julie keilty Reviews

Salt in the Wound (1969)

A complete disaster of a movie...

[1 April 2002]

If you ever want to check out a complete disaster of a movie, just for laughs, then this is the champion of all champions. What was an accomplished actor like Klaus Kinski thinking of, when he was offered this movie?

Personally speaking, the plot is not even worth discussing, that's if there is even a plot in the film. But two things are worth talking about. Firstly, it has the worst direction, that I have ever seen in a movie. And secondly, the cinematography in it is so bad, that it makes even The Blair Witch Project look fantastic. Summing this movie up is so simple. Badly acted, badly directed and badly photographed. Basically, a complete disaster

This is a film which is extremely hard to find on video. I would consider this to be one of the "holy grails". Perhaps the reason for this is because it's so bad. Rating:0/10.

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

The re-birth of the musical

[23 February 2002]

I would have to say that the first twenty minutes of this film are the most crucial. It's during this period that you are either going to love or loathe this film. For me, it was one of the greatest cinematic experiences I've ever had.

Never before have I seen a film which makes such a brilliant and imaginative use of colour. This film, along with Baz Luhrmann's other two films(Strictly Ballroom and Romeo and Juliet)practically eat colour.

This film has everything. It has comedy, drama, thrills and tragedy. But it is the music that makes this picture truly special. There is one particular scene which deserves special praise and that has to be the rendition of Madonna's Like a Virgin,which is both amusing and funny.

This film fully deserves its Oscar nominations. But one thing is bugging me. Why has Baz Luhrmann been criminally ignored from the best director nominations? Here is a man who has probably re-invented the musical. Baz,if you're reading this,you have all my sympathy. Thank you for making this picture.

In the Realm of the Senses (1976)

a film about unhealthy sexual obsession

[10/10 · 16 February 2002]

This film brought down boundaries with the U.K.censors. This film was finally passed by the British censors in the early 90's. It explores every aspect of unhealthy sexual obsession. From being "clingy" to someone, to being bored with someone to the extent that you try to excite the situation with dangerous actions i.e. strangulation games. Performance wise the film is first rate, especially the performance from Tatsuya Fuji, probably giving the performance of his life. Director Nagisa Oshima is a man,even to this day,who is not afraid of controversey. His latest film Gohatto(Taboo)is testament to that,focusing on gay samurai,which is a controversial subject in itself. In the Realm of the Senses is a very rarely seen film. If you ever get the chance to check it out, do so. It is an unforgettable and shocking experience.