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The Haunting -- (7/99 PG-13) my gut reaction to Jan de Bont's adaptation of Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House is "what did you do with this masterpiece?!" The casting of the doctor (Liam Neesam), Nell (Lili Taylor) and Theo (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is excellent and the house looks pretty good (especially the outside), but why mess with a great premise? The minimal plausibility of this makeshift premise is one of the most glaring problems, then there's the lack of character development. David Self's screenplay avoids most of the prime chances to exploit the creepiness of the situation while maintaining that eerie psychological-realism that Shirley Jackson's novel excells in. Once I got over the shock and realized that this was not Shirley Jackson's Hill House, but rather Self's and de Bont's, then I was able to sit back and enjoy the film some. I did find it entertaining and a little bit scary. The visual effects were really cool and I thought the actors (and casting) were good. So, I guess I'll say the film is fairly good -- as long as you don't say that it is an adaptation of Jackson's novel, because it falls totally flat on that account. Now, the old black and white adaptation (also called The Haunting), that's a scary movie! (added to video 11/29/99)
Hope Floats (PG-13) --
Forest Whitaker directs this moving film starring
Sandra Bullock as Birdie, former beauty queen-jilted mom who moves home
with her daughter to small town Texas to pick up the pieces of her life.
The film moves beyond the expected corny formula one would expect from
the onset and provides true emotion as Bullock's character faces her own
inner-demons while connecting with her quirky taxidermist mother,
her Alzheimers and stroke striken father and dealing with her daughter's
anger over her father's absence. Harry Connick, Jr. is good as the new
home-town love interest. We especially enjoyed the character of Birdie's
nephew, Travis who has also been jilted by his mom and lives with Birdie's
mom.
The Hudsucker Proxy This 1994 film starring Paul Newman as a crooked corporate executive planning to force down company stocks by hiring the incompetant Tim Robbins as Company President is, with Fargo, our favorite Coen Brothers' Film. It lacks the dark edge, violence and gore of many of their films while retaining that inimitable Coen style and ambience. Jennifer Jason Leigh's (Katherine Hepburnesque) performance as the hard-as-nails investigative reporter is especially enjoyable.
Kama Sutra (1997, not rated ) Indian-born director Mira
Nair returns
to her roots with "Kama Sutra." The text refers to her
homeland's 4th century treatise on men and women,
and the art of lovemaking. The movie tells the story of
a princess and her servant, raised as friends and
rivals. As fully developed women, they engage in a
high-stakes game of passion and romance.
LA Confidential - our choice for the best movie of 1997. Exquisite performances and enthralling story.
Les
Miserables - ( 1998, PG-13) non-musical adaptation of the Victor Hugo
classic, directed by Bille August and starring Liam Neeson (as Jean Valjean),
Goeffry Rush (as Javert), Uma Thurman (as Fantine) and Claire Danes (as
Cosette) -- we have to admit that we haven't read the novel nor have we
seen the musical, so we can not compare or evaluate the adaptation. Nevertheless,
we enjoyed the film and we were surprised that it wasn't depressing (Crystal
has always found Bille August's adaptation of Pelle the Conquerer to be
much darker than the optomitic novel). For those of you unfamiliar with
the story, Hugo's social theory seems to be a view that the inhumanity of
poverty itself begets criminals yet one act of kindness can break the chain
of hatred and despair.
Masterminds
(1997, PG-13) This film pits Patrick Stewert as a disgruntled genius against
a teenage hacker-n'er do well. It's a sort of Die Hard with teenage heroes
and less violence.
Oscar and Lucinda -- Ralph Fiennes and Cate Blanchett are amazing in this film adaption of Peter Carey's 1988 Booker Prize-winning novel. Fiennes "astoundingly nuanced performance" as the naively angelic, emotionally tortured Oscar, a "brave yet vulnerable man of God" is, according to Emanuel Levy of Variety, "easily his richest since "Schindler's List." (We have a hard time being objective about Fiennes performances). Although the film starts off slowly (crosscutting between Oscar's strict upbringing in rural England at the hands of his preacher father, and Lucinda's free childhood on an Australian farm), it gains momentum once Oscar goes to Oxford to train as a minister and discovers a prayer-answering means of financial support - the racetrack. The culture and atmosphere of nineteenth century England and Australia, rendered in lush detail, enhances the tale of this unusual relationship. Geoffrey Rush's ironic narration, as the greatgrandson who required that these two gamblers "one obsessive, the other compulive" meet that he might someday be born, is an added bonus.
Pleasantville (October 1998; PG-13) -- Gary Ross' fanciful and technically
inventive creation is, in our opinion, the best film of the year so far.
