David Ray Gallagher (rebvodka042099)
Thessaloniki, Greece
David Ray's Recent Reviews
La Lengua de las Mariposas (Butterfly) (Butterfly Tongues)
R
As far as Spanish Civil War movies are concerned, this is probably one of the best ones, in the sense that it presents the war in a way that is so universal anyone can understand what it felt like for the people involved.
The characters are really wonderful in this film. Amazing with how little you can make a brilliant film. The ending was absolutely magnificent and heart-breaking.
I really enjoyed it, even though I feel it wasn't all that original and it created threads that were left unfinished. Still - great Spanish film.
House of 9
R
Someone suggested this to me, but while watching it, I realized I've seen it before on TV. I didn't like it then, and I don't like it now. It was blasé and I've seen this story far too many times. The acting was bad, the characters were worse, and the only thing that could possibly save this movie was the ending. But movies shouldn't exist in order to build up to their end - they should be good throughout and explode by the end. So, this fell flat. Couldn't care less for it.
David Ray's Favorite Movies
Elephant
R
Gus Van Sant's absolute masterpiece. It makes you doubt, wonder and hate. The direction is unconventional and the picture so still, making "Elephant" a total must-see.This movie explodes so silently, like a firework in the night time sky.
XXY
Unrated
The only reason I'm sorry for, is that I didn't get to see this film when it came out two years ago. It was a powerful hit to the stomach, a film that is infused with subtle intensity, a movie about an unusual human drama. For me, this movie was about antitheses: prejudice vs. acceptance, male vs. female, freedom vs. oppression, love vs. neglect, heart-break vs. fulfillment.
The performances are simply brilliant, and although Argentinian cinema is one I'm the least familiar with, I was just proven that indeed the greatest movies don't require neither Hollywood nor billions worth of budget, nor happy endings.
A most powerful film about humanity, sexuality, acceptance, growth and tragedy. I literally didn't want it to end. Lyricism that flies off the screen straight to the heart. No taboos, no restrains, no limits. Real cinema. At last a movie I can call a masterpiece.
