1996 Review Blog
Fargo
Grade: A- 06/24/2009
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski has always been my favorite Coens Bros. character, but Marge Gunderson certainly gives him a run for his money. She is so innocently clever and spritely, that the crimes being commited on her watch are all the more horrible. The acting is top notch (Especially Frances McDormand and William H. Macy) and the humor/drama relationship is finely tuned. In a film handled less delicately, the goofy personnas of the midwest may feel contrived. In FARGO, they are perfect. What a fun, funny, disturbing, original film.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
Grade: A- 06/24/2009
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski has always been my favorite Coens Bros. character, but Marge Gunderson certainly gives him a run for his money. She is so innocently clever and spritely, that the crimes being commited on her watch are all the more horrible. The acting is top notch (Especially Frances McDormand and William H. Macy) and the humor/drama relationship is finely tuned. In a film handled less delicately, the goofy personnas of the midwest may feel contrived. In FARGO, they are perfect. What a fun, funny, disturbing, original film.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
Secrets & Lies
Grade: A 09/20/2009
I love British drama, and I think it has to do with the British culture where no matter how damaged or depressed a person is, they are always trying to be pleasant and make others feel comfortable...and that is very pitiful for broken people. This movie left me emotionally drained, and it is absolutely brilliant, with perfect performances all around. Timothy Spall and Brenda Blethyn shine as a brother and sister whose lives are just in turmoil...and the appearance of an illegitamate black daughter makes it get even more chaotic. I was mesmerized by the acting in this film...and even though it is very high concept with so many characters with such emotional baggage, it felt 100% realistic. Simply "bloody" wonderful.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
Grade: A 09/20/2009
I love British drama, and I think it has to do with the British culture where no matter how damaged or depressed a person is, they are always trying to be pleasant and make others feel comfortable...and that is very pitiful for broken people. This movie left me emotionally drained, and it is absolutely brilliant, with perfect performances all around. Timothy Spall and Brenda Blethyn shine as a brother and sister whose lives are just in turmoil...and the appearance of an illegitamate black daughter makes it get even more chaotic. I was mesmerized by the acting in this film...and even though it is very high concept with so many characters with such emotional baggage, it felt 100% realistic. Simply "bloody" wonderful.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die