rose-18 Reviews

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

surreal but with faults

[10/10 · 18 July 1999]

While this modern version of Romeo and Juliet does have problems, it succeeds enough to win my recommendation. Set in a world that seems modern but even somewhat out of this world, this visualization is like a Salvador Dali painting, fascinating, new, strange. Some faults include excess modernization or costuming like Pete Posthlewaite's tattoo, Tybalt's "gangsta" like slickness and definitely Mercutio's drag outfit! That last scene and also the first are very weak and the film can occasionally be a bit awkward. However, Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio are excellent. Both have done much of their previous and future work in depressing or tragic roles and both are very convincing with their agony and emotions here. Some of the cinematography is beautifully shot, notably the kiss in the elevator and the aquarium scene. This film should also be commended for exposing teenagers or other modern movie watchers to Shakespeare and how his work is completely relevant today.

Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

Delish!

[18 July 1999]

I love this movie- lusty, funny, witty, touching. A quintessential example of Kenneth Branagh's great talent at bringing Shakespeare to life and to modern understanding (while his Hamlet is much better, Much Ado is accessible to anyone while Hamlet is more intense, concentrated and complex- of course!) Except for Keanu Reeves, who succeeds only in action flicks like Speed and consistently brings down period pieces (see also Dangerous Liaisons), the cast is top notch, especially Branagh, the always-wonderful Emma Thompson and Denzel Washington. And the scenery is gorgeous!

The Thin Red Line (1998)

starts slow, but becomes excellent

[11 July 1999]

The Thin Red Line begins slowly and not so auspiciously, but if you're willing to sit through the slow beginning, the rest is well worth it. At least it was for me. I found the beginning too slow, with too much voiceover, and I hated the John Travolta cameo. I thought he looked as though he had had a silly little mustache painted on and it bothered me. But once the soldiers got ready to fight, the film became excellent. It was beautifully, stunningly, brilliantly shot. The cinematography should be a paradigm for future cinematographers to study! The film gave an interesting perspective by seeing the men as one unit instead of developing specific characters and illustrated the bonds and ties they felt toward each other. So, I'd say, you need to be patient since the beginning is slow, but if you are, you will see one of the best movies of the year.

The Parent Trap (1998)

the best family film of the year! adorable!

[11 July 1999]

I have to say, I couldn't stand the original Parent Trap, but maybe that's because I saw this version first. Either way, the new Parent Trap is a great film and the perfect film to see with the family. When I saw it, I knew it would wind up in my family's library, and that it did, as soon it was available. Charming, funny, even romantic. I actually had a few tears at the end! The cast is great, Lindsey Lohan is funny and adorable, just likable, and unlike the original parents, Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson are excellent and seem like great parents. See it with any kids that you care about, everyone in every age category will like this film.

Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)

intriguing, fascinating, excellent

[11 July 1999]

Crimes and Misdemeanors is a different Woody Allen than his other types of works: escapist like Sleeper or comedic like Annie Hall. A very unusual film, "Crimes" simultaneously follows two separate stories, one comedic and one tragic/serious. The comic story follows Woody, an obscure documentary filmmaker and his courtship of Mia Farrow, an assistant on his new movie. The tragic story features Martin Landau as an eye doctor. The connection between the stories is Sam Waterston as a rabbi. Crimes and Misdemeanors is a must-see film, completely unique. It is a story of irony that questions, "Why do bad things happen to good people, and why do bad people not get their just punishments?" Fascinating!

Annie Hall (1977)

the best Woody Allen film

[11 July 1999]

Annie Hall is the best film Woody Allen has ever made- and I love Woody Allen! I think he is the world's best modern comedian, and Annie Hall shows why. Hilarious, quirky, full of that nervous, self deprecating style of Woody, full of oh-so-quotable lines (excellently written), and featuring one of Diane Keaton's best performances.

Vertigo (1958)

one of the best movies ever made

[10/10 · 11 July 1999]

Brilliant, intoxicating, dizzying. One of the greatest movies ever made, one of the very best Hitchcocks. Underrated at the time it came out, it is now recognized as a truly amazing and unforgettable film. Kim Novak's best performance ever, and one of Jimmy Stewart's best, a complete change in character for him! See it, see it, see it!

