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Nutcracker (1986)
Delightful Christmas treat!
This has to be one of the best filmed adaptation of the Christmas classic! Talented people in front of and behind the camera, from director Carroll Ballard to choreographer Kent Stovall, collaborated to bring to life this immortal tale of magic and music.
Clara, a young girl, celebrates the holiday with her family. On Christmas Eve, her uncle Drosselmeyer gives her a Nutcracker. Unbeknownst to her, it's no ordinary Nutcracker and her normal home is transformed into a battlefield between toy soldiers and giant rats! I advise you to find a copy of this (if it's still available on video) or check your TV listings during Christmas. A film spectacle of this magnitude shouldn't be missed! It's amazing how this achieves telling a story without much dialogue, except for the narrator. The visuals are astounding, partly achieved by renowned children's author Maurice Sendak. This is worthwhile!
Sunset Blvd. (1950)
Glad to have found this gem!
Caught this earlier this month and what a great piece of classic cinema! A down-on-his-luck screenwriter, desperate for cash, is taken in by an aging film star who has a deal he couldn't refuse. Thus, begins this complex tale of love and desperation, courtesy of Billy Wilder and Co. Swanson is eerie and sympathetic in her portrayal of Norma Desmond. Everyone else is great, but it is Swanson who "grabs" the attention. Strongly recommened!
The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Complex and eerie
One of the most complex thrillers I've ever seen! There are a couple of scenes that are not only disturbing but also compelling, such as the the brainwashing of American soldiers or (who can forget) the battle between Sinatra and Silva, but what about the climax! Gives a new meaning to "being on the edge of your seat!" Also worth mentioning are the performances, especially by Sinatra and Harvey, and Frankenheimer's direction. Absolutely worth watching!
Rebecca (1940)
Blend of romance and suspense
A wealthy man's second wife becomes "haunted" by his first wife in Hitchcock's adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's novel. I recorded this off of cable a couple of months ago and finally watched it this week. Olivier and Fontaine were great (however, their characters were somewhat "unusual"), but Judith Anderson stands out in her eerie performance of Mrs. Danvers. If you're a fan of Hitchcock or enjoy classics, then I recommend this.
Suture (1993)
In the style of Hitchcock...
The filmmakers have created a stylish suspenser that would make the master of suspense proud. Filmed in black and white, "Suture" weaves a tale of two brothers, one whom wants to use the other as a pawn for his devious scheme involving murder and mistaken identity. If I could mention two scenes that reminded me of Hitchcock, it would be these: 1) the first scene that sets up the film, and 2) Vincent explaining his dreams to a psychiatrist--reminiscent of "Spellbound." This is an excellent thriller that should be seen.
Traffic (2000)
Excellent and intelligent film of 2000
It's refreshing to see a well-crafted film such as "Traffic." While some films focus less on story, "Traffic" succeeds in its narrative and vision, thanks to director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter Stephen Gaghan. I would also like to acknowledge its outstanding cast, including Benicio del Toro as Javier, a Mexican police officer caught between two powerful drug cartels. He is one of the many characters that the viewer(s) encounters throughout this fine film, including a newly appointed drug czar(Michael Douglas), his teenaged daughter (Erika Christensen), and a San Diego wife (Catherine Zeta Jones) who realizes her husband's a drug lord. It is through these characters and the situations they are forced into, intentionally or not, that makes this film worthwhile. Clocking in at two and a half hours, I felt compelled to know what happened to these characters. It's no wonder so many critics loved "Traffic." With its excellent direction, well-crafted characters, and a thought-provoking issue, "Traffic" is an intelligent film. I strongly recommend this. 10/10
Dune (2000)
Impressive epic miniseries that redefines science fiction
If there was one word to describe this version of "Dune," I would have to say extraordinary. John Harrison has done a fantastic job at writing and directing this fantastic miniseries. Graham Revell's score, dazzling visual effects, flawless cinematography, well-developed story, and the cast all essentially contributed to masterful epic storytelling. However, "Frank Herbert's 'Dune'" does suffer from the stiff performance of William Hurt as Duke Leto Atreides. On the other hand, the performances by Ian McNeice and Alec Newman makes this entertaining. Overall, "Frank Herbert's 'Dune'" is impressive, spellbinding, and exciting. It's a must see for any science fiction fan or anyone who loves a great story!!
Mr. Stitch (1995)
An excellent cautionary tale
This is an intense, eerie, and hypnotic science fiction thriller. The "Lazarus" character is compelling, heroic, and sympathetic, as portrayed convincingly by Wil Wheaton. The cast, the direction, and the music were great and important in telling this story. Roger Avary has created a modern-day Frankenstein-esque tale. Highly recommended!
Tonari no Totoro (1988)
One of the best animated films I've seen
"Totoro" is excellent, as both a Japanese import and a non-violent anime fare which parents can allow their children to see without fearing of any violent content. Two sisters discover that there are fantastic creatures inhabiting the forest. I have seen this countless times without getting bored and I have had the video for seven years. "Totoro" is extremely enjoyable and magical--too bad it's only 87 minutes. I believe that everyone will enjoy this, no matter what age. "Totoro" is delightful, appealing, moralistic and speaks with a universal message.
eXistenZ (1999)
One word to describe this: Cool!
Cronenberg's take on "What is reality and what is not?" a la "The Matrix" and "The Thirteenth Floor" (all three films, ironically were released in 1999.) A bodyguard (Jude Law) becomes a reluctant participant in a virtual reality world created by a female computer programmer (Jennifer Jason Leigh). In my humble opinion, the theme is eerily similar to both "Matrix" and "Thirteenth Floor," although the concept is original. Law and Leigh give great performances and Cronenberg brings his own surrealism and subtle sensuality to the film. In summary, if you have seen the films mentioned above, then you might want to take a chance with "eXistenZ." Highly recommended!!
Spellbound (1945)
Classic thriller
A classic psychological/romantic thriller about a psychiatrist who becomes a detective to solve a crime involving a doctor, a mystery man she falls in love with and psychoanalysis. Of note, the dream sequences are great! Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman are astounding in their roles. This is another classic collaboration between Hitchcock and Bergman.
The Iron Giant (1999)
Great animated adventure
Reminiscent of "E.T.," among others, "The Iron Giant" is a fine spectacle in animation. It is flawless in its storytelling, style and setting. What I enjoyed more about this was the nostalgic atmosphere of the time period. I loved the world seen by Hogarth, filled with imagination and heart despite the despair and paranoia that occurred as well. I urge everyone to take a chance on "Iron Giant!"
Kyûketsuki hantâ D (1985)
Classic anime
I looked at "Vampire Hunter D" for a second time and admired its gothic texture. Although it lacks in character development, the central characters are convincing--for an animated film, but this is not one grandfather's Disney, however. The setting and atmosphere becomes "aligned" with the story and the mutant creatures are monstrously grotesque. To be perfectly honest, I'm not a fan of really graphic violence(isn't that ironic?), but regardless of its intensity, "Vampire Hunter D" is a great anime because of its story and the characters.
Deceiver (1997)
Smart thriller
"Deceiver" is intriguing and taut. Tim Roth gives the best performance in this thriller as the prime suspect of a murder. The cast was fairly good, with the exception of Ms. Arquette. Although she appears in a few scenes, Renee Zellweger does a superb job as a compassionate prostitute. The directing is great, from the Pate brothers(it seems that they have polished their skills after their previous effort, "The Grave.") The flashback sequences were detailed, as was the lighting and the editing. "Deceiver" is worth looking at.