Reviews

I had been waiting for this film for ages, but 35 minutes into the film I had to leave because of the jerky, hand-held camera work, jump shots, etc. Why oh why did they have to do this? This kind of camera work is okay in certain situations -the Africa crowd scenes, etc., but to go on and on, even when it is unnecessary was very rough on my system. From what I saw of the film, however, I was very impressed with the performances by all, especially Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weiss. If I can find an older theater that has more than 30 rows I might be able to handle it, or just wait for the DVD. What a disappointment!!! So now I am working my way through the book. Directors, please be aware of how your cameras may affect the people who love films! Some of us just cannot handle that kind of motion. We aren't at sea, were in a movie theater!

Having been an Anthony Quinn fan for many years, I came across this video recently and rented it. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised to see quite a different performance from Quinn. While he had moments of gruffness, for the most part he tackled this role as the confused, tormented Barrabas with a great deal of inner work. The most impressive moments where when his face reflected the conflicts of belief, choice, and commitment. As one of the most famous individuals in history it was an imaginative characterization of Barrabas, much like the other enigmatic individual in Christianity -Judas- as characterized by Ian McShane in Jesus of Nazareth (1977).

Wonderful music score, and cinematography. Notice especially the care given to the staging of the scourging of Jesus in the beginning of the film -silence except for Heaven's angels screaming in anguish. Breathtaking.

I didn't know anybody in this film except Terence Stamp who has such fantastic screen presence he can act in anything and hold a film together just by being there. I too kept thinking the female lead was Rosilinni or another Juliette Binoche wannabe. The whole sub-plot story was a stupid device that didn't work at all. Whaaaaa??? Whose brilliant idea was that? Back to Terence Stamp. I saw him years ago in Billy Budd and The Collector, then . . . . ..no Terence for years. I just recently rediscovered him in several brilliant films -Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Limey, and The Hit. You have to see these films. Terence is absolutely fantastic. I couldn't quite figure out what was so intriguing about him until I realized he just oozes a certain serenity and presence onthe screen, and then his voice has changed over the years. I've never heard a voice quite like his. And, as a woman, I think he is one of the most handsome men walking the face of the earth. I certainly hope he continues making films, and doesn't go into retirement now that he has married a 26 yr. old woman.

As I live in the USA I've never seen any of The Detectives on television, but I belong to a network of Robert Powell fans and we have managed to get the tapes to each other with no problem. Robert and Jasper are a great team, and why they decided to film only five years of the show is beyond me. Those two are a riot! Sparring Partners was one of the funniest comedy shows I've ever seen. What a shame the show was never broadcast in the USA! I wish Jasper and Robert would consider making The Detectives: the Movie!!!! Hear that Robert?????

Unable to find a rental, I broke down and bought this film, and am delighted that I did. I've seen Martin Donovan only once before, in Onegin. I thought he was British! Surprise! There are so many great scenes and lines in The Book of Life, it would be impossible and unfair to list them all and I couldn't do it justice anyway. Jesus is portrayed as happy to be back among human beings helpless as they (we) are; he's compassionate, but weary of the job he's been charged to do. Who wouldn't be? And, God's kicked him out of heaven, for some reason which was not clear, or perhaps I missed. Another reason to be weary! Jesus and the devil have it out in a most amazing scene. Listen carefully, there are some great lines that are almost thrown away. I have one complaint that has to do with a common and incorrect reading of Scripture. Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute. She was possessed by demons which Jesus cast out, but she was NOT a prostitute. That was another woman.. .

This was also my first Hal Hartly film, and while I loved the antics, and interesting movements of the actors, the soundtrack, (P.J. Harvey singing "To Sir With Love" in the record store with music blasting in the background!) I was a little put off with the "ethereal" camera work. It definitely worked for certain moments, but I felt that it was somewhat distracting, and I wish this technique had been used a little less. I'm one of those whose optical nervous system can't handle broad sweeps or quick, jerky movements of camera work. Otherwise I give this film top rating, and am a new Hal Hartley fan.

Saw Pollock last week -twice!! I know the reviews have been mixed, but I have a theory about that.

