phlipps12 Reviews

Shut Up & Sing (2006)

Real Americans

[10/10 · 19 November 2006]

This movie/documentary is amazing from many angles. First, the camera work is performed so well, that it makes you forget it's a documentary as you fall into the Chicks' individual lives. Natalie Maines reminds you once during the film that there is a camera watching, but it is a perfect moment!

Secondly, the film gives us a look at the "former" Dixie Chicks fans and what length some of them will go to to express their venom. And venom it truly is. It makes one realize how very easy it is for some people to hate, and how they look for a reason to do it. You cannot blame the Chicks for not apologizing. This crowd would not forgive ... and yet, you see how it hurt the Chicks on a personal level. You find yourself cheering for them as newly made underdogs. A role that was "branded" upon them.

Ironically, some of the venomous former fans express that they are mad because the comment was made "on foreign soil." As if making the comment at a Chicago concert would not have enraged these folks. I thought it seemed disingenuous of these people considering that the comment was made in Britain, an ally in Iraq.

Finally, free speech is at issue here from both sides of the controversy. The number one thing I came away from the film with was how unequal the consequence was for the action. "Over the Top" is a phrase from the Chicks' song "Not Ready to Make Nice," and it fits.

Sidenote: Hilariously, Bush's comment about the Dixie Chicks shows how truly detached he is from the underlying issue. If Natalie Maines would have made the comment today, would it have the same consequence?

Deliverance (1972)

Burt's finest moment

[29 July 2005]

This movie is a true classic. It shocked all of us when it came out (I was 15 years old).

What could have been a boring movie turned into an intense drama.

One of my all time favorite scenes is from this movie!(Without giving away any more), the scene is when Burt's character is slowly pulling back an arrow in his bow.

I have always loved his beautiful arms and "manliness," and the circumstances that make it a classic moment.

Anyway, the movie watcher is pulled 100% into this scene. It felt like a lot of time passes from the time he puts the arrow in and eventually releases it. However, you will never see the whole scene on public TV. They edit the ___ out of that scene.

See this movie on tape or DVD. It really pushes boundaries and is amazing.

Splendor in the Grass (1961)

Reduced me to tears!

[24 November 2004]

I had always heard that this movie was awesome, but didn't see it until I accidentally came upon it on a movie channel. What a lesson the poetic phrase "Splendor in the Grass" teaches. I have always felt a huge lump in my throat whenever two people love each other and get split apart by forces bigger than themselves. The lesson is basically this: You must move on and not wallow in the past. It is very sad and the antithesis to Peter Pan.

That said, it was very interesting to see how the early 1960's "attitudes" toward young love and sex gets projected to a story based in the late 1920's. If that movie was made today it would be portrayed in a much different light. Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty were wonderful. The woman that played Bud's wife I recognized from a movie I liked in the 70's called "Let's Scare Jessica to Death."

The Karen Carpenter Story (1989 TV Movie)

One of the better made for TV movies.

[9/10 · 29 April 2004]

Unlike some of the former commentators, I was (and am) an avid fan of the Carpenters. Face it, Christmas would never be Christmas without The Carpenters. That said, I believe the movie did a good, not excellent, job at depicting Karen's life. The movie was enjoyable to see on primetime TV, but the content fell a little short. I suggest that you all look into getting some of the Carpenters specials that were shown in the 70's. You cannot believe how awesome a drummer Karen was. Cynthia did not capture the extent of Karen's talent. Also, Karen was beautiful but had a bad hairdresser. My choice for playing Karen is Hilary Swank. I would love to see a more substantive story, because there was more to Karen than meets the eyes when listening to We've Only Just Begun. I have tons of unreleased Carpenters' music, and it is absolutely excellent. (Her singing of California Dreamin is to die for).

The Hours (2002)

Virginia Woolf's essence lives on

[10/10 · 3 January 2003]

My parents dragged my siblings and I to the movie "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" when we were very small. I remember thinking that Virginia "Wolf" must be a scary and negative character. Of course, the mindless yelling in the movie went right over my 8 year old head. Imagine my surprise years later to discover the genius of Virginia Woolf in "A Room of Her Own." I read "The Hours," and immediately understood the obsession that a person like Michael Cunningham could have for her. In reading the book, I wanted to reach out to her and say, "It's okay; everything will be alright. You will affect generations of intellectuals to come." Most writers just want to be remembered. The rest of us strive to understand her, and it will likely never happen. However, I doubt many actresses could have captured the intensity of Virginia Woolf like Nicole Kidman. And yes, she was along side the best actresses of our time; but there was truly something beyond just 'acting' that was required by the role. (I'm not just referring to the nose, either) I predict that Kidman will be considered the actors' actress from now on, and will continue to grow. Yikes! Kidman is as mysterious as Woolf. The person that casted Kidman was a genius. See the movie! Read the book, and read Virginia Woolf! The only disappointment in the movie is that they did not include a line from the book, which showed the clever wit of Mrs. Woolf. After her sister arrives early, Woolf says, "If I told you that I was happy to see you, you can imagine how ecstatic I'd have been if you'd arrived at the time you were expected."

The Hours (2002)

Finally, a movie for intellectuals!!!

[10/10 · 29 December 2002]

Not to say that I am an intellectual. However, it is refreshing to see an emotionally and richly deep film, exploring the mind of a troubled writer. Virginia Woolf, that is; not Mr. Cunningham. I read "The Hours," and was surprised that an attempt at making the film came about. In discovering that Nicole Kidman was playing Virginia Woolf, I knew that it would be feasibly brilliant. Stephen Daltry captured the essence of Cunningham's book, and took "poetic license" in the right places. How can you go wrong with Streep, Kidman, Moore, Collette, Janney, Richardson, and Dane in the female roles? and of course Ed Harris, and the guy who played Leonard Woolf. I will see it again just to see Kidman again, because you would never recognize her. The constant scowl is classic. Oscar worthy!!!!

Frida (2002)

I never understood art until this flick

[9/10 · 6 December 2002]

I had to see this movie twice, because it was so pleasing to the eye. From an historical view, I learned a little. From an artistic view, I learned much, much more. Mr. Molina and Ms. Hayek should both receive Oscar nominations. I must admit that I was attracted to Frida's "short-haired" look, or maybe Ms. Hayek is just magnificently beautiful regardless of what she does to herself (I am not sure Frida Kahlo looked that good in life) I thought the film should have brought more of Frida's lovers into play. However, Frida's relationship to pain was prevalent and felt by the audience. Ms. Hayek was genius. Also, Ms. Judd should get a nomination for supporting actress; she was awesome.

Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

Great Flick!

[3 October 2002]

I loved Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde!!! (How could you not?) I loved her in this movie as well. However, I thought Candice Bergen stole the show as the 'Politically Incorrect' mother!!! I would love to see her in more movies.