tizzi22 Reviews

Monk: Mr. Monk and the Candidate (2002) Season 1, Episode 1

High-brow fun

[30 December 2003]

I began watching Monk on Star World which imports various American programs to audiences in Taiwan. Monk came out after I had moved to Taiwan, but I am so glad I happened to see a commercial for it. The casting is absolutely perfect. The actors make their characters believable and fun. The scripts are well-written and full of humor without insulting the intelligence of the audience like some comedy programs do. I hope this program is as popular in the States as it is with the expatriate community here in Taipei and has a long run.

The Butcher Boy (1997)

Darkly brilliant

[8/10 · 22 November 2003]

This came on Hallmark Asia one evening and I just kept it on, not able to take my eyes off from the scene of Francie lying in the hospital all bandaged up to the end of the movie. It was funny and tragic. Violent, but enlightening. Your heart aches with each betrayal Francie faces that puts him deeper into his mental illness. It's an amazing movie and I am glad to have caught it. 4 out of 4.

Hero (2002)

Simply beautiful

[10/10 · 21 February 2003]

This movie had an okay plot, but the thing that sent me to see this movie was the people who saw it before me who said it much more beautiful than Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. They were so right. But not just right.

Every single image shown on this movie could have easily been framed and hung in a museum. My favorite was the leaves changing from yellow to red. That moment was pure magic.

Blazing Saddles (1974)

A Nine out of Ten Stars and why

[21 February 2003]

This was a hilarious comedy that had me laughing, but as a black woman, I was offended by the n-word. I've had to deal with vicious racism first-hand so that's why every time the word was said, it struck a nerve, but it didn't take away from the humor of the film. This movie made me love Madeleine Kahn.

How ironic that Alex Karras would go on to play Webster's adoptive father on TV.

Amélie (2001)

Another work of art, painted by Jeunet et al

[9/10 · 2 January 2003]

I have been a fan of Jeunet for years, ever since I saw Delicatessen on the Independent Film Channel. Jeunet has been a master storyteller, illustrating his stories brilliantly with dark, rich colors. "Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain" is no exception. Instead of giving the typical synapsis that has already been repeated in the prior posts, I will tell why this film along with the others have given me such an affinity for Jeunet's work. The films Delicatessen, La Cité des Enfants Perdus, and Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain are dark movies. The colors are dark and each character has a flaw, but there is always the protagonist that has a bright color to them and brings light to the story. Whether it's Louison the clown, One the strongman, or Amélie the dreamer, they all bring a sense of light and hope into the lives of the other characters. The cinematography of these films is also rich and beautiful. The scenes can be dark and ancient-looking and still be gorgeous. What might otherwise seem scary looks like wisened beauty that plays as the perfect background to the story such as the box full of memories and the hole where it was found or a photo album full of distorted or torn pictures pieced together, but not quite to their original state. Another characteristic of Jeunet's movies that I like are the facial expressions of his characters. While a minor detail, they add so much to the film. Look back at the expression on Amélie's face when she holds up the spoon that she uses for cracking the top surface of her creme brulée, the look on Dufreyal's face in his video. On Nino's face when he first encounters Amélie. Of young Amélie when she has to say goodbye to her only childhood friend at the bridge. Of Blubber as he looks up at Amélie sadly (who would have thought a goldfish could look so sad and betrayed). Jeunet's films are also known for their sounds. Of voices, sound effects, and of course, the beautiful music he chooses as the backdrop for his stories. Yann Tiersen's music matches the mood of its characters who are classic French with a touch of modern quirkiness. It consists of the accordion matched with rhythms that are both haunting and charming, of bells that sound with the innocent, child-like ideals of Amélie, and holds moods that play up those being expressed in the scenes in which they are played. Jeunet has turned his film into a beautiful display of art that works on many different levels with varying shades of nuance. He has proven again of just how much of an artist he is through the people he chosen to create his vision and how beautifully he has orchestrated these elements into creating his newest masterpiece "Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain".

Un Fabuleux Destin indeed.

