romanhans Reviews

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

War is bad. No, really!

[7/10 · 1 October 2006]

This is a nice film. Interesting, good characters, at times beautiful. Sad, then, that's there's absolutely no reason to watch it.

Don't know that war is bad? That it affects innocent children? That some people are horrible? Want to spend some time crying, and spend the rest of the evening depressed and/or haunted? Then this is the film for you.

For the rest of us, applaud the film and the obvious effort that's been put into it, and stay away.

I'm glad this work exists, as a document of a historical time. And occasionally I'll look back and remember some of its beauty. But I almost wish I hadn't seen it -- my life needs energy and beauty rather than depression -- and it's the only Miyazaki film I wouldn't recommend.

Shortbus (2006)

Funny, fantastic. Nearly a masterpiece. Don't miss it.

[10/10 · 29 September 2006]

"Shortbus" is impossible to summarize, and in the future film students will write books about it. it's hysterically funny, wonderfully smart, and totally endearing.  It's also been marginalized by an infantile media that refuses to talk about anything other than the guy who can "do" himself. Don't fall for their bait: this film is brilliant.

"Shortbus" puts sex in perspective -- as a part of all our lives -- and thumbs its nose to the puritanical ratings board and to the puritanical country we live in.  This is a Robert Altmanesque tale of six or seven young New Yorkers, and being honest it follows their (quirky, unflinchingly honest, hysterically funny) sex lives too.  It's wonderful and refreshing and ground-breaking and the bravest film in years.  It shows America in no uncertain terms that having to cut sex out of movies to make them "safe" also cuts out their . . . well, I'll say "guts."

Anyway, run to see it -- in a theater, not on DVD.  It defines our time. I have no connection with the film, didn't expect to like it, and didn't like "Hedwig," so I'm astonished that it's the best film of the year. It's funnier than Woody Allen and seriously hits masterpiece at points -- though it's admittedly a little ragged, unwieldy and low-budget.  Lots of quotable lines, but I'll give just one that beautifully defines our time:  This guy hosts a salon, and a new girl visits.  In one room there are like thirty people having sex.  "It's just like the seventies!" the host says brightly.  "Except, without the hope."

Breaking and Entering (2006)

Excellent, but seriously flawed.

[8/10 · 28 September 2006]

This is a terrific film with a few serious flaws, and anybody who says otherwise is probably motivated by income rather than honesty.

There's an unfortunate trend in movie-making where everything has to be meaningful. Every action has an arc, every character gets back what he gives. In some films, this works seamlessly. In others -- "Crash," for instance -- it turns the film into unbelievable claptrap.

The end of "Breaking and Entering," sadly, is claptrap. Characters start acting the way the screenwriter wanted them to, rather than the way they would. Personally, I'd rather the film was believable rather than tied up in a neat little bundle.

Other major complaint: Robin Wright Penn is not a great actress, and here she plays a miserable, one-note character. Unfortunately this is a pivotal role in the film, and it totally undermines the wisdom of the ending.

The film is still being worked on, so it could still be one of the year's best. At this point, though, it's like a terrific boxer who takes a dive at the end of a fight.

The Little Prince (1974)

Classic 70's film

[4 May 2004]

I'm totally mystified by the previous review. This movie is a product of its time -- 1974 -- so why blame it for that? You wouldn't criticize "Don't Look Now" because Donald Sutherland wears wide lapels.

"The Little Prince" is a pitch-perfect film, beautifully written and filmed, with an amazing sense of humor. Yes, it's totally dated, and some of the songs are horrible, but it's got an originality even "West Side Story," another classic stylish film, can't match.

If you want irony, American humor or 21st century attitude, avoid this film like the plague. But if you can appreciate brilliant little films that wear their hearts on their sleeves don't miss this film.

An added bonus: in Bob Fosse's spectacular five minute dance you can see every dance move Michael Jackson ever made.