YFL Reviews

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Sweet rendition, but you gotta read the book!!

[7/10 · 24 September 1999]

This movie is endearing, but I have to say ... the book is better! Forget the images that come with the movie, your imagination conjures up visions way beyond the limits of any special effects!

But still, not a bad version of the book. The actors are all adequate, but Gene Wilder is fantastic, the best thing about the movie - he was the only aspect in the movie which was at least as good as what I envisioned while reading the book, if not better. And watch out for the twinkle in his his eyes! :)

This is also one of those movies where knowing the story beforehand doesn't really do much damage when you actually watch it, if anything you anticipate what happens.

Really the only thing to criticize - is that the movie isn't as good as our own imaginations. The other criticisms just make me laugh. Granted the special effects aren't that cutting-edge, but hey, this was made years ago and it's OK considering! Also I don't really feel it's too 'scary' for kids... I know lots of children who think that Roald Dahl's stuff are cool, and no, they don't grow up to become mass murderers. And true, there is a dark side to it, but it's got a good message to send. If anyone got traumatized, they probably grew up like a glass bubble. I'm not a kid anymore and I do still know how to enjoy it, perhaps it's even more amusing because you really get to appreciate the intelligence of the absurdity and the fun of the exaggerations that Dahl inevitably dishes out. It's silly, but perhaps that's why you love it.

Another thing ... really interesting to watch out for if you're familiar with the great works of Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde etc ... I haven't read all, but enough to catch some of the quotes from their works deliciously sneaked into the dialogue here. For example, "Parting is such a sweet sorrow" from Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, and "The suspense is terrible. I hope it lasts" from The Importance of Being Earnest by Wilde, among others.

I especially love one of the last lines in the movie where Dahl shows his total ability for sweet innocence (and Wilder delivers it to perfection) when Wonka tells Charlie, "And Charlie: don't forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he'd ever wished for." and Charlie asks, "What happened?" and this is when you're sure that he's gonna give you one of those righteous, cautionary, adult message of the preachy kind when he says, magically, "He lived happily ever after." *sigh* ...

Kopitiam (1998–2003)

Give this a try!

[21 September 1999]

Kopitiam really is a welcome change from most of the boring and unintelligent local stuff I usually see - it's a fresh upbeat sitcom which is ACTUALLY amusingly catchy! Well, well ...

By the way, the title means coffee shop, and most of the story revolves around it, ala Friends. However it's not exactly the same, different cultures and etc, etc, gives this different slants and elements - it's another show altogether, and truly good enough to stand on its own. The script is great, so is the cast.

From what I saw in the first season this show is sharp and witty, definitely more so if you're a Malaysian or a Singaporean as it makes fun of the edgy relationship between these two countries (Susan is a Singaporean while the others, Malaysian), and also it has the very local flavor of English spoken here. But there's more ... see for yourselves. This show is fun!

The Sixth Sense (1999)

It was OK

[6/10 · 23 August 1999]

After all I've heard about it, I didn't like it as much as I thought I would... however, it was still not a bad movie, at least I wasn't bored, and I don't think it's too slow to bear as some people did. So I guess it did entertain me, though not satisfyingly enough.

But I wasn't scared in the parts where I presume is supposed to be scary, and I wasn't touched in the parts where I presume is supposed to be emotional. And believe me, it doesn't take much to do that to me.

Big Daddy (1999)

Cute, funny, disgusting little movie

[7/10 · 23 August 1999]

This is basically, as I suggest in my title, a cute funny little movie which can be a tad disgusting at times ... especially the part with the spit - ugh! :)

But anyway, it's quite entertaining from start to end. (Though the 'miseducation' and 'unhygienic' stuff does get a little overused at times.) Overall, nothing earth-shaking, but a very sweet, endearing movie nevertheless.

School Ties (1992)

Good, and sends a message, but ...

[13 August 1999]

Overall, after watching this, I deem it good, and it does send a message. BUT.

The acting which most impressed me, unfortunately, wasn't the two leads. Brendan Fraser never struck me as very 'real' ... I was too aware that he was acting, somehow, though I can't put my finger into it, can't describe why, it just felt that way. And Matt Damon was adequate enough, I guess, but he lacked the intensity needed.

However, I thought the guy who played Van Kelt - Randall Batinkoff did his part well in kinda a subtle way, and the roommate - imagine my surprise when I looked at the credits and discovered it was Chris O'Donnell, because I've never taken notice of him despite the hype, and I didn't recognize him in the film at all.

