ah`Pook

I'm more of fan of Jim Jarmusch than Bill Murray, but I think his performance in Broken Flowers is the highlight of the movie. His ubiquitous deadpan never carried so much weight as in this role as the aging Don Juan character, Don Johnston. A strong rebuff to those that thought Lost in Translation was his one-of-a-kind-role-of-a-lifetime etc. Broken Flowers is a Jim Jarmusch film that belongs with the best of his work (Down By Law, Mystery Train, Dead Man, Ghost Dog) - films that entertain and provoke thought in equal measure, that keep the sense of auteur vision without sacrificing accessibility. I was disappointed by Coffee and Cigarettes, but this film restored my faith in Mr. Jarmusch. It's especially good to see him using a format which retains elements of anthology but stays together as a single story, albeit one which ultimately chooses character study over a perfectly sewn-up plot. Some viewers may be frustrated by the inconclusiveness of the ending. I don't think the film could end any other way and remain true to the character, the tone, or the vision. It's a little downbeat from start to finish, and you either buy it or you don't. I bought it. Jeffrey Wright was very funny and warm, Sharon Stone plays trailer trash perfectly, fine cameos by Jessica Lange (as an 'animal communicator'), Julie Delpy, Chloe Sevigny, and Tilda Swinton (cast against type as a biker chick.) Plus Alexis Dziena as the Lolita to end all Lolitas, whom I would gladly see more of (in a manner of speaking).

Not a stitch on the original! Of course in a sequel they can afford to

focus on action rather than setup, but the Brothers Wachowski

have no excuse for this muddled mess of a plot. The Matrix was a

thought-provoking high concept thriller punctuated by outrageously

cool action sequences; it could produce a deep conversation.

Reloaded is a series of outrageously cool action sequences

hampered by a ridiculous plot worthy of a third-rate manga anime.

All of the principals are there, but one feels it's lights on, no one

home. Zion looks more like an Ibiza nightclub than I had pictured

from it's descriptions in The Matrix. Throwaway characters and

set-ups, and more than a few ridiculous, cringeful scenes. See it

for the special effects rollercoaster ride and try to ignore the idiocy

that gets us from explosion to explosion, and you'll enjoy it. As a

side note, the trailer is probably the best trailer EVER. 5/10