I saw this at its premiere in North Hollywood, seeing a film with its cast and crew can certainly put a finger on the scale, but this film really was a ton of fun. Especially all the scenes in the hospital, I hate going to the hospital as it is, even to visit - but after this film - going to the hospital has been made all the more frightening. Rough around its edges in that way that makes you uneasy the entire time. It feels like these crazy creepy events might have actually have happened...it's got a BLAIR WITCH meets JACOB'S LADDER vibe. The director spoke at the screening and he seemed almost like a horror director out of the 1970's, completely in love with the genre and clearly out to make a movie that delivers what a horror fan is looking for. It seems there aren't a lot of solid horror films coming out this year, so I'm feeling like I just had a sneak peak at the big horror film break through of 2023. Happy Halloween!
Reviews
14 Reviews
The Scout
(2021)
Entertaining Horror Indie with Heart
28 October 2021
Sometimes films are the most enjoyable when you head into them not knowing anything at all, and you are left when the credits roll, pleasantly surprised. It's hard to find a film you know nothing about, unless you stumble upon it in the darkest depths of Netflix, or, as in this case, you go to a film festival and essentially throw a dart at the schedule. THE SCOUT is a low budget indie horror film that's rough around the edges, but with loads of heart, great pacing, and a capable cast. Clearly put together by people who love horror films, it takes itself serious enough to be compelling, but not so serious that there isn't an abundance of well earned laughs. The male lead, Kenneth Guertin, is great as the film within the film's director (the look on his face when being turned down by an actor he wanted in the film over the phone, is priceless), as was the actress that plays the internet influencer - I'm sure we'll see more of their work in the future. This film reminded me of the days of video stores and making great B horror film discoveries.
Temple of Doom is no longer the worst Indiana Jones film.
26 May 2008
Warning: Spoilers
For those of you who always grumbled about TEMPLE OF DOOM...hold onto your hats! The bottom slot in the series has a new occupant.
I've been reading for years about Lucas and Spielberg developing the screenplay for Indy 4 - from all the secrecy and long list of talented writers who litter the road leading up to this event picture you'd think it was something worth waiting for...you'd be wrong. I would love to read Frank Darabont's screenplay because judging from his past work it has got to be worlds better than the abomination that was hurled up on screen as an insult to all Indiana Jones fans around the world.
If there could be one note that George Lucas should seriously take to heart it's this: Forget about CGI, just...forget it, would you? Make an animated film, or don't. The fact is having a tool that allows you to do ANYTHING keeps you from THINKING about what you SHOULD do. So instead of figuring out what you NEED to tell the story, you throw the kitchen sink at the audience...it makes NO SENSE.
The series of films, this is the fourth installment of, is called INDIANA JONES, it's the main character's name...and this film seems to have no interest at all in character. It's like a sick joke on viewers.
There isn't really even a story. The Russians have Indiana at the start of the film, and Indiana escapes. The Russians catch Indiana again...and he escapes. The Russians catch Indiana yet again! You get the picture. It's like they wrote 20 pages of script, and then just xeroxed them and changed the scene headings to different nifty CG environments they had handy. I haven't seen a waterfall scene as exciting as this one since The Little Rascals, but that's not all....spoilers ahead:
* Indiana Jones surviving a nuclear blast? * Indiana sees Marion for the first time in 20 years and it's the most unrealistic uncomfortable moment in the movie. * Indiana discovers he has a son and it's nothing more than a cruel joke the rest of the movie. * Mutt swinging from animated vines with animated monkeys and OUTRUNNING CARS? WHAT?! Worst scene in the movie. * Space aliens? I mean, this could have been a great addition, but the way it's handled here is nothing short of lacking in the imagination department. * The plot...never shows up, and people, neither should you.
There are certain set pieces that are fun, to be sure...and it's because of these that I rated the film 4 stars...but the truth is that it should be rated 1 star for the opportunity lost forever to make a great addition to an amazing franchise.
The good news is that if you've already bought the Indiana Jones DVD box set, this movie can't ruin it!
I've been reading for years about Lucas and Spielberg developing the screenplay for Indy 4 - from all the secrecy and long list of talented writers who litter the road leading up to this event picture you'd think it was something worth waiting for...you'd be wrong. I would love to read Frank Darabont's screenplay because judging from his past work it has got to be worlds better than the abomination that was hurled up on screen as an insult to all Indiana Jones fans around the world.
