Change Your Image
kerry-jones
Reviews
Iron Jawed Angels (2004)
Excellent Work
I was nervous the first time I watched it--I remember thinking, "Uh-oh. Women's suffrage meets MTV. Grrrrreat. I'm sure Alice Paul loved Third Eye Blind." And then, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the ride, and the music ultimately didn't bother me one bit--it actually works very well. That was a big risk on the part of the director, but she takes lots of risks throughout, and I'm glad to see a director willing to do that.
No complaints about any of the performances. Swank can be a little too wooden, Huston a little over-the-top, but they both deliver. The show-stealer in my opinion is Frances O'Connor as Lucy Burns. Burns is the class clown, but can also be touching and sad, especially when she expresses the loneliness she feels in her personal life. I love the line "I'll probably end up back in Brooklyn living alone. With a hairless cat. Named Lester."
I've heard some grumblings about the masturbation scene, but, having scene this movie well over ten times, I don't find it inappropriate or graphic. I think it demonstrates that Paul was NOT sexless or as stoic as those around her see her. It shows that she's human and, yes, has desire. But even in her desire, she sticks to the dogma she embraces. Hence, in those moments when she feels desire, she's alone. It's far from a sexual scene. It's quite sad, and the only moment when I felt sorry for Alice Paul.
All in all, I'm happy that there's a film out there that puts a new twist on the Suffrage Movement. The shell of the film is historically accurate overall--it's interior takes many modern liberties, especially the dialogue. That's forgivable, though. My college students may actually take an interest in a period that's perceived as antiquated and Victorian.
Highly recommended!
Hide and Seek (2005)
What a Disappointment
I was anxious to see this film, and I honestly enjoyed the first hour of it. And then...Charlie was revealed, and I was so angry I considered walking out of the theater.
Not every horror movie has to be "The Exorcist" or "The Sixth Sense." Not every movie--horror or otherwise, has to be intelligent. With a little bourbon, even "Night of the Lepus" can be fun. Twists in a horror film are great--if executed correctly. And "Hide and Seek" misses the mark completely.
For one, it asks us to be stupid and go along with the second half of the film. The second half of the film doesn't add up, nor does it make us say, "I should have seen that coming," as films such as "Sixth Sense" and "The Others" did. There's no equation for this movie--none. In the end, I had no idea what the movie was really about (that drawing in the final scene--what IS that? What does it say?) The only thing good about the movie was the performances by every member of the cast. Hey Amy Irving! Good to see you! Same for Elisabeth Shue. Dakota Fanning is very talented, and we should keep our eyes on her. But the cast isn't worth the money.
Save your dollars for Blockbuster if you're really curious. Again, I was hopeful at 7pm this evening, and very angry two hours later. Little plot, no resolution. The film descends into utter nonsense. A true disappointment.