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Sex and Breakfast (2005)
The most unerotic film about sex that I've ever seen
While it's not an awful film, one would expect that the filmmakers (and I'm using the term loosely to include the cast and writer as well) would be able to explore some of the more complex emotions associated with sex. And no, I'm not complaining about the complete lack of nudity either (well, maybe I am a little).
But some of the MOST erotic scenes in film history have had no nudity (think "Streetcar Named Desire") so it's hard for me to give a pass to the filmmakers here, because they really had no excuse for making these characters completely unsexy (and to do that to Eliza Dushku is a crime, BTW)
Some films you want more because they "tasted so good." This one I wanted more because there was no substance (and not much style either)
Check out "Lie With Me" or "Flannel Pajamas" if you're looking for a self-involved indie that deals frankly with sex.
Elizabethtown (2005)
One of the strangest mainstream films I've ever seen...
Let me first say that I really like Cameron Crowe's work. I liked Jerry Maguire, I really liked Vanila Sky, and Almost Famous is ridiculously evocative - possibly one of THE great scenes in film history (the "Tiny Dancer" scene). I heard that the reviews were lukewarm, but hadn't read any of them specifically. Still, as I said, I like Crowe's work, so I thought I'd give it a shot.
I'm really confused. While there are great moments in the film, I'm still not sure what it's about. Of course, it's clear on the surface that Orlando Bloom is dealing with his father's death and his failure as a shoe designer (which I'm still scratching my head over). I felt the road trip portion of the film was great. i also found that the emotional payoff was what he says to his father. I'm still not sure why the film wasn't 1/3 dealing with the funeral and 2/3 road trip - it would have made more sense.
Second, I watched this film right after seeing "Garden State." I can't help but compare the two. While this film had great songs, I didn't feel that they were always emotionally grounded in the scene. Similarly, I had NO clue as to the emotional journey of the characters.Why does the mother show up for the memorial after saying that she can't face the relatives? And WHY was Mitch so important to the town? And who in the heck is Ben? i had to keep rewinding the movie to remind myself.
I guess I'm comparing this too unfairly to other films: dealing with a parent's death (Garden State), dealing with Southern family culture (Junebug), unconventional romance (Chasing Amy). but in each of these cases, and the soundtrack especially, this film fell far short. And for the life of me, I can't figure it out. The individual performances were fine (though Bloom's American accent needs a little work), the technical work was all there: great shots, solid editing, good dialogue, etc. But in the overall picture, it's LESS than the sum of its parts. It's almost as if the script needed one more streamlining session (structurally) before getting filmed.
I'm not trying to bash this film. I'll admit that I sometimes don't "get" a film the first time. There are films that I've gained an enjoyment and respect for on second and third viewings. I think the best thing I can say about this film is that I wouldn't mind seeing it again with someone who LOVES it, just so I can figure out why.
Alchemy (2005)
Breezy fun
I have to say up front that I'm a big fan of both Tom Cavanagh and Sarah Chalke, but I hadn't heard of this film until I ran across it in the Indy film section my local video store.
This was a delightful film. So many recent romantic comedies that I've seen are so completely lifeless - the cast doesn't seem to be having fun with each other. The exact opposite is true here.
The two leads are at the top of their game, and though the script is a tad formulaic, the acting more than makes up for it. Tom Cavanagh has the approach of a Jimmy Stewart or a Tom Hanks. And Sarah Chalke has the kooky klutziness of a Doris Day or a Kate Hepburn. Well, maybe that's overstating it a bit, but give this film another 40 or 50 years, and I'm betting it will be remembered fondly.
Great supporting cast too, they really gave the film some weight. Here's to independent comedies. Definitely worth a viewing
Ocean's Twelve (2004)
It's NOT a heist movie
It's a con movie, and the two are VASTLY different. This film is much closer to "Ronin" or "The Sting" than either "Ocean's Eleven" or "Topkapi"
There's a specific comedic plot point that people thought was stupid and/or over the top. but that's the beauty of what Soderburgh was trying to do here - a wink to the audience to say,"Hey, THIS IS A MOVIE." Modern American tastes have been so conditioned to the hyper-realistic that the self-reflexive nature of this film will be lost on many.
Quite simply, this is an art-house intellectual comedy with the gloss and A-List stars of Hollywood. It's a completely DIFFERENT movie in every respect from Ocean's Eleven, which makes it work. Definitely worth seeing twice, if only to catch the little details.
V for Vendetta (2005)
It's no Equilibrium, but it's not bad.
I wanted to like this movie more than I did. Even "The Matrix Reloaded" had some redeeming qualities. I guess this does too. But by the end, the whole thing seemed rather silly. Yes, the political and social implication of totalitarianism and anarchy will (and should) raise questions, especially given the current political climate. And there are, indeed, flashes of brilliance, both in the witty wordplay and in the finely textured performances from Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea and Stephen Fry. And the action's not bad either. But the ending felt really hollow. I walked out of the theater and found myself wanting to go watch "Batman Begins" again. The psychology of fear and symbols, not to mention revenge and redemption, was more realistically explored there.
Also, "Equilibrium" felt much more fully realized, as a world, then "V For Vendetta's." And the action sequences were far superior in that film, not to mention that the visual medium of film complemented that action rather than distracted from it. Overall, the film asks some good questions, but dilutes itself through its own "Hollywood" ending.
