negevoli-44 Reviews

Dancer in the Dark (2000)

SPOILER!!! As if this movie needed help. Stinkeroo, as they used to say in the good old days.

[1/10 · 8 November 2000]

SPOILERS AHEAD This movie is so unremittingly "TRAJ-EEK" it is funny. My friend and I went for coffee afterwards and wound up laughing so hard while dissecting it that we were crying! I'm afraid we made a bit of a scene, but hopefully the other coffee drinkers got the message to stay away from this one. One wonders why the filmmakers did not just send Selma (Bjork) straight to hell -- do not pass Go, do not collect $200. Apparently that is the only terrible fate she managed to escape in her short, unkempt, unbelievably harsh and unbearable life. What really kills this movie -- I refuse to call it a flim -- is that nothing about it makes any sense. A near-blind, delusional young mother would rather let her and her 10-year-old son, a true innocent, suffer unnecessarily in silence than stoop to asking for and accept help from well-meaning co-workers. She quickly goes blind from this hereditary disease that also affects her young son and because the United States offers a better life and medical care (except the neurotic director -- and I am being kind -- wouldn't take a plane to the USA for authentic locales so the movie was shot in Sweden, which throws the whole thing off kilter from the get-go. You keep thinking, what the hell? You don't even see a filling station, TV antenna, McDonalds -- nothing that would make it recognizably America -- and this is the early 1960s. A major distraction.) Selma and son wind up isolated in Sweden-America in the bleakest of circumstances. She works in a factory that looks like it is located behind the old Iron Curtain. She apparently thinks she is being noble by not accepting any help from anybody, including a perfectly nice man who is in love with her!!!! -- she refused a ride home from him and is almost run over by a truck. She'd rather stumble along the railroad tracks to find her way home than accept this small favor. For psychic relief, she fantasizes about Hollywood musicals (only her fantasies are as bleak as her real life, so how can they offer any escape?), deprives herself and her son of any amenities (she doesn't want the son to know he is destined to go blind) and pretends to send money home to her father while socking it away for her son's eye operation only to have it stolen, clumsily (and most artifically) kills the friend who stole the money, goes on trial, is convicted and hanged because she thinks it is nobler to be hanged than betray the friend who stole her money. Oh, how noble can you get. And she won't see the son in jail, because she's too noble Bjork does a fantastic acting job. It's just too bad she couldn't comb her hair at least once. I can comb my hair with my eyes shut, for goodness sake. That's it, folks. If this is what you want in a flick, they be my guest. At least you might get a good laugh out of it afterwards.

Dancer in the Dark (2000)

SPOILER. (This one was "spoiled" before I ever got to it.

[1/10 · 8 November 2000]

Blind woman allows herself and her 10-year-old son to suffer unnecessarily because she is too "noble" to ask for any help -- or accept it when it is offered. She is so "noble" that when she fantasizes the fantasies are as harsh and bleak as her everyday life. This broad has no imagination, not to mention common sense. (I'll skip the part about her role as Maria in the "Sound of Music" because it's just too ridiculous to go into.) She refuses a ride home and almost gets hit by a truck. She is warned not to daydream at her drudge of a factory job because she could ruin expensive machinery if she doesn't pay attention, so she daydreams and ruins the machine, thereby cutting off her only supply of money, which she was socking away to pay for an eye operation for her son, who will go blind if he doesn't get one before age 11 or so. Let's see, oh yeah, the friend she rents a trailer from (he's a cop!) spies on her to see where she hides the money and steals it because he can't bear to tell his wife to stop spending money because if he does she might leave him (what she spends the money on remains a mystery because they also live in a hovel.) But this supposedly makes him suicidal but can't kill himself so he begs our girl to when she comes after her hard-earned money. In a really contrived and artificial scene, she winds up shooting him and then bashing in his head for good measure --is arrested, convicted and hanged. As Porky used to say...that's all folks.

The Bobo (1967)

Beautifully filmed and charming movie with first-rate cast.

[2 August 2000]

I think this is one of Peter Sellers' best movies, along with "Dr. Strangelove...", "Only Two Can Play," "Two-Way Stretch," "A Shot in the Dark," "After the Fox," and of course the original Pink Panther...

