This dull, plodding story coasts to its end without magic and, worse yet, without style. The camera, shockingly, does not love the lead actors. James plays a date of some experience, not a star-struck innocent. Their romantic beach scenes played to today's audience, not the reality of 1935. Hammer, appallingly dressed in a wrinkled, ugly brown suit in 1935 Monte Carlo, lacks the needed imperious nature of an English titled gentleman. Scott Thomas lacks menace. The story has been considerably changed either out of ignorance or to fit the time constraints. This movie either suffers from misdirection or poor cinematography. Or both. I would highly recommend the 1998 version of Rebecca starring Charles Dance and Emilia Fox if you want to see the best, magical version.
Reviews
13 Reviews
Little Women
(2019)
Gerwig's Pleasing Addition to the Canon
13 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It seems that many of the movie reviews have been written by fans of the novel who have loved it and have treasured it for years. Their familiarity and their preordained inclination to love this movie seems to have been baked into the cake. I would certainly feel the same way about any film made from a novel by Jane Austen with which I was intimately familiar. The obvious assumption here is that I have not read this novel and, thus, I have approached this movie with only a modest understanding or appreciation of the story.
I will easily grant, and I found great joy in, the capable, even the inspired, direction of this film by Greta Gerwig, who also adapted the script from the original novel. Well, to be honest, look at the actors she had to work with. The exceptional talent in the broad cast is astonishing, led by a fiery performance by Saoirse Ronan, who rewarded us with a rich portrayal of the tomboy writer, Jo March. The rest of the performances down the familial line were almost as exceptional from mother Marmee March (Laura Dern) on down to siblings Meg March (Emma Watson), Amy March ( Florence Pugh), and Beth March (Eliza Scanlon). Bob Odenkirk of "Better Call Saul" made a belated appearance as Father March and Meryl Streep appeared as the wealthy aunt of this perennially impoverished family.
The filming was gorgeous, visually rich and colorful. The characterizations were so strong and vivid that it was easy to be drawn in to an extended story which, however, I found to be disjointed into snippets by the constant cutting and time traveling from the present back into the past and forward into the future. This would not have been a problem for someone intimately familiar with the story, but it was for me.
My other major problem was with the character Laurie Laurence, played by Timothée Chalamet. While perhaps appealing as a wealthy young man, he is such a milquetoast of a character that I could not possibly envision what the two sisters saw in him. That Jo saw anything appealing in this wishy washy character as an adult is all the more unbelievable.
I will easily grant, and I found great joy in, the capable, even the inspired, direction of this film by Greta Gerwig, who also adapted the script from the original novel. Well, to be honest, look at the actors she had to work with. The exceptional talent in the broad cast is astonishing, led by a fiery performance by Saoirse Ronan, who rewarded us with a rich portrayal of the tomboy writer, Jo March. The rest of the performances down the familial line were almost as exceptional from mother Marmee March (Laura Dern) on down to siblings Meg March (Emma Watson), Amy March ( Florence Pugh), and Beth March (Eliza Scanlon). Bob Odenkirk of "Better Call Saul" made a belated appearance as Father March and Meryl Streep appeared as the wealthy aunt of this perennially impoverished family.
The filming was gorgeous, visually rich and colorful. The characterizations were so strong and vivid that it was easy to be drawn in to an extended story which, however, I found to be disjointed into snippets by the constant cutting and time traveling from the present back into the past and forward into the future. This would not have been a problem for someone intimately familiar with the story, but it was for me.
My other major problem was with the character Laurie Laurence, played by Timothée Chalamet. While perhaps appealing as a wealthy young man, he is such a milquetoast of a character that I could not possibly envision what the two sisters saw in him. That Jo saw anything appealing in this wishy washy character as an adult is all the more unbelievable.
After the Wedding
(2019)
A Quiet but Moving Portrayal of a Family Crisis
13 April 2020
"After the Wedding" is a thoughtful character study of a family in crisis after a visitor attends the wedding of their daughter. The visitor, Isabel Andersen (Michelle Williams), has traveled back to New York City to meet with a potential major benefactor for her beloved orphanage back in India.
Isabel has become greatly acclimated to her life in India and is now uncomfortable at having to return to New York City, but she has been requested to apply in person for the expected large bequest to keep her orphanage afloat.
Theresa Young (Julianna Moore) is the wealthy founder of a technology company which is now in the process of being sold. She is married to Oscar Carlson (Billy Crudup), a Manhattan artist, and they live the life of privilege out in the leafy suburbs with his daughter, Grace Carlson (Abby Quinn). Grace has fallen in love with one of Theresa's company employees, and her wedding is planned for the upcoming weekend.