American Ninja (1985)

The music alone made this movie... suck

[2/10 · 2 January 2003]

I have seen cheesy kung fu fight films. Living in Taiwan they come on in lieu of sitcoms in America. I have seen movies make fun of themselves, but this film belongs in the sad category of fight films that try too hard with awful actors, awful props, and awful music to be taken seriously. I seriously felt pity for the person who composed the music for this movie. How sad it must be to be a composer who has to churn out crap like what I thought should have been titled "Generic Ninja Fight Scene, Op. 1" or "Variations on A Bad Guy Pointing a Gun at a Girl's Head When Backed into a Corner" or the daring "Flight of the Helicopter". Then the fight scenes were over and the credits rolled. Those actually had me in tears laughing. If the "special effects" weren't proof enough that this was low-budget, the fact that only two or three of the crew members, presumably locals which although good for the much-needed Phillipino economy was probably done solely to save money, have ever done anything since this series of movies. They rented equipment, despite making sequels to this movie. That was pretty funny too. The thing that really had me going though, was not the music (which left me half expecting an animated Sargeant Slaughter from G.I. Joe to pop up), but the ending...I suppose this would be a spoiler if there was really a plot to spoil, but when the American Ninja drops the girl into Jackson's arms and then takes off his mask, I wanted to see him jump off the roof and Jackson drop the girl to catch him.

I think that would have been the perfect punchline for this joke of a movie.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

It was like déjà vu!

[18 October 2002]

When I watched this movie for the first time in the theatre, it felt like there were scenes that I had already seen. Things that felt so familiar that I felt as if it were already a part of my memory. Then I realized why I had this acute déjà vu...because many parts of this movie were exactly the way I had envisioned it in my mind when I read the book. This movie was done very faithfully to the book and it brings it to life. That is the most amazing part about this movie: for those who have not read the books yet, it serves as the perfect summary of what happens in the first one.

Cosi (1996)

Toni Collette in a new light

[6 September 2002]

I have been a Toni Collette fan since I saw Muriel's Wedding while traveling in France in 1996. I have watched her work as she grew as an actress and became more popular with a mainstream audience. I caught sight of this film in a store in Asia on clearance and took it home. It's a little frustrating at times and is should hardly be classed as a comedy since the humor does not make up the majority of the film and at times is very sad. It tries to cover too many subplots at a time so that it doesn't give you any satisfying insight into any of the characters, but it comes together well at the end. I myself was wondering how they would manage to put on Cosi Fan Tutti. The real gem in this movie, however, is Toni Collette. She's a diamond sparkling in a muddy river bed. She's subtle and her role is not significantly big, but she fills it well. It's a nice look at her sophomore efforts and the part that really amazed me was her voice. She has an amazing voice and sings the cover of "Don't Dream It's Over" that serves as the movie's theme. Toni Collette doesn't have a stellar part in this movie, but it's her acting that makes it more pleasant. All in all, the movie is cute and the ending will make you smile, but Toni Collette is definitely the one who deserves the limelight for this one.

Fraggle Rock (1983–1987)

A show of my generation (those born 1973-79)

[13 March 2001]

I grew up on Muppets...I watched Sesame Street since before I can remember, my worst punishment and the only one that stands out in my mind is when my mother made me go to bed without watching the Muppet Show, and then, when I was four, Fraggle Rock came out. This of the three shows is the one that stands out in my mind. Right now the theme song is going through my head with the rocking guitar. We have Fraggle Rock marathons (thanks to the episodes being released on video). We used to play with the little Happy Meals toys of them and still have them. What a great show for my generation.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Amazingly beautiful, both choreography and story

[25 February 2001]

Since there are numerous plots given here I will not waste space reiterating what has already been said. I went to see this with a friend who knew I was studying Chinese (Mandarin/Hanyu). I had wanted to see it. I don't normally like martial arts movies, but it has something for both the die-hard macho man and for his sentimental counterpart. But the thing that struck me the most (beside understanding bits and pieces of the dialogues and characters and picking out the Cantonese pronunciations that slipped in) was the beauty of the whole thing. The landscapes, the costumes, the people, and, most importantly, the choreography of the fight scenes. They were truly awe-inspiring. The scene in the bamboo trees especially. I am glad that I went to see this movie. It's the first one in a movie theatre that I walked away from without being disappointed. I was delighted and may even see it again just to watch the fight scenes.

