jbanks711 Reviews

Into the Breach: 'Saving Private Ryan' (1998 Video)

A film that must be missed.

[4 October 2004]

This is one of the few movies I have ever hated.

The plot was contrived. Tom Hanks was flat. Matt Damon was immature and unconvincing.

Spielberg tried to make the landing scene arty, and even perhaps beautiful. It's too bad he didn't spend some time with the veterans who were actually there on D-Day. Maybe then he would have learned how horrible it was.

This film had all the earmarks of a professional draft dodger striving for redemption.

Feeling somewhat generous, I give Private Ryan a 2.

Sliding Doors (1998)

A poignant film, much underrated in the U.S.

[10/10 · 3 October 2004]

How many times in life do we ask,"What if?" If only we had taken the left fork in the road, rather than the right.

This film stays with the viewer for a long time. It is sad, it is happy.It is definitely not a comedy. It makes you think -- and wonder.

I had never realized that Gwynneth Paltrow was such an accomplished actress.

In this most challenging role, she is absolutely spellbinding.This is a major tour de force for her.

Because "Sliding Doors" had very little fanfare in this country, I did not expect much. What a very pleasant surprise I had. A memorable experience, a great acting performance.

An uneqivocal 10. Now on my list of all-time favorites.