Change Your Image
Daniel-10
Reviews
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Blame it on the gossips!
Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise in a Kubrick's movie? Well, everybody read and heard many things about it, but you know what KUBRICK means in a motion picture. When he was not perfect like he was in "2001" and "A Clockwork Orange", he was high above the average like in "Lolita" and "The Shining", for example. In addition, Kidman and Cruise are not only the most gorgeous couple of the movies but they are, indeed, very talented. Then Kubrick died, what meant that it was the last chance to see a new production with his name. Mix these facts with all the gossip that came before the movie itself and so here it is: the most awaited movie of the year, along with Star Wars, maybe.
These facts are well known, but you have to recall them cause it explains why some of the Kubrick's fans got a little disappointed with "Eyes Wide Shut". It's not a fine situation cause, usually, you don't know where the emotions of the related facts end and where starts the impact of the movie itself. Besides, you will never get surprised cause you expect nothing less than the best.
Well, the movie is a genius' work, no doubt about it. In the beginning, you may feel a little strangeness: Kidman and Cruise seem a little dislocated. Wouldn't they bear the responsibility of being in a Kubrick's movie? No way. When the scene of Kidman's confession gets, this problem is already gone and then the rhythm starts to flow in Kubrick's way. It's a delightful experience.
Moreover, "Eyes Wide Shut" is not in the same level as "2001", but what kind of movie would be? Now, when you compare it to the other movies that were released lately, it stands alone in the top. Isn't it what a Kubrick production is all about?
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
Very good, but could be the best
Sometimes you discover that a movie is not that good but better than you expected, sometimes you go to the movies expecting an unforgettable time and leave the theater with a "it-was-very-good-but-could-be-better" feeling. Prince of Egypt fits the last case.
It's all there: the visual impact, the fantastic scenes (the one in the Red Sea is no less than wonderful), the emotions attached to a very known story, etc. But this could be the best of all the movies in animation history and it isn't.
First of all, this Moses is like a shadow, he should be the soul of the story but feels like he's just passing through it; even his sister Mirian is more expressive than him. The personality of someone who has been chosen by God to free His people and, for that very reason, must throw his past away, could be much better explored.
There are too musical scenes too. I know they're different from another scores, as long as they're sometimes close to an opera act, but this shouldn't be an excuse to fill almost the entire plot with them. The one in the very beginning and the last, with the made-to-be hit "when you believe", are very fine; but the one with the priests is completely strange to the movie's mood. And, worse, the part that shows the plagues is a waste of good cinematography possibilities: it's all filled with songs and music. It seems like they didn't know how to do the scene and then decided to make a musical out of it. I really don't understand why animated stories must always be entwined with that horrible Broadway style.
But don't misunderstand me, you should watch this movie, and in the big screen. Although the plot is filmed mostly with a visual point of view, there are memorable scenes that can make you feel fully delighted and they're worth the price of the ticket. Otherwise, if you wait for the video, you might think this is just another one.
Practical Magic (1998)
To be forgotten, but who cares?
What a nice movie! It will be forgotten soon, but who cares? Specially nowadays, when you start to forget a movie even while you're watching it. And what's the matter if Sandra Bullock is nor a superstar neither an outstanding actress? As long as she does her job very well, which you can see in this "Practical Magic", no more virtues are necessary. Thank God she's not some kind of "personality", sometimes all you want to see is someone who can play normal characters properly, even if it's a witch; because, beyond being a witch, Sally - Bullock's character - could be the girl next door.
Nicole Kidman is Sally's sister Gillian, she has some magic skills too, but prefers to live like a tramp, while Sally tries to live as normally as she can. Their parents died when they were young because of a curse that lays over their family and so they are raised by two nice and gentle witch aunts (Diane Wiest and Stockard Channing, fabulous as always). But a great problem will occur and they'll have to gather strengths to resolve it.
Griffin Dunne said he started directing because he was tired of acting and producing; he made a correct work, supported by an excellent cast. Let's hope he'll continue this way...
