Sailbart Reviews

Bowling for Columbine (2002)

Amazing movie!

[10/10 · 26 January 2003]

I am always impressed when a movie worms its way into my consciousness in such a way that I am thinking/talking about it days after seeing it. With Bowling for Columbine I find myself talking about it MONTHS after seeing it! Sharing ideas with friends who have seen it and recommending it to those who haven't. A powerful movie of ideas and exploration.

The Tin Drum (1979)

Stunningly beautiful and painful.

[10/10 · 19 June 2000]

An amazing movie about a little boy who decides to stop growing up at the age of three. It also is a journey through part of the first and the second world war. Oscar the boy has remarkable powers that are only appreciated by the other stunted people he meets. This movie affected me deeply and has numerous levels on which it can be understood. A remarkable metaphor for much of life. It is at turns erotic, painful and illuminating. Go rent it and if you are like me you will never forget it.

Small Time Crooks (2000)

Got a nine from me for Elaine May

[9/10 · 30 May 2000]

I was going to give this typically good Woody Allen movie a solid eight, but then he went and hired Elaine May. I will go see this movie again just to see her. She is a comic genius in my book and stole every frame she was in, with her perfect deadpan delivery. Good movie - great Elaine May.

The Big Kahuna (1999)

Remarkable acting, excellent character development.

[10/10 · 2 May 2000]

An extremely well done, contained movie. Unlike so much of the standard over the top excesses of much of current Hollywood movies this movie depends on the depth of the characters, particularly Danny De Vito. Rarely have I ever seen an actor change on screen from the inside out like De Vito does. Kevin Spacey gives his normal excellent work, and Peter Facinelli is quite good as an easily recognizable "true believer". But, this movie belongs to Danny De Vito who gives the best performance of his career. Moving exploration of men struggling with meaninglessness.

The Green Mile (1999)

Great story - perfect casting

[10/10 · 15 February 2000]

A wonderful movie that moves at a measured pace on to a very unexpected ending. As with most great movies the casting is almost perfect and each character gives added depth to a rich script. Tom Hanks gives another outstanding performance, his supporting actors (particularly David Morse)actually support and enhance his role. A really great story - not at all what I expected, but much more.

Seven Samurai (1954)

Timeless, great movie

[10/10 · 9 December 1999]

Truly great movies, and this is one, are timeless and cross cultural differences. This masterpiece has pathos, humor, tragedy, compassion and bravery. See this movie and see a movie that has affected many after it.

The Straight Story (1999)

Lyrical love poem of a movie.

[10/10 · 10 November 1999]

The Straight Story is a multilevel exploration of the goodness and beauty of America. At one level a slow walk through the heartland, it's kind inhabitants, and amber grain, at another level about growing old and remembering what is important(and actively forgetting what isn't). David Lynch gives us time in this movie and helps me to remember that so much can be said with silence. A remarkable movie that will rest gently with me for some time to come.

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Amazing emotional triumph

[10/10 · 28 September 1999]

Seeing this movie after being in Vietnam for two years, I walked out of the theater wondering how anybody who hadn't been there could possible get the dark emotional content of Vietnam so perfectly. This movie should be experienced, not just watched, for it is as emotionally close to the unreality of being in Vietnam as any movie ever made. The follow up, by his wife, is a very important movie in its own right and both should be used to teach all new film makers about the grand passion.

Little Boy Blue (1997)

Excellent gothic trailer trash

[8/10 · 15 August 1999]

Excellent movie, and though disturbing, is a finely wrought tale of complex human relationships in Texas. The acting is very good and the story is multilayered with a sharp twist. Amazing that this movie didn't get more buzz.