madde-4
Lifetime Total
1+
IMDb Member
24 years
Reviews
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Not a very good movie
[Editor's note: this comment contains a minor SPOILER]
Why this movie ever has gotten anyone's attention or admiration is a mystery to me.
Before watching I had read about it on the net, in newspaper's and so on. Therefore I was expecting something new, something out of the ordinary, something memorable, but this was just a waste of time. Mostly it reminded me of movies that one of my friends used to produce in his backyard when we were at school and the dialogue in his films was better. That this movie has gotten the attention it has could only happen in the States, I think, where the craving for something new is more pertinent than the craving for something good.
First of all there is nothing remotely scary about it, just three kids in long johns running around in the middle of the night frightening each other. Secondly the 'realism' is plain phony and the story is badly told, nothing hangs together. The quest these kids are undertaking is badly researched, badly prepared and badly executed. The witch never becomes real in any true sense, so the story of her fails to add to the scare. All the things the kids encounter in the woods has the feel of silly pranks and Josh' disappearance makes no sense. Nobody in their right mind would toss the map and nobody in their right mind would follow the female lead anywhere, since she's constantly screaming and commanding the guys around. I surprised they didn't make her disappear instead.
This could perhaps have been a good movie and even a scary one, but it would need some script work, a knowledge of plot structure and better actors, not just a snappy web site or two.
Why this movie ever has gotten anyone's attention or admiration is a mystery to me.
Before watching I had read about it on the net, in newspaper's and so on. Therefore I was expecting something new, something out of the ordinary, something memorable, but this was just a waste of time. Mostly it reminded me of movies that one of my friends used to produce in his backyard when we were at school and the dialogue in his films was better. That this movie has gotten the attention it has could only happen in the States, I think, where the craving for something new is more pertinent than the craving for something good.
First of all there is nothing remotely scary about it, just three kids in long johns running around in the middle of the night frightening each other. Secondly the 'realism' is plain phony and the story is badly told, nothing hangs together. The quest these kids are undertaking is badly researched, badly prepared and badly executed. The witch never becomes real in any true sense, so the story of her fails to add to the scare. All the things the kids encounter in the woods has the feel of silly pranks and Josh' disappearance makes no sense. Nobody in their right mind would toss the map and nobody in their right mind would follow the female lead anywhere, since she's constantly screaming and commanding the guys around. I surprised they didn't make her disappear instead.
This could perhaps have been a good movie and even a scary one, but it would need some script work, a knowledge of plot structure and better actors, not just a snappy web site or two.
Bacheha-Ye aseman (1997)
This is really all it takes!
Very few movies has the quality of tenderness without being sentimental. This one does. A very simple plot unfolds the entire story of present day life in Teheran. It is beautifully shot, very well acted and accomplishes with such simplicity what it intends. The sweetness with which the relationship between the two siblings is described is rare and their protection of their very poor parents is touching.
There is especially one scene that has stayed with me, where the brother secretly tries to explain that he has lost his sister's shoes on the way from the shoe maker. This takes place in the family's one-room home when the children are supposed to be doing their homework and they are writing notes back and forth. The girl's mounting frustration with her brother and his reluctance to take the entire blame is so right and so funny as they try to keep it a secret from their parents.
Every scene in the movie HAS to be there, nothing redundant, nothing superfluous. A pure delight. See it as soon as you get a chance.
There is especially one scene that has stayed with me, where the brother secretly tries to explain that he has lost his sister's shoes on the way from the shoe maker. This takes place in the family's one-room home when the children are supposed to be doing their homework and they are writing notes back and forth. The girl's mounting frustration with her brother and his reluctance to take the entire blame is so right and so funny as they try to keep it a secret from their parents.
Every scene in the movie HAS to be there, nothing redundant, nothing superfluous. A pure delight. See it as soon as you get a chance.
Sunset Heights (1999)
So bad it made me laugh!
This has got to be the worst movie I have seen this year.
It comes across as a study in all the things you should NOT do, if you want to make a good movie. First of all, the acting is really horrendous, although the main character Toby Stephens is the best of the lot, it still isn't saying much. Everybody struts around like "Godfather"-wannabes and the dialogue is full of repetitions and unbearably unrealistic. And anyway, there is no way you can have a serious gang called "The Boiler Men". Secondly, the story itself has some potential, but is executed in such a manner that you are constantly left wondering whether or not it is meant to be funny. Thirdly, there is the editing, scenes with no content whatsoever goes on for too long and also there are scenes where everything happens in seconds.
Should you want to assure yourself that Toby Stephens really CAN act, you should see "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall", a mini-series with Tara Fitzgerald which is really, really good.
It comes across as a study in all the things you should NOT do, if you want to make a good movie. First of all, the acting is really horrendous, although the main character Toby Stephens is the best of the lot, it still isn't saying much. Everybody struts around like "Godfather"-wannabes and the dialogue is full of repetitions and unbearably unrealistic. And anyway, there is no way you can have a serious gang called "The Boiler Men". Secondly, the story itself has some potential, but is executed in such a manner that you are constantly left wondering whether or not it is meant to be funny. Thirdly, there is the editing, scenes with no content whatsoever goes on for too long and also there are scenes where everything happens in seconds.
Should you want to assure yourself that Toby Stephens really CAN act, you should see "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall", a mini-series with Tara Fitzgerald which is really, really good.
I Want You (1998)
A haunting and disturbing movie.
One of the best movies I have seen this year. Michael Winterbottom proves to be a truly versatile director with this film about love, loneliness, sorrow and obsession in an English coastal town. The use of Elvis Costello's song "I want you" as a theme throughout the film is superb. It leaves you with a strange and yearning sensation that will last for days. The cinematography is so very good, thanks to Kieslowskis photographer Zlavomir Idziak who also filmed "Gattaca" creating a similar visual style. Wonderful yellow, green and blue renders a supernatural, poetic feel to the characters as well as the town. You watch with the feeling that anything can happen, and it does.
The casting of this movie is almost perfect. Rachel Weisz is equally true as the both innocent and dangerous Helen as she was in "The Mummy" playing a librarian with vigour, looks and brains. I predict hers to be a great career. Make way, Kate Winslet and Helena Bonham-Carter! Alessandro Nivola as Martin is just as persuasive. He is scary, touching, pathetic and assertive all at the same time, consumed by an obsession with Helen fuelled by eight years in jail.
The only thing that bothers me about this movie is the way it abandons the mute boy and his sister's story to concentrate on Helen and Martin. However, this is a minor detail in a movie that often bears visual reminders of Derek Jarman at his very best. The very self-conscious references to "Romeo is bleeding" and "Red rock west" will probably ensure a similar cult-following before long.
The casting of this movie is almost perfect. Rachel Weisz is equally true as the both innocent and dangerous Helen as she was in "The Mummy" playing a librarian with vigour, looks and brains. I predict hers to be a great career. Make way, Kate Winslet and Helena Bonham-Carter! Alessandro Nivola as Martin is just as persuasive. He is scary, touching, pathetic and assertive all at the same time, consumed by an obsession with Helen fuelled by eight years in jail.
The only thing that bothers me about this movie is the way it abandons the mute boy and his sister's story to concentrate on Helen and Martin. However, this is a minor detail in a movie that often bears visual reminders of Derek Jarman at his very best. The very self-conscious references to "Romeo is bleeding" and "Red rock west" will probably ensure a similar cult-following before long.