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Reviews
Shooting the Past (1999)
Incredibly engaging, worth many repeat viewings
Of all the many thousands (literally) of films I've seen over the past 60 years, I would put this Stephen Poliakoff masterpiece in my top 10. After I saw it for the 3rd time (once on TV's Masterpiece Theatre and twice on DVD) I watched the bonus features at the end of the 2nd disc. Both Lindsay Duncan and Matthew MacFadyen commented on how Poliakoff used long scenes. It then occurred to me that there were indeed some long scenes, but none seemed particularly long to me. These 'long' scenes were riveting. They weren't long in a Stanley Kubrick way. Many of Kubrick's long scenes, i.e. in "Barry Lyndon" were not only long, but plodding and boring. Poliakoff's 'long' scenes are interesting and engaging. He doesn't need to resort to trickery or gimmickry. He always gets the most from his actors. Lindsay Duncan is incredible, as usual. I can't wait to see what she does next. Speaking of which, when are Poliakoff's last 3 or 4 films going to be released in the U.S. on DVD or on TV? Please don't deprive us. And, how come it's almost impossible to find Adrian Johnston's musical score for "Shooting" on CD? If you have ANY interest in photographs--especially black and white photos--you must see this film. And, you will probably want to see it again and again. Thanks, Stephen, for a great experience!
Caché (2005)
Another dumb French film....Forget the Ambien, just try this!
I've seen hundreds of stupid French films over the years, but this one just about takes the cake as the dumbest, most boring, pointless one of all. What's with the ultra-long Peter Greenaway-type shots? What is the point of the movie? Obviously the French are so full of themselves that they probably think this has some underlying meaning. I could have been rearranging my sock drawer during the time I sat watching this drivel with my eyes going crossed. And, what French Bowmar brain decided to make the opening titles and closing credits in something like a 6 pt. minutia font? If I had even the slightest interest in seeing who the fatheads were that put this gem together, I would have had to find a large Sherlock Holmes size magnifying glass. If I ever rent a French film again, please have me committed.