Festen (1998)
Forget "Dogma 95"
Forget this foolish thing that Lars Von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg signed called "Dogma 95". The story, the way the director shows it, the characters and the way the cast play them; are ALWAYS important; either in a low-budget film or in a blockbuster. Otherwise, things like cinematography, soundtrack and modern equipments may increase the greatness of a production. So, I guess these guys missed the point, or also, they were just trying to make people see what's really important in movies' matters.
This "Festen" has lots of "amateurisms": The scenes are sometimes out of focus, the natural light is not always enough, the camera - which according to Dogma 95, must be managed only with the hands - trembles excessively, and things like that. But the storyline involves you and makes you forget these imperfections, what leads us to a paradox. They intended to prove that, as long as the movie has something to say, these imperfections are not important. But the opposite is also true, cause, when seeing "Festen", you conclude that the lack of these intentional problems wouldn't affect the quality of the production at all. So, this dogma 95 seems more a protest than some kind of esthetic statement.
What about the movie itself? A numerous family is reunited in the patriarch's mansion in order to celebrate his 60th anniversary, but disturbing facts are brought to light with tragic consequences, making you laugh at the same time you get anxious with the tense silence that fills the room.
In the end I had to admit: This dogma 95 may be stupid, but gave birth to a great movie.
The Mighty (1998)
Just a tear syrup
I've got really disappointed with this film. I thought I would see an honest human drama but all I've got was the feeling of being manipulated all the time. If it was meant to be a "Stand by Me" of the nineties it failed completely.
The story is a tear syrup about a young boy physically deficient but with a great brain and another one who is strong but with no brain at all. Guess what? They'll meet and help each other to overcome their deficiencies.
The only difference between this movie and lots of others in the same (low) range is the cast. They're all very good. Gillian Anderson was a nice surprise! Sharon Stone had already shown her acting skills in "Casino" and here she did a correct work in a small - but made-to-fit - role. The boys (Kieran Culkin and Elden Ratliff) are all right and so are the older ones (Gena Rowlands and Harry Dean Stanton). It's a shame that a cast like this is not enough. You can be sure you've seen this film a thousand times before.
The Siege (1998)
"The Siege" is more than Star Wars' trailer
Lots of films have been released in this month here in Brazil. Many of them seems to be good, so, in normal conditions, I would have waited for "The Siege" to be released on video. But I couldn't wait no more time to see Star Wars' trailer.
Well, in the beginning I found it hard to forget the emotional impact caused by a little more than two minutes of Star Wars, but when I started to pay attention to what was meant to be the main attraction there I discovered a very good movie.
All the protests from the Arabians about the script seemed exaggerated to me. The movie states clearly enough that there are good and bad people in all human race, despite their origins or religious beliefs. Shall we remember that one of the villains is an American General...
The story is very good, although it gets too absurd sometimes, special effects serves to the plot and not the opposite. Annette Bening is amazing, Denzel Washington is good and Bruce Willis, despite all that you usually read and hear about him, is good too. Actually, I think that acting is like any other activity, and if the actor can hide behind the character then he's doing a good job, no matter if it seems always the same character film after film. The soundtrack is particularly a great factor and the villains are frightening enough, even when you don't know exactly who they are.
What about the trailer? Well, I cannot judge, I would have loved it even if there was only a second to be seen. It's about a legend that's attached to my life since my childhood; something too personal to be rational about.
Nightwatch (1997)
Cool and creepy
This movie is not unforgettable, but it's effective anyway. It can be divided in two parts: In the first one it takes the shape of an old terror movie and in the second it goes the way of a common thriller. But it surprised me, because, usually, the films made to scare us are all the same and not scaring at all. This one, specially in the first half, achieves its aim.
The editing in the very beginning, while the credits are being presented, gets you inside the nightmare feeling that will regulate the next scenes, it's very insidious. Then you know that Ewan McGregor is just starting to work at some kind of morgue and you're forceful invited to share with him the same claustrophobic fears of being alone in such a dreadful place. You know there are only dead bodies there, but what the movie does, and that's the great thing about it, is to terrorize you with the creepy air that fills the rooms and corridors. The villains here are not zombies, vampires or monsters. The fear is not made out of frantic cuts and sudden frights, at least, there's no abuse about it, but it's a slow, lazy and hidden kind of threat.
