Change Your Image
adrienne_aline
Reviews
About Schmidt (2002)
Poignant yet misogynistic overtones
Jack Nicholson's character resembles both a child and someone almost dead inside an aging body. However, as a woman, it was noticeable to me and offensive that all the women were harsh toward the men. Even the daughter looked at her father as a money source even though he was trying very hard to connect. Also, there seemed no point in Kathy Bates (54 years old at the time and not exactly a beauty queen in her heyday) getting fully naked other then (according to the reviews here and Jack Nicholson's character's reaction) to add a crude laugh factor. Still, it's a poignant film that shines light on meaninglessness and wastefulness of people's lives. I don't know how anyone can resist shedding a tear or getting a quivering lip at the end.
Sunshine (2007)
A dark movie with a bright ending
Cillian Murphy takes the spotlight with his narration, depth and uncommon beauty.If you enjoyed Space Odyssey, you'll probably enjoy this movie too especially if you're comfortable with rational, albeit futuristic, films rather than supernatural monsters, for example, and the hocus-pocus dogma of various religions. It's a very human movie. The special effects are surprisingly good. They create an enveloping atmosphere. A few scenes feel a bit contrived such as the scene with the dead/dying woman sitting in a Buddha pose with a green sprout in her hand and other scenes that drag on a little more than necessary. Still, a jewel among the tons of garbage Hollywood ceaseless churns out.
Enemy of the State (1998)
Enemy of the State
I found this gem quite by accident. It was an enjoyable surprise. What is our government doing with all the money it takes involuntarily from its citizens? This movie reveals encroaching invasion of privacy and the effects of uncontrolled power over other people. It shines a spotlight on infringement of liberties and the inevitable injustice and even death it causes. Will Smith's character accidentally becomes involved and his character is both mundane and heroic. Although there are some real moments of suspense, I get the impression that the movie is rushed through, that it needed more work. However the plot is daring and important and overall worth the watch.
Public Speaking (2010)
Entertaining
Fran Leboits is an uncommon woman. The film is basically one long, casual interview.
She's a fast-talking, witty, very opinionated, intriguing story-teller. Her humor reminds me of a less crass, less cynical version of George Carlin. She talks about being a woman, the biological inequality of women (which I rarely get to hear anywhere), homosexuality, the military, marriage, her cigarette addiction, "elites", American culture, democracy, a little bit of everything. Instead of ramming her Jewish background down your throat, she makes humorous, poignant observations. Definitely check it out, especially if you live in or around NYC.
Lemmy (2010)
Lemmy is rock and roll
This film is about Lemmy, his unique and daring image and music. Don't expect any in-depth bio or anything though. Half of the documentary is filled with superficial ass-kissing and in my opinion way too much Metallica. You don't get to hear Lemmy's early works but there's still plenty of live music footage and chit chat.
Among the interviews, Henry Rollins had an interesting perspective and Joan Jett gave an apt if not eloquent summary of Lemmy:
"Everybody assimilates." "You know, go along to get along, you know, to get what they need to get... I don't see Lemmy as that kind of guy." "I see Lemmy as doing things his way to get where he wants to go." "And that's attractive, because people don't do that anymore."
Lemmy is constantly smoking and appears to be drinking a lot too. He's obviously a smoker but I wonder if the alcohol consumption is exaggerated at this late stage of the game for the coolness factor even though he says he "doesn't want to advertise" that. At one point, he takes a pill for diabetes but again, it's never addressed in a detailed, serious way. It is what it is.
There's a bittersweet moment between his son which again, seems to go under the radar. It reminds me of John Wayne's persona, his aloofness.
In a bar, Lemmy Billy Bob Thorton talk indirectly about how much money he makes and how little Lemmy makes in comparison. Although Lemmy probably works ten times as hard for his money, he doesn't 'sell out' except for the Metallica stuff but that's my own personal opinion. It's shocking to see that while Lemmy is a bona fide collector, he is also hoarder. Seriously, his tiny apartment is overflowing with objects collecting dust. There's something loyal about it even though he doesn't remember the name of someone who gave him something. It's obvious that there is sentimental and a social attachment to them all.
In short, Lemmy/Motorhead fans will get a kick out of all the footage.
Buried (2010)
Buried (2010)
I'm a fan of one scene type movies. It makes a good plot and excellent acting all the more important. Buried comes close.
Paul Conroy is a US civilian truck driver in Iraq under military contract. He is a war profiteer. He went there voluntarily. Despite this, the military is in certain ways as bad as the kidnappers.
Listening to the voices talk on the other end of the phone was chilling. Something about actor Ryan Reynolds, maybe his goofiness in other movies, makes me think the ending was going to be a happy one. The false ending was especially well-played. That ending was kind of mean but clever and perfect. The problem is, it just drags on and is both overdone and underdone at times.
Like Dandelion Dust (2009)
Like Dandelion Dust (2009)
Get ready to get your heart strings ripped out. At least they'll be sewn together good as new by the ending.
An abusive man goes to jail and while there, his wife at home discovers she's pregnant with his baby. Instead of aborting the baby or keeping it, she gives it away, fortuitously to incredibly caring, financially comfortable adoptive parents.
Then there's an interruption. Apparently basic biology trumps good parenting and a legal contract. Six years later, through a minor technicality, the contract was deemed void upon the biological father release from jail. He returns to the biological mother, renews their relationship and eager to have an instant family. Of course this entails tearing the boy from the only parents he's known. It should be noted that the biological father is excited to know he has a son but it makes the viewer wonder if he would have been so enthusiastic about a girl.
