tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.comments2023-08-22T16:48:10.729+01:00Jack L. film reviewsJack Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14558083317361098572noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-5597926766462294662021-12-22T13:55:40.558+00:002021-12-22T13:55:40.558+00:00Awesome blog yoou have hereAwesome blog yoou have hereMarilyn Hhttps://www.marilynhanson.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-21532552028799932412012-06-26T14:53:34.327+01:002012-06-26T14:53:34.327+01:00He was good in "Patch Adams" as well!!He was good in "Patch Adams" as well!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-15320950009182471752011-06-24T18:04:26.006+01:002011-06-24T18:04:26.006+01:00Hi,
Don't you review Indian movies?
Thanks!
Y...Hi, <br />Don't you review Indian movies?<br />Thanks!<br />Yvesyveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12975451635895715233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-49054473047900431722011-01-30T13:44:03.803+00:002011-01-30T13:44:03.803+00:00Thanks
It most definitely is a tough subject, but ...Thanks<br />It most definitely is a tough subject, but Lang was a talented director and he handles is admirably.<br />I'm sure you'll enjoy it, especially if you like Lang's work, although this isn't as great as M and Metropolis...Jack Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14558083317361098572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-2388115375825248972011-01-30T11:07:44.810+00:002011-01-30T11:07:44.810+00:00The subject of death is the most difficult, myster...The subject of death is the most difficult, mysterious, not to say most important, so the director has taken on a tough challenge of tackling this impossible theme. I would probably enjoy seeing and reviewing this, particularly since it is from no less than Lang. And you have introduced it so well.S. M. Ranahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11186829793949408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-89878733141103101562011-01-30T03:31:36.540+00:002011-01-30T03:31:36.540+00:00M and Metropolis were chilling enough. I'll re...M and Metropolis were chilling enough. I'll read this properly in the evening.S M Ranahttp://smrana.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-13510805469787556992011-01-26T15:38:11.436+00:002011-01-26T15:38:11.436+00:00yeah, pretty impressive!
Luckily he did that in th...yeah, pretty impressive!<br />Luckily he did that in the early hours of the morning, otherwise there would surely have been a terrible accident...Jack Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14558083317361098572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-16366658125527114072011-01-26T15:30:22.129+00:002011-01-26T15:30:22.129+00:00Whew! That's true love for you!Whew! That's true love for you!S M Ranahttp://smrana.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-53543153373653979082011-01-26T01:45:07.744+00:002011-01-26T01:45:07.744+00:00Fair enough for the time being at least!Fair enough for the time being at least!S. M. Ranahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11186829793949408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-39263469122094135022011-01-25T23:35:29.810+00:002011-01-25T23:35:29.810+00:00OK, it's only 8.40 minutes anyway so it doesn&...OK, it's only 8.40 minutes anyway so it doesn't take up much time...Jack Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14558083317361098572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-5207070993278972222011-01-25T23:16:45.532+00:002011-01-25T23:16:45.532+00:00I'll watch it tomorrow evening.I'll watch it tomorrow evening.S. M. Ranahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11186829793949408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-41213263445705512422011-01-25T15:52:47.349+00:002011-01-25T15:52:47.349+00:00@Bradley
Yes, I think the Dark humour of Wild at H...@Bradley<br />Yes, I think the Dark humour of Wild at Heart is often taken to seriously which would account for the large amount of negative reviews, <br />Nic Cage is particularly great in this one, but I believe he has given better performances...<br /><br />@Rana,<br />I try not to take affront if someone doesn't share my opinions, other people though don't always react too well to my criticism of such films as The Dark Knight or any other of Nolan's work for that matter...<br /><br />Anyway as for The Elephant Man, well it's been a while since i've seen it and I definitely owe it a rewatch but I'm still going to have to disagree, I think what many people miss about the film is that much of the attention goes to Anthony Hopkins' character, he can be likened to the viewer of the film as he learns about Merrick's horrific life and tries to help him...<br />But he also questions his actions, he doubts if he is doing the right thing and hesitates to make of Merrick "an object of charity" as you put it...