ashowen Reviews

Ratatouille (2007)

Another Disney-Pixar Masterpiece!

[10/10 · 16 June 2007]

This film is fantastic! Pixar has yet another great film to add to their impressive repertoire. Oscar-winning director and screenwriter Brad Bird, who wrote and directed "The Incredibles", has produced a film with subtle humor, heart, and very profound truth. The voice actors are so great, and it is especially great to hear Peter O'Toole on the screen. The animation is beautiful and it is all around an excellently made film. Its message is one that holds so much truth for everyone, especially today's youth: it tells people that no, not anyone can do anything, but if you have the talent you don't have to be limited by your surroundings or your upbringing. I think this is refreshing to hear because often, children are lied to when they are told they can do anything, when actually not all of them can. But it offers hope to the ones who may feel limited by their social class. It also exposes the fact that most people try to put up false facades of themselves to hide who they are in order to feel accepted by the social standards we create in our society; it shows characters with this flaw, but ultimately they accept this reality and learn to be true to themselves. This thread, I think, is very common throughout the Pixar films, and they present it very well. "Ratatouille" is my new Disney-Pixar favorite! "Ce film a pleine de joie de vivre!"

A Prairie Home Companion (2006)

PHC Is Hilarious and Beautiful

[10/10 · 15 June 2006]

I have never listened to a radio broadcast of PHC, but that did not stop me from loving every minute of this film. The screenplay by Garrison Keillor was hilarious, and also very moving. Robert Altman's direction was incredible, along with gorgeous cinematography. Who knew the backstage of a theater in Minnesota could be so beautiful? The acting in the film was incredible. Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin were dead on with their portrayal of singing sisters, not to mention their excellent singing duets throughout the film. Meryl Streep has a beautiful signing voice! Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly were perfectly cast as the singing cowboys; not to mention hilarious! The Dangerous Woman by Virginia Madsen was strange, but a wonderful addition to the film. One of the best characters in the film was Kevin Kline as Guy Noir. Although a bit cheesy, the character seemed to work very well in the plot line. One of the best elements of the film was the music. I have always been a fan of folk music, and this is certainly the best of folk music, mixed in with lots of humor. Altman and Keillor have created a masterpiece of modern cinema, and storytelling at its absolute finest. What makes this film so wonderful and beautiful is its simplicity. The humor is not complex, nor is the plot line. It is simply a story of people who have become a family through the radio show who face their last performance. The relationships and charming characters of the film make an intricate plot line unnecessary. PHC is wonderful for its brilliant amalgamation of incredible acting, excellent music, and the best in film-making, which makes a simply beautiful film.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

Mendacity and Truth

[10/10 · 8 June 2006]

This brilliant work of cinema, based on the Tennesse Williams play, is a spectacular amalgam of wonderful acting and cinematography. Every actor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is dead on with his or her performance. The supporting actors show unique talent to keep up a great team. The best acting in the movie comes from the three main characters, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, and Burl Ives. Taylor is charming and tragic in her sexually repressed role as Maggie the Cat, while Paul Newman's troubled soul hiding a dark secret as Brick is very compelling. Far from the role of a lovable snowman in Rudolph is the role of Burl Ives as the cynical Big Daddy. Together with wonderful direction by Richard Brooks, the film brings an important message of how mendacity affects each person's life. It is confrontational, as most of Williams's pieces are, and explores deep human emotions, and how those emotions contribute to a life shadowed by mendacity, rather than facing truth. While the story is tragic, it also carries great hope in the end for the characters. Truth overcomes mendacity in a bittersweet way.

Thank You for Smoking (2005)

Who's Afraid of Big Tobacco?

[10/10 · 17 April 2006]

Thank You for Smoking is an excellent film. I was thoroughly impressed at the quality of the film and the excellent screenplay. It was a hysterical look at the debate over tobacco and how crazy people can be. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the main character Nick Naylor, who is faced with death threats and constant attacks from anti-smoking Nazis. His efforts to downplay the harmful effects of smoking are funny as he twists the facts to fit his message; all while trying to raise his son successfully. His main struggle in the film is with the typical Democrat senator who is trying to put over-sized death stickers on cigarette packages. Naylor is going to testify in front of the Senate on behalf of the tobacco company. The story follows the events leading up to the hearing, including an affair with a reporter who is doing a story about him. The main message of the film, I think, is that there are crazy people on both sides of the issue of smoking, and it also shows that the tobacco companies are not Satanic organizations bent on killing people as many would have us believe. It is mostly the story of a man trying to be successful and raise his son, like most other people; only he is mostly hated by everyone around him. It is one of the best movies of the year. It is certain to win some awards in the near future.

