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Reviews
The Little Rascals (1994)
Horrible imitation of a classic series!
Horrible! I grew up watching the classic original "Our Gang" comedies,
which
were genuinely funny and the kids were real and likeable. This movie
missed
the boat completely. Most of the kids in this new movie are nauseating. The
dialogue is corny and not funny. Rent some of the originals instead --
they
show much more originality, humor, talent and most of all,
heart.
The Little Rascals (1994)
Horrible imitation of a classic series!
Horrible! I grew up watching the classic original "Our Gang" comedies,
which
were genuinely funny and the kids were real and likeable. This movie
missed
the boat completely. Most of the kids in this new movie are nauseating. The
dialogue is corny and not funny. Rent some of the originals instead --
they
show much more originality, humor, talent and most of all,
heart.
Babe: Pig in the City (1998)
Simply Brilliant!
Despite the late, great film critic Gene Siskel's naming of this film as "the best film of 1998," this movie was painfully overlooked by moviegoers and the Oscars. A sequel to BABE, the film follows the talking pig to the big city where he tries to save the farm from foreclosure. Along the way, he encounters a variety of other talking critters with whom he shares his adventure.
I know that some of you may be thinking that this is a "kid's movie" or a film for animal lovers, and you'd be correct - kids and animal lovers will love the film. But I recommend the film to ALL viewers. It has something to offer everyone. Yes, the animals are adorable, but I hesitate to call this movie "cute." That would somehow minimize the importance of its themes, and would overlook the beauty of the sets and cinematography and the brilliance of its simple, yet poetic script.
While not at all preachy, BABE has much to say -- about us and about the state of our world. The film is entertaining, clever, moving, funny and meaningful - all the things good movies should be. In a time when so many films exploit that which is dreary in the name of realism or futurism, BABE shines a bright, Technicolor spotlight upon our collective subconscious and reminds us of the things we all once knew to be real and truly important.
Pleasantville (1998)
Guess I was expecting too much
I really wanted to like Pleasantville. The previews looked spectacular. I was quite happy with the acting and visual effects. I loved the score by Randy Newman. I liked all of the characters (and the actors portraying them).
My major problem with the film was with the disjointed script. I don't believe it was focused well, and I don't believe it was written with a clear vision of what it wanted to convey. There were many holes. I felt no emotion and only mildly chuckled two or three times. I wanted something to make me FEEL something -- essentially to bring "color" into my life. For the first hour, I was under the impression that it was sex which gave the characters their "color." Then I thought maybe it was passion, but by the end of the film I was still unsure. I liked the references to art and literature and music giving life its color. And while I am certainly no prude, I think sex was overemphasized, and I was especially disappointed with the idea that Mom's bathtub masturbation scene was what brought "color" to her life. Oh how I wish that was all it took to achieve "color" in one's life. In that respect, I believe the film stumbled and failed in getting at its intended point -- that our realization of our own unique place within the universe is what ultimately illuminates us. Simply experiencing rage, passion or orgasm alone won't get it.
Bulworth (1998)
Sixty-something rich, white guy raps -- how original...not
I was expecting great things from this film from the trailers which advertised Beatty speaking the truth to a black congregation. But what I got was two hours of one sight gag -- a rich, old white guy rapping and jiving in the "hood" in an effort to "enlighten" the audience. One example of Bulworth's notions to improve the world is that "we should all just keep having sex with each other until we're all the same color." How brilliant! If we're all the same color, we won't have to use our minds anymore to appreciate the differences of each race. As a racially homogenous society, we will all be the same color and life will be beautiful because we'll all be the same -- I think Hitler had a similar idea.
According to the gospel of Bulworth, gun-toting juvenile delinquents can be reformed by simply buying them an ice-cream cone. And if white people would only dress like crack-dealers, snort cocaine and rap their way through life, they'd endear themselves into the hearts of black Americans everywhere.
As someone who lives in the inner-city and faces its rigors on a daily basis, I must say that Warren Beatty has unintentionally managed to illustrate exactly what a "limosine liberal" he really is -- stereotyping blacks and whites while trying to prove how "with it" an old, rich, white guy from Beverly Hills can really be.
The Shining (1997)
Absolutely dreadful!
Perhaps the worst remake I've ever seen. I was not frightened, but rather, appalled at the fact that Stephen King disliked the original (Kubrick, 1980) and preferred this sophomoric attempt at horror. I liked none of the characters, especially the kid. In the original, he was portrayed as intense and intelligent by an actor who displayed the same qualities. In the TV remake he is utterly nauseating.
Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (1988)
The most beautiful film I've ever seen
If you love movies, this film is a "must-see!" It is pure poetry -- an homage to movies, friendship and life. One of my top three all-time favorite films.