Change Your Image
mitchel6
Reviews
Body of Evidence (1992)
Why does this film get so much slack? It's not that bad at all!!
It's been a while since Body of Evidence was released to theaters and rejected by critics and the public. But I'm not at all ashamed to admit that I still get kicks out of popping this film into the vcr and getting completely entangled in the story. It's thought provoking. Can someone literally be, umm, sexed to death?
And why do people think Madonna did such a bad job in this film? She was perfect in doing exactly what she needed to in order to develop her character--the sultry Rebecca Carlson. I mean, come on! Who else could look so sexy as the mega bad girl delivering a line like "I f***--that's what I do." Madonna is superb and I think she really proved critics wrong when she won a golden globe for Evita a few years after Body of Evidence was released.
The plot of this movie is one of the most interesting story lines I have ever known. Is Rebecca a out of control dominatrix who really did sex her much older lover to death? That's what the prosecution tries to prove as they charge her for murder after her wealthy older lover is found dead. Throughout the film, the plot thickens and you're not sure if Rebecca is a murderous bitch or not. And the sex scenes in this are highly erotic! Madonna, come my way with that candle wax any day of the week! And the look in her eyes as she teases her lawyer by shoving her fingers down her panties---Geez, that look is classic!
Body of Evidence may not be Oscar caliber, but hell, was Titanic? I don't think so. But if you're in for a sinful delight, you should go rent Body of Evidence right now.
Boys Don't Cry (1999)
This film is a must for every single human being.
Thank God Boys Don't Cry is getting so much attention. It recaptures the tragic true life story of Brandon Teena in a shockingly realistic way. And Hilary Swank's performance is simply amazing.
The film could be looked at as just another addition to the growing field of queer cinema--but it really shouldn't be. Yes, it does center around a young girl living her life as a boy, but the film has moral implications about society--about people in general. Brandon is not portrayed as someone you really feel sorry for at the beginning of the film. You might even disagree with his/her outlook on life and see the way he chooses to live it as a great deception. But by the end of the film, you are totally drawn in and see Brandon as a real human being. He's not perfect. He has problems. But then again, don't we all? That's the great thing about this film: it's so realistic that about halfway through it, you forget that you're suppose to be enjoying a movie. You realize that this story really happened. A young girl living as a boy was really raped and ultimately killed. You're left wondering how in the hell such an atrocity could occur. You're left feeling ashamed that people exist in the world that could inflict such horrors upon another human being. If you're searching for hardcore entertainment, this film might not be exactly right for you. But if you want to see something that will literally change the way you look at life in general, then you must see Boys Don't Cry.
Get Real (1998)
This film may be centered around a gay theme, but anyone can get a kick out of it.
Get Real is one very entertaining film, for it has its really funny moments yet also has a more moving, poignant side. It centers around a young British boy in high school coming to terms with his homosexuality. Well, he actually seems to be fine with the fact that he's gay--it's his family/high school comrades/friends that he must worry about. It's been a while since I first saw this movie in theaters, but I remember really liking the girl who plays the main character's 'fag-hag.' She is such a funny girl that will give everyone kicks.
The story is great in that it doesn't necessarily limit itself to being just another independent film about how sad it is to be a gay person in America. This boy, in the film's climax, comes out to his entire school--which means losing the secret relationship he carries on with the school's most praised jock. It may not end so happily, but the audience gets a sense that the boy still has hope and will carry on nonetheless. He's just another human being searching for love and I think we all can relate to that. Go see it now!
The Green Mile (1999)
This film would have made a much better tv movie.
I read Stephen King's The Green Mile long before it came to the silver screen. I found the story interesting and entertaining, but not really moving--if that makes sense. And upon reading it, I could easily see it being made into a film--for television that is. Many of King's novels have made it to both the silver screen and the television screen, but I am sure this one definitely belonged on tv. It was simply too long. I love a long movie--one that can really draw me in and hold my attention that is. But this film failed to do that for me. In smaller doses, such as Part 1 on Sunday night and Part 2 on the following Tuesday, I would have enjoyed it much better. The movie just has too many cheesy moments that are not portrayed very realistically. But, then again, it is Stephen King and it is a supernatural genre. There was some good acting in the film, but nothing stellar. And am I the only one who thinks Tom Hanks just doesn't make a great screen presence? I can't take him seriously. All I see is the goofy guy who played in Splash.
