cathryn Reviews

Sahara with Michael Palin (2002– )

Nicely low key

[10/10 · 18 April 2006]

Why can't American TV make shows like this? Michael Palin traps around the Sahara, always charming, never condescending and always fun to watch. He floats gently from 'moderately amused' to 'mildly irritated' as the train is 10 hours late, but he never stays down too long. Palin seems genuinely at peace with the strangeness of these places, and goes to learn, and not to fix anything, which is so refreshing. The show lightly touches on the Polisario/Morocco Western Sahara conflict, but doesn't stay there too long.

Nice to see Muslim countries on TV, away from the whole 'terrorism, Al Qaeda, whatever' debate. Quite a few discussions on the Polygamy issue -- which looks like a way to stir up a lively opinion from women in that part of the world.

Small warning: 'where meat comes from' is revealed in this show. In case you are trying to keep the kids ignorant of this.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)

Would have been just as fun -- in reverse.

[7 January 2002]

What can I say? FF got the the over-the-top, slightly pompous plot side of the Anime equation together fine. But, what they missed out completely was the humor side of Anime. So many scenes of characters being so serious, and so self-important. But all the attempts at character-based humor consistenly came over like a lead balloon. So, there's no moment where you get a breath of fresh air in this film. It is just exhausting to watch.

If this film had just had a few characters as stupid and cliche'd as Mole or that Father Guido Sarduchi guy in Atlantis, it'd have been way easier to swallow, but as it is, I'm afraid this movie falls in that special category of films which would be just as entertaining if ran in reverse. Lots of pretty pictures, but like, okay, so?

Also gets the 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture' honorary acting award for a performance by a benevelent, but mis-understood, amorphous blob.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Ugh, just watched this on PayPerView and I am exhausted

[21 December 2001]

Sigh, sigh, sigh.

What happened? Interesting art direction, and an eccentric performance, but like, ugh, not too many funny moments in this film. And, no touching or sweet moments, like in the original cartoon. Watching this movie is an experience not unlike getting my teeth cleaned. Not exactly painful, but I did just sit there, in an uncomfortable position, and count the minutes until it was all over.

The Sweet Hereafter (1997)

Weirdly resonant (Spoilers)

[5 August 1999]

On the surface of it, I'd think the material was a bit too much for a film. That is typically, there's not much to watching people be sad on film. But, maybe, with the Columbine business, or the drugs or divorce or what have you, somehow, this film has just lodged in my brain. For me, I find it weirdly resonant.

It pokes at an interesting transition. Somewhere at the point beyond depression, and beyond being just plain upset about how awful things are, and coming on to the muddling along the follows. I think it's maturity, though don't quote me on that.

Spoilers

In a way, I'm not completely convinced that the daughter's trashing the lawsuit was anything more than just getting back at her father. The movie hints that she buys the little speech about how they were a community and all that. Still, seems like her motives aren't altogether pure here. Or, perhaps she is due some just revenge -- but that didn't seem to be the point of the thing.

Anyway, just some thoughts.