Reviews
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Tom Ripley makes Norman Bates look like Mr. Rogers
The sordid homosexual Ripley is the most chilling criminal I have ever encountered in a movie. He kills his first victim in a homosexual jealous rage, then has to keep killing remorselessly to cover up his first crime. The tension as he keeps one baby step in front of the police and detectives is excruciating. My only complaint is that the film is too short. After he kills his last victim, how does he dispose of the body? How does he avoid the inevitable investigation into his last victim's disappearance? These loose ends should be tied up in a sequel.
Anywhere But Here (1999)
Masochists 'R Us
This was the WORST film I have seen since "The House of Yes." I thought nothing could be worse than that horror, but this film comes close. Sarandon plays an immature, psychotic, irresponsible, manipulating mother that in real life would have been incarcerated by Children's Protective Services before her daughter even reached her teens. Portman's character would have run off or committed suicide rather than endure years of emotional torture at the hands of her mother.
It was actually embarrassing to watch Sarandon's character, especially the scene the day after a one-night stand with a guy she picked up at the beach, which caused me to leave the theatre and take refuge in the Pokemon film.
The scene in which Portman's character is seduced by (or seduces) one of her classmates added nothing to the plot; one wonders why it was even included in the movie.
For a more cheerful film I recommend "Sleepy Hollow."
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Neither Jar-Jar or the movie were as bad as I was led to believe
I enjoyed this movie very much. It is not as bad as many have said. Jar-Jar is not as annoying as the hype. Darth Maul was not defeated too easily, a guy got killed doing it. It was exciting with good special effects and plot. I look forward to the next episodes.
Piedone lo sbirro (1973)
Offbeat Italian Cop in Naples, Italy
Flatfoot is an unconventional Italian detective with a soft heart for informants and prostitutes. In this flick he battles a well organized crime ring while dealing with a new boss who doesn't understand his methods.
Général Idi Amin Dada: Autoportrait (1974)
Interesting when made, irrelevant now.
I saw this movie in Israel in 1975. At the time Amin was in his heyday and because of his relationship with Israel the film was very interesting, featuring interviews with Amin and him showing off his armed forces.
Today, with Amin a nobody in Saudi Arabia, this film is but an asterisk of history.
Cube (1997)
People who liked this move, get a life!
This movie would have been worth watching if we had been given an explanation of what the cube was, why it was there, why its inhabitants were put there, etc. Without closure this film has no value, and only a closet sadist would be satisfied with the end.
Badranit Ba'hatzot (1977)
Overweight singer wins hunk
Tiki Dayan is an overweight girl who gains the attention of singer Pik. He wants only a professional relationship with her, she wants romance. I saw this move when I was in the IDF only because it was the only one to see.
Lovely But Deadly (1981)
Enjoyable adventure movie as cute teen beats up drug dealers
Lovely uses sexual attraction to trap drug dealers. Once she exposes them she beats them up and leaves them for police.
Dizengoff 99 (1979)
Three post army kids try to make it in Advertising
A spaced out hippi, sexy girl and nerd try to produce a successful advertisement in Israel. Notable for nude scene with Israeli singer Gali Atari as one of the many girlfriends of spaced out hippi.