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Jonathan-18
Reviews
Kaleidoscope (1966)
Average
The movie isn't really a comedy, or suspenseful. It relies on Beatty's charms (who does "deliver") and one good idea. However, interesting at first, you know where it's going, and the whole thing becomes too predictable and unbelievable. I kept waiting for something original to come out of the blue, but that never happened. Warren is a much better criminal in Bonnie and Clyde, $ (1972) and others.
PS Instead of Susannah (Angel) throwing the gun to the water, she could have given it to Warren (Barney!...) and he would have lost it somehow. Whatever. Not a total waste of time.
Dream Wife (1953)
Could have been so much better- and that's worse than a bad movie.
Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr are a wonderful couple. Throwing each other line after line with Grant's usual and very his -facial expressions. The dinner scene between the two in the beginning is a blast. The whole beginning is great, funny, very promising, but it's obvious where it's going plot-wise, and with the plot the movie flops. The funny scenes become scarce, predictable and I just waited for it to end. Walter Pidgeon must be one of the best supporting actors ever. Catch the first 30 minutes or so than stop watching, or just pass. Nice idea that went wrong.
PS How that "Dream wife" of his learns English so quickly is absolutely amazing! She does speak with a few mistakes, of course.
Once a Thief (1965)
OK. Quite boring till the climax
Swift opening sequence has nothing to do with the pace of the movie, and that's a shame. The movie is way too slow, not very original (ex-con drawn to one last crime, police detective off the case-still determined to get his guy; I for one, do not believe Jack Palance and Alain Delon are Italian brothers, does anyone?), some tolerable '60s cuts and point-of-views, but if you get to the heist you are rewarded -not by the crime itself, but the outcome. The finale is well put together. Alain does have better ones, preferable in French.
In the Cool of the Day (1963)
What were they thinking?
I never heard of the movie, and saw it because of Jane Fonda's name. This is not only boring and uninteresting, there isn't even a nice sentence in it. The two walk around, his wife is a pain, her husband is numb as we are. They walk through Greece. They almost have an accident. His son died in an accident. Wow.
Terrible movie. 89 minutes? Seemed like much more. I don't know how I saw the whole thing.
Replacing Dad (1999)
Perfect 6.
I saw the movie for Mary Mc Donnell. She's o-k.
It maybe fitting for the book it's based upon, Replacing Dad does not, however, fit the movie. It's about how she deals with her husband of sixteen years leaving her for another woman and only slightly about her coping with new men in life and her children's reaction to their mom's dating and dates.
There are great little moments: Linda's submissiveness to her husband, the grandmother's reaction when Willie answers the phone- devoured by just-bad parts: grandmother not running after her grandson's footprints, and what she says to her self at the time; Why does Linda say "I lied" when they get to the New Year Eve's party? A little sentence about Linda's complaint to the police wouldn't have hurt. Story-wise, there could easily have been another half hour.
I've never seen Dynasty, Jack Coleman is really good here. Hayden Tank as Willie in the bunny suit is absolutely adorable. And Tippi Hedren looks great for her age. Did she have any work done on her?
Le plus beau métier du monde (1996)
Nothing new
A teacher comes to a school, gets the toughest class, has a hard time but manages to work miracles: sounds familiar? It's almost a genre. The whole movie lies on Gerard, of course, who is good as usual. The relationships in the movie are all very good- between Gerard and the teacher with the son, with his neighbor, the girl next door and with the head and vice principals. But ironicly, the weak part is with his class. I didn't see what he did that made a change in them or their world or way of thinking.
The best scenes, which save the movie from total numbness is the beginning, the whole wife-her mother-Happy Birthday tape, the shoe fiasco and little subtle -so French- things in the movie (like his scarf). Slight Spoiler: Towards the end he almost completely loses his mind, which is explainable, but it makes the end only more unbelievable and well, not French.
I give it a 6.
Un héros très discret (1996)
Amazing, amazing, absolutely amazing
Sweeping tale of a smart and lucky imposter, masterfully played by Mathieu Kassovitz during most of the movie. This combines short real footages with great acting all around. David Fernandes is touching as the young Albert, Jean-Louis Trintignant is perfect casting as the older/narrator.
An unforgettable movie. Have to see it to believe it. Perfect script. Once again a wonderful movie that did not get the respect, publicity, "fame" it fully deserves.
See this!
Korczak (1990)
Riveting
Moving, exciting, amazing. Perfect script, wonderful direction. Simply perfect. I have no idea why it's not much seen (maybe because it's in Polish).
An amazing story about an amazing person, which makes you want to read more about him. I haven't read any of his books yet, but I sensed references to them in the movie.
