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Reviews
American Beauty (1999)
Not a movie you want to see
It's a pity audiences tend to think of this movie as a "great" movie. Having a very able actor playing the lead role (Spacey, soon to get the Oscar he deserve), as well as writing a half decent script and giving it to a imaginative director just doesn't make a movie "great" or merely "good". It takes much more than that. If your really taken by this movie just have a peek at the original, Kubrick version, of Lolita - almost the same story as this film, but quite a different affair. Kubrick doesn't only use better actors, better script and music, but he stays true to his cause, something Mendes simply cannot claim to have done.
I will not give the film's plot away, but for those who've seen it, just think how unlikely is the ending, and how the director is really not interested in making any kind of statement by choosing such a soft, "mellow" sort of an ending. Sure, that's probably far from the original scripted ending, but when you're young, having mighty "DreamWorks" as your production company makes you do all those concession you promised yourself you'll never make.
If you're still not convinced, just think of the opening scene - which is repeated, as a sort of a symptom, later in the movie. Was it necessary, or is this scene just plain redundant? Having said that regarding both the ending & opening scenes, you may think it's a very flawed film. Well, you'll be right, but you've seen worse coming out of Hollywood recently. Please see Kubrick's "Lolita" for a good film on the very same subject, but one which is original, funny & brilliantly directed, yet much, much more disturbing than the "ground braking" American Beauty.
Il viaggio di Capitan Fracassa (1990)
A Sadly Forgotten Gem
This movie is one of the best films the great Italian director, Ettore Scola has ever made. It also has a fantastic cast, all doing a great job, but, is seems the late Massimo Troisi does outshine them all, with a stunning performance as Pulcinella, a Sancho Panza sort of clown. This fantasy, dream-like tale, is based on the famous book by the same name by Théophile Gautier, the French author. This is actually the 5th movie adaptation of this novel, which must tell you something about its force to attract generations of film makers.
Vincent Pérez plays Baron of Sigognac, a young royal, whose quest for material wealth brings him true love and revelations on the nature of this world. The plot themes are somewhat related to Stoppard's excellent Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead - both uses the traveling players to explore the nature of the human condition. One might also recall Bergman's Seventh Seal, but Fracassa is more akin of Stoppard's light hearted, witty, approach to those grave subjects.
A truly exceptional, beautiful and entertaining film, a long standing achievement for all involved, surely better than Il Postino, though, sadly, much less known. Surely overdue for re-release?
Edge of Darkness (1985)
The best TV mini series ever?
This mini series has it all - an exciting plot, great actors, amazingly good music, but it seems it was forgotten somewhat over the years, which is really a shame, as it lost none of its brilliance. The story line is somewhat complex, about a not too important policeman, Bob Peck, who's only daughter, Joanne Whalley, is murdered just outside their house. What seems to be a simple murder case, evolves into an environmental thriller, incorporating issues of national security & nuclear contamination.
What sets this series apart, is the intense and touching presence of the great late Bob Peck. But Peck's immaculate work is made easier by some more outstanding performances from, well, everyone who play in this series, most notably the charming CIA agent, Joe Don Baker, who even serves us with some comic relief, much needed in this demanding epic.
Edge of Darkness is what Hollywood will never bring you. It's immensely better than any thriller you've ever seen before.
This is a highly acclaimed series, that won several awards. It deserves all of them. It's still available on the net - buy it now!