wyoon
This is a film that needs watching more than once to get all the subtle symbolisms and meanings. Heck, I've BOUGHT this film, and keep noticing something new each time I view it. As an English teacher, I suggest that those who don't get it, try again. Maybe it's just over your head?As far as the acting goes, I was initially disappointed at the lack of clear emotions being expressed. But as time goes on, I've decided I appreciate the low-key displays of emotion - certainly closer to real life than the usual soap-opera acting present in such an emotionally-charged movie, As for the plausibility of the story line, anyone who has a relative or friend being treated for cancer knows the importance of mind-over-body techniques; and certainly patients who tire easily will sometimes feel the need to use a wheelchair, and sometimes not - that is not the big issue here. The screenplay does a fairly accurate job of showing life in a long-term care facility, while restricting itself to a relatively small number of characters. What you want to consider is... what would your decision be, considering all the consequences?Did anyone else watch all the way to the end of the credits and notice that at the end of the "Special Thanks to..." list they included a priest, and Elijah Wood's mother and sister? I HAVE seen all his previous movies, and this is the only time they have been listed. I'd love to know the true story behind that. Verrry interesting, hmm?
herebedragons3
"Weird" is a word that comes, inexplicably (ha!) but irresistably, to mind. The strangest movie ever made is patently "The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T", but "Bumblebee" is in the top five, at least. Don't get me wrong, I liked it. I didn't love it, except for about five minutes that I feel now I can't live without, but I liked it. Having been in love with Elijah Wood since I was seven and first saw "North", I was pleased to see him looking so well (ie, minus curly hair, pointed hears, and hairy hobbit feet, though the haircut he sports here makes him look so fey). And all you people saying he's wooden are patently deaf and blind. Elijah Wood can express more emotion with his eyes than the whole of Harrison Ford and Meryl Streep put together (I'd like to see what they look like together, wouldn't you?) and he's got enough everyman in him, despite his peculiar face, to be a great, great actor. it would have helped some of the lines (I wish they would have taken the script to the repair shop) if his voice was sharper and more emphatic, but really it's not his fault, he just happens to have a very soft voice. What I DID get a kick out of, having read the foregoing comments prior to watching the movie, was the much-hyped kiss. Hey, I'd like to kiss Elijah Wood if nobody else will. Granted, he's not got much romantic experience (movie-wise, anyway). I mean, who's he kissed? Leelee Sobieski. Briefly. I haven't seen all his movies, sure, but that's the only kiss I know of in his nice long history. This kiss, though...gosh. After it was over, I could just hear him booming, "YES, I AM NOW A MAN." He went at it with all the urgency of somebody who has no idea what he's doing and figures, if he does it enthusiastically enough, nobody will notice. Apparently nobody did. Incidentally, I wonder how many times he had to kiss Rachael Leigh Cook--- "Action." "Ow! Oh, sorry." "Cut. Action." "Oops." "Cut. Action." "What, I'm supposed to kiss her LIPS?!?" I'm in a cynical frame of mood today, feeling a bit depressed. Also, I'm short, and to kiss Elijah Wood I'd have to stand on a chair. You think I'm kidding. Whoever it was playing Mazzo did a terrific, terrific job. I like that kid. I don't know who he is, but I like him. What's up with Barney calling him "Matzo" all the time, though? The ending was bothersome. I was yelling, 'You're gonna go down the roof in a STRINGBEAN?" I wish Elijah Wood was in more and better movies. I'm addicted to Lord of the Rings- I loved North- The War was great (he won)- and Radio Flyer was sweet and made me cry. Flipper was a contaminating hunk of junk, though. THAT'S why they don't want to let Paul Hogan back into Australia, he keeps embarrassing them. So what I'm saying is--- oh, gosh, I've completely lost whatever it was. My train of thought has derailed. Bzzzz... Prior to THE KISS (ha-ha) Barney told Cassie, "Only you." I couldn't wait for him to get down on his knees and start to sing. there are SO DARN MANY opportunities for a bit of humor in this flimsy script, and they didn't take any of them! I know I'm a cynic, but I hate watching movies that force me to re-write as they go along. But there are good things here. Bad things, too, but good things. And if you concentrate on the good things, it's a moving, unique little film.If you concentrate on the bad things, you end up in a home, drooling creamed spinach. OH MY GOSH! FLIPPER CONTAMINATION!!!!!