Evita (1996)
Evita is one of the most unique films I've seen. A must!!
Evita. Who was she? A saint? A sinner? How about both? This magnificent film raises those questions and ultimately leaves the audience to decide.
The great thing I love about this film is the way it presents its very historic tale. I'm sure some things aren't exactly accurate, but the film does get Eva Peron's story across to the mass...and I'm sure she'd be proud.
The songs in the film are truly beautiful. And Madonna's voice has never sounded so strong and eloquent. Her greatest strength is presenting Eva as a very multi-dimensional character. When she kicks Colonel Peron's young lover out of the house, you see her as the--umm, bitch she could be. However, you cannot deem her a bitch simply because she is a strong woman with an agenda and strong opinions. At other points in the film, you see Madonna's Eva as a very young, somewhat naive girl and are truly moved. However, it is at the close of the film that Madonna really becomes Eva Peron. Madonna did not just play a role in this film. She transforms herself into Evita. As she lies on her deathbed, her voice cracks and her tears are very real as she still declares her great love for her people. It truly breaks your heart.
Yes, Madonna's Eva is definitely portrayed realistically. In between all the musical numbers, you see a woman who uses some kind of very internal personal strength to go from rags to riches. Does she use men in many ways? Yes! But once she has power, does she use it to help her 'descamisados'? Yes, she most certainly does. Evita may not have been the purest woman in the world, but she was a politician, neither dirtier or more corrupt than any other politician. And another key difference between Evita and her people is the fact that her people truly loved her and believed she loved them. There was a real connection and it is superbly portrayed in the film. By the end, you have seen many of Evita's sides...the more tender, loving side as she pets very sick children...the strong side that made her the most powerful person in Argentina--a country still heavily male-dominated. So, by the end, the movie doesn't tell the audience how it should view Evita. Instead, you are forced to decide for yourself.
Beautiful Thing (1996)
This film packs a nice message in subtle, humorous fashion.
I just recently saw Beautiful Thing and thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn't the best gay themed movie i've seen, for it wasn't terribly dark, moving, or funny. But, at moments, the film manages to have very moving scenes while at other moments, you're cracking up with laughter. It treats its subject matter very normally, which is a good thing. I think this film can be entertaining for anyone--gay or straight and everything in between, for it doesn't strictly concentrate on what it's like being young and gay. It shares a glimpse of two boys who discover their sexuality in the midst of other subplots---such as dealing with an abusive family situation and having a very eccentric mother....and having to share an apartment complex with some pretty goofy neighbors. Yet, if you are looking for a movie which makes a comment on homosexuality, this film indeed accomplishes that. I think the moral of the story is simple: these two boys find each other, fall for each other, and deal with the everyday problems of a relationship. Their only problem is having to deal the people who view their lifestyle as sick or twisted. But the movie never gets too dark and is actually very hopeful, especially at the somewhat moving close.
Girl, Interrupted (1999)
This is one of the most moving films I've seen.
If you haven't seen 'Girl, Interrupted,' you really don't know what you're missing. I haven't read the book (yet), but I can't imagine even the highest intellectuals being disappointed in this film. Wynona Ryder is marvelous, but the true star of the film is Angelina Jolie.
Jolie is one of the best actresses I've ever had the pleasure to watch onscreen. She doesn't play roles; she becomes her character. In 'Girl,' her performance is chillingly delightful. You sit in the theater feeling compassion for this socio-path while at the same time fearing what she'll do next. Looking into her eyes is madness.
This is the first movie I've seen featuring Ryder that I enjoyed as much as her first really good, thought-provoking film 'Heathers.' Wynona Ryder fully matures in this role as a young girl suffering from a borderline personality disorder. She, along with Jolie, will go so many further places with the astonishment of such A+ performances.
The film reminds me a lot of Sylvia Plath's autobiographical novel examining her own mental breakdown. Both are equally compelling and moving in answering examining the questions: what exactly constitutes insanity? how different does one deemed so operate from the "normal" individual?
'Girl, Interrupted' will leave you breathless and begging for more.