Theresa tells Isabel that she can't formalize the bequest until the next week, so she invites her to the wedding. What was once thought to be a quick in and out trip now stretches out, leaving Isabel curious as to what is going on. She is struck by the fact that Theresa has shown little interest in her orphanage in spite of promising a major donation, so she wonders if Theresa has an ulterior motive. The secrets and surprises which arise during and after the wedding will shock everyone and shake this family to its core.
This movie was adapted from the 2006 Danish movie, "Efter brylluppet," which was directed by Suzanne Bier and starred Mads Mikkelson. In this Americanised version all of the major roles have been reversed. I can tell I like a movie when the characters have become real to me and I am left wondering what has happened to them since the ending.
Isabel has become greatly acclimated to her life in India and is now uncomfortable at having to return to New York City, but she has been requested to apply in person for the expected large bequest to keep her orphanage afloat.
Theresa Young (Julianna Moore) is the wealthy founder of a technology company which is now in the process of being sold. She is married to Oscar Carlson (Billy Crudup), a Manhattan artist, and they live the life of privilege out in the leafy suburbs with his daughter, Grace Carlson (Abby Quinn). Grace has fallen in love with one of Theresa's company employees, and her wedding is planned for the upcoming weekend.
Theresa tells Isabel that she can't formalize the bequest until the next week, so she invites her to the wedding. What was once thought to be a quick in and out trip now stretches out, leaving Isabel curious as to what is going on. She is struck by the fact that Theresa has shown little interest in her orphanage in spite of promising a major donation, so she wonders if Theresa has an ulterior motive. The secrets and surprises which arise during and after the wedding will shock everyone and shake this family to its core.
This movie was adapted from the 2006 Danish movie, "Efter brylluppet," which was directed by Suzanne Bier and starred Mads Mikkelson. In this Americanised version all of the major roles have been reversed. I can tell I like a movie when the characters have become real to me and I am left wondering what has happened to them since the ending.
Walk the Line
(2005)
Run, Don't Walk, to See "Walk the Line"
17 December 2005
"WALK THE LINE"(2005) Johnny Cash personally picked Joaquin Phoenix to play his character for this movie as did June Carter Cash when she selected Reese Witherspoon to play her character before they both passed away about two years ago. Their choices were both wise decisions as neither Phoenix nor Witherspoon disappoint in this film. Quite to the contrary, their performances are so perfectly nuanced that they both look and sound just like the real singers.
There is a lot of great singing in this film along with a rather sweet tale about bad boy Cash finally getting June Carter to become his wife. Cash was tormented for years by the demons of booze and pills besides being married to another woman during the time he fell in love with June. Carter wasn't in much better shape with two failed marriages behind her and Cash offering little hope for marital stability. Their on again, off again relationship in both their singing and in their work before their eventual marriage forms the foundation for this film.
I will gladly admit to the astounding verisimilitude of their acting and their singing. Phoenix and Witherspoon become Cash and Carter. Their singing, while not quite up to the caliber of the originals, certainly passes muster. If you close your eyes and don't think about it too much, you would easily believe that you are listening to the real Johnny Cash and the real June Carter.
Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon clicked with me both as actors and performers. This is a very well done movie.
Grade: A-, Recommended? Yes
Movie rating: PG-13 for some language, thematic material, and depictions of drug dependency Movie run time: 136 minutes
Carl Zapffe, The Cat's Meow Movie Critic
Please click on the link below to read my full review of this movie as well as those of other recent movies:
http://www.catsmeowmoviecritic.com
There is a lot of great singing in this film along with a rather sweet tale about bad boy Cash finally getting June Carter to become his wife. Cash was tormented for years by the demons of booze and pills besides being married to another woman during the time he fell in love with June. Carter wasn't in much better shape with two failed marriages behind her and Cash offering little hope for marital stability. Their on again, off again relationship in both their singing and in their work before their eventual marriage forms the foundation for this film.
I will gladly admit to the astounding verisimilitude of their acting and their singing. Phoenix and Witherspoon become Cash and Carter. Their singing, while not quite up to the caliber of the originals, certainly passes muster. If you close your eyes and don't think about it too much, you would easily believe that you are listening to the real Johnny Cash and the real June Carter.
Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon clicked with me both as actors and performers. This is a very well done movie.
