seamus-15 Reviews

Brother (II) (2000)

What a brilliant short!

[17 April 2002]

I was deeply moved by this movie, certainly the most powerful in the Trilogy. I especially like the way Elliot treats the subject of disease as though it were a character trait. The timing between the narration and claymation is very effective. Watching this tragicomedy a second time, I couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry. Most claymation movies are light-hearted and silly. I never thought claymation could be used to spark such intense emotion but I guess it's the artist behind the medium who should truly be commended.

Gladiator (2000)

Very well done...

[7 May 2000]

The first thing that strikes you are the special effects. The computer graphics are superb in this film, it's nice to see state of the art cgi technology bring the past to life. At the start of the movie, you really get an amazing sense of the power of Roman artillery when they attack a barbarian tribe with catapults and flaming arrows. The film also unveils the Colosseum with attention to detail and Roman architecture. Besides the special effects, Gladiator has dialogue that resounds Shakespeare; a heart-wrenching lost-love story; lots of fight scenes; and a well packed moral dealing with wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance.

Meet Joe Black (1998)

Get a life.

[22 May 1999]

This movie has no life, which means no mystery, no suspense, no intrigue, no goal, no reason to be, no clue, nothing. It really does manage to capture the stale pace of death. While watching the movie you really do feel as though you were dead or wish you were dead. Brad Pitt treats his character like a six year old, and Anthony Hopkin's character is well portrayed but in a totally different dimension from the rest of the characters. I felt no love between Forlani and Pitt perhaps because there wasn't any since the movie has no life!

Phenomenon (1996)

Give me a break!

[10 May 1999]

I liked it better the first time round when it was called "Powder". "Phenomenon" was released a year later and follows the exact same plot with a few minor details. Instead of a freak with special abilities it's John Travolta, popular guy, who gets struck by lightning and turns smart...How original!

It is just too easy to take an average Joe and turn him into a superman for an audience seeking inspiration and enlightenment. I have to admit I couldn't help but feel a little moved when John Travolta made that spoon shake using an intense gaze but something in the back of my mind made me want to puke. Maybe I'm just a realist who doesn't enjoy seeing the great gift of knowledge being divinely thrust upon a Hollywood movie star with very little explanation to as where it came from. It left too much to the imagination without any direction, and it stepped too far out of the realm of the real(the possible) and too far into the realm the absolute absurd.

If you're looking for a movie to inspire you, it needs to be well grounded first either in reality or in a well designed script. This movie offered neither.

Dead Ringers (1988)

Dead Ringers: Medicine for the masses.

[8 May 1999]

One of the most disturbing movies that I have ever seen, but what do expect from director David Cronenberg. The story deals with twin brothers who have grown too close and have a difficult time separating their individual thoughts and perspectives. They run a successful medical practice and explore other relationships with their patients. One such patient is a movie star named Claire Niveau played by Canadian actress Geneviève Bujold. The two brothers, both played by Jeremy Irons, have sexual relations with Mme Niveau, Bev falls in love with her whereas Elliot simply has fun with her. Claire Niveau does not realize that she has been sleeping with two different men, when she does find out the movie takes on psychological questions that are both confusing and emotionally intense.

This is not a movie to take your date to, it requires some thought and a thirst for understanding human nature. It is difficult to relax and enjoy the movie, I had a knot in my stomach through the entire two hours. However, I do feel that a film like this is worth seeing at least once because it tackles dangerous subject matter that should be investigated and discussed nowadays.

Lolita (1997)

Adrian Lyne captures Nabokov's descriptive prose in Lolita.

[3 May 1999]

Adrian Lyne captures Nabokov's descriptive prose with the film camera. It certainly was not an easy task but Lyne uses some amazing camera angles and well planned shots to reveal subtle motives in the storyline. This movie is worth seeing on the large screen because of its amazing cinematography. The New England landscape is grandiose and very colourful, the images look like they're out of a story book. Jeremy Irons plays Humbert, the hero of this fairytale. Along with Lyne, he creates an introspective and moody character who fills the atmosphere of the movie. I liked this adaptation much more Kubrick's earlier comedy which took a light hearted approach to the novel. I found Lyne paid justice to Nabokov's story and storytelling in this movie.

eXistenZ (1999)

Cronenberg and ExistenZ challenge their audience.

[2 May 1999]

Cronenberg's movies do not have that moment that carries us through a story. We are so used to having the director sweep us off our feet and immerse us in his/her vision. eXistenZ, like other Cronenberg movies, is designed to disturb us and make us think. It is unpredictable and we are left to ponder after every scene, this is why people say that the movie is disgusting. We are so used to watching movies that fully engage us, Cronenberg expects us to play a more active role when watching his movie. There is a scene in eXistenZ where Pikul asks Allegra Geller how the game is played. Allegra responds "You have to play it to find out", this is how you watch eXistenZ. Don't expect to be entertained with the usual set of codes that govern film but experience it for yourself by watching the movie.