Reviews
Finding Nemo (2003)
Just good (that is: disappointing)
Finding Nemo is just an average animation movie. Unlike its predecessors, it's aimed only at kids; the plot is very thin. I watched this just a day after Miyazaki's Spirited Away, and Finding Nemo pales by comparison. I find this movie particularily overrated and I would still recommend it for kids.
Ma 6-T va crack-er (1997)
A leftist propaganda movie
This movie has its artistic qualities. But, it is not definitely its purpose. Richet is an extremist obsessed by revolution. He tried to make a film inviting young viewers in "banlieues" to put everything on fire. For instance, cops are constantly portrayed as racist and violent, and are called enemies from beginning till end. The script tries to explain how their revolt is justified, and that true violence is the only way to escape their problems. The climax is the end: after a cop coldly kills a teenager, all his friends start to break public phones, burn cars, until a whole police unit come for the "final fight". So you might watch it to see how far violence goes, but it is dangerous to see for the minds it was made for. Richet could be sued for hate incitement.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Well done
I had not read the books, so I can only judge the movie itself. It's technically well done: great cast, effects, and excellent directing. There is a good balance between action scenes and more sentimental scenes. I would just have one comment: this movie is highly "conventional" and shows no originality. It's one of the 10 best sci-fi ever but I don't think it deserves #1 on imdb. Movies like 7 Samurai, other classics or in totally different styles Pulp fiction or even CTHD have a greater aura than LOTR! Overall 8/10.
'Round Midnight (1986)
Excellent music, but no more
This movie should have been a jazz documentary. The music is excellent but the acting and the script are disappointing. Overlong, unnecessary characters (Francis' daughter, parents). Buy the soundtrack and listen to it but you might skip this movie.
Forrest Gump (1994)
You're dumb...
...but the USA can make you rich, healthy and famous with the minimum trouble to make this a pure Hollywood movie. Should I say that this movie, though cast is okay and directing conventional, is much overrated. This movie seems made for a religious and puritan American audience, and it received here in France a particularily mixed opinion. Script has to my mind many flaws, music is irritating, and again I completely disapprove the meaning... so watch it (once only) if you have time and make yourself an opinion but don't think you are going to watch a wonder just because of its 6 academy awards! 6/10
Hasards ou coïncidences (1998)
Some very good ideas
This movie analyses the impact of fate on lives by telling the story of a woman (Martines). I enjoyed the shifts between tragedy and comedy, and some funny lines as well. However, the movie sometimes wanders too much, some acting or sequences are cut too quickly. It appears to me as the draft of a wonderful movie. 7/10
Mortal Kombat (1995)
The big budget saves this movie
Mortal Kombat is watchable if you don't expect more than this movie
can deliver: special effects and martial arts fighting. Ok, acting is
generally bad, Bridgette Wilson being particularily hilarious in
fighting scenes. Ok, the script is poor: first a quick and messy look
at each character, then we learn that they will all have to fight for
the world to live! But, unlike small budget movies from this type, the
film can entertain one and a half hour, and that's enough. 1995-techno
soundtrack matches. 5.5/10
Girl, Interrupted (1999)
One flew over the cuckoo's nest 2
This movie takes place in a mental hospital, and offers a character study. It's very well acted, and that alone makes this movie enjoyable, since the study is only superficial and in part replaced by some action (Angelina Jolie's flights).
The presence of One flew over the cuckoo's nest, definitely the reference, is undeniable: the photography is very close, and sometimes the opposition too visible (men brought in to visit women in Girl, interrupted, the night parties after getting rid of the warder...).
Jolie deserves her Academy Award (best supporting role) and this movie can be watched, but could have been better. My suggestion: watch Girl, interrupted and then One flew: you will enjoy the first and acknowledge the second as a masterpiece.
Lola rennt (1998)
An illustration of theory of chaos
Lola keeps running to save her boyfriend. During her quick run, she'll pass by people and events, many of which are linked together. You'll see three versions of that run and the consequences of infinitely small changes on the final result of things. This movie is clever, well-acted and well-directed, paced with a techno soundtrack. This gem, probably the best film I saw released after 1998, seems to get better at each viewing.
La cité de la peur (1994)
A really funny typical French comedy
La cité de la peur is a really funny movie. It's funny because of the good acting, the solid script. The scenario itself is a joke. I'm writing this comment in English but could have done it in French, since many gags must be impossible to translate, so you definitely should understand French. This movie shows the particular sense of humour of "Les Nuls", a group of humorists, which I do like. To my mind, it's the best French comedy since "Le père Noël est une ordure", which will make you laugh from start to end.
Le père Noël est une ordure (1982)
A genuine French comedy
There are some movies that you can watch several times and each time you find them better. Le père noël, after a play of the same name, is definitely among these. The dialogs are so rich (and always funny), that every watching reveal you a reply you didn't notice. Every character is well defined and written by/for the actor who plays it with a rare intensity. That's a movie you can't describe or quote out of its context and just have to watch. If you're French, you might already have seen it several times, so this movie is popular here, otherwise I suggest you to watch it, hoping you'll share this typical French "humour".
The Mask (1994)
Funny, nice effects : that's enough !
A sympathic loser (Jim Carrey) discovers a mask which will allow him to do what he wants, revealing his personnality. The story, after a comics, is ok but this film is not for script analysts ! It's funny, visual effects are really wonderful and a true tribute to Tex Avery. Don't miss the first appearence of the superb Cameron Diaz (she was an Elite model before this movie). The jazzy soundtrack also contributes to keep this movie entertaining, and that's exactly what it is made for.