Change Your Image
juicewithajee
Reviews
The Twelve Chairs (1970)
Wonderfully Russian film
A great many people might not get this movie. It is based on an story written by a newspaper reporter in post revolution Russia. If you have spent time in the formerly Soviet Union, or enjoy Russian culture, you'll like this movie.Its hilariously ironic in the Russain style, and includes many jabs at the Soviet system. The humor is some what dark, and the ending isn't preciously happy, and yet it's a truly great movie. (But thats Russia for you. One of the most popular Russian films, and their equivalent of "Its a Wonderful Life", is "The Irony of Fate" in which the characters are cheerfully miserable for the entire film. How is this possible? Well, one theory is that Russia has been so unhappy, and has had such bad leaders, for so long, that the Russians have had to move on from that, and be happy any way.) Our family has spent a lot of time in Eastern Europe, and we all love this movie. How can you not? Its loads of fun. One must simply embrace it for itself, rather then compare it to Brook's other works.
The American Embassy (2002)
give me a break
This show was a joke. My dad is an FSO (Foreign Service Officer). This show came out while he was still in training in D.C. and his classmates used to watch it and count the security violations in each episode. They were numerous to say the least. Foregive me, but how did this lady manage to skip the amazingly hard Foreign Service Exam (which very few people pass), the Oral Interview (which even fewer people pass), all of the months of basic training, more months of detailed training, get promoted, and then get to London on her first tour? It can take over a year just to get your security clearance so you can even be hired, not to mention a health clearance. Its insane. And apart from this embassy life is not accurately portrayed. Regardless of post everyone upon arrival is greeted by a social sponsor, who shows you around etc, and an office sponsor, who helps one to settle down in the office. And there are strict regulations regarding living space alloted to officers. No one is made to share a house or apartment. This is not the armed forces for heaven's sake. (And yes, I am aware that one cannot demand or expect accuracy in network television. But if they are going to call the show "The American Embassy" they ought to at least try a little bit. After all, one does not make a show about baseball players, then show them playing football instead.) Clearly the makers of the show either never spoke with Department of State officers, or ignored their advice completely. And even if she did manage all of this, she would have been kicked out for her nutty conduct. On the other hand, that might explain why she got to London on her first tour. It could be what is known in the business as a "lovely parting gift". Over all, this show was a complete and utter joke, from start to finish.
Henry V (1989)
this is truly what Shakespeare ought to be
This is a genuinely inspiring movie, what Shakespeare should be. I dare say that if the Bard was alive today, this is how he would produce his plays. The "St. Crispin's Day" speech is wonderful, almost the best part. And the end scene with Henry V and his bride-to-be is extremely well played. Kind of cute even, which is unusual for this genre. Emma Thompson's French is surprisingly good. Even my eight year-old brother loves this movie, which is saying a great deal. The battle scene is great,a mite graphic for my taste, but not so bad as many other movies. And the actors manage to pull off the difficulties of Shakespearian English without sounding pompous, or as from another planet. The music is beautiful. Especially the song after the battle. Really lovely. All of the acting was excellent, one is able to relate to the characters on a very human level, just as one should with Shakespeare, if it is done right. It seems a shame that "Romeo and Juliet" is better known, since "Henry V" is an oceans better story. Who ever said Shakepeare is dull?