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mncarrasco516
Reviews
Rose Petal Place (1984)
I have the soundtrack!
I haven't seen this movie since, like 1985. I remember it though, and still have the soundtrack- on vinyl. I can vividly recall dancing to it at my 4th birthday. Well, maybe it's not the soundtrack,but it does tell a story(through song) about Rose Petal and her friends.Rainbow Bright and Strawberry Shortcake have made come backs, I think Rose Petal is due. Voiced by Marie Osmond, brought to life by a child's tears, what's not to love? Her friends include Daffodil and Iris, a snail-man, a caterpillar-guy and a few others.The bad guys are an evil spider named Nastina and her fly buddy, who I think is named Horace. I know there used to be dolls, but was this a t.v. show, too? I know my three year old daughter would love to see this flick. I'd recommend it to any girl, especially those that were born circa 1980.
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
I'm super squeamish and hate scary movies, but I'd recommend this flick.
My husband rented this and I was, annoyed- to say the least.He'd seen it before and I loathe slasher movies. I hide behind my hands during violent scenes in regular movies. (Although I must brag that I waited for hours to see "The Blair Witch Project.") How could I be expected to watch a high budget zombie movie?
The first 20 minutes were difficult. I kept asking if I should hide my eyes. The music and weird vibe of the opening scenes made me uncomfortable. I kept wondering how they were going to introduce the inevitable. I was edgy and creeped out by the, well- by the "dawn of the dead." I couldn't tell if Anna was the main character or one of those people they kill off at the beginning just to mess with you, like Drew Barrymore in "Scream."
After the main characters were all introduced, my grip on the hide-my-face-pillow was loosened. I was thankful for the comic relief and the minimal gore within the confines of the shopping mall sanctuary. The special effects/make up were more than expected. Usually everyone looks like they're covered in beefaroni, but (as the special features on the DVD point out)these dead guys were modeled from forensic photographs. Sometimes the zombies are amusing, like the bloated woman who's so fat she's dragged in by wheelbarrow or the bumbling Burt Reynolds look alike killed off in a twisted version of Hollywood Squares. Other times the images are haunting, like the first zombie, a small girl with her lips ripped off or the woman accidentally killed in the get-away bus.
"Dawn of the Dead" was believable as what would happen if, dare I say it...zombies took over the earth. But what's with this?: The mall refugees' rooftop friend across the street is starving so they send a dog over with food. As expected, this plan goes awry. For crying out loud! They live in a mall. Why not go to the toy store and get an r.c. airplane and send IT over with a sandwich? "Duh" moments aside, my only complaint is the ending.The constant flipping between camcorder and credits was nauseating. All in all, I'd suggest this to a guy friend.
The Virgin Suicides (1999)
Almost as good as the book...Almost.
Before I was even finished reading the movie review (it hadn't come out yet), I found myself at the store buying the book. I read half of it in the store and finished the rest that afternoon. It was so good I couldn't peel myself away.The movie is just as captivating.
I scoured theatres so I could see this film, which follows the book almost to the letter (kudos to first time director Sofia Coppola.) It's a spellbinding story of neighborhood boys smitten with the oddly alluring sisters across the street. Set in 1970's suburbia, this deeply moving look at adolescent obsession revolves around the Lisbon family:the over protective mother, the aloof and clueless father, and their five intriguing daughters. Forbidden to date, touched by tragedy, the girls are seen as an enigma by their classmates, until heart-breaker Trip Fontaine (Josh Hartnett) is bewitched by Lux Lisbon (Kirsten Dunst.) The unusual events that follow will leave you thinking about this film for days. Despite the main characters being high school aged, there's not an ounce of "teen movie" to be seen. Beautifully acted, a mesmerizing and poignant tale of desire, passion, and love. Be sure to read the book (by Jeffrey Euginides) as well. I should warn you that part of the ending is different, but both are equally engrossing. 9/10
Deeply (2000)
Good story, Horribly told...
This was a beautiful story-would make a great bedtime story for a six year old girl- but the plot unfolded much to slow. Kirsten seemed awkward in the role.She's a lovely actress and has proved herself talented, but she plays a gruff, dirty black sheep in the film and I don't think it suited her. The movie poster/DVD cover are misleading. This movie flips back and forth from present day to the 40's, with another actress as the heroin in the present. It was confusing to see Kirsten on the DVD and put in the movie and not see her for half an hour. If this movie were remade with a bigger budget I think it could have been a hit.