The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961)
Wow!
I have to say, even knowing enough about TV history to have respect for this show didn't prepare me AT ALL for how ridiculously funny it is. As a long time fan of "Mad About You," which is clearly a tribute, I can see the setup here, but it's amazing to see how one of the truly landmark television shows still stands up after all this time. I'm just finishing Season 2 on DVD, and I have to say kudos to whoever put these together.
As to the show itself, if you've never seen it, you're seriously missing out. Some of the best laughs I've ever had watching television have come from watching this show. In fact, watching this, I can see many early glimpses of popular sitcom characters from later years.
A real treat!
Equilibrium (2002)
Fahrenheit 451 meets The Matrix
I wasn't expecting this film AT ALL. It blew me away. It had the heart
and soul of Fahrenheit 451, but with the kick-ass action of The
Matrix. And a little 1984 thrown in for good measure.
Christian Bale is in in top form, his best since American Psycho.
Taye Diggs, Emily Watson, Sean Bean and Angus McFadyen are
also great, but aren't in it enough. Definitely worth buying.
The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
the best political thriller ever
The best thing about political thrillers, in my opinion, is the paranoia that they both portray and generate in their audiences. And `The Manchurian Candidate' has paranoia in spades. Or perhaps I should say diamonds. That is, no one who has seen the film will ever look at solitaire or a deck of cards the same way again. And certainly brainwashing, a frightening concept in itself, has never been as palpably realized as it is here. The original ad for the film reads: `If you come in five minutes after this picture begins, you won't know what it's all about! When you've seen it all, you'll swear there's never been anything like it!' How true. But the genius of film lies in several distinct aspects.
The disturbingly prophetic tone of `The Manchurian Candidate,' which was released in 1962, was shatteringly validated when President Kennedy was assassinated less than a year later. It caused so much fervor that the film was banned from theaters for the next 25 years. Aside from the story, the dialogue is crisp and to the point.
The second major aspect of the film that bears mentioning is the acting. Sinatra is in top form here, lending a mesmerizing intensity to Bennett. Harvey is chilling as the brainwashed Shaw, while Lansbury delivers a knockout performance as his mother that earned her an Oscar nomination.
The real genius of the film, however, lies in the directing, cinematography and editing. The brainwashing dream sequence is one of the most talked-about and highly praised sequences in editing, while several other camera shots are so far ahead of their time that they are just now coming into their own. Director John Frankenheimer (who later directed `Ronin') keeps the pace moving at breakneck speed towards the shattering, mind-blowing conclusion.
If you're looking for something to blow you away, something completely unlike anything you've seen before, check out `The Manchurian Candidate.' It has aged well, still providing the same amount of suspense and drama that it did then. In fact, it's so good, it was recently named to the American Film Institute's list of the 100 Greatest American Films, where it placed 67. A thrilling film, topped by an explosive climax, it's one not to be missed.
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Amazing, stunning achievement
The film follows the continuing adventures of `Andy's toys,' particularly Woody (Tom Hanks), the pullstring cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), the space action figure. This time, the dilemma centers around what happens to toys when they are cast aside for more `grownup' pursuits.
It seems that Woody is a collector's item, and is stolen by a greedy toy salesman (Wayne Knight). Woody finds that he was part of `Woody's Roundup,' a 1950's TV show that was cancelled after Sputnik. He meets Jessie (Joan Cusak), a rowdy cowgirl, his horse Bulls-eye, and Prospector Pete (Kelsey Grammer), who has never been opened and is doomed to live inside his box. Buzz gathers the toys (all of the cast members from the first film are back, with all their wonderful talent) and sets off on a rescue mission. The ensuing adventure is not to be missed, with action sequences so fully realized and believable that it's easy to forget this is an animated film. The visuals, of course, are mind-blowing, given the newer technology.
The film deals with very poignant issues regarding whether toys should be in a museum or played with until they're forgotten. When Jessie sadly reminisces about her former owner (`When She Loved Me,' sung by Sarah McLaughlin), it was one of the most touching moments I've seen on film in a long time. `Toy Story 2' takes the original in wonderfully new and inventive directions. It is already being called the `Godfather II' of animation; in other words, improving a seemingly unimprovable film. Frankly, the film is worthy of a Best Picture Oscar nomination. Not too bad for a sequel.
Mystery Men (1999)
Lots of fun, don't take it seriously
This film was funny consistently through much of it, though it did drag a little at the end. The great thing about a film like this is that it's not quite a spoof; rather, it's gently poking fun at the somewhat ludicrous world of comic books and superheroes.
Janeane Garofalo was delightfully acerbic as always, with just a hint of the teen immaturity that characterized the rest of the team. I would have liked to have seen Hank Azaria without the silly British accent, but any film with him in it is a treat. William H. Macy delivers some of the funniest lines as the Shoveler, and Paul Reubens was amusing as the flatulent Spleen. Ben Stiller didn't annoy me as much as he usually does, mainly because, as Mr. Furious, he got to do one of the few things he does well: get mad.
Aside from the cast, the camera angles and special effects poked fun at some of the more inane comic books incarnations we've seen recently. Some of the humor was a little too slapstick for my taste, but this is one of those films that is so delightfully stupid that it's funny, though a touch overblown at times. Go expecting to just have fun, and you won't be disappointed.