<br /><br />It seems like we'll just have to agree to disagree about this particular film, but then again one can never agree with someone else on every single subject!Jack Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14558083317361098572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-87980989245568467572011-01-25T14:08:20.457+00:002011-01-25T14:08:20.457+00:00Jack: It was some time since I saw it and most of ...Jack: It was some time since I saw it and most of my "reviews" are written immediately. And I have on occasion discovered people take criticism of a well loved movie as a personal affront. To ridicule the film is to ridicule the man who loved it. Like, love me, love my dog.<br /><br />Well, since you insist, and going by memory, I found it distasteful, rather than an uplifting tale of heroism like "The Miracle Worker" (2000) about Helen Keller. I completely agree with Ebert's insightful negative review. I quote in part:<br /><br /><i>"It is conventional to say that Merrick, so hideously misformed that he was exhibited as a sideshow attraction, was courageous. No doubt he was. But there is a distinction here that needs to be drawn, between the courage of a man who chooses to face hardship for a good purpose, and the courage of a man who is simply doing the best he can, under the circumstances.<br />Wilfrid Sheed, an American novelist who is crippled by polio, once discussed this distinction in a Newsweek essay. He is sick and tired, he wrote, of being praised for his "courage," when he did not choose to contract polio and has little choice but to deal with his handicaps as well as he can. True courage, he suggests, requires a degree of choice. Yet the whole structure of The Elephant Man is based on a life that is said tobe courageous, not because of the hero's achievements, but simply because of the bad trick played on him by fate. In the film and the play (which are similar in many details),"</i><br /><br />The film focuses more on his misfortune than his transcendence of misfortune. He remains an object of pity more than any admiration he evokes. He is an object of charity, and never really attains to true human dignity.S. M. Ranahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11186829793949408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-64540812895541147962011-01-25T13:27:59.980+00:002011-01-25T13:27:59.980+00:00Yes Wild At Heart. The dark humor in that movie is...Yes Wild At Heart. The dark humor in that movie is priceless, and its prime Nick Cage. As good as the other two films are that's the Alpha pick.Bradleyhttp://www.bradleyjamestimm.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-82219417988730887422011-01-25T12:31:28.054+00:002011-01-25T12:31:28.054+00:00Bluntness isn't always a bad thing so no need ...Bluntness isn't always a bad thing so no need to apologise, but I still find it hard to believe that you didn't like The Elephant Man, maybe you should write a review for i'd be interested to know why you disliked it...Jack Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14558083317361098572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-60060944995148524752011-01-25T04:19:58.210+00:002011-01-25T04:19:58.210+00:00Jack:
Well, I disagree with Ebert often, but not i...Jack:<br />Well, I disagree with Ebert often, but not in the case of Elephant Man. That's why I decided not to review it. Politeness stays me from saying more. (I'm much much older than you (more years nave I than hath a pack of cards cards), and went for movies with a vengeance only since seven years or so, and while sheer age is hardly a qualification, I present it as an excuse for my occassional bluntness.S M Ranahttp://smrana.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-67818479638649071482011-01-24T16:50:52.409+00:002011-01-24T16:50:52.409+00:00Thanks,
you remember correctly, Willem Defoe's...Thanks,<br />you remember correctly, Willem Defoe's head does roll, in fact that almost got this film an X rating so they had to add gunsmoke to make it less gory...<br /><br />Downey's performance in Natural Born killers was his best in my opinion, he just fit the role perfectly, although that might not be good thing considering the character...<br /><br />I haven't seen Twin Peaks but I heard it was his worst film...<br />as for Inland Empire, it was one of the hardest films to finish I've ever seen, as well as being very disturbing...Jack Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14558083317361098572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-3870862043837191912011-01-24T16:39:08.208+00:002011-01-24T16:39:08.208+00:00Nice pics for that genre of movies.True romance is...Nice pics for that genre of movies.True romance is just great fun in my opinion. As for Wild at Heart its been so long since I've seen it,that I really can't remember anything but something about a head rolling(Willem Dafoe's maybe). As for Natural Born Killers it was strange but in a good way,I even found myself empathizing with Downey Jr's sleazy character. <br /><br />As for David Lynch I have nothing but love for him. I enjoyed both Twin Peaks,Lost Highway and Mulholland drive. Inland Empire scared me shitless with those 45 minute breaks between in your face warped images, and explosive screams.It was just plain disturbed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-86844089502583551332011-01-24T16:13:18.095+00:002011-01-24T16:13:18.095+00:00Glad you're back Rana, I missed your comments!...Glad you're back Rana, I missed your comments!