Asterix in Britain (1986)

French Satire

[9/10 · 6 April 2006]

I viewed this film in my French class (the original french language version). Everyone in my class thought the British characters were hysterical because of their accents while speaking French. It is funny to see how the French make fun of their rivals in Britain. It is also fun to see the barbaric architectural style of London with Big Ben and Parliament made of wood! I would not recommend this film for a person who does not speak French or who is not familiar with the historical background of the film (The Gallo-Roman period in France). Even with the animation style that characteristic of the eighties, it is still fun to watch and see the French version of history.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)

Edward Albee: A genius of American drama

[10/10 · 10 March 2006]

I absolutely love this film. Every time I see it, I find something new and interesting. The intricacy of its writing and complex symbolism make it one of the most intriguing dramas ever written. To start, the roles in the movie could not have been cast better. Elizabeth Taylor delivers one of the strongest performances ever captured on screen; she definitely deserved the Oscar she won for it. Richard Burton's portrayal of George is excellent in every way. His performance is almost haunting. The two supporting characters are excellent as well. However, the most amazing thing about Virginia Woolf is the drama itself. Edward Albee explores some of the most fascinating topics with his symbolism in it by questioning the American dream. Through his words, Albee showcases the corruption of the American dream through his four characters, each representing a certain aspect of American society. Beyond the obvious story line, there is so much more to be seen. If it is viewed as a play existing only in the context of George and Martha's life, it is very poignant and wonderful. But if it is viewed as an allegory, a new, amazing dimension is added, bringing so much more meaning to the words being spoken. Albee also explores human emotions and the things that motivate us to take actions. The themes of illusion versus reality, loneliness, corruption, the sanctity of life, and the American dream are made all too real in this fascinating drama. The issue of abortion is even touched upon through Nick's wife. As a master of the absurd and real, Albee creates the best that American drama has to offer. Explore the terrifying world of George and Martha in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf." It is a world not too unfamiliar to us, even if we do not realize it.

Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)

A Surprising Role for DeHavilland

[10/10 · 10 March 2006]

The film, "Hush...Hush Sweet Charlotte" is excellent in all respects: cinematography, acting, directing; everything. Bette Davis is wonderful as the slightly crazy southern belle whose life has been ruined by an earlier tragedy. The most intriguing character of the movie is Miriam, played by Olivia de Havilland. Most people would remember her as the sweet character Melanie from "Gone With the Wind", but in this film she is quite different. Instead of the kind southern woman, she is a cold-hearted, evil woman who wants to take over her cousin's land. De Havilland perfects the role with her incredible acting ability, which shows her versatility in this role. The cynicism she brings to the film gives it so much more depth. Another notable character is the one played by Joseph Cotten, who never lacks in a performance. The crazy house maid is also very good. All around, "Hush...Hush Sweet Charlotte" is a wonderful work of cinema.

Of Mice and Men (1992)

Not Good

[2/10 · 17 February 2006]

I enjoyed the book Of Mice and Men very much, however this film does not live up to any of the drama and emotion of the book. The screenplay is weak and the acting is terrible. The accent given to Lennie in the movie does not match at all with how it is written by Steinbeck. Gary Sinise's role as George was not believable, and Curley's Wife was some of the worst acting I have ever seen on film. The film was poorly thought out and poorly directed. Its lack of change in camera shots and the extremely slow and boring screenplay did not interest me at all. Lennie's voice was enough to make me want to shoot him in the first scene. It was so annoying, unlike the possibly lovable voice that Steinbeck gives to him in the book. Although it follows the book's plot closely, it is just a bad movie.

The Producers (2005)

Adolf Elizabeth Hitler!!

[10/10 · 17 January 2006]

If you only see one movie this year, make it The Producers. This is one of the best films I have seen in a very long time. Even though I am a big fan of Gene Wilder, this newer version is definitely superior to the 1968 version. I think that this longer movie better expands the idea that Mel Brooks wanted to portray in the original movie. Brooks's revisiting of The Producers with 23 great songs certainly showcases his genius, and shows America that he can still make one hell of a good movie. The characters in the film could not have been cast better, especially Nathan Lane as Max Bialystock (absolutely hilarious). This new adaptation of The Producers brings it from being outrageous to being completely, over-the-top, insanely outrageous. I especially liked the elaboration of Springtime for Hitler; what a fantastic number! This film has restored my hope in the future of film-making, and shows that great movie musicals can still be made. Keep it happy, keep it snappy, keep it gay!

The Lion in Winter (1968)

An Amazing Film

[10/10 · 19 August 2005]

This film is one of the great cinematic achievements of the 20th Century. Katharine Hepburn's performance is brilliant, not to mention hilarious in some parts. She captures the personality of Eleanor of Aquitaine perfectly, and creates a smart, yet dysfunctional chemistry with Peter O'Toole that is captivating. Anthony Hopkins' role as the young Richard the Lion-Hearted brings the jealousy and rage of the throne to this film. Also, the performances of John Castle and Nigel Terry are very good. The role played by Castle, Geoffrey, is witty and almost sarcastic in many ways. Terry's role as John is very good portrayal of the historical John I of England being whiny and insecure. The enchantment of royalty and the jealousy of a family feud make this film one to be treasured.