Oscar and Lucinda (1995)

Obsession, Compulsion This is one of my favourite movies. Regular readers of my comments will wonder why I elevate it to my “must see” category Part of the reason I want you to see it is because of how well it pairs with Cate’s masterpiece, “Heaven.” Now, that film can stand on its own as… Continue reading Oscar and Lucinda (1995)

Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century (1999-2001)

Plot Mines For the sake of completeness of my Holmes project, I watched a couple episodes of this. The fancy is that Holmes is placed 200 years in his future. The future setting allows the animators to use all sorts of visual shorthand for sets and situations. The appropriation of Holmes allows the writers existing… Continue reading Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century (1999-2001)

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

The Pamela Urge I saw this with ‘Borat’. It didn’t work for me. Neither comedy did; the reasons seem related. If you put distance between something and it’s source, then you have opportunity for low humour. The closer you get to the original or the reference, the sharper you have to be on both sides… Continue reading Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

Baby Geniuses (1999)

99 Dalmatians People hate this movie. I’m not sure I know why. Oh, it is bad, but other movies that are just as bad are not seen as so: — with the plot being the some sort of thin adventure. This is actually a bit more interesting than usual because the end is slightly untraditional.… Continue reading Baby Geniuses (1999)

Home Alone 3 (1997)

The Fighting Child Is there a more interesting case study than John Hughes? He invented a new genre and incidentally opened a new strain of cinematic techniques. But writing is like other major enterprises in life. Each hit on the pool ball does three things; it attempts to score, it completely changes the environment and… Continue reading Home Alone 3 (1997)

Killer Condom (1996)

No Protection When I enter one of these worlds, I expect risk. Not by itself of course, but paired with clever insight, unusual metaphor or sliding perspective. But above all, risk. Their risk is my risk. Quite literally, I enter these film relationships promiscuously without protection, bare, expecting permanent change. That’s why I have higher… Continue reading Killer Condom (1996)

Jacob’s Ladder (1990)

Basement Steps When a film plays with the narrator’s credulity, and if it is essentially cinematic then I am predisposed to like it. This film has the additional benefit of some competent actors. Plus, we all like to dump on government lying during the Nixon era. I think this is a waste of time in… Continue reading Jacob’s Ladder (1990)