bladerunnerdek Reviews

Mulholland Drive (2001)

Dreamscape in dreamy L.A.

[9/10 · 12 November 2001]

Yeah,the steamy underbelly that simmers beneath tinseltown has been explored to death...but not ever like this. It's provocative , tense , dark , dangerous and beautiful....just like Hollywood . David Lynch treats this story like a Rubik's cube , and expects us to put it together...which we might , although you find yourself admiring the beauty of the cube itself , relegating the plot to curiosity status. The close ups , the actresses , the subtle simplicity makes for pure film fire . Witness Naomi Watt's chameleon switch , and sink into the eroticsm of two unprepared lovers...it all takes hold of you hard . In fact , that's about the best description of this film. Gripping . You hear that word a lot in relation to movies , but this one really does it. Mjc

The Deep End (2001)

Finally a non-manipulative American thriller...

[9/10 · 26 August 2001]

The Europeans have been doing these kinds of step by step thrillers for years, and mostly without big bangs , or loud music , or visual scare tactics that cheaply provoke a jump in the seat. Jack Nicholson's The Pledge came close last year , oddly set in similar locations as The Deep End , but that film lacked polish and culminated in an awful conclusion. This movie has everything, solid cast, understated dialogue that doesn't rely on artificial extremes of bad language, and a real sense of putting the viewer in a "what would I do ?" mode. Tilda Swinton excells by being truly motherly and down to earth as one bad situation leads to another. There are some minor plot holes that aren't serious enough to go into that prevent this from being a perfect ten. But shot at picturesque Lake Tahoe , it has the feel of a foreign film. That's due to the aforementioned lack of manipulation .

Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001)

What A Terrible Film!!

[1/10 · 24 June 2001]

I honestly went into this movie with an open. I am admittedly not a big fan of Murphy, but even I was surprised by the lame storyline and awful plot . I saw Evolution this weekend too and all I can say is that this film made it look like Citizen Kane.

3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)

Awful (Costner's worst since Postman)

[1/10 · 27 February 2001]

Terrible plot.......the much ballyhooed heist is over too soon, and the rest of the movie tries to catch it's breath . None of the stars do any Elvis songs, the characters ( if you can call them that ) never interract effectively. And David Arquette is beginning to have the Paulie Shore effect on movies he's involved in . I wonder if it's anything to do with him ? I would like to say more about this mess but I am as perplexed about it as I was disappointed.

The Ninth Gate (1999)

Wasted Potential

[6/10 · 2 January 2001]

With so much danger revolving around this mysterious volume of devilish protocol, it's amazing that Johnny Depp's character makes it past the middle of the film , but then if he didn't , there wouldn't be a film right ? And this , as every single person within a fingertip of him comes to an untimely death . But aside from the gaping plot flaws , this film is still watchable because of Depp . While you find yourself rooting for him , you never quite believe in his ethics , and his real motives are always in doubt . Frank Langella's role is deliciously dark at first but dissolves in a befuddling ending sequence where his great mastery of his faculties inexplicably falls apart . There is so much potential in this film that it's hard not to be disappointed at the finished result , and I believe Polanski has tried here to be too thoughtful and mysterious instead of quickening the storyline and expanding the characters which he could have done. It seems to apply to many movies lately but...........oh what could have been! Mjc

Toys (1992)

A Masterpiece

[10/10 · 2 January 2001]

As years go by , this will become a gem . I have heard that this is one of Robin Williams personal favourites , and while I admit it's easy to see what people don't like about this movie ( eccentricity , continual whimsy ) I agree it's his best film . In it you will see all his vast talents displayed in varying measures , and it's obvious there was a lot his own input during filming . The ultimate storyline of good versus evil plays out beautifully as the demented General ( marvelously portrayed by Michael Gambon ) wages war with robotical war toys against the more traditional products of the dream factory built by his recently deceased brother . A rare appearance by Donald O'Connor at the beginning adds to film's sense of purity and charm . The opening sequence is , in my opinion , one of the very best ever produced , with a staged musical and ballet depicting the initial innocence to introduce the characters and the child-like motives of the toymaker . LLCoolJ turns in a great , if muted , performance as the lunatic Gambon's militaristic son , and Joan Cusack is perfect as William's sibling foil . Watch for Robin's speech , spoofing many great real speeches , to his wind-up toys as they prepare to do battle against the evil war machines , it's clear he had much to do with it's cleverness and scripting . Sure , there are flaws here, but just ignore them , watch and be happy . I have found that the more times you view this film , the more little jewels of movie magic emerge from it . A lot of people didn't like this film when it came out, and there are a lot who still don't , but I believe they are lacking in whimsical imagination and patience , because both are needed to enjoy this cinematic masterpiece. Mjc