If there could be one note that George Lucas should seriously take to heart it's this: Forget about CGI, just...forget it, would you? Make an animated film, or don't. The fact is having a tool that allows you to do ANYTHING keeps you from THINKING about what you SHOULD do. So instead of figuring out what you NEED to tell the story, you throw the kitchen sink at the audience...it makes NO SENSE.
The series of films, this is the fourth installment of, is called INDIANA JONES, it's the main character's name...and this film seems to have no interest at all in character. It's like a sick joke on viewers.
There isn't really even a story. The Russians have Indiana at the start of the film, and Indiana escapes. The Russians catch Indiana again...and he escapes. The Russians catch Indiana yet again! You get the picture. It's like they wrote 20 pages of script, and then just xeroxed them and changed the scene headings to different nifty CG environments they had handy. I haven't seen a waterfall scene as exciting as this one since The Little Rascals, but that's not all....spoilers ahead:
* Indiana Jones surviving a nuclear blast? * Indiana sees Marion for the first time in 20 years and it's the most unrealistic uncomfortable moment in the movie. * Indiana discovers he has a son and it's nothing more than a cruel joke the rest of the movie. * Mutt swinging from animated vines with animated monkeys and OUTRUNNING CARS? WHAT?! Worst scene in the movie. * Space aliens? I mean, this could have been a great addition, but the way it's handled here is nothing short of lacking in the imagination department. * The plot...never shows up, and people, neither should you.
There are certain set pieces that are fun, to be sure...and it's because of these that I rated the film 4 stars...but the truth is that it should be rated 1 star for the opportunity lost forever to make a great addition to an amazing franchise.
The good news is that if you've already bought the Indiana Jones DVD box set, this movie can't ruin it!
Love in the Time of Cholera
(2007)
Good Intentions, Bad Make-up
16 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I never read the book, I never read a review, I had no idea what I was getting into when I went to a film festival screening of this film. It's not hard to imagine that the book must have been a romantic experience chronicling a man's love for a woman spanning decades, it's also not hard understanding why you would want to take this story and turn it into a movie.
What is hard to do is sit through it.
There is obviously a lot of hard work and craftsman ship on display. Whatever the budget was, most of it made it to the screen which cannot be said for most productions. However, it's never clear what the tone is, is this a comedy or a drama? Films can have it both ways and win, but here it seems to be they shot it two ways and weren't sure which way to go so they did both. Bardem's character, Florentino, seems to go between being Chaplin and Norman Bates with his bowler's cap & comedic reactions on the one hand and his obsession with his crazy mother who arranges trysts for him on the other. His character at times seems to be brilliant and charming, and at others borderline mentally retarded.
Complicating matters here, Florentino is played by two actors, Unax Ugalde as a teen and Bardem later in life. The choice to swap out the Ugalde for Bardem comes at a strange point in the story, it's when Fermina, the love interest, has not seen him in sometime. This might sound like the perfect point to swap out, but with Fermina played by the beautiful Giovanna Mezzogiorno though most of the film, it's confusing when Bardem steps in now as Florentino. It is here that the Fermina dumps Florentino with really no explanation, but most will feel for her decision as in a span of time that has not touched her...he as aged horrifically! And on top of that, this old man before her seems to be firing on a few lost cylinders. Is this a boy in love, or a psychotic about to rampage? You be the judge. Stalker.
For his time on screen as Florentino, Ugalde is saddled with a prosthetic nose hoisted upon him to resemble Bardem. This is a HUGE mistake, as is, frankly ALL the make-up in this film which could single handedly be the death blow to the film because it is uniformly so bad that for most of the presentation you simply cannot take your eyes off of it. That fake nose, that fake beard, and Mezzogiorno in her 70's she doesn't look a day over 30.
As mentioned, I did not read the book, but it seems the adaptation here may be too faithful, jamming in every aspect of the book. Part of what makes an adaptation difficult to pull off is the knowledge of what to leave out, and in some cases what to add! Here you're treated to so much information, so many locations (and lots of frighteningly bad make-up) the "romance" is left to the wolves.
When Florentino and Fermina finally do get together in the end of the film, it's a relief, not to see them together, but to think the film will be over soon...but it's NOT. It goes on as now he must win her over! This film is filled with good intentions...and we know where that will sometimes get you.
Bardem is lucky NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN opens this week, so anyone who caught this Colombian train wreck can get the bad taste out of their mouth.
What is hard to do is sit through it.
