ritsn Reviews

Tim's Vermeer (2013)

Very intriguing questions

[11 December 2014]

I have visited great museums and seen gorgeous Vermeer paintings and been so impressed by the art. I've also recently tried my hand at painting, and seen how much easier it is to copy than to create. This movie really provokes thought as to what is art and what is technology. What Tim created was so impressive as a first painting, and it is better than any Paint-by-Numbers I've ever seen. Whether it comes close to showing the heart or creativity of the original is left unsaid and unseen, as we don't have the luxury of seeing the original, in the whole or even in the the brushwork. I don't think Tim was trying to say he could totally recreate the art; he was simply positing the theory of how Vermeer could have created it. I found it very plausible. And that does not take away from whatever beautiful technique Vermeer used in putting down each stroke of the brush. I read one Guardian critic who lambasted it, but could not put in words exactly how this painting was different than the original. I wish he could have enlightened me. I found the film fascinating, but was left wishing there was more of the original I could have seen, too (granted, they probably could not get permission).

Enchanted (2007)

Disney is back!

[25 November 2007]

There is little more I could add to the stellar comments and reviews for this film. While it is not perfect (probably some expository songs were cut out to reduce time, particularly in the case of secondary characters), it left me smiling and happy, and I even bought the soundtrack on iTunes. One thing I didn't notice mentioned (probably it was noted elsewhere) was that in the beginning Giselle and Edward defeated an evil troll. Isn't this a reference to the upstart Shrek? I love how, instead of making fun of Disney lore this film gently nudges it and updates it. I hope the very tired Disney fairy tale mocking genre is slain by this film.

The Lake House (2006)

It works for me!

[21 June 2006]

The premise either works or it doesn't and it depends greatly on whether the chemistry between the two leads makes you root for them to get together or not. Sure there are little details that can get to you, and many endlessly circular arguments that can drive you nuts. But given that the whole premise of this movie is a fantasy, you need to accept the fantasy and look at the romance. And face it, Bullock and Reeves, the tone and plot of the movie make you root for them. I can see how some just wouldn't buy it (my husband, for example). But when I left the theater I was smiling and quite happy, and how often does a film do that? So, to sum it up, as simple as it seems, what better reason to love a film than to say that personally, it works for me!

Going Upriver (2004)

The parallels are amazing

[30 October 2004]

This film was somewhat pedestrian at first, but as it got into the heart and passion of the Vietnam era it really caught fire.

During that time I was a naive teenager/college kid, with these events going around on the periphery. This movie helped to crystallize the past, as well as to connect it to the present. The statement John Kerry made, about asking someone, or someone's son (now include "daughter") to die for a lie holds so true today. Although Kerry has mellowed a lot in 34 years, if even a fraction the spark, the integrity and the bravery it took to volunteer for battle and then to see the truth and to fight for a just cause are still in him, I can be proud of my vote on Nov. 2nd.

It would be oh so illuminating to contrast the current president's past life and times during those same years with that of this impressively articulate and thoughtful man.