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Reviews
The Others (2001)
Definitely one of the best Ghost stories ever put on film
A scream opens the first scene.But was Graces dream that she had just awoken from in terror just that,or was it a filtered reality?Filtered like the dreary grey light that hangs heavy and oppressive within the walls of her huge Jersey Island Mansion.
The year is 1945,and Grace(Nicole Kidman)is having a hard time looking after her young children alone in her home since her husband went to help fight the war.The children,Anne and Nicholas,played superbly by Alakina Mann and James Bently,have a rare disorder which has them allergic to any light brighter than a Lantern.Therefore the curtains must always be drawn.For their photo-sensitive skin to be exposed to the sun would inevitabley be fatal. One day three mysterious strangers call at the House,claiming to be responding to Graces advertisement for servants.She duly hires them.But soon after Anne begins to claim that there are strange apparitions moving about within the Mansions many rooms.Grace,strong in her faith,chooses not to believe her daughter,until she herself experiences strange noises and events.Could the house indeed be haunted?And what significance do the three new servants have?
I will not say too much more.This movie is very complex in it's progression yet very subtle in it's delivery.It is the sort of film you HAVE to see at least twice to pick up on everything that in the end summarily binds together for a satisfying resolve,if not a somewhat sad one.
This has quickly become my favourite movie,and I don't hesitate to give it 10/10.The cinematography creates such an atmosphere that it almost envelopes you,and the performances,especially those of Nicole Kidman and Alakina Mann are absolutely mesmerising.Definitely one of the best Ghost stories ever filmed.
Forrest Gump (1994)
and that's all I have to say about that
***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** *****SPOILERS FOLLOWING*****
Forrest Gump is an epic journey of a movie.Narrated throughout by Tom Hanks,who,in what has to be his best acting role ever,plays the gullible yet wholly lovable Forrest Gump. The movie begins with a thirty-something Forrest sitting on a park bench waiting for the number 7 bus.A feather falls at his feet and he picks it up and puts it in an old book he is carrying.This simple visual moment is the basis for the movie,it is a physical metaphor for lifes journey,and for the next 142 minutes we are voyeurs into the trials and tribulations of this simple-minded man from Greenbow Alabama. Our insight into Forrests life begins with him needing a contraption to help him walk when he is all of six or seven.A portly Doctor explains to the boys mother,played by Sally Field,that:Well...his legs are fine Mrs Gump,but his back is as crooked as a politician.And so poor Forrest has to wear steel leg braces that look simply 'chaotic'.The screenplay utilises this device to create a simply brilliant scene where Forrest seems to teach a young Elvis Presley his now infamously risque dance moves while staying in their mansion-like homestay.Forrest narrates this from the park bench to total strangers who are also waiting for a bus.He talks in a manner that suggests he thinks it's no big thing.His indifference causes disbelief in some of the strangers as he continues on with the story of his remarkable life. On the bus to school one day(when he is still very young) he meets a young girl named Jenny,who,in time becomes his one true love and an integral character in the story.'Me and Jenny was like peas and carrots' explains Forrest.'We did everything together'. Forrest gets older and becomes a football star after discovering his talent for running,and discovers that,in their late teenage years,he and Jenny aren't that close anymore.Having had an abusive childhood Jenny has trouble with commitment and stability,but knows what she wants from life.In a poignant and somewhat humourous scene in her secular school dorm she explains:I want to be a singer Forrest,like Joan Biaz.on a stage,just me and my guitar'. Forrests eventful life continues on and we see him involved in a scene where there is racial tension at his school and