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Reviews
Hitori musuko (1936)
exploring universal themes
It is a shame that this film is not available for wider viewing. I had the opportunity of seeing it at an Ozu retrospective in Cleveland. This film measures up to the other great classic Ozu films. The impact of Ozu's films works in much the same way as Japanese painting. There is great power in its open spaces and silences. They lend greater power to the words and emotions that are expressed. The dignity of the characters as they struggle with life is moving. Ozu is a master
of world cinema because he deals with themes of universal import and he does so with impeccable style. Especially noteworthy in this film is his effective use of music and sound. All in all, a very worthwhile experience
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
a magnificent achievement
There are so many things that could be said about this marvelous film. Sometimes even believers can be bored by the way biblical events have been portrayed on screen in the past, but in this case Mel Gibson has injected fresh life and artistic skill into the genre. The cinematog- raphy is spectacular. Gibson also portrays supernatural elements of the story with great power, but he does not overdo it and thus distract us from the basic message of the film. Concerning all the controversy there has been about the film, I do not see any evidence at all that it is anti-semitic. By far the most reprehensible behavior shown is the sadistic brutality of some of the Roman guards. Another criticism of the movie has been that the point of Jesus' suffering is not made clear. But the flashbacks that Gibson effectively employs, and the verse shown at the start of the film, disclose that Christ died as a sacrifice for our sins. A third criticism has been that the film does not highlight the Christian message of love. But love was the whole reason for Christ enduring what the movie depicts. This is truly a landmark film and worthy careful consideration.
Thirteen Conversations About One Thing (2001)
a worthwhile film
A thought-provoking work like this affirms the value of film. If you are just looking for action or comedy, then the film might not appeal to you, but if you appreciate movies that seriously address the nature and mystery of life, then you should like this. It requires thought and a little bit of an attention span. The film shares with many others of its type a bit of an existentialist tinge, but it stands apart by treating religiously inclined characters with respect. Unfortunately this is not too common in modern American cinema. As for the acting, John Turturro and especially Alan Arkin are pre- dictably brilliant and the young girl who plays the victim of a car accident is also great. This ranks among the best films of its year.
Dansinn (1998)
nice look at the people and beauty of the Faroe Islands
This film is worth seeing for the scenery alone. It is beautifully shot, and it also provides interesting insights into the ways of
the natives of the Faroe Islands (located between Iceland and Norway). The story itself is entertaining and the acting quite good. The movie deals with a clash of generations and coming to maturity in a traditional society. I got to see this at the Cleveland Intl. Film Festival and it whetted my appetite to explore Icelandic filmmaking more. Definitely worth a look.