Grade: A-, Recommended? Yes
Movie rating: PG-13 for some language, thematic material, and depictions of drug dependency Movie run time: 136 minutes
Carl Zapffe, The Cat's Meow Movie Critic
Please click on the link below to read my full review of this movie as well as those of other recent movies:
http://www.catsmeowmoviecritic.com
Prime
(2005)
Sadly, Well Cast "Prime" is Sub-Prime as a Movie
6 November 2005
"PRIME"(2005) This movie written and directed by Ben Younger has flashes of comedic brilliance accompanied by fine performances from all of its well-cast leads. That being said, this is no Woody Allen movie (as mentioned in some reviews) and any comparisons to that director simplistically rely on the New York City locales and a story about a young Jewish man who deeply disturbs his parents by romancing an older gentile divorcée.
More importantly, this film's star, David Bloomberg (Bryan Greenberg), unlike Woody Allen, is neither neurotic nor introspective. As a character, David Bloomberg is actually a rather immature young man, something that would never be said about Woody Allen. Since he is the star of this movie, the banality of his youth greatly diminishes the appeal of this film for anyone who values a literate script and intelligent characterizations.
Furthermore, this film hangs its questionable comedic premise on the highly implausible situation of a psychologist (in a role well played by Meryl Streep) who betrays her patient. This ultimately isn't very funny when you think about it. As a romance this film also fails because I was never convinced that Rafi (Uma Thurman) could find anything of interest in David outside of the bedroom other than as a morale boost after the failure of her marriage.
Grade: C, Recommended? Neutral to negative
Carl Zapffe, The Cat's Meow Movie Critic
More importantly, this film's star, David Bloomberg (Bryan Greenberg), unlike Woody Allen, is neither neurotic nor introspective. As a character, David Bloomberg is actually a rather immature young man, something that would never be said about Woody Allen. Since he is the star of this movie, the banality of his youth greatly diminishes the appeal of this film for anyone who values a literate script and intelligent characterizations.
Furthermore, this film hangs its questionable comedic premise on the highly implausible situation of a psychologist (in a role well played by Meryl Streep) who betrays her patient. This ultimately isn't very funny when you think about it. As a romance this film also fails because I was never convinced that Rafi (Uma Thurman) could find anything of interest in David outside of the bedroom other than as a morale boost after the failure of her marriage.
Grade: C, Recommended? Neutral to negative
Carl Zapffe, The Cat's Meow Movie Critic
A History of Violence
(2005)
Don't Miss "A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE," Cronenberg's New Masterpiece
7 October 2005
"A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE"(2005) Director David Cronenberg has created a near masterpiece with this movie, which is certain to be on my list of the "10 Best Movies of 2005."
While the title may be off-putting to some and invoke questions from others, I would hasten to assure you that this movie is not as violent as you might think. The scenes of violence, while graphic, are short and then passed over. What this movie does dwell on is the long term effects of that violence, especially its devastatingly corrosive effects on family relationships.
Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) is a family man and a solid, respectable citizen of a small farming town in northeastern Indiana. He has an idyllic life with a loving wife, two healthy kids, and a pleasant career as the owner of Stall's Cafe on Main Street.
One day two mindless toughs attempt to rob his diner and rape an employee. Tom unexpectedly leaps into action and dispatches both men with lethal force. The media circus following this event creates a very unpleasant aftereffect for Tom when two mobsters show up from Philadelphia and claim him to be one of their own. They demand that he return back to Philly with them.
Their subsequent visits create further problems for Tom's wife and children, not to mention the local sheriff who happens to be a family friend. Is this devoted family man really who he says he is, or does he have a dark secret in his past that no one in town knows about?
This excellent movie is not about violence but rather a thoughtful study about why some people find it so difficult to escape their violent past in an effort to change the course of their lives. Be forewarned that there are also several scenes of intense sexuality in this film. Grade: A, Recommended? Highly! One of the best movies of the year!
Carl Zapffe, The Cat's Meow Movie Critic
http://www.catsmeowmoviecritic.com
While the title may be off-putting to some and invoke questions from others, I would hasten to assure you that this movie is not as violent as you might think. The scenes of violence, while graphic, are short and then passed over. What this movie does dwell on is the long term effects of that violence, especially its devastatingly corrosive effects on family relationships.
Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) is a family man and a solid, respectable citizen of a small farming town in northeastern Indiana. He has an idyllic life with a loving wife, two healthy kids, and a pleasant career as the owner of Stall's Cafe on Main Street.
One day two mindless toughs attempt to rob his diner and rape an employee. Tom unexpectedly leaps into action and dispatches both men with lethal force. The media circus following this event creates a very unpleasant aftereffect for Tom when two mobsters show up from Philadelphia and claim him to be one of their own. They demand that he return back to Philly with them.
Their subsequent visits create further problems for Tom's wife and children, not to mention the local sheriff who happens to be a family friend. Is this devoted family man really who he says he is, or does he have a dark secret in his past that no one in town knows about?