Serial Mom (1994)

Are those pussywillows?

[4 February 2001]

This movie was hilarious when I first watched it on cable (my mother would have never taken me to see a John Waters movie, especially at 15 years of age). It's a mild turn from his earlier work and started a new trend of going from trashy cult classics to black comedies. Kathleen Turner as Berverly Sutphin is magical as she played the role perfectly. And the perennial Mink Stole as the frazzled Dottie Hinkle is hilarious. And Mary Jo Catlett plays her typecast of "the only person on the parent portion of the PTA without children, just suburban concern and a desire for nosy gossip" with a flair only she could pull off. She seems like the last person you'd see in a John Waters movie. But the highlight of the whole movie is the trial. How Beverly uses each witnesses shortcomings against them is both comedic and profound. There is actually is little message hidden in JW's portrayal whether or not he meant it (which I am sure he did). And his thumb-to-the-nose of a justice system that persecutes solely on circumstantial evidence and turns it head blindly away from crime as a cause of celebrity is seen here too...or perhaps I am reading too much into it... "Now let me check the zip code. Two-one-two-f***-you?"

Pink Flamingos (1972)

Not for the weak-stomached I suppose...

[4 February 2001]

It takes a lot for me to be drawn to the point of feeling ill to the stomach, only a virus, bad food, or obnoxious amounts of alcohol (with some self-coaching) can do it. I am the kind of person who started her next day after a party with a mild hangover by getting on a ride that involved dropping 351 feet to the ground at more than 60 miles an hour with no problems. Therefore, Pink Flamingos didn't do much to my stomach except a little disgust when the one girl vomitted on the passed out girl which I wouldn't doubt was real puke. But even that aside I knew that the movie was supposed to be completely revolting and shocking, and so I slipped it into my roommate's VCR, hoping she wouldn't come back and be disgusted by it too. She didn't and I wasn't. I sat on the edge of the sofa waiting for the one scene that would make me ill or want to flip it off, but it never came. The anally-talented "dancer", the semen injections, the shrimping scene with David's blue and Mink's orange pubic hair, even Divine's infamous feces snacking, brown teeth and all, didn't make me blink. I guess I must be the sickest person out there if being offended by the movie is the standard. I wasn't extremely shocked nor entertained. It was a nice test of my limits which weren't really tested, but I chalk it up to another finished item on my college to-do list which also involved annoying the high school seniors doing a campus tour and showing up for class under the influence of something (which unfortunately was under the influence of the second-worst hangover of my life). But I will not argue that John Waters is perhaps one of the most prolific underground directors out there. And Serial Mom is one of my favorite movies of all times (provided that I haven't seen Female Trouble yet)...Are those pussywillows?

The Sixth Sense (1999)

Thank you to the celebrity who ruined this movie for me

[3 February 2001]

There are a number of people on this site as well as people who did interviews who gave away the thing that made this movie extremely good. I have no real need to watch it now since I know the ending. I just thought I'd get on here personally and put a thumb to my nose towards all the jerks who commented before me and gave away the ending without announcing their spoilers. Oh well, so much for watching Sixth Sense.

Muriel's Wedding (1994)

A movie that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer

[10/10 · 3 February 2001]

This is the simple story of a girl who like her father, despises what God has given her. She tries to be in, but just can't it off. But she has plans and soon is given the means to realize them. This movie is my absolute favorite. It turned me onto ABBA, but aside from that it does so much more. The faces and emotions tell the story so well that even without sound you can get a lot of the story.



*******SPOILER ALERT*******

You will cry for her mother who must take a bus and taxi to be at her wedding when her face falls from her pride and happiness for her daughter to a heartbreaking sad, but blank look which she holds until the end. This is probably the most endearing moment I have ever seen in a movie and perhaps even real life. I cry every time I see it. Especially when you how her mother continues her life with this deep disappointment. And pay attention to Deidre's being called Mrs. Heslop.

*******END OF SPOILER******

Another part to watch for is change in her face the two times she listens to Dancing Queen. I think these two scenes are crucial to understanding the movie and Muriel/Mariel. This entire movie is a deep look into not a Cinderella story as shallowly mentioned below, but rather a girl who searches for her niche in life through the eyes of her peers, losing her family and friends in the process, and finds out she has so much more insight for her own life the hard way. I love the ending because it gives so much hope that Muriel is truly happy with herself but has more to do.

