Category Archives: 1996

1996, Musical, Not Feel Good, Revenge, Unusual, Violent

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

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From NetFlix:

The Montagues and Capulets have moved to the sweltering suburb of
Verona Beach in this contemporary take on William Shakespeare’s
classic play. Though the film is visually modern, the bard’s dialogue
is intact as the feuding families’ children fall desperately in love.
The families nix the union, so Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Juliet
(Claire Danes) wed secretly. But just as it seems there’s hope of
uniting the warring clans, events turn tragic.

You would have no clue from the NetFlix description that this is a musical as well as a contemporary setting of “Romeo and Juliet”. Note the plus sign in the title. Yes, believe it or not, Leonard DiCaprio sings, which just adds to his list of accomplishments. John Leguizamo plays a great villain. And yes the film is faithful to Shakespeare, using the original text. But be warned: this is an unusual film that will NOT be to everyone’s liking.

1996, DO NOT MISS, Feel Good Not For Children

Shine (1996)

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From NetFlix:

A riveting profile of Australian keyboard virtuoso David
Helfgott (Geoffrey Rush) and his ultimate triumph over a
domineering, abusive father (Armin Mueller-Stahl);
schizophrenia; and an obsession with the all but unplayable
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3. Sir John Gielgud,
superb as ever, plays Helfgott’s tutor. Richly deserved
Oscars went to Rush (Best Actor) and to Mueller-Stahl for
his supporting turn.

You should read about David Helfgott in Wikipedia. The movie is not exactly true,
but close enough. In the film Helfgott’s father is more of a monster than perhaps
he deserves to be. I was disappointed to learn that Helfgott’s performance of the
Rachmaninoff Third Piano Concerto was criticized quite negatively. Never mind,
just enjoy the film.

As with most “feel good” movies, you first have to “feel bad”.
When Lynn Redgrave enters the film, you just know the movie will get happier.

In several scenes Helfgott forgets to wear clothing. He gropes a woman several
times. Hence, perhaps not for children.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, especially for classical music fans,

1996, Feel Good Not For Children

Courage Under Fire (1996)

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From NetFlix:

Lt. Col. Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) heads an
investigation of the wartime activities of chopper pilot
Capt. Karen Walden (Meg Ryan) to verify that she’s posthumously
worthy of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Serling meets with
several soldiers who were under Walden’s command, including
Ilario (Matt Damon) and Monfriez (Lou Diamond Phillips). But
the men give conflicting accounts, so it’s up to Serling to
uncover the truth.

Kathy, Bev (a Movie Fan), and I watched this film together with the understanding that
if we were bored, we would eject. It starts with a Desert Storm battle scene which was
long enough to make us think we were starting to get bored. But we hung in there long
enough to get interested. The plot was intriguing enough to hold our interest. What really
happened back there in Iraq ? For my money, Lou Diamond Phillips as Monfriez
played a really intense role. The film is nothing special and a bag of popcorn might help.
Battle scenes might not be good for small children.

Not my first choice.

1000NYTimes, 1001BeforeDie, 1996, Unusual, Violent

Trainspotting (1996)

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From NetFlix:

Danny Boyle’s explosive 1996 film tracks the misadventures of
young men (played by a cast that includes Ewan MacGregor, Robert
Carlyle and Jon Lee Miller) trying to find their way out of
joblessness, aimless relationships and drug addiction. Some are
successful, while others are hopelessly not . Based on Irvine Walsh’s
novel, Trainspotting melds grit with poetry, resulting in a film of
harsh truths and stunning grace.

I am not so sure “stunning grace” is what would come to mind if you were daring enough to watch this film which offers the following delights:

o Drugs
o Sex
o Filthy hovels
o Disgusting bathroom scenes
o Crude language
o Degenerate amoral characters.

Now with all that to offer, how could you not see this film ? 1996 was 12 years ago. I am sure that this film was a shocker 12 years ago, and it still can shock. But to tell you the truth the characters were such moral idiots, and the dialog and (possibly disgusting) sight gags were so clever that I just kept laughing out loud. After awhile you start to cringe at how hideous these 4 boy-men were and you wonder just how would Ewan MacGregor (who really tries to go straight) ever get away from the other 3. It was just this question that kept me riveted to the end.

No doubt this film will become a cult classic.

NOT FOR EVERYONE. NOT EVER FOR CHILDREN.

1996, Feel Good For All

Brassed Off (1996)

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From NetFlix:

Big energy threatens to move in and disrupt life in the small English
mining town of Grimley, but its brass band conductor refuses to hang
up his baton. Recognizing Grimley’s last chance to shine, Danny
( Pete Postlethwaite) perfects his band for their last chance at national
competition. Gloria (Tara Fitzgerald) tries to perform flawless flugelhorn
as she wrestles resentment for her part in the mine’s closure and falls
for Andy (Ewan McGregor).

Similar to Full Monty. Feel-good. Even my mom would like this one.
As I recall, OK for kids.

1996, Could Be Sad, Feel Good For All

Marvin’s Room (1996)

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From NetFlix:

The tables are turned when straight-laced Bessie (Diane Keaton) —
who devotes her life to caring for her chronically ill father (Hume Cronyn) —
must ask her estranged, bohemian sibling (Meryl Streep) for help after
Bessie suffers a health catastrophe. The film is a first-class adaptation of
Scott McPherson’s play, with a young Leonardo DiCaprio holding his
own among a heavyweight cast that includes Robert De Niro and Gwen Verdon.

The ensemble work is good. I laughed out loud in spots. It’s amazing to see formerly
sexy red-headed Gwen Verdon (Damn Yankees!) as “dotty old Aunt Ruth”. The
character transformations (especially Meryl Streep) are convincing.

And yes, it was one of those “#$%^# Chick Flick Tear Jerkers”.

1996, Unusual

Breaking the Waves (1996)

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From NetFlix:

The revolutionary Dogma 95 school of filmmaking washed up on American shores with this intense European drama starring Emily Watson as Bess, a naïve Scotswoman who’s convinced that God will heal her paralyzed husband (Stellan Skarsgård) if she has sex with other men. Director Lars von Trier shot the film using only available light, handheld cameras and no musical score; the result is a stunning, nakedly emotional film.

This one has me stumped. I could not stop watching it, but I can’t imagine what anyone else would think of this film. It is a long movie. Sometimes I thought “why am I watching the antics of this loony wife ?” There was magic realism in the very unexpected ending.

You are warned about such an unusual movie. Watch it while you do your income taxes.