steelkace Reviews

Yossi & Jagger (2002)

a "beautiful thing"...in fatigues

[10/10 · 15 September 2006]

i think the two things that made this movie work well are: (1) the acting/performance; and (2) its brevity and flow.

the actors delivered very sincere performances and really made their characters more than just parts played...they will really break your heart. Yehuda Levi as Jagger, in particular, was very likable and made the point that he was both idealistic, boyishly-goofy, romantic; and though he may have appeared naive, his blind innocence that came across made him more endearing. (he's the boy every other boy wishes he could have for life -- and i challenge the guy who says otherwise because he's lying.) =)

as for the flow, the brevity of the film worked well because it really left the viewer wanting more. it lingered briefly (and quite appropriately) over the tender moments, but did not dwell on the sad, over-dramatic parts (that would have been overkill)...the point was made and it came across quite well under 75 minutes.

"Yossi & Jagger", though primarily categorized as a "gay film", tugs at the most visceral feelings any person (gay or straight) can have -- the comfort that only comes with genuine and true love, the intense need to be true to one's self, and the sorrow that can only be brought about by a great loss. just watch it already!

Regular Guys (1996)

sometimes i forget...

[10/10 · 11 September 2006]

that America is still quite puritanical despite what appears to be the contrary.

i have to say that i adore German cinema, though can only understand less than 0.5% of the language (i don't mind the subtitles). the movie, on the surface, would seem formulaic, but it actually has a few twists and unexpected turns. there's some morality lesson in there, but it wasn't delivered in a preachy way -- rather it made for some hilarious dialogue among the main character and his supposed comrades.

not much more to say other than it was a really great film. if you find witty and fast-paced dialogues, you'll enjoy the film. the movie makes you really reconsider and think twice about your preconceived notions about certain "types" of people...if you know what i mean.

Adam & Steve (2005)

just when i was about to give up on gay films...

[10/10 · 5 August 2006]

along comes this DVD, which i picked up and bought on impulse. i'm not sure if the film was ever released in my city, and if it was, i wasn't aware. at any rate, i did want to see it after reading about it in "metro". i'm not going to blather on about the plot, storyline, etc., but i am going to throw in my 2 cents.

1. yes, it's formulaic and predictable on the whole, but it makes the viewer comfortable by giving enough of the formula for it to be familiar -- that's a good thing.

2. the movie is a comedy, so a certain amount of levity is expected. what's unexpected is that it is riddled with wit and off-the-wall situations. it also tackles some really serious stereotypes and spins them into things that are really just plain silly (again, the whole comfort thing seems to be the underlying theme). it touches on subjects like homophobia and presents it as something other than hateful, rather just plain stupid; that revealing a gay relationship to your loved ones will not necessarily mean that the sky will fall, etc. it presents these things, among others, without being preachy, patronizing, or totally unrealistic.

3. how can one not want to watch this movie? though only supporting, one of the best actresses working is in it -- Ms. Parker Posey -- she should be enough of a reason to see it. also while Chris Kattan was okay in the movie, i wonder (in light of the recent pepsi commercials), if the movie would have been funnier had Jimmy Fallon played Chris's character...(the mind wanders)...and Malcolm Gets...*sigh/swoon*

kudos to Craig Chester for writing and directing this very friendly and comfortable movie. it was over-the-top, yes, but that serves *not* to alienate the viewer: there are no icky affection scenes or situations (though some may disagree), and really the movie just gives you permission and license to take some things at face value. not everything needs to be dissected and that being gay (even with all its baggage and burdens) does not have to be serious all the time. it is definitely a gay movie in more ways than one. just watch it. =)

The Fifth Element (1997)

can't believe this was almost 10 years ago!

[9/10 · 11 April 2006]

first off, a quick "me-profile": don't go to movies (can't sit in one place more than half an hour without having to go do something else); don't usually like "sci-fi-type" movies (especially one with lots of special effects and explosions); and finally, i'm about a decade behind everyone else on what i consider "recent" movies -- hence this just now.

just happened to flip on the TV while on vacation, The Fifth Element was on, thought it was bad, then worse, then so bad it ended up being quite good i had to run out and buy the DVD. i'm still hedging about how i feel about what "the fifth element" represented (and its place among the usual four: water, wind, fire, and earth), but i'll leave that to the idealists to romanticize.

basically, i found it hilarious, great veg-out movie, and i'd forgotten how yum bruce willis really is (and Luke perry in the beginning!)...don't know if this is a spoiler, but you shouldn't miss the performance of the diva, sandwiched between show-stealing comedic turns by chris tucker (why is a high pitched squeal always so funny?).

if you find yourself bored and want to just watch something and laugh, rent/buy/see this...this is the stuff from which brain-rot stems...marvelous!