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Reviews
Chicago (2002)
Another Oscar Scam
I went to this movie because of the hype surrounding it, the very
positive reviews, the four stars, the Oscars. What might have
made a good theatre piece made a sham of a movie. What it
lacked was REAL choreography, and REAL dancers performing in
the key roles interpreted by Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones,
and Renee Zellweger. These stars no doubt gave their best, but
(and I don't blame them for trying!) they are not dancers! Musical
theatre is about great music and dance interpreted by
outstanding artists. Here we have celebrity stars stretching to
reach choreographic thresholds that have been lowered for them.
There are no thrills here, no beauty, no art. Any redeeming value in
this film springs from the performances by the honest dancers,
brilliantly captured by the way, in the first half hour of the movie in
the jailhouse seen featuring the rogue's gallery of murderesses.
Lady Jane (1986)
Moving tale of love and betrayal
Although it has been more than a decade since I saw Lady Jane, I remember that it moved me greatly. The ambiance and characters are fully developed. Helen Bonham Carter was quite young, perfect for the role, and turned out to be quite a revelation. I saw the film in Madrid. I'll never forget the sight of a middle aged Spaniard (male) in the audience weeping at the conclusion. (The Spanish nobility were the "bad guys" of this drama).
La muralla verde (1969)
Based on the personal experiences of the director, who made his home in the Peruvian jungle.
This film is based on the personal experiences of Armando Robles Godoy who, like the protagonist, abandoned big city life to "colonize" the Peruvian jungle in the 1960s. The director's brother, Mario Godoy, was the cinematographer. Julio Alemán, the Mexican actor who plays Godoy, won a prize for this role. It helps the viewer's understanding of this movie to know that it is based on an episode in the director's life. Surely it was cathartic for him to have told it. I hope it brought him closure to this deeply felt tragedy.
Madame Butterfly (1995)
Unforgettable
I am not one to cry at movies easily, but this production of Madame Butterfly caused me to shed tears on at least four occasions during the screening. I saw it with Spanish subtitles which enhanced my understanding of the story and appreciation of the music. It gets off to a rocky start, but that is soon forgotten as the story and the beauty of the performances draw you in.
Mandingo (1975)
Leaves a tattoo in one's memory
I saw this film in Madrid at the Spanish National Film Library's theater (La Filmoteca) a few years ago. No one could see this film and not think that they had visited hell. Campy? Only if you think that the situations portrayed have been exaggerated. On the contrary, the film is deeply disturbing because it is all too believable. James Mason's character is the embodiment of evil. It is his strongest performance ever and contributes greatly to the power of the film. That this film has become obscure may be a kind of censorship. In the age of rap, there may be fear that it could open old wounds. A masterpiece? Lesser films have been given that title.