Dreams Review 1990

To start off "Dreams" is a very different style of international film. The story and subject matter is very different compared to the other films we've seen so far. I understand that "Dreams" is a compilation of several different stories; however, one can't help but feel neglected. The stories that some of these dreams dealt with were confusing at time. The explanation for each dream is not very clear, or at least not to me. Here's the trailer for "Dreams":

Maybe this isn't my kind of movie, but I felt cheated by the stories because they didn't go far enough into telling a stories effectively. The points are very confusing! The only two stories that I somewhat liked were the following: The nuclear Power Plant exploding and the one with the giant flower and the deformed man who claimed to be a demon! Even the demon one was not as good because it spent to much time dwelling on something that was of little interest. The demon explains how he was a farmer and what happened to the land and him and other people once the nuclear explosion took place. If anyone is interested in a really good Nuclear suspense movie I highly recommend "The China Syndrome" from 1979 starring Jack Lemmon. Although nothing like "Dreams" it is a movie that speaks volumes about the nuclear business and the people involved in it. There was a tragic event back in the late 70's which was Three Mile Island. "China Syndrome" is based on that. There is one thing that this movie does share with "Dreams" and that is the message of you shouldn't screw with mother nature!

A lot of material from these two stories account for the past and I do appreciate that. WW2 is not to be forgotten and it's obvious theat the films director has not forgotten the events of radiation either. We can see this with these two stories dealing with radiation and nuclear trauma! Here is a clip from "The Weeping Demon" story segment:

There is another thing though that I do find good about "Dreams" and that is the musical score. The score was very eerie especially for the nuclear segment and the "Weeping Demon". The dark brooding mood of the music creates a world that enters into the realm darkness reaxhing far beyond man's mortal fear of a nuclear accident, and the dramatic effects that it causes upon the human race. Despite all modern advances in techonolgy there is a fate that sometimes you can't avoid. Too much trust in power and resources can backfire and the two story segments that show this example are very affective in their portrayal of a nuclear tragedy. Here is a clip from Mount Fuji in Red:

The more one watches a certain movie the more that person may like a movie. I think "Dreams" might just fall into that category. Along with the other stories although I personally don't think the highest regard of them they are still good. The first two stories are the weakest of the "Dreams". The second story could be considered somewhat confusing especially since the same child actor is used. At first I thought the second story was a continuation of the first one with the Foxes wedding in the forest that the young boy witnessed. It is not the same story however, there is a link between them in their settings and basic principles of responsibilty.

The Orchard story obviously shows mother nature in contrast against human nature and what human nature has done to mother nature. The destruction of the orchard is symbolic to today's constant battle with the rain forest and various other nature elements, which are constantly at risk from mankind. The moral of the Orchard story is that taking away what doesn't seem like much is actually a greater hurt than anyone can imagine because eventually one thing affects another. Although mother nature is taken for granted this piece does make you take notice of the vital effect through the trees and the eyes of a child witnessing it! Here's Part 1 of the Orchard story:

As a visual element "Dreams" is very breathtaking. The shots are so scenic and really do tell the story, but the elements are lingered on too long and therefore makes the movie seem longer than it is. In comparison there are other dream movies that are much more interesting. The old fashioned style of putting 4 or more stories in one movie always makes for good entertainment because you have so much going on and many different styles to choose from. The anthology film was movie effectively used in the 1960's and 1970's; for example, "Tales from the Crypt" from 1972, is a fine anthology film that keeps you entertained with suspense and horror! Here the trailer to give you a small taste of quality:

The british anthology films that Hammer Studios and Amicus put out were among the best, which included Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965), Asylum (1972) and "House That Dripped Blood" (1971), just to name a few. Here the trailer for Asylum:

These movies and "Dreams" both share certain cinematic similarities in the way that they are shot and even story structure in some of the stories. Every story has a purpose and "Dreams" purpose is to show how human nature affects society and health. The director has achieved his goal with "Dreams".