a geodesic dome, cared for only by a robot, SAVED FROM MANKIND. This movie quite provokingly asks the question if nature wouldn't be better off without us human beings, and it does not provide an easy answer. Its sad and desperate atmosphere is wonderfully emphasized by Bruce Dern's intense acting, and by Joan Baez' haunting songs. Despite all its technical flaws, this movie is still a tremendously touching and impressive piece of art, because the story is just so powerful and disturbing.
Eyes Wide Shut
(1999)
We're awake now
1 October 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this movie a couple of times, and each time I was more impressed by how carefully it is construed. With this movie, Kubrick once again lived up to his reputation of being a perfectionist. But the reason why I love this movie so much is not its amazing technical finesse, but its content: We as humans are not in control of our sexual desires, nor are we made for monogamy. Temptation is everywhere. Thus, even a "straight A-marriage" like the Harford's can never be the whole truth. When Mrs. Harford, under the influence of Marihuana, confesses her fantasy of adultery to her husband, their naive illusion of perfect harmony is shattered, never to be restored. Instead, Bill goes on a journey into his own (and more importantly, OUR) hidden wishes and imaginations, and is increasingly overwhelmed by the power of sexuality (it doesn't matter if all this really happens or is just a dream of his). In the end, there's desperation, a confession, and tears, but at least: "We are awake now". The Harfords have matured by accepting an inconvenient truth about what it means to be human. And there's the stunning realization, that there can STILL be love. Maybe not forever ("let's not use that word - it frightens me"), but at least for the moment. And so, after all, there's one thing the two of them are going to do as soon as possible...
What an insightful, liberating and important movie !
What an insightful, liberating and important movie !
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