lilbrothalee Reviews

The Mind of the Married Man (2001–2002)

an exaggerated view of married life

[21 October 2002]

this can be funny, IF YOU GET IT! probably NOT for college kids or bachelors as they would never get the subtlety of the humor...this is not a documentary for those of you who are too bound up...relax, watch Micky (Mikey) squirm and enjoy the frustration that can occasionally occur when it is impossible to explain satisfactorily...relax and enjoy--relax, this is NOT your life...

The Scarlet Letter (1995)

I guess sticking to the novel doesn't matter

[1/10 · 10 October 2002]

The ending is different, some of the story is ripped from historical accounts and writings concerning Salem, Mass, and the sex and violence is gratuitous...As for Demi Moore, she did claim it was o.k. to change the ending of a book not many people read...a flimsy defense that detracts from the dedication to consistency Hawthorne toiled over to remain faithful to the Puritan mood he created...which in turn, blows the whole purpose of Hester Prynne staying in Salem to fulfill her punishment. To not understand Hester's "Puritannical" dedication to staying "true"...WHICH IS THE WHOLE POINT OF THE NOVEL!!!

Rappaccini's Daughter (1980 TV Movie)

Nathaniel Hawthorne does Dante & The Bible

[6 December 2001]

This is a story with many moral implications. Man vs. Self--do we go after what we know is bad for us? Man vs. Science--Where does science become more important than life? There are more questions raised in the reading of the story. This story speaks of the power and innocence and foolishness of young love. Also worth mentioning is the story was written on the brink of the Industrial Revolution, with science eroding the hellfire & brimstone Puritans and a more Realist/Romanticist attitude taking over America. It references Dante's Inferno, and the purposeful, or should I say, the expected decent into Hell. As well, there are th obvious references to Rappacini's garden being Eden and Giovanni and Beatrice (Bay-ah-treechay) as Adam and Eve. There is no murder, but there is death. As Hawthorne always teaches, nothing good can last unconditionally...

Death of a Salesman (2000 TV Movie)

perfect

[9/10 · 2 April 2001]

just secreted a copy of this from ebay (ka-ching) and the direction, heck, the everything, about this production of this american classic is (insert emphatic swear word here) divine...this is the only version i've seen that holds the humor, the madness, the horrifying irony involved in this story...it is just perfect!...Dennehy Rocks (duh!); Franz Rocks: the whole thing is just WOW!!! so good, man...beauty, art, life--showtime? believe it!!!

12 Angry Men (1997 TV Movie)

puh-leeez

[2 April 2001]

This IS a great cast! This IS a great story! This IS an unfortunate remake of a classic! See the original, then complain about the time wasted on this over-packaged, spoonfed moralizing ridiculousness! See the original! this is admirable with the multi-culti touch, BUT, is it necessary...made for the cliff notes generation...see the original, but long live Gandolfini!!!

The Arrival of a Train (1896)

Literally, a train arriving at a station!

[10/10 · 5 February 2001]

Considering this is THE FIRST FILM EVER, it must be considered excellent! The Brothers Lumiere and their use of angles makes this an interesting study. It is a departure from the typical perpendicular camera position and the normal set up of right angles and straight lines. It catches the marvel of progress. The steam train, only about 45 years old in itself, the vast expanse of industry captured in the frame, and the strength of progress as it rushes toward you! Intentional? Who knows? Who cares? The film startled viewers, and changed film and cinematography. The Brothers shoot with the audience in mind. Films would then be changed to fascinate, excite, inform, and impress. An excellent piece!