Passion of the Christ.
I didn't want to offend anyone with my review, but really what the hell? If we are supposed to learn about Christ's infinite love, we ain't getting it here. And it was SO very violent. It was past scary, past gross, past gratuitous, it was a snuff film. And if you didn't know anything about Jesus, it would be an even more pointless snuff film than a real one. Cannibals would lose their lunch watching this.
Satan was interesting and I wish s/he had been used more, it would have shown more strength of character (in a big picture way) than just Jeshua's ability to endure pain. Nothing from Caveziel, he did what he could with a one note piece, and I would like to see more of him playing Jesus when he was doing what he's really famous for, healing the sick and talking to people and making the actual stir for which this film shows him more than adequately punished. Never mind all that anti-semitic shit, this is just anti-filmmaking.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
i loved this movie. looooved it. I really try to justify my reviews in my actual reviews (www.cinerina.com if you have just stumbled across this blog instead of being directed here) but in this case, this movie touched me deep inside. is it that I have a bad memory, that I strongly feel my history made me who i am, for good and bad? sure. is it that I am a historian and the idea of erasing someone who was so significant is irresponsible to me? sure. But really - it's that final scene (a great shot is a pan past a piano, joel in the back of david cross' car buried up to his neck in sand, that song that's been on the radio this week is on the soundtrack) where the last memories are being sucked up and they merge and flitter and- I just get goosebumps and cry. Not gut-wrenching crying, like Lilo and Stitch, but just mourning this relationship I didn't even live through. mourning my own relationships I did live through and chose to forget as best I could.
I also think it's very interesting that despite doing what he does, Dr W and Mrs W don't choose to erase the affair, even though they erase it from Kirsten Dunst. That means they know the value of keeping the memories even as he helps people lose theirs. It's ill advised behavior but he can make a buck at it. God I hope Kaufman isn't really ike Nic Cage played him in Adaptation because I want to meet him!
And god dammit one of these days I will say I TOLD YOU SO when Carrey gets his freaking Oscar. Jim, if you found this on a vanity search, please go read all my reviews of your movies. I promise it's not just a physical thing.