Also, I found myself commenting inwardly about the movie as it progresses, which is always a bad sign for me ... because a great movie pulls me in and doesn't give me a chance to analyse it until it's finished. Strangely, I think I like it, but the fact that I did a commentary alongside - while watching - obviously was a major hint that the movie didn't work well enough for me - I was all too well aware it was just a movie, and it never got beyond that, not for me.

But who knows. I know a lot of people really liked it. If you haven't watched it, you might want to take a look.

E.T. (1982)

I hate to say this ...

[6/10 · 13 August 1999]

But I still have to say, I didn't really like it very much, and I thought I did. Before watching it, I came by and read some reviews - a lot of people seemed to think it was wonderful. And no matter whether the commenters liked it or not, the consensus was that it's a "kids" thing and that it's sentimental, both which happened to sound very appealing to me, so that I even overlooked the cynics' comments. I mean, I like kid's movies like Home Alone, and I'm a sentimental schmuck - I loved Heart and Souls. SO I decided to watch this thinking I wouldn't be disappointed.

I was disappointed. I'm still not sure why. The movie sort of dragged, making me feel bored. And I found myself way too detached from the movie than I was supposed to be. A very bad experience which proves this: I was watching this scene with the flying bike, the music was beautiful and soaring, and I was saying to myself, "Now this is supposed to be a great moment," and I repeated some comment like that too at the last few scenes of the movie. The problem was, the moment I thought that, I knew whatever great moment it was supposed to be, I didn't feel that way. And that was how the whole movie was for me.

Titanic (1997)

Technically masterful

[7/10 · 10 August 1999]

As an epic, it doesn't change, even a little, my perception of life. As a love story, I've seen better. However, I have to say - technically - and as entertainment - Titanic is great. The special effects, the replica of the ship, and all other technical details are a feast for the eyes. And it certainly entertains, as it never lapses to boredom and although it's over 3 hours long, it doesn't really register.

Anyway, I'd say it is quite worth the watch. Just don't expect it to change your life.

Just Write (1997)

Easygoing

[7/10 · 1 August 1999]

This is a nice easygoing film - the storyline is familiar to anyone who's acquainted with romantic comedies, though this film really isn't the comedic type, actually.

Anyway the plot is very simple and nothing extraordinary, and there are too many montage scenes where you get the feeling that the film is trying to substitute songs for the lack of action in plot. Also, it is rather formulaic particularly in the middle of the film ... the whole misunderstanding part is so cliched.

However, it's pleasant - it still makes for a worthwhile watch on TV, and predictably - of course the best moment is when they finally are together after all. That scene does make up a little for the flaws I grumbled about earlier, though definitely not entirely. Because:

1. The dialogue leading up to the kiss is very romantic. 2. The kiss itself. 3. I'm in love with the instrumental music in that scene.

So you get the idea - it's up to your taste.

My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)

Some great moments, thanks to Everett

[7/10 · 17 July 1999]

The story itself is interesting enough, but if not for the characters' variety of personalities, the story wouldn't have moved on smoothly. In general, the cast is fine.

Julia Roberts as Juls manages to elicit sympathy even when she's devious, Cameron Diaz is vulnerably adorable as Kimmy, it's impossible to not like her.

In the leading men section, though, the contrast is ... ! Dermot Mulroney isn't the least appealing in his role as Michael ... how could he manage to have two girls crazy over him?? In all his scenes, his execution is just dull ... worse yet, there are scenes where he and Juls connect which could've been great, unfortunately he just doesn't have what it takes.

Thankfully, the film redeems itself tremendously in the form of Rupert Everett as George. It does helps that he has some of the best scenes and lines, and his finesse and charisma makes it work so well - almost too well. He steals every scene he's in with ease, and created some great moments ... most notably the infectious dining scene where he leads the whole restaurant into a catchy song, and then near the end where he has his little talk with Juls and leads her out to the dance floor.

Of course, films need good scripts, and this is quite a good one. It's probably not a classic, but it still carries off everything with self-assuredness. And the ending is beautiful, with a magical touch which shows the best of friendships in a dimension which, though undeniably platonic, somehow manages to feel romantic.

Born Yesterday (1993)

Not that bad really

[7/10 · 15 July 1999]

Despite the bad reviews this movie received, I didn't think it was that bad. Maybe it's just because it's a remake and it's a known fact that people just don't like remakes. I don't remember ever having encountered a remake that people liked more than the original. And nostalgia for the originals plays a huge part in this, trust me.

