Change Your Image
chattome
Reviews
Stepmom (1998)
one plus one makes a half
While watching the film I could not get rid of a feeling that I once again see Houston and Carey performing at last year's Oscar ceremony. Unlike theirs, Sarandon - Roberts competition was quite respectful though. And yet, from my point of view, Big screen was nevertheless rather a small spot for those two stars to settle on amicably and with anticipated triumph. Doubled power did advance the vehicle commercially however interior luxury wasn't that obvious. Original emotional potential still remained undisclosed after a last shot had vanished. It was supposed to be a drama but I failed to recognize anything but a duel. They should have followed a suit of their 'One true thing' colleagues and booked the sky for one star only.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Postcard from the edge
Finally I saw the picture and actually can not share all the enthusiasm of those sticking an 'movie of the year' label to it; 'cause I can compare. I wish you could see one of war movies made by Russian filmmakers. I believe we have thousands of them and each of them overtops 'Ryan' in sense of movie, in sense of story behind the screen, in sense of tragedy, courage, brotherhood. . Of course, 'Ryan' is the perfectly tailored flick empowered with technically advanced filming and extra-natural guts-wrenching effects to let you practically feel all the disgust of the slaughter. But this is not what makes war so horrible. Unfortunately, 'Ryan' fails to deliver the message. Among movies about WWII this one definitely belongs to 'B' box; it's flat and one-sided. It's like trying to imagine a holiday looking at the resort ad postcard: bright, colorful, rich, exotic.. but tasteless, something you can not touch, feel, enjoy, remember. What we see in 'Ryan' is true but it's not War.
The Wedding Singer (1998)
Much ado about nothing
I just can not understand what all this fuss is about. Rather average-leveled movie which was just lucky to be released on St. Valentine's day and swallowed by those who were desperate to see whatever opposite to Titanic. Sandler is as silly as Stiller in "Flirting with disaster" who is absolutely helpless in forcing if any emotion to his face. Even if he happens to smile he does it with his mouth only. So the sole way to tell what he really feels is to listen to what he says. Boring occupation. If you want a love story and a good music behind it, rent "A thing called love".
The Horse Whisperer (1998)
Take your time
Despite the rather painful theme that was supposed to follow throughout the movie I, nevertheless, was having a rest while watching it. I was having a rest and enjoying. Enjoying the actors, their gorgeous performances, magnificent scenery, measured pace of a story. Yes, nobody was in a hurry. They were just telling the story, sitting around the fire. That reminded me "Out of Africa" stuff, in a way. And thanks to this unhurried pace you gain some time to think and to feel together with the characters. Unfortunately, vast majority of films never give you such a chance for they are either full with too much action turns rushing one after another in a lightning mode or are completely deprived of any thought to engage your head with.
Redford is an I've-seen-it-all kind of guy as in most of his movies of late. One can rarely argue the truths his mouth is uttering but I do disagree with his "I never ask why it happens" philosophy. Unless you do it you are doomed to suffer the same pains all life long which is understandably hardly welcomed by a human being with reason.
And one thing more: It's good to see two people require more than 15 minutes to fall in love but of no less admiration is also the way-out the producers let them find in the maze of their feelings, passions and obligations. Very nice movie.
The Mask of Zorro (1998)
Two as one
Putting all the praises aside I would like to mention one thing that kept my eyes shining with admiration each time I saw the film: this is what they call chemistry. I never saw two people fit so naturally and unquestionably.
Very often the casting of some Hollywood couples ("I love troubles", for example) makes me puzzle over how on Earth they can fall in love to each other. In the "Zorro" case I keep wondering how they managed not to off the set. Banderas and Zeta-Jones harmonize so perfectly well that you can never think of better alternative. And the whole movie would have been already worth shooting had there been only those three unforgettable scenes: the confession, the dance and the swordplay in the stables.