There is obviously a lot of hard work and craftsman ship on display. Whatever the budget was, most of it made it to the screen which cannot be said for most productions. However, it's never clear what the tone is, is this a comedy or a drama? Films can have it both ways and win, but here it seems to be they shot it two ways and weren't sure which way to go so they did both. Bardem's character, Florentino, seems to go between being Chaplin and Norman Bates with his bowler's cap & comedic reactions on the one hand and his obsession with his crazy mother who arranges trysts for him on the other. His character at times seems to be brilliant and charming, and at others borderline mentally retarded.
Complicating matters here, Florentino is played by two actors, Unax Ugalde as a teen and Bardem later in life. The choice to swap out the Ugalde for Bardem comes at a strange point in the story, it's when Fermina, the love interest, has not seen him in sometime. This might sound like the perfect point to swap out, but with Fermina played by the beautiful Giovanna Mezzogiorno though most of the film, it's confusing when Bardem steps in now as Florentino. It is here that the Fermina dumps Florentino with really no explanation, but most will feel for her decision as in a span of time that has not touched her...he as aged horrifically! And on top of that, this old man before her seems to be firing on a few lost cylinders. Is this a boy in love, or a psychotic about to rampage? You be the judge. Stalker.
For his time on screen as Florentino, Ugalde is saddled with a prosthetic nose hoisted upon him to resemble Bardem. This is a HUGE mistake, as is, frankly ALL the make-up in this film which could single handedly be the death blow to the film because it is uniformly so bad that for most of the presentation you simply cannot take your eyes off of it. That fake nose, that fake beard, and Mezzogiorno in her 70's she doesn't look a day over 30.
As mentioned, I did not read the book, but it seems the adaptation here may be too faithful, jamming in every aspect of the book. Part of what makes an adaptation difficult to pull off is the knowledge of what to leave out, and in some cases what to add! Here you're treated to so much information, so many locations (and lots of frighteningly bad make-up) the "romance" is left to the wolves.
When Florentino and Fermina finally do get together in the end of the film, it's a relief, not to see them together, but to think the film will be over soon...but it's NOT. It goes on as now he must win her over! This film is filled with good intentions...and we know where that will sometimes get you.
Bardem is lucky NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN opens this week, so anyone who caught this Colombian train wreck can get the bad taste out of their mouth.
Knocked Up
(2007)
Knocked Up knocks it out of the park.
13 June 2007
KNOCKED UP is the latest in a line of comedies that has surfaced in the past few years that I hope lasts a long time, films that don't treat their characters as the butt of jokes or grist for the mill, but instead the film seems to love it's characters and so...we do too. The humor comes to the audience through pure honesty - it's funny...because it's so true, which is the best place for comedy to come from.
When a swinging single young bachelor scores big time while out on the town, he not only spikes the ball...he plants the seed. There are so many directions one can go with a set up like this, but the idea that the couple will go through with the pregnancy...and learn to sincerely love each other, is such a breath of fresh air and optimism in a time when we so need it.
Seth Rogen is the heir apparent to Ben Stiller's thrown of funny regular Jewish guy, and like any good heir should, Rogen kicks things up a notch. His warmth and good humor are all so natural and work so well together that he seems to be a movie star unlike any other. Hollywood spends millions trying to hoist the next matinée idol on us, and here Rogen just sort of slips in and I have to tell you - hand him the trophy, because he's the real deal.
Katherine Heigl too is nothing short of breathtaking...not only is she easy on the eyes, and a wonderful actress, but she's gifted with the comedy too.
The truth is that the film is so breezy and charming that you can't help but to be pulling for it. Judd Apatow is a gifted writer and director, with not only an ear for what's funny, but the balls to put it out there and trust the audience won't pass a negative judgment on the characters. Lines like: "Don't let the door hit your pu**y on the way out." I mean...ya gotta love it. He also made The 40 year Old Virgin, if you haven't seen that already - rent it.
Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill, and the rest of the cast seem to be having so much fun here it's infectious. Can you tell I liked the film? I will say there were parts of it that really reminded me of an old indie film called COURTING COURTNEY that I picked up ages ago, it's not exactly a remake...but there seemed to be slight organ transplants which were all just a loving nod to this little seen no budget indie gem.
Biggest laugh was Leslie Mann trying to get into a bar and being told she couldn't because she was too old. The doorman, whom I believe was played by an actor named Craig Robinson, was PITCH PERFECT with lines like:
"You old, she pregnant. Can't have a bunch of old pregnant bi****s running around. That's crazy, I'm only allowed to let in five percent black people. He said that, that means if there's 25 people here I get to let in one and a quarter black people. So I gotta hope there's a midget in the crowd."
