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Reviews
School of Rock (2003)
Easily digested entertainment
School of Rock is a feel-good attempt at combining Dangerous Minds with Sister Act, pumping with high-energy rock 'n' roll music that features shrieking vocals and raging rhythms. Yes, the classic kind that recalls the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. But this time around it's the kids who do it all, led by the goofy-looking Jack Black.
Jack Black (Shallow Hal), plays Dewey, a sloppy, down-on-his-luck die-hard classic rocker who gets dumped by his band mates. Desperate to pay for his rent, he lies his way into getting a job as a elementary school teacher pretending to be his housemate. It's hardly surprising that he is nothing like the discipline-loving teacher in To Sir with Love, instead, the quick-witted Dewey sees the awesome musical talents in his class of fifth-graders, turns them into a professional rock band for a big-time competition, and inspires them along the way.
Black, capitalising on his rockin' talents as a real-life member of the rock/comedy band "Tenacious D", is simply terrific as an unorthodox teacher who ignores all the rules but finally earns respect for his passion in rock music. He is the soul of the film, not just looking perfect for the role of a seemingly eccentric underdog but delivering snappy dialogue in his funny interactions with students. Joan Cusack is also fine in the role of the stuffy but good-hearted principal, Black¡¦s antithesis who adds some tension and conflict to the plot. And yet, kids may be too young to appreciate this family entertainment, at least not as much as adults nostalgic of vintage rock. I constantly heard kids crying out loud in one of the first previews, perhaps it¡¦s the bombing sounds that scared them. Overall, the film is a joy to watch with a talented cast plus smooth and engaging direction (Richard Linklater, Before Sunrise).
Let's Make Love (1960)
One of Marilyn's better films
(Maybe spoilers herein)
In spite of an ominous start (a bit too much about the family history of the Montand character) and the annoying Montand (awkward-looking and charmless), the film grew on me as I sat through it. It turned out to be none of what the trailer tried so hard to sell: a story about people who are love- and sex-obsessed. Instead I was pleasantly surprised.
It is refreshing and marvellous to watch Marilyn as the ambitious and good-hearted stage performer, so unlike one of those "dumb blonde" roles considered typical of her screen persona. I *love* the catchy musical numbers,which are just the right amount, not too much to distract one from the plot. My favorites are My Heart Belongs to Daddy, Specialization and the title song. Marilyn is not at her most stunning here, probably a result of excessive dependence on drug and alcohol..but she still looks adorable, cheerful and full of life throughout the film. Overall the film is a delight to watch, marked for the decent script, sometimes funny dialogue, smooth direction and a great cast (after all I would say Montand is acceptable) I am sure I will visit this overlooked gem multiple times.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
a pitiful, awkward shot at being different
Don't ever call this film "funny". It would be an insult to the work of Billy Wilder and Woody Allen. This film seemed to have good potential at first glance: a solid cast and a bunch of weirdo characters. But it all failed to come to anything. The supposedly interesting situations just don't happen. Just a tasteless, insipid script. I just don't feel for the characters. What's special about them is just their peculiarities. I always try to find something likeable in every movie I see, even bad ones. But this time I really get nothing from it. Not at all impressed by the soundtrack either. The songs just slow down the film. I read other reviews and my conclusion is you either love or hate this film! There's no middle ground.
The World of Suzie Wong (1960)
Lives up to the hype!
AT LONG LAST I saw The World of Suzie Wong at my school library today. You just have to see it to believe it. It is a shame that it takes an outsider (Hollywood) to capture the exotic beauty of the old-time Hong Kong. (With Love Is a Many-splendored Thing as the forerunner) I have never seen Hong Kong photographed in a flattering yet realistic light. Nancy Kwan ignites the screen with such charm and grace which Asian actresses seriously lack today. All through the film I smile whenever I see her. I love her chemistry with William Holden..yet another favorite of mine...Hong Kong is blessed to be immortalized by this exquisite romance.
Der blaue Engel (1930)
Watch it for the sizzling Marlene
I remember I watched this movie quite a long time ago at a university library with a good knowledge of what it was about (If you are a confirmed reader of movies you must come across this title pretty much because it's always been hailed as a classic). I saw the German version so the language barrier kept me from fully enjoying the film. It was the very first Marlene Dietrich picture I ever saw and she was true to every complimentary description I had read of her. She was at the height of her raw, sensuous, lustrous beauty, before standardized by the Hollywood grooming machine. She looked sexy even with some baby fat. I personally enjoy her 30s work because she was in her prime (she started out a little late so by the time she made The Blue Angel she was already around 30). In fact my memory of the film blurs in general but Marlene is just too sensational to be forgotten
just look out for the numbers she crooned with her extraordinary husky voice. You'll fall in love with her right away!