Deep Impact (1998)
Really Deep Impact
I saw both of twins yet loved this one better. No word about special effects: this is what they seem to have learnt how to do in Hollywood nowadays. My comment covers ordinary effect. I saw the movie twice, first time four months ago. But watching it second time I lived through the same emotions, may be even deeper. I guess this comes from behind the screen. One simply can not escape from trying all those expectations, fears, tragedies on oneself. This film unintentionally engages you in all the events, makes you one of the characters because main character in the movies is a living creature: you, me, your neighbor, his dog, a man reporting news on TV, every living soul you know and you don't. This movie is too real to only chew it with your eyes.
Blade (1998)
Have you checked your girlfriend's neck recently ?
With all respect to Will Smith I regard Snipes as the coolest action actor among the black elite of Hollywood population. Overall the movie is quite decent and sailing far ahead of such flicks like "Spawn", "Shadow", "Phantom". Good pace, no sub-plots, small volume of those boring what-is-this-all-about details and as a consequence - a lot of question marks. But on the other hand, I don't think it's fair to ask too mush from the comics. In our age of absolute trust and confidence it's good to have if any kind of suspicion. Do you like garlic ?
The Last Time I Committed Suicide (1997)
One more suicide for Reeves
After seeing the film I felt sorry for the guy. Is that the taste what the picture was supposed to leave on the viewer's lips ? Anyway, it did induce if any sort of feeling. I also could not help wondering what made Reeves take part in the movie. Did he want a day off or Stephen Kay was his best friend ? Unless this is what he thought would help to draw additional audiences to the movie driven by young and little known actors he should have definitely kept his name off the casting list as is usually done by acknowledged actors (Dreyfuss in "American President", Seagal in "Executive decision", Estevez in "Mission: Impossible"). In the meantime, one thing will certainly keep you awake throughout this dim, unbalanced, one-letter-long movie : cinematography. Superb ! One of the best I've ever seen ! Inventive, unpredictable. Would you like to look at the world through the cheese-melted frame?
Fallen (1998)
Walking in the fog.
The idea might not be that bad but it's hardly developed and the whole flick stays far behind "Seven". What the movie lacks is suspense and dynamics. What can you count on less above ? Cast ? Washington is readily recognizable, predictable and emotionless as usual. Goodman, despite his size, fell out of the shot. Who else ? Sutherland ? The only thing I liked was in the end of the film when it became clear whom belonged that voice behind the screen to.
Breaking Up (1997)
What is the problem ?
I struggled to figure out what was it all about but failed. The duel between a man and a woman in love is seen by me as the most exciting genre on Earth however what this movie offered was, with exception for some sequences, awfully boring and senseless. I would rather blame it on script which was raw and weak despite all the credits of the writer. The whole film is one and the same recurrent scene and plot turns urge a huge question mark in respect to normal human logic, patience and reason. It is hard to conceive how our good Lord could share the throne of the world with Devil but human relationships are always understandable. The characters in the movie mentioned a word love' a couple of times but whatever it was in the end the kind of relationship those two people had in the course of the movie gives a clear indication that it was not love even at the beginning - that was all what the bare lust can produce and you could still cheer yourself up with catching the flashes of the seductive Salma's body. For other sort of emotions, watch The whole wide world'.
Sliding Doors (1998)
The movie to remember
Jesus ! What a movie ! I am going to burst with emotions. Amazing script, terrific performances. Every single character is played geniusly. Even Russel with his only 4 minutes-time in the whole picture. No shot to cut or miss for the sake of whatever. Bull's-eye. Hi end cinematography which can be seen quite rarely in this kind of movies. What a tasteful soundtrack. How on Earth was it possible to get all those people together to make such a sweet, dazzling, fantastic movie. Good heavens, I loved it so much. That wasn't the money I paid to watch the film, it took a piece of my heart.
And just look how unimaginably simple the idea of the picture is: if something is destined to happen in your life it shall happen whatever way you choose, regardless of how many u-turns or shortcuts you'll go. And if that production team, including everyone, was destined to create 100 minutes of incredibly fascinating story they have done it !!! My hat is off, my knee is bended. Thanks.