potblackettle Reviews

Kid Notorious (2003)

So Funny It Hurts

[22 November 2003]

I'm so happy. Finally, a clever, absurdist, evil piece of animation to rival South Park. Kid Notorious is mean and observant. Evans mocks himself with a light heart. From his big, no-nonsense maid Tally, to his yes-man butler English the show is filled with lovable characters. Can I just say that Slash being the voice of reason is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. It's not a show for people who don't like dark comedy. My personal favorite is Puss, the Kid's kitty-cat, who also holds his stash and advices him with mewls and miaows. It's definitly a show for people who are "into" Hollywood and it's wicked ways. Anyway, have fun and tell Puss hello.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Trash of the worst variety

[1/10 · 10 September 2003]

So my friend was like, "I really want to see this movie." I fought it and lost. So we went. It was the most miserable two hours of my life. What trash!!! Someone actually paid to make this piece of crap? Bad acting, stupid dialogue, labored plot. Johnny Depp is now dead to me. It was so bad it can't even be analyzed.

Whale Rider (2002)

It was one of the best summer flicks

[10 September 2003]

I enjoyed this, it was sweet, but not sappy. The cinematography was absolutly stunning. The underwater scenes were amazing. It reminded me of Borman's "The Emerald Forest", not the plot but the whole indigenous tribe thing. The little girl was wonderful. My only problem was it needed a little bit of editing, about 15 mins worth, it wasn't that it was too long, but it could have been tighter.

Italian for Beginners (2000)

Proof that budget doesn't matter

[28 July 2003]

A clever film, with low production values but a witty script and great cast. The characters are so real and vivid. You sympathize with them, want them to succeed. There are so many tiny little things that make it leap from the screen. As you become caught up in the story you forget that the camera is a little shaky, the video not always perfectly focused. The scenes in Italy are absolutly beautiful. The director uses colors well, the color of the characters clothes reflects their emotions. Never heavy handed or pushy, just a sweet little film.

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Changed my life

[10/10 · 23 May 2003]

When I was around eight my dad said, honey I want you to see this movie. My father has always been a diehard film fan and made one out of me. We watched Cinema paradiso and at the end I told my father that I wanted to work in films. More than a decade later I am a senior in film studies. The beauty of Cinema Paradiso is that it rings true on so many levels. It manages to be sweet and touching without being saccharine, it is sincere. The story of a young boy growing up with facism and without a father. He finds a father figure in a cranky projectionist. In it's essence this is a film about the power of films. It also touches on the fact that in life we have to give some things up to achieve others. Cinema Paradiso hasone of the greatest endings in any film, a beautiful montage of light and film imagery. To this day it grabs something in my soul and lifts it. This is a film for parents to watch with children, friends to show each other and lovers to bond over. One of the great bittersweet coming of age stories. This film was my father's greatest gift to me. If you enjoy Cinema Paradiso check out Medditerranio and Bread and Tulips.