Sellers is charmingly funny and Britt Eklund is deliciously stunning, and perfect for her role as a femme fatale who toys with men only to succumb to Sellers' rather pathetic efforts at courtship.

There are a number of creative and funny scenes but the "Hermitage" restaurant scene during Sellers' and Eklund's first "date" is especially maginative and hilarious...not to be missed.

Not a shoot-'em-up, but a rather lovely film with a great cast and great production values.

Nowhere to Hide (1987)

Outstanding and compelling thriller -- a real heart-thumper!

[18 July 2000]

I not only have seen this movie, I have seen it numerous times and I always think I'm going to have a heart attack or something even though I know what's going to happen. I think the other reviewer -- "anonymous from california" -- is jealous. The fact that a woman is the focus of this movie only enhances the thrills. Anyone who thinks stuff like this doesn't happen in the U.S. Defense Dept. is a moron. I have been collecting newspaper clippings about military helicopter crashes ever since I saw this movie and I file them with the video and I have 11 separate clippings now and I probably missed a few along the way. Military helicopters crash all the time killing their crews -- that's what makes this movie so damned compelling. I watch it and it seems like it's over almost before it began -- it's so fast-moving. And the cast is outstanding -- including the natural performance by the unaffected kid, which is a rarity in itself. Amy Madigan should have had an Oscar for this but it wasn't one of the Hollywood megabucks formula flicks, so of course she was overlooked. This is a perfect movie -- it will cause the hair on your arms to stand on end. It makes you want to jump up on the TV screen and do something. It moves so fast your heart will race. I recommend this to anyone who likes a completely realistic, well-made, outstandingly acted and directed action movie unlike any you have ever seen before or likely will see again. This movie deserves all the praise it received and more and should be on everyone's "must see" list. It is pure escapism of the highest order. Ten-plus-plus.

Oh, and guess what? You can watch it with your kids or anybody else because this movie doesn't depend on artificial "shock" factors to grab your attention. All of the the thrills are authentic and there are few, if any, f-words, no nudity, and no gratuitous sex. Run, don't walk, to the video store. And for God's sake, watch it if it comes on Cable -- that's where I saw it first and taped it. If I hadn't, I'd be sick about it because I love watching it. It's as satisfying as a movie could be.

(In Hollywood, if you can't write or lack imagination, throw in a few f-words for the juveniles and your fortune is made.)

Manhunter (1986)

So far superior to "Silence of the Lambs" it isn't even funny.

[10/10 · 30 June 2000]

I am passionate about movies -- have been for at least five decades. I also have exquisite taste, which is why I get so exercised when I see inane reviews of great movies by people obviously ill equipped to review them: Movies are not books, and books are not movies. They are two separate art forms. Got that, readers of Red Dragon?

So the 1960s film of "Tom Jones" starring Albert Finney is not a completely faithful depiction of Thomas Hardy's wonderful novel, which I have read twice. So what? They are both wonderful in their own way. Anyone who denigrates "Manhunter" because they think the book was just SO much greater shouldn't go to movies, because they don't get any better than "Manhunter," regardless of the source material. And anyone who would argue that "Silence of the Lambs" is a better movie than "Manhunter" is a moron. A moron with bad taste.

"Manhunter" is so gripping, so utterly chilling, so absolutely scary it practically gives me chills to type this. In fact, I do get chills whenever I think about it. (A friend of mine who lives in the country in Missouri called me to berate me after I sent her a copy and has steadfastly refused to watch the entire film.)

Manhunter's meticulous, cold-blooded, and unrelenting depiction of the mad-but-brilliant methodology of some psychotic killers is unequaled in my experience, and I've see 'em all. This is nothing short of a masterpiece. A flippin' miracle of a movie. It at least deserved an Oscar and a much wider audience. You will never leave a door unlocked or a window uncovered after seeing this movie. I know I haven't.

(As a sidebar, John Hinckley, another mad (would-be) killer, corresponded with one of his idols, the late Ted Bundy, while locked up in a mental institution for shooting President Reagan. And his family wants his keepers to let him out, unescorted, for family visits! It truly is a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World...)

Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986)

Who says this is not a great comedy?

[10/10 · 30 June 2000]

I love this movie from start to finish and don't understand people who don't think this movie is hilarious. Maybe they just don't like Whoopie! Or comedies. I don't know. This is a very clever and very funny movie and that's all she wrote. I don't know what it takes to please people who sit there and analyze it and pick it apart, or qualify their praise by saying, oh, this isn't one of Whoopie's best, or Penny Marshall's best. I think it is Whoopie's best and it seems to have also turned out to be Penny Marshall's best. It is one of my all-time favorite perfect movies. I will watch it forever. It is fast-paced and great looking with a funny script and an even funnier (and I would say PERFECT) cast!. What is not to like, for gosh sakes? One reviewer whines that Whoopie's character is too over-the-top. Hello out there! This is a comedy, folks, not "Gone With the Wind." As far as that goes, I think Whoopie's character in this film is more believable than any character played by Robin Williams in any movie. Including those of his that made the ridiculous AFI top 100 comedies list. Well, to each his or her own. But I am so glad this movie exists and highly recommend it to anyone who likes to have fun. (I also agree with the reviewer who thinks "Burglar" is a funny movie. It's not quite as great as Jumpin' Jack Flash, but it IS very funny.)

Compromising Positions (1985)

The secret life of vegetables. Vegetarians beware!

[10/10 · 30 June 2000]

A good script (with adult themes) and an excellent cast make this a most enjoyable caper-comedy about the secret life of an upscale dentist. What this one does with vegetables gives one pause about eating salads anywhere but home, as Judith Ivy (particularly good as an oversexed suburban housewife) dryly points out in one of the funniest lines in the film. The movie is fast-paced with very good direction and production values. Maybe not quite a "10," but close to it.

The Steel Helmet (1951)

Effective Korean War drama.

[30 June 2000]

This is a movie my brother and I used to watch together religiously as children. We found it to be very moving and watched it whenever it was on. So I recently bought a copy and was somewhat disappointed. Then I realized it was probably because I am now an adult, and it could not possibly have equaled my childhood memories of it. I will probably give it to my cousin's husband, a Vietnam War vet, who probably has never seen it. The movie does effectively portray the madness of war, seen through the eyes of a gnarly old soldier. The real problem is I really prefer other subject matter, and the only war film I really like is "From Here To Eternity." I still gave it a "9," because it's well done.

No Minor Vices (1948)

This movie lives in my memory.

[10/10 · 30 June 2000]

I saw this charming comedy several times in the 1950s, when I was a little girl. I was absolutely enthralled with the suave and handsome Louis Jourdan, who is the personification of what a leading man should be. Lili Palmer, who looked exquisite, was his match. I was able to eat lobster after seeing this, but not as an adult.

This movie used to get me into trouble with my parents because I didn't have a TV in my room and would sneak out of bed at night occasionally when this movie was on, turn the sound down very low and sit on top of the screen in order to see and hear it. But I would still get caught. It wasn't the movie, it was the late hour that would get me into trouble.

I would really like to see this again to see if it still stands up. I know I have always been a Louis Jourdan fan because of it.

Mickey (1948)

Another fond memory from childhood days.

[10/10 · 30 June 2000]

Like "Montana Mike," another childhood film I loved, "Mickey" was avidly watched by my brother and me as children in the early days of television. I don't remember it in detail, but it used to be aired fairly frequently and my brother and I would both eagerly anticipate its broadcast. I do remember that Mickey was a "tomboy" and we both thought "Mickey" was the greatest. I think children today might enjoy it too, although I am not so sure that it would stand up for me as an adult. But who knows? It should be released on video if only as a cinematic artifact of a more charming and innocent period in American history.

The Lost Moment (1947)

Romantic mystery set in Venice. Robert Cummings is charming.

