Please everybody go and read the book! It is far far more convincing than this average adaptation.. The book (of the same name) I actually found a very thorough and engaging account of the supernatural events that may/may not have occurred in the point pleasant area of the US over a few decades. It seemed quite well researched and a nice blend of fiction and speculation. Having read the book I expected a far far superior movie than what this was. This film is a relatively boring attempt to take a couple of singular events from that book and string them together in an unconvincing and unoriginal way. The acting was average, the script was average, the screenplay was average...the plot was plain silly. They could have done something really original with this movie, something more diverse and less formulaic..but I guess the same could be said for any crappy film adaptation. Just read the book!
Reviews
9 Reviews
Memoirs of a Geisha
(2005)
Great art..but not great film
9 June 2007
I saw this movie on DVD with little background knowledge or preconceptions other than that it was based on a book, of which I had read 3 pages, and that there was a lot of contention over the casting of Chinese actresses in Japanese roles etc. but not having actually read/ heard of it personally.
I was aware it had won Oscars for being visually very artistic and beautiful, so I prepared myself by sitting quite close to the TV (which as I soon discovered was also beneficial for trying to understand what was being said). I will not do a blow by blow of each scene, but I have to say that I do not think the opening scenes were as perfectly 'honed' and crafted as much of the remaining movie was. The opening should grab you and really give you a sense of where the movie is going, if not in plot then in style and direction, and I really don't think that those scenes captured that at all.
On to a general overview! You've heard it all before- the film is beautifully shot, every frame could be a work of art, gorgeous stylistic devices- costume, set, cinematography, soundtrack yada yada yada. In each scene they all work to create a beautiful harmony (except the opening ones). This all makes for great ART yes, it's true. But as film- well, the same excellence is slightly lacking; and given that this in fact a movie and not art, I feel that it is really not up to standard in the aspects that really should be in a production of this calibre and budget.
A film is about telling a story, and telling it well. Costume, set, score etc. are all very important BUT they are in fact secondary to the plot, sequencing, dialogue, screenplay etc. which are the actual vehicle for the movie. Of course they can be as important, and a great film should have equally good design/substance- but they must not, and this is where 'Memoir's' falls short, take precedence, these alone cannot carry a film.
To put it very crudely, basically it's like wrapping up your average tie/socks/hankies in really great wrapping paper with lots of ribbon and glitter and a great card for Christmas- sure it looks really nice, but once all the pretty stuff is taken away, it's just...socks.
What really got me plot-wise was the pace. It seemed really slow in parts, especially the beginning, with little Chiyo and Pumpkin- who let's face it, weren't the greatest actors in the world. It also seemed a bit cut-and-paste from the book, I haven't read it so I can't know for sure, but that's the impression I got; sort of logical but a bit rough around the edges, not quite 'fitting' together. Script- bad. Didn't like it all, of course a great actor can save a bad script, but putting the onus on non-English born speakers to carry it is kind of..well not a good decision. It seemed a really clunky mix of English/Japanese expression from both then and now- it wasn't uniform or streamlined or anything, just noticeably random.
The worst worst worst decision the producers/directors made about this film was deciding to do it in English. Of course whether that decision was made because they had already chosen the Chinese actresses, and therefore couldn't do it in Japanese (can you imagine if they'd done it in Chinese!...the furor! :o) or because they knew it wouldn't be eligible for any Oscars except best foreign film (bit hazy on Oscar guidelines but I assume films in other languages automatically go under 'foreign' even if they're American produced?), I don't know.
I just hate seeing these sorts of films, clearly about a specific culture, produced in a language other than their culture. It just doesn't work. It's so jarring and obvious- the English language against this foreign backdrop with foreign actors. I always always see foreign films in the language they were originally produced in- there really is no substitute, and it is exponentially better than seeing it with dubs- no matter how good the dub. It breaks my heart they didn't do this in Japanese! Personally, I believe if they would have to have sacrificed the Chinese actors then so be it.
