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Maybe you’d rather see my taste in television
Michelle’s Movie Reviews (rating is out of 5)
Movies I could watch again and again
Valley Girl and Fast Times at Ridgemont High and 10 Things I Hate About You (angsty but thoughtful teen flicks)
Fiddler on the Roof and The Graduate (music, life altering choices, a touch of humor)
Noises Off (madcap stage production turned into madcap movie)
Pride and Prejudice (BBC version, Colin Firth as Darcy in this and its homage comedy, Bridget Jones’s Diary)
Saturday Night Fever and Footloose (dancing, troublemakers, generation-specific music)
When Harry Met Sally (so oft-viewed, we included it in our wedding announcement poem)
Tampopo and Amelie (offbeat foreign films)
Reality Bites and Groundhog Day and The Princess Bride (nothing in common, I just love ‘em)
Dave and The American President (anything that promotes good politics is good by me)
Casablanca and The Best Years of Our Lives and It’s A Wonderful Life (classics)
Guilty pleasures: Believe it or not, I’m actually a sucker for G.I. Jane. Demi with the gorgeous body and shaved head is worth the viewing alone.
Also check out my quotes page!
Arranged by title: A-F * G-M * N-R * S-W
Michelle’s Movie Reviews
1 down there with worst movies I've ever seen
2 solidly bad but not quite god-awful, appreciated only by very select audience
3 so-so or mixed bag, comparable to many others, will not appeal to all
4 worth watching, various good qualities, broadly appealing
5 up there with best movies I've ever seen
At the risk of looking like a teen-girly-flick addict, I would first like to say: I live in Beaumont. There are two movieplexes that show the EXACT SAME movies as one another and none of the movies falls under a "indie", "arthouse", or "experimental" label. If The Passion was high on my list of must-see movies, I'd be set, because it played big here.
Persuasion (1995) 4/4/2003 * RECOMMENDED PERIOD ROMANCE
A marriage prospect rejected years earlier due to money and class differences seems to be on the lovers' minds as they encounter one another once again. As with all Jane Austen tales, however, the path to marriage is littered with meddling family and friends and many moments of doubt. This is a slow moving but very romantic movie. Heroine's struggle builds quietly to a very satisfying conclusion. Lead characters, portrayed by Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds, aren't meant to be the prettiest, youngest, or most unforgettable people you'll get to know; their story centers on the internal struggle of what's at stake in seeking a second chance. The movie, like the book, has an understated feel and includes several little twists and turns. Well acted, classic settings, and a gentle romantic air throughout: I heartily recommend this movie.
Miracle 3/3/2004 * RECOMMENDED CLASSIC SPORTS HISTORY
Compelling biopic. Hockey players acting as, well, hockey players. The story of the 1980 USA Olympic ice hockey team and its coach (Kurt Russell is star of movie) is well told, well acted, and keeps you on the edge of your seat (even knowing how it ends). Movie comfortably balances hockey action with lots of human interest. Knowing the hockey players aren’t actors and seeing how good they are in their parts makes this movie all the more interesting. I's not so much a sports movie as a historical/biographical drama. My guess is Miracle will stand the test of time but not be seen as an extraordinary movie, though it is an extraordinary story.
Seabiscuit 3/13/2004 * MIXED FEELINGS
I don't know what I expected but what I got wasn't it. Very pretty to look at (sumptuous cinematography and clarity on widescreen DVD) with good actors (Chris Cooper, Jeff Bridges, William Macy, Tobey Maguire) and a feel good story. What's to be so bad? The script. It's overflowing with cliches and underwhelmingly-plain language dialogue (and little of it, not necessarily a bad thing). The pace. Slow enough to make my patient soul want to fast forward through bits and choppy enough to make me think I'd changed channels all of a sudden. Historical background provided by PBS/Ken Burns/American Experience style black-n-white photo montages and voice over cuts into flow of already-slow-moving story. Three main characters are each given their time to develop but when it's a 40-year time span, the development better be dramatic. In this case only one character changes in any way (according to depiction) while others cheerily and predictably fulfill the destiny we all know is coming from moment one. I'm actually not so passionate about the negatives of Seabiscuit as words imply. I was disappointed by the uneven, cheesy, predictable plainness of story and how it juxtaposed with splendid cinematography. As a biopic, I give it 4 out of 5 stars because it is an interesting true story even if not the best told.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 3/31/2004 * RECOMMENDED ODD DRAMA
Joel and Clementine are being ripped apart by a team of memory-erasers. The process was requested but is subverted by Joel during the erasure process. Clementine wants it done, but Joel doesn’t. Why? When? How? Memories play back in a jumble and inconsistencies in the stories jump out (you might think you just misunderstood). The movie seems to be about putting the pieces together.
Eternal Sunshine starts very quietly. Once titles come along the pace picks up and story becomes purposefully confused. Being a Kaufman film, jumbled images must be present for a reason. I figured out what was happening well before my companion. No matter, the filmmakers seem prepared for such an eventuality, pulling you through to the end with touching and amusing events.
I was thoroughly entertained and found the story to be very romantic. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet are wonderfully natural in their parts. Quite different in content from Malkovich or Adaptation, ESFTSM is equally creative (which is to say it is extremely creative) but more cohesive and down-to-earth.
The Prince and Me 4/5/2004 * RECOMMENDED FOR ROMANTICS ONLY
Maybe not the most high-falutin’, cinema-angst-ridden film, I enjoyed The Prince and Me nonetheless. It is quite wholesome but I’m guessing its charms would be appreciated more by adult romantics than adolescent ones.
