wc1n3xx Reviews

The Devil's Own (1997)

Thriller With Northern Ireland Backdrop

[12 November 2001]

I'm sure that many viewers will point out with venim that the film was inaccurate with regard to the conflict in Northern Ireland, as well as Brad's accent, which, personally, I thought he had put some work into.

The film is basically a thriller using the N.I conflicts as a backdrop to generate the pathos for the film; so anyone watching it to see an angle on the troubles will be disappoiinted.

However it gave Pitt a chance to show off his ability to be directed and follow staged fight scenes. He was his usual brilliant self at emotional expression.

The purpose of his journey to The States was almost glossed over with the film relying on the first few scenes to show why he had such a vengful purpose.

The title of the film is fairly misleading, as it serves only as an extra tag line. This is NOT a deep or meaningful film in any way, nor does it contain much accurate historical fact. The 'morphing' of the young boy after seeing a close family member being shot was a little hurried, but served to get you into the rhythm of the film.

As there were very few people actually hunting or chasing him on screen except for Ford, his worth for information/intelligence as far as those around him were concerned was almost nil.... but his intentions were far more sinister.

Maybe the point of the film was to demonstrate that to win the cause closest to your heart or carry out duty through conscience or revenge, you may have to kill the person who gets in your way. Either way the wasting of a life comes down to the same thing no matter how it's done.

I realise that it must have been a rather insulting film to those close to the troubles, in terms of trivialisation and attitude, but to repeat my earlier comment, the title of the film was a little misleading, and it may have given rise to higher expectations.

However Pitt's accent wasn't that bad, and his mannerisms were clearly worked on, and all in all the film was entertaining.

At least the film allowed you to reach your own conclusion at the end, and didn't particularly force any political points on the viewer.

Johns (1996)

A LONG LONG Christmas Eve in the life of a Male Prostitute

[12 November 2001]

It's Christmas Eve and Arquette a Male Prostitute has a plan in mind for Christmas day; his plan involves luxury and fantasy. This means he has to catch a few extra punters and be a little more daring than usual to achieve his goal - which is quite simple - unless you have the life of Arquette.

Most of the film is set on one boulevard befamed for 'pick ups'. It may help a little if you are gay or know of the gay culture. But having said that whatever your persuasion you can't help but like Arquette as he trys to get enough dollars together for his plan.

Throughout the film we meet his clients, his friends, his enemies, and we are a voyeur to the problems he faces in his line of work. He's a likeable chap, and as someone has already mentioned it's almost played out as a Shakespearian Tragedy - especially as we frequently return to the 'set' and more or less get to know our way around.

At one point he gets it together, but tragedy strikes, in a weird kind of way, at some points of the film you really feel like sending him the extra dollars he needs, as his dream is so innocent and quite pure.

In parts, the film is quite deep as it explores a couple of the characters he interacts with, and although he's naturally streetwise, there's a vulnerablility that keeps you on his side, and you really do feel like fighting for him, but the character John (Arquette)is strangely proud, and his pride is built from street level up, with a coating of fantasy and imagination.

There's also a guy looking for him to settle a debt, which turns a bit sour - with the help of a well-meaning friend.

The day is sooooo long in the film, yet John's shortage of the stuff keeps up the tension and sympathy, especially as he allows himself to take bigger risks, and the viewer knows it, as the camera indicates visual clues as to his possible next chapter in the day.

Although fairly old (in terms of rent boy/prostitute, he carries it off very well, as he goes through the usual motions of the belly rub and boyish stance.

There's lots of comedy in the film, but you don't really want to add to his troubles, making the direction manipulative and 'classic' in terms of human tragedy.

Meet John and his friends and foes alike, and you'll find that empathy is drawn from you as you watch this unique, almost surreal film unfold.

If you find yourself alone over Christmas, it may be worth a look at somebody who's got it a bit worse than you, with just a few more complications.

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Hype

[12 November 2001]

I thought it was boring, rambling and way over rated - and I did watch it three times to see whether I'd missed something as everyone was raving about it.

It wasn't THAT original. Was it?

The expectation of many people telling you to go and see was a bit too much for me, I think just maybe there must have been something deeply subliminal in the film, and my brain just doesn't have that part.

Hype.

Babycakes (1989 TV Movie)

Feelgood Movie: With Positive Messages

[12 November 2001]

It has to be said from reading the others comments that this film produces a completely different reaction on those who have weight issues & those who don't. The fact that the film is based on society's reactions and experiences for people (Rikki) with weight issues and those who don't! (Rob) - later, even Ricki herself said that she no longer wished to play such obvious roles.

