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Dante8
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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Shell-shocked
Forgive my unpolished thoughts here, but I wanted to counter some of the negative comments about the movie. I have to say that I saw this movie a week ago and I still am in a variable state of awe and sadness. The movie, by far, exceeded my expectations. This comes from someone who hasn't read the books (although I will now), and I watched the previous 2 at least 4 times each to finally feel like I totally understood where the characters were coming from. (And, I thought that the first half of Fellowship was a little slow but I loved Two Towers).
The only negative things that I concur with are the dizzying effects and the volume of the war sequences. I have heard multiple people getting sick if they were at the front of the theater because of the effects. But, I thought it was appropriate in the same way that the intro scene from "Saving Private Ryan" made me sick (and both of these were better use of camera effects than the cutting I found in "Seven" which made me more nauseated). Battle scenes like this are meant to be disorienting. I felt more "into" the movie as a result of it.
Also, the length is annoying if you are in uncomfortable seats, but I thought that an intermission would have drawn you out of the movie. Although my neck hurt after the movie was over, I was so enthralled that I couldn't care much about what was going on in the real world.
Some feel that the spider sequence was too hyped. I guess I didn't follow the news groups as thoroughly because I didn't think that the whole movie would peak at that scene. But, I thought that the upwards looking shot with the spider over Frodo was one of the best shots in recent film (IMHO).
As for the ending, I thought that the resolution was appropriate given the trilogy. I would have felt short-changed if we did not find out what became of the characters given that we have become such a part of their quest. (And, since I didn't read the books yet, I didn't know). I would have liked a little more about the humans and elves, but I still loved the ending.
Many of my friends are much more avid fans than I - some read the books EVERY year. Most saw it at midnight on opening night. Most have already seen it multiple times. I consider myself a moderate fan at most, and I am still am both teary-eyed and orgasmic a week later. I thought it was a roller-coster of emotions at the end, and I am impressed by the intricacies of the plot and how integral each character is at the end. Does it deserve the academy awards? Absolutely - Peter Jackson and Best Picture for sure. I think Sean A. also did a spectacular job. And, it probably deserves Best Score and best screenplay too.
Bent (1997)
I thought it was deep and beautiful.
I just saw Bent after several recommendations. I have read all of the other comments, and I agree (more or less) with all of them. I can see how some would not like this movie, but I thought that it was intense, eye-catching, and thought provoking.
This movie does have a strong psychological component. They main characters are extremely dissociated from their environment, destined to a sisyphean feat of hauling rocks (the "best job in the camp"). The obvious growth of Max throughout the movie is extremely metaphoric to the entire process of coming out. The emotional distance that Max maintains in the camp is typical of what gays and lesbians endure prior to accepting themselves. And, I hope that I wasn't the only one who thoroughly enjoyed the encounters between the 2 men standing at attention. This is the point in the movie that I felt that I was watching 2 men in the 1980's. They finally opened themselves up to mental and physical intimacy without touching at all, although their physical contact would have resulted in gunfire instead of a virus. But, even in these intense scenes, there is a potential to hurt those who we most care about. I don't mean to sound melodramatic - I didn't live through the concentration camps and I didn't even have that bad of a coming out - but, I couldn't help feeling like I'd been through all of this in my own life.
I can't wait to watch it again.
The Last Supper (1995)
Great satire - very dark comedy
I thoroughly loved the movie (even bought the soundtrack). To get things out of the way, I'll out myself as a liberal grad student upfront. But, I think that this film speaks to how people go about social change. We're not expected to kill and maim for our ideals in a civil society, but liberals and conservatives both do make outlandish accusations regarding the impact of one another's viewpoints. Some people take their opinions to an extreme and kill for them (not to focus on any conservative movement that target physicians at work...).
Political ideology aside, this is an interesting movie about transformations. The characters (Paulie & Pete) who are most opposed to the plan at the outside become blood-thirsty. Mark and Jude basically started out with a 'kill'em all' attitude and realized that their motivation has strayed. Luke acts the ringleader and we start to question his motivations as his character develops.
I realize this movie isn't for everybody - but I was surprised to see how low it's rated here and all of the negative comments. I've seen this movie multiple times, and I enjoy it more each time. And, my conservative friends like it too, due to the very savvy nature of Ron Perlman's character. He ultimately shows the key to intelligent social change, even if his actions give us a different m.o.
All and all, I loved this movie.
Love! Valour! Compassion! (1997)
The Gay 'Stand by Me'
I have to wholehearted disagree that this film is disappointing. I found the characters interesting and deep. Yes - the gay men approach stereotypical roles in some instances, but they are developed over the course of the summer in a manner that mimics the boys in "Stand by Me". We see the changes in the relationships between nearly every pairing of the eight men. Some are in relationships; some were. Some hate each other; but they nearly all care about one another. This is the kind of movie that makes you reflect on your own human interactions. You don't have to be HIV+, a choreographer, a yuppie, a broadway queen, or even gay to see yourself in these characters. This is a fine exhibition of love, lust, friendship, and life.