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Reviews
Le divorce (2003)
A gorgeous piece of film-making
I found it surprising that this film was not directed by a French director - it has a certain stylistic feel that is prevalent throughout the French film industry but non-French directors rarely capture. I found the illustrations of the subtle differences between French and American perspectives to be very well handled. For anyone who has lived outside their own country and been thrown into another culture, a great many of the observations and small "inside" jokes shine through. There is an obvious juxtaposition of the two families (one very "typical" American, the other more "old money" French) with the people in the middle (Naomi Watts' and Glenn Close's characters, who are from one "side" but live amongst the others) which is refreshingly handled. Some criticisms here point to a lack of action but this film is very much about style and impressions and less about racking up plot points. The only character that I felt lacked depth was that of Matthew Modine, who seems a bit one-dimensional - despite the huge role in the plot for which he is responsible.
Black Rain (1989)
Cliché-ridden film which really hasn't aged gracefully
This film, made in the era of "Japan, Inc" has not aged well (neither has the idea that the Japanese "model" is the superior way of organizing an economy or society). I do not know any NYC Cops but I simply cannot believe that the scriptwriter could have intended for Michael Douglas' character to be so insultingly brash. He's not a complex character at all but a spiteful cynic tough guy who fires off insults right and left to anyone near enough to hear them. No cultural ambassadorship for Douglas' "Nick" by any stretch of the imagination. But this characteristic could have been displayed with a great deal more subtlety.
The ending is typical hollywood rubbish, which allows Douglas to "get the bad guy", show that he's been somehow "cleansed" by the experiences in the film and wind up with the girl in the end. Just far too unbelievable.
The cinematography is quite spectacular though (if a little bit reminiscent of Blade Runner in its styling, unsurprisingly), and the industrial city of Osaka (not Tokyo as another reviewer suggested) plays its grim role well.
Jake Johannsen: This'll Take About an Hour (1992)
Brilliant
It's hard to think how it could be any funnier. Simply brilliant material & delivery prepared by someone who really knows what he's doing. It's a shame about the state of comedy otherwise - this guy makes it all work.
15 Minutes (2001)
A noble effort to show impact of corporate media
This movie had some weak points in the actual plot but the overall messages were well made. The intricate (and intimate) relationship between government and media creates a number of potential challenges. A tabloid-based, market-force driven media gives the people sensational stories (which makes people attracted like to a drug) that they "want", and ignores the stories which have real impact. This film shows that well. Journalism should expose, not just sensationalise.
Game-On (1995)
This is what's wrong with modern sitcoms
Laugh-track tagged comedy, predictable one-liners, shallow character development. Seemingly desperate for controversy (slightly rude language, shag this, shag that etc.) to try and pick up some kind of youth audience. This is a lame excuse for television entertainment. You have to wonder if it was obvious that it was poor when they were making it, or whether it just became obvious after a few years of sitting on a shelf!
Cahoots (2001)
Headed to the bargain bin at a video shop near you SOON
I just saw this movie at the Plzen Film Festival. I have to say that I cannot figure out why it was made. The characters are one-dimensional, the story is simplistic (not *always* a bad thing) and I cannot get to like or even understand the characters behaviour. The character Matt is a weak stereotype of what a bully is when he grows up. And the other male lead would not just be so divided between his "real" life (a married architect) and his "old" life (school friends, drinking etcetera). Not very well planned. Same story might have worked, if told differently.
Manhattan (1979)
It doesn't get much better than this!
This film will long live as one of Woody Allen's masterpieces. It's hard to think how it could be improved, even though Woody himself has commented that he felt that the final cut of the film (i.e. that we have seen) is too dark. There are always hours of footage that don't make it to the final version but I can't imagine how it could be better or more powerful.