Change Your Image
kervinjp
Reviews
Donnie Darko (2001)
hmmm...
It is almost watchable: If you cut out the horrible "Tears For Fears" song portion of the film, and the Patrick Swayze parts...
As a connoisseur of "off-beat" films, people and friends often come to me to recommend movies... This one was frequently recommended. The only things I can say about "Donnie Darko" are this:
The most disappointing points of the film are the "we're-so-cool,-we're-in-the-90's-and-we-live-in-California--(FLASHBACK:90120whenIwas inJr.High)--and-we-go-to-a-school-where-we-have-to-wear-uniforms" attitude. "Donnie Darko"'s "would-be"-eternal violence is a distant apprehension of our oil-consuming parents.
Is there anything to hold my attention in this movie...?
Finally, the "Smurfet" bit is just plain boring. I did better when I was in eigth-grade...
Donnie Darko (2001)
hmmm...
It is almost watchable: If you cut out the horrible "Tears For Fears" song portion of the film, and the Patrick Swayze parts...
As a connoisseur of "off-beat" films, people and friends often come to me to recommend movies... This one was frequently recommended. The only things I can say about "Donnie Darko" are this:
The most disappointing points of the film are the "we're-so-cool,-we're-in-the-90's-and-we-live-in-California--(FLASHBACK:90120whenIwas inJr.High)--and-we-go-to-a-school-where-we-have-to-wear-uniforms" attitude. "Donnie Darko"'s "would-be"-eternal violence is a distant apprehension of our oil-consuming parents.
Is there anything to hold my attention in this movie...?
Finally, the "Smurfet" bit is just plain boring. I did better when I was in eigth-grade...
Donnie Darko (2001)
hmmm...
It is almost watchable: If you cut out the horrible "Tears For Fears" song portion of the film, and the Patrick Swayze parts...
As a connoisseur of "off-beat" films, people and friends often come to me to recommend movies... This one was frequently recommended. The only things I can say about "Donnie Darko" are this:
The most disappointing points of the film are the "we're-so-cool,-we're-in-the-90's-and-we-live-in-California--(FLASHBACK:90120whenIwas inJr.High)--and-we-go-to-a-school-where-we-have-to-wear-uniforms" attitude. "Donnie Darko"'s "would-be"-eternal violence is a distant apprehension of our oil-consuming parents.
Is there anything to hold my attention in this movie...?
Finally, the "Smurfet" bit is just plain boring. I did better when I was in eigth-grade...
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
A Great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
It is 2002 as I write this. Nine years from now this will be the "Dazed and Confused" of 2011! No other movies can depict the active minds of their respective time-periods like these!
Planet of the Apes (2001)
wake up!
unfortunate that someone must explain things to a viewer... is this a flaw with the movie, a fault of the director... or just a lack of intelligence and imagination on the part of the viewer...?
the ("much-controversial") ending makes complete sense and does not deserve the discredit it has received-- remember "...alternate futures...?" "...multiple contexts...?" "...infinite time-loops...?" As long as CPT Leo Davidson keeps re-launching into the "electro-magnetic storm,"(--their terms--), he will encounter random, possible futures... As suggested by the encounter with the "unknown" "Mayday" which is, infact,by the Oberon commander (Lt Gen. Vasich???). That's HIM(!!!) in the mayday, in case you didn't get it... But since it hasn't happened yet, it's a clue as to the time-dispatial aspect of the "cloud" in space... (Not to mention the "chimp" appearing AFTER Mark Wahlberg int the "future"... Were you sleeping...? Or did film just get too difficult for you...?" less imaginative viewers continue to complain... I thought it was a good movie, overall, although I don't like the use of close- to medium-shots during the chase&capture scenes in the first few minutes of the film... This is the only point where I find this re-make markably inferior to its predescessor (which I saw in the theaters on it's initial run as a child...) The first film shined superior here with its use of long shots and suspension of clear "ape-"shots... But then we all knew what this second film was about, didn't we? A congratulations to Tim Burton... Continue the good work...
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
one of the best of all time...
It is unfortunate that christians (small "c") find this movie objectionable because of their views. This is one of the finest movies ever made. It is peronable, shows extensive and advancing characterization, and development throughout. ALL of the scenes (not JUST the desert scenes) are wonderfully shot. The movie moves upon dialogue. I understand blind objection. It is unfortunate that people cannot see past their early-age brainwashing. Very few motion pictures approach the possible divinity of the human race without blind adherence to one particular doctine. Wake up, human race!
This movie is about uncertainty. It is depictewd realisticly.
If I wanted to watch explosions and sex, I'd watch James Bond... If I wanted to be challenged intellectually, I'll watch Last Temptation of Christ. Every Christian in the world should be REQUIRED to watch this movie -- as well as live overseas in a non-Christian country-- to understand their TRUE place in the world. This movie is the closest, most REALISTIC presentation of Christianity's place in a very wide world as possible.
It is worth veiwing by anyone, Christian or not.
It demonstrates reality. Or, at least, our closest approximation.
Wu Kui (1994)
one of the 12 best asian films...
This is definitely on my list. As with most asian films, the visuals are striking. And as to be expected with asian films, several scenes can tell a story without dialogue. Some might argue that the interweaving of the various elements of Kui's life-story are slow, but how they manage to all come together in the end is incredibly done. "Young Mistress'" punishment is stereotypically harsh when viewed from western eyes, but it doesn't distract from the film. I defintely recommend this one to any fan of asian films...
Nirvana (1997)
English dubbed version...
I'm writing about the English-dubbed DVD version. The FIRST time I saw this movie was in Japan. It was an Italian version with Japanese subtitles. I couldn't follow the story (I don't speak Italian (or French), and the subtitles were way too fast), but the visuals were alluring nonetheless... After returning to America, I have seen the English-dubbed DVD.
***SPOILER:*** I DO have a problem with the crux-point of the story: a computer-character's ascension to self-actualization because of a virus(!) is a little too extreme for me to accept. This concept destroyed my suspension of disbelief. BUT(!)... I believe the dialog and the vocal-presentation by whoever did the voice of Jimi's ex was perfect. Excellent delivery.
As an aside, I must admit that I usually watch this movie with the sound off along with 5 or 6 other movies on separate monitors while listening to music.
Dark City (1998)
like... w/ bad editing
Don't get me wrong: I like this movie, but while watching it I was overwhelmed by the terrible editing evrytime there is a conversation between any of the "normal" (i.e. "human") characters. I couldn't help but wonder what bits of conversation were cut everytime there was a camera change between Jennifer Connelly and William Hurt, or J. C. and Kiefer Sutherland during their scenes together. The effects are incredible and the idea for the movie itself is incredible. I don't like the ending, though: it's too much of a let down after such an intense assault upon my sense of what's rational. Finally, I can't agree with anyone's opinion of Kiefer Sutherland's performance. I found it completely distracting and ruinous to the rest of the story... Some have described it as "Peter Lore-esque." If this was intentional on K. S.'s part, he should have chose another role model. Personally, I think he should have played it as Kiefer Sutherland himself.