This excellent movie is not about violence but rather a thoughtful study about why some people find it so difficult to escape their violent past in an effort to change the course of their lives. Be forewarned that there are also several scenes of intense sexuality in this film. Grade: A, Recommended? Highly! One of the best movies of the year!
Carl Zapffe, The Cat's Meow Movie Critic
http://www.catsmeowmoviecritic.com
The Constant Gardener
(2005)
"The Constant Gardener" Suffers Greatly From the Cinematography
13 September 2005
"THE CONSTANT GARDNER"(2005) A social activist and the new wife of a British diplomat is murdered in a remote region of Africa. The diplomatic corps want to brush her murder under the rug, but her husband begins to investigate the strange circumstances surrounding her death.
The other diplomats think that he will soon drop his investigation, but he won't. He pursues it like a bulldog and along the way he comes to love and admire his wife even more for the crusading soul for justice that she was. Many flashbacks illuminate the story of their all too brief life together.
There is a good story here and the makings of a good movie, but both the story and the movie are very nearly destroyed by the "cinema verité" documentary style of film making with its emphasis on the jerky, almost visually disabling, use of a handicam. Credit or blame cinematographer César Charlone (and others) for this.
This film also tries too hard to give us a laundry list of the litany of the ills that have befallen Africa over the centuries and continuing until the present day. From colonialism to corrupt corporations to equally corrupt penny ante dictators, this film has it all. Although filled with the usual suspects, the villain du jour in this piece is, conveniently and topically, a drug company testing a fatally flawed tuberculosis drug called Dipraxa on African AIDS patients who would have died anyway.
This movie is elevated by a passionate performance by Rachel Weisz as Tessa, a social activist newly married to Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes), a low key career British diplomat stationed in Africa. Her passion is exterior while his is interior and beautifully nuanced throughout the film until it reaches a breaking point. Their love story and the fine supporting performances by Danny Huston, Hubert Koundé, Bill Nighy, Pete Postlethwaite and others round out an excellent cast.
Grade: B, Recommended? Neutral ------------- Carl Zapffe, The Cat's Meow Movie Critic
The other diplomats think that he will soon drop his investigation, but he won't. He pursues it like a bulldog and along the way he comes to love and admire his wife even more for the crusading soul for justice that she was. Many flashbacks illuminate the story of their all too brief life together.
There is a good story here and the makings of a good movie, but both the story and the movie are very nearly destroyed by the "cinema verité" documentary style of film making with its emphasis on the jerky, almost visually disabling, use of a handicam. Credit or blame cinematographer César Charlone (and others) for this.
This film also tries too hard to give us a laundry list of the litany of the ills that have befallen Africa over the centuries and continuing until the present day. From colonialism to corrupt corporations to equally corrupt penny ante dictators, this film has it all. Although filled with the usual suspects, the villain du jour in this piece is, conveniently and topically, a drug company testing a fatally flawed tuberculosis drug called Dipraxa on African AIDS patients who would have died anyway.
This movie is elevated by a passionate performance by Rachel Weisz as Tessa, a social activist newly married to Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes), a low key career British diplomat stationed in Africa. Her passion is exterior while his is interior and beautifully nuanced throughout the film until it reaches a breaking point. Their love story and the fine supporting performances by Danny Huston, Hubert Koundé, Bill Nighy, Pete Postlethwaite and others round out an excellent cast.
Grade: B, Recommended? Neutral ------------- Carl Zapffe, The Cat's Meow Movie Critic
The Great Raid
(2005)
"The Great Raid" Is Not as Great as the Story
7 September 2005
"THE GREAT RAID"(2005) This story is thrilling in concept because it is largely true with only a small fictional romance added for interest. In one of the most daring World War II missions ever undertaken, approximately 120 US Army Rangers were sent deep into the Philippine jungle to rescue 511 Americans held in a Japanese POW camp. The World War II heroes who led this mission later won Distinguished Service Crosses for their uncommon valor and courage.
"The Great Raid" is populated with a large ensemble cast of lesser known actors, all of whom do a superlative job in their roles. This list includes Benjamin Bratt as Lt. Colonel Mucci and James Franco as Captain Prince, who played the the two leaders of the rescue operation along with Connie Nielsen as Margaret Utinsky, the Lithuanian leader of the Manila resistance.
If only the movie were as alive and as fascinating as the real life story. Unfortunately, somewhere between the scripting, directing, and the editing of the film, this movie loses its focus. The pieces were in place for a great film and its heart is in the right place, but the movie plods along as if the writers and the director had lost their way in the Philippine jungle with the soldiers.
Grade: B, Recommended? Yes. Flawed but still fascinating.