An American in Paris (1951)

not the best musical ever made, but still a marvelous one

[11 July 1999]

Charming, lovely, "s'wonderful!" While I wouldn't say it's the best ever, An American in Paris is still a great musical! I WOULD say it's the best dancing in a musical along with West Side Story (a different style!), definitely the best ballet ever in a film. The major ballet is perfect. Definitely see it if you're a musical or ballet fan.

Ninotchka (1939)

We miss Garbo

[11 July 1999]

Why can't there be actresses today like Greta Garbo?? Certainly, she will live on forever, and Ninotchka is one of the movies that will make her live on so. Ninotchka is delightful, funny, a charming Lubitsch film. It's also one of her only (2?)comedies, and I believe, her only good one. If you are a Garbo or classic movie fan, it is quite a different experience from watching her in Grand Hotel or Camille, showing another side of Garbo. It's also great fun! See it, and be charmed!

My Man Godfrey (1936)

another scrumptious screwball comedy

[11 July 1999]

In the style/vein of Bringing up Baby, this delightful screwball comedy is a great showcase for Carole Lombard. She is nutty, hilarious, and completely lovable. What a star she was, and how she deserved to be! The movie does have a message, but the trip along the way is just as good, it's silly and enjoyable. The character of Carlo is a hilarious addition to the great cast. Great fun for classics fans.

It Happened One Night (1934)

Perfect, brilliant, I love it!!

[10/10 · 11 July 1999]

It Happened One Night, aah, I love it sooo much! What a great, brilliant, wonderful film. Clark Gable, one of America's greatest legends, turns in one of his two best performances of his career (along with Gone with the Wind, of course!) and is perfectly matched by the hilarious and spunky Claudette Colbert. Frank Capra directs, but avoids the sentimentality that some dislike in his Jimmy Stewart classics, Mr Smith and Wonderful Life. Hilarious, crazy screwball comedy, one of the best (or the best) romantic comedies ever made. Peter and Ellie are a match in heaven!

Shakespeare in Love (1998)

The film of the year- delightful!

[10/10 · 8 July 1999]

The best film of the year, a treat and perfectly done! Equally hilarious and romantic, Shakespeare in Love boasts almost everything a movie can: great acting across the board- especially Gwyneth Paltrow, Judi Dench and Joseph Fiennes (who was completely snubbed by the Academy), a brilliant screenplay, good direction, wonderful production (art direction, editing, cinematography, costumes, etc) humor, romance, emotion, drama and glamour! I LOVED it and can't wait to buy it on video! See it now!

Pleasantville (1998)

Joan Allen deserved an Oscar nomination

[8 July 1999]

First, the film was interesting and imaginative, and I liked it very much. But, as to my heading, the snub by the Academy of Joan Allen for a Best Supporting Actress nomination was one of the two biggest snubs of the year, along with Joseph Fiennes for best actor. Her work here is another example of her artistry. And, anyways, while we're on the subject of Oscar snubs, I noticed just one more- special effects here. The special effects are quite amazing and definitely more complex than those in The Mask of Zorro.

Moonstruck (1987)

hilarious and quirky

[8 July 1999]

Lots of fun! A lovable, well acted, hilarious and warm film. It's the kind of film that is like the smell of baking bread, and it's touching, too. If you haven't seen it or are not sure if you want to, because you don't like Cher, or you think eighties movies are all bad (ok, it was the worst film decade, but so what? there were still good movies!), whatever, SNAP OUT OF IT- and put this on your movie list!

The Last Picture Show (1971)

four stars out of four

[8 July 1999]

The Last Picture Show is a beautifully filmed ensemble coming of age film. It is nostalgic but realistic and still relevant today, as growing up feels the same whatever the generation. The film features standout performances by Ben Johnson, Ellen Burstyn, Cybill Shepherd, Jeff Bridges and especially Cloris Leachman. Completely recommended.

