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Reviews
Ella Enchanted (2004)
My Daughter Loved This Movie
My daughter loved this movie. It even made her believe in fairy tales. At the end, she was dancing around the room. She liked the plot twists and the way that people were not always what they seemed. She got caught up in the romance of the story and in Ella's self-sacrifice. Personally, I really enjoyed Anne Hathaway's singing scene -- that girl can sing! Sure, there are some flaws -- this was not Minnie Driver's best role, and Gisele Bundchen (sp?) isn't exactly the finest actor out there (and in this role she didn't even look that fabulous which usually takes the edge off any other subpar acting roles.) Anne Hathaway carries the movie. The sweetness of the telling and Anne's convincing, nuanced performance make this a fun movie for both young and old.
Juana la Loca (2001)
You Be the Judge
Juana la Loca is the story of a 15th century young Spanish monarch, Juana. The set design and costumes are beautiful and authentic, the dialogue is excellent, the acting is first-rate. As Juana, Pilar Lopez de Ayala is beautiful, feisty, and full of passion for her husband bordering on madness. Her husband, played by Daniele Liotti is gorgeous. When he turns to rampant womanizing, Juana's heart is broken, and she begins to obsess on her husband, sacrificing her duties as ruler of the kingdom. This is a very good movie, and Lopez de Ayala plays the role very well. Is she really crazy? The writers leave it for you to judge. No one could ever play a young queen as well Cate Blanchett did in Elizabeth; but Pilar Lopez de Ayala is totally convincing as Juana la Loca -- Joan the Mad.
A Mighty Wind (2003)
Catherine the Great, Fred the Annoying
Here's the best thing about The Mighty Wind -- Catherine O'Hara. In the role of Mickey, O'Hara puts in a fine, nuanced dramatic performance. Except, perhaps, for the funny song she sings at the trade show at the end, Catherine O'Hara chooses to play Mickey straight. By playing the character without laughs as sincere, sweet, kind, and sentimental in all the right ways, she becomes this interesting opposite of comic relief. The Might Wind does its best -- it's entertaining, I'd give it a 7 -- but I think perhaps folk singers just don't provide as good of fodder for comedy as do heavy metal rockers (Spinal Tap) and fanatical dog owners (Best in Show).
Fred Willard was as unbearably annoying as ever. Christopher Guest -- if you're out there -- please do not put Fred in any more of your movies. The annoying characters he plays are not funny; they are just . . . annoying!
Oh, and lastly, about the music . . . except for Parker Posey who can't sing (but, hey, you can't have it all -- she's still a great Indie actress), those spectacular Second City and Groundling improvisationists have shown in this movie that they're all decent musicians as well. And the songs written for "Mitch and Mickey" by Michael McKean and his wife Annette O'Toole (the actress who plays the mom on Smallville) are so pretty! I was (albeit somewhat guiltily) humming them long after the movie ended.
Donnie Darko (2001)
A Dark Gleaming Jewel
Donnie Darko -- as insane as the plots turns are in this movie, there's something about this movie that is so abrasively real. It grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. Testaments to fine directing: all the actors give excellent performances, and the atmosphere throughout the movie is intoxicatingly alien and foreboding.
Jake Gylenhaal is so deep in character as Donnie Darko that one has to wonder how many weeks it took him to decompress from his role as an achingly intelligent and troubled young man who seems almost too good for this world. Mary McDonnell is wonderful as his mother. There's a scene when she's in deep despair smoking a cigarette; when a neighbor girl rides by on her bike and kindly waves, Mary McDonnell manages to give a slight, tearful smile and wave back -- a surreal and touching moment. And here's the stunning jewel of the movie: Gary Jules' exquisite cover of "Mad World," which plays over a montage at the climax. If that doesn't move you, you're dead.
The Patriot (2000)
Awful
The Patriot is my least favorite movie of the last 10 years, right down there with Pet Detective, Nature Calls. The dialogue and plot are ludicrously predictable. The movie has no heart, no depth whatsoever. The directing is pretty god-awful, too, since every actor comes across as if s/he's reading his/her lines lifelessly from a teleprompter. That includes Mel. Considering the money that went into production and paying for the big stars, you'd think the producers could have put a little more effort into finding writers who could write a quality script. As it stands, The Patriot is so shallow that it's painful to watch.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Redeemer
I got bored in the theater watching the first movie in this trilogy, "Fellowship of the Ring," to the point where I didn't bother to see "Twin Towers" until it came out on DVD. Boy, was I glad I did. I was so moved by the characters in the second installment -- especially that hero(!) Gandolph. And I was so moved by the battle scenes that I actually cried. Great flick! The trilogy definitely redeemed itself with the "Twin Towers."
Tank Girl (1995)
This Movie Rocks!
This movie *does* rock. The score is terrific -- totally cutting edge. From Lori Petty's deliciously kick-ass heroine to the goofy comic book scene cuts to the partying kangaroo dudes -- this is one hip and entertaining movie. Whoever selected the music, though, deserves the highest recommendation. Buy the Tank Girl soundtrack if you can.
Women and Men: Stories of Seduction (1990)
Melanie Shines
"Hills Like White Elephants" is the best short of the set. Thick with tension and a tangible, though unspoken, sense of pervading hopelessness. Hadley is Melanie Griffith's most outstanding role. What Melanie communicates with just her eyes is amazing. As for James Woods, well, he plays a sleazy jerk of a guy as impeccably as ever. But, really, for those of you who think Melanie Griffith can't act, this short film will change your mind forever.
My Chauffeur (1986)
Fun Romp
A quirky, fun-filled, romantic romp of a movie with unforgettable lines like "Gawd, it's hot. But thank gawd it's not sticky!" "You are now a prisoner of Brentwood Limousine," "If I see something I haven't seen before, I'll throw a rock at it," and "a one-legged nun walking a goat." Major 80s nostalgia in the music. Deborah Foreman's Casey Meadows character is adorable. Annoying Penn and Teller were the only low point.