Carl Zapffe, The Cat's Meow Movie Critic
http://www.catsmeowmoviecritic.com
"The Great Raid" is populated with a large ensemble cast of lesser known actors, all of whom do a superlative job in their roles. This list includes Benjamin Bratt as Lt. Colonel Mucci and James Franco as Captain Prince, who played the the two leaders of the rescue operation along with Connie Nielsen as Margaret Utinsky, the Lithuanian leader of the Manila resistance.
If only the movie were as alive and as fascinating as the real life story. Unfortunately, somewhere between the scripting, directing, and the editing of the film, this movie loses its focus. The pieces were in place for a great film and its heart is in the right place, but the movie plods along as if the writers and the director had lost their way in the Philippine jungle with the soldiers.
Grade: B, Recommended? Yes. Flawed but still fascinating.
Carl Zapffe, The Cat's Meow Movie Critic
http://www.catsmeowmoviecritic.com
Broken Flowers
(2005)
Broken Flowers is a Minimalist Disappointment
28 August 2005
"BROKEN FLOWERS"(2005) "Broken Flowers" is like a minimalist painting hanging in a museum where you have to work as hard as the artist to get to a reasonable, though conflicted, understanding of what it's all about. And your guess as to what it is all about is every bit as good as mine.
It's a small detective story with few clues and no resolution. I've figured out a hypothesis that works for me, but I wouldn't dare mention it here and spoil the movie for you.
The story was written by director Jarmusch for actor Bill Murray, but that says more about Jarmusch and Murray than it does about anything in the real world where this kind of story would never happen.
Some may love abstract, minimalist movies like this that perhaps have been inspired by earlier existentialist French cinema. However, I prefer more passion, logic, plot and linearity of thought in my movies. I do believe that it is the responsibility of a movie to allow me to take more meaning out of it than I have to put into it.
In addition, this story just doesn't work for me with a setup that is so preposterous as to be entirely unbelievable.
I did admire Bill Murray's performance. In fact, all of the performances in this movie are first rate. But is that enough? Not for me. Everything else has to click as well, and the story along with the mostly disagreeable characterizations in this film leave a lot to be desired. Grade: B, Recommended? Neutral ------------ Carl Zapffe, The Cat's Meow Movie Critic --------------------------------- Please click on the link below to read my full review of this movie as well as those of other recent movies:
http://www.catsmeowmoviecritic.com
It's a small detective story with few clues and no resolution. I've figured out a hypothesis that works for me, but I wouldn't dare mention it here and spoil the movie for you.
The story was written by director Jarmusch for actor Bill Murray, but that says more about Jarmusch and Murray than it does about anything in the real world where this kind of story would never happen.
Some may love abstract, minimalist movies like this that perhaps have been inspired by earlier existentialist French cinema. However, I prefer more passion, logic, plot and linearity of thought in my movies. I do believe that it is the responsibility of a movie to allow me to take more meaning out of it than I have to put into it.
In addition, this story just doesn't work for me with a setup that is so preposterous as to be entirely unbelievable.
I did admire Bill Murray's performance. In fact, all of the performances in this movie are first rate. But is that enough? Not for me. Everything else has to click as well, and the story along with the mostly disagreeable characterizations in this film leave a lot to be desired. Grade: B, Recommended? Neutral ------------ Carl Zapffe, The Cat's Meow Movie Critic --------------------------------- Please click on the link below to read my full review of this movie as well as those of other recent movies:
http://www.catsmeowmoviecritic.com
Jesse Stone: Stone Cold
(2005 TV Movie)
"Stone Cold," a 2005 made for television movie.
22 February 2005
"Stone Cold" is a 2005 made for television film noir starring Tom Selleck. While the plot is rather simplistic, Tom Selleck, as the film's star, offers a strong performance as Jesse Stone, a worn down police chief now serving in the small Maine coastal community of Paradise.
Formerly a high profile homicide detective from Los Angeles, Selleck as Stone gives this film great appeal. In addition, the supporting roles are all well cast, albeit with largely unknown actors except for Mimi Rogers who stars as a local defense attorney.
Police Chief Jesse Stone has to deal with an ex-wife who is a national news reporter who is always hungry for a scoop. He still has conflicted romantic feelings about her and will listen attentively to her messages on his answering machine, but he refuses her entreaties to insulate herself into his investigation in the hope of gaining inside access to the identity of a serial killer or killers suddenly plaguing the town.
Helping Stone to pass the time in Paradise is the joyful presence of a much younger woman who is not only a dear friend but also a welcome sexual partner. She would love to mean more to Stone, but he is so burned out by his previous work in L.A. and his recent divorce that he keeps her at a safe emotional distance. For the most part, alcohol offers about as much of a constant relationship as Stone has any desire to deal with.