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Best of genre...Bar None

[10/10 · 8 October 2000]

No other book ever captured the dark and gritty seediness of the noir thriller like Dashiel Hammet's Maltese Falcon , except perhaps Raymond Chandler's Big Sleep, and no other film has made such a stunning representation of a book like this one has. Much of Hammet's own dialogue remains in the script, with some strangely quirky phrases to give it flavor. Example...an odd exchange between Spade and Archer after Miss Wonderly has gone...... "you might have seen her first , but I spoke first" Spade....." you're a smart one.........yes you are." This movie has everything.......larger than life players with just enough eccentricity to make them unique ,a notion that you'd not meet this flamboyant ensemble in a hundred years of trying . And that's the whole point . The pace is quick and the banter is classic with few cosmetic diversions...the movie is all business . A curious sense of comfort commands the screen when Bogart's Spade is around, and he seems to dominate his scenes without diminishing the other performers.....something say a Marlon Brando couldn't do.Spade's dark moods and murky morals become clearer as the movie progresses , and even when events seem to spiral away from him , the viewer is constantly aware that he's in control . Beautiful touches from veteran actors complete John Huston's direction , ie.. Peter Lorre's subtle , sideways glances that tell the world that Joel Cairo ( Hammet's great gift for character names evident again) can't be trusted. Mary Astor's coquetish hand wringing and girlish hesitation belying her calculating menace. And who could ever play the cultured "fat man" villain better than Sidney Greenstreet? You could go on through every role in the movie because there is not one weakness .... and the seemingly "silly lines" in the script almost appear to be left in purposely to flaw what is the perfect example of film noir. Watch and enjoy. JC

The Two Jakes (1990)

A Classic Waiting For Recognition

[10/10 · 30 August 2000]

Jack Nicholson in directing this picture has taken some of the drive and pace away from the tempo created by the landmark "Chinatown" of 1974.But it's precisely this moodiness and subtlety that make this film an enduring classic . Intitially disregarded , and occasionally outrightly panned when so-called critics set out to compare to it's predecessor , time will undoubtably ferment this movie like a fine wine and bring it the praise it richly deserves . Many of the original cast members do appear in this long delayed sequel , but the haunting spectre of the ghosts of the past ,notably Faye Dunaway's ethereal Evelyn Mulwray and her daughter Katherine, linger in the shadows of the lavishly nostalgic settings of post-war Los Angeles . The dialogue is quick witted and underplayed and Nicholson's " Jake Gittes" voice-over sequences are poignant and clever . The Two Jakes does have a slightly different " feel " to it than Chinatown , and the plot is seemingly lacking at first glance , but as you undo the various webs being weaved throughout the film , you realize that a whole era has been capsulated here and comes across to the careful viewer to deliver a sense of place unlike any other movie of it's time . In a way , this film will , I believe , go the way of another favourite of mine , Blade Runner , and achieve a stature of greatness for its sheer vision and artistry . mjc

The Patriot (2000)

Felt manipulated

[6/10 · 30 June 2000]

This is a good movie, but the direction was contrived and the audience I felt was unabashadely manipulated . The sequence for instance where the youngest daughter finally speaks to her father ( Mel Gibson ) is excessively corny and predictable. Also the villain is so grotesquely evil , it is impossible to believe . No historian on earth would give an ounce of credit to this portrayal of a British Army officer . Now , there were instances of Hessian atrocities during this war ( these were German mercenaries hired by the British ) but the conduct of the British in this film is totally out of context . It may sound like I didn't like the film but I did , I just wish Mel Gibson didn't have to soft soap audiences with his own distortions of history . He is a great presence on film and his sometimes awful dialogue (not just in this movie) is not always his fault . I don't blame the British public from being angered over the callous treatment of an army that was not the great superior force it was portrayed to be. Thanks......

