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Reviews
Holes (2003)
Did the book justice, for once
For the first time in my life, a movie adaptation of a book didn't disappoint me. Everything looked perfect - the sets and the people. Zero looked just like I imagined! Mr. Sir also did a great job. If you liked the book at all, go ahead and see the movie!
Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001)
Fresh and inventive
I really liked this one. I thought they did a great job of updating the story to the present day in a clever, believable way. I'm not a particular fan of hip-hop, either. There were some really clever lyrics (my favorite was the argument scene), yet the original score does underlie the whole thing. I liked it much better than "Carmen Jones," the 50s version of "Carmen" which degenerates into Broadway schlock at times.
The man who played the evil cop did a really terrific job, and I hear he's usually a singer, not an actor. The supporting roles were really well interpreted and the people who played them well-chosen. I very much enjoyed the fortune teller, who seemed really ominous with his voodoo/Jamaican aura. The leads shined.
My main gripe with the whole thing was the camera work, which was rather distracting at times. For example, there is a meta-commentary at the beginning and end of the movie, a rap done by a woman, and the camera constantly changes angles and splits into multiple images of the artist. I'd have much preferred a straight shot so that I could pay attention to what she's saying and her body language, which were good.
Overall, I loved it and will see it again.