Reviews
Misery (1990)
Made for Kathy
I started watching this movie without great pretensions. I never heard about that, but the story slowly involved me. The plot is quite original, (little spoilers) the "fan fanatism" in literature. The main actors are very well, with intense performance. A great example of making a big low-budget movie. I should not speak details, but the screenplay is brilliant, keeping the pace as an excellent thriller. We do feel as James Caan, looking for any possibility of scaping from what is becoming more an more a nightmare. Only a few moments ago I found out that was a Stephen King's best seller. For his fans, a wonderful film...and I hope they accept the end!
Cazuza: O Tempo Não Pára (2004)
Disappointing...
I was very interested in watching Cazuza. His story is well-known by most of the Brazilians that lived during the 80s rock moment. But Cazuza himself was not really explained in the movie. It was based in the book of Lucinha Araujo, Cazuza's mother, and it seems that she tried to convince herself and the others that she was a good mother and he was a good son. If you are a parent, you can take you own conclusion about this. All the self-destructive behavior of Cazuza doesn't fix in this scenario.From where it came from? For his rebellion with the homophobic world? Or it was a consequence of the inexistence of limits or punishments in a high-class Brazilian family? For who knows the story, the movie looks like a poor documentary. If Cazuza is considered the real Brazilian poet of the 80s, he deserved a better explanation.
The Family Man (2000)
Not just another Christmas movie
I watched "The Family Man" for the second time last Xmas week, that terrible week when every movie on TV talks only about kidnapped Santa Claus and Pine Trees. But I should say that this film is much more than this. Actually, for me Nicolas Cage is a guarantee of a good film, because everything he does is much better than the average. It is a movie about feeling and self-understanding. Some kind of "emotional development".Good movie for that ones that say "I don't want to marry and a don't want kids"
SPOILERS AHEAD You can be really convinced about the reasons of his choices at the end of the movie. How could you not fell something looking to Tea Leoni at his moment? If Cash (Cheadle, well done) really existed or not is not the point. The thing is that Mr. Jack Campbell (Cage) felt in a way he never did.
Enemy of the State (1998)
Action thriller
Will Smith made a great job, in his most "serious" role. He actually added some pieces of comedy, but the protagonist was most of the time very real. All the plot was very well-developed. Sometimes we can really lose our breath, will all the runaway situations. The high-tech environment gives an interesting condition. We should emphasize that most of the technology shown is close to a possible reality. Gene Hackman works in a way that we couldn't think about another one in his place. Jason Lee participation was very short, but important as the beginning of the action part.
The Pianist (2002)
The War from an insider perspective
The invasion of Poland, from its beginning to the end, from the perspective of a Jewish pianist, Wladyslaw Szpilman. Adrien Brody is almost perfect in his intensity. It is a peaceful message against the horror of war and prejudice. The way the plot is developed, starting with Warzaw in a normal 1939 day made us feeling within the life of the protagonist. There are a lot of real details about the siege in Poland, including the role of the Jewish Police and the black markets. These facts are most of the time forgotten in other movies. Roman Polanski may be a crazy man, but we can't say he is not talented.
Malhação (1995)
Brazilian teenagers series
Malhacao is probably one of the longest series of Brazilian TV. Globo TV is thinking about finishing it all the time, but they didn't find a substitute. The fact is that "Malhacao" is good. In the beginning, the plot was all the day at the gym. That would seems extremely boring, but it was a hit. The crew kept changing all the time, substituting young actors by younger ones. That is some kind of "acting academy". I should say that it works pretty well. It gave opportunity to a lot of new artists. There are some older to give the balance, but 80% of the crew is average 18. The writers are trying to give some interesting topics of discussions, like abortion, AIDS, drugs, alcohol and parents-relatives relationships. And they are doing it in an interesting way of stimulating debates.
Esperança (2002)
Not exactly Terra Nostra 2
First: To watch Esperanca, you need to have seen Terra Nostra. At least, have minimum information about its characters. An special advice must be given. Benedito Ruy Barbosa, the prestigious writer, thought about Terra Nostra as a trilogy, covering 3 different periods of the same families, some italian relatives. The idea was not turn in practice, and he mixed details of the 2nd and 3rd chapters of the trilogy in Esperanca. The plot was good, but the "solution" for the problems that Barbosa created during the first months took real big efforts. The episodes were written almost at the same time they needed to be filmed. The big structure of the crew became upside-down. Globo TV put Walter Carrasco as the substitute writer, in order to make it faster, and he made a real mess in the history, inserting weird situations, changing the personalities of some protagonists with no reason. The audience didn't forgive all the mistakes. Globo TV considers it a good experience about "what we shouldn't do". If you want my opinion, do not waste your time with Esperanca, keep with Terra Nostra only.