[10/10 · 30 June 2000]

I now own this movie and can say it basically still stands up for me as an adult, with the caveat that I first saw it as a child, when it seemed wonderfully mysterious to me. Seeing it recently did not have quite the same effect, but I still enjoyed it very much. One reason is that as an adult I fell in love with Venice and found it to be the most beautiful and colorful of cities, whereas the film, though set in Venice, is dark and noirish. I am sure that has affected my appreciation of this movie. That aside, it is still an effective romantic mystery and manages not to be a tear-jerker. I loved Robert Cummings, both in movies and on TV, and this is one of his best. There was just something about those old-time actors that the new generation(s), by and large, seem to lack. I think maybe the old guys took their work more seriously and maybe the new guys are only interested in the big bucks, nose candy, fast cars, and you fill in the blanks.

Heaven Only Knows (1947)

I too loved this movie as a kid...

[10/10 · 30 June 2000]

Like Allanph I saw this on TV when I was very small and I remember it as "Moantana Mike." It used to be on pretty frequently in the early days of television, as I remember, and my brother and I both loved it. I have been trying to tape it or buy it since videos became available, with no luck. I wish the powers that be would re-release it on video. It is a fond memory from a more innocent time. And it must be a great film because my brother and I both have the same strong desire to see it again. I am sure it is a classic, so why not treat it as such?

Alice in Wonderland (1933)

What a charming and delightful children's movie!

[10/10 · 30 June 2000]

This movie used to delight me as a child, when it used to be broadcast on television fairly frequently. It used to fill me with pleasure (although my slightly younger brother didn't enjoy it as much as I did) and I have wanted to see it again for the longest time. It far surpasses any other filmed version. I wasn't so crazy about the child actress who played "Alice" -- she seemed a little too old and ungainly and much too petulant to me even then. But why quibble when the entire movie experience is so utterly enchanting. The rest of the cast alone makes this worth watching, no matter what your age. I seem to remember seeing it on TV within the last 15 years or so...

Death in Brunswick (1990)

Highly unusual flick.

[10/10 · 28 June 2000]

This movie is so off-beat I don't recall ever seeing anything quite like it. And it manages to be truly disgusting in very realistic ways. Very off-beat. Anything with Sam Neill is always worth watching, but I can't say this is one of my favorites. Very off-beat.

A Cry in the Dark (1988)

A great trial film, stunning photography, and the one of the best Sam Neill films yet.

[10/10 · 28 June 2000]

An unqualified "10." The level of writing and acting in this Australian movie is reminiscent of the very best of "old" Hollywood. Sam Neill and Meryl Streep are very good together. Neill matches Streep line for line, and take for take -- it is one of the best showcases yet of his prodigious acting talent and he is at his sexy and gorgeous best, notwithstanding the intensity of his role. This engrossing film is a treat for any movie fan who loves a gripping courtroom drama, portrayed in the most human but unsentimental terms. The movie -- which won several top awards in Australia -- boasts not only a superlative cast and director, but wonderful and authentic Australian locales. It proves that people are the same the world over. And, after all these years, people still delight in repeating the famous Streep line, accent and all: "A dingo ate moy baby!" Including that imp "Elaine Benis" on "Seinfeld."

The Final Conflict (1981)

The devil with sex appeal. Delicious. One of the best and classiest "horror" films ever made.

[28 June 2000]

Sam Neill dissed this movie in at least one interview, but it remains one of my favorite Sam Neill films. In fact, I think it's the one that (metaphorically) pushed me over the edge. It's one of Neill's earliest and he is quite young and gorgeous as a grown-up Damien (his co-star, Lisa Harrow, thought so too -- they fell in love during the filming of "Final Conflict" and have a son together).

Neill, who apparently is incapable of giving a bad performance, imbues his character with creepy charm and sex appeal and, for those of us suspending disbelief, is quite believable. Considering its genre, this film has top-notch production values and is beautifully and imaginatively photographed. The entire cast is first-rate, as well, and the story has enough creative energy to satisfy most horror film fans, including graphic depictions of some pretty heinous acts. It is thoroughly enjoyable and lots of fun and certainly a "must see" for any Sam Neill fan -- especially those youngsters who access his Web site and seem to think "Event Horizon" is his best work. "The Final Conflict" is being released on DVD any time now. I imagine most Neill fans already have the video. Movie stars don't look or act much better than this, boys and girls.

From Here to Eternity (1953)

None Better.

