Angelstiers Reviews

Signs (2002)

Quite simply perfect, a tale of faith regained beautifully told

[10/10 · 28 March 2011]

I have seen this film many times and I feel it is that rare thing: A perfect film. Shyamalan manages to combine the touching story of a good man's lost faith with a gripping and atmospheric tale of alien invasion. I have been exasperated by it's critics who seemed to have missed the point completely and pick holes in this movie. For me from the very first scene to the last the direction is sublime. Every shot, camera angle and scene works, and it's a delight to marvel at the work of such a great director, whilst enjoying the story build and grip you. The cast is excellent, Mel portrays his character with depth and honesty, Joaquin is intense and mesmerising, the children are a delight, and every one of the side characters are memorable, another "sign" of a great director. James Newton Howard's music enhances the movie utterly, with the basic melody building along with the story to a crescendo, building our tension and emotions to their peak. There are some truly beautiful scenes in this movie and the story is ultimately a human one, the "Signs" are many and profound and they lead us beautifully to the film's conclusion. I can't recommend this film highly enough, and after 30 years of watching movies and admiring the art that is film making this movie went in to my list of favourites the first time I saw it, and there it will remain.

Chocolat (2000)

A Perfect Film !

[10/10 · 20 January 2007]

What a pure delight Chocolat is. Gentle, Beautiful and heart warming. That could describe many films but unlike others it displays no clichés or tired ideas. It is refreshing and pure. The cast is superb, Binoche is a wonder who glides effortlessly through the part of the mysterious and beautiful Vianne. Molina is excellent as the repressed yet lustful Comte Renauld. Depp is as eccentric and wonderful as always.In fact the whole cast is fantastic. The story has all the elements of a wonderful fairy tale yet the perfect direction and the delightfully authentic french setting makes it serious movie. You really care about the characters and the many inter-twinned story lines keep you watching with joy.It also has a wonderful score and excellent costumes and sets, in fact in writing this review I cannot think of any criticism I could make. It is that rare thing : a truly perfect movie.