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Reviews
The Secret of Moonacre (2008)
Movie vs. Book
We live in an age where literacy is on the wane. The reviews of this film clearly are from people who do not realize the book was produced in 1946 and was popular in an era when people commonly used their imagination and did not expect to be told what to feel as is common in film. It predates the books about Narnia(1950) but not The Hobbit (1937). This was an era when children's literature was in a renaissance that lasted for decades. I remember loving the atmosphere of enchantment set by the book when I read it as a child and was surprised to see it had been filmed. The caustic reviewers should inform themselves about this form of literature in order to know what they're talking about. I'd like to see the film despite the fact that film productions often deal with subtle nuances from books like Jack the Ripper performing surgery. The Narnia stories thus far are amazingly well done all things considered and there is a lot to consider.
Les Amants de Teruel (1962)
Extraordinary and powerful romantic dance film
I first saw this film in the early seventies and have sought it out at every chance I had since then. This is one of my most favorite films of all time. It will appeal to those who have a deep appreciation of the art of western Europe from the end of the nineteenth century to the thirties. The art direction is pointedly referential to these art genres. It has a condensed power and sensibility that has conceptual roots (in the story line) in films like Children of Paradise and La Strada as well as the more recent El Amor Brujo by Carlos Saura, an equally fine dance film. There are aspects of this film that will not appeal to those who expect more dialog and a less stylized presentation than this film embraces. This film is pure art on every level and an exceptional tour-d'force collaboration between the director (Rouleau), the composer (Theodorakis, famous for Zorba the Greek)and the cinematographer (Claude Renoir, son of the director, grandson of the painter). I am waiting for an opportunity to own a clean color corrected print. The tape I saw recently was in poor condition, very contrasty and color shifting. The subtitles were often white on white, which is frustrating, but in no way diminishes the power of this fabulous film.
Shake, Rattle and Rock! (1994)
Remakes of grade C exploitation films not a success
Although Renee Zellwegger is a great actress in later films her presence here is merely serviceable. The real problem lies in the concept of remaking a teen exploitation film. The original film might have a charm for its naive cheesiness that now looks camp and amusing. To remake such a product is a poor premise. The film looked like it wished it were Hairspray by John Waters (who knows how to make material that refenences the original materials without looking like a wannabe). It also had annoyingly poor art direction and script writing. The music was fairly good but stories like this are more successful in films like Grace of My Heart. For a good time got to Blackboard Jungle and Jailhouse Rock. This kind of film is a product of its' time and not likely to be successfully translated into a nostalgia vehicle.