where,because of his achievements at football,he gets to meet President John F Kennedy.Both of these scenes are unique as Tom Hanks was actually added into the actual footage of these events as they really happened by computer technology.Both are extremely amusing scenes. The Vietnam War erupts and Forrest is conscripted.Just before he goes he finds Jenny singing in a seedy nightclub and rescues her from a group of obnoxious men,for which she is not impressed.She tells him she wants him to leave her alone.'I'm going to Vietnam...Jenny.I'll write you everyday'.And being a man of his word he does,amidst the graphic and relentless turmoil of the war.Gary Sinise puts in a star performance as Lt.Dan,a wily but genuinely nice character. Forrest befriends a negro by the name of Beauford Blue,who is affectionately called Bubba.His obsession is shrimp,and all he does is talk about it.His dream when leaving the army was to start a shrimping business.He asks Forrest if he'd like to be his partner and he obliges.Then one day the platoon is wiped out.Lt.Dan loses his legs and Bubba dies in Forrests arms.Recovering in hospital after being 'shot in the butTOCKS' Forrest learns that none of his letters to Jenny ever reached her-she had been travelling from city to city doing drugs and generally mixing with the wrong people. Forrest then becomes a professional table-tennis player while Lt.Dan,now in a wheelchair wallows in self pity.The two reunite one day in New York when Lt.Dan finds out Forrest was awarded the Congressional medal of honour for bravery after saving his companys lives in Nam.Forrests charmed and simple view on life eventually leads Lt.Dan to change his own outlook and together they begin trawling the ocean for shrimp in a boat called 'Jenny'.They succeed in their venture. Forrests life is not all wine and caviar though(or should that be shrimp?)as his mother passes away from cancer.Jenny returns but she is an emotional mess.Out walking one day they end up at her old home.Crying she throws stones at the now derelict house before collapsing onto the ground.Forrest narrates:'I guess sometimes there just ain't enough rocks'.Their relationship stays rocky,then one morning after making love,Jenny runs away.Forrest is devastated and takes up running-clear across the country! The film drifts back to the present day where Forrest is still waiting for his bus.After a disbeliever walks away laughing an elderly lady tells him she thinks it was a lovely story.Forrest explains he's on his way to see Jenny,the lady then tells him he doesn't need to catch the bus;the place he is looking for is only four blocks away. Forrest is reunited with Jenny who now seems to have her life in order.But there is a surprise ahead,she has a child.Forrests child.Initially shocked Forrest soon accepts this new responsibility as Jenny reveals she is dying,(we are left to assume from A.I.D.S)Inevitabley she dies and Forrest assumes the role of Father to young Forrest(Hayley Joel Osmont.) The movie ends at it began,the feather escaping from the book and gently flirting with the breeze up into an azure Alabama sky.Truly a magnificent movie.10/10.
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? (1999)
an emotional journey
1994's Once Were Warriors was a brutal insight into the world of lower socio-economic maori culture,a PHYSICALLY brutal insight,but What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted is an emotional journey that relies on the power of feelings to carry it,Jakes feelings.
This movie has been labelled inferior as it lacks the 'punch' of Warriors,but I see it as a superior film.Jakes journey is all about redemption and finding his true identity and seeing there is more to life than drinking in a pub all day.In this movie we see that he does have a heart,and that,to a point,it has been broken.New sides to Jake appear that were absent in OWW,such as his power of reasoning and willingness to compromise.
This is still a powerful movie even though Jake uses his brain more than his fists this time round,and there are even some mildly amusing moments('Big Jake' driving a tiny Honda Civic)to allieviate the tension.It is a worthy sequel,and a must see,but don't expect the gritty brutality of OWW.9/10.