The quiet peacefulness of Paradise is shattered one day by the discovery of a body lying near the craggy shore close to the lighthouse. The young man had been shot twice at close range, apparently by two different 22 caliber guns as the angles of the bullets' entry into his body are different.
Making life more difficult for Chief Stone is the gang rape of a young high school student, Candace Pennington (Alexis Dziema), whose parents are strangely uncooperative when they all sit down in the police station for an interview. Her mother had bathed her before coming down to the station, most likely compromising the physical evidence. They withdraw their complaint and leave in a huff after Stone wants the girl to go to the area hospital for a check up and further tests.
A trusted female officer sent over to the high school quickly deduces the identities of the three rapists when she observes them all taunting Candace in the high school cafeteria. They turn out to be popular students who play football for the local high school team. In an effort to separate the three boys into accessories to the crime and rapists, Stone is immeasurably helped by the discovery of incriminating photographs in the knapsack of one of the kids. Now he and his three man staff have to deal with angry parents and high priced defense attorneys brought in to get the kids off the hook.
The day goes from bad to worse when another body, this time a young woman killed in her car in a parking lot, is discovered with the exact same M.O. as the young man. Chief Stone realizes that he has what looks like a serial killer operating somewhere in town and he begins to wonder who will be next since he has no evidence to suspect anyone much less charge anybody.
"Stone Cold" is one of the better television movies that I have recently seen. As the author has written several books starring Chief Stone, my sincere wish is that Selleck will soon reprise this role.
Formerly a high profile homicide detective from Los Angeles, Selleck as Stone gives this film great appeal. In addition, the supporting roles are all well cast, albeit with largely unknown actors except for Mimi Rogers who stars as a local defense attorney.
Police Chief Jesse Stone has to deal with an ex-wife who is a national news reporter who is always hungry for a scoop. He still has conflicted romantic feelings about her and will listen attentively to her messages on his answering machine, but he refuses her entreaties to insulate herself into his investigation in the hope of gaining inside access to the identity of a serial killer or killers suddenly plaguing the town.
Helping Stone to pass the time in Paradise is the joyful presence of a much younger woman who is not only a dear friend but also a welcome sexual partner. She would love to mean more to Stone, but he is so burned out by his previous work in L.A. and his recent divorce that he keeps her at a safe emotional distance. For the most part, alcohol offers about as much of a constant relationship as Stone has any desire to deal with.
The quiet peacefulness of Paradise is shattered one day by the discovery of a body lying near the craggy shore close to the lighthouse. The young man had been shot twice at close range, apparently by two different 22 caliber guns as the angles of the bullets' entry into his body are different.
Making life more difficult for Chief Stone is the gang rape of a young high school student, Candace Pennington (Alexis Dziema), whose parents are strangely uncooperative when they all sit down in the police station for an interview. Her mother had bathed her before coming down to the station, most likely compromising the physical evidence. They withdraw their complaint and leave in a huff after Stone wants the girl to go to the area hospital for a check up and further tests.
A trusted female officer sent over to the high school quickly deduces the identities of the three rapists when she observes them all taunting Candace in the high school cafeteria. They turn out to be popular students who play football for the local high school team. In an effort to separate the three boys into accessories to the crime and rapists, Stone is immeasurably helped by the discovery of incriminating photographs in the knapsack of one of the kids. Now he and his three man staff have to deal with angry parents and high priced defense attorneys brought in to get the kids off the hook.
The day goes from bad to worse when another body, this time a young woman killed in her car in a parking lot, is discovered with the exact same M.O. as the young man. Chief Stone realizes that he has what looks like a serial killer operating somewhere in town and he begins to wonder who will be next since he has no evidence to suspect anyone much less charge anybody.
"Stone Cold" is one of the better television movies that I have recently seen. As the author has written several books starring Chief Stone, my sincere wish is that Selleck will soon reprise this role.
The Count of Monte Cristo
(1998)
One of the most powerful television productions ever made!
27 January 2002
One of the most powerful films of any venue ever made. This beautiful production in French with English subtitles faithfully follows the original Alexander Dumas novel with Gerard Depardieu absolutely sensational as the vengeful Count of Monte Cristo. All of the main and secondary roles are played to perfection. In addition, the beautiful photography and the exceptional acting is more than enhanced by the haunting, melodic musical scoring. This version is the best of any of the other more than 30 filmed adaptations of the famous Dumas novel. Furthermore, it is far better than the admittedly entertaining current 2002 production starring James Caviezel, which takes so many liberties with the story as to deserve to be titled, "inspired by" rather than "adapted from." This movie is truly riveting. Once you get into it, you will not be able to turn the television off. **** - Four
A Magically Soaring Rhapsodic Masterpiece!