[10/10 · 28 June 2000]

Very likely the best film ever made. Even if it is in black and white. I have seen it at least 20 times, know virtually all the dialogue, and it seems as fresh as ever every time I see it. Clift's performance is probably the best ever by a male actor and the fact that the oscar that year went to William Holden for "Stalag 17" proved conclusively to me that "life is not fair."

Clockwise (1986)

Charmingly effective and winning British comedy.

[10/10 · 21 June 2000]

I imagine I saw this first on cable, because I have never been a fan of John Cleese, Monty Python, or "Fawlty Towers" (not one of the better Britcoms, in my opinion). But I had to buy it because I like it so much. It is charming in the understated British manner of films such as "Only Two Can Play" and so many others of that genre. I only wish the average Brit could know how very much so many Americans love their movies, whether it's a John Cleese comedy or Dirk Bogarde in "The Servant." I have been making a point of seeing British (and other foreign) films since I first discovered them in my early teens with "Doctor in the House," which I was introduced to on a group date, followed by "Doctor at Sea" and "Carry on Nurse" and on and on and on. If only Hollywood was producing similar films today. Good, clean comedies with great scripts seem to have petered out since the '70s and '80s, when Hollywood managed to produce such quality comedies as "Into the Night," "American Dreamer," "Making Mr. Right," "Just Tell Me What You Want," etc. Now it's all scatological, adolescent-level, unfunny smut. (Not to mention the entertainment industry trend all Hollywood and American TV seems to have adopted lately: gratuitously simulating the killing or maiming of animals in a sick attempt at humor. I do not watch movies that abuse animals in this way and turn off the TV if it starts to happen while I'm watching. There is nothing funny in promoting the injury or deaths of innocent animals because writers lack imagination. Sorry for the editorial, but this is a very sore point with me.) Anyway, Clockwise is subtle, charming, pastoral, and funny and I highly recommend it.

American Dreamer (1984)

Wonderfully original and funny romantic comedy with wonderful cast.

[21 June 2000]

It's nice to see that virtually everyone who reviewed American Dreamer loved it and that so many consider it to be a favorite. I couldn't agree more with the other reviews and immediately bought a copy after my first viewing.

I won't go into details of the plot, which I hate to do anyway, but will comment on one criticism appearing in another review. Sure, the outcome is predictable -- BUT the way the the movie gets there is NOT. After all, every plot has been done to death. It is the originality of the story line that raises this movie to a higher level. Not only is it highly original and smartly scripted, it is also charming, romantic, funny, beautifully directed, photographed, and acted -- an all-round perfect movie.

And as I am always eager to point out, this movie is hilarious -- with hilarious performances and episodes -- without having to resort to gratuitous sex, foul language, and nudity. It simply could not be better (and the beautiful Paris locations only enhance the overall perfection of the film). I say this not to project myself as a prude (which I probably am to some degree) because I also loved Pulp Fiction, but to make the point that movies don't have to be gross, juvenile, and smutty to be funny.

Possession (1981)

I love Sam Neill but this is a BIG piece of doo-doo!

[1/10 · 21 June 2000]

No one is a bigger fan of Sam Neill than I am. I almost went berserk when I saw "My Brilliant Career" and the "Reilly: The Ace of Spies" series within weeks of each other -- the first time I had ever seen him. And I have been an avid, one would almost say "possessed," fan ever since. That said, I can't help but ponder some of his career choices, although 1981 was at the beginning of his career, so that probably accounts for his taking this role. This stands -- beside the execrable "Night Train to Venice" -- as the worst movie of all time, Sam Neill or no Sam Neill. I actually bought this sight unseen on eBay for not much money because I try to collect everything Neill, and I WILL keep it, but I will never watch it again in an unaltered state. Neill is, as always, very good and, God love him, I give him all the credit in the world for sticking to the old adage: A job worth doing is worth doing well. And he does look good: young, handsome, and lean. But no amount of cutting or editing could have saved this exercise in mediocrity. Isabel Adjani doesn't help matters. She is SO convincing as a certified nut case that I have to wonder if she isn't really nuts. There is such a thing as good acting, but she's so over-the-top that it only makes a bad situation worse. The whole thing stinks to high heaven. Sam Neill, if he has the right material, is all a body could hope for in a leading man. But no one could sit through this, not even Boopsie.