The Shining (1997)

After the other TV-movie flops created from his novels...

[20 January 2001]

You'd think Stephen King would have learned his lesson and left well enough alone. The Stand: Molly Ringwald as the heroine...please! And the novel wasn't even as creepy as the novel. The Langoliers? Dumb dumb dumb. The only thing going for it was the cheesy computer-animated time rip. It...was not all that. Sure Tim Curry as Pennywise was clever and the animation of him in pictures was scary, but it also stood no chance against the terror produced in the book nor the symbolism that could not be reproduced on a screen (especially the small one). I couldn't read It close to my bedtime to reduce my number of nightmares (I was only 11 when I read the book). The same year, I watched the movie without much of disturbance in my sleeping pattern. I only saw The Tommyknockers translated into French and didn't understand it although it was nothing like I pictured in my mind when I read the book. The Shining again proves my theory that Stephen King's obsession with getting his books out to a larger audience is a guaranteed means to candy them according to FCC regulations and lose the terror that was written into them. Stephen King's novels don't translate well on the big screen either. There are exceptions, but none of them involve sticking to the book like King insisted upon with The Shining. I think Kubrick had it right to take out the deep character analyses and descriptions that King wrote into the book and leave all that up to the viewer's imagination, knowing that the imagination can produce the most incredible images and expectations (the whole point of suspense). Stephen King tried too hard to put his words into the pictures that had been okayed from a company that is owned by Disney. How scary did he expect it to be? It's obvious that the only reason he did this horrific piece of poo was to reassure himself that he could do a better job with his work after Kubrick, putting his own spin on it, turned it into a masterpiece. Well, King failed miserably and if I am not mistaken, it's the last time he has written a screenplay for one of his books. Not like the rubbish he's been putting out lately would even be a remote success in that media. Rose Madder? Hearts in Atlantis? What ever happened to that horror writer that loved to scare the bejeezus out of us? Perhaps this miniseries was the Overlook Hotel to his Jack Torrence.

The Shining (1980)

Turning an okay Stephen King book into a horrifying masterpiece

[20 January 2001]

I can't remember if I read the book before I watched the movie. All I remember is that this movie made it hard for me to sleep, walk into the bathroom without opening the shower curtain first, or even just walk down a hallway. The book was scary but nearly as much as Kubrick's version of the story. What surprised me was to find out that Stephen King actually hated Kubrick's take. That's why he wrote a screenplay for it and turned it into that overly done TV movie version which had better special effects I admit, but none of the psychological suspense of picturing what might happen since King made sure you could see all of it. Kubrick put in his artistical watermark with his imagery and colors and music choices. Sure, Stephen King provided the canvas and the subject for the movie, but Kubrick painted it into a masterpiece that continues to frighten audiences today. That is what is lacking in the scary movies of now. If you watch them once, you aren't frightened for subsequent viewing. I can watch this movie 100 times and still walk away scared out of my wits. And that's what makes this movie a classic.

SUBWAYStories: Tales from the Underground (1997 TV Movie)

Great stories, amazing singer

[16 January 2001]

I liked all the stories. Fern's Heart of Darkness was a nice little turn on a rich white woman when she was faced with being...well, I won't ruin it. Each story was a wonderful look at life and its tragedies, celebrations, and hopes. The one that got to me the most was Taryl Hicks singing to her dying mother. That not only sent a tear to my eye, but sent chills down my spine with the power and emotion displayed in her voice. There are rarely any singers that I would call even special in their talents, but this absolutely is the one I remember. Every time I see her portion in the vignettes it still sends chills down my spine and a tear to my eye.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Strange yet beautiful like Kubrick's other works

[15 January 2001]

