frojavigdis Reviews

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (2003)

I Slept Like the Dead

[2/10 · 14 February 2005]

Davey, well-loved and popular for stuffing his buddies full of pills, is assaulted for reasons that are never quite crystal clear. When he dies, his brother Will, who had since retired from the criminal scene to become a lumberjack, comes back into town to avenge him.

And I slept like the dead. No joke-- this movie put me to sleep, despite my best efforts not to embarrass myself in front of my friends (since they chose the movie). The scenes moved more slowly than in Babette's Feast. Monotone dialogue and lack of soundtrack did not help. Lastly, if you can't feel sorry for a young drug dealer dying in the prime of his life, forget empathizing with the characters because they spend the entire movie hang-faced over Davey's death.

Bottom line: dull beyond words.

The Village (2004)

Another reason Shyamalan is the most breathtaking director of the decade

[10/10 · 14 August 2004]

Mysteriously isolated in the forest, the villagers must live with the threat of unknown beings that inhabit the surrounding woods. Fear of the unknown does not stand in the way of the love between two young villagers.

It is difficult to praise this movie without giving away its secrets, but this is a movie that would have been true to the heart of Joseph Campbell the mythologist. Not for the average moviegoer, this film is presented in a stylistic manner full of dialogue that impresses with its biblical gravity and unusual but likeable main characters. Visually, it is splendid to watch like Shyamalan's other recent films.

Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple (1955)

Predictable and melodramatic

[5/10 · 16 April 2004]

I've watched the entire trilogy of the Musashi Miyamoto films, of which this film is the second part. The first film, titled simply "Musashi Miyamoto," introduces us to the characters of this and the third film. Without having seen the first film and developing some interest in the welfare of the characters, I certainly wouldn't have sat through the second and third films.

"Duel at Ichijoji Temple," this film, deals with Musashi's exploits as a sort of samurai knight-errant, seeking glory in a very ambiguous and roundabout way. Two women are trailing after him, as Kurosawa films would say, "like goldfish dung." Musashi himself is a flat character on whom Toshiro Mifune's acting skills are wasted. He displays very little emotion or intellect, despite his supposed interest in one of the women and enlightening education by his monk teacher (as we saw in the first film).

If Musashi is flat, the female characters are steamrolled. Their hand wringing, collapsing, and sobbing is typical of American movies of this time period and grows tedious in a samurai film. Having seen other films from this time period set in the days of samurai, I've seen that much more can be done with female characters. The plot was likewise predictable and slow-moving.

If you don't care about characters or plot, the high points of the movie may compensate: beautiful color landscapes and Toshiro Mifune's thrilling fight scenes. Otherwise, I recommend films by Kurosawa or Mizoguchi ("Sanjuro," the mysterious "Ugetsu") over this trilogy. 5/10

Mad Love (2001)

"Mad" or sexually liberated?

[9/10 · 1 April 2004]

I can't believe this film has such a low rating. Every time I see it in the video store, I think, "I wish I could erase my memory of it so I could see it again for the first time."

The viewer gets an intimate look at life as a female member of a royal family during the 16th century. Unable to control with whom she spends her life or make basic choices, Juana is confined in a woman's role, yet has sexual passion fit only for men in her time. And possibly still in ours. It is up to the viewer to decide is she is "mad" or simply craves intimacy.

An unpredicable, controversial, and beautifully filmed period film, don't pass this one up.

Rhapsody in August (1991)

Could have been poignant

[6/10 · 6 February 2004]

The idea of a film exploring the different generational perceptions and reactions to the atomic bomb in Nagasaki is a noble one and the subject certainly needs exposure. However, Kurosawa didn't quite pull off the mood with this one. The children's acting seems a little stilted, almost sitcom-ish, and their flat personalities do not create an appropriate contrast to the well-developed character of the grandmother. In a nutshell, the mood is incomplete because of poor acting or an underdeveloped screenplay-- and I'm not afraid to say so, despite the massive undertaking of talking about the atomic bomb.