When the psychopath takes place, the plot is driven to an usual thriller with all the clichés, and although the best part is already gone, it still works.
The film has a lot of weak points - Nick Nolte, for instance, is risible -; Ewan McGregor, Patricia Arquette and Josh Brollin are doing their jobs cause there's nothing more to do with charachters like that. And, yet, this one's far better than all the recent others in the genre.
Blade (1998)
Just another one with lots of effects
When I saw, in the newspaper, the document that Lars Von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg signed, named dogma 95, I thought it was the most stupid thing I had ever read. Some reviewers has taken it seriously now that the first example of it arrived here (Vinterberg's "Festen"). I haven't changed my mind, although seeing Blade made me, at least, understand it.
Here, in Brazil, we didn't see Woody Allen's "Deconstructing Harry", Ang Lee's "Ice Storm" and some important others yet; mostly because our theatres have been busy during all this year with films like this. Films where the leading role is played by special effects.
The modern techniques aren't guilty at all. What would it be of great masterpieces like "2001: A Space Odyssey" or "Star Wars" if they didn't exist? But, what's sad, and this is the worse thing about "Blade", is when you clearly see that some scenes were created just to justify astonishing effects. Sometimes you start to wonder if you're watching a movie or a cartoon. Do you remember "Spawn"?
This movie has no characters and, therefore, no performances to be remembered; but I was expecting this. The plot could be resumed to 20 minutes and the action scenes are weak. So you can wait until it's released in video.
Marvel's Blade is not published here, but I really love other comics characters and, still, I have to say that no superhero has conquered a respectful place in movies yet, not even Batman. Well, I'm waiting anxiously for the X-men and, for now, I'm going to see "Festen" to see if these danishes are better filming than they are when making statements.
Antz (1998)
Ants X Bugs
Antz was nothing more and nothing less than I expected. A very well done, virtually and incredibly made film.
The history is very imaginative: An ant, named Z, who is tired of being just another ant in the oppressive colony, where no individuality is allowed. He dreams about reaching a legendary place name "Insectopia", and his dreams end up to cause an involuntary revolution. There are many other interesting characters too, all performed by an all star cast, and I say performed because they were so fantasticaly developed. Gifted not only with the stars' voices, but also with their facial expressions, personality and everything else that can make us recognize the person behind the bug.
Everything in this movie seems to be carefully made, everything in the right place, everything with so much quality. But that nameless and unknown thing that makes the movies magic is missing. I don't know why, but, despite all its qualities, this is, somehow, a forgettable film.
Disney has been threatened by a Russian princess named Anastasia and retaliated with Mulan. Now, these little ants are ready and willing to eradicate some bug's lives. But, by what I saw in the trailers, who will win in the end is a God's buddy, the holly prophet Moses.
Central do Brasil (1998)
A superb film
I usually tend to measure the strength of a film by the power of emotions that it drives me to. A reviewer, here in Brazil, when talking about Almodovar's "Carne Tremula", said that you can see how good a film is by its number of memorable scenes.
In both ways, "Central do Brasil" is a masterpiece, and I'm not saying it only because I'm a Brazilian.
I saw it some months ago and was afraid to be exaggerated on my comments, so I waited to confirm that I was not only impressed at first sight. But now, when it's being released all over the world, I will feel glad if I can induce people to see it when reading this comment, cause, until now, the film is vivid on my mind and in my heart because of the greatness of its scenes and also because of the care and the tenderness it borrows to the common ones, the ones who gets hardened by nowadays troubles.
The first scene, when there are some illiterate poor people inside central station in Rio de Janeiro asking Dora to write the letters they cannot write, is overwhelming. The one when Dora pays attention to her femininity and decides to put on a new dress and some lipstick is very great too. And there are so many others before the unforgettable final...
Aligned with "Saving Private Ryan", "The Truman Show", "Jackie Brown", "Carne Tremula", "Karakter", and some others this is one of the best films released here this year. Please, see it and choose your own favorite scenes.
