Change Your Image
vanman
Reviews
The Raspberry Reich (2004)
Political commentary or gay porn?
I saw this at a film festival in Philly where it was aptly introduced as "...either political commentary disguised as hard core gay porn, or gay porn disguised as political commentary." As porn...wow. I wasn't quite expecting the explicitness--so if that's what you're looking for, then enjoy. (I must confess that I did.) The actors are all very photogenic and appealing. There definitely was comedy, and perhaps even food for thought, in the political statements made by the over-the-top revolutionary characters. I found it a bit difficult to switch gears, but maybe after repeated watchings I'll be able to do so. Those who are able to view hard core fare from an artistic and/or intellectual point of view will probably be better able to appreciate the film's artsy elements as well.
Presque rien (2000)
Emotional but cryptic...
There is certainly emotion between the two main characters as they explore their relationship--one based primarily on physical attraction from the beginning. And there is also emotion in the inner-workings of Mathieu's family dealing w/ his mother's problems--and how that comes to bear on their relationship. But the problem is it leaves a lot of things unanswered (unless I'm just too dumb to pick up on them). Why is Mathieu in a mental hospital? What led to the boys' break-up? And the flashing back between present and past is a little hard to follow at first. It seems like the main reason to rent this movie is to enjoy some homoerotic vicarious thrills, or some male nudity. But as a love story or character study it is lacking and unsatisfying.
Walking Across Egypt (1999)
Pleasant but unremarkable
"Walking Across Egypt" is a decent, watchable movie--but there's nothing groundbreaking here. Burstyn is very believable as a conservative, yet unshakeable elderly woman who takes in a young, misunderstood juvenile escapee. The storyline and characters are completely predictable from the outset. But at the same time, they're engaging enough to make the movie worth sitting through. And, yes, that really is Mark Hamill--you might not recognize him.
Drowning Mona (2000)
Something for everyone: dry humor, great characters, Yugos...
If you like a movie with dry humor, you'll love this one. At times it's laugh-out-loud funny. Don't go into it expecting "Ruthless People" part 2; it's a lot more subtle in the comedy delivery. "Mona" is a very well-cast movie, with each of the actors creating a memorable character. "Drowning Mona" takes some of the idiosyncracies and stereotypes of small town, blue collar America, and interweaves them in an "Andy Griffith" meets "Twin Peaks" whodunnit story.
In the Company of Men (1997)
What evil lurks in the hearts of men....
One of the signs of a well-made movie is often it's ability to make me think. This film made me take stock of myself...is there a part of me that is capable of the kind of selfish manipulation of other people evinced by the main character(s)? Am I vulnerable to being manipulated myself by such smooth operators? To what levels are people willing to go to achieve their desired ends?