Paige (Julia Stiles) is a dedicated pre-med farm girl entering her senior year in college. Edward is a randy Danish prince wanting to meet hot chicks and get some distance between his social life and his concerned folks. In Wisconsin they meet up but she knows not of his royalness just his flakiness (not to mention the omnipresence of man-servant, attempting to pass as fellow student). Sparks fly, naturally, as do feelings of betrayal, suspicion, and doubt. Movie fits in many Prince Charming fairy tale stereotypes or assumptions and relies on viewers' suspension of disbelief. If you are willing to allow such cinematic cliches, you too will be entertained.
Ella Enchanted 4/13/2004 * NOT RECOMMENDED
Cute book, charming Anne Hathaway (as Ella), dull movie. This is the tale of a girl bestowed at birth with the gift of truth-telling by a stubborn, flaky fairy godmother. Now a sweetly tormented teen, Ella finds herself sans dad but very much plus stupid, selfish stepmom and sisters. When a prince (and competition for his attention) enters the picture, Ella’s annoying gift becomes a curse indeed. Ella’s world is the usual Fairytale-land with a sense of humor thrown in (and so similar in some ways to Shrek’s that I was confused at the beginning, wondering whether I’d dropped into the wrong theater). Other than elves being forced into merry-making (actually a pretty funny moment), Ella Enchanted is harmlessly unoriginal.
13 Going On 30 4/25/2004 * MIXED FEELINGS
Basic charmer, nothing new, but cute. Unlike Big (to which it's compared), this is a flashforward movie. Jenna Rink, desperate to be popular, wishes on her 13th birthday that she were "flirty and thirty". When she wakes up, all that time has passed and she finds herself at the thirty-flirty stage of life. Naturally she left some people in the dust to get there and now must reconcile who she is in her mind (a naive 13 year old) and who she is in "real life". Jennifer Garner as Jenna is adorable. Mark Ruffalo as her childhood friend is the quietly hip loner, torn between current love/girlfriend and his childhood one; he's adorable and underused. The rest of the cast portray various harmless stereotypes. Premise is interesting but nothing is dealt with too deeply and the film remains simply cute. Likely to appeal to the more and less serious in the audience alike (if going to movie for pure entertainment).
Mean Girls 5/3/2004 * MIXED FEELINGS
Cady is the new girl in the 11th grade. Her family recently returned to the US from Africa, where Cady has been homeschooled all her life. She is, therefore, unprepared to understand and fend off the cliquish and hateful behavior of "the plastics", a trio of girls whose self worth is derived from all sorts of unhealthy attention. Cady is quickly befriended by a duo of outsiders, ready to get their revenge on the school queen, who happens to be the de facto leader of the plastics. Naturally Cady infiltrates the ditzy group (it's all rather easy, actually) and gets in over her head as she herself becomes more and more plastic. And naturally, there is an observant and omnipresent teacher (played by screenwriter Tina Fey) who warns, admonishes, and supports Cady through her ordeals.
Lindsay Lohan is believable, Tina Fey is too. The rest of the cast is unspectacular but fine. Depictions of cliques and some mean stuff are more realistic than other, fluffy teen flicks. The movie's premise, based upon the very serious Queen Bees and Wannabes, a book about hateful and harmful adolescent girl behavior, is solid. Execution, however, is sadly uneven. Events are too convenient, characters underdeveloped, and creative elements overwhelmed by the bigger picture.
Following in the footsteps of girl clique classics like Heathers is no easy feat. Mean Girls makes some strides. Like so many high school girls who sacrifice integrity and vision for attention and packaging, Mean Girls has a great deal of potential. It could have been something great.
Super Size Me 5/23/2004 * RECOMMENDED DOCUMENTARY--SERIOUS BUT FUNNY
Super Size Me is an entertaining and pleasantly thought-provoking movie. Movie balances footage of a fast food lifestyle with interviews and fast food- and obesity-inspired artwork and songs. Sound strange? Watch the movie.
Inspired by a lawsuit brought against McDonald's by two obese teens, Morgan Spurlock decides to test how dangerous a 3-squares-a-day McDiet is. He takes on the average exercise habits of "generic American" and pushes the habitual customer ideal (fast food corporation's ideal, that is) to the extreme. For 30 days this guy eats nothing that isn't sold at McDonald's and tracks results with doctors and dietician. He goes to his regular day job, travels a bit, and conducts interviews during his McDiet. Best of all, Spurlock lets the audience in on some strange, amusing, and serious issues encountered along the way.
By the way, if you've read Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation, this will play like the more humorous R-rated companion piece.
Shrek 2 5/26/04 * RECOMMENDED FAMILY FUN
Shrek and Fiona are married now and they’ve been invited to visit her parents, who know not of Shrek’s ogre-ness moreless their daughter’s. In fact, there is still hope in her hometown of Fiona’s making a match with the dimwitted Prince Charming. Despite his objections, insecure Shrek, with donkey as his sidekick, agrees to the visit and comes to regret it almost right away. Naturally there is shock, doubt, poor communication, hijinks, and music in store for them all.
I was pleasantly surprised by Shrek 2. Story is predictable but visual elements give you plenty to focus on while plot moves along. There's tons for adults to enjoy with silly stuff that kids appreciate alongside. Good balance of old and new characters and locations. I want to see it again just to catch details (though twice is probably enough). Any movie whose soundtrack includes Nick Cave and Tom Waits is good in my book.
