chrisatthemovies Reviews

The Magicians (2015–2020)

Loved every minute

[10/10 · 10 May 2020]

I loved this show. And honestly, hardly ever understood a minute of it. So how does that work? Gotta say, I think it's the chemistry of the cast. And great acting. You guys sold every moment of confusion. I always knew you'd figure it out when I couldn't & the love & friendship & loyalty saved the day.

If only we all had that in our life..... & esp now if we had it in our country.

Well done, all of you............

All Over the Guy (2001)

No chemistry

[1/10 · 30 May 2002]

I thought this was a truly awful film--I found myself actually yelling at my tv a couple times. One or both of the gay male leads was miscast; there was absolutely no chemistry between them and Richard Ruccolo looked like he'd rather be kissing a dog. The movie covers their long and tortured courtship, highlighting each break-up and make-up, but not developing the reasons in-between in any detail. These reasons would make for some interesting characters, not the fight or the make-up scene in bed (lame even if you liked the movie).

Andrea Martin and Adam Goldberg shine as their characters, but it doesn't make the film worth renting. Save your money.

Italian for Beginners (2000)

Who is Jorgen Mortenson?

[9/10 · 9 April 2002]

This is the first Dogme 95 film I've seen and it's fun to watch to see if the crew (because there is no creditted director) follows all the rules. Besides a little music at the end, I think this one passes. More importantly, it uses the covenants to help tell the story of a bunch of realistic characters very accurately. The themes of love, death, family bonds, impotency, and friendship are written and acted superbly.

One weird sidenote: as much as I liked this film, halfway through, I couldn't help seeing a resemblance to "Waiting for Guffman" and "Best in Show." Maybe it's just that I thought Fred Willard was playing Jorgen Mortenson.

Kandahar (2001)

don't miss it

[9/10 · 11 March 2002]

I saw this film at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago and was stunned. It is a beautiful film, full of real people(much of the dialogue is in English) and heartwrenching situations. On the one hand, it is just a pleasure to watch a film shot so assuredly that became poetic right before my eyes. On the other hand, I got to see the lives of a people I had only just imagined.

Highlights: the little boy and the shots of "gifts from above"

Last year I saw and loved THE DAY I BECAME A WOMAN and THE CIRCLE. KANDAHAR is in this group.

Monster's Ball (2001)

why do I see movies?

[24 February 2002]

I admired almost every moment of this film. Foster has such respect for the story and the characters, so he takes his time in letting the story unfold. And in keeping with the tone, this movie is very quiet-when the characters aren't talking, we get to watch them act without a blaring soundtrack.

This film also affected me on a different level. It showed alot of sadness and pain, much more extreme than most of us have felt. But it then went on to show how it's the love and compassion of other people that helps us get through it all, and ultimately survive. The last 60 seconds of this film are beautifully realized, and I sat through the credits in a state of sorrow and joy.

I want a movie to appeal to my humanness and be crafted smartly and emotionally real. MB did both. That's why I see movies.