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GoranSkalArmand
Reviews
America's Sweethearts (2001)
Disappointing ...
This film is an evil critic's dream. Basically, every single frame is filled with directorial flaws or mistakes and similar critics' [anti-]favorites.
But whether you are a professional critic or not, you have to be disappointed with this movie. What was originally the most promising in-production feature has turned out to be just a few nice moments mixed in with a few cliches and loads of missed opportunities.
The opening sequence isn't perfect but it's a good opening and it seems great compared to half of what is about to happen. The characters start talking as idiotically as movie characters do [usually when they're on the phone], spelling out the plot a few times to make it clearer than we would want it to be. What's more: you can predict every single line way before it is said. And that sets a pattern for the rest of the movie. The direction is uninventive to say the least. It's doubtful that the director had much control over what was going on. The script seems very rushed too.
However, the reason anybody would want to watch this is to see the stars. Well, don't hold your breath because they're all basically miscast [except Hank Azaria]. Julia Roberts is a pretty and generally very talented lady, but the material she has to work with isn't what she wants. The scene where she tries to have her big moment ['That woman by the pool ...'] is just laughable. Completely wrong approach. John Cusack does some good stuff as the male star, but he ends up wasted. Catherine Zeta Jones is basically playing herself. Her performance could be dramatically improved upon, but it's good enough as it is. Ironically, she comes off better than any of her esteemed co-stars. The main problem is Billy Crystal, who tries to be mean and extremely likable at the same time. He should have just gone for being mean and manipulative instead of spending 90% of the time with that sickeningly sweet expression he has on the poster and always changing it at the wrong time.
Unfortunately, it's all very embarrassingly entertaining, but the number of missed opportunities is higher than that of any recent release. Actually, higher than any release in general. The ending is the worst of it. I could have easily come up with something better a few years ago. I am 16 and I feel flattered because all this really made me feel so much more talented... That's important at my age.
Lepa sela lepo gore (1996)
Darkly comic war masterpiece
"Schindler's List" aside, this may be the best war film of the second half of the passing century (still talking about the twentieth century). It is a definite masterpiece and an unjustly overlooked one, only because it is a foreign-language movie, even though it's so much better than Hollywood stuff Featuring perfect ensemble acting, a witty script and striking direction; it is an angry and bitter movie, enlightening the break-up of Yugoslavia as well as attacking the contemporary Government of the ex-Yugoslav countries. In doing so, it turns out to be darkly funny, poignantly touching and mesmerizingly powerful. A masterpiece ... with something new to be found every time you see it. Probably the best Yugoslav film of all time. I would give it 20 out of 10. A must-see.
L'Atalante (1934)
Poetic masterpiece
Arguably the best French film of all time. It can only appeal to those who love the cinema. Its poetic, dream-like effect is truly enchanting and proves that Jean Vigo was a master. Great performances by the whole cast with Michel Simon a standout. Brilliant photography too. A simple, flawless masterpiece.
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Along with "Schindler's List" the best film of the 90s
I seriously think that this is a perfect movie. I personally don't like Shakespeare and hate romances, but i simply adore this one. It was the best film of the year and deserved more than the awards it received (it's so much more intelligent than 'Saving Private Ryan'). The direction is masterful, the script is hilarious, the photography is beautifully textured, the sets and costumes are impressive and realistic (I wonder how much research was required for all that), the editing is outstanding and the acting is perfect, with standout supporting performances by Rush and Dench. It's a spirited, fast-moving, intelligent, romantic, funny, touching, beautiful, sexy, entertaining, ... masterpiece. Surely one of the best films of the Nineties.
The Thin Red Line (1998)
Amazing
"The Thin Red Line" is a movie for those who truly love the cinema, not Adam Sandler movies. Even though the facts that it came so soon after "Saving Private Ryan" (which I think is inferior to this) and it features cameos by half of the available actors of Hollywood, is enough to infuriate many people; the sensitive writing and direction (why doesn't Mallick make films more often - he's a true genius), as well as the delicately beautiful cinematography blend together to form a beautiful, poetic, breathtaking masterpiece. A treat for the eye and the ear.
To Be or Not to Be (1942)
The Best American Comedy of all time
I love classic comedies of Hollywood's Golden Age, but this is the best of all those masterpieces, and (along with "Gone with the Wind") my favourite American film of all time. The Lubitsch touch is justly celebrated and you can see why if you watch this movie full of wit. The lines are still hilarious, the score is still catchy and the performances are simply perfect. Jack Benny is outstanding as 'that great, great actor ...' Joseph Tura, while Lombard is enchanting in her last role. The supporting cast is equally impressive ... this is simply a perfect movie featuring a superb mix of war drama, romance, suspense and high comedy