GraceFromSoCal Reviews

Silverlake Life: The View from Here (1993)

Beautiful, touching film; a true love story

[10/10 · 27 October 2008]

This film is not morbid, nor is it depressing. It -is- sad, because AIDS in the early '90s -was- sad. But its real message is one of love and perseverance.

Mark and Tom were in a long-term, loving relationship. Their devotion to each other is evident right away, and as the ravages of AIDS escalate and become the focal point of their lives, you see strength and commitment that are truly heartwarming.

When "Silverlake Life" was originally released, I was deeply involved in HIV/AIDS education and health care, volunteering as a counselor at an HIV/AIDS clinic. The film spoke to me like no other AIDS film of its day could, because Mark and Tom were real people, living the very experiences that I saw on a daily basis in real life. I knew from firsthand experience what it was like to watch AIDS eat away at formerly vibrant, young, healthy people; seeing it happen to Mark and Tom in the film was very much like watching my real-life friends deteriorate. It touched me in a way that, even all these years later, still affects me.

Blast from the Past (1999)

I love this sweet, romantic movie!

[9/10 · 28 September 2003]

"Blast from the Past" does what it set out to do and it does it beautifully. The whole premise (i.e., a man who was born and raised underground with no contact other than his parents for 30+ years, only to go "above" and find himself in today's world) is brilliant.

Brendan Fraser is perfect as Adam--sweet, naive, and trusting--and reinforces my feelings that he is a very underrated actor. I love Adam's reactions to modernisms that he encounters for the first time, such as the "other man's underwear" scene, the idea that Troy could have a, gasp, COMPUTER! right there in his house, or the "Well good for you!" about Troy being gay.

Alicia Silverstone is wonderful as Eve, as are Sissy Spacek and Christopher Walken as Adam's parents, and the rest of the cast.

It's hard for me to grasp why some folks don't like this movie! In my opinion, it's truly refreshing to see a movie where its main character has manners and class, and does not have to rely on today's standards (such as swearing) to carry the movie.

If you're in the mood to see a cute romantic comedy, do yourself a favor and watch this movie!

Amélie (2001)

A wonderful movie, beautifully filmed, brilliantly acted

[10/10 · 3 August 2003]

It's unfathomable to me that people really exist who DISLIKE this lovely movie! "Amelie" is easily one of the most uplifting, charming, and visually stunning movies of the past 10-20 years. Audrey Tautou couldn't be any more perfect in the title role. She brings a sweetness and naivete to the character that's hard to imagine anyone else pulling off with such finesse.

Other comments have mentioned that Amelie's meddling in other people's lives is immoral, wrong, etc. Well, I don't see it that way at all. Everything Amelie does is with GOODNESS as its motivation...even her somewhat questionable antics (such as her tinkering in Collignon's apartment). The "letter" incident others have mentioned was done to cause HAPPINESS--and closure--in a sad, lonely woman's life. How can that be bad?!

Bottom line: If you haven't seen this movie...do!! It's wonderful from start to finish. (Note to self: You haven't watched "Amelie" lately. Better pop that DVD back in and treat yourself to another dose of utter joy.)