mllelarisa Reviews

The Two of Us (1967)

Beautiful Story

[10/10 · 3 March 2006]

I caught this at the local art museum, what a treasure it is! I became interested because the director is Claude Berri, and his "Jean de Florette/Manon des Sources" story is one of my favourites of all time. Although this movie is in black and white, it's a superior quality and beautiful to watch. The story, of a little Jewish boy hiding out in the country with an anti-semitic old man in occupied France, could easily have gone down the path of sadness and tears, but instead it is a joyous movie full of laughter and love. I must say Michel Simon is a delightful actor, and makes even a narrow-minded, ignorant, brainwashed old man like Pépé a kind, fun grandpa that any child would love to have. I believe this movie is based on Claude Berri's actual experience, but I did have to wonder at the end if Pépé was ever told the truth about the child's heritage and if so, did it matter? Anyway, this is a fantastic heartwarming movie that you shouldn't miss if you ever get the chance to see it.

If Only (2004)

Homage to 'Run Lola Run'???

[7/10 · 15 January 2006]

This movie has some seriously cheesy cringe-worthy moments. In particular, the concert performance made me want to gag, though JLH herself was impressive... it was just a ridiculous scene added to the story to highlight JLH's musical talent... and it put this movie into Soap Opera category! (As in US soap, not UK soap... I don't think you'd see Paul Nichols performing in a concert hall on EastEnders as Joe Wicks, would you?) It is a nice cute movie though, and I admit it made me cry some tears at the end. The acting was very good, I thought. The one thing I can't believe nobody is commenting on, though, was the total rip-off of the German movie "Run Lola Run"! Well, maybe it was an homage to that brilliant movie. They even practically copied the RLR soundtrack in the scene when Ian was running to Lotte's flat! I do like such movies like this where people get a second chance to change things, so though it can't touch Run Lola Run, it's definitely a nice TV movie to watch and think about.

Oblivious (2001– )

Davina?

[14 December 2005]

Not too impressed with this show at all. Did I blink and miss Davina McCall on the DVD of this? Because I didn't see her anywhere!? She's the main reason I bothered checking this DVD out, I think she's brilliant when she presents Big Brother. Anyway, usually I'm a fan of prank-style humour but this show is tedious and so unpolished. Just not funny, sorry. I had to fast forward through most of the DVD when I rented it. Don't pay to see this unless you're under the age of 17, or unless you're a fan of very unsophisticated humour. Maybe the original series, with Davina, was funny? I wouldn't know. But this series, the one made here in the States, is simply LAME.

Collusion (2003)

Painful viewing...

[3/10 · 27 April 2005]

Man, was this a crummy movie. I'm not sure if it was the actors' faults for being wooden or if nobody could play these characters and make them interesting??? The main actress looks 35 but acts 19, all I could think was 'crackwhore' when I watched her. The other characters were just dull and boring, and some of the lines and situations were so stupid -- ie in a restaurant, the main actress actually tossed her earring on the floor to instigate a private conversation under the table. Puh-lease!!! I rolled my eyes a lot when I wasn't looking at my watch. This was one of the longest 90-minutes movies I've ever seen. It was shown at a film fest in Houston and I can see why it's not going to show at any of the art-film houses here for a run.

Supernanny (2004–2009)

Great reality series!

[9/10 · 14 March 2005]

I'm not into reality shows that much, but this one is exceptional because at the end, the viewer gets something useful out of it besides entertainment. I don't have children but SuperNanny's lessons will be a great help when (and if) I ever do! My only complaint is that the show has been watered down since it has been in the US. I prefer the British version, with the sterner nanny approach. Is it just me or does anyone else find the US version to be a bit soft... now it's the "kinder, gentler" nanny? I guess we Yanks need a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down after all?! Still, nothing wrong with a sappy happy ending, is there?

The Vanishing (1988)

Amazing movie

[10/10 · 26 July 2001]

I have never seen a scarier movie than this one, and there's no blood, no guts, no gore. This film terrifies you in the very reality of it, and makes you think hard and long about the everyday people you think you know, and how would you handle the vanishing of a loved one. This film stays with you for days and weeks after you see it. Really powerful.

The Little Prince (1974)

My favourite movie ever

[10/10 · 24 June 2001]

I can watch this movie over and over and still laugh and cry each time. It's simply beautiful and perfect. The actors are delightful, in particular young Steven Warner as the Little Prince. What a marvellous child actor, I read that he was even nominated for a Golden Globe for this. The adults in this movie are great too, every single one of them. Applause all around for this masterpiece, it does justice to the book!