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bootboyd
Reviews
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Dross
What gives Spielberg the moral right to debase another man's
artistic vision in this puerile way? Why did SS make the film if he
didn't like the idea behind it? There is obviously a kernel of an interesting film in here. If it had
ended 45 minutes earlier, there might still be - slightly derivative
of Bladerunner, but interesting. Unfortunately either Spielberg
didn't understand the original conception of the film, or he didn't
care for it. The result is a grown-up, dark and philosophical film
which somewhere along the line degrades into something of
which Disney would be ashamed. Crass.
Le Cinquième Élément (1997)
Overblown and incoherent
Beautiful production values cannot camouflage the mistakes in this film. Poorly plotted and finally pointless, film ends up looking like Flash Gordon meets Dune. If only it had Brian Blessed in it. Perhaps the weakest of Besson's offerings to date.
Les amants du Pont-Neuf (1991)
Style over substance...
...but what style! The most expensive French film ever made when it came out, this film features some spectacular set-pieces, particularly the French bi-centennial celebrations that provide a backdrop. It has its weaknesses, but when I saw this in the cinema I was blown away. Denis Lavant puts in a particularly strong performance as Alex, the depressive and tender down-and-out obsessed with Binoche's Michele. Watch it, even if you find nothing else in it, the visuals are astonishing.
The Signalman (1976)
Spooky
I saw this a long time ago when it was re-run on television. I can't say much except that it scared the wits out of me. Denholm Elliot was a revelation. Always one of the great British character actors, he has a melancholy stillness that hangs about him like the fog that fills this film. Spooky.