Curly Sue (1991)

3/5

Curly Sue is a cheesy but charming 90's movie from John Hughes. The movie follows two homeless con artists, Alisan Porter as the titular adolescent and James Belushi as her father figure, who wander around the country trying to win the hearts and minds of generous people in order to get a bite to eat and a bed to sleep in. When they try to con a seemingly heartless divorce lawyer (Lynch), the lies start to get in the way of genuine feelings.

The movie is sweet and silly in an innocent, naive way, although a little heavy on the visual gags and body humor for my tastes. It's rather barebones from a writing and a technical standpoint, but I don't think Hughes intended it to be a particularly ground-breaking cinematic feat. The heart is in the story and the characters and they satisfy completely. This is an endearing movie that's pleasant enough to fill your next free afternoon with nostalgia.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101635/

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

5/5

The Silence of the Lambs is an absolutely unforgettable movie. It is a psychological thriller, but it exceeds its genre in just about every way imaginable. It stands miles above the rest, without threat of being touched, let alone overtaken. The characters are imagined with such vivid, brilliant clarity, and are brought to life by impeccable acting, that they have entered our collective memory and our cultural lexicon. Hannibal Lecter (Hopkins) and Clarice Starling (Foster) are as American as apple pie. We have before us two people, startling in their crispness, put in a unique situation. One is behind glass, imprisoned but in control; the other is on the outside, lost as she attempts to catch a serial killer (Levine) who skins his victims. Lecter is the one in power, because of his medical knowledge and experience, but he does not take advantage of it. He helps and she accepts; she gets closer to him and the answers. The relationship that develops between the two is by far the most fascinating aspect of the movie--subtle but real, twisted but tender, unexpected but much appreciated.

This is to say nothing of the plot, which is excellent. It is smart and fast-paced, with just the right amount of exposition and mystery. The editing plays a very important role near the finale, although it is perhaps a bit too clever for its own good and takes us out of the moviegoing experience. But there are two scenes that, for me, have etched themselves in my brain forever. One, halfway through, is an escape. It is perhaps the most fiendishly devious escape I have ever seen, and it is so unimaginably sinister. In Lecter's moment of triumph, we are witness to his inimitable intelligence and his macabre sense of humor. The second scene I'm sure is on everybody's list. That scene in pitch black is one of the most heart-pounding in existence. I don't know that anything has ever topped it for me; I'm not sure I would want to watch a movie that could, because I would be shaking in my bed at night if such a scene existed. That scene is perfect, I would not change a single millisecond of it. It is cinema at its very best.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102926/

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

4/5

When I think of Disney, I think of their animated fairy tales. And Beauty and the Beast is a classic one. As the title song says, the story is as old as time. We all know about the beastly Beast (Benson), a previously handsome prince who was cursed with ugliness until he learns true love, and the beautiful Belle (O'Hara), who is able to see past his hideous exterior and into his kind heart. Even I, with my forgetfulness, remember the French candlestick Lumiere (Orbach), the wound-up clock Cogsworth (Stiers), the teapot Mrs. Potts (Lansbury), and her teacup son Chip (Pierce). They stick in your brain for their uniqueness, their depth, and their extraordinary acting. It feels odd to know that they cast Broadway talent to both act and sing in this movie, but it really lets the film exceed expectations. And it gives the movie phenomenal songs. I think everyone knows "Be Our Guest," but my new favorite might be "Something There." It is compelling--and it elevates the film out of its cartoon beginnings into something mature and beautiful. It is with nostalgia that I rewatched Beauty and the Beast recently, but I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

My main issue with the movie was its animation, which is practically everything for an animated film. It didn't feel stylistically unified and complete as so many Pixar films are. I was shocked to find out that each character had their own creative director, because it seemed as if they were all randomly drawn by a collection of people in cubicles who didn't get to see anybody else's work. Not only were drawings occasionally inconsistent, but some were flat-out ugly. Pixar's movies, on the other hand, will be seen exactly the same 20 years in the future as they are now despite their outdated graphics because they have their own distinct style that isn't stuck in a particular time. Still, Beauty and the Beast is as classic as Aladdin and should be one of the first films you pick up to rewatch if you want a walk down memory lane.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101414/

Delicatessen (1991)

4.9/5

Delicatessen, a film by Jeunet and Caro, is a wildly inventive and darkly comic foray into another world. The plot centers on a cannibalistic butcher landlord in a futuristic, depression-beset France. An ex-clown comes to the place looking for work and falls in love with the landlord's daughter. With seemingly effortless pacing and characterization, we come to know the bizarre tenants--their tics and habits, their wants and fears--just as much as we do the protagonists. This is a fully-realized apartment with fully-fleshed out inhabitants. Much like Tim Burton, Jeunet and Caro are able to create a wholly believable horror fantasy realm that is clever, fascinating, and endlessly addicting. It was an absolute joy to watch; my mouth was open in awe the entire time. The visual style was appealing, the editing lean and rapid, and the music evocative and integral. The acting was spot-on and the minimal dialogue served its purpose without bogging down the movie.

There were very few negatives. The biggest downside to the movie is trying to find a message in it. It's not really the kind of movie to carry a message though, so I don't really hold that against it. (It's just disappointing in light of Jeunet's later Amelie and A Very Long Engagement.) The drab yellow hue kind of got to you after a while, but that was kind of the point. And it made the ending that much more magical. Watch this movie; it is a treasure to behold.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101700/

Night on Earth (1991)

4.9/5

Night on Earth is a darkly comic drama about five taxi rides occurring simultaneously around the world--in LA, New York, Paris, Rome, and Helsinki. It is about chance encounters and the personal connections we make on a human level. It is about the humor in life, and the sadness. The first time I saw this movie, the ending absolutely floored me. This time, I can see the build-up, the gradual integration of the funny and the sobering, and still it hit me hard. I see this movie and I think, this is life. This is an accurate depiction of what humanity is capable of, in all our glory and our shame.

Despite its rather limited setup, the compositions still seem fresh and beautiful. I don't know how Jarmusch did it, but everything looks good and feels right. The writing was pitch-perfect and the acting matched. Unfortunately, the editing seemed off to me. For some reason, it lingered way too much. And it kept breaking the tension by cutting to external shots of the cabs going through the cities. Watching it again, it didn't seem as hilarious as I first remembered, although it was more touching. I cherish this movie, and highly recommend it to anyone who gets the opportunity to see it.

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0102536/