The English was poorly spoken, which therefore affected the acting and made it difficult to hear what they were saying at times. I feel so much for those actresses, struggling to wring good performances out of a language that they obviously were not capable enough in (with some exceptions). It's one thing to speak fluent conversational English, or even at a high literary level, but to have to act in another language...few actors/actresses are capable of it really. And of course unlike say English and french, or Italian or any other Latin/Germanic- based language, the oriental languages just have no similar grounding at all- in phonetics, print, anything.
Overall (finally the conclusion!) this movie looked great, although I would have liked greater focus/better lighting for the costume since they were putting so much work into it, but it would have been better in Japanese, with Japanese actresses, or else without dialogue at all! Just a series of beautiful moving pictures- real art, as opposed to this film/art hybrid which doesn't really work in this particular case.
I was aware it had won Oscars for being visually very artistic and beautiful, so I prepared myself by sitting quite close to the TV (which as I soon discovered was also beneficial for trying to understand what was being said). I will not do a blow by blow of each scene, but I have to say that I do not think the opening scenes were as perfectly 'honed' and crafted as much of the remaining movie was. The opening should grab you and really give you a sense of where the movie is going, if not in plot then in style and direction, and I really don't think that those scenes captured that at all.
On to a general overview! You've heard it all before- the film is beautifully shot, every frame could be a work of art, gorgeous stylistic devices- costume, set, cinematography, soundtrack yada yada yada. In each scene they all work to create a beautiful harmony (except the opening ones). This all makes for great ART yes, it's true. But as film- well, the same excellence is slightly lacking; and given that this in fact a movie and not art, I feel that it is really not up to standard in the aspects that really should be in a production of this calibre and budget.
A film is about telling a story, and telling it well. Costume, set, score etc. are all very important BUT they are in fact secondary to the plot, sequencing, dialogue, screenplay etc. which are the actual vehicle for the movie. Of course they can be as important, and a great film should have equally good design/substance- but they must not, and this is where 'Memoir's' falls short, take precedence, these alone cannot carry a film.
To put it very crudely, basically it's like wrapping up your average tie/socks/hankies in really great wrapping paper with lots of ribbon and glitter and a great card for Christmas- sure it looks really nice, but once all the pretty stuff is taken away, it's just...socks.
What really got me plot-wise was the pace. It seemed really slow in parts, especially the beginning, with little Chiyo and Pumpkin- who let's face it, weren't the greatest actors in the world. It also seemed a bit cut-and-paste from the book, I haven't read it so I can't know for sure, but that's the impression I got; sort of logical but a bit rough around the edges, not quite 'fitting' together. Script- bad. Didn't like it all, of course a great actor can save a bad script, but putting the onus on non-English born speakers to carry it is kind of..well not a good decision. It seemed a really clunky mix of English/Japanese expression from both then and now- it wasn't uniform or streamlined or anything, just noticeably random.
The worst worst worst decision the producers/directors made about this film was deciding to do it in English. Of course whether that decision was made because they had already chosen the Chinese actresses, and therefore couldn't do it in Japanese (can you imagine if they'd done it in Chinese!...the furor! :o) or because they knew it wouldn't be eligible for any Oscars except best foreign film (bit hazy on Oscar guidelines but I assume films in other languages automatically go under 'foreign' even if they're American produced?), I don't know.
I just hate seeing these sorts of films, clearly about a specific culture, produced in a language other than their culture. It just doesn't work. It's so jarring and obvious- the English language against this foreign backdrop with foreign actors. I always always see foreign films in the language they were originally produced in- there really is no substitute, and it is exponentially better than seeing it with dubs- no matter how good the dub. It breaks my heart they didn't do this in Japanese! Personally, I believe if they would have to have sacrificed the Chinese actors then so be it.
The English was poorly spoken, which therefore affected the acting and made it difficult to hear what they were saying at times. I feel so much for those actresses, struggling to wring good performances out of a language that they obviously were not capable enough in (with some exceptions). It's one thing to speak fluent conversational English, or even at a high literary level, but to have to act in another language...few actors/actresses are capable of it really. And of course unlike say English and french, or Italian or any other Latin/Germanic- based language, the oriental languages just have no similar grounding at all- in phonetics, print, anything.