Three Seasons (1999)

Artistic Beauty and Subtlety

[27 March 2000]

This movie goes beyond the usual cinematic portrayals of Vietnam and shows the humanity of the people who have so many times been seen as inhuman and unfeeling. The sublety of the story , which meanders lovingly in the thick atmosphere of the former Saigon , gives you time to focus on the characters . The film takes long searching looks at each face and explores inner emotions without excessive and unnecessary dialogue . True, the plot leaves many stones unturned but in the end this is the beauty of the film. The fledgling romance between the cyclo driver and the prostitute is especially touching , and the languid pace of the action allows us to absorb this fascinating place and it's people . This is a wonderful movie that doesn't apologize for it's lack of movement but actually basks in it's own self-reflection . Somehow the lives of these small people in a strange and different world far away make you take a look at your own . If you should watch this film , do it quietly and allow it to take you in.

The Beach (I) (2000)

Good but some lost potential

[8/10 · 14 February 2000]

Because Leonardo Di Caprio is such a huge star and cult figure, some people have begun to dismiss his work and underrate his abilities. Naturally films like " Iron Mask " don't help, but there is definately something in him that gives him the classic " watchable " attributes made famous by legends such as Jimmy Stewart and Clint Eastwood. No I am not comparing Leo to them , it's just an example. This movie by Danny Boyle (if you haven't seen his best effort Shallow Grave you should) is curiously uneasy from the start as we see Di Caprio arriving in Thailand alone and looking for adventure. The plot keeps moving along well enough, although it does take a little too long to get to the island. Also, nitpicking here, the island seems to me to be a little too convenient to get to.....I mean it's visible by binoculars from a tourist beach ( come on ! ) Once there the characters that have lived on the island, peaceably we learn with some ruthless drug-farmers, for six years , simply welcome the three newcomers with open arms. Another slightly annoying trait among the "dwellers" is they all seem

to be refugees from the eighties, smurky, mid thirty types fed up with the corporate world and universally yearning for nature. Aside from this though, Leonardo and the gorgeous Virginie Ledoyen hold our interest. The sense of comradeship only begins to deal with it's dark side, which would have really made the sense of danger and mystery more alluring, but we do see our hero descend into a self-imposed nightmare when he is strangely exiled by the leader of the group. In the end he comes to terms with what's going on when more strangers arrive and meet their fate at the hands of the farmers..... but the conclusion is somewhat unsatisfying . Director Boyle could have made the finale much more gripping and tense but instead lets us down easily, diminishing the initial menace the concept of the Beach wants to emit. Overall though, I would recommend this movie. If you wonder at Di Caprio and what all the fuss is about ........see him in What's Eating Gilbert Grape . Js

Mousehunt (1997)

Many hidden gems in this film........

[10/10 · 4 February 2000]

Nathan Lane just makes me laugh........this film is sophomoric and silly but it's so inept that it's hilarious, however improbable it might be. Christopher Walken is superb in his small role, and the mouse is magical ( notice he takes a dump in Walken's mouth at the end of his sequence ) , down to his sense of nostalgia ( pictures of Hawaii on his wall , and old mementos ) Don't dismiss this first time round, you'll need to view a few times to catch the clever inserts ( like when Nathan Lane says " akuna matata " to an Arab at the auction ) Also note the beautifully whimsical moments of labor within the garishly dated string factory.......a lot went into this and although it is ridiculous there are many things to love about this film.............James

Snow Falling on Cedars (1999)

Portrait in Film

[12 January 2000]

This is undoubtebly one of the most thoughtful and provocative films of recent years........and it catches the atmosphere of the post-war period perfectly, with an exquisite sense of place and an uncanny ability to really "feel" the cold season it portrays. The acting is superb.... von Sydow has never been better, and that's saying something. It moves slowly and deliberately catching the essence of true love without delving unnecessarily into sentimentality, making this a truly complete film .