I see and hear the most complex things which show the beauty in something. And I don't like things for the obvious. I loved the score to this movie because it was haunting and I loved the chords in the song and its simplicity yet complexity in its movement. I loved the cinematography in this movie, the lighting, the colors, the voices, the mood. I liked the turns and twists and how it kept you wondering what was going to happen next. Overall, though, I am not sure I liked it. Perhaps I concentrated too much on what was happening with the film and not on what was happening in the film. Sure I paid attention to the plot, but the art and beauty was much more entertaining to me. If you are an art student, you will appreciate what I am saying. As entertainment, no, it didn't work for me. As a masterpiece and a work of art, it was simply stunning.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Funny movie, great for party conversation...er, impersonations

[10/10 · 15 January 2001]

I rolled when I watched this movie. I thought they meant it to end like it did (of course, most of us know that it ended the way it did because they ran out of money and needed easy and quick closure). I remains to this day one of the funniest movies I have ever seen and have wanted to see over and over again. And if you are in college and have never seen it, expect strange looks from your inability to quote lines from the movie (a little cheat for you, if it comes up in discussion and you want to add something in, just say, "Ni!" pronounced nee). You know how I really realized how cool this film was? I studied in the Loire region (in France) my sophomore year of college. One of our earlier group excursions was to a medieval castle called Chinon. As we climbed up the tower and reached the lookout point someone from my group whispered, "Fetchez la vache!" From that point until we left that part of the castle we were quoting the French people ("Why else would I have the crazy accent?") from the movie. That's cool.

Delicatessen (1991)

Comedie, noire et delicieuse

[10/10 · 22 December 2000]

This was one of the first true French movies I ever saw (all my years in studying French consisted of dubbed American movies, and Marcel Pagnol's films which were excellent as well) that I saw thanks to the Independent Film Channel. I had never experienced Jeunet and Caro, but this movie they became my favorite directing team. This movie is deliciously wicked (pun intended) with wonderful cinematography and score (the synchronized paint/tire pumping/mooing/etc scene is wonderful as well as the various facial expressions and dialogue throughout the movie) and carries an interesting twist on the plot. Even just the opening title sequence and the glimpse of what happened to our hero's predecessor is hilarious and full of vivid imagery without really needing words. Even if you cannot understand French this movie is magnifique.

Xanadu (1980)

Bad movie, incredible soundtrack

[21 December 2000]

I have to admit, the fact that this movie received no awards is not a big surprise. It's sad that it was Gene Kelly's last movie, but such is life. I thought the movie to be ridiculous at first, but it kinda grows on you. Especially the soundtrack (Magic, Whenever You're Away From Me, Xanadu) and some of the choreography...the especially cheesy, but versatile Olivia Newton John in the final sequence which has little to do with the movie but ruled anyways...on the roller rink, in the shop. It should be a bad cult classic, kinda like Rocky Horror Picture Show became and for some of the same reasons: incredible music, a change of pace for favorite faces. It's a time to remember for tacky clothes, roller discos, and Olivia Newton John. Amen.

High Fidelity (2000)

Music, love, and life at their finest

[15 December 2000]

This movie is incredible. It's funny, thought-provoking, and entertaining all in one. The story is a simple one with an interesting ending that relates to real life instead of fairy tales. It's a story of a man who is better organized in his albums than in his love life. Who knows what he likes in music, but not in women. And he uses music to try and understand why he has problems in love. The title of the movie hints at this. The soundtrack to this album takes you on the same rollercoaster ride and provides the perfect backdrop to this movie. The dialogue is brilliant and witty and the acting is superb. If you like great music and great acting with an interesting story line, High Fidelity is for you.

American Beauty (1999)

Everyday is the first day of your life...

[10/10 · 7 December 2000]

When I watched the Oscars and saw this movie win Best Picture I was baffled. It wasn't an epic or a melodrama. Why did it win? Then a few months later, I watched it. And was stunned. It is a beautifully done film that takes you on a dance of a family's waking up and self-discovery of who they are, slowly spinning you around and around until the surprise end sends you flying with your own conclusion. The cinematography and script are amazing as well, leaving symbols and hidden messages everywhere to be found. Although it is a little graphic, so is real life, and not once does it shelter you from this harsh fact. Unlike most of the crap churned out by Hollywood, you actually walk away from this with new ideas on life, or at least have a glimpse of a different perspective. If you want to be entertained, go elsewhere...but if you want to be enlightened, this is the movie.