For that kind of dialog alone...KNOCKED UP is worth the admission, and in this day and age of admission prices, that's saying something.
When a swinging single young bachelor scores big time while out on the town, he not only spikes the ball...he plants the seed. There are so many directions one can go with a set up like this, but the idea that the couple will go through with the pregnancy...and learn to sincerely love each other, is such a breath of fresh air and optimism in a time when we so need it.
Seth Rogen is the heir apparent to Ben Stiller's thrown of funny regular Jewish guy, and like any good heir should, Rogen kicks things up a notch. His warmth and good humor are all so natural and work so well together that he seems to be a movie star unlike any other. Hollywood spends millions trying to hoist the next matinée idol on us, and here Rogen just sort of slips in and I have to tell you - hand him the trophy, because he's the real deal.
Katherine Heigl too is nothing short of breathtaking...not only is she easy on the eyes, and a wonderful actress, but she's gifted with the comedy too.
The truth is that the film is so breezy and charming that you can't help but to be pulling for it. Judd Apatow is a gifted writer and director, with not only an ear for what's funny, but the balls to put it out there and trust the audience won't pass a negative judgment on the characters. Lines like: "Don't let the door hit your pu**y on the way out." I mean...ya gotta love it. He also made The 40 year Old Virgin, if you haven't seen that already - rent it.
Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill, and the rest of the cast seem to be having so much fun here it's infectious. Can you tell I liked the film? I will say there were parts of it that really reminded me of an old indie film called COURTING COURTNEY that I picked up ages ago, it's not exactly a remake...but there seemed to be slight organ transplants which were all just a loving nod to this little seen no budget indie gem.
Biggest laugh was Leslie Mann trying to get into a bar and being told she couldn't because she was too old. The doorman, whom I believe was played by an actor named Craig Robinson, was PITCH PERFECT with lines like:
"You old, she pregnant. Can't have a bunch of old pregnant bi****s running around. That's crazy, I'm only allowed to let in five percent black people. He said that, that means if there's 25 people here I get to let in one and a quarter black people. So I gotta hope there's a midget in the crowd."
For that kind of dialog alone...KNOCKED UP is worth the admission, and in this day and age of admission prices, that's saying something.
Paris, I Love You
(2006)
A Brilliant French Confection
11 June 2007
Like a box of chocolates, this film has many different flavors to explore - some perhaps more interesting than others, but all worth experiencing. It is so hard to pick out which parts of this film are worth telling you about here...suffice it to say that if you've ever been in love, ever wanted to explore Paris, and are even remotely interested in seeing this film...you'll enjoy it. Alex Payne's contribution to the film is the cherry on top and the perfect way to end the presentation. Well...that and a short coda with several of the characters from various shorts interacting in the very end which gives a nostalgic feeling that may have you wanting to watch the film all over again.
I've traveled to Europe a few times, visited Paris twice, and though I suspected as much while I was there, I was never as sure as I was after seeing this movie that...I love Paris.
I've traveled to Europe a few times, visited Paris twice, and though I suspected as much while I was there, I was never as sure as I was after seeing this movie that...I love Paris.
For Your Consideration
(2006)
Guest, one of comedy's big hitters...strikes out.
15 December 2006
For Your Consideration tracks the cast of a Hollywood Production who begins to believe their performances may be up for Oscars. The anticipation is at first a welcomed high, but soon becomes a gateway drug to much darker emotions as the anticipation begins to tear them up inside and they all go from working cogs to grist for the mill that is Hollywood. What also gets ground up and spit out in the process is any hope one might have that For Your Consideration will bring about the same laughs of Christopher Guest and Company's previous efforts like WAITING FOR GUFFMAN, MIGHTY WIND, and BEST IN SHOW.
For Your Consideration is a stockpile of stock jokes and characters who wrestle with dilemma's that anyone outside the 310 or 818 area codes might be hard pressed to give a s**t about. Where once was a cutting edge group of improv actors who brought freshness to the screen and a feeling of wonderful uncertainty of which direction the comedy and story were going, there is now nothing but old jokes and a flat script. The truth is, it's just not funny...it's pathetic.
The only performers who seem to be up for the challenge of making this flat material live and breath are Jordan Black, the ALWAYS funny Fred Willard, and an actress who is increasing proving to be one of the brightest comedy actresses - Jennifer Coolidge.
If you're a fan of this comedy troupes past efforts - skip this film and keep your love and anticipation in tact for the next one.
