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Conference bookie::movies

Title:Movie Reviews and Discussion
Notice:Please do DIR/TITLE before starting a new topic on a movie!
Moderator:VAXCPU::michaudo.dec.com::tamara::eppes
Created:Thu Jan 28 1993
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1249
Total number of notes:16012

190.0. "Map of the Human Heart" by 32198::KRUEGER () Tue May 18 1993 14:56

    Saw this movie yesterday and loved it.  It's an unusual movie and
    doesn't always have positive moments, but it was riveting.
    
    The movie focuses on Avik, a half-breed Eskimo that mapmaker Patrick
    Bergen finds in the Arctic while on an expedition.  Avik is suffering
    from tuberculosis, and Bergen (Victor in the film) takes him to Canada
    for treatment, even though his VERY elderly grandmother needs him at
    home to hunt.  Avik's life has been very primitive although he speaks
    some English (from his missing father).  He gets off on the wrong foot
    with the Catholic nuns/nurses, and even with the girl who ends up being
    his soulmate throughout his life (Albertine, who has had heart
    surgery).  His friendship with Albertine is the heart of this movie. 
    Although only children, they have chosen each other and nothing keeps
    them apart, despite the nuns' interference, separation, and a world
    war.
    
    Avik and Albertine are star-crossed lovers so their story isn't always
    happy, but their chemistry and their roots are compelling.  John Cusack
    plays a small part in the film as a new mapmaker whom Avik tells his
    story to.  The characters who play Avik and Albertine are beyond
    excellent; they're believable and riveting.
    
    **** out of ****.
    
    Leslie
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190.1*** of ****6602::SCHIAVONEDon't ever try to put me down!Tue May 18 1993 16:059
	I saw this on Saturday, after being beguiled into thinking it
	was of the erotic nature.  It was pretty riveting and included 
	some good twist.  Not one I would have chosen, but then again the
	choice wasn't mine that evening!  

	Recommended for a first date
	
	/Cap'n Quad_who_now_thinks_it_was_somewhat_erotic
190.2You have to see it to understand the last sentence32198::KRUEGERTue May 18 1993 17:557
    Oh, yeah ... Jason Scott Lee plays Avik, and he is HOT!!!
    
    time to go see "Dragon" now ...
    
    Leslie (who also agrees that it had its eroticism ... let's hear it for
    balloons!)
    
190.3What's a half-breed Eskimo?58633::MCRAMMarshall Cram DTN 631-7162Thu May 20 1993 12:5814
    <<The movie focuses on Avik, a half-breed Eskimo that mapmaker Patrick
    <<Bergen finds in the Arctic while on an expedition.  Avik is suffering
    
    Did they use the word Eskimo in the movie?  Haven't heard that word in
    Canada for years.   They are Inuit.  
    
    That's not a recent PC "invention", it's their own ancient word for 
    themselves that's been adapted in the media here for many years.  
    The only people that use the word "Eskimo" are kids (and Americans).
    
    If the Inuit in the movie was "taken to Canada" where did he start
    from?  Canada goes up to the Pole.  
    
    Marshall
190.4Eskimo vs. Inuit31790::KRUEGERThu May 20 1993 14:176
    They used the word Eskimo and they also named the place in the Arctic
    where Avik was found, but not knowing the area, I didn't pay much
    attention.  All I can say is that Canada looked like the Caribbean in
    comparison to where Avik lived!  Brrrr!!!!!!!
    
    Leslie
190.516564::NEWELL_JODon't wind your toys too tightThu May 20 1993 23:4013
    I am part Eskimo. I come from royal lines. My great-grandmother
    was an Eskimo Reindeer Princess, Princess Holulu Buliak and her
    mother, Reindeer Queen, Mary of White Mountain Alaska. At no 
    time in my upbringing (born in Seattle, Wa) did my family refer
    to us as anything other than Eskimo. 
    
    It wasn't until last year when I began doing research into our
    family and Eskimos in earnest, did I discover how many different
    kinds of Eskimos/American Indians populated Canada, Alaska, Russia,
    Greenland, etc. 
    
    Jodi-
    
190.6Great Movie/Small Audience8269::BARRIANOchoke me in the shallow water...Sat May 22 1993 14:0220
re                      <<< Note 190.2 by 32198::KRUEGER >>>
            -< You have to see it to understand the last sentence >-

>    Oh, yeah ... Jason Scott Lee plays Avik, and he is HOT!!!
    
>    time to go see "Dragon" now ...

I just saw Map last thursday after seeing Dragon two weeks ago. Jason is
extraordinary in both. He was completely believable as Bruce Lee in Dragon,
yet seeing him as Avik, made me wonder, for an instance, whether it was the same
actor. I highly recommend both movies and will watch for any new Jason Scott Lee
movies.

