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Reviews
Stone (2010)
The Good News Is That It Stars DeNiro & Norton
The bad news is that the other elements of the movie were completely missing or terribly done. DeNiro & Norton turn in good performances as does Jovovich, to a degree, but there is damned little story to keep the interest up. The script seemed as if the screenwriter was making it up even as the cameras rolled. The pacing was glacial. The cinematography was more of TV movie of the week quality than a theatrical production. Too many unexplained aspects to the story culminating in a finale which has you wondering just why you sat through the whole thing for this. I would suggest passing on this one and renting a copy of The Score for some quality DeNiro/Norton action.
Animal Kingdom (2010)
Excellent Aussie Crime Drama
Young Josh is the prism through which this story's light passes. He was raised apart from his extended family until his mother dies of an overdose. He then moves in with his grandmother and her sons at the age of 17. Problem being that his uncles are, without exception, a group of sociopaths and the grandmother is the worst of the lot. Ben Mendelsohn plays eldest uncle Andrew and is the sickest mentally of the lot. Mendelsohn turns in a strong performance, exuding a truly menacing presence whenever he's on screen. Jackie Weaver plays the at once bubbly, lovable grandmother and then the utterly calculating head of the pack of thieves and murderers she has brought into the world. James Frecheville plays Josh as a mostly impassive observer of the ultimate downfall of the Cody clan. Don't hesitate to order this via Netflix or rent it from your video store. You won't be disappointed.
The box this movie came in proclaimed it "an Australian Goodfellas" but that's totally wrong. A closer comparison would be to call it "an Australian At Close Range."
Orphan (2009)
Very Good.
Rented this one the week it was released and definitely didn't feel cheated. All the elements are there to make this a great thriller. There's the, from the get go, slightly offkey orphan child, Esther. There's the increasingly odd and, ultimately sociopathic, behavior of Esther. There's the growing atmosphere of gloom and threat to the family who adopts Esther. There's the mother, with her own issues, who is the only one who seems to realize that Esther is not what she's cracked up to be. The script is intelligent, direction well-paced and full of surprises and the cast is excellent.
The child lead, Isabelle Fuhrman, who plays Esther is excellent. The fact that she is only 12 (and probably 10 when this was filmed) is truly noteworthy. Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard, as the parents, are terrific. But, once again, enough cannot be said about the performance turned in by Fuhrman.
The movie was the subject of a major public hating campaign by adoption advocates when it was released. Once again, an entertainment vehicle was slammed because some people, who believed their oxen were being gored alleged the entertainment vehicle was delivering a message they didn't like. Bottomline, the film company had to add a disclosure at the beginning of the film to the effect that "adoptions happen all the time and you won't end up with a psycho killer, really." Just plain stupid because the real message of the flick is to check your disbelief at the door, sit back and enjoy a good flick.
Afterwards (2008)
Intriguing story undone by a wooden lead and confusing direction
Just saw this movie and the main selling point was Malkovich in the cast. He was fine, as was the female lead played by Evangeline Lilly. The main thing that did this movie in for me was a rather leaden performance from Romain Duris. The basic plot is that Malkovich is a "messenger" or someone who can foretell people's deaths. He is also a doctor working with dying people. He contacts Duris and, for the greater part of the movie, the audience is lead to believe that Duris is destined to die. Needless to say, this isn't the way the movie plays out. The director (or writer) manages to establish a dull, plodding rhythm to the film which is confusing and distracting. No more info for anyone interested in seeing the film and the film is worth a rental, if only to watch and revel in another quirky performance from Malkovich and a great performance from Evangeline Lilly. The main problem is it's difficult to empathize, sympathize or otherwise ize with Duris who has the emotional range of a rock in this film.
Citizen Kane (1941)
The Greatest American Movie
Words cannot adequately express the esteem with which I hold this film. I first saw this film in a film studies class in College in the mid-60s. I have probably seen this movie, conservatively, about 50 times. I have never understood the critics who have levelled criticism at Welles for never reaching this level ever again in his career. All this man has done is write, direct, and act in the single greatest film of the American cinema.
Raw Nerve (1999)
Nice solid effort
Mario Van Peebles actioner with surprisingly (for obvious low budget) good production values. Good, consistently interesting storyline. The only weakness I saw was in the, at times, wooden performance of Zach Galligan.
The Lonely Lady (1983)
So Stunningly Bad It Will Serve as an Object Lesson
Where does one begin to express the outright suckiness of this flick? Bad writing, bad direction, bad production values, and above all BAAAAAD Acting!!!! This film should be specially treated and preserved to ensure that future generations of film makers and students are privy to what not to do under any considerations. Pia Zadora will forever be etched in my memory as the ultimate sex kitten (for garden implement fetishists). Her stirring remarks at the end of the film may in fact be autobiographical.