maria-309 Reviews

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018)

A Modern Imagining

[10/10 · 11 April 2019]

This is probably the best movie you will never see. Terry Gilliam's Magnum Opus, Great White Whale, Impossible Dream is beautiful, imaginative, and for Gilliam, amazingly restrained, while still having the hallmark surrealism, whimsy, playfulness and sorrow. We were fortunate to see it in an actual theater, which I suspect will be a rare thing since it is in extremely limited distribution. Litigation, bad luck and disaster has plagued the film from decades before the first scene was filmed. I am so glad it is finished and Gilliam can go after his next obsession.

Conclusion? See it if you can. Don't read reviews from people who don't understand the fantastical. Prepare to tilt at some windmills.

The Illusionist (2006)

Norton is mesmerizing

[9/10 · 9 August 2006]

I am a long time fan of the old theatre magicians and have been fascinated by the wave of spiritualism that swept both continents around the turn of the last century. This movie plays off those real life happenings, with the added twist of court and political intrigue. The movie is lush - as a period piece should be - with terrific performances from a true ensemble cast. Edward Norton has the charismatic gaze that makes you believe in every thing he does. Jennifer Biel is tragic and compelling as a woman trapped by society and dubious duty. Paul Giamatti - who seems to be in every other movie these days - is wonderful as a conflicted man unsure of whom he serves. Rufus Sewell, as the Crown Prince Leopold, is that man, and he embodies the boo-hiss villain. Vain and driven, he is larger than life and not one to cross, as the illusionist comes to find out. The music of Philip Glass fits the scenes and add just the right amount of tension. Plus the horses are very old world with large hooves and a heck of a lot of presence. A compelling and beautiful film.

A Scanner Darkly (2006)

Amazing and jarring

[8/10 · 13 July 2006]

It is unusual for me to see a film and have no idea how it will unfold. The plot doubles back on itself, viewpoints change, reality shifts. Despite the fact that it was written in the '70s as a comment on the destructive elements of the drug culture, there are many parallels to today's society and its possible future. It is also interesting that so many actors with real life demons were cast, and yet, because of the filming techniques, their faces were abstracted enough to allow the characters they played to take front stage, not the tabloid headlines. This is undeniably a dark film, and the music chosen telegraphs the mood. I now need to read the book to see if the film captured its essence. I suspect it does. I highly recommend this film.