Guys and Dolls (1955)

not a great film, but a fun one

[8 July 1999]

While it doesn't measure up to the truly "great" musicals, Guys and Dolls is a fun film and since the stage show is great, the music is the best part. It's especially fun if you've seen the show on stage, while several problems include a) the changing of the songs. The film took out four songs, including two of the best, I've Never Been in Love Before and Marry the Man Today, doing a little replacing with not so worthy songs. b) While I love Marlon Brando and found him fine here, it was just his singing that bothered me. I would have preferred him dubbed (after all, West Side Story, The King and I, and My Fair Lady's leading ladies are all dubbed) or maybe he could have studied more??

Wuthering Heights (1939)

perfect- except for that little end problem

[10/10 · 8 July 1999]

Wuthering Heights is one of my favorite films, and perfectly done, except for the very final shot which not only Merle Oberon and Laurence Olivier but also William Wyler boycotted. That (silly) scene was forced in by the MGM (i think) heads and stand ins were used. However the shot is about one second and doesn't affect the beauty and magic of this film. Laurence Olivier gives his first great performance (with many more to come!), Merle Oberon and Geraldine Fitzgerald are also very good, and so romantic!

West Side Story (1961)

outstanding! truly realizes the insanity of hate and prejudice

[2/10 · 6 July 1999]

The first time I saw West Side Story, I was nine. It didn't make a huge impression on me, mostly because, knowing the ultimate outcome of Romeo and Juliet, I waited for that ending to happen, which it didn't exactly. I am now 15, and when I watched it this time, I loved it so much that it became one of my favorite films. While I haven't seen Singin in the Rain recently enough to compare it, this is without a doubt one of the very greatest musicals ever made. The entire film is stunning, a model of great cinematography, editing, production. The music is unforgettable, the choreography is brilliant, and the acting is topnotch. And does it make you cry! A must-see, but wait until you are somewhat older than nine!

Tarzan (1999)

one of the absolute best animated films

[10/10 · 3 July 1999]

Having seen just about every Disney animated film more than once through numerous babysitting jobs, I have very strong opinions and affections toward the films. In my opinion, the best Disney movies were Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Sleeping Beauty, and Aladdin. Personally, I do not like Fantasia and while I believe Snow White is the most important to the genre, I do not especially care for it. I was thrilled last night to add Tarzan to my list of favorites, particularly in regard to the slump that Disney has been in since The Lion King. Tarzan itself. First the animation, it was gorgeous! The story unfolded great, and if some people disliked the narrative, it was likely because it has been filmed 24 times before! The characters and voices were almost all good. Minnie Driver as Jane was wonderful, completely hilarious, smart, sweet, sassy, a totally sympathetic heroine. Tarzan was good, even Rosie O'Donnell, who I expected to turn in another lame sidekick to the long Disney list made me laugh over and over. The music was wonderful, no awful Prince of Egypt junk to make me squirm in my seat! I wouldn't be surprised to have the CD wind up in my house! While it has been nice to have the characters sing, there should be room for difference, and the "heroine singing a song about how she doesn't fit in" has happened way too often and was good to lose! To be fair, I can state my problems, but shall preface them by saying they made little impact on the film- 1)the villain. He just wasn't that exciting or unique, but still, the real demon Tarzan was conquering was himself and who he saw himself as.2) I noticed that Disney seems to run into a pattern 3) The elephant character was kind of unnecessary.

FINAL WORD: SEE IT!

Sabrina (1995)

pathetic version of lovely original

[30 June 1999]

While the original movie Sabrina is a charming, romantic, and glamorous comedy, this remake was completely inferior in every way. And yes of course, the original is old, does star three legends and is directed by one-but that has nothing to do with its superiority or my opinion. This film is boring and unsympathetic, but do yourself a favor and rent the original!

Dawson's Creek (1998–2003)

My Total fave show!

[11 September 1998]

I adore this show! It is so good, and so real. I relate to the characters so well, and become so involved in the show, that it is a part of my week which cannot be eliminated. To the comments by critics that it is sex obsessed, perhaps the critics do not remember being a teenager, or at least the extent of most teenage conversations. This show will grip and move you, and you will, unlike the largesse of so-called dramatic shows on the air today, love it (at least if you're anything like me!)