For Your Consideration is a stockpile of stock jokes and characters who wrestle with dilemma's that anyone outside the 310 or 818 area codes might be hard pressed to give a s**t about. Where once was a cutting edge group of improv actors who brought freshness to the screen and a feeling of wonderful uncertainty of which direction the comedy and story were going, there is now nothing but old jokes and a flat script. The truth is, it's just not funny...it's pathetic.
The only performers who seem to be up for the challenge of making this flat material live and breath are Jordan Black, the ALWAYS funny Fred Willard, and an actress who is increasing proving to be one of the brightest comedy actresses - Jennifer Coolidge.
If you're a fan of this comedy troupes past efforts - skip this film and keep your love and anticipation in tact for the next one.
V for Vendetta
(2005)
V is for Vapid
9 October 2006
There's a whole lot of talking going on here, pontificating, and posturing. This is an action movie that wants to be overly dramatic and high brow...I suppose there's nothing inherently wrong with those aspirations, it's just the film should have worried about that AFTER it was entertaining.
One of the reasons the film dragged so much for me was that V wears a mask. Darth Vader wore a mask, and he was a great villain, but he didn't go on in every scene wanking on and on about what was bugging him and why it should bug you too...no...no...he was out there blowing up things and getting upset about losing the Death Star plans. He was easy to understand, whereas V is a chatty Cathy whose eyes we can't see, whose face is hidden from view...it's a bit of a disconnect. It's easy to understand what he's mad about, it's also impossible to understand why he just won't shut up and do something about it.
Portman's accent was distracting, and that's being kind. The world has gotten so small, if looking for a British actress, get one for crying out loud - it's not like they're hard to find. Same goes when casting American roles, please - enough of Colin Farrel and his bogus American accent - that has nothing to do with Vendetta, but while I was on the subject.
The film looks beautiful, it looks like it should be exciting...but at the end of the day, it was a chatter fest with a few explosions. Before anyone gets on a high horse about how a chatter fest can unearth some important ideas...this one digs up one or two childishly simple ideas up and proceeds to beat them into dust before your very weary eyes.
It's easy to see how one would want to take the book, and paste it's story over current events in an effort to make a statement. But most statements worth listening to aren't cut and paste - they're tailor made from the fabric of frustration. This is cut and past and bent and ripped CAUSING frustration.
The fact is that this film's over simplification of problems and trying to tie it into real world events is simple minded and irresponsible.
I wanted to drop a safe on V's head...just for a few laughs. You will too.
One of the reasons the film dragged so much for me was that V wears a mask. Darth Vader wore a mask, and he was a great villain, but he didn't go on in every scene wanking on and on about what was bugging him and why it should bug you too...no...no...he was out there blowing up things and getting upset about losing the Death Star plans. He was easy to understand, whereas V is a chatty Cathy whose eyes we can't see, whose face is hidden from view...it's a bit of a disconnect. It's easy to understand what he's mad about, it's also impossible to understand why he just won't shut up and do something about it.
Portman's accent was distracting, and that's being kind. The world has gotten so small, if looking for a British actress, get one for crying out loud - it's not like they're hard to find. Same goes when casting American roles, please - enough of Colin Farrel and his bogus American accent - that has nothing to do with Vendetta, but while I was on the subject.
The film looks beautiful, it looks like it should be exciting...but at the end of the day, it was a chatter fest with a few explosions. Before anyone gets on a high horse about how a chatter fest can unearth some important ideas...this one digs up one or two childishly simple ideas up and proceeds to beat them into dust before your very weary eyes.
It's easy to see how one would want to take the book, and paste it's story over current events in an effort to make a statement. But most statements worth listening to aren't cut and paste - they're tailor made from the fabric of frustration. This is cut and past and bent and ripped CAUSING frustration.
The fact is that this film's over simplification of problems and trying to tie it into real world events is simple minded and irresponsible.
I wanted to drop a safe on V's head...just for a few laughs. You will too.
The Black Dahlia
(2006)
The Black Dahlia's another Black Mark on DePalma's Score Card
24 September 2006
The Black Dahlia is one of those movies that's trying to cover too many bases and ends up covering nothing at all. I saw the film, was paying attention...and I have to tell you I'm still not sure what the hell happened. This is the kind of film there CANNOT BE SPOILERS because the film SPOILS ITSELF.
I'll not get into the story line here as I'm assuming you already know it, and if you don't, many of the other reviews will cover it. I'll just concentrate on why I feel anyone who goes to see this film will need to see another film immediately following it to get the bad taste out of their mouths.
