sbahlin Reviews

Boogie Nights (1997)

Brilliant!

[10/10 · 9 October 1999]

This was the best film of 1998 and one of the best of the 90's. Yes, it is a rip off of Goodfellas. But as the saying goes, good poets borrow, great poets steal. And PTA has stolen brilliantly from some of the best, plus added some genius touches of his own. I gave this a ten (which is very rare for me).

The main reason I am commenting on this though (cause i could just rave all night) is all those people who have seen it on VHS standard issue...what are you thinking? This deserves the FULL SCREEN experience. Look at the ratio it was shot in! I saw it 5 times at the cinema and haven't bothered to watch it on video.

Nuff said!

Passion (1982)

A beautiful film and a wonderous mood

[9 October 1999]

Despite the idiocy of the last comment there is an awful lot to be loved about Passion. The almost overstyled interiors of the studio set, complete with Painting Concrete (if you will) while the director and producer wander about discussing exactly how much per day it costs. Love it!

The narrative (yes it is there, just let your mind wander) is simple and familiar, the in jokes are hilarious, and the atmosphere, especially at the end scene with the ship in the forest is, at times, breath taking.

Yes it is dis-continuous, it is a film by JEAN-LUC GODARD! What do you expect. If you hate him, you'll hate this, if you love him, then this is destined to be one of your favourite JLG films (if you like his "mature" style that is).

Rabid (1977)

Do not underrate it!

[8/10 · 9 October 1999]

I personally think that Rabid is right up there (or almost up there) with Videodrome as Cronenberg's best film.

Everything about it weeps with atmosphere like an open sore. It has everything Shivers was trying to do combined with the narrative and acting levels of Scanners, with (some) of the atmosphere of Videodrome.

Probably the second best Cronenberg.

Alphaville (1965)

A strange but beautiful adventure

[8/10 · 9 October 1999]

What can you say that hasn't already been said. The dispassionate pastiche that is Lemmy Caution. The lethargy is exhilarating at times. The photography inventive and startling. The sound design unique and ground breaking. The acting superb. The music fantastique! Love it or get out of here!