Both in black-and-white and take place during the holocaust, I don't like the comparison but Korczak is so much better than Schindler's List in so many ways. First- the story. This one is interesting. It's touching, it doesn't soften anything. I mention this because Schindler (the movie) was hugely successful and highly appreciated. This is a real must see.
Reckless (1995)
So ridiculous it's sad.
Produced by International Playhouse Pictures, it looks as if filmed in a doll house. Everybody's a liar, everything is dream-like, toy-like for no good reason. I'm not saying everything in all movies should be totally realistic, but such unbelievable fantasy things and situations in one movie are way too much. How did they get these fine actors -actresses particularly- to this movie? It's nice to see Mia again; if we were meant to understand why her husband wants to kill her, Mia does do it well. Not funny, not moving, just fake. Stephen Dorff briefly appears at the end, fitting for a play maybe, less for a movie, but this isn't one to measure things at. Terrible.
Un mauvais fils (1980)
I love it.
Claude Sautet delivers another simple story, wonderfully directed, true to life. People come and go in life, make coffee, sweat during sex. It's never boring, and -again, as in life, unpredictable sometimes. And to my sweet surprise: the ending isn't tragic. It's a shame so few have seen it.
Une histoire simple (1978)
Too Simple?
Most French movies, and especially Claude Sautet's are very realistic, slow-paced, intelligent and "simple". Each one I have seen had great moments, as everyone encounters great moments in life. This may be too ordinary and plain. Though not boring at any time, at the end I could not think of any memorable scene, shot or dialogue, and thought it was missing something, although the title does suggest they didn't have much planned for the beautiful heroine. A story you may have had, heard, thought about- in French, on screen.
César et Rosalie (1972)
Good, nice ending.
-Okay sounds bad. It's good, just not great. "Simple". Very calm, including the loud scenes. A bit predictable. Realistic, well played, smart- never blunt or underestimating the viewer. Romy Schneider is beautiful. Michel Piccoli sums up in the voice over.
Once Upon a Honeymoon (1942)
Terrible; Cary Grant's worst
Comedy? I don't think so. Even Grant's charms can't save this one. A comedy set in Europe during WWII isn't impossible (see To Be Or Not To Be, also from 1942). But this one includes scenes with Hitler, and jokes about Nazis, not very funny I may add. The story is too ludicrous, the so-called jokes terrible. Whoever liked the movie should check is head. The ending is SO-Stupid! And what honeymoon? Forget it. Even worse than Penny Serenade. Beware. Read a book, eat, do something, anything else.
More Than Friends (1978)
It's When Alan Met Matty, it's Laverne and Meathead, it's two great directors in the 80's before they were great directors and she got a cigarette voice
He's a Harry, she's hysterically funny. It's very like When Harry Met Sally... They live in new York, meet every couple of years. Friends, more than friends? He rambles, likes baseball, even sings from Oklahoma!. She likes to cuddle, she slaps him, she calls him at night and he rushes to her. You cannot hear Billy Crystal during the fortune cookie scene.
Penny Marshall is wonderful. Sarcastic jokes, the best delivery, they make a great team. Just a fun TV movie, successfully captures the years it's set in. Wonder why so few have seen it...
Hope (1997)
Extremely Mediocre
The story is made of movies we've seen or we think we saw. Motherless girl in the South (kinda here), has a weird boy for a friend, befriends a black man (sorta), seeks to unveil secret from the past, rides her bicycle, lives with a cooky aunt and strict racist cheating uncle, visits a wacky grownup neighbor, goes up a dusty-and-memory-infested attic, hides in a closet. There are also: Voice Over in the beginning and the end, cop arrests black man for no reason, black kid dies in an avoidable accident, black church gospel.
Set in 1962's fear the Russians will bomb the US, it seems, as too often about TV movies, the movie would have been better with the same characters but different story. The actors do liven up their molded characters. Jane Malone successfully carries the movie on her shoulder, Christine Lahti is -for once- bearable, J.T. Walsh was nominated for an Emmy because he died after filming, Catherine O'Hara, Kevin Jamall Woods and Jeffery D. Sams are wonderful.
So- script could be better, the acting is good, and lovely Goldie does tend to cliche-shots, at the end the camera backs from the church, out the window, trees, sky, credits- this IS mediocre!
Ermo (1994)
I-
I haven't seen many movies from Hong Kong and/or China, but this light? drama seems to "fit in". The story revolves a strong, stubborn, hardworking simple woman from a village, with an impotent husband (physically or mentally, the first one here). Same as in Qui Ju da guan si (The Story of Qui Ju), Huozhe (Living/Lifetimes), Wian hun nu (Woman Sesame Oil Maker): all have stories and leading actresses completely perfect.