The biological parents are irresponsible; they're ignorant (which isn't a crime) but also have anger and codependency issues that are so severe they quickly effect the child negatively: Actual bruises on the little boy's body.
The adoptive parents wind up taking matters into their own hands and running off to Haiti with their Christian neighbors who have a charity program there.
They make the decision to give up contact with their other friends, relatives, to live in a strange new country essentially to protect their child.
The scene where they separate from their Christian friends in Haiti is underplayed and well done. Secretly they know they are not saying goodbye for the day but possibly forever, into hiding.
Afterward, the Christian wife and husband have a private conversation challenging their perspectives on faith and philosophy: She makes the decision to report them to the Haitian authorities. He strongly disagrees with that choice and tries to warn them.
Apparently the Christian wife has more faith in biology and a stupid law than thinking for herself. Ironically, this winds up helping everyone become aware of the fact that the biological parents are a blatant failure which means the adoptive parents can regain custody and return to their homeland safely. However, this is only because the abuse is severe (the biological mother's face is black and blue and the social worker is persistent enough to witness it). Think about all the other cases where this doesn't happen.
Frozen (2010)
Who made this???
While watching Frozen that's exactly what I wanted to know. I wanted to know who dreamed up this story and who shot it so seamlessly and beautifully from opening to end. Adam Green. The cinematographer Will Barratt creates a poetic and realistic visual feast as well.
I normally don't write reviews but after reading so many silly, nitpicking ones for this film, I decided to add my positive review. It's rare for me to gasp and put my hands on my head or mouth and say "oh my god" but I did this several times during this film. I give movies 10 stars when they accomplish what they set out to do, even if it wasn't perfect.
The beginning starts out with ominous, disorienting closeups of ski lift machinery in action, whining, creaking and echoing ambient sounds. Then a silent, still view of snow covered mountain tree tops: A sense of timeless, frozen isolation. Then the screen is suddenly black with "FROZEN" in white text. It plants a seed of impending doom: You know you are about to watch some kind of horror movie, it fastens your brain into the 94 minute exasperating roller-coaster of random problem after problem lining up like dominoes. Terror, worry, and gut-wrenching sympathy.
On one hand they're college kids, attractive (Dan and Joe, and Dan's girlfriend Parker) with toothpaste commercial smiles but they're relatable, beyond basic human ways which is often all you need to make a gusher like me cry when bad things happen to them. But the three grow on you, with their heart-breaking agony, humor, humanness.
A couple examples are the fact that they had to sneak-in instead of just paying full price, Parker has a nasty smoking habit and seems a bit too dependent on her boyfriend even though she thinks he's 'the one', Joe is a girlfriend-less, borderline pot-head.
Parker (Emma Bell) IS a belle and I love her slightly vampire, tiger-like smile. I kept thinking how pretty she looked and how her face should be black from frost bite, noses red, dripping. Also I found myself a little distracted by noticing how their breath was invisible; in cold weather you should see puffs. That's OK though. It's kind of like live theater. They didn't waste a bunch of money and discomfort filming it in winter.
The special effects aren't overdone, they don't ooze disgusting excess, nor shout in your ears like a lot of immature, ego and budget-bloated movies. This isn't gore for gore's sake. It's the result of unusual circumstances but still possible. The deep sound effects and music enhance everything.
I like the little inclusions like the "missing" person flier of a strapping young man, something I noticed upon second viewing. You just know that guy probably spun off a mountain somewhere and either froze to death or got eaten by wolves. I also like how they talk about the worst ways to die jokingly.
Oh god, when the lights go off one by one, it sounds like a monster stomping each footstep toward you. One of the kids says, "This is so messed up!" What an understatement but again entirely reasonable and real.
When a plow driver comes through. I'm thinking jump now and if you get injured you have a better chance of being seen and getting immediate help at least. Of course they lose that chance and it's annoying but makes you wonder, OK what next?? I wondered why they didn't try making a handmade rope (even if only a few yards to help break the jump height) but I think they sorely needed their clothes in the cold and probably didn't have a knife to tear them anyway.
When Dan decides to jump, it takes him incredible effort and that effort is quickly in vain, in fact deeply counterproductive.
Oh my god it was so horrible and so good. That scene, with wolf skittering across the snow, underneath his body hanging precariously from the cable, it made my heart skip a beat. Then when the wolves surrounded him, my heart sank. When Parker and Joe are on their own the dialogue is really touching. Parker starts to displace all her feelings of desperation upon her puppy at home, worrying about who is going to take care of it and Joe is just amazing saying equally ridiculous but hopeful things like how the neighbors are going to hear that little hungry puppy kick that door down. I really loved that part. Something heroic about the thinking, the imagination. He was mentally preventing her from spiraling down into inanely depressing and dark thoughts.
The ending is perfect. It abandons you upon her rescue. I want to see how it affected her psychologically, to see how she recovers, to see her heal, to know what she suffered medically but similar scenarios are all probably historically documented and googleable for that curiosity.
The movie isn't action packed. Most of the film is shot in one small space, the lift and you start to feel trapped in it up their with them. Also, it starts out slow, forcing you to get to know these people a little bit, this increases the intensity and sympathy later. They aren't saints, they aren't geniuses.
It's a drama/thriller, one of the best I've ever seen. I think people who are quick to criticize this movie and events like the appearance of wolves are too enmeshed in civilized life and unable to imagine much outside of it. Maybe it's a coping mechanism against recognizing human frailty and the power of nature.
Even the cover of the movie poster is done well. It's artistic; not a bunch of actors posing like douches.
Well done!