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Muhammedigbal
Reviews
C'era una volta il West (1968)
If you like long, tedious pauses and head shots, you'll love it
This movie is at least a third too long, taken up in long pauses, and head/facial shots, with orchestral music and singing on the soundtrack, clearly inconsistent with the wild west theme. And I was sorry to only see a brief appearance of Jack Elam (even considering his too long scene with the fly) and Woody Stode. Charles Bronson was Charles Bronson. He may not have much range, but he is great in this movie as a Charles Bronson character. I felt sorry for Henry Fonda. He was either terribly miscast or he just couldn't get into the role. He was supposed to be menacing, but the only menace he showed was mechanical. Claudia Cardinale is not much of an actress and I felt that she wasn't speaking English at least part of the time - her voice seemed to be dubbed. Her role seemed to be to add a bit of female flesh. The scene of Charles Bronson ripping her dress made no sense since he apparently didn't have evil intention, unless the point was to show a little flesh. The same could be said of her going out to provide water to hundreds of workers constructing the railroad tracks who probably hadn't seen a woman in forever; and she was wearing a very revealing top that appeared to be in danger of falling off. Jason Robards who had sort of a peripheral role, was the only good actor in the movie, but then he is always good. For the Charles Bronson fans (and I am one), the final showdown gave us what seemed to be five minutes focused on the narrow slits that are his eyes. This movie was a tribute to Sergio Leone's wretched excess. Definitely not "A Fistfull of Dollars".
Noodle (2007)
A pleasant, trite little film
As other reviewers have mentioned it is about Miri, an El Al fight attendant, twice widowed, who suddenly finds herself with an abandoned Chinese boy who only speaks Chinese. Her actions at this point are unconvincing. She doesn't want to call the police, or anyone. Instead she calls him "Noodle" and tries to teach him her language. Only after a number of days does she think (with some help)to take him to someone in the Chinese community. It all gets worked out (of course) amidst the drama of her sister's difficulty with her husband, with the handsome Mati added to the mix. The second half of the film was a little more interesting, not giving anything away. But there was no chemistry at all between Miri and the Chinese boy who was supposed to be so adorable that she couldn't help but have a strong, emotional bond with him. The actress playing Miri gave a pedestrian,unemotional performance and the Chinese boy's performance was entirely by rote, understandable due his age and his obvious lack of acting experience.
The Ninth Gate (1999)
Disapponting
This was a not very good knock off of Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons" - the same quest for religious/dark power, the same step by lethal step to unravel the mystery to the final apocalyptic conclusion. Johnny Depp (who I normally like) doesn't have much to do except smoke incessantly and seem massively detached. His love scenes are totally devoid of passion and any involvement. Frank Langella I hope (like other members of the cast) is embarrassed by the silly role he was asked to portray. He is a fine actor who has done some great work, such as "Frost/Nixon". The plot was transparent - I could see almost every new event coming. Overall, a cheap, not very entertaining thriller wannabe. Not worthy of Roman Polanski's time and involvement.
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (2008)
Fine film depending on a contrivance
This was a beautifully acted film in the French style which means that the characters are meticulously crafted, the story unfolds leisurely to allow the characters to develop naturally. Nothing appears artificial, unlike a Hollywood film which would have tested plot points inserted. The camera work was terrific; the colors were warm and natural (again unlike the garish, over the top colors of many Hollywood films). There was not an actor or actress that appeared false, even the oldest child did a wonderful job. My one complaint is that the story is built on a contrivance - a married woman faced with a crisis, who apparently decides to handle it completely on her own, keeping it secret from her husband and her sister, and then remaining silent about it, and silent, for years.
Bella (2006)
A Mismash of Discordant Elements
This film made no sense at all. It was riddled with plot elements that didn't ring true, that could not have happened the way the director filmed them, and that seemed to come from the director's wanting to make a point - but what point did he want to make? That abortion is bad? If so, there were too many other plots going on to make a strong case against abortion. I recently saw "My Father, My Lord" - a religiously themed picture - an outstanding example of the way to make a tight, well crafted film with real emotional impact. Unfortunately the only emotion Bella inspired in me was regret that I wasted the time it took to watch it.