The Hole (2001)

Suspenseful fun

[24 January 2004]

This movie was a surprising treat. I was on the edge of my seat during the whole movie, and the unpredictable ending was the best. Unlike most movies in the classic genre of "teenagers in a horror film," this one convincingly exposes the evil within all of us. The mood, gore, and psychological horror are truly terrifying; no cheap tricks like sudden noises or quick cut-to's are used to churn out suspense. One of the best psychological horrors to come out in the past 10 years.

The Sea Is Watching (2002)

A portrait of women

[8/10 · 23 January 2004]

My boyfriend and I both enjoyed this film very much. The viewer is swept away from modern life into old Japan, while at the same time exposed to very current themes. The characters are realistic and detailed; it has an unpredictable ending and story, which is very refreshing. The story is made up of mini-plots within the life of several geisha living together in a poor city district. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who is interested in a realistic romance or life in old Japan.

Heart of Glass (1976)

boringly pretentious

[4/10 · 23 December 2003]

My German boyfriend and I rented this one from the public library, hoping to get a little native language enjoyment, but, alas, none could be found. This movie may be brimming with symbolism, but it's too dull to simmer down to the core. I even liked the slow-paced Babette's Feast, but this was one European art film that tries too hard to be deep and comes out more like a Bavarian stoner's account of his latest mushroom picnic in the shadow of the Watzmann.

Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003)

a bad message for little girls

[6/10 · 8 July 2003]

First of all, I must say: I enjoyed this film overall. The animation was beautiful, the plot was entertaining. But I think the message this film gives to little girls is one of the most backward and unhealthy ones out there.

The message is that women should be attracted to rakes like Sinbad in the ever-faithful quest to find their "heart of gold" beneath the lies. The main female character, a strong and independent woman, has the ditzy failing that she believes that Sinbad (whom she barely knows) MUST have goodness in him, despite that he has shown none. She chooses him from the beginning over the honorable prince. This sends a message that women should tolerate liars believing that eventually their future actions will redeem them.

Give me the honest man over the liar anyday, and tell your girls that, too. Life ain't a romance novel, and don't we know it. :)

Warrior Angels (2002)

An obvious change of ending!

[4/10 · 19 May 2003]

Arnold Vosloo (from "The Mummy") and Rutger Hauer tried to revive this movie but failed, probably due to the director. This movie had a lot of new ideas going for it: a female main character (who was not young and sexy), a single mom in a medieval film, characters who are not simply good or bad... It even made good use of its low budget, particularly by using some realisticly cold-blooded "medieval" type horses rather than the cheap quarter horses miscast in such historical films. The acting was on a MST3K level with the exception of Hauer and Vosloo, but at least the scenery was nice and the unusual circumstances of the story compensated until--

The ending ruined it all. The director made an obvious change at the end contrary to the way the screenplay built up the characters throughout the whole film. It leaves a plot hole you can drive a MAC truck through. What can I say? I guess the director figured Americans love happy endings, no matter what loose ends it leaves.

Zu Warriors (2001)

totally devoid of plot

[1/10 · 19 May 2003]

This is hands-down the worst movie I've ever seen. And I've seen both the Ator movies. It has no plot. It seems to have been made just to prove that the Chinese/Hong Kong film industry can compete with the Western world's computerized special effects. The fact that 71 people gave this movie a 10 and only 7 people gave 1's makes me wonder how many oatmeal brains there are in the world.

Mythology is really interesting, and this movie could have used its mythological basis for a rich, interesting story. But instead, not 10 seconds goes by without eye candy. And, yes, I counted.

Woman on Top (2000)

Overrated and cliche

[3/10 · 1 April 2003]

My boyfriend brought this one home on VHS the other night. I'd heard alot of good reviews about it when it came out, particularly about Penelope Cruz-- let me say this: don't bother with unless you're a sappily romantic man or a 13-year old schoolgirl.

The character of the boyfriend who wooes Penelope Cruz's character is a horrible stereotype of a macho Latino man who believes he has the right to "sow his wild oats." Cruz cast as a *cook* is not credible, considering she makes Callista Flockhart (Ally McBeal) look like Roseanne. To this comment my boyfriend said, "But alot of famous cooks are thin," and I said, "But she's not just thin; she looks like she's been in a POW camp."

