"The Last Emperor" is a film I missed when it came out. Even when it won the Academy Award as Best Picture I never got around to seeing it. I finally bought the video to fill this void in my movie watching experience. I just finished watching it and man, what can I say? It was BORING. Yes, I know Bertolucci has a great reputation as a director. Yes, I know the cinematography was exquisite. Yes, I know it must have cost a fortune to make. Yes, I know the subject matter is interesting. But it was cold and uninvolving. At almost four hours, it is ridiculously overlong - VERY slow paced. I would have to be bribed to see it again. This joins the ranks of bad movies that have won the Oscar. Not as bad as "The Greatest Show On Earth", but then again, not half as funny.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Gettysburg
(1993)
An Epic Disappointment
19 January 2003
Director Ronald Maxwell had a great opportunity to make a first rate film of the epochal battle of Gettysburg. First and foremost he had wonderful actors under his direction, particularly Richard Jordan and Jeff Daniels; superb source material in Michael Shaara's "The Killer Angels"; superb camera work and a very high budget. Unfortunately the whole film disappointed me.
The screenplay is overladen with speech after speech after speech by each of the generals involved with the battle on either side. There is ironically very little tension and drama in the film. The music is overdone with a vengance, and it seems to sound the same. It is underlying just about every scene. It does get tedious after over four hours. In every scene we get the impression that the director is telling us 'this is great, this is memorable, what a sad thing to have happened, get on your knees and genuflect and reflect on the great tragedy.' I don't really mean to be sarcastic. The battle of Gettysburg was a great, tragic day for America. Its importance can't be overestimated. But director Maxwell keeps hitting us with this point over and over again that the message he was trying to convey gets lost in the morass. I visited the battlefields of Gettysburg myself, and it had an overwhelming impact on me. It was haunted with a sadness and loss that was both inexplicable yet very evident. There is almost none of that same feeling inherent in this film. It is watchable for the beautiful cinematography and the beautiful location scenery. Again, I want to single out the late Richard Jordan. He was remarkable. I suppose my ultimate judgement on "Gettysburg" is that it is a competent primer on the battle of Gettysburg, yet a disappointing, stilted drama.
The screenplay is overladen with speech after speech after speech by each of the generals involved with the battle on either side. There is ironically very little tension and drama in the film. The music is overdone with a vengance, and it seems to sound the same. It is underlying just about every scene. It does get tedious after over four hours. In every scene we get the impression that the director is telling us 'this is great, this is memorable, what a sad thing to have happened, get on your knees and genuflect and reflect on the great tragedy.' I don't really mean to be sarcastic. The battle of Gettysburg was a great, tragic day for America. Its importance can't be overestimated. But director Maxwell keeps hitting us with this point over and over again that the message he was trying to convey gets lost in the morass. I visited the battlefields of Gettysburg myself, and it had an overwhelming impact on me. It was haunted with a sadness and loss that was both inexplicable yet very evident. There is almost none of that same feeling inherent in this film. It is watchable for the beautiful cinematography and the beautiful location scenery. Again, I want to single out the late Richard Jordan. He was remarkable. I suppose my ultimate judgement on "Gettysburg" is that it is a competent primer on the battle of Gettysburg, yet a disappointing, stilted drama.
True Grit
(1969)
One of my favorite Westerns.
8 December 2002
I've loved this movie since it first came out. I've seen it multiple times and never get tired of it. Almost all the elements in it are perfect. John Wayne was never better and the supporting cast is excellent. Topnotch direction and music all combine to make it superior. However the film has one major flaw. Glen Campbell as LeBouef is a big mistake. His delivery of lines is very stilted. I don't blame Mr. Campbell. He was a very popular singer at the time and the production company probably thought he would help bring in bigger audiences. Big mistake.
Other than that this is a wonderful movie.
Other than that this is a wonderful movie.
The Keys of the Kingdom
(1944)
A tremendous job by Gregory Peck
7 December 2002
I've always loved this movie. My mother introduced me to it and its remained one of my favorites over the years. I find the character of Father Chisholm to be my ideal of what a priest should be. Kind, loving, humble and unpretentious. I don't think Peck ever surpassed himself. He is tremendous in the part. Ably written and directed, I think it is a superb film
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