 On a down beat note, when the wife and I saw Map of the Human Heart at a 5pm
showing, there was ONE other person in the theatre.  This movie deserves a 
much larger audience than it is getting. :-(

Regards
Barry

190.7loved itVAXWRK::STHILAIREFood, Shelter &amp; DiamondsMon May 24 1993 13:476
    I saw this Friday night and loved it.  It's a completely engrossing
    story, and the acting, as has been said, is excellent.  It's definitely
    one of the best movies I've seen so far this year.
    
    Lorna
    
190.8More advertising32198::KRUEGERThu May 27 1993 14:365
    This movie was featured in People Magazine this week, and for ONCE they
    actually loved something that I loved!  Maybe this will get more people
    to see it.  It's definitely worth a full-price ticket.
    
    Leslie
190.9Taken to Canada??? Montreal that is...12027::DOBESMon Jun 28 1993 21:399
    In response to note 190.3.
    
    The child is taken to Montreal for treatment of tuberculosis (sp?).
    It was very sad but interesting to see the types of treatments he had
    to endure to get cured. 
    
    Lots of nice cinematography in this film I thought.
    
    
190.103270::AHERNDennis the MenaceTue Aug 03 1993 14:482
    "Dersu Uzala" meets "Slaughterhouse Five".
    
190.11excuse me? :-)VAXWRK::STHILAIREFood, Shelter &amp; DiamondsTue Aug 03 1993 15:298
    re .10, could you explain that in a little more detail?
    
    I guess the comparison to Slaughterhouse Five (i read the book,
    didn't see the movie) is because of the bombing of Dresden, but
    what is "Dersu Uzala"?
    
    Lorna
    
190.123270::AHERNDennis the MenaceWed Aug 04 1993 15:048
    Sorry, Lorna.  I'm being even more obscure than usual.
    
    "Dersu Uzala" was a 1975 Kurosawa film about a Russian explorer in
    Siberia who teams up with a native guide.  OK, so it was a stretch.
    
    I was actually a little disappointed with MotHH as I had been impressed
    with Ward's earlier films, "The Navigator" and "Vigil".  
    
190.13good film42721::IVES_JOne i-node short of a file systemFri Aug 06 1993 14:126
    I swa Dursu Uzala while at college, ver long as I remeber but very good
    simple story about exploring a natural wilderness. I remember the scene
    where Dursu (the local guide to the russian explorers) builds a refuge
    to keep the captain alive using the tripod from his theodolite  .
    
    A neat trick if you happen to have a theodolite with you ;-)
190.14hmmmm...16821::VETEIKISSat Nov 20 1993 11:0911
    Overall I really enjoyed this movie.
    
    However, was I the only one disappointed in the ending? I thought a
    pivotal point in the movie was Avik's statement, "You make your own
    luck." Then after the bombing of Dresden he doesn't return to
    Albertine. That didn't make sense to me. 
    
    Don't let this nit detract you from picking up this movie, now that it
    is a rental. It is an excellent movie.
    
    CV
190.15not exactly a happy endingVAXWRK::STHILAIREsmog might turn to stars somedayMon Nov 22 1993 12:484
    re .14, I thought the ending was horribly sad, if that's what you mean.
    
    Lorna
    
190.1611770::HSCOTTLynn Hanley-ScottMon Nov 22 1993 17:593
    I liked this movie a lot, and felt that the ending was really
    fitting. 
    
190.17DECWET::JWHITEthis sucks! change it or kill meMon Nov 29 1993 22:045
    
    i thought there were some moments that were clunky and amateurish,
    but overall i was swept up in it and loved it.
    
    
190.18more thinking16821::VETEIKISThu Dec 02 1993 01:148
    Another afterthought --
    
    The child actor that played Avik was absolutely charming. What a
    beautiful smile on that child. It melts your heart.
    
    Holy Boy...
    
    CV
190.195235::J_TOMAOThu Dec 23 1993 15:2216
    RE: .18
    
    Oh yes the little boy was very charming.....yet the little girl grated
    on my nerves - I was sooooo happy when she 'grew up' and they used the
    older actress...and oh course Jason Scott Lee looked absolutly yummie
    throughout.  
     spoiler comment
    
    
    I really felt bad for him when he attended the party and
    found out Albertine was married to Vistor...... :^(
    
    She appeared to be a heartless bitch - cheating on her husband while
    the whole time she was leading Avik on....just my opinion of curse
    
    Jt
190.20JASON SCOTT LEE AND A GREAT MOVIE!21752::GROEZINGERFri Feb 25 1994 14:229
    A little late, but I just rented this movie.  A must see!
    
    Jason Scott Lee was great in this film as he was in Dragon.
    
    Anybody know when we'll see him again?  I heard he was filming
    a movie called Easter Island.  Any news of this?
    
    /jig
    
190.21Coming attractions for JSLee19748::REEVESJon Reeves, UNIX compiler groupFri Jun 17 1994 21:222
    You're thinking of Rapa Nui, a movie *about* Easter Island, due in
    August.  He's also filming a live action version of The Jungle Book.