<br /><br />I personally think The Elephant Man is a masterpiece of Cinema and I was surprised to read Ebert's negative review, sometimes I just can't agree with him...<br />The Straight Story is also an excellent Lynch, that and The Elephant man are by far his most accessible and I would think that even if one doesn't like his weird films, they could still enjoy those two.<br />I have to admit that I'm not much of a fan of his weird stuff either, I didn't like Mulholland Dr as much as most, I hated Inland Empire a lot, and I haven't got around to Lost Highway yet...<br /><br />Stone is definitely a talented director, such a shame he doesn't get more recognition in the US.Jack Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14558083317361098572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-4370550086522939792011-01-24T15:16:23.190+00:002011-01-24T15:16:23.190+00:00I like your informality. I don't admire Lynch ...I like your informality. I don't admire Lynch either, certainly not Elephant Man and not enen Mulholland Drive. Stone of course, can grip you with his handling of larger than life themes.S M Ranahttp://smrana.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-5073867356067237482011-01-23T18:01:06.266+00:002011-01-23T18:01:06.266+00:00Oh come on, True Romance is just great fun, how ab...Oh come on, True Romance is just great fun, how about that Sicilian scene between Hopper and Walken, didn't you like that?<br /><br />the first time I wathed Natural Born Killers, I was rather disturbed, I thought to myself, "that's a film I won't be watching again soon" but in fact I did watch it again not long after with a friend and I enjoyed it way more, it's definitely a film that improves with time, it's actually quite a clever satire underneath all the violence and weird camerawork....<br />I'm sure you'll enjoy it if you do watch it again, and thanks for reading!Jack Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14558083317361098572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-33261993725368041802011-01-23T17:57:38.457+00:002011-01-23T17:57:38.457+00:00Nice! Really feel like watching Natural born kille...Nice! Really feel like watching Natural born killers now. But wasn't really a fan of true romance.OMFGITSROHIThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07500024711541096567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-45995131717637562402011-01-19T13:18:35.792+00:002011-01-19T13:18:35.792+00:00@ Nathanael,
His films are very hard to find, I...@ Nathanael,<br />His films are very hard to find, I've got his major three, but I doubt I'll ever be able to find the rest of his work...<br />They are also very lengthy but often cut into good sized sequences so one can watch them over several days.<br /><br /><br />@Rana<br />Thank you very much, you're too kind!<br />I'm glad you enjoyed this review, I put quite a lot of work into it!<br />and I'm glad we share the same views about these matters, I don't think there is such thing as a "justified war", all wars are crimes...<br /><br />Platoon is one of my favourite films ever, I think it's Stone's best film and he has done quite a few great films...<br />Paths Of Glory is a film I need to see again though, for I saw it when I was young in school and it was dubbed in French, I hate dubbing...<br /><br />I just read that essay you linked, it was very touching, the Second World War really was one of Man's darkest hours.<br /><br />Well I hope you guys manage to find this film, it's pretty rare but really worth tracking down.Jack Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14558083317361098572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-47721734121878247822011-01-19T04:55:09.339+00:002011-01-19T04:55:09.339+00:00Wow, and I mean it. I can see how moved you are by...Wow, and I mean it. I can see how moved you are by the film. You respond to things at an emotional level and your writing is hinest and unpretentious and I really pray yo will preserve this quality of being yourself. I really liked this review and fully agree that war is the greatest of evils. Dr Johnson, after all, aptly said that patriotism is the last resort of scoundrels. Nationalism has been the cause of so much suffering. You might find this article interesting:<br /><br />http://www.daisakuikeda.org/main/peacebuild/essays-on-peace/p-mirror.html<br /><br />I have seen Platoon and Paths of Glory and loved the Kubrick film. I intend to see the above reviewed film since, as you say, it is made so soon after the gruesome events it describes.SM Ranahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06556009179966236972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825437371342054179.post-40121054874314065512011-01-19T01:52:23.189+00:002011-01-19T01:52:23.189+00:00I haven't seen ANY of Gance's work I'm...I haven't seen ANY of Gance's work I'm afraid to say...<br /><br />His work is hard to come by....<br /><br />I fully intend too...I just don't have the time.Nathanael Hoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08959797971471060052noreply@blogger.com