Other films this year with creative new premises have been disappointments
(i.e. The Truman Show, What Dreams May Come ) in that they don't go as far
as they could or cop out on the ending. This is not the case with this film
in which the teenage twins David (Toby Maguire) and Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon)
are sucked into the universe of David's favorite tv show; an eternally rerun
black and white 50's sitcom in which Dad's (William H. Macy) greeting of
"Honey I'm Home" is always cheerfully answered by his blissfully
domestic wife (Joan Allen). This is not merely a 90s meets the 50s story,
since the film brings home the fact that however much nostalgia may paint
bygone eras as pleasant as a fifty's sitcom world, the real world was never
like that. Imagine trying to live in a universe in which nothing has ever
happened that hasn't been written into a sit-com script. Firemen only rescue
cats because there has never been a fire; it has never rained; books have
no words; there is nothing beyond mainstreet; there is not even the concept
of sex and free choice has never even been imagined in Pleasantville. Inasmuch
as the David chastizes Jennifer for playing with the this pleasant universe
(which has acted as his personal escape from harsh reality), David himself
cannot stop his own presence from instigating change. Without realizing
what he is doing, he also brings color into this black and white tv universe.
Reality is not always pleasant, but it is so much more....
Practical
Magic (1998, PG-13) Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidmen star as sister
witches who believe in the curse that any man who is loved by one of the
women of their family will die an untimely death. When Aidan Quinn comes
to town as a police officer investigating a murder, the sisters hope they
have the power to break the curse.
Prince of Egypt
-- (Dec. 1998, PG) interesting rewrite of biblical history (supposedly
true to its spirit), however Ramses comes out more sympathetically perhaps
than God does. Maybe due to the outstanding vocal performance of Ralph Fiennes.
Still, a poignant story of magnitude.
Quiz
Show - (1994, PG-13) visually one of Ralph Fiennes best -- that is to
say he looks very relaxed and charming. Robert Redford directed this recreation
of the famous Quiz Show scandal in the 1950's. The film, starring John Turturro,
Rob Morrow, Paul Scofield and Mira Sorvino, offers an interesting peek into
a moment of our American past when the viewing public was innocently naive
and the TV industry was still in the process of defining itself.
Rapa
Nui (1994, R) -- directed by Kevin Reynolds, Rapa Nui tells a beautiful
tale of love and class struggle, attempting to explain what became of the
native culture that left behind the enormous stone effigies on Easter Island.
The film stars Jason Scott Lee, Esai Morales and Sandrine Holt.
Reservoir Dogs
(1992, NC 17) Directed by Quentin Tarantino this star packed film
depicts a gang of thieves after the fall out of a heist-gone-wrong. The
rating is due to some graphic violence, but also because Tarantino can't
write more than a sentence of dialogue without using the "f***"
word. Supurb acting by Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth and Michael Madsen.
Saving Private Ryan -- Stephen Speilberg's newest rendition of World War II is a remarkable piece of film making and is definitely worth seeing. Many critics have said that the realistic battle depictions with all the blood and gore would make many people sick. We didn't find that to be the case. Most of these images are too quick to be grossed out at them...at least while watching the film...they do stay with you afterwards, though. I found the shakey camerawork to be much more disturbing to my stomach. This is a hard movie to view in the sense that it deals with the horrible realities of war and we naturally agree that children should not see the film (although there were several youngsters in the theater when we saw it). We thought the actors did a fine job -- of course Tom Hanks is always a good choice -- and were happy to see some of the fine young actors we've come to know on TV (such as "lightning boy" from The X-Files). The criticisms we do have are relatively minor. There is a certain contivance to the plot line and we found the flag waving at the opening and closing of the film to be a weakness. We feel the film would have been stronger without the contrived "Hollywood" frame. Nevertheless, it's a great war film in the tradition of All Quiet on the Western Front.
Schindler's List (1993, R) winner of seven accademy awards, including best film and best director 1993, Stephen Spielberg's must see (black and white) film about profiteer Oskar Schindler who aided more than a thousand Jews during the Holocaust. Outstanding performances by Liam Neesan, Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes and Embeth Davidtz.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994, R) -- when this movie came out we had little desire to go and see "a movie about guys in prison." That's a really poor description of the film. It's a moving, extremely well acted film about the power of hope. Morgan Freeman and Tim Robins star in this adaptation of a short story by Stephen King. Films such as this are what make me consider reading Stephen King (other film adaptions of his short stories are Stand By Me and Apt Pupil).
Shine is a slow but poignantly beautiful Scott Hicks film about the troubled prodigy pianist David Helfgott ( played unerringly by Geoffrey Rush).
The
Siege (1998, R) directed by Edward Zwick, this action-thriller stars
Denzel Washington, Annette Bening, Bruce Willis, Tony Shaloub in a modern
day e thical nightmare. Terrorist attacks lead to New York City being placed
under marshal law. Islamic Armericans are rounded up and imprisoned.