Being There (1979)

I wouldn't watch this again if you held a loaded gun to my head.

[1/10 · 21 June 2000]

This movie is on a par with "Night Train to Venice," the worst movie I ever saw, and, I would argue passionately, the worst movie ever made. ("Possession" with Sam Niell and Isabel Adjani comes close, and I adore Neill so you know it has to be bad!) But Being There is a close second. It got such great reviews that I finally saw it, mainly because Peter Sellers was in it, and after forcing myself to sit through it, I thought for a long time about how anyone could call this a good, not to mention great, movie. Sellers sleep-walked through his role and the movie is so pedestrian in every way, it remains one of the all-time movie-related puzzles for me. Every time I see it mentioned I shake my head in disbelief that anyone could still be promoting this flick as worth seeing. Now, Two-Way Stretch, there's a good (and funny) Peter Sellers movie! Being There is such a piece of doo-doo I would wish it only on my worst enemies. Thank GOD I will never have to watch it again! Pee-u! And I kid you not.

Nothing But the Best (1964)

Very funny satire -- Alan Bates at his peak.

[10/10 · 21 June 2000]

I haven't see this movie for years but remember loving it. It is devilishly clever and beautifully filmed, with a great cast, especially Alan Bates. I had forgotten the name of it and now that I have found it, I plan to buy it for my personal collection. Let's face it, you almost can't go wrong with a British comedy and this is one of the best.

The MatchMaker (1997)

Very clever and funny. Sort of an Irish "Local Hero."

[10/10 · 20 June 2000]

Another of my "10s." Okay, I admit it, I think foreign films, for the most part, are far superior to American-made movies. So shoot me. I'd rather sit through one Matchmaker or Local Hero than a zillion Jim Carey or Robin Williams movies. This is a smart, funny, beautifully photographed movie. The cast and the scenery are outstanding and there are some laugh-out-loud moments, which I won't give away. The cast is really outstanding, the production first-rate, and Matchmaker's heart is in the right place. I won't reveal the plot, but Irish-American politics (think JFK) play a major role. The heartwarming and irascible Irish cast add greatly to the enjoyment. Garofalo will have to go a long way to top this one.

The Freshman (1990)

Gosh, this is one of the very best comedies ever made, folks.

[10/10 · 20 June 2000]

How anyone can say this is not a great film except for Marlon Brando's performance is beyond me. His performance is great, of course. But the whole movie is phenomenal, not just Brando. It is perfect -- a 10-plus -- from start to finish. The entire cast stands out -- not just Brando. How a reviewer can focus on Brando's piece of business with walnuts is beyond me -- his business with the espresso is even more effective. But why zoom in on one relatively insignificant piece of Brando schtick when you have his whole performance to salivate over, and the equally outstanding performances of the entire cast. There is not one false note or faltering moment in this fabulously clever and eminently watchable film. Yes, Bert Parks does stand out in his cameo performance, as does B.D. Wong, as does Bruno Kirby, and on and on and on. This underrated comedy made the American Film Institute's list of 100 funniest comedies -- I could hardly believe it. Despite that, it is one of the best American movies, certainly best American comedies, ever made.

Making Mr. Right (1987)

Hilarious, imaginative, and inspired comedy.

[10/10 · 20 June 2000]

Another of my perfect comedies. It is brilliant from beginning to end, not to mention hilarious. And the things you learn reading these reviews -- I had no idea that Sandy was Laurie Metcalf, so I am going to watch it when I get home from work just because I am a Laurie Metcalf fan and can't believe I didn't recognize her. Ann Magnuson is absolutely unforgettable and I am really sorry her career didn't take off like a rocket after this movie. I won't go into detail because so many of the other reviews do, but I watch this at least once a year and it never fails to grab me. One of the most enjoyable movies ever made, with top-notch production values, beautiful and great photography, magnificent direction, and an outstanding and perfect cast. There may be one plot-specific and perfectly apt F word and only plot-specific and non-graphic nudity, which may account for it's relative lack of popularity. Why can't there be more movies like this?