Overall (finally the conclusion!) this movie looked great, although I would have liked greater focus/better lighting for the costume since they were putting so much work into it, but it would have been better in Japanese, with Japanese actresses, or else without dialogue at all! Just a series of beautiful moving pictures- real art, as opposed to this film/art hybrid which doesn't really work in this particular case.
Identity
(2003)
Like a hit to the head from left field
23 January 2007
This movie totally surprised me on every level. I had never even heard of it until recently; when an observant video store clerk noticed how many thrillers I was hiring and suggested it.
Having missed it at the movies, I figured it would be the usual B-grade mystery murder flick, a bit of fun at best. Instead this movie had me hooked from the opening sequence; I almost thought they'd put the wrong DVD in the box!
The story is like one big twisted, turning tunnel- with barely a glimmer of a light at the end. The cast is great, the setting appropriately scary- with no short measure of red herrings to keep you guessing.
The cast really delivers too; the characters are diverse and given enough attention to keep you engaged but not so much as to slow the action down. John Cusack is in fine form as the easily likable ex-cop trying to hold it all together; Jake Busey plays the psychotic to perfection as usual.
I don't usually go in for gore, but there's really barely more than a few hints of blood & guts. Definitely one to watch in the dark with a group of friends to scare the hell out of yourselves. You won't regret this one.
Having missed it at the movies, I figured it would be the usual B-grade mystery murder flick, a bit of fun at best. Instead this movie had me hooked from the opening sequence; I almost thought they'd put the wrong DVD in the box!
The story is like one big twisted, turning tunnel- with barely a glimmer of a light at the end. The cast is great, the setting appropriately scary- with no short measure of red herrings to keep you guessing.
The cast really delivers too; the characters are diverse and given enough attention to keep you engaged but not so much as to slow the action down. John Cusack is in fine form as the easily likable ex-cop trying to hold it all together; Jake Busey plays the psychotic to perfection as usual.
I don't usually go in for gore, but there's really barely more than a few hints of blood & guts. Definitely one to watch in the dark with a group of friends to scare the hell out of yourselves. You won't regret this one.
Snatch
(2000)
Two minutes Turkish!
22 January 2007
This movie is so good it hurts. Literally. When you're laughing so much that you can't breathe- but not during the movie, although it is funny then, but when you're quoting it to death with your friends afterwards. Because that's the sort of movie this is; the kind of movie with awesome one-liners that you will quote for the rest of your life; the kind of movie with a killer cast that surprises you repeatedly with it's compatibility; the kind of movie with the no-holds- barred style of Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels combined with the fast-paced, twisted action of I don't know what. Each separate inter-weaving string could almost be a tale on its own, but is so much better when weaved together. And best of all, it's the kind of hard, rough n tumble, non-pretentious cinema that I love and that most directors would do a good turn watching. My favourite performances were those from Vinnie Jones (..."would precipitate the shrinking of your balls") and Jason Statham (..."before ze Germans get here"); Brad Pitt gets a notable mention (..."ts fer me ma"). I give it a 10/10 because my test of a top-marks film is the ability to watch in more than once in the space of a week- I watched it 3 times!
Steel Magnolias
(1989)
Definitely one for the tissues
22 January 2007
I love chick flicks! The bonding, the bitching, the laughing, the crying... definitely one to watch with the girls, and the guys too if you can get them (if only to hear the classic line: No, I got popcorn in my eye)! The performances are all great, and I love Julia Roberts in this, so natural and effervescent (I think she's getting too Hollywood now). This is a movie about the characters, that sounds stupid-probably is- but every one of them is so engaging, each story gets you- you even feel for the grumpy ones! I love movies where you don't have to think too deeply whilst the emotions speak for themselves. I'm not saying this is mindless and inane, on the contrary it's the definition of 'touching'! It's a very well portrayed, natural and realistic insight into the lives of a group seemingly ordinary women- behind the obvious differences and conflicts, the relationships and situations are complex. Just looking at the women in my family confirms this; the discord runs deep, but the loyalty runs deeper. This is the original home-town girl movie; bring the tissues, bring it on!
