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The Watch (2012)
Funny and silly, lots of laughs.
I hadn't seen previews and wasn't sure what to expect--afraid it might be another Dumb and Dumber, or maybe just a movie trying too hard. I was pleasantly surprised. We laughed all the way through it. It was fun to watch these lovable losers 'protect' their neighborhood. Some reviews criticize the vulgarity. (C'mon, folks; it's rated 'R', what do you expect? An 'R' rating used to be borderline 'X', but this movie is pretty tame, IMHO). It's not sophisticated--don't expect Woody Allen. It'll play to the suburbs more than to jaded urbanites. It's way more of 'humor' than 'sci-fi'. Sci-fi fans won't see anything new here--it's all stock, with moments of parody, lightly poking fun at memorable bits from iconic movies (ET, etcetera). It is rather juvenile, but that's to be expected. Juvenile can be fun. This is a non-pretentious, guy-humor film. Comedy should make you laugh. This one does. Age difference of two viewers who loved it: over 50 and under 30.
Love in the Time of Cholera (2007)
Rich-Textured, Interesting Film, but Somewhat Disorganized
This is a strangely interesting film, rich-textured and unpredictable ~ more of an art film than a mainstream one. It is dramatic and well-acted. It is at times somewhat disorganized and mystifying. The direction and/or editing could be smoother. The female lead is somewhat young for this role. It would have been well to use an older character made-up to look younger in the earlier scenes ~ or to have used a different actress for the two eras. Certainly the reference to cholera in the title leads one to think that illness, death, and separation would be a major theme, but it is more of a peripheral theme in this story. In some ways it was lacking, with some scenes and themes seeming disconnected; but I would watch it again (and need to, in fact, to clear up some odd points). Worth watching.
Sisters (2006)
A lot of ketchup died to make this movie...
I picked this up at a video-store closing, but wish I'd known something about it first ~ I would have looked for the original instead of the remake. Some graphic sex in the opening scenes made me look at the wrapper and realize there was a tiny "R" on the store label ~ so I guess I can't complain about sex and violence. I give it higher marks for psychological innuendo than for plot or character interest. This director watched too many Calvin Klein blue-jean commercials in the 80s. Lou Doillon as "Angelique" was a little too "French fashion model." The suspense held my attention, but the plot falls into the post-Silence-of-the-Lambs-that's-just-a-little-too-bizarre-to-believe category. Can't anybody make a plain old murder mystery anymore? The murder scenes were blood-soaked ~ they hauled out many crates of ketchup for this one; and never did explain how the good doctor got that mess cleaned up in five minutes. Perhaps we are to believe the police kept the reporter outside talking for, say, four or five hours while the murder scene was scrubbed? I must have had my head turned when they explained where the body was hidden ~ someone told me it was in the TV (cabinet, maybe?) The flashback scenes filled in some of the history of the twins, and were better than the surface plot ~ a few more of them might have made the film more satisfying. There was a puzzling little scene in which one twin wielded a knife at the reporter (who had morphed into dead-twin Annabelle). I'm not too sure if both girls died, or just walked off in a drug-induced haze; but I suppose, symbolically, we are to assume that Angelique is once more conjoined to a twin. I wouldn't be quite so critical if the expectation hadn't been so great. The film pretended to be arty. From the promising blurb on the back cover, I was expecting an interesting and satisfying psychological murder mystery, sans the Halloween hack-em-up gore. My mistake...
Pearl Diver (2004)
Beautiful and complex: a classic story about sisters
Pearl Diver is beautifully done, deep, rich, and unpretentious. It explores the relationship between Mennonite sisters who, as children, witnessed their mother's murder. They have dealt with it in different ways: Hannah, by following her anger to a new life in the city; and Marian, by internalizing her feelings and remaining true to her Mennonite upbringing. While it may seem that Marian is in denial, subsequent revelations ~ presented through flashbacks ~ show that her anger may have been transmuted into a sad wisdom. Her silence stems from secrecy; her forgiveness, from guilt. Flashbacks are beautifully done. The main themes are pretty straightforward, but the suspense and complexity keep it from being static. Mature viewers and readers of classic novels will enjoy the depth and foreshadowing. (The anecdote from Marian's opening scene, of Dirk Willems ~ an Anabaptist martyr ~ foreshadows a flashback scene in which Marian's character is given added dimension.) Mennonite lifestyles are portrayed with dignity, but without idealization. Hannah's character is critical of the lifestyle, but her criticism is balanced by the integrity of the Mennonites. The solution to the financial crisis is somewhat convenient; but it has the strength of symbolism on its side. Action buffs and viewers who like superficial themes will be bored or mystified. The film is not typical Hollywood.
Ray (2004)
Exciting biography, and a great performance by Foxx!
Jamie Foxx absolutely IS Ray Charles. His performance is simply genius. He owns the film, just as Spacek owned "Coal Miner's Daughter" and Quaid owned "Great Balls of Fire." In fact, it's hard to remember that the part of Ray Charles is being acted, and not played by the man himself. Ray Charles is legendary. He is well-established as a musician and the music is deep, complex, and innovative ~ even more innovative than I realized before watching this movie. The film should make new fans of a young audience who might come into it knowing little about his music. Ray Charles' life provided excellent biographical material for the film, which goes well beyond being just another movie about a musician. I confess that I knew very little about the man's life until I saw this film. I came out of it being impressed with Ray Charles' courage, strength, and innovation as man and musician.
Walk the Line (2005)
Could have been great, but was somewhat lacking...
The biography is well worth watching. Johnny Cash, himself, is a country legend and one of my favorites. In fact, his legend has crossed over into new territory with younger audiences, and this film may help further the legend. Reese Witherspoon does June Carter to a "T" ~ she turned in an excellent, energetic performance, capturing the voice and the spirit of the singer. I wouldn't change a thing about her. Unfortunately, I thought that Joaquin Phoenix missed the boat on his portrayal of Johnny Cash (and that's where strength of performance is needed). He captured Johnny's persona and strength of character, but he failed miserably on the music, I thought. Granted, Johnny's voice and style would be hard to emulate. To me, Phoenix's voice just sounded weak and off-key. This is one instance where dubbing would have been a good thing. This is not a bad movie, though. The story is wonderfully real and contains great material even for someone who doesn't know much about Cash.
The Dollmaker (1984)
Excellent Film.
"The Dollmaker" deserves to be considered a classic. The story itself would be memorable and moving with or without Fonda, but her portrayal of Gertie Nevels, the mother, is very true to the type. There is no hint of the bumpkin in Fonda's interpretation of the uneducated, backwoods mother of five, who moves from the Kentucky hills to Detroit, where she and her family endure great hardships. Fonda plays the part of a strong Appalachian woman with dignity. Although "The Dollmaker" has not been picked up and replayed as one of the "modern classics," it truly deserves a place alongside other classics, such as "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Coal Miner's Daughter." It has been quite a few years since I saw the film--probably at the time of its original release in 1984--but it touched me deeply enough that I have never forgotten it.