namdc's reviews

My mother had seen this film before I did, and she said that she didn't feel the film was about homosexuality, per se, but about being 'different', and having to deal with societies reactions to that difference. I came away with the same feeling. Now, I do happen to be gay, and having two handsome leading men in the film was certainly a treat.

What impressed me more was the performances in the ensemble. From Randy Quaid and Linda Cardellini ( who have relatively small roles ) to Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway ( both very fine, worthy of Oscar mention ) to Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, who gave the best performances of the year, and of their careers.

This is a 10 out of 10. Go see it.

There's no intellectual challenges made in this movie's plot, and that's how it should be; the characters are only slightly more fleshed-out than any of the ones from the TV show, and that's also not a bad thing - if you put too much seriousness into this kind of film, you wind up killing the roaring-good times to be had. What really makes the film work is the charisma ( & physical charms )of the 3 leading ladies, combined with well-choreographed action sequences and the tongue-in-cheek script. If you enjoy Diaz, Barrymore & Liu ( not to mention Bill Murray )when they're on the screen, you'll love this flick.

I avoided this film for some time because I have a strong dislike of war films, particularly relatively recent wars. Too bad for me. I finally rented it because of the impressive works I've seen by Mr. Russell. This is not a war film, even though it takes place during a war, and in a war zone. This is a film of humanity. Like many other films that I find excellent, this film deals with the human condition on many levels. There's pathos, humor, love, violence, ad infinitum. You'd get a sterilized version of what this film shows on the evening news. It shows that our soldiers, just as ourselves, are human, with all our frailities. And, I believe, it gives an honest account of what life is like for the people of the Middle East.

Fine acting by truly fine actors, great cinematography, and a very intelligent script make this a must see film.

This is science fiction for grown-ups. Meaning that, the focus of the story isn't on the special effects, or battling little green men to save the planet from destruction, or to boldly go where no one has gone before.

The story is, I feel, about the human condition. How do we deal with things that are so much bigger than ourselves? How much steadfastness do we have in ourselves to support our beliefs ? It's like fighting City Hall. In a sense, the true story here is a lot like ' It's A Wonderful Life '- do what is right, and let the chips fall where they may.

Julianne Moore delivers a thoughtful performance as a woman who refuses to believe that she is delusional, giving the character subtle aspects, that, I feel, only a parent could deliver. There's pain, frustration, anger - sometimes on the surface, sometimes just behind the eyes. Had this film been more successful in the theaters ( and I don't know why it wasn't ), she could have easily been nominated for major awards. She's a great actor, and this was a great part.

The supporting cast are all excellent, as well. I had not seen Dominic West in anything before, but I was impressed. Pitch-perfect. Alfre Woodard, Gary Sinise and Anthony Edwards were at their usual high standards.

The only other film I've seen by Joseph Ruben was 'Dreamscape', which, while on of my favorites, is not in this class.

I recommend that you watch the extended version of the film, rather than the theatrical release, because I found the story made more sense, and a more profound impact.

You'll be thinking about this movie for days after seeing it.

I have never been a particular fan of Matt Damon, but after seeing his performance in this film, I saw quite a good actor. Until I saw 'Bounce' I didn't have much to say about Gwyneth Paltrow, either. Again, a Greta performance here. Of course Jude Law and Cate Blanchett are stellar, as was Philip Seymour Hoffman, in a small, but important role. But the kudos go to the director and writer. Subtle performances, subtle style in atmosphere, a great sense of the need for pure continuity, and full, evolving and involving characters. If you enjoy films that make you both have to and want to think about the characters motivations, I would highly recommend this one.

This is an amazing film, both for the incredibly energy evoked from the frenetic flamenco dancing, and from the unique way that the filmmakers interweave the story of the stage production with the lives of the characters preparing for it. Spellbinding is the only word I can use to describe the experience. This is not 'Bizet's Carmen' by any usual standard. This is not a usual film by any standard. Every nuanced glance, every stomp of the foot, every piece of the music is intertwined so captivatingly that you can't take your eyes off the screen. You don't need to love opera or flamenco(I don't)to be captured, enraptured, enthralled by this film. Subtle and direct; loud and still; One of, if not the best, movies of it's kind, because there are so few like it.

"Uga Uga" is a blast of fun! It is High Camp at its best, and you don't need to know Portuguese or Spanish to appreciate the humor (all the (literally) half-naked men!). I have fun just trying to figure out why the characters are doing what they're doing. Why is the pretty girl dressed in a wedding gown, running after the cute guy in the glasses? Why is the Scientist running around with very little clothes on, and why does he appear to be psychic? All this and much more await you in "Uga Uga". Don't miss it!

Joanne Woodward gives the performance of a lifetime in this gritty, realistic film. The subtle way it presents both child and elderly abuse ( I don't see other reviewers mentioning the grandmother ) is more than memorable - it is totally realistic.

This is a subtle, dynamic presentation, working within the confines of the late 60's attitudes towards sexuality, and the way society pressures us to conform to it's norms. The entire cast shines in their roles.

I saw this movie in a small art theater on Balboa Island, CA, in 1985. I haven't seen it since, but I can still remember every bit of it. I can still feel the power of each performance the actors gave. I cannot say enough about this film. Any serious film fan should check it out - often.

This is one of the very few movies I have ever walked out on. A very, very bad interpretation of Hardys brilliant novel. I don't think the filmmaker had any idea of what the story was about, nor any sense of period.

This is one of the few films that moves me to tears just thinking about. I would compare the emotional intensity to " Who's Afraid Of Virginia Wolf ", "The Effects of Gamma Rays On Man-in-the-moon Marigolds ", " Equis " and " Interiors ". The pain, the love, the successes and failures are all so subtle, so real, so haunting, it cannot help but reach the soul. A true study of the human dilemma.