The fairytale setup of this ridiculous movie is predictable and insulting to assertive, modern women. "Woman on Top" is an ironic title.

Dagon (2001)

A treat for Lovecraft fans

[8/10 · 20 June 2002]

Dagon was the first horror movie I've seen in a few years that both had a good plot and kept me on the edge of my seat. After reading most of H.P. Lovecraft's short stories on which this movie was based, I can safely say that this is the only movie based on Lovecraft that is true to the atmosphere and plot structure of his stories. The special effects are not overdone and there is minimal (and yet effective) "splatter," unlike the movie "Necronomicon," which is also based on Lovecraft. The horror and suspense of the movie relies on xenophobia, fear of the strange and unknown, and this plays into the movie's surprise ending where the hero must question his own path.

I'd also like to add that this movie was filmed in a coastal village in Galicia, Spain, and the scenery is both realistic and haunting.

All in all, this movie should be a pleasure to both fans of H.P. Lovecraft and the horror genre.

The Blade Master (1983)

A work of ludicrous genius

[10 June 2002]

This movie is really so bad that it's good. Mystery Science Theater 2000 did a commentary on this one that's also very funny, but this film is great alone for heckling with friends at a party. As a side note, Miles O'Keeffe is actually quite convincing in this fantasy role; it's everything else in the movie that puts you on the edge of your seat wondering how the plot could get even more ridiculous.

The Little Polar Bear (2001)

Enchanting children's film

[9/10 · 5 June 2002]

In a time of video-game based cartoons, "Der Kleine Eisbär" (The Little Polarbear) stands out as a pure and sweet movie for children which is, at the same time, exciting and not at all wishy-washy.

The basis of the story is the small bear's relationship with another young animal, a walrus. The two become close friends, to the chagrin of their elders. The two societies do not mix (while it never directly says so, it is, of course, known that polar bears prey on walruses). Therefore, the elders decide to allow the two youngsters to continue to play in exchange for a tithe of fish.

There is no violence in the film, and yet it raises thoughts and questions about justice and tolerance of others. Also, the movie is based on one story of many from a Dutch author, so it allows children to continue the adventures of the little polar bear through the books.

The Viking Sagas (1995)

An exciting and realistic view of the Viking Age

[8/10 · 30 May 2002]

I disagree with the people who consider this movie "worthless." It is the only historically approximate depictions of life in medieval Iceland (or, "viking age" life at all!) that I have ever seen. While their actions may seem "silly" to most viewers, the characters in this movie act appropriately to the ethics and customs of the time. In a nutshell, the movie is realistic, well-acted, and has gorgeous Icelandic landscapes. The film even uses mostly Icelandic and Norwegian actors who *look* like the characters would have. A viewer used to trashy Hollywood-churned movies may not appreciate this film.

Die Nibelungen: Kriemhild's Revenge (1924)

a breathtaking silent film

[9/10 · 1 March 2002]

I saw this film last night at a special movie theater showing in Nürnberg, and it was superb. I do have to admit that the original music composition of the cello player and percussion/xylophone player influenced the mood of the film, but the film itself also had force in its portrayal of the tragic Nibelungen saga.

If you are interested in silent films or in the Nibelungenlied, I highly recommend this film. The costumes were fantastic and creative, the sets were opulent and exotic, and the acting was dramatic and breathtaking (as is typical of silent film "tragedies") Unfortunately, I have not seen the first part of this film duo that concerns Siegfried. The story of this second film begins after Siegfried's death, when Kremhild (Gudrun in the Norse versions of the story) begins to plan her revenge against her brothers.

Also, I watched this film in German; I am a native English speaker and have a basic German knowledge. It was difficult to read the ?subtitles (what do you call that in silent films?) at first because of the old style German script, so I advise that if you watch it in German that you make sure you can differentiate your "k's", "f's", and "s's" in the old script. :)