movie reviews, Volume 3 number 1, January 2001, © by Thela Clayton Video Dreamland Movies have always fueled my daydreams, enriching my imagination with mystery and vivid color. I had read descriptions of Ireland, and then I saw Ryan’s Daughter. I figure the green of that landscape did more to sell Irish tourism than any tour guide book. Touring Scotland, I visited the Standing Stones of Callanish. I felt that same sense of mystery that I felt from those huge black monoliths of 2001: A Space Odyssey. As I walked among those twelve-foot-tall slabs of stone, my imagination was easily kindled. Could it be, they inspired Arthur C. Clarke? The arrival of January reminds me that this month is named for Janus, a Roman god. He is depicted with two opposite faces representing doorways or gates. What better way to start the year than with a look into the Roman past: Gladiator, R By 110 AD Caesar had grown weary of battles and conquest. He desires to end the emperorship and reinstate the Roman Senate. Bypassing his son, he makes his greatest war general Maximus the Protector of Rome. With Caesar’s death, Maximus goes from general to slave. From the brutality of slavery, he rises to become Rome’s favorite son. I loved this movie. Excellent depictions of battle and well written characters with depth make this one of the best movies of 2000. Blood and gore? Of course! The Roman empire was all about war, conquest, and retaining the vast acquisitions of countries. Life under tyranny was cruel and inhuman. I loved this movie because it destroys the romance of battle and death in the colosseum. Titan A.E., PG-13 This movie combines comic book character drawings with computer-generated space images. I’ve never seen anything quite like this before, so if you know the term for this kind of production, let me know. Several more movies of this nature are due out this year. We are taken to the third millennium where Earth has been destroyed and the human species is scattered across the galaxy. A hero is needed to battle a dark, terrifying enemy and reunite the remaining humans on a new planet. 50 cents of charm was lost when I felt my hero lacked any real substance to fight such a stupendous foe. More effort was put into the creation of this monster than the strategy of its demise. I liked the enemy better. Saving Grace, R If you have absolutely no humor about the subject of cannabis, skip this movie. The rest of us are treated to a delightful comedy about a recently widowed, fiftyish matron left with a debt of 300,000 pounds. To save her English manor, she turns to the gardener for her rescue. The situations and unsavory characters she finds herself associated with will evoke some pretty good belly laughs. The coastal British landscape is beautiful. Both Mardy and I thought it might be worthwhile to try to visit this quaint town. The Lion In Winter, 1968, PG13 A classic favorite of mine. The year 1183, King Henry II allows his wife Elenore of Acquitane out of her tower of imprisonment for the Christmas holidays. They resume the old family political debate of which of the three sons will inherit the kingdom. (Makes me wonder what George and Barbara discussed over their morning eggs—hee, hee.) You won’t be disappointed with the performances of Peter O’Toole, Katherine Hepburn, and Anthony Hopkins. Miss Hepburn delivers the best lines with stinging sarcasm. Be glad you never raised the ire of this king—banishment was rough. No one to talk to but your crown and jewels. From Janus, the Roman god, and me—we wish all the Esterites good luck in 2001. Open the doorways to your imagination. Lately, I’ve been daydreaming of coastal England and downing a pint of brew at one of the local pubs. | ||
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