Change Your Image
Nissimo
Movies that make me laugh so hard I cry: Victor/Victoria, Arsenic and Old Lace, Adam's Rib...more later
Oh and I loved the cinematography of Man on Fire. Just beautiful. That's all.
Reviews
Wide Sargasso Sea (1993)
Blah!
I've heard so many great things about the novel Wide Sargasso Sea and I expected this movie to at least live halfway up to its literary counterpart. Within the first ten minutes of the movie, however, the ludicrousness of the storyline reared its proverbial ugly head.
First of all, the movie's treatment of Black Jamaicans reads like something out of a Jim Crow era film. They almost function like prop sets in the background and often have a sinister aura about them. Actually, they are the agents of evil in the film. It also doesn't help that the one "good" Black character engages in clichéd voodoo practices. This aspect of the film is downright nauseating.
Secondly, Mr. Rochester's character is diametrically different from the Rochester of the Jane Eyre novel. Of course, the film depicts his earlier years before he develops into who he is in the novel, but give me a break! I refuse to believe that Mr. Rochester is really so stupid and bumbling at any point in his life.
Thirdly, the sex scenes are positively eyeroll worthy. Deep breaths, sweat drenched skin, and tightly shut eye lids do not make a sex scene better. Geez, it was so amateur. It didn't even make me clutch my pearls.
Overall, the film is terrible. From the manner in which it develops, to its treatment of the Black characters and Mr. Rochester, it's all just bad. I'm upset that I wasted my time watching it. And now I think I'm going to feel offended for the rest of the night.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
The Unbelievable Case of Benjamin Button
The overall premise of Benjamin Button didn't sit well with me and the subsequent unfolding of the plot confirmed my suspicions--mainly, that I'd have to suspend my disbelief too much to enjoy this movie. Many of the plot elements were eyeroll worthy, such as the fiasco in the beginning when the father kidnaps and abandons his son (without any repercussions, apparently). The multitude of unintelligible accents also aggravated me to no end, especially the narrator's exhausted, Southern accent (ugh!). I also found Benjamin Button to be a wholly unsympathetic character, as was Cate Blanchett (after she grew up, that is). The only redeemable aspect of the movie is when Benjamin Button encounters Tilda Swinton's character. I thought that part of the movie was quite sweet--but to what end? (because their ties are severed so abruptly!). The ending of the movie was also nicely executed, but by that time, I was ready to flee the theater. I recommend that you watch this movie (if you still want to) when it comes out on cable. Don't pay to see it.
Lili (1953)
Absolutely Exquisite!
This movie is my favorite movie of all time! The innocence and sweetness conveyed by Leslie Caron in this movie is supreme! You'll find no other film like it! Personally, I think it is better than an American in Paris. The reasons why I like it are almost inexplicable, however. I first watched it at age 16. Afterwards I felt like the world was a wonderful thing and that there was still purity in the existence. Leslie Caron's virginal character is so convincing that she doesn't even need to say anything to make the viewer feel that she is truly good. Mel Ferrers performance is also noteworthy. The chemistry between these two characters is real. This movie is often overshadowed by Leslie Caron's more popular films (such as an Gigi). However, I recommend that all movie lovers watch this film.