Raising Helen 5/29/2004 * NOT RECOMMENDED
Happy-go-lucky working girl in Manhattan world of high fashion, Helen (Kate Hudson), suddenly inherits her beloved nieces and nephew upon tragic death of their parents. Homemaker middle sister (Joan Cuasck) frets and cajoles over the irresponsibility of this final wish of their oldest sibling. Now Helen must turn her life upside down and go through some deep soul searching to do what’s right for the kids and for herself.
Kate Hudson's charm is highlight of this movie; however, I need more for my afternoon's entertainment. Where Ella Enchanted was unfulfilled-promise and predictable in a cutesy, visually amusing way, Raising Helen is unfulfilled promise and predictable in an increasingly-tedious and rehashed way.
There's just too much attempted and too little depth. Myriad problems-- motherhood, working mom, dating mom, death, sibling jealousy, safe family housing and schools, teen angst--are only superficially explored. Acting is fine but the script rushes AND drags, children are adorably tormented in aftermath of parents' sudden death, love interest is way too easy...ugh! It actually started out fine and there were cute moments all the way through, but by the end I was definitely ready to go home.
Van Helsing 6/1/2004 * NOT RECOMMENDED
Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) is a nineteenth-century employee of the Church tasked with slaying evil and unnatural beings all over Europe. You would think he'd be a hero to the communities he makes safer, but no. The guy is doomed and apparently has been for a long time. As with X-Men's Wolverine, Jackman plays a man with a dark past who just can't get his head around what exactly happened; and as he expertly goes about his job he is unwittingly fulfilling his destiny. Sounds deep and rich, doesn't it? Maybe that movie will be released next summer.
If you can suspend disbelief, tolerate accented English, and overlook moments of extreme campiness and melodrama then you will enjoy this hodgepodge of a horror flick. It feels like dozens of classic horror movies rolled into one. Acting is an afterthought: not bad, not good; a mundane script generally diminishes character development. Movie presents artful visuals with the occasional heavy-handed computer-generated set thrown in. I really liked the beginning (though lack of introductory title sequence threw me off), middle was predictable, and end was eye-rollingly cheesy. There's some gross stuff, a whiff of romance, suspense, homage, pageantry, trickery, and so on. In short, this movie has got it all. Alas, that's a bit too much for me. Summer silliness in dark clothing.
Stepford Wives 6/21/2004 * NOT RECOMMENDED
Joanna is fired and then has a nervous breakdown. Her husband thoughtfully whisks her and the kids off to a quaint suburb to recuperate and re-evaluate their lives. The community is idyllic, picture-perfect in every way. Which is what’s so creepy about it. Joanna immediately finds kindred (suspicious) spirits in a sassy Jewish writer and a stylish gay man, each of whose spouses wish they’d be a bit more conservative or traditional. The husbands in the meantime are in heaven: driving flashy cars, toting attractive female caddies (always in heels) along the golf course, and meeting in a men’s-only club where they can smoke, drink, and play video games to their hearts’ delight. Soon, they all control their spouses and Joanna is next.
I'd read a number of uncharitable reviews before viewing this update of a 1970's sociological horror story and film. Just before getting my own glimpse I encountered several delighted responses (the film is "wickedly funny" or a "hilarious twist on the original"). It raised my hopes; they were dashed.
The beginning was amusing, introduction to Stepford intriguing, and characters broadly titillating. But caricatures and superficiality crept in early and had taken complete hold by the end. You're shown too much, too early, for the movie to retain any of the creepiness or mystery of the book. Nicole Kidman is fine but Matthew Broderick seems hollow (he could have been any actor, doesn't seem a good fit with her). Glenn Close, Christopher Walken, Jon Lovitz, and Bette Midler robotically play parts they've all done before. There are a few moments of comic relief and a twist that effectively returns some of the mood of the book into the movie.
I just wasn't interested by the movie overall, found no important messages, and the bright spots were too few and far between. This might amuse on video. I think you can wait til then.
Control Room 6/25/2004 * RECOMMENDED CURRENT EVENTS DOCUMENTARY
I expected a powerful exploration of Al Jazeera; I didn't expect that power to be so calm and quiet. This feature-length documentary exposes those of us outside the Middle East to the inside workings of the Arabic-language news network during the first year of this second Iraq war. We meet one of its matter-of-fact directors, a charismatic reporter, and a thoughtful military-media liaison at US Central Command.
Al Jazeera has made few friends in the world, instead choosing to present current events that make everyone in the Iraq war look bad. Alas, with such a strong presence and strong cultural differences, the US military and its leaders become easy targets, landing Al Jazeera on the Bush administration's enemies list. Of course, this is how they present themselves. The movie is interesting and sparks curiosity enough to explore Al Jazeera on your own terms.
Fahrenheit 9/11 6/26/2004 * RECOMMENDED POLITICAL DOCUMENTARY
Deriving most of his material from secondhand footage--some we've seen before, some we haven't--Michael Moore puts together an exploration of the George W. Bush presidency and its involvement in Saudi Arabia and Iraq specifically. It is an energizing ride that will leave you frustrated, angry, sad, and slightly amused (though that last feeling will be squelched within the hearts of those who are strongly in favor of the Bush administration).
The narration and selection of words and images is clearly one-sided. Moore connects dots from conjecture to hypothesis. There were moments when I was irritated that quotes and images were used out of context. But most of the time I recognized that the words and images spoke for themselves. The fact that they were absurd, offensive, or inaccurate lies not with Michael Moore but with the speakers themselves. They look bad because in those moments they were bad. Moore simply amplifies the ridiculousness.