But I don't think they changed too much of the script, and it's the script which I really liked anyway. While for the other aspects, well, I guess I have to admit that most of the acting wasn't particularly good, the only character I really felt was played with sparkle was Melanie Griffith as Billie.

Anyway, it is worth a watch especially if you haven't seen the original version (same title, 1950) in which case you might be kinder on your comments. If you loved the original, don't like remakes, then be cautious!

Chances Are (1989)

Nice enough :)

[7/10 · 11 July 1999]

This isn't the best romantic comedy ever made, but it is certainly pretty nice and watchable. It's directed in an old-fashioned way and that works fine. Cybill Shepherd as Corinne isn't bad in her role as the woman who can't get over her husband's death. She has a sexy maturity. But I can't say much for Ryan O'Neal as Philip, because he is, at best, nondescript. He may be adequate in the role, but that's not good enough.

However, I get the feeling that some of the characters, particularly Alex and Miranda, are not written with enough in-depth thought. We don't know anything else about them because minutes after they appear the story gets thick, and the writers don't tell us much beyond what happens. But that problem was salvaged because Mary Stuart Masterson has a fresh-as-a-daisy sweetness to brighten it up, and Robert Downey Jr. is so charming that he melts the screen. Even his smile is infectious. And it so happens that his big dreamy eyes are perfect for the deja vu and flashback scenes.

Anyway, this movie is light and easy and if you like them that way, why not give it a try.

Friends (1994–2004)

Distinctive Characters

[4 July 1999]

One very commendable thing about this sitcom is that it has really distinctive characters. After watching just a few episodes, you get the feel of each and every of the six characters so well, the way they talk, how they'd react to stuff, etc. You could mention a line and it's easy to imagine how any one of them would say it, with whatever expressions or actions. That's pretty cool. And I like the stories of their lives. Sometimes it actually is kinda meaningful, yet it never stops being funny.

The Truman Show (1998)

Good, but it could've been great

[7/10 · 3 May 1999]

This is a good movie, and it could've been great, though unfortunately it wasn't.

For one, the idea for the story was thought-provoking, intriguing. Too bad they didn't make the most out of it ... that's the feeling I got somehow. I felt it could've been better. Maybe it was the way it was written. Who knows.

The acting was, well, ... it was fine enough, though I can't honestly say that it was wonderful, because I've seen a lot more which was better. Ed Harris was good, and Jim Carrey was OK. I guess perhaps all those rave reviews came because people got a revelation with another side of Jim Carrey in this movie, but I think he still has a long way to go. Still, this is a good start!

This is a good movie, though it could've been great. Too bad it wasn't ... Anyway, we can hope for better movies. Get another great idea. Then make it !!!!!!!! The Truman Show got the first one down, now we need movies which follows up both.

For Love or Money (1993)

Pretty Good

[7/10 · 27 April 1999]

I quite liked this movie ... it wasn't particularly special, basically a rather traditional love story... but it hit in the right places. And Michael J. Fox's character Doug, a concierge being the center of a romance is fresh and appealing. One of the scenes I liked was when he showed Gabrielle Anwar's character, Andy, his dreams ... literally. Everything seemed to come in together ... you really understood then how much it meant to him, and his sharing it with Andy was a wonderful gesture of his love for her. The moment was magical, the best in the whole movie for me. Watch this if you like a conventionally exceptional love story.

Heart and Souls (1993)

Beautiful!

[9/10 · 20 April 1999]

I never even knew this movie existed until they showed it on TV here ... and I'm so glad they did! If they hadn't, I'd have missed out on something great. The story was wonderful, not just a comedy, but a meaningful comedy ... with laughter, tears, ... it says a lot about life. This is one movie which deserves more recognition.

The Glass Menagerie (1987)

It made me read the book!

[7/10 · 16 April 1999]

I don't usually watch movies like this ... you know ... which is more on the artistic side. I could've just not watched ... but somewhere through it ... I was captivated. I don't know about the other things ... like directing... So I can't say much about that ... but technical stuff apart, I can say ... it is excellent. The theme of three different characters trapped in their different visions... and yet so connected ... We don't have to question Tennessee Williams gift for writing. Aside from that, the characters are played out beautifully. Karen Allen was effective as Laura, subtle and quiet and fragile ...... And John Malkovich ... he makes it so GOOD ... And I'm entirely willing to believe he IS Tom Wingfield himself, regardless of what I've read of critics. He intrigues and captures through every word and action... Or just his presence ... After watching this movie, I actually WANTED to read the play ... out of my own free will. Which is really something! Just watch this movie and let the story and characters overwhelm you.