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Reviews
The Aviator (2004)
Agonizing!!
I can often judge a movie by how often I look at my watch. This was a "4 plusser". The first time was only an hour into it; I could have sworn I'd been there for several days. The movie was filled with so many anachronisms that I lost all respect for it early on. You'd think that Hollywood would have a better sense of its own history. (Also,is it utterly impossible to find a zaftig blonde anywhere in Hollywood to play Harlowe? I think the answer in the land of bulimia is "no".) I found the colors garish, the dialog plodding, the pacing tortuous. And where on earth did the costume designer dig up those hats for the Ava Gardner character - from an old Kathryn Grayson musical? When the characters were attempting to discuss the technicalities of their aeronautical work they were about as convincing as junior high school kids making an adventure video. It was obvious that they were saying the words but had no idea of their meaning. Poor Ian Holm was the only one deliberately playing confused. And what was the purpose of his character other than comic relief? I suppose DiCaprio will garner awards for playing a crazy person, which seems to guarantee a performer kudos (see Rush and Jolie among others.) I think those critics who raved about this movie, which will no doubt win the Oscar for Scorsese, should wait a few months and then go see it again, this time with their eyes and ears open and some strong coffee at hand. Remember "Titanic", guys?
The Year That Trembled (2002)
The Film That Stunk
This is one of those things you marvel at: why did Martin Mull, Henry Gibson and Fred Willard do this? They couldn't have done it for the money. This film is so cheap that they have Fred carrying a kid to Canada on his moped (top speed 20 mph) from the Cleveland area. You know this because there's a sign by the side of the road that says" Border Crossing." He gives his daughter a present wrapped in crudely chopped up construction paper (they couldn't have sent someone to the local CVS for 50 cents worth of wrapping paper?) The make up seems to have been done by the local undertaker - Henry Gibson's face looks downright cooked.
And these are minor concerns. The continuity, the dialogue, the plot! Oy! For those of you who have no idea of what happened at Kent State 30 some years ago - this ain't gonna help!
Magnolia (1999)
Brilliant work!
This is an incredible film, meticulously put together and acted. I loved the way the soundtrack underscored the story and enhanced the characters. I think John C. Reilly was outstanding in his understated but accurate playing of the innocent cop. I found the Tom Cruise and Julianne Moore roles hampered by too much ACTING (remember Jon Lovitz' ham on the old SNL - that's what Cruise and Moore were doing - ACTING) BY contrast O'Reilly and Hoffman showed us real people reacting to real life. I also thought the part of Donnie Smith was a bit off - his dialogue sounded strained and unreal, in spite of the wonderful Wm. Macy. However, those comments aside, it is a terrific movie, a terrific set of stories and I hope Paul Anderson wins every award in the book. a truly original, creative film maker. And here in Ohio, we loved his father - the original Ghoulardi!
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. (1953)
Best Kid's Movie Ever!
I saw this film when it originally came out. The children in the audience stood up and cheered when it was over. Then it disappeared. My own kids saw it on TV sometime back in the 60s and loved it. Thank goodness it's available on video!