Another, more significant, potential drawback is the lack of opposing viewpoints. Not a single Republican speaks, as I recall, while many vocal Democrats do. Fact rests comfortably beside opinion. This is a movie, not a court of law. (I assume anyone with a conservative or non-left view would run screaming from Moore at this point.) If Moore slanders or libels, the courts can root that out. So far the court has been in the press and the targeted subjects have been able to offer only mild "whatever" replies.
I happen to agree with many of Moore's views. I love that he fights for what he believes in and is able to make a living off of it. I am humored by his pointed remarks and I feel he is pointing out truths that we, the American people, tend to want to ignore. That he is anti-Bush is no secret. Unfortunately, this movie and many other anti-Bush (or anti-anything for that matter) movements lack a "pro" message. There are moments when Moore's optimism come through. If more of the positive had been amplified, this movie would be awesome indeed.
Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban 6/5/2004 * RECOMMENDED FAMILY FANTASY
It took me more than a year to stomach the first Harry Potter book. Thankfully each book has been easier to swallow, to the point that I, too, pre-ordered the last one and eagerly consumed its 800+ pages. Such is also true of the movies. With Prisoner of Azkaban we are halfway to something really gripping.
This third installment brings Harry into a more sophisticated and darker atmosphere. He is growing up, just as JK Rowling intended (small children are not the audience for the film or books at this point). The movie manages to stick with a central character and story, reasonably setting aside many details of the book. Still present are friends and enemies, but the focus is much more on Harry this time, and the impending arrival of apparent foe Sirius Black (played by an amazingly low-key Gary Oldman).
Cuaron is an imaginative director, with a much more visually appealing style than Columbus, and he seems to have brought out richer performances from the cast (including the whomping tree, which has delightful contributions). The casting is perfect, very well suited to the book's characters, and each is played up just enough to be intriguing without going over the top. Daniel Radcliffe is a capable Harry, believable and charismatic, delightful to watch. The new Dumbledore is fantastic, dare I say better at it than Richard Harris. (Yikes!) Emma Thompson is great new addition
However this movie, more so than the previous two, feels like a middle passage. Events have been carefully cut down to make for the shortest movie so far in the series. It's introducing darker characters, feelings, prophecies, and biding its time on current events with light touches injected throughout. Unfortunately, the transition makes for a less broadly appealing film, though Harry Potter readers and fans will "get" the movie and enjoy it.
All in all, a thoughtfully pared-down Potter story with enough laughs, tension, and appealing visuals to further the series in preparation for bigger showdowns to come.
The Terminal 7/2/2004 * RECOMMENDED SIMPLE HUMAN DRAMA
Tom Hanks stars as Viktor Navorsky, citizen of newly-defunct Krakozia, who has eagerly arrived the airport only to be sent into bureacratic travel limbo. His situation is worsened by his weak English skills and naive integrity. The movie shows his 9-month odyssey en route to fulfilling a 40-year old dream--almost entirely within the airport's international lounge.
The Terminal is schmaltz served up with a bit of thought. It's eye-rollingly cute, clever, funny, romantic, unbelievable, and poignant. Tom Hanks' thick accent took me a moment to get used to. Stanley Tucci is sadly good at being so cold. The supporting cast, including a lovesick Mexican food worker and twisted Indian janitor, bring main characters to life. Though the movie teetered several times on the brink of extreme cheesiness, a steady pace and cast of likable characters redeemed it in many ways. But now, a few days later, the film's weak points (a few ridiculous events, the Catherine Zeta Jones part of script is generally unnecessary and tedious) are coming back to haunt me, bringing a solid B movie down to average levels.
All in all, a sweet movie that is easy on the eyes, ears, and heart.
Spiderman 2 7/5/2004 * RECOMMENDED ACTION ROMANCE
Going in I had high expectations. I didn't see first Spiderman in theaters. In fact, I had low expectations when I finally video-viewed it and came out happy. Only praise and "it's better than the first" responses greeted me before seeing its sequel. A friend warned me, though, "It's a lot of plot and a lot less action this time." How very right he was. (As an aside...Judging from the set up for third Spiderman movie, I expect #2 will end up being the best of the series, a la original Star Wars trilogy.)
Tobey Maguire and director Sam Raimi present a far more nuanced Peter Parker. His life is a mess. School, relationships, and work--even his superhero skills--are all suffering from the demands of his crime-fighting lifestyle. The villain (Doc Oc = Alfred Molina) is also a far more complex creature this time around: a good guy who's been overtaken by an evil facade (yes, a bit silly maybe). Much else in character development is the same. Mary Jane is torn between pining for Spidey/Peter and desire to move on, boss continues to hate Spidey, best friend continues to pout over father's death at hands of Spidey. You get the idea. Events here include a wedding, foreclosure, runaway train, and lots of building banging.
Spiderman 2 is more of a date movie than an action adventure flick. Protagonist struggles and learns, romance waxes and wanes, and suspense takes a back seat to (super)human drama. The only trouble is, the drama dominates and allows you to forget there's danger lurking; when action sequences spring up, they feel almost intrusive. This mixed pace gives the movie an awkward rhythm. Nearing the climax the pace remains deliberate rather than energetic. (People in the theater became visibly restless, though not bored, and there was much chatter and popcorn-fetching and such going on.) Overall action is fine.
That being said, this is an entertaining and occasionally exciting drama, likely to be just as enjoyable later on DVD as in the theaters.