6 March 2001
There have not been many times that I have walked out of a movie theater almost speechless, in a reverie, and almost in tears at just having seen a movie of such poetic flights of fancy as to leave me in awe of the creative process that has brought this cinematic magic to the screen. This is what movies should be about, what they can be when they aspire to be the very, very best. This movie is cinematic art brought to its highest form. It is pleasure beyond description to experience a work as unusual, as different, as intelligent, as beautiful as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".
"Crouching Tiger,..." goes back to a mystically distant past where warriors elevated swordsmanship and the martial arts to levels undreamt of by any in King Arthur's court. To one who has long admired the swordsmanship and the downright gutsiness, brass and sheer bravado of Errol Flynn in "The Adventures of Robin Hood", I have to admit that I have now seen a movie that puts that classic to shame. In a very real way, this movie, adapted from a pre-WWII Chinese novel, is the mirror Oriental image of our own Occidental Star Wars saga by George Lucas. This movie also has its warriors (Jedi Knights) able to master the laws of gravity and magically make their swords (re: light sabers) overcome all odds after long periods of training at the distant Wudan Mountain sanctuary, similar to, but much more beautiful, than the resident planet of Yoda where the young Luke Skywalker received his training.
Master Warrior Li Mu Bai(Chow Yun Fat) wants to retire and confess his love for his fellow warrior Yu Shu Lien(Michelle Yeoh), but he must first convey his magical 400 year-old sword, "The Green Destiny", to a governor and long time friend. Yu offers to convey the sword to this governor herself and Li gives his consent. The very night that she arrives, however, it is stolen by the young Princess Jen Yu(Zhang Ziyi), the daughter of another governor currently visiting this home at the same time. Princess Jen is a mysterious and rebellious young lady in torment over her impending marriage to another politician brokered by her father. It turns out that she had earlier been kidnapped by a gang of bandits in the desert, the leader of which, Bandit Lo, captured her heart. The scenes of the Mongolian desert, as all others in this movie, are filmed in rapturous beauty.
Warrior Yu begins to suspect that Princess Jen is not the demure young lady that she pretends to be as her reflexes betray a training in the warrior arts of the Wudan. Could there be a connection between this young lady and Jade Fox, the mysterious assassin of the Master Teacher of Wudan, whose murder his disciple, Warrior Li, is pledged to avenge? Once again there are parallels here between the Master Teacher(Yoda and/or Obi Wan Kenobi) and Jade Fox(Darth Vader), although the latter comparison is somewhat weak as the character of the Jade Fox is not nearly as well fleshed out nor is it as beautifully villainous as that of Darth Vader.
There are two love stories in this movie, one middle-aged and poignant with lost opportunity, and the other hot and passionate with all the fire of youth. Both are beautifully filmed. Director Ang Lee deserves every kudo for bringing this masterpiece to the screen. The musical scoring is lush as the passages of the Shanghai Symphony are interspersed with solos by master cellist Yo Yo Ma. The filming and editing are first rate. This is one of the best movies in years.
"Crouching Tiger,..." goes back to a mystically distant past where warriors elevated swordsmanship and the martial arts to levels undreamt of by any in King Arthur's court. To one who has long admired the swordsmanship and the downright gutsiness, brass and sheer bravado of Errol Flynn in "The Adventures of Robin Hood", I have to admit that I have now seen a movie that puts that classic to shame. In a very real way, this movie, adapted from a pre-WWII Chinese novel, is the mirror Oriental image of our own Occidental Star Wars saga by George Lucas. This movie also has its warriors (Jedi Knights) able to master the laws of gravity and magically make their swords (re: light sabers) overcome all odds after long periods of training at the distant Wudan Mountain sanctuary, similar to, but much more beautiful, than the resident planet of Yoda where the young Luke Skywalker received his training.
Master Warrior Li Mu Bai(Chow Yun Fat) wants to retire and confess his love for his fellow warrior Yu Shu Lien(Michelle Yeoh), but he must first convey his magical 400 year-old sword, "The Green Destiny", to a governor and long time friend. Yu offers to convey the sword to this governor herself and Li gives his consent. The very night that she arrives, however, it is stolen by the young Princess Jen Yu(Zhang Ziyi), the daughter of another governor currently visiting this home at the same time. Princess Jen is a mysterious and rebellious young lady in torment over her impending marriage to another politician brokered by her father. It turns out that she had earlier been kidnapped by a gang of bandits in the desert, the leader of which, Bandit Lo, captured her heart. The scenes of the Mongolian desert, as all others in this movie, are filmed in rapturous beauty.