The title itself is misleading because the Black Dahlia case seems to be the last thing on the film's mind. It's got lots of other characters and subplots going on and seems to almost be pulled kicking and screaming back to the story the title promised everyone at the door. It might not had been such a circuitous bore if the stories were interesting, or the actors watchable, but it's a major negative on both counts here...whoever is sleeping with Josh Hartnett must be way up the Hollywood food chain because how this wooden no talent department store dummy keeps getting starring parts in films is beyond me - even more so than what the hell was going on in this film. I imagine that sooner or later Josh Hartnett and Kate Bosworth will make a film together - they'll call it WITHOUT A PULSE. I know it's hard to find the next batch of movie stars, but really, I'm assuring you, you can move on from Harnett.
Strangely, Mia Kirshner who plays Elizabeth Short - The Black Dahlia herself - seems to be the only one in the whole film with a pulse! I wanted more of her, and a whole lot less of everyone else. This film even managed to make Aaron Eckhart boring...and he's been riveting in everything I've seen him in besides this. Scarlett Johansson's Kay too is upstaged by Kirshner.
Visually speaking, just think really dark and brown and you've got an image of the film in your head. It's hard to judge different aspects of a film when the mixture of it all is just such a diminished return, but somewhere someone thought that shooting in Easter Europe of Los Angeles would work if you just turned off all the lights, cast a boring actor and hoped the audience went to sleep. This baby played at the Venice Film Festival - as if we don't have enough ill will toward the United States going already.
The Black Dahlia murder is a famous unsolved Los Angeles crime that will never be forgotten - this film will be forgotten even before the DVD release.
I'll not get into the story line here as I'm assuming you already know it, and if you don't, many of the other reviews will cover it. I'll just concentrate on why I feel anyone who goes to see this film will need to see another film immediately following it to get the bad taste out of their mouths.
The title itself is misleading because the Black Dahlia case seems to be the last thing on the film's mind. It's got lots of other characters and subplots going on and seems to almost be pulled kicking and screaming back to the story the title promised everyone at the door. It might not had been such a circuitous bore if the stories were interesting, or the actors watchable, but it's a major negative on both counts here...whoever is sleeping with Josh Hartnett must be way up the Hollywood food chain because how this wooden no talent department store dummy keeps getting starring parts in films is beyond me - even more so than what the hell was going on in this film. I imagine that sooner or later Josh Hartnett and Kate Bosworth will make a film together - they'll call it WITHOUT A PULSE. I know it's hard to find the next batch of movie stars, but really, I'm assuring you, you can move on from Harnett.
Strangely, Mia Kirshner who plays Elizabeth Short - The Black Dahlia herself - seems to be the only one in the whole film with a pulse! I wanted more of her, and a whole lot less of everyone else. This film even managed to make Aaron Eckhart boring...and he's been riveting in everything I've seen him in besides this. Scarlett Johansson's Kay too is upstaged by Kirshner.
Visually speaking, just think really dark and brown and you've got an image of the film in your head. It's hard to judge different aspects of a film when the mixture of it all is just such a diminished return, but somewhere someone thought that shooting in Easter Europe of Los Angeles would work if you just turned off all the lights, cast a boring actor and hoped the audience went to sleep. This baby played at the Venice Film Festival - as if we don't have enough ill will toward the United States going already.
The Black Dahlia murder is a famous unsolved Los Angeles crime that will never be forgotten - this film will be forgotten even before the DVD release.
Superman Returns
(2006)
Superman Retreds
20 August 2006
Look, this film cost a lot of money to make...and a lot of that money's up on the screen. It LOOKS expensive...but it feels cheap. I couldn't help but wonder what Kevin Smith's script was like...or even Tim Burton's version. Either one of them HAD TO BE better than this. Watching this film also had me thinking back to the Christopher Reeves Superman movie...the first one. That film was FAR superior to this...and in many ways this is an attempted remake of it. What's with Lex Luthor and his real estate schemes? At least buying beach front property in Nevada made sense, in a comic book world. His plan here just seemed...like something expensive to shoot. His henchmen and female side kick are all fun to watch character actors from better films who are given almost nothing to do here but avoid the cutting room floor.
Frankly after Superman saves Lois Lane from being killed by the Space Shuttle (at this point in time, as soon as I see anyone near the space shuttle I'm feeling something bad is about to happen! Stay away from that thing!) about halfway into the film - it's all down hill.
I vote for Superman to go back into space for a few more years, come back, and try this all over again.
