adambas Reviews

The Indian in the Cupboard (1995)

An excellent film exploring complex themes lightheartedly

[7/10 · 18 January 2005]

This film was special. It's not to say it ranks high amongst the worlds films technically (which is not to say it fails in this regard – it simply does not depend upon special effects), but the underlying theme is gentle and beautifully presented. The child actors' performances are solid. Especially the lead 'Omri', and his friend (whom I really liked and really disliked respectively - (hence his acting ability)). It's an innocent story with great imagination, and doesn't take itself too seriously. The relationship and growth that the main character develops with Little Bear (the Indian in the cupboard) is special. It eventually takes on a father/son dynamic after a role reversal or sorts from the Creator/created dynamic the boy has with Little Bear at first. I was touched by this relationship and by Omri's innocence. Frank Oz imagination is conveyed well through this work. I can easily imagine being in Omri's shoes and enjoy this film each time I watch it. Whether you watch this with kids or not, odds are you'll enjoy it.

Kissed (1996)

Beautiful, brave film on necrophilia; Stunning lead performance

[8/10 · 26 October 2001]

This is a difficult subject to embrace for any filmmaker and certainly very difficult for the average audience member. How can you introspect on a subject like necrophilia without causing many to cringe inwardly? Well, this film forces us to look beyond the carnal aspects of the subject and through an incredible performance by Molly Parker and some beautiful direction, we experience the beauty of "lives lived"...Her character intimately explores a connection she feels with the deceased - and "crosses over". Obviously this is hard for most to directly identify with - but we can all identify with having a connection with another human being...especially a sexual one. The obvious difference here is that they are dead! However, she treats them with all the dignity, respect, and love we afford our living lovers. And she does it so believably that despite my involuntary cringing at times, I was really moved by her characters spiritual depth. She does not merely see a dead body, but a person who "lived" and lives on. Her character is well-established in youth as one different from most, yet with a greater vision. Without giving away the ending, she faces a bitter irony in her quest for intimacy with these "strangers" (the fact that they are dead does not take away from this fact). She exposes her inner "weaknesses" in her inability to be intimate with her (living) lover in the same way...something she does not see at first. This has consequences which will touch this film's audience. Hats off to Molly Parker - this movie could not have braved this subject in any real way (one that we as non-necrophiliacs could identify with) without her brilliant acting. This movie is worth watching for the acting alone...it'll make you think.

Charlie Grant's War (1984 TV Movie)

Very moving. I am saddened that it is not played more frequently.

[7/10 · 3 August 2001]

I remember seeing this film as a kid on CBC television and being very touched by it. Pre-Schindler's list, this film examines the life of a Canadian diamond merchant living in Nazi Germany who is caught helping Jewish families escape for which he pays the price. After saving hundreds of lives, Charlie Grant (played wonderfully by R.H. Thomson) is eventually thrown into a concentration camp for his acts of kindness. Even now, 15 some odd years later I can recall the powerful dialogue. Grant delivers a moving verbal slap in the face to a Nazi officer demanding to know why he bothers with the lives of "filthy Jews"...to which he replies he would rather commune with "filthy Jews, than with the likes of you". Eventually the camps are of course liberated, but not before the Nazi's shoot down the remaining barely surviving inmates. Grant somehow escapes this fate and is picked up by incoming Allied forces staggering down a muddy road babbling in German and then English, "I am Canadian...I am Canadian". I still get a lump thinking of it, and I am forced to wonder why this film doesn't get more play especially around Canada's Remembrance Day (Veterans Day). It would help to appreciate the efforts of those heroes who DID help, and maybe assist in alleviating some of the shame of our Government's blind eye given to Jewish immigrants during WWII. All that aside a wonderfully inspirational film...moving, and worth sitting through the heartache of the subject.

The Job (1988)

This horror/suspense gem made one of the greatest impressions on my psyche...

[8/10 · 24 April 2001]

Its too bad we are not more familiar with short films; there are some beauties. I remember seeing this short Canadian film (which at the time I thought was made for TV) on CBC television when I was 15. Highly inviting with a powerful premise. This has got to be one of the best segments of horror and/or suspense I have EVER seen - standing in line with my favorites like: The Changeling, another Canadian great film. I find so many disappointments in this genre where some how blood and guts have been dominant. When a film focuses on your own mind's eye so to speak and plays upon your fears psychologically - it is so much more powerful. This film has had one such impression upon me. Without giving anything away, essentially the story is one of two grave robbers to whom we are introduced via their arguing and bickering. It seems one no longer wants to do this type of work any longer as it is wearing on his nerves. The other tries to convince him to pull one last job. Whether greed or desperation motivates them is not as important as the consequences of their actions. A series of things happen bring to light "what goes around comes around" in a horrible karmic climax that appeals greatly to the child in you (if you were ever unnerved by cemeteries). Few films have ever genuinely frightened me, and although I was only fifteen and I haven't been able to track it down since - I have never forgotten it's title...and I likely never will. Fantastic.