A
Simple Plan (1998; R) What would you do if you found $4 million in case
at the deserted site of an airplane crash? Would you keep it? Sam Raimi
asks this question in this powerful suspense-drama starring Bill Paxton
and Bridget Fonda as a normal happy couple whose lives spiral out of control
when they try to find an answer to this very question. Nature, that of pure
snowy white vistas plays as a cinematic metaphor for lost innocence and
simplicity.(added 9/22/99)
Smoke Signals -- directed by Chris Eyre, this film stars Adam Beach and Evan Adams
as Victor Joseph and Thomas Builds-the-Fire, two Coeur d'Alene Indians living in Idaho.
These characters from Sherman Alexie's book of stories, The Lone Ranger and Tonto fist-fight in Heaven, are polar
opposites, whose fates have been linked by a calamity in which Thomas' parents were
killed in a fire and Thomas was rescued by Victor's father. The story central to
the film is the relationship of this one man, Arnold Joseph, with both boys. At the same time,
the film describes a contemporary American Indian culture coming to terms with its past in offbeat, unexpected ways.
The best example of this is the reservation's radio sta tion's commentary on life
on the reservation...including "non-traffic" reports, and slogans such as "It's a good day to be indigenous!"
We couldn't help but be reminded of another film about the family troubles of
another indigenous people, namely, Once Were Warriors, however
Smoke Signals is lighter, funnier and more hopeful throughout. Definitely worth
seeing!
Star Trek: Insurrection -- (PG) Although the stakes weren't as
high as the last film nor the villain as imposing as the Borg, this film
in nevertheless Star Trek at its best. Fighting for principle, defending
the weak...and we get to hear Picard, Worf and Data do a little Gilbert
and Sullivan as well! Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner's talents are utilized
excellently. Our only criticisms are that the female crew members (as usually
in TNG) have nexxt to nothing to do and that Worl should be used for comic
relief so soon after the death of his wife. A must see for all Trek fans!
The Tango Lesson - we didn't care for this film nearly as much as we wanted to. Pablo Veron is certainly a find. He is dynamic on screen and demonstrates that he has acting talent as well as being a gifted dancer. Sally Potter on the other hand demonstrates that she is a much better dancer than actor and likely a much better director than screenwriter. We did leave the theater wanting to dance the tango...wonder if that will be true of the video as well?
The Truman Show - although by no means "the
best film of the year" as it has been touted in the media, this was
a pretty good film. Jim Carey was pretty good (at least we could stand watching
him- thank God, Peter Weir didn't allow him to do his goofy stuff too much!)
The film could have been longer. We could have witnessed more of the lives
of the "cast" when they were "off-camera." Still, it
was interesting and worth seeing.
12 Monkeys -- how many references to monkeys can a film that's not about
monkeys make? Well, Terry Gilliam seems to make an attempt to find out in
this 1996 science fiction thriller starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe
and Brad Pitt. This film caught Crystal's interest when she heard a paper
about it at the Medieval Congress last year - something like "The Fourteenth-Century
Apocalyptic Vision of
What Dreams May Come (PG-13), directed by Vincent Ward and based
on the novel by Richard Matheson is a daring visual treat, providing impressionistic
images of an oil-painted Heaven and Boschian Hell, but the film is all mood
without momentum. Robin Williams and Annabella Sciorra are somewhat convincing
as soul-mates whose bond endures beyond death. Cuba Gooding Jr., Rosilind
Chow and Max von Sydow are compelling as Chris Nielsen's (Williams') guides
-- and it's nice to see a film in which Max doesn't die (although he is
technically dead). This is an interesting film, with an interesting view
of Heaven, Hell and death, but similar to Ward's film, The Navigator, the
film doesn't achieve much more than atmosphere. Still, it does this better
than most films.
Wild Things--this now-you-get-it-now-you-don't murder mystery keeps you guessing until the final credits-- but thankfully all the loose ends are tied up by then. Yes there is sex (with two girls and a guy) and some violence --- so if you'revery easily offended, don't see it. Otherwise, highly recommendable Neve Campbell finally gets to really shed the Party of five Julia image in this film. Enough said.
Wings of the Dove - a beautiful film about a not so beautiful topic. Helena Bonham Carter deserved the Oscar for this performance.
Wuthering
Heights (1992) stars Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche in Peter Kosminsky's
interpretation of the Emily Bronte classic. We have to admit that the story
is not one of our favorites, since we find Bronte's brand of "romantic"
love a little too scary and unhealthily obsessive. We were drawn to the
film then, by our desire to revisit Fiennes and Binoche working together.
We watched this the same weekend as Les Miserables, and it made a good companion
piece. If Les Miserables depicts the magic of one act of kindness, this
film depicts the horror begat of unkindness. All in all, it's a pretty good
adaption, although we perhaps see Cathy laughing a wee bit too much and
Heathcliff's motivations seem to be almost entirely hatred and revenge rather
than love. Nevertheless, all you hopeless romantics out there, or fans of
Fiennes or Binoche will be sure to enjoy the film tremendously.
Please send us your comments and video recommendations [email protected]
last updated 11/29/99