Frankly after Superman saves Lois Lane from being killed by the Space Shuttle (at this point in time, as soon as I see anyone near the space shuttle I'm feeling something bad is about to happen! Stay away from that thing!) about halfway into the film - it's all down hill.
I vote for Superman to go back into space for a few more years, come back, and try this all over again.
Broken Flowers
(2005)
Jarmusch Takes You On A Very Personal Journey
1 January 2006
Jarmusch is like a jazz musician, and like many jazz musicians he's an acquired taste. I can, almost categorically, say that I can't recommend his films to the unanointed - but to those who dig the man's groove - this is real treat.
After receiving a letter from a long lost girlfriend, Murray is informed he may have a son. Goaded on by his neighbor played by the always interesting Jeffrey Wright, Murray embarks on a journey into his past to look up more than old girlfriends, but bits and pieces of himself long since forgotten - and some not yet discovered.
Jarmusch is all in the pacing, and it's slow - and should be savored. The cast is note perfect in the way they play their scenes. The audience is never ahead of Murray, instead, we're right there with him in his discoveries...or perhaps lack there of. The film achieves something that is rarely accomplished outside of real life - at least in my humble opinion - if you give yourself up to the story and the story teller you leave the theater with more than just an understanding of the central character - you leave with a better understanding of yourself.
After receiving a letter from a long lost girlfriend, Murray is informed he may have a son. Goaded on by his neighbor played by the always interesting Jeffrey Wright, Murray embarks on a journey into his past to look up more than old girlfriends, but bits and pieces of himself long since forgotten - and some not yet discovered.
Jarmusch is all in the pacing, and it's slow - and should be savored. The cast is note perfect in the way they play their scenes. The audience is never ahead of Murray, instead, we're right there with him in his discoveries...or perhaps lack there of. The film achieves something that is rarely accomplished outside of real life - at least in my humble opinion - if you give yourself up to the story and the story teller you leave the theater with more than just an understanding of the central character - you leave with a better understanding of yourself.
King Kong
(2005)
A Well Made, Fun, Been There - Done That experience
28 December 2005
Peter Jackson's KING KONG is the kind of remake that makes you wonder why the film had to be remade at all. It reminded me of the PSYCHO remake - both were extremely faithful to the original, so much so you start to yearn for the original and forget the remake.
I realize there is a whole new audience out there who have never seen the original, but would it not be just as effective to make a SEQUEL? I know that word has picked up a bit of tarnish over the years...but I feel a sequel would show at least a little creative daring. If it sucks...you own it. But if it's great...no one will forget you. Remember ALIENS? It was 7 years after the original, and had huge shoes to fill...but it filled them but good. Take a chance...or don't make the film.
The effects were amazing, the story pretty much as you remember it, the acting good...save for Jack Black who was out of his element, especially as he delivered the famous last line of the film. It would have been better handled...and frankly made more sense, delivered by Brody. The stand out performance was KONG - I have to tell you, that giant monkey made me laugh several times.
The film is well made, don't get me wrong...and entertaining...you just get that nagging BEEN THERE, DONE THAT feeling. Another feeling that kept scratching at the back of my mind was, if you're looking to show NYC the 8th wonder of the world, why bring back a giant monkey when you could bring back a T-REX!? Really...talk about a missed opportunity! I think Skull Island has more stories yearning to be brought back.
I realize there is a whole new audience out there who have never seen the original, but would it not be just as effective to make a SEQUEL? I know that word has picked up a bit of tarnish over the years...but I feel a sequel would show at least a little creative daring. If it sucks...you own it. But if it's great...no one will forget you. Remember ALIENS? It was 7 years after the original, and had huge shoes to fill...but it filled them but good. Take a chance...or don't make the film.
The effects were amazing, the story pretty much as you remember it, the acting good...save for Jack Black who was out of his element, especially as he delivered the famous last line of the film. It would have been better handled...and frankly made more sense, delivered by Brody. The stand out performance was KONG - I have to tell you, that giant monkey made me laugh several times.
The film is well made, don't get me wrong...and entertaining...you just get that nagging BEEN THERE, DONE THAT feeling. Another feeling that kept scratching at the back of my mind was, if you're looking to show NYC the 8th wonder of the world, why bring back a giant monkey when you could bring back a T-REX!? Really...talk about a missed opportunity! I think Skull Island has more stories yearning to be brought back.
