Popcorn, Soda, and Goobers - Movie and DVD Reviews and Film Commentary

Once critical acclaim hit Amélie a few years back, everyone and their mothers saw this beautiful, French flick and fell in love Amélie Poulain and her self-less acts of kindness. A feel-good movie of the highest quality, the fairytale-like story is grounded in human spirit and works on almost every level. Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s unique visual style and storytelling talent is quite stellar, and he applies these skills not on Amélie alone but to many other films as well. Let’s take a look.

First, A Very Long Engagement is another fantastical film by Jeunet. It feels a lot like Amélie, probably because of the similar style and lead actress. This love story has the backdrop of wartime and tells the story of a woman searching for her long lost fiancée. The film is quite engaging and not too lovedovey. If you enjoyed Amélie, then give this one a ganders. It’s worth it.

Delicatessen is an interesting, dark, and comic tale about a landlord of an apartment complex who happens to be the butcher of the delicatessen downstairs. A young man finds work at the delicatessen and receives a place to stay, but he soon finds out that there’s more to the butcher’s meat that meets the eye. The new tenant gets involved with the butcher’s daughter, creating an interesting sequence of events.

The City of Lost Children is another strange and dark tale told by Jeunet. In this flick, a mad scientist steals the dreams of children, and a large strong man played by Ron Perlman goes on a mission to rescue his younger brother from the crazed scientist. Again, a highly visual trip. If you’ve seen Delicatessen, you may want to check out The City of Lost Children, both flicks have a similar dark and fantastical feel to them. I’d liken Terry Gilliam’s The Adventures of Baron Munchausen to have a similar feel to these darker and stranger Jeunet works. Highly recommended.

Finally, I recommend the American Jeunet film, Alien: Resurrection. Yes, perhaps it is one of the weaker, if not the weakest in the spectacular Alien franchise - but this bastardized Alien movie also has its moments to shine. Jeunet’s mark can be seen all over this Alien flick as it possesses the unique Jeunet visuals. The film is an exercise in excess gore and overindulging in sci-fi violence. Alien 4 presents some familiar faces, Ron Perlman and Dominque Pinon. Pinon is in every Jeunet film above, and it’s great to see him again - even if its in a ridiculous film with a creepy human/alien baby creature.

If you liked Amélie, check out some more of Jeunet’s fantastic creations. He gives life to some really great French works, and his take on the Alien franchise does have its merit in spite of an unspectacular final product. According to imdb, he’s now working on adapting the novel “Life of Pi” (2009) for the silver screen. Until then, click your Netflix queue or head to the store and join the Jeunet fan club!