Jane Austen's Mafia! (1998)
Mafia's not funny
I'm someone who really loves all kinds of movies, including comedies, and don't expect them to be always intelligent and brilliant, as long as they are, at least, funny. This wasn't the case of this "Jane Austen's Mafia". Actually, I think it matches "There's something about Mary": Both of them are gross, ridiculous and not funny at all.
Jim Abraham has taken a nonsense kind of humour to the max with his great "Airplane" and after that, "Top Secret !" was still nice, although I felt a little like laughing at the same jokes. But, now, it seems like he's lost direction or maybe I just got tired of it.
Well, there are two or three scenes that can make you smile (smile, I said) but nothing that justifies the money and the time spent.
Now the worse: How sad it is to see Olympia Dukakis in a role like that!
The Opposite of Sex (1998)
Little Devil
This film is like a little devil from an afternoon cartoon: Smartly moody but harmless. You need to be in a very bad day to say it's offensive, although it may seem a little politically incorrect (sic).
Don't be mistaken, it's not exactally a gay film, it's about all the kinds of sex: So you get to know Deede with her offensive thoughts about gays and everybody else but, you know, some may like chocolate, some may like marshmallow, some may like both and others like nothing at all, but aren't we just living and hoping for the same things in life? Believe me, it's simple that way and the history is very lucky to deal so well with this matter.
Now, the ladies. They are the real point here. Christina Ricci and Lisa Kudrow are nothing less than terrific and I really hope this is the beginning of a great career for both. By the way, the others are great too.
So, come on, enjoy yourself, watch this movie.
There's Something About Mary (1998)
There's nothing about this film
Do you know what's the worst thing about a film like this? It's that after watching it, you don't want to go to the movies anymore.
Ok, it was all my fault, as long as nobody asked me to watch it. But I tried to forget all I had read before about it and also forget that these Farrelly Brothers had made such a terrible stuff like "Dumb and Dumber", which I couldn't see till the end, and I swear I tried to.
But I had only two options near home: "Knock Off" or "There's Something About Mary" and I thought that it could, at least, make me laugh on this rainy Monday. Do you believe I couldn't even smile ?
First of all, I really don't appreciate this kind of rude humor (by rude I mean unspeakable words more impolite than this film). Mistaking sperm for hair gel? Getting the genitals caught between a zip fastener? Are these things supposed to be funny?.
Besides, this brainless movies, like Austin Powers too, that are originally made for you to rest and enjoy them, without the obligation of thinking, are, actually, very boring.
Not that I don't like funny and easy movies, but this is too much for me.
Hana-bi (1997)
Light up the fireworks
I haven't ever seen another Takeshi Kitano's movie, and know that Tarantino loves his films, but to compare this one with Tarantino's works is just risible. It's not better and not worse, but very, very different...
Well, comparisons apart, this is a really great film. In the beginning you feel a little strange cause the scenes creep slowly. When it gets to the middle, though, you discover that all this inertia has involved you in a tender and delicate web.
Yes, it's violent too. But this is not the main thing here. While Nishi (Kitano) is dragged into violence by circumstances, he tries hard to find some peace or to give some little ordinary happiness to others,including his wife played by Kayoko Kishimoto.By the way,Kayoko is outstanding making her character with such tenderness without even speaking a word until the final scenes.
Light up your fireworks. When you see this film you'll realize that although the movies techniques have increased so much, the main theme should always be humankind.
Mad City (1997)
A real Travolta's film
I've heard a lot of reviews saying this is not a real Costa Gravas' film. I can't say anything about it, since I have never seen any of his films. Sorry for that, folks! But, in spite of it, I can say that this is a real John Travolta film. He is simply great.
Dustin Hoffman disappears near him, although his character is sort of supporting. Hey, I'm not saying Hoffman is bad, I really like him.
Since Travolta was brought back from the ashes by Quentin Tarantino he has proved to be a real great actor and this is one more proof to it. The film is worth to be seen just because of him.
Therefore, Mad City has moments of tension that makes us wish that all thrillers was made this way.