Bloodline
(II) (2004)
Horror with Heart
13 December 2005
Bloodline is an indie horror film that doesn't check it's soul at the door. It's connection to character is at the heart of the story, and it's from this connection that many of the scares emerge. I CARED for the characters...even the killer, which I thought was kind of a new twist -- though I guess Jason from Friday the 13th is a bit of a tragic character too.
The film weaves a compelling story that doesn't leave out the laughs - keep your eye out for a scene with two misfortunate hunters who wander off into the forbidden wood - it was my favorite.
Solid writing, directing, and acting make this a must rent for all of us who cherish the indie horror scene.
The film weaves a compelling story that doesn't leave out the laughs - keep your eye out for a scene with two misfortunate hunters who wander off into the forbidden wood - it was my favorite.
Solid writing, directing, and acting make this a must rent for all of us who cherish the indie horror scene.
Jarhead
(2005)
Welcome to the Suck...indeed
8 November 2005
What a mess. I don't think I've ever seen a film with so much going for it, that added up to so little. Not just the subject matter, which is ripe to be explored, especially at this point in history, but the cast and the crew of this film are all top notch. They had to have been drafted against their will to sail on this hole riddled boat of a movie.
***Spoiler Alert - NOTHING HAPPENS.
Here is a film that seems to be extremely proud to bring us the message that being in the military is hard, especially when you're away from home. That when you're away for a few months your girlfriend will cheat on you. This seems to be the message. We're never allowed to see any relationship between the main character and his girl back home, yet we're supposed to feel his pain at being away from her for so long and then ultimately her leaving him. I felt far more of a bond with Mark Wahlberg's character and his wife in THREE KINGS and it was just a few short lines - but well done, thoughtful, well acted, well-placed lines. This film is a clunky mess that feels like they were making it up as they went along. There isn't much in terms of the enemy, there isn't much in terms of "war is hell"...war in this film is just boring - if that was what they set out to prove, BRAVO. But if it is the point, they forgot that film is entertainment. Here, war is a time for masturbation and feeling bad for yourself. It's a time to complain and expect everyone watching the film to think you're deep instead of the first class spineless complainer you are. This film is an insult to anyone who has ever served in the armed forces...not to mention the chumps that shell out $10.00 to waste two hours watching it.
Do yourself a favor. If you're thinking you want to see JARHEAD instead rent the brilliant FULL METAL JACKET a film that delivers the message that JARHEAD drops in the sand. Another choice is THREE KINGS a highly entertaining, well made film that has solid observations on the war in Iraq that resonate long after the film is over. It is obvious they were the films Mendes was trying to serve up with a few ingredients switched around and his name slapped on it. I got nothing against filmmakers who borrow...but Frankenstein's monster was just a bunch of sewn together parts without LIFE! If I sound upset with Mendes it's because I also wasted my time on The Road to Perdition! American Beauty was all Alan Ball it becomes clearer with each passing year.
***Spoiler Alert - NOTHING HAPPENS.
Here is a film that seems to be extremely proud to bring us the message that being in the military is hard, especially when you're away from home. That when you're away for a few months your girlfriend will cheat on you. This seems to be the message. We're never allowed to see any relationship between the main character and his girl back home, yet we're supposed to feel his pain at being away from her for so long and then ultimately her leaving him. I felt far more of a bond with Mark Wahlberg's character and his wife in THREE KINGS and it was just a few short lines - but well done, thoughtful, well acted, well-placed lines. This film is a clunky mess that feels like they were making it up as they went along. There isn't much in terms of the enemy, there isn't much in terms of "war is hell"...war in this film is just boring - if that was what they set out to prove, BRAVO. But if it is the point, they forgot that film is entertainment. Here, war is a time for masturbation and feeling bad for yourself. It's a time to complain and expect everyone watching the film to think you're deep instead of the first class spineless complainer you are. This film is an insult to anyone who has ever served in the armed forces...not to mention the chumps that shell out $10.00 to waste two hours watching it.
Do yourself a favor. If you're thinking you want to see JARHEAD instead rent the brilliant FULL METAL JACKET a film that delivers the message that JARHEAD drops in the sand. Another choice is THREE KINGS a highly entertaining, well made film that has solid observations on the war in Iraq that resonate long after the film is over. It is obvious they were the films Mendes was trying to serve up with a few ingredients switched around and his name slapped on it. I got nothing against filmmakers who borrow...but Frankenstein's monster was just a bunch of sewn together parts without LIFE! If I sound upset with Mendes it's because I also wasted my time on The Road to Perdition! American Beauty was all Alan Ball it becomes clearer with each passing year.
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