King Arthur 7/10/2004 * RECOMMENDED FOR HISTORY/ARTHURIAN LEGENDS FANS
Apart from the eye-bursting headache I got while watching it, I enjoyed King Arthur. This is a different Arthur and knights than you grew up with. Here, Arthur is a Roman leader charged with protecting Roman Britain from invading Saxons and other scoundrels clamoring at Hadrian's Wall. Excalibur was Arthur's father's sword. His knights are indentured pagan warriors from the near east and their time of service is at an end.
Lancelot, Galahad, and the rest have spent 15 years away from home. They have mixed feelings about leaving respected Arturius (aka Arthur), crossing the breadth of a waning Roman empire, and returning to a land they scarce know any longer. But they dislike the snooty, pious Romans and the battling and self defense they were forced into. Arthur's feelings are more confused; he is a Christian with loyalties to Rome and a grounding in Britain. As they go about their duty, Arthur and his knights are watched by nativist Merlin, a woodsy mystic, among whose followers is an earthy Guinevere.
Soon all of them face troubling choices as the knights are made to complete one last task before being granted their freedom: go north of the wall, deep into a Saxon invasion, and rescue a well-to-do Roman family. Without completing this task, the knights will never be able to make it home alive, but agree to the job and they might not live long enough to try.
Of all the characters, Arthur is the most compelling (alas, in hindsight, he seems the only interesting figure). Lancelot and the knights provide goodly amounts of humor and brooding. The Saxon leader is menacing without pure evil oozing out his pores. Guinevere is feisty, sexy, unobtrusive.
There are various battle scenes, generally shot from a ground level perspective (which might account for the headache) and much of the movie is gray (there's lots of smoke, fog, snow etc--this is central England after all). While much suspension of beliefs and reality were required (and there was some laughter in the theater, from die-hard medieval/fantasy geeks, I imagine), the movie was entertaining and mildly thought-provoking at the same time. As a slightly less graphic, slightly more interesting historical war movie, I’d recommend King Arthur to you.
The Village 7/31/04 * RECOMMENDED MYSTERIOUS HUMAN DRAMA
You go in expecting a spooky movie with a twist because it’s M. Night Shyamalan who made the film. You don’t necessarily go in expecting the plot to be a a fairly straightforward romance, a love triangle at that. The Village is a languid love story, quiet and eery, that calmly builds up the suspense until you know the backstory, and you go ahh and that’s it. (By the way, I love that I never leave a Shyamalan movie feeling the need of a sequel.)
The appeal of this movie comes more from its simplicity of mood and story than from any significant twists or seat-hopping scares. Thus I don’t want to share too much about what happens and to whom. Go in to the movie with hopes of a little drama, a healthy does of suspense, and a few chuckles and you’ll come out satisfied. That said, here’s my brief description of The Village: An isolated village has its peaceful existence shattered by a series of warnings from the menacing creatures who live in the woods that surround them. The story focuses on a trio of friends within which love and jealousy bloom. When tragedy strikes, one of them must make a potentially perilous but certainly life-changing journey out of the safe confines of the village. The movie stars Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Dallas Howard (in her first feature role; she’s daughter of Ron Howard), William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, and Adrien Brody.
Garden State 8/23/2004 * RECOMMENDED
Zach Braff wrote and directed this whimsical, thoughtful, romantic drama. Braff, whose face is front and center for much of the movie, shines as Andrew Largeman, a 20-something actor who returns home after 9 years to attend his mother's funeral and pick up the pieces of his life. Along the way he reconnects with an old friend (now a gravedigger, played by Peter Sarsgaard), meets a lighthearted compulsive liar (played by Natalie Portman), and avoids his father (Ian Holm).
From the beginning you know something is off in Andrew's life and that his father is somehow at the center of it. But the path from funeral to party to friend's couch to doctor's office absorbs you in a way that removes the mystery solution and focuses on the exploration. Andrew becomes a highly sympathetic person whose life you simply will be glad to observe, sad, strange, and funny as it is.
A nice modern film for adults of any age. Good soundtrack, intriguing characters, simple style. I recommend this movie.
The Bourne Supremacy 8/28/2004 * RECOMMENDED
Matt Damon is back as Jason Bourne, the amnesiac, renegade hitman trying to avoid his former life and the mortal peril it thrives upon. He and girlfriend laze about the Indian Ocean hoping they have finally escaped the attentions of former employer Treadstone. Trouble is, Bourne has been haunted lately by nightmares of a gruesome murder. Soon he is the target, yet again, of an assassin’s bullet and his journey to figure out who’s trying to kill him and why leads him to the scene of that murder.
The focus is reasonably put on action/adventure this time and the movie is fast paced, chock-full of action sequences, including a brutal fight and several crash laden foot-and-car chases. Cinematography is much edgier than first film but so is the story. We need much less background knowledge this time around: we know his amnesia, hints of his past, his grilfriend, and key players in the government. Much else feels the same. Bourne still doesn’t know the full story and he is alternately filled with anger and remorse. There is one important new character in the form of an unproven CIA director (Joan Allen) who parallels Bourne’s path from revenge to acceptance. As an escapist thriller, The Bourne Supremacy met all my expectations. That it did so with more destruction than I would have liked and with little true character development brings its score down a bit. Still, a very satisfying movie.
