Jim West Reviews

City of God (2002)

Cheap and disgusting, trying to pass for art

[1/10 · 14 February 2004]

In spite of so much undeserved acclaim from some critics, this is a terrible movie, cheap in all respects as far as the cinematic art is concerned. Many people may approve it merely on account of its demagogic handling of a 'relevant issue' such as extreme poverty and criminality in the slums area of underdeveloped countries. But regardless of its dynamic editing that attempts to pass for 'modern' or 'innovative', this is an extremely bad movie, poorly written, directed and enacted. I'll never understand why the AMPAS absurdly decided to nominate this nauseating movie for several awards. But don't fall for this imposture: trust me, this picture is not worth the price of your admission ticket. Stay away from it!

There's Always Tomorrow (1956)

Sirk at his best

[30 April 2000]

Sirk aptly deals with basic family values and problems in a critical way, questioning the false appearance of stability and harmony of a typical American home. MacMurray's job in a toy factory provides plenty of interesting metaphors, often visual ones. In one scene Sirk even places 'Rex, the Walkie-Talkie Robot-Man' on the foreground, upstaging MacMurray and forcing a comparison between them. MacMurray's home, under the resemblance of a happy and harmonious family life, really seems like a big doll's house – MacMurray being here a sort of male 'Nora'. The happy ending seems a bit awkward or phony, but it's what audiences were taught to expect back in the 50's; no other ending would have been allowed under the infamous Production Code, then still being enforced.

Rain (1932)

A basically underrated movie

[30 April 2000]

Unlike most people, I like both this movie and Crawford's performance, though the sudden and complete change to and from her religion-inspired catatonic state is a bit too rash and unconvincing (not due only to her acting: the film is so constructed). Huston plays a very sinister character. His brainwash on Sadie Thompson is appalling, and the scene when she succumbs while he recites the Lord's Prayer is most disturbing. Milestone's dynamic camera work is indeed overdone, but it is clear that it was a somewhat naïve attempt to counteract the tendency to sluggishness of the early talkies (compare with 'Anna Christie' with Garbo, for instance). The director gives the rain an important role as a powerful surrounding element of nature, almost trying to treat it as a living character, much like what Sjostrom did in 'The Wind'(1929); it doesn't entirely come through, but it was a worthy effort. The quick editing on Crawford's entrance (repeated in the end) is also impressive.

Possessed (1931)

Mature pre-code Hollywood drama

[30 April 2000]

This movie goes to prove that pre-code Hollywood was much more mature and knew how to make movies of good taste on socially relevant issues. The theme of the woman who lives as a 'mistress' of the man she loves because he prefers not to get married was very daring in those days. The social background was also cleverly handled. One scene is particularly impressive and intelligent: when J. Crawford, just about to cross a railroad, stops to wait a train go slowly by and, through each window that passes, she has a glimpse of how the other half lives, just as though she were watching a movie. A visually very inspired moment.

Central Station (1998)

One of the most overrated movies ever!

[1/10 · 20 February 1999]

This silly tearjerker is certainly one of the most overrated movies of all times! If you've ever seen one of those Mexican soap-operas, then you can imagine what this film is all about, except that it is made with even less skill and good taste. It is hard to understand why the Academy decided to nominate the leading lady: although her performance is not mediocre, it is absolutely not worthy of an Oscar nomination.

Soldier (I) (1998)

Anderson missed the opportunity to make a fairly interesting movie

[20 February 1999]

A sort of futuristic "Shane", but with less sensibility. After an impressive first part, where all the brutality and senselessness of the soldier's discipline is depicted, follows an all too short and shallow second part, where the discovery of his own humanity in the contact with the shipwrecked colonists ought to have been explored more deeply and significantly. But it is, on the contrary, untimely interrupted to give place to an action-packed third part that is just a routine confrontation with the heavies. A better skilled filmmaker could have turned this material into a very interesting movie. Cinematography and art direction provide the same somber, unclean, unpleasant looks of movies like "Aliens - Resurrection" or "Lost in Space" (the movie).