As a larger person myself, the idea of emotional love and physical love with a slim person in combination can be a problem. Negative Body Image can be very distructve - Happily I experienced the 'hunk relationship' which was very healing - but for all the wrong reasons -I am guilty of proving to society that good looking people don't find fat people unattractive. In fact it took several (or more) such relationships to realise that relationships are much much deeper. Sorry to bore you, but I really did relate to the film.

I didn't want the film to be seen just as a 'Hollywood Dream' as on commenter wrote . . . "as if the fat girl would get the hunk".

But, yes the film was funny, it was sweet and very entertaining.

The Trench (1999)

Captures A Sense Of Personal Impending Doom & Claustrophobia

[10 November 2001]

Shot 99.9% INSIDE the trench to convey the sense of claustrophobia. It works. You can almost smell the trench. I personally think that the low budget style produced a happy bi-product rather than it being planned. Not a conventional war movie but a VERY British close up at the inter-personal relationships during WW1 before the Battle of The Somme. The youthful Paul Nicholls eminates a young 'duty to your country soldier' and in the alone-ness he fantasises over the memory of a young girl who merely served him with a stamp at his local post office. Loads of blood and guts and a particularly harrowing scene - almost subliminal - which works well as it ensures your brain remembers the real horrors of war at close quarters inside a trench. The usual chain of command reveals why delegation can sometimes disguise cowardice and fear. The film achieves its objective and portrays the awful waste of life.

American History X (1998)

Intelligent Examination Of The Prejudice v Education

[1 November 2001]

A very full - on violent film, some of the film is depicted in flashbacks to ensure you get the full flavour, and helps to prevent the viewer from thinking it's just another one of those films.

The believable lead, played by the talennted Edward Norton rises confidently to the challenge of taking on the character of fascist, and his character copes very well with the subtle changes that lead to the emergence of a new-born character without losing his credibility. He looks mean for the part and the swastika across his chest complete with short crop scares the hell out of the viewer as (in the beginning) his extreme views explode alongside close family.

After his action against some black youths he gets sent to can, and this is where his maybe for the first time his loyalties are questioned.

His chosen loyalties in prison are helped along by both a brutal event as well as his laundry co-worker.

The film then moves on to tackle the transmission of prejudiice and the effects it has on his younger brother. After his re-education in prison, he goes back into the outside world and faces more reaction to his changes of loyalty - especially when asked by the cops to help them.

The story then revolves around his youunger brother, who is beginning or has already begun to follow closely in his brother's former footsteps.

Norton has an awful lot on his plate, but with the help of his old school teaacher - now the teacher of his younger brother - things appear to be sorting themselves out, but all hell breaks lose, and the fallout leaves the viewer with a desire to be firmly on the side of education and tolerance.

Harrowing scenes, believable plot, and well worth watching. Something for everyone whatever creed colour or belief. I defy it not to move you.

Primal Fear (1996)

Excellent Character Personification With Atmosphere

[1 November 2001]

Too new perhaps to be placed in one of the 'classics' catergories - but have no fear -it will be there with the rest of them. The On-Screen chemistry between Gere & Norton in fact adds very little to the film - Norton *carries* the film very nicely by himself. Gere, although more 'mature' is more of a catalyst in providing the emergence of 'Roy', and the 'nurturing' of the sweet Southern stuttering 'Aaron' - although not an original plot by ANY means, the last ten/fifteen minutes makes up for lack of absolute originality.

A good splattering of red herrings throughout takes your mind backwards and forwards. The atmospheric direction is superb at bringing out the tease within the viewer; the guilty/not guilty toys with you as the director takes you around many a corner.

The mistakes and factual errors (even the incredible) are easily forgivable as the viewer is drawn into the plot. The (seeming) alcoholic tipple that the judge seems to devour and pass round adds a further dimension of the impossible ready to set you up for the post-court room climax with Norton (Aaron/Roy).

The Neurolgical academic for the defense was a little weak & far too ready to please and a little annoying as a character. In summary, perhaps this film certainly teaches you never to judge a book by it's cover alone (you have to look inside as you'll see in the film). Not so much a film portraying the effects of jumping to the wrong conclusions, but the consequences of doing so.

Surprises throughout. Get in a good supply of candy/sweets/beers/soda and sit back and be thoroughly entertained!

PS: You'll, love Aaron - you just won't be able to help yourself!