Napoleon Dynamite 9/20/2004 * RECOMMENDED
This is one quirky little film whose appeal has grown in my heart the more I think about it. The plot is irrelevant to the surreal character study. The filming and effects (apart from stellar opening credits) are unextraordinary. Napoleon Dynamite takes place in modern-day Preston, Idaho, which is where the film’s creator grew up. The title character is a geek in every sense of the word. Napoleon is bullied at school, communicates bizarre information to classmates, and champions a wig-wearing Mexican immigrant for class president. He likes to draw mythical creatures and looks like he just stepped out of a time machine (the whole film has a time warp, early 80’s look about it). Oh and he’s some kind of FFA savant. Older brother Kip occupies himself solely with a woman from Detroit via the Internet (one wonders how he described himself). And recently-arrived Uncle Rico is stuck in the imagined glory days of 1982; he hustles plastic containers and anything else he can in between video takes of him throwing a football.
What makes the movie charming is that Napoleon is so unaware of how pathetic he is. He seems like a harmless stoner (though clearly not stoned) on the cusp of growing up. He becomes kind of cute and his child-like ignorance of reality becomes endearing. Napoleon develops crushes, rails against his family, and falls into success. And delivers some fabulous one-liners. Well, success is relative. The movie won’t appeal to everyone (a sense of humor and sympathy are required), but for those who like underdogs, it’s a gem. FYI: The movie’s official website is chock-full of highlights for the initiated.
Silver City 9/27/04 * NOT RECOMMENDED
I’m not sure how a John Sayles movie can be down here in Stepford Wives and Van Helsing territory, yet here we are. Chris Cooper plays Dickie Pilager. As the governor of Colorado, Dickie is personable and good humored. However, he has trouble with unprepared speech, naively wanders through the minefield of politics, and hypocritically promotes opposing viewpoints. The foibles of his family are masked by wealth and tightly controlled by his elder statesman father. Dickie, in short, is the unwitting pawn of the political game players who surround him. Sound familiar? Silver City is presumably the tale of a shady murder and its bumbling private investigator, but its first half is obviously a send up of George W. Bush.
The second half focuses on a murder investigation and has the trademark feel of a Sayles movie: naturalistic cinematography, dusty sets, all-too-human heroes, and a tragic mystery. The mystery is occasionally absorbing but is too often obscured by details inserted to point out the governor’s de facto moral bankruptcy. The ensemble cast is generally strong (Danny Huston, Maria Bello) with some overdone performances (Richard Dreyfuss, Daryl Hannah). The romantic missteps of Huston’s Danny O’Brien are the only sympathetic moments in this movie. In the end, the movie had neither plot nor passion, just sighs of corruption and heartache. David left the movie sad that the characters and events were so plausible; I left the movie just sad.
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow 10/10/04 * RECOMMENDED LIGHTWEIGHT
This movie captures style of classic film noir and historical action adventure films in a way that Van Helsing didn’t quite succeed in doing for gothic horror stories. It is a mythical 1938 New York City. A frightened German scientist contacts the tenacious, danger-lovin’ Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow), a reporter working on a story about missing scientists. She soon comes to possess knowledge and vials crucial to uncovering the kidnappings. (Unfortunately she doesn’t know what any of it means.) Suddenly, Manhattan is invaded by gigantic robots, hungry for generators and the city is heroically spared by Joe Sullivan, a mercenary pilot known as Sky Captain (Jude Law). Turns out Perkins and Sullivan are well acquainted with each other and danger and they soon become mired in mysteries that take them to the far corners of the world.
Wise cracking dialogue between Paltrow and Law injects charm into the otherwise seen-it-before plot. The film’s style is unique, generated almost entirely by computers. With that in mind, the “sets” are miraculously well done. Characters are all amusing and none-too-deep. Sky Captain is a solid Sunday-afternoon popcorn movie.
From guest reviewer, Sharon Cathey: Ray 11/24/04 * RECOMMENDED
Go for the music, if nothing else. Jamie Foxx is superb as Ray Charles. His childhood is shown in various flashbacks that explain why he was so self reliant for a blind man. The actress who played his mother was exceptional as were the actresses who played his wife and his long term mistress. They don’t sugarcoat his drug usage or his womanizing; but it all goes together with his changing styles of music for a good day at the movies.
Michelle adds: Questions of acting versus impersonation intrigue me. Jamie Foxx is very believable as Ray Charles but I thought the movie’s strength was in the way his life is told in general, not specifically Foxx’s portrayal of him. The supporting cast, unfolding story, and visual stylings make Jamie-Foxx-as-Ray Charles a star.
The Incredibles 11/04 * RECOMMENDED FAMILY FUN
More similar to a traditional movie than an animated one, this plays like an exaggerated, family-friendly James Bond flick. The Incredibles are a family with super powers who are forced to live "normal lives". They each suffer in their own way, yearning to break out of the norm and do something really special. Thankfully dad just can't maintain a mundane existence. He is lured into an adventure that eventually requires the assistance of his special family skills.
The Incredibles is full of charming moments, clever wit, and a solid plot. The movie will particularly please adults; it has enough visual interest to capture children's attention as well.
National Treasure 11/29/04 * MIXED FEELINGS
Why I’ll put this into the “not horrible” column may be a mystery to you, so let me explain: Early on in this Nicolas Cage historical adventure movie I turned to David and said “Suspension of disbelief commencing...now.” Boy did I pick my moment well. The explosion of a colonial ship (frozen and beautifully preserved beneath a layer of Arctic ice) rocked the screen soon thereafter. Had I not suspended my disbelief, I might have headed straight for the exits. Because I did let go of reality and just follow the ride presented to me, I actually enjoyed myself.