Que Rei Sou Eu? (1989)
Classical Brazilian teenager soap opera
"Que Rei sou eu?" (What King am I?) was a big hit of TV in 1989. A lot of people miss it a lot. The plot is full of action, movement, comedy and a bit of romance. The crew is very efficient, with memorable roles and quotes. It is about a fictional - with some ironic brazilian-related details - kingdom of 17th/19th century ( it not easy to define a period, but it is not important)The partnership of Cassiano Gabus Mendes as writer and Jorge Fernando as director in one of their most creative pieces.
Top Model (1989)
What a soap opera!
This is a remarkable piece. Nuno Leal Maia and its family made history in teenager participation in Brazilian soap operas, giving space to some young talents that came, as Marcelo Faria, Gabriela Duarte and Adriana Esteves. Cecil Thire is very good in the bad guy role. All the environment is very positive, full of soul, mainly in the beach scenes.
Street Fighter (1994)
How to waste money!
When the idea of the Street Fighter movie was presented, everybody start dreaming that it would be perfect. Van Damme as Guile, wow, that is great! So, the problem is that the videogame is too good...to many fighter options...too many to be in the movie...The screenplay was like a zoo. Nothing is connected. Unfortunatelly, a big waste of time and money.
O Homem que Copiava (2003)
Good surprise!
"O homem que copiava" (The Photocopier Man) is a very nice movie. A creative plot, that proves that money doesn't bring happiness, but helps a lot...Lazaro Ramos is in one of its best performances. No violence, no sex, no further apellation but a great history. Impossible to get out of the theater without a big smile...9/10!
My Little Eye (2002)
Wow, what a trash!
When I was watching that movie at a Cinemark Multiplex, I just started thinking, what was the reason for showing it in the theaters. This movie has nothing special, there is no opportunity to show something that could support it at all. There are no moments of considerable unpredictability. The plot, about a "Reality show" of 5 young and not-interesting people, ask for a lock at the cinema, or most of the audience would like to spend this time in a more interesting situation, as eating French fries....I could say that it would be useful it made before the Blair Witch Project...the movie connections are so obvious that we can believe it is a parody..But we can believe it is an ode to human futility and dumbness.
The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
Should it be a horror film?
OK, most of the emotion of this movie would be felt only thinking that, "Wow, it really happened!". Considering that a lot of events of non-natural origin are the main theme of the plot, it can, at most, make you fell curious, but to fell fear, you need to be very sensitive...Gere tried acting in a unique performance, considering his dramatic qualities. I should say that the succeed. Comparing to a very similar plot - the connection of the stories is huge - Kevin Costner's Dragonfly is worse.
Heist (2001)
Wow! What a smart guy!
It is a movie that must be watched with a lot of attention. There are so many aspects involved in each operation, that is almost impossible to keep in control of everything. For sure, the plot is well-done, the creativity is fantastic. The situation changes from one side to other, you never know exactly what is happening, if the thieves were caught or if they have a B plan (I believe they had C, D and E ones). If you want to have an idea about what I talk about, take a look at the "recommendations" they give a good idea of what "Heist" is about. Several surprises, at the end you could believe in anything...
Double Jeopardy (1999)
Poor Tommy...
Firstly, how Tommy Lee Jones could look so old and tired...For the eleventh time as a cop..The idea of the movie is very good, but the trailer maker could keep some of the mystery.Most of the story is given there..So I needed to wait more than 40 minutes for something new. A few conditions of the movie are unreal. The jugdement was probably one of the fastests of all cinema's history. Considering that the body was not found, probably it would take more than 8 years to declare someone guilty. Maybe they didn't want to waste money with make-up. Ashley Judd's face deserve a to be clean and young. The screenplay is very similar to millions, but I should say that from this model, it is one of the bests. Nothing to be oscarized, but for entertainment. Girls like, boys too. There are some holes on the plot, but the movie is not done to be analysed as a masterpiece of art.
Heat (1995)
Duel or duet?
It is very difficult to find a movie combining so well two great actors. Al Pacino and Robert de Niro. And the are acting very well, each one with its features. They make Val Kilmer seems only a novice learning with Hollywood Ph.Ds. The movie try to presents a realistic plot, considering that there are no exactly bad and good boys. The cop is not a perfect angel, and the thief show his heart. The private side of their lives is developed and emphasized in several moments to present this paradox. The action movies are nothing so tremendous, but they couldn't, because the peak of the movie are the main actors, that are in the same scene only near the end of the movie, something like a final contest of the masters.
For All: O Trampolim da Vitória (1997)
A Latin American perspective of the WWII
That is another movie about the World War II. But I should say that it is a completely different one. There are no battle scenes. Most of the time, everything seems happiness. Interesting perspective about the interaction of the north-american soldiers and the curiousity of the northeastern Brazilians of Natal, on that time, only a small town. Maybe that is a pacifist manifest, like "don't make war, make love". The title is a theory about the origin of a typical Brazilian music style, caller "Forro". Some people say that it came from the free entrance nights of Natal nightclubs, when it was written "FOR ALL". The other nights, it was exclusive for the yankees. I just don't how could they dance without the Brazilian girls...