First of all, Ed Harris spent approx. 10 years making this film, so he knew exactly what he was doing.

Now to my theory. . . some of the reviews complained that there were plot holes, etc. and that there was not enough explanation about why Pollock became a painter in the first place, why he drank, why he stopped, and then started again, why a mistress out of the blue,why was he so destructive, etc. etc.etc. I believe that something very sad has happened to audiences (and reviewers). We are so used to watching tv with nice, compact, dumbed-down stories and plots, with everything spelled out, answers to everything, nothing left open -a package with no room for doubt or questions.

This film was like a Pollock painting: a mysterious thing of beauty, a work from the heart. It respects the audience enough to leave much open to the imagination. Let US interpret, analyze, brood, or rejoice. Ed Harris produced, directed, and starred in a masterpiece. So many scenes just took my breath away. And the entire cast was brilliant, especially Harris and Marcia Gay Hardin.

Why it took me so long to rent this incredible film I'll never know. Enough has been said about the story line, so I'll just add that I loved the action flashbacks, and the interesting fades to white that moved the story along. Flannery, Reedas, and Rocco were wonderful, but Willem Dafoe stole this show hands down! When is this guy going to get the recognition he so richly deserves??? He was so funny in this film that I found myself LOL in just about every one of his scenes. His delivery of lines were hilarious. "That James Bond stuff doesn't happen in real life!!!" "What we have here is the first international mob war (pause, mug) . . .unless I missed something." "The day I want the Boston police to do my thinking I will have a f------ tag on my toe!!!"

The confessional scene was priceless! Dafoe trying to make the sign of the cross. . .sheepish grin. . "Whatever!" And of course one more scene which you will have to see to believe.

Dafoe has a quality that I can't quite describe except as BRILLIANT. He showed the same quality in Light Sleeper, which if you you haven't seen, run to the nearest video store and rent it! The scenes with Sarandon are unbelievable.

Did anyone catch Dafoe's mock Platoon pose? On his knees with his arms in the air. What a ham! Love the guy!

I rented this film mainly to see Kenneth Branagh once again, but was totally surprised by the entire cast, especially Laurence Fishbourne who portrayed Othello brilliantly. The dignified, regal Fishbourne transforms Othello into a tragic figure with restraint, control and believability. It was also an added surprise to see two actors from Brahagh's Hamlet: Michael Maloney and Nicholas Farrel. And any film with Nathaniel Parker is a pleasure. Branagh brought a depth to Iago that I hadn't seen before, especially during the scene on the beach when he and Othello hug. Iago in tears? And then again at the final scene. Iago was evil, yes, but for an actor to find a few moments to make him human -that's when the audience knows something extraordinary has happened on stage or screen. See this film.

While viewing this film on video, I wondered, where are the battles, where is the King, etc.? Then it dawned on me: the Passion of St. Joan. . .. This was a different film, this truly was a film about The Passion as in The Passion of Christ. It was at times excruciatingly difficult to watch due to the incredibly believable, brilliant acting of Marie Falconetti. I was so drawn in by the image of her torment that I often found myself not breathing. The score accentuated the images, and was never overbearing or morose. An unexpected surprise and joy for me was the appearance of Antonin Artaud, the French actor/writer/director who formed his own school of acting. I'd only seen pictures of him and read his books. This was the ultimate "buckshee."

I saw this little gem of a film last year, forgot about it, then decided to buy it. On a second viewing I realized how much I missed the first time around. The scientific/mythical/mystical/spiritual interpretations are left up to the individual, and I found myself leaning toward the mystical/spiritual, especially when the film-within-a-film (Pandora's Box) entered the plot. While some might have felt this whole episode was irrelevant, to me it was central in a kind of a skewed way that wasn't really developed. Anyone familiar with the myth of Pandora's Box will recognize the significance of the "rock in the box" that causes lives to change in a dramatic, profound way. Izzy's state of consciousness during the film is simply a device -an interesting one- to tell a story.

Seeing Dafoe and Keitel working together again (first time since Last Temptation of Christ?) was a delight. Both are capable of a tremendous range, but chose restraint in this film, and it worked. The interogation scenes in the warehouse were mesmerizing. I love this film!