Nicolas Cage plays Benjamin Franklin Gates, a special sort of a Mason burdened with a centuries-old legend about the location of an unparalleled collection of treasure. His father, played by Jon Voigt, long ago gave up on the ridiculous notion that the treasure really exists. But Ben just will not give up. Luckily for him, he has a trusty techno-wiz sidekick. And luckily for him, the National Archives are having a gala on the very night that he and his recent archnemesis both attempt to steal the Declaration of Independence. Gates does so to protect it, the enemy does so to get at the treasure map they both believe is hidden on the document’s back. Gates gains the inwitting assistance of an attractive, high-ranking archivist along the way (naturally). There are quite a few moments of eye rolling silliness (all of it predictable) but also some cute dialogue and amusing revisionist history. So, not an entirely wasted Saturday afternoon movie. Just be sure to approach it with a wide open mind.
Sideways 12/14/04 * RECOMMENDED
I think I saw a somewhat different movie than others did. The people in the theater with me laughed hysterically at times that I felt were more sad or sweet than truly funny. So, that being said...I really enjoyed this movie. It wasn’t the megamovie I went in expecting, but its low key cinematic experience was pleasing in its own way.
The best parts (usually centered around Miles) are wonderfully original. I genuinely loved Paul Giamatti’s depiction of Miles. (UPDATE: Giamatti has now been robbed of Oscar recognition twice--he deserved it also for American Splendor, another unusual movie to say the least.) Miles embarks on a pre-wedding trip to Central California wine country with his old college roommate Jack. Miles is mourning the end of his marriage. Jack is ardently avoiding his own monogamous future. Miles is a struggling author and wine snob. Jack is a charming bit part actor and a tad dumb; he knows nothing about wine but is happy to humor Miles. Together they form a troubled and occasionally hilarious pair.
The story provides many clever, funny, and touching moments. The film style is low tech and the direction minimal. This is a character film. Paul Giamatti is fantastic, perfect as the lovable loser at the center of this trip down messed-up lives lane. Thomas Haden Church (whom I loved on the TV show Wings) plays the part of Jack well; however, he isn’t anywhere near as sympathetic as Giamatti’s Miles. The women they each fall for, played by Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh, are very well cast but somewhat overshadowed by the compelling presence and dark-light struggles portrayed by Giamatti. And Paul Giamatti is why you will enjoy this offbeat movie.
Oceans Twelve 12/19/04 * MIXED FEELINGS
Gorgeous cast, edgy retro stylings, healthy doses of humor and intrigue: Oceans Twelve is a lighthearted suspense film. In fact, the plot is secondary to each of the three qualities I named above. I had been warned ahead of time that the movie’s events were a bit inexplicable. I did not attempt any level of analysis and was well pleased to just be wooshed along with the characters. What story there was had a fun feel to it, what mystery there was did not tax the brain, and
The original cast is somewhat forcefully reunited at the beginning then amusingly engaged in a variety of dilemmas. (The reunion centers on a strangely clad Andy Garcia.) Clooney and Pitt are perfectly at ease and they make you feel comfortable right from the start. The supporting cast is used for laughs mostly and none has much depth. Damon, as an eager novice, is the most charming. Zeta Jones seems in another class from the guys, appropriate for most of the movie; ultimately she remains outside the group’s winking comaraderie and stood out as a slight negative. The cast is the main reason to see this. The silly predicaments they find themselves in and cleverly get themselves out of will keep you entertained for the length of the film. Nothing earth shattering, but cute.
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events 12/20/04 * NOT RECOMMENDED
Unfortunate indeed. If it had not been for the very pleasing visuals and natural charm of the actors involved, this movie would have received only 1.5 or 2 stars. I had read the books upon which the movie is based and enjoyed them very much. I thought the books would be difficult to translate to screen and assumed--in spite of the very short lengths of the individual stories--that only one or two books could be converted into a single film. I think I was right. This movie bored me.
The three Baudelaire children--inventive Violet, bookish Klaus, and biting baby Sunny--are orphaned early on in the first book and come under the “guardianship” of Count Olaf, a fiendishly self centered actor who sets his sights on the Baudelaire inheritance. The setting is darkly fantastical, the time unclear, the mood firmly tongue-in-cheek. The main character in the stories is actually the narrator, Lemony Snicket. He warns and admonishes, defines and mocks, all in a deliciously melodramatic manner. The books are very quick reads, filled with adult and child worthy humor, and inconclusive in every instance. Nothing is truly resolved. In fact, misery is the point of the stories: the Baudelaire orphans are mixed up in a seemingly never-ending series of unfortunate events. The trick that “Snicket” accomplishes is to not make the story about feeling sorry for the children. They are fun and silly. Life goes on.
LSASOUE attempts to combine three offbeat tales of woe, base them in genuine sadness, and tie them up neatly with a not-in-the-books solution. The children, by fleshing them out, become terribly sweet and sympathetic; the actors portraying the two older orphans are wonderful. Jim Carrey takes on Count Olaf perfectly; the part is naturally over the top and Carrey fits in well. Likewise, the supporting cast is well matched to their parts. Likewise, costumes and sets are lovely and the art direction is mesmerizing. What is lacking is the script. It left so many delicious elements out of the books and inserted such nonsensical ones that I became annoyed. Why change the stories so dramatically in order to create something so dull? The narrator part is particularly short changed, as is the second “story” wherein the children go to live with a loving relative. That some people out there are enjoying the movie is, I believe, testament to the strength of the actors and designers. The script writer and all who approved the script ought to be ashamed of themselves for not delivering something truly wonderful.
