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Reviews
Nabokov on Kafka (1989)
trite... watch only if you have to
I watched this tv show in my English Literature class after reading the Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. This short movie is basically a narration of Metamorphosis by Christopher Plummer (Sound Of Music), who poses as Nabukov, another famous writer, teaching a class.
If you've already read the story, don't watch it unless you have to. This show brings almost nothing new, and although Plummer isn't bad as a professor, sometimes his reading gets downright embarrassing and stupid when he starts reading really, really slow, as if his slow reading will bring about some dramatic effect (which doesn't). The only thing I thought was interesting was his depiction of what kind of bug Gregor really is, although I won't spoil that. Plummer's narration is abridged, and you can tell that this is a low budget flick. Doesn't work, skip it unless you're made to watch it like me. 5/10.
Nicholas Nickleby (2002)
a masterpiece
Although many people do not like Charle's Dickens literary works (such as me), even I can't argue against his talent in portraying human character and creating bittersweet stories that would fill anyone with emotion. Nicholas Nickleby is a perfect representation of what Dickens imagined while writing his books. I'm not sure how to say it, but the movie sways your emotions so powerfully that I don't remember when before I so wanted the protagonist to succeed and have a happy life. The makes you feel part of Nicholas Nickleby's life unlike any other, him sharing his fears, laughs, and sorrows. The dramatic acting by Charlie Hunman, Jamie Bell, and nearly every other character makes this a movie in which everyone should watch.
Seven Days in May (1964)
An Unrefreshing Drama Movie
When reading comparing user ratings between newer and older movies, I'm always surprised at the high scores which many old movies receive (that do not deserve it), and the palpable low scores of today's action thrillers (of which many do not deserve either). Although a few, such as Gone With the Wind, were fairly good, most depended on a solid story and acting, which can be, after awhile, tedious (not to mention, with no replay value).
In this case, Seven Days in May unfortunately does not make the category of `great old movies' like Gone With the Wind. The movie, made in 1964 during the cold war, simulates a government coup d'état during Lyman's presidency. Lyman, who has just signed a treaty to drastically reduce the number of nuclear armaments in both countries, has created an uproar in the public and Lyman's popularity is an all time low. General Mattoon Scott, also believing that Lyman is making a mistake, feeds on Lyman's low approval ratings and becomes popular. However, there is still nearly two years until the next presidential election, and Scott fears that in two years, there will be nothing but rubble. So, in a decisive move, he begins to plan his own rise to presidency.
The first thing I noticed when I started watching the movie was that it was in black and white. Black and white??? This movie is made in 1964! Gone With the Wind, released 25 years earlier, had color. So, I was disappointed from the beginning. And even before the film started, a 5 minute summary of the whole movie (with stinging drum/brass music that hurt my ears) outlined the whole plot and nearly gave away the ending since it revealed that there were not going to be any plot twists that are inherent in modern day movies.
The movie itself, even though it contained some solid acting (which all old movies seem to have), was achingly boring and trite. Scenes would go on for minutes in monotones as one person spoke to another, and after the conversation, the camera would spend half a minute filming one person slowly walk from one place to another. And then suddenly, in the last 15 minutes of the movie, the scenes shift into breakneck speed and The End pops up. In one short speech, Lyman somehow destroys Scott's tremendous base and chance for presidency. Although Scott had the audacity to try and takeover the government militarily, after the speech, all he says is `take me home.' Now where's the drama in that?