Waterworld
(1995)
Don't take the critics word...ever
22 January 2007
I think this is a great flick!! The kind of movie that you can just sit and absorb (ha ha..waterworld..ha..eh hem moving on...), as I have commented on several other films- you just need to let yourself go! Go with the flow. And no that is not the end of the clichés. I have loved this movie since I was 7, which goes to show the wide range of entertainment potential. The idea is highly original (quite an achievement by today's standards) and the action is never stagnant or slow. The story is easy to understand; the premise simple- ice caps have melted, world under water, survivors battling on. The great ocean visuals are an awesome backdrop and the fight/escape sequences are nicely suspenseful while not dragging on. The acting is great in my opinion, and of a calibre no more or less than you would expect. And what does everyone have against Kevin Kostner anyway? Everywhere he turns up, so does the phrase "since Dance's With Wolves" and one or more of: no good, downhill, bland etc. Every actor has a few bad turns, but give him a break, he's just playing character's in his style; which is what he's best at. I think he's charismatic and engaging actually...(maybe it's because he reminds me of dad..weird). Great movie, great story, definitely one of Kev's best. Just step down from your high-horse and see this movie.
A Feast at Midnight
(1994)
Comfort food as film
22 January 2007
I have such fond memories of this film (if you can have fond memories before you're 40), it was like the realisation of a childhood fantasy, which, let's face it, is everything a movie should be. Identifying with the characters was no stretch at all, and neither was the situation which I can give testament to from several similar pantry-raids with friends in the boarding house. Christopher Lee is the perfect villain cum headmaster, and I will never forget that little boy at the mixing bowl, enthusiastically covering himself in flour. This movie is pleasantly nostalgic (at any age!) way to spend an hour and a half (I would recommend with a nice helping of some of your favourite comfort food). After all who doesn't love food and children besting the grown- ups? Just insert your old headmaster/mistress's face here and enjoy the show...
Armageddon
(1998)
Gets me every time...
21 January 2007
This movie never ceases to entertain me, even on the 50th viewing (maybe a little exaggerated) last night I was still crying my eyes out at the ending. After reading many reviews and comments I have the impression that people were expecting some sort of deep and insightful look into humanity and society... but I think that it's easy to see that this movie never promised anything of the sort, and was not trying to achieve that. It is an action blockbuster of the end- of-the-world sort. Clearly this movie is out to entertain at all costs- which it does in spectacular fashion. The cast is awesome- some find Bruce Willis overbearing but he always delivers in these situations; Ben Affleck hasn't looked this hot since before or after this movie. The script and screenplay is dramatic and in appropriate this-could-be-the-end style, and i seem to be the only one that found it very funny (in the appropriate parts!). The special effects are, of course, great- and I love the fact that the asteroid is almost turned into a character itself. Quite frankly I think you just need to let yourself go with this movie: don't ask questions, don't think about it, just let your emotions go. It does actually have a ( yes slightly corny) message about humanity's ability to band together in the face of adversity, which i think is always a nice reminder. If you have a little faith, just watch it.
The Last of the Mohicans
(1992)
Beautiful
21 January 2007
I cannot believe I have waited so long to watch this move... granted it was made two years after I was born, but regardless I wish I had seen it long ago! I don't think there are enough adjectives to describe this movie or the effect it has had on me. Incredible. Soul-stirring. Heart-rendering. Amazingly hopeful. Gloriously Sad. It has two of the greatest love stories ever seen on screen- both yearning, smoldering and heart wrenching, and yet so different and subtle- I won't say more. The battle scenes are violent and brutal, but not gratuitously; realism is no issue here- you are transported to another world, and the actors have clearly thrown themselves into it as well. The period is meticulously and perfectly recreated in incredible detail. The scenery is almost as engaging as the action itself; and the score is so perfectly descriptive of the stunning visuals that your spirit actually soars with it. Sorry to be so corny but nothing else justifies it. The final 25 minutes are, in my opinion, the greatest 25 minutes ever filmed. Without spoiling it, let me just forewarn- get the tissues. I have watched this movie 6 times in the past 48 hours. Don't wait, get hooked now!
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