Change Your Image
clarityclaire
Reviews
But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)
Surreal Lesbian Farce
It might just be a product of my own out and proud lesbianism but I find this movie to be one of the best and most entertaining studies of sexuality and tolerance (or lack thereof) available. The surrealist and technicolour nightmare that is the True Directions house (think American Gothic in hot pink) creates a universe just far enough removed from reality to make the story work yet just close enough to make the story relavant. Mary (Cathy Moriarty) is the mother we all are glad we don't have and RuPaul as an "ex gay" is absolutely priceless.
Often the best way to deliver a message is through the use of humour and I believe the delivery in this movie to be close to perfect. The message of the movie is delivered in a way that is entirely non-preachy for which I am truly thankful.
I would recommend showing this movie to everyone who is confused about their sexuality and everyone who discriminates against gays and lesbians. In fact maybe everyone should watch it, most of my friends have seen it now.
BTW, Clea DuVall as Graham is sexy as hell and the relationship between Lloyd and Larry-bear is too cute for words.
Meet the Feebles (1989)
Peter Jackson was always a genius
Unlike most people, I saw this film long before The Fellowship Of The Ring. In fact I saw it way back in 1992 and was simultaneously appalled, amused and impressed by it. Maybe it is best described as "Bad Taste with puppets" or "The Muppet Movie in bad taste" but it is certainly a movie I would recomend to anyone of sufficient maturity (no children should EVER see this film).
Like Bad Taste before it this movie features disgusting humour, lots of blood, and impressive low budget special effects, and the puppets in it have to be seen to be believed. One of the best things about The Fellowship of the Ring (and I Love that movie as well) is that in the hype following it more people may see Meet The Feebles. Maybe Meet The Feebles and Bad Taste will be released on DVD in Australia now (I have them both on VHS).
I will say one thing tho, it is certainly a strange feeling to have been a Peter Jackson fan for 10 years before Lord Of The Rings was released and the whole world finally discovered him.
The Monkey's Mask (2000)
I loooooooooove this film
Poetry, murder, lesbians... what else do we need really. Suzie Porter is fabulous as Jill, and Kelly McGillis is wonderful (and sexy) as Diana.
The verse novel on which it is based is one of my favorite books. Translating a complex and beautiful verse novel into film would be difficult, however it is excecuted incredibly well. The poetry is present in some of the dialogue and in the voice of Jill as a narrator. The images of Sudney capture the city well, concentrating on the beauty rather than the rough patches.
Beautiful
When Night Is Falling (1995)
This movie is beauty itself
Warning, contains statements that could be seen as spoilers.
I love this movie. I have to be honest here and admit that I am biased, I am a lesbian and therefore a sucker for any movie in which the girl gets the girl. All too often there are women in movies unsure about their sexuality but they take the option that is easier and also more aceptable to the filmgoing public, ie going with the man. However, even if you ignore all that it must be said that this is a beautiful love story. The characters were so believable and their story so possible. Who could not love this movie?
Others would review this movie by talking about the beautiful imagery and incredible direction but I honestly didn't notice this, too busy being moved deeply by the story. I cried often, both with sadness and joy and was left for some time later in a profound daze.
Unfortunately, for me, this movie is kinda hard to find for purchase. I would love to add it to my collection. Guess I will keep looking.
Kôkaku kidôtai (1995)
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm sexy cyborg
This movie is, quite simply, hot. It has everything you want from Manga/Anime, violence, great animation, special effects and um.... a sexy cyborg. Let's just face it Major Kusanagi is just plain sexy for a drawing. See the movie and you will see what I mean.
There's not just the sex appeal by the way. There is also a plot of sorts (though that takes second place to the sexiness) and, being Manga, a "philosophy break" (you know those bits where they stop the action so someone can get all philosophical or moral, normally at great length), this one thankfully not too long.
I love this movie.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Pity about the ending
The movie, for me, started well. The science was sound, the acting was good and the story was interesting and emotive. Unfortunately the ending of the film left a lot to be desired, and seems to be a cop-out happy ending. It left me unsatisfied, almost as if they had no idea how to end it sensibly. Besides that, the ending is laboured, long and boring.
There are many films dealing with similar themes and issues (Bladerunner and Westworld to name just two). Unfortunately for this film, the others are better.
Bad Taste (1987)
Sick, sick, sick and I love it
I first saw this movie many many years ago (about 1993 or so). I loved it then and I still love it now. I am of the opinion that it was the best Peter Jackson film released so far (Lord of the Rings has yet to be released). "Meet The Feebles" is good, but not as good as this.
Many people have been afraid to see this movie when first told about it. They hear that it is violent and sick, gory and demented and let's face it, it is. But it's a "zombie movie" (they aren't zombies but you can see the "zombie movie" archetype) and you get exactly what you want from a "zombie movie". You want violence, you get violence in excessive quantities. You want gore you get gore to a level that would be nauseating if it wasn't so comical. You want people sadistically chopping other humanoids into little bits you get more of that than you could ever want.
You also get the most important thing you want from a "zombie movie". You get to laugh and then wonder why you are laughing. You get to wonder if you have a bit of sadist inside (why else would you be laughing) and then hope you do. You also get to see humans gratuitously slaughter things that are slower and stupider than us. The superiour numbers of the enemy just means you get to see more get killed.
So, watch this movie if you want blood and gore and blood and um and um comedy (it's the best word I could think of, there is no word for it), this is a movie you wnat to see. If you don't want to laugh at blood flying, don't see it.