A Very Long Engagement 1/22/05 * RECOMMENDED
A romantic drama set in post-World War I France. Audrey Tautou plays Mathilde, a polio-stricken young woman yearning for news of her condemned soldier fiancee, last seen alive carving their initials in a tree between the trenches. Told in a style unique to Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amelie, City of Lost Children), the movie is at once quirky, sad, and sweet. The cast of characters will appear familiar to anyone who’s seen Jeunet’s films, they are perfectly suited to their parts, as farmer, detective, vengeful lover, or callous leader. Tautou is the heroine, but each supporting character carries their weight and the story bounces around comfortably from place to place. There is heroism and tragedy, romance and bawdiness, humor and tears. If subtitles and French sensibilities (free use of nudity, sex) bug you, avoid the movie. All others will feel they’ve gotten their money’s worth from this epic romance.
Hotel Rwanda 1/22/05 * RECOMMENDED
What makes this movie so very compelling and worth seeing are the poignancy of the true events around which the movie is made and the beautiful portrayal of Paul Rusesabagina by Don Cheadle. It is 1994 in Kigali, Rwanda and Paul is the efficiently poised hotel manager at a 4-star hotel that caters to wealthy Africans and Europeans as well as local leaders. Although he wants to stay out of politics and danger, larger historical events consume Paul, a member of the now-ruling class Hutus. When the Hutu President is assassinated amid rising Hutu hatred of the colonial-favored Tutsis boils over into widespread violence, Paul finds himself virtually alone at the hotel and sheltering growing numbers of frightened Tutsis. Included in the throngs of desperate people are Paul’s wife (played solidly by Sophie Okonedo) and family.
The movie does a very good job of portraying horrors, tenderness, grief, and hope all within a rather straightforward survival tale. We know Paul lives--his story is a true one and he cooperated in the making of the film; the drama comes from knowing such horrific events take place, that they are witnessed and overlooked. But the mood of the film, though sad and clearly tragic, never seems to lose dignity or a sense of hope. Just as the Tutsi families are encouraged to contact loved ones and anyone with connections to power in an effort to make peace with impending death while always holding out hope that rescue will come, the movie conveys a message of acceptance and action. Know that these horrible things happen, but do not let it paralyze you.
Finding Neverland 2/18/05 * RECOMMENDED
If you prefer a quiet character piece to a cinematic blockbuster, then you will enjoy this film. Johnny Depp stars as J.M. Barrie, a Scottish playwright in 1903 London who finds inspiration for the story of Peter Pan in a widow’s family. Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Kate Winslet) welcomes the fun-loving attention given her four boys, each of whom grieves the loss of their father in his own way. Barrie brings joy and life as a kindly “uncle” and friend and his daily adventures with the Llewelyn Davies family is a source of great fun. However, we the audience are also shown (and sympathize with to varying degrees) Barrie’s wife and Sylvia’s mother, who do not look on the situation so naively.
Though based on true events, this movie should be judged as its own fictional creation. Finding Neverland is brought to life by Depp, Winslet, and especially Freddie Highmore, charming as Peter Llewelyn Davies. The movie’s earnest feel comes from the actors and a certain simplicity to the visual style. It is slow to build and touchingly sad in the end. Though there is nothing offensive to children (it is rated PG), Finding Neverland is a movie for adults, as it portrays the heartache of growing up.
Off the Map 4/7/05 * MIXED FEELINGS
I went into Off the Map seeking a nice movie, something to allow temporary escape from work and school. I came out a tad confused but otherwise pleasantly undisturbed. The next day when asked what the movie was about, however, I could come up with no sane description. Let’s see if I can muster something more tempting here. An earthy family deals with a father’s depression, daughter’s ambition, and lost IRS agent’s coming of age over the course of one summer in 1970’s rural New Mexico. The father, played by Sam Elliott, cries somberly but convincingly through much of the film. The IRS agent arrives, disoriented on foot, to find the mother naked and staring at a coyote; he ends up sticking around and discovers his inner artist. The family is held together by the mother, played by Joan Allen, and family friend George, played by JK Simmons. Both characters are quiet sources of strength and balance in an otherwise nutty world. The acting is top notch all the way around.
The daughter, played perfectly by Valentina deAngelis, is clearly restless and yet perfectly at home in this quirky world. Prowling the offerings at KMart is the highlight of Bo’s (aka Cecilia Rose’s) travels into town. She reads scavenged financial news, looks into the contents of people’s wallets, and questions adults (her only company) on matters public and private. She writes false accusation letters to food manufacturers and receives regular shipments of replacement products in return (a cute repeating event in film). She applies for and gets a Master Charge card (to what end you fear). Although the girl was obviously clever and lonely and sometimes amusing, I never particularly liked her.
The film was beautiful and spiritual and felt very natural, but the mood was so subtly ominous throughout that when, ultimately, nothing bad happens and my fears are unfounded, I felt a bit cheated. One or two events seem meant to have come across as more terrible than I felt them. Somehow I missed the message. When Bo returns home as an adult in a curiously extraneous scene at the end, I wanted there to be a point to that summer’s events. I now realize that the movie has no point. Other viewers have come away from the movie satisfied or moved. I just left a tad confused and pleasantly undisturbed. This is not a bad movie, certainly not an action movie, but an unusual human drama. It is visually lovely, well acted, and intriguing in various ways. I recommend Off the Map to those in a quiet, contemplative mood.
Fever Pitch 4/15/05 * RECOMