ramirocardozo Reviews

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

Less powerful, less edgy, and less intelligent than the original.

[30 November 2004]

Three months ago I watched the original Manchurian Candidate on DVD. I was amazed on how good this movie is, and how well it holds up after 42 years of its release in movie theaters.

So, yesterday when I watched the 2004 version directed by Jonathan Demme it was impossible for me not to compare the two films.

Without the existence of the original, Demme's effort could be defined as a good (not outstanding) political thriller and it's easy to think that this definition is compatible with the general opinion of today's audiences.

But (a big but) in reality there is an original, and it is so good, so brave, and so well written that this new version almost feels pointless.

In adapting the story to modern day Jonathan Demme made more wrong choices than good ones diminishing the power and intensity of the original.

This remake took out some key dramatic elements that work marvelously in the original film inserting some new and poorly written plot twists changing and damaging the dramatic resolution.

This version is inferior in almost every level (the only exception is the acting). It is less powerful, less edgy, and less intelligent.

Fortunately for Demme the original picture is not as well known as classics like 'Casablanca' and this will allow his film to find a moderate positive acceptance.

Damage (1992)

An unconvincing drama about the destructive side of human appetites

[22 November 2004]

At the time of its release, in the early 90s, 'Damage' was a very well reviewed film. The acting was highly praised, earning an Oscar nomination for Miranda Richardson in a supporting role. The story was sold as obscure, absorbing, and disturbing. I don't remember the particular reasons that kept me from watching this film, but until now I thought I was missing a great movie. I was wrong.

Certainly the story is dark and disturbing but the development is so slow, uninteresting, and boring that the movie feels distant and unexciting (even in the erotic scenes). The characters are poorly written making very hard to understand their motivations and the real forces that drive them to behave the way they do.

Jeremy Irons is painful to watch. His lack of intensity really hurts the piece. His character is supposed to be driven by a great passion and the actor is unable to transmit that passion to the screen. Juliette Binoche is a little bit better but her performance in this film is, by all means, forgettable.

Miranda Richardson has an amazing and unforgettable sequence that will break the heart of almost any viewer. The actress is absolutely phenomenal in this sequence and is the only remarkable aspect of this overrated film.

It's a shame that Richardson's marvelous outburst comes to late in the movie. The events that allow her character to truly move the audience are so badly handled that the actress great effort is not enough to prevent 'Damage' from being a flawed and unconvincing drama about the destructive side of human appetites.

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

A rare example of a remake outdoing its original source.

[19 November 2004]

If you are looking for an intellectual development of the meaning of life, or for a script full of spirituality that shows the depth of human behavior 'Dawn of the Dead' would be a wrong choice. But if you are the type of moviegoer that appreciates the different genres of movie-making and enjoys a good scare once in a while this movie won't disappoint.

The film tells the story of a group of people trying to stay alive and doing their best to avoid great danger. What is the great danger? Well, a very large group of former human beings turned zombies by a deadly virus are after them with the main purpose of eating their flesh. Not a very romantic notion and maybe not a very attractive one if you are thinking about serious cinema, but this is a very well made horror flick that manage to be tense, darkly funny, scary, and well paced.

The direction is agile allowing the movie to move with a very nice rhythm keeping the viewer involved for its entire running length. The level of gore is high (I watched the Director's cut) but is a type of blood fest that feels satiric, not sadistic.

The acting is good. Sara Polly as a nurse who lost her husband because of the virus and Ving Rhames as a tough but goodhearted police officer are worthy to highlight. The rest of the actors involved also give adequate and credible performances.

This movie is a remake of the 1970's horror cult classic of the same name directed by George Romero, and in my opinion is much better film than the original.

This remake maintains the B-Movie feel and the creepiness of Romero's film but does it with more technical skills and a more imaginative visual style. The acting is superior to say the less, and the action and suspenseful scenes are better crafted and richer in intensity.

In conclusion, this modern 'Dawn of the Dead' is a solid effort in the horror department, and a rare example of a remake outdoing its original source.

In the Name of the Father (1993)

an impeccable film that will leave its mark in any sensible viewer

[10 November 2004]

'In The Name of the Father' is an impeccable film that will leave its mark in any sensible viewer.

The film recreates a true historical event that was a sad example of extreme injustice and political double standards.

The movie shows, with tons of eloquence, how the powers of government institutions are often used to manipulate the truth. Themes like physical and psychological cruelty, distortion of reality, mind and spiritual growth, human redemption, and family love at its highest level, are treated with brilliance by Jim Sheridan whose wonderful direction allows the viewer to emotionally relate to every aspect of the story.

The performances of Pete Postlehwaite and Daniel Day Lewis, as father and son and victims of a terrible misstep of the administration of justice, are astonishing. The scenes between these two actors are incredibly powerful and truly heartbreaking. Emma Thompson also gives a great performance as Gareth Peirce, the lawyer who represented the long awaited arrival of the truth after years of harm and legal blindness.

'In The Name of the Father' is a great piece of film-making.

Hero (2002)

Done with a hard to find spiritual sense of visual beauty.

[4 November 2004]

Some may argue that Yimou Zhang's 'Hero' is a little bit slow and that its plot is full of symbols that only Chinese viewers are able to fully understand, or that the story is not that interesting and way too ceremonial for its own good , or that it fails to create an emotional involvement between the audience and the characters. All these arguments could be valid depending on the point of view of each viewer, but there's an undeniable aspect about this film that is absolutely worthy to watch: Its unbelievable beauty.

'Hero' is an unforgettable experience. The film is meticulously choreographed and the cinematography by Christopher Doyle is just breathtaking. There are scenes so overwhelmingly beautiful that is hard to find words to describe them with justice.

Yimou Zhang tells a magical story of ancient China with a hard to find spiritual sense of visual beauty that highly compensates any minor flaw. Splendid.

Network (1976)

Thoughtful adult cinema.

[25 October 2004]

"Network" is a superb motion picture, an extraordinary effort of director Sidney Lumet.

The film could be defined as a sharp satire about the brutal economic thirst of television industry regardless ethics and moral considerations, but thanks to the exceptional screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky "Network" goes beyond this definition.

The movie speaks about love, lack of love, friendship, madness, false perception of reality, mass manipulation, weakness of fanatic idealism, and other important issues of modern societies with crude honesty, wit, and infectious sarcastic humor.

The entire cast is absolutely marvelous. Peter Finch is outstanding as Howard Beal, the veteran anchorman who looses his sanity or fully regains it (depending on your personal conception of sanity) in front of millions of TV viewers. William Holden is also great as the news division director unwilling to sell his soul in favor of high ratings. Faye Dunaway reaches her acting peak as Diana Christensen, the ferocious and compulsive programming director with no scruples who will stop at anything to reach her professional goals. With less screen time Robert Duvall, Ned Beatty, and Beatrice Straight, all truly shine in their respective roles.

If you are looking for thoughtful adult cinema "Network" is a more than an appropriate choice. A great film.

Intimate Stories (2002)

A tribute to the small stories of everyday life.

[13 October 2004]

'Historias Minimas' is a tribute to the small stories of everyday life. This movie is about the beauty of simplicity. It shows the spontaneous interactions of ordinary characters trying to achieve small goals that could seem insignificant to everybody else.

Some could argue that there is not much of a plot and that the end doesn't offer any sense of closure, but I think that this film was made to give us the opportunity to share with common people with earthly worries and aspirations, to relate with them and realize that small stories are also worthy of our attention .

This is a charming, funny, and at times sad film that proves that sometimes less is more.

Vertigo (1958)

"Vertigo" ranks as one of Hitchcock's finest films, a real jewel.

[11 October 2004]

Perfect is not a word used very often in the analysis of a motion picture, but in the case of 'Vertigo' the adjective seems appropriate. This film is amazing and its place in movie history as one of the best ever made is more than well deserved.

This tale about tragic love, obsession, and murder is so well made that the sensation of watching it is almost hypnotic.

Hitchcock's direction is flawless. He never fails in holding the viewer attention unfolding the story with unparallel intelligence and impressive skills. He masterfully creates a suspenseful atmosphere with an unsettling dark tone that leaves the viewer exhausted and highly satisfied.

Kim Novak is impressive as the leading lady. She's sexy, mysterious, and vulnerable at the same time, giving the best remembered performance of her career.

James Stewart as a retired police detective suffering from acrophobia is magnificent. Is hard to describe in words how good he is in this movie. At the beginning of the film he is a kind and practical person aware of his phobia and willing to cure it step by step, but as the story develops he turns into an obsessed man full of pain and guilt who desperately tries to reconstruct his shattered life. The actor makes the psychological transition of his character in such unforced and natural manner that is impossible not to believe him. This is an unforgettable performance.

Alfred Hitchcock was the real deal, an outstanding director with unique vision that made extraordinary movies. It is hard to believe that 'The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences' never gave him an Oscar for his directorial efforts. But awards are a minor thing when you look at his body of work and 'Vertigo' ranks as one his finest films, a real jewel.

Taking Lives (2004)

This film is silly, uninteresting, and disappointing

[6 October 2004]

Talking Lives is a huge mess and I think I'm being very kind. I always try to find the positive aspects of the films I choose to watch but in this particular case that is just impossible. This film is silly, uninteresting, and disappointing in every possible way.

The story about a group of Canadian police officers assisted by a top FBI female agent following the trial of a serial killer who assumes the identities of his victims is so badly written and so absurd that at one point you will find yourself laughing and making fun of how terrible and pathetic this film is.

Before viewing the film I thought that if the story failed to hold together at least I'll be watching good performances because good actors were attached to this feature. I was deadly wrong. Angelina Jolie is totally unconvincing as the clever and always one step ahead FBI investigator. Olivier Martinez appears to be doing the rehearsals for his police investigator role. Kiefer Sutherland performance (and his character as well) is less than insignificant.

But as bad as Jolie, Martinez, and Sutherland are, nothing tops the disappointment of seeing Gena Rowlands and Ethan Hawke making fools of themselves. Both are awful in this inept film. Rowlands seems to be reading her lines and being bored by it and Hawke is painfully overacted in every single scene he is in. It's a shame to watch these two great talents stepping down to the level of mediocrity.

If quality is important to you, stay away from this movie.

The Prince and Me (2004)

The one aspect worth to mention in a positive way is Julia Stile's performance.

[13 September 2004]

The Prince and Me is a romantic comedy with total absence of inspiration.

This is a love story that tries to blend reality with fantasy fairy tale spirit but doesn't hit its mark in any way. Is uninteresting, flat, and, at times, boring.

There's not much chemistry between the main characters and some scenes seem forced. The script is plain bad and the direction of Martha Coolidge can be defined as below average. Is hard to believe that this is the same person that made 'Rambling Rose'.

The one aspect worth to mention in a positive way is Julia Stile's performance. She is the only reason that prevented me from turning the DVD player off. This young actress is talented, fresh, and beautiful in an unconventional way. She deserves better.

The Village (2004)

A film that holds up for about one hour and then stumbles and falls.

[7 September 2004]

I won't elaborate much on the plot of 'The Village' due to fact that Director M. Night Shyamalan loves to tell stories where secrets and big revelations are the key to hold the movie together. What I will tell you is that the film doesn't hold together very well.

M. Night Shyamalan is without doubts a very talented director with great skills in creating intriguing atmospheres. He knows how to give a special sense of tension to a particular scene. The problem with Shyamalan is that he thinks he's a good writer, and in the case of The Village this is far from the truth.

The Village is wonderful to look at. The cinematography is great and there are several moments of hypnotic beauty, but these aspects are not enough to prevent the film from falling down. The way the story is unfolded is awful. The climax of the movie is anticlimactic (big contradiction here). The scares are so sporadic that the tension they generate soon evaporates in scenes of silliness and bad dialog.

The acting is uneven. Bryce Dallas Howard starts very strong as Ivy (a brave young blind woman moved by love) but her screen presence looses intensity by the end of the picture. Joaquin Phoenix is adequate without shinning. Sigourney Weaver and Brendan Gleeson are both criminally underused. The two standouts are William Hurt as the Village's leader and Adrien Brody as a mentally challenged young man. These two performances deserve a much better movie.

This is a film that holds up for about one hour and then stumbles and falls. Is overlong and at times hopes for the audience to lower its level of intelligence so it can get away with its poorly written plot.

Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)

Illustrates the infinite powers of human desires

[2 September 2004]

I've always considered Phillip Noyce a competent director but never a great artist. That consideration changed after I watched Rabbit Proof Fence. This is one of the best films I have seen in recent years.

The plot tells the true story of three Australian aborigine girls (two sisters and a cousin) in the 1930s whom are separated from their families by an official policy that allows the government to take control and decide the destiny of all the 'half-caste' children (sons and daughters of a white parent and an aborigine parent). The girls, guided by the oldest one named Molly (Everlyn Sampi, a natural talent with a commanding screen presence), decide to escape from their captors and return home in an amazing journey with improbable happy results.

The cinematography by Christopher Doyle is just splendid capturing the beauty and the toughness of the Australian outback and Peter Gabriel's music helps to enhance every frame.

Rabbit Proof Fence is a cinematic statement against the lack of tolerance and respect that the so called 'civilized' societies have for other cultures that they don't understand. It also illustrates the infinite powers of human desires with outstanding simplicity and genuine sensibilities.

Without a doubt this movie represents the highest point of Phillip Noyce's career and one of the "must see" features of this young century.

Sea of Love (1989)

Some films don't get the credit they deserve. Sea of Love is one of those films.

[31 August 2004]

Sea of Love is very good film. It works both as a very well crafted thriller about a murder investigation and also as a sensitive study about human loneliness.

The cast is top notch. Ellen Barkin is adequate and sexy as Detective Frank Keller's (Pacino's character) love interest and John Goodman does an excellent supporting job as Detective Sherman.

Al Pacino is very well known for his legendary roles in The Godfather trilogy, Serpico, Scarface, or Scent of a Woman, but in my humble opinion as Detective Frank Keller in Harold Becker's Sea of Love he delivers one of his finest and most underrated performances.

If you think Basic Instinct (a much better known film) is a good thriller please check out Sea of love and you'll realize that Paul Verhoeven's movie is not a big deal.