Some decent performances were dulled by characters that never developed and a story that never really went anywhere. A tame counterpart to Larry Clark's "Kids," we are taken into the tough inner-city streets and into the lives of a few of its teenage inhabitants. I couldn't get over the feeling that I knew these kids were acting, whereas in "Kids" the performances seemed shockingly real, like a documentary. Lacking on many counts, the movie never provoked much emotion and there seemed to be no closure to any of the characters nor did I care.
Reviews
6 Reviews
Live Flesh
(1997)
Worth a look
1 December 1998
Something akin to a soap opera, but with much steamier scenes, Carne Trémula is an entertaining look at love, lust, and revenge. I enjoyed the way Almodovar served the story, one bit at a time, allowing for all the events to culminate in a very satisfying ending. Liberto Rabal gives a fine performance and Javier Bardem (of Jamon, Jamon and Boca a Boca), delivers yet another great acting achievement.
I saw this film both in the theater and on video. I found the movie much more effective in the theater. It's a great film to share with a large adult audience.
I saw this film both in the theater and on video. I found the movie much more effective in the theater. It's a great film to share with a large adult audience.
Nothing on the first "Henry"
1 December 1998
I was hesitant for a sequel to the shocking Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, which was both graphically and psychologically disturbing. It seems that the shock and psychology of the first gave way to boring dialogues and less-than-effective acting. Perhaps the producers were hoping to cash in on the cult-following of the first "Henry".
Mouth to Mouth
(1995)
Hilarious!
30 November 1998
I watched Boca a Boca four times in one weekend! I kept inviting people over to see this hilarious Spanish comedy. Javier Bardem (previously of Jamon, Jamon and Carne Tremula) gives an outstanding performance as Victor, a struggling Spanish actor trying to find the road to stardom and making ends meet inbetween. His character seems something akin to T.V.'s Ally McBeal: melodramatic, desperate for love, finding love in all the wrong places, and tripping over himself (literally) constantly.
The plot seems to unfold and unfold relentlessly, completely unpredictable and original: the movie never drags! All the characters are full of life and no scene seems to end without something to make you roar with laughter. All mocking of stereotypes in this movie is done without any sense of hostility, allowing for scene after scene of endless wit, without offending anyone.
My highest recommendation for Boca a Boca!!
The plot seems to unfold and unfold relentlessly, completely unpredictable and original: the movie never drags! All the characters are full of life and no scene seems to end without something to make you roar with laughter. All mocking of stereotypes in this movie is done without any sense of hostility, allowing for scene after scene of endless wit, without offending anyone.
My highest recommendation for Boca a Boca!!
The Fifth Element
(1997)
blech!
17 November 1998
What a horrible movie! It actually took me two days to get through it. Was it the blatant Taco Bell advertising with the Taxi Cab slamming into Taco Bell? Probably. Because I didn't rent the movie to see a Taco Bell commercial, and Taco Bell certainly didn't cut down on the price of the video any.
BUT...the story is mindless and won't change your life in the slightest. It's perfect for inviting friends over, eating pizza, and talking through the whole movie.
BUT...the story is mindless and won't change your life in the slightest. It's perfect for inviting friends over, eating pizza, and talking through the whole movie.
It's not the movie, it's the live performance!
17 November 1998
Through high school and college I saw RHPS in the theater over 50 times. The video edition is great, but *only* if you're familiar with the live presentation. Let's face it...it's a really "bad" movie. I doubt it was truly meant to be a "good" movie. It's a pun on sci-movies, morality, and transvestites...what a mix! Understand that there are also good and bad live casts as well, so seeing one bad show does not a bad RHPS experience make. I'm delighted to see that the "Super Heroes" version has finally become available. Only true RHPS fans will care about that sort of thing, but after you've seen it 50 times and memorized every line, it's exciting to see a "lost scene". My advice: see the video first (so you'll understand the plot and characters) then see it in the theater several times with a live cast (you'll have a bigger appreciation because you understand the plot and characters).
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