Guerra de Canudos (1997)
A Brazilian epic
The Brazilian History is full of mentions about the Canudos War, but there was no movie about it until this one. And I should say it is really good. The fabulous cast, the battle scenes, everything take the audience to the reality. It is one of the first good moments of the Brazilian cinema renassaince of the 90's. Very interesting plot and production. Special congratulations for the screenplay, that made a so complex and detail fact very tight and connected.
Amor Estranho Amor (1982)
The forbidden movie
This movie could be only another erotic brazilian 80's movie. But the presence of Xuxa, the famous popstar, made it a very special one. There is a rumor that when Xuxa fans found out this movie, she went to court in order to forbid it. I don't know if it is real, but I should say that the tapes disappeared...They're very rare nowadays. The scenes could make a scandal with Xuxa's reputation, but she solved it very well. She is currently in a TV Programme presenting fairy tales to young kids. Compare it to the scenes of the movie, specifically the ones she is "acting" with kids...
Barra 68 - Sem Perder a Ternura (2001)
Memories from a hard past.
The idea of this documentary is to give details about what happened in University of Brasilia on 1968. Specifically about the revolt. The movie keeps making circles around the same thing, using interviews with students, professors, politicians and the former dean. The idea is that the audience will make his own opinion about what happened. Wladmir Carvalho is supposed to be only a facilitator. At the end, you can fell that he has his own point of view.
Interesting for people with some information about Brazilian military dictatorship, obligatory for Brazilian social sciences students. A unique document explaining a fact of this period in a micro perspective. The higher moments are the parts of Darcy Ribeiro interview.
LavourArcaica (2001)
Very dramatic
The idea of the movie was great, but the dialogues and scenes were made not for the cinema, but for theater. Then, it becomes a little too hard to watch, and the language is too erudite. This way, it didn't look like conventional. It is almost impossible to say that you had fun with this movie. Most of the scenes you want to close your eyes and wait until it passes. Selton Mello brights, as usual. But maybe with a more common movie, more people would go to the cinema and watch it, not to say that "I am very intelligent, I watched Lavoura Arcaica". Maybe it is too fair from most of the Brazilian's reality.
Blade (1998)
A movie full of style.
The image of this movie remains to a mix of Matrix with Blade Runner. But considering that Matrix was released in 1999, Blade looks more original and creative. The make-up and special effects (most of the time is impossible to know what is what) do its role. Snipes was maybe too misterious, the film finishes and we are still curious about who was the protagonist and what are his feelings. But we may consider it part of the original idea of a mixed "hero-anti-hero" protagonist. N'Brushe Wright was forgettable as Dr.Karen Jenson. They could have found a better one, as Halle Berry for that. But I would say that Stephen Dorff really scaried me...what monster he became..Ok, the origin of his power and capacity to easily kill members of the Vampire's Council is not explained, but Dorff makes it looks very realistic.
O Que é Isso, Companheiro? (1997)
Terrorism or heroism?
The movie, based on the Fernando Gabeira's novel, is intense, full of action, motion and meaning. How a few young rebels planned and executed the kidnap of the US Ambassador in Rio - on that time, the Embassy was still there. Very well produced and edited, special comments about the sound, with some moments of silence and other with a disturbing noise. An expert crew. Take a look in Pedro Cardoso, who represents Fernando Gabeira. OK, some scenes of the movie are different from the original written version, but I should say it looks really good. But I would never suggest somebody else to try repeating their adventure and kidnap the US Ambassador...
Metro (1997)
It could be better...
This a well-produced movie, with nice action scenes of car chase. Most of the time a cop movie is taken place in San Francisco, they do this common scenes... Eddie Murphy really try to do his best, but fail trying to create a very complex caracter for a movie that didnt deserve it. Scott Ruper should be only a negociatior with relationship problems, not a gambling-addicted. There is no time or opportunity to go deep on it, and seems that somebody deleted a few pages of the screenplay. His relationship with the photographer was not well-explained. Ok, nice idea the Troy trick. Everybody thought that he was their son, and it is a dog. But does anybody care about George's destiny? The baseball player just disappear from the movie, and the lady just decide to come back to Ruper..too easy.
Another chapter of comments should be given to some of the action scenes, about their lack of reality. In several occasions the thief has a perfect chance to shot him, and for unexplained reasons, he didn't. At the end, I wish they could finally be nude in Tahiti...I would prefer it in place of that boring sunset..
Super Xuxa Contra o Baixo Astral (1988)
Poor children!
That was Xuxa first movie as a protagonist. The idea of mixing several guest actors with a poor screenplay results in a funny ridiculous movie. If in the 80's the kids could think it was interesting, the new will not believe in how people could be so stupid. There is not even a good will message like "behave yourself". Nothing else than waiste of time. If you would like to see a better Xuxa movie, try "Lua de Cristal". Maybe that is the only which you can find a convincent progress a the plot well directed. But don't try to show it to your children, or they will live you alone....