Amazing story, gentle, at life's pace- but still without tiring repetition. Wonderful first half, the second doesn't lack great moments either. Highly recommended.
Winning (1969)
Paul and Joanne are great together, the movie less than great.
The feeling I had during the movie is: this could have been better if it was totally different: More relations between characters and less cars. And even when there is a race, we get weird 60's shots of people not even watching the race. How about more about the rivalry between Newman and Wagner. What does Joanne do- is she a housewife, raising by herself a child since he was three? Richard Thomas (Charlie) and Newman should have had more scenes before Charlie is sad of the breakup; I would have been sad losing a father like Newman, but we should see why Charlie is sad. Newman puts as much character to Frank as the script allows. Too long, not too predictable (not that there are any big surprises, other than the credits coming a bit early in the last scene). Paul and Joanne are great together, see Mr. and Mrs. Bridge (1990).
The Marriage Fool (1998)
Fine.
Walter Matthau and John Stamos are good together. John really holds the movie, quite successfully I should add and excuse me for being surprised. Though some of his and others' lines are older than Matthau. The plot also isn't most original but manages to avoid the obvious pot holes. Small, nice, comfortable tv movie. Based on a play and directed by Matthau's son. Burnett is fine as Matthau's younger love interest. Teri Polo is bearable in a terrible blond. So- John and Matthau beat Teri and some used up lame lines.
September Affair (1950)
They'll always have Florence?
Joseph Cotten doesn't seem to be the first name that comes to mind for a love story.This one, like many after it, starts with two people meeting on an airplane.
The switch from small talk to "lets spend the next two hours together" is a bit hasty. As always, Italy looks beautiful (even in black & white). I couldn't imagine anybody wanting a "friend" who knocks down everything as Joan's Maria. Kinda too much like a tourist publicity at times, the titles of the cities not helping.
SPOILER AHEAD: I don't know of they couldn't have stayed together, but I sure didn't like her stating the reasons at the airport gate. The name does hint it's not going to last.
PS (non-spoiler) On the plane to New York he asks the man next to her if they could switch seats and he declines. How about she exchanging seats with the woman next to him?
Number Seventeen (1932)
Slow start, but gets better
Being only 63 minutes, the beginning is a bit long till you figure out what's going on, and you're hooked. Suspenseful early work of the great Hitchcock.
Vivement dimanche! (1983)
Genius finale of a great director
The most suitable movie in the 80's to be filmed in black-and-white. Masterfully directed by Francois Truffuat. Huge part smart, swift, suspenseful and surprising; interesting almost to the very end, (the mystery is slightly better than its solution). Wish they'd make more like these.
The Grass Is Greener (1960)
Somewhat Indiscreet...
Fine, funny and recommended. It has its weak points, the storyline is the least important with these fine actors and brilliant direction. Cary Grant and Jean Simmons' first scene together is absolutely wonderful. Deborah Kerr is also good; Robert Mitchum, maybe intentionally, is a bit of an odd player here. Familiar to the Grant-Ingrid Bergman split-screen telephone scene in Donen's Indiscreet, there's an adorable scene with all four leading actors here. Very very nice.
The Sunchaser (1996)
Oh Woody...
While a good starting point, and two fine actors at the helm, the Michael Cimino's quiet mini-comeback is tiring. I had a feeling I saw this movie before, but it was better. Why does every cross-country journey have to invoke a mental one? I didn't like the too-much-built-to ending. The ending and the whole script should have been better wrapped-up.
Nelly & Monsieur Arnaud (1995)
Absolutely Beautiful
Emmanuelle Beart and the movie itself are simply beautiful, gentle and breathtaking. So-French -totally in a good way; the movie has its own pace and tone. Everything is beyond excellency: acting, cinematography, direction and first of all (it all starts with) the perfect original script. They don't make these kind of movies often (and so well-done). If you like heart and truth you have to see this quiet modern masterpiece (and Un Coeur en Hiver, also with the dazzling Emmanuelle Beart).
Brighton Beach Memoirs (1986)
I love this movie!
One of my favorite movies. Great cast, lead by Jonathan Silverman and Blythe Danner. Serious drama situations with brilliant comedic punches. An exact mixture of character and story. Real people with real problems, and everyone has a different relationship with each family member. Sensitively moves from slightly-sad to hilariously-funny. Read the quotes. This is the best adaptation of a Neil Simon play.
If you wanna see more of Eugene check Biloxi Blues (starring Matthew Broderick who played in both stage versions) is OK, a bit on a darker side. Get away from the made-for-TV Broadway Bound.