Reviews
The Relic (1997)
Ho hum
The real point is, this film COULD have been really amazing. At first, it looked as though it would be. The director began the film with a very good idea: don't show the murderer or the murder, only moments leading up to the murder and then the aftermath. This, as Hitchcock would tell anyone, creates that knuckle-gnawing sensation known as suspense. Well, that's spoiled fairly quickly by overly-gory murder scenes and poor special effects. Also, from a scientific point of view, the film is absolutely ridiculous. Any biology student would cringe at the ideas suggested here. The cast, however, obviously had plenty of talent, but the screenwriting didn't allow us to become quite close enough to the characters. Each time we are on the brink of worrying about these people, they either die or escape, so we stop needing to care. The one gleaming part of this film was the fact that there wasn't a romance story going on between the male and female lead. And that was a good call. After all, I think I can speak for all of us when I say: when you are chasing a genetically mutated monster through the subterranean tunnels beneath a Chicago museum, the last thing you'll be thinking about is sex.
Ever After (1998)
Excellent!
This beautiful film, set in the lush South of France, immediately takes you into the past, into the castles and manors and palaces of a previous era. And within five minutes, the cast of extremely talented characters has taken us into their lives, into their story. Drew Barrymore, as Danielle, shows us what is undoubtedly one of her best performances ever as she breaks out of her wild party-girl mold and shows us that she can still act. Dougray Scott introduces us to Prince Henry, a delightful character who is thoroughly explored and does not remain a mystery without a name or a face. These are real characters with depth. This is a film worth seeing, if not for the charming story and the wonderful acting, then at least for the absolutely beautiful scenery and costumes.
Dream for an Insomniac (1996)
Lovely, funny, intelligent film
This is a great film: witty, charming, well-acted and wonderfully written. The characters are all played to perfection by an array of very talented young actors (especially MacKenzie Astin, who plays David). It has the perfect mixture of laughter and sorrow, sweetness and elegance. I particularly like this film because it relies on dialogue, characterization , and cinematography, three primary elements in filmmaking which have recently hidden themselves behind special effects, poor attempts at acting by egotistical actors, and weak plotlines like those of a dimestore romance novel. However, this film has a tight, entertaining plot, a cast of excellent actors, a wonderful cinematographer, and last but not least, heart.
Oscar and Lucinda (1997)
A beautiful, triumphant film
"Oscar and Lucinda," directed by superb Australia director Gillian Armstrong , was very worthy of much more notice than it received in America. Strong performances by the entire cast (especially the supporting character, Oscar's adoptive father, played wonderfully by Tom Wilkinson of 1997's hilarious "The Full Monty," who proves here that he can be an intensely passionate dramatic actor as well as a comedic one), together with intensely beautiful cinematography, a tight, well-woven plot, and incredible direction make this a film not to be missed. Ralph Fiennes' incredible talent touches me once again as he portrays Oscar, a timid, nervous gambler with a heart of gold. And Blanchett shines as Lucinda, a young, rebellious woman seeking adventure and fame. One of the best things about this motion picture is the fact that it looks and feels real. It is convincing, lovely, and well worth seeing.