Warrior Yu begins to suspect that Princess Jen is not the demure young lady that she pretends to be as her reflexes betray a training in the warrior arts of the Wudan. Could there be a connection between this young lady and Jade Fox, the mysterious assassin of the Master Teacher of Wudan, whose murder his disciple, Warrior Li, is pledged to avenge? Once again there are parallels here between the Master Teacher(Yoda and/or Obi Wan Kenobi) and Jade Fox(Darth Vader), although the latter comparison is somewhat weak as the character of the Jade Fox is not nearly as well fleshed out nor is it as beautifully villainous as that of Darth Vader.
There are two love stories in this movie, one middle-aged and poignant with lost opportunity, and the other hot and passionate with all the fire of youth. Both are beautifully filmed. Director Ang Lee deserves every kudo for bringing this masterpiece to the screen. The musical scoring is lush as the passages of the Shanghai Symphony are interspersed with solos by master cellist Yo Yo Ma. The filming and editing are first rate. This is one of the best movies in years.
Chocolat
(2000)
Sweet Trifle But Not Filling Enough for a Cinematic
4 March 2001
Rather simplistic morality fable of an unearthly woman, Vianne Rocher(Juliette Binoche), and child literally "blowing" into a small, provincial French village during the Fifties on the wings of the cold winds from the North. She rents a patisserie shop from an aged owner, Armande Voizin(Judi Dench), and quickly rehabilitates it into the chocolate shop of the title. Her magical gifts at creating these sweet wonders and also anticipating the exact delight of each of her prospective clients comes from her own mother, a Mayan priestess with whom her father had had a doomed relationship. Unfortunately, all of this activity takes place right at the start of Lent in this heavily Catholic town under both the political and the moral guidance of the Mayor Comte de Reynaud(Alfred Molina). The mayor is also currently occupied in the training of the newly-arrived priest so as to elevate him to his own exacting moralistic standards.
The Mayor takes it as a personal affront that this young woman has opened this shop of gustatory pleasures during the Lenten period when fasting and denying yourself of all earthly pleasures is supposed to be the rule. He threatens to close her down before the end of Lent. The few allies Vianne finds in the town include her landlady and also a battered wife, Josephine Muscat(Lena Olin). This situation quickly develops into a crisis setting when a boatload of musical drifters headed by Roux(Johnny Depp) drop achor in the river that flows through the town. The two non-comformists quickly link up as allies while the Mayor and his allies try to figure out how to get this new threat of the floating riff-raff back on their boat and off to the next town as soon as possible.
While I am a sucker for ancient European villages and all period romances, this story didn't develop either the romance or the story to levels raised by all the Oscar hoopla. Neither the movie nor Juliette Binoche nor Judi Dench deserved their Oscar nominations. Binoche's's character was not fleshed out enough to allow us to get to know what really motivated her. Furthermore, while the shop is proclaimed to be a success the exchange of money for sweets is not once shown during the movie. My vote for an Oscar nomination would only have gone to Lena Olin for her rich portrayal of a battered wife picking herself up and starting over as Binoche's assistant chocolatier. Rating: ***(Three Stars, out of four) for a trifle that is sweet but not filling enough to serve as a full cinematic meal.
The Mayor takes it as a personal affront that this young woman has opened this shop of gustatory pleasures during the Lenten period when fasting and denying yourself of all earthly pleasures is supposed to be the rule. He threatens to close her down before the end of Lent. The few allies Vianne finds in the town include her landlady and also a battered wife, Josephine Muscat(Lena Olin). This situation quickly develops into a crisis setting when a boatload of musical drifters headed by Roux(Johnny Depp) drop achor in the river that flows through the town. The two non-comformists quickly link up as allies while the Mayor and his allies try to figure out how to get this new threat of the floating riff-raff back on their boat and off to the next town as soon as possible.
While I am a sucker for ancient European villages and all period romances, this story didn't develop either the romance or the story to levels raised by all the Oscar hoopla. Neither the movie nor Juliette Binoche nor Judi Dench deserved their Oscar nominations. Binoche's's character was not fleshed out enough to allow us to get to know what really motivated her. Furthermore, while the shop is proclaimed to be a success the exchange of money for sweets is not once shown during the movie. My vote for an Oscar nomination would only have gone to Lena Olin for her rich portrayal of a battered wife picking herself up and starting over as Binoche's assistant chocolatier. Rating: ***(Three Stars, out of four) for a trifle that is sweet but not filling enough to serve as a full cinematic meal.
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