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Reviews
Black Cloud (2004)
Not accurate portrayal of Navajo people
There are several scenes and things in this movie which I don't think are authentic. For example, Black Cloud's great-grandfather was a German. When he discovers this, he starts saying he is "mixed-blood", and acts devastated because of it. He is refused reservation housing because of this fact also.Most tribes only require about 1/8th Indian blood to qualify as a member of the tribe. I can't believe the Navajo's require 100% purity to be called a Navajo.
I am not sure where this film was shot, but it sure looks like the Navajo reservation. Many of the houses and roads look authentic too. The scenery is the best part of the film.
I hate to cut down an actor, because they are all better than anything I could do. But I have to say that the star's performance is not very inspiring. He is very wooden, and his expressions are much overdone. The idea of a young Navajo trying to make the Olympics is a good one, but the script also leaves a lot to be desired.
This film is much more authentic than the John Wayne film they refer to in the movie, but it could be so much better.
The score in this film is totally wrong. Country and western and rock tunes just don't fit. A good score could have added a lot.
If you question what I have said, let me assure you that I have been on the reservation several times. I have been around many Navajos, and have the greatest respect for them. I have read all of Tony Hillerman's books, which are so authentic that the Navajo people love them. If you want to learn about the Navajo people, those books can provide very accurate insight. This film had the potential to be a very good movie, but it turned out to be only average!
New Waterford Girl (1999)
A dark comedy from a foreign country - in English!
I first saw this movie in the spring of 2004, one month before a planned month long camping excursion of Nova Scotia. I had never seen such a dark, depressing place as New Waterford - not even realizing until the credits rolled that this film was shot in New Waterford, a mining town on the northeast edge of Cape Breton Island. In every shot, the sky was deeply overcast. The houses looked like cracker-boxes, in funny colors and in bad need of upkeep. The automobiles were all several years old. It was gloomy and depressing!! But, guess what? This was a movie about a 15 year old native of New Waterford who was trying every trick she knew to get out. No wonder, since it was such a terrible-looking place. She would hitchhike holding a sign saying "Mexico" on it. Her dream was to move to New York City to attend school. Liane Balaban played this girl, named Moonie Pottie. She was a cross between a young Winona Ryder and Johnny Depp. She has a great future in film. She meets a Lou Benzoa, an 18 year old blond from New York City who is staying in New Waterford with her mother. Lou is played admirably by Tara Spencer-Nairn, and her best attribute besides her sexy blond looks is the ability to knock out with one blow any man who lies about getting a girl pregnant. Without divulging too much plot,Moonie decides getting "pregnant" will be her ticket out of New Waterford. Every character in this film does their job well, and the overall effect is a dark comedy set in one of the darkest, dingiest, most back-water places you have ever seen. I came close to canceling my trip to Nova Scotia because of this film, but didn't. One day, I detoured up to New Waterford just to check it out. The sun was shining, but the town is on a bluff over the ocean and the houses are for the most part exactly as seen in the film. See this movie and then go to Nova Scotia - one of the friendliest and most beautiful places on this earth!
The Thin Red Line (1998)
Great movie! Contrasts of beauty and horror.
This is a great movie! Acting, scenery, battle scenes, death and dying, music, etc. The music makes the movie - being a cross between a funeral dirge and beautiful, peaceful island melodies. The calm, peaceful narration by the various characters is as powerful as the music. It reminded me of another great movie in the way it was inserted into the movie, and that was American Beauty. Contrasts exist between the horror of war and the beautiful islands where it occurred. Contrasts between the peaceful villagers and the hardened combat veterans. Contrasts between those with courage and valor and those without. In battle, everyone is afraid (or stupid), but some face it and go on and some cave in to it (been there, done that myself). Contrasts between the still-fighting, faceless Japanese soldiers and the Japanese wounded and prisoners. Many contrasts, many messages. War is horrible, but it is fought by humans or one race or another. There are leaders such as the Captain played by Koteas, and leaders such as the Colonel played by Nolte. This movie presented the human side of war. Whoever wrote those reviews saying there was no combat in this movie must have slept through it. To say this was not a war movie is unbelievable to me. It it is not the greatest, it is still right there with them. Yes- Private Ryan, Full Metal Jacket, Platoon, Apocalypse, etc.