Titanic (1997)
a special effects spectacular
Having been a fanatic of the Titanic story for as long as I can remember I was tickled with anticipation when I heard Titanic was coming to the big screen.When I finally got to see it in December of 1997 I wasn't disappointed.James Cameron did an incredible job in recreating this story down to the finest detail.Casting only people who physically resembled the original passengers and crew was a risky move(could they act?)but it paid off.His attention to detail was incredible.Even the napkins on the dining tables were monogrammed with the White Star Lines insignia.The scene on the boatdeck where a young boy is spinning a top while his Father looks on is taken from an actual photograph taken by a passenger.The scene where Captain Smith is discussing lighting the last four boilers with Bruce Ismay and in the background are two women passengers sipping on lemon tea,it is based on the original event-there really were two women sitting behind the Captain and Ismay on that day in 1912,they survived to tell the story. The movie does have rather banal dialogue in parts,but this is it's only failing.It's three hour running time seems to fly by and the scenes of the sinking were nothing less than spectacular.The scene where Officer Moody shoots himself after shooting two third class passengers made me wince a bit though.This scene is based on conjecture,there is no real evidence that it actually happened.Personally,after years of researching the story,I think he may have fired his pistol,but into the air,not at passengers.I guess Cameron added it in to create more intensity,but really,there was enough going on as it was. To me,the romantic storyline between Leonardo Dicaprio(originally Cameron wanted Brad Pitt) and Kate Winslet is secondary to the spectacle of the actual Titanic story.They do have a chemistry,and their courtship was plausible,and it certainly helped the tears flow at the end of what was an already sad story.Not to be emotionally moved by the films last half an hour would take a stout heart indeed. It is truly a tear-jerker. This film only really works though on a big screen(no less than 29")and with digital surround sound.I have watched it on a 21" tv without Dolby sound and the effect is flat. James Horners score is perfect for this movie and comes in at just the right places.My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion was a risk that paid off dividends for Cameron who originally didn't want vocals in any of the films soundtrack,he wanted the music to speak for itself.It would have been a lesser film without it. I love Titanic,and I keep going back to her.To me,SHE is the heart of the ocean.
Breakdown (1997)
suspense to the extreme
1997's Breakdown is a cleverly plotted and well acted masterpiece of suspense that will have a first time watcher slipping further and further foward in their seat as the story unravels.Kurt Russell is at his best in this film,reminiscient of his role in Unlawful Entry with Madeleine Stowe,though his love interest in this outing(Kathleen Quinlan) has little screentime, which, in a way works to build the suspense.All of the characters are well cast, especially JT Walsh who oozes just the right amount of smarm and coolness to create a truly cruel and calculating villain.
The film is not without it's faults,though most watchers may not even notice a few errors such as the Cherokees odometer only reading 347,or when parked after breaking down,in one scene the front wheels are pointing right,then in the next scene they're pointing left.Minor points aside the only real problem is that the climactic ending is both overblown and predictable,not to mention implausible.Still, the movie achieves what it set out to do,and I believe it is a highly underrated film.For suspense it is hard to beat.9.5/10
Pale Rider (1985)
an atmospheric story
Pale Rider is my all time favourite movie.From the opening scene with it's atmospheric audio sounds that bring the scenery alive to the Shane-like ending Pale Rider plays out as a very competent and well structured story.It is a thought provoking movie,leaving one wondering is this 'Preacher' really the physical entity he appears to be?Echoes of his past resonate throughout the film as to his past,and,perhaps,his fate.The plot is not original but is superior to the likes of Shane and HPD in that the cinematography lends itself to favour the subtle supernatural theme.Hazy filters in the forest scene where Megan buries her dog work to create a 'spiritual' effect for example,yet it is merely a 'suggestive' effect,and not everyone will pick up on it.The 'Preachers' arrival at the cabin just as Megan reads from the scriptures could be seen as purely coincidental, or is a higher power at work?The story builds to the inevitable showdown and again subtle ploys are used to suggest that the 'Preacher' is not all that he seems to be,though this time a finely crafted script is the medium to put the feeling across.The script is dry but is emotive and one gets a feel for the characters,not common in westerns.The ending is left somewhat open and has compelled me to write a 'sequel' which I've called Megans Odyssey.Sydney Penny's portrayal of the vulnerable yet strong willed Megan added the winning formula to this movie,creating both a romantic sub-plot and a sense of family values,another rare quality in westerns.A 10 out of 10 gem.