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I had no idea what this movie was going to be about. A friend of mine said I had to see it to believe it. I think that about says it all, too. This little flick is SO strange and wonderful. First, it has Marlon Brando as you've never seen (or even THOUGHT of seeing) him. It also has Charlie Sheen and that crazy guy who played Lowell in "WINGS" - Thomas Hayden Church. There's also Mira Sorvino and Donald Sutherland. Everyone is SOOO good. The sets are comic bookish and surreal sort of like in "Popeye" (if you've seen the live actor version) , the story is just twisted craziness and it's all just.... just... Yeah, you gotta see it to believe it and don't miss it, either. You're gonna go away shaking your head. A hint: Marlon head down in a toilet bowl. |
aka: "The Professional" This is in this category because that's just what it is. Strange Art. Luc Besson is my favorite director and I have all of his movies on video. This is one of the few I can put here, because I don't want to tantalize you with the ones you won't be able to find at the video rental place. . .or anywhere else unless you're a TOTALLY fanatic video searcher-outer like moi. Leon is a cleaner (his term for a hit-man) for the Mob (Danny Aiello). He lives a quiet life other than the killing; enjoys Gene Kelly movies, irons his own shirts neatly, and tends lovingly to his plant. Then, the little girl next door is orphaned by the wonderfully insane Gary Oldman (the DEA Guy) and Leon finds himself stuck with this impossible child. Luc Besson wrote this movie especially for the lead actor, Jean (pronounced "Zhann", puh-leeze!) Reno, who portrayed a decidedly more viscious cousin of Leon, Victor the Cleaner, in his other excellent film "Nikita" (aka "Le Femme Nikita"). Besson uses his premier music man, Eric Serra, as he always does. He used Reno for at least 5 of his other films. I could go on for M-I-L-E-S about his movie, but I guess you just better see it for yourself and see how wonderful it is. This is blessed with a wonderful supporting cast. The DEA agents that have to follow Oldman around are just hilarious. The then-12-year-old Natalie Portman was discovered by Luc and is just fabulous in this as Matilda, her first movie role. Don't worry; no subtitles, and LOTS of action and shooting and mayhem, with just enough humor thrown in to keep things fun Not for the kids, I would think, but good for when you're all alone and better the second or third time around. Really! |
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aka: "Grotesque"  I like hell outta wild Theresa Russell and feel the same about Sting (in movies - never got into his music that much). This flick just tickled me to death. Russell's character, Lady Harriet Bates, is fairly bored with her hubby, Sir Hugo (Alan Bates - always excellent). When the new sexy butler arrives (Sting as "Fledge"), Lady Harriet wastes no time in occupying herself with him. His wife is not real happy, but Sir Hugo seems oblivious. |
The Bates' daughter brings home her new boyfriend whom no one really likes that much except for the daughter. When the young man turns up missing, the mystery is underway. Who did what to him? Where is he? I won't tell. You KNOW who the guilty party is, but how are they ever going to catch him/her? I liked this movie a lot because of it's English origins. I love English-made movies. Lots of interesting, non-Hollywood faces in them. The acting is always supurb and the sets and costuming are always divine. Check it out, art lovers. |
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What a harsh, dark movie this is. And completely terrific, too. Based on the true story of poets Verlaine and Rimbaud, it stars David Thewlis as Verlaine and Leonardo Dicaprio as his teenage protege, Rimbaud. Now, Dicaprio is not my idea of an idol, but the young man CAN act very well and he is more than matched in talent by Thewlis, a tremendous British actor. These two people were important to each other for their individual talent, but then, Verlaine develops an agonizing, possessive, and socially unacceptable love for his young partner which is cruelly exploited by the immature but brilliant Rimbaud. Top this with an addiction to absinthe and there is tragedy to follow. I love historically based movies and this is just fascinating. I love to watch Thewlis so I can endure Dicaprio at all times. When you don't try to see him as some sort of magnet for teenybopper females, he does a formidable job of performing. Not nearly as distracting and annoying as, say, Val Kilmer. This is a real good film and well worth the watch. More about Thewlis and Kilmer on the Futeristic/Fantastic page! |
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This is just one of a series of things from the great director of the exotic film, Ken Russell. I really like the way he presents his movies. They are interesting, colorful, and sometimes, downright tasteless, but they're always really fun to watch. In this little flick about an ancient snake cult come alive, we have Hugh Grant. Now, I'm not a huge fan of his, but he is so veddy veddy British in this, it's just a kick in the head. I'm not that familiar with all the names of the Brit actors in the movie, but they are, as most English-bred actors, very good and extra fun. If you have a phobia against snakes, trust me - the snakes in this movie aren't too bad. Nothing like the roiling pit of vipers in the Indiana Jones movies. Don't be afraid. The snake is kinda sexy, actually. Also of note is the fine folk singers who provide the ballad of the worm; a fine, danceable tune that makes you wanna know all the words. |
Another Ken Russell romp; this time, a fantasized trip with Oscar Wilde being entertained in the home of a friend with a play based on the Bible story of Salome and John the Baptist. I can't even BEGIN to explain this movie and won't even try. Suffice it to say, it is Ken Russell at his best once again. Lots of color and fun costumes. Wall-to-wall bizarrness and some titillating, but not obscene, nudity, and the dialogue is fantastic, too. I leave you to ponder this wonderful, artistic little flick. |
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THE TRIAL
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Just thought I'd throw this in. Wonderful, strange, mysterious movie and I'm sure you won't know what went on either, but it was just something you have to watch. The story is by Franz Kafka, which should explain the wierdness. Also, this is a re-make of the earlier work with Orson Welles. Kyle MacLachlan is in this as a person who has to stand trial, although he doesn't know what for and neither do we, the audience. Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jason Robards, as well as the talented English actor, David Thewlis. There is no resolution, so just see this to humor me. You can always write me a bad letter after. I, however, liked hell outta it, so...... HEY! It's ART!! |