Change Your Image
jrdallasjr
Reviews
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Three Times in Three Days
Majestic! "Brokeback Mountain" is majestic. Friday, Saturday and Sunday I climbed up and down "Brokeback Mountain." Literally first in line at the ticket counter when it opened, I saw this world-class masterpiece three times, and I'll see it 30 more, I'm sure. Remember to breathe when you are watching this film. The altitude often makes it difficult to breathe. Acting is among the best-ever. Mr. Ledger joins Sir Anthony Hopkins as the only two actors I know who can pack into a single look or gesture an encyclopedia worth of meaning, feeling and impact. I was positively knocked over by his performance, often touched at levels of artistic expression that movie actors normally do not reach (or I don't allow them to reach). This movie is about love of every type. Sometimes clueless wives, former wives, children, lovers, former lovers, and hundreds of other family, friends and strangers have sustained physical and emotional sucker punches similar to those thrown in the movie. When love is that real, that deep and that natural, we men and women are brought up full yet short to all of our senses. Nothing in our US culture prepares us for the burst of light from within. This movie will open millions of minds and hearts for decades to come, and not a moment too soon. For this all-round achievement the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences should create an award ranked above Best Picture. Or at the very least, the Academy should create a new platinum statue for this Best film, two male Oscars embracing wearing cowboy hats.
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Breathtaking in More Ways than the Obvious
Yes, a 10. In the grand tradition of Merchant-Ivory, this movie measures up. What a treat! Brilliant+ cinematography, acting, sound, costumes and music. I was captivated by the breathtaking landscapes and the convoluted relationships, and not in that order. Seeing, hearing and feeling that era's range of emotion, intellect, risk, reward and wealth, creates for all the senses a modern-day cornucopia. Sometimes I was almost sure I could smell the food at table. If you saw the film, this minute can you see that large bowl of parsley potatoes? Amazing lensmanship. All those birds and livestock! Perhaps the food and animals stand out because I saw the film the day after Thanksgiving, which was perfect timing for such a film. It was indeed a film about giving thanks. Already I have recommended the film to seven or so friends, and 24 hours have not passed. I'll see in again on the big screen, and I'll purchase the DVD. As I'm writing, I'm seeing the film roll in my mind's screening room. Bravo!
Dorian Blues (2004)
A Quality Film
"Dorian Blues" is indeed worth seeing. The acting is considerable. "The story" has been told many times, but this movie has an air of freshness to it, perhaps mostly because of the overall quality of the film.
Without losing it's low-voltage current of kindly nature and good humor, this movie came close to showing some deeper levels of inner-struggles of those around a person coming out. Yet the self-absorption of the gay character was allowed to overshadow the likely introspection of the overly macho dad, the gay-friendly quarterback and the not-so-clueless mother.
By necessity so many of today's (and yesterday's) independent art films are shot on low budgets and rather poorly produced, but this film appears to have had a big budget and top-quality production. The low-rent "statement films" are getting more difficult to endure (especially @ $9.50 a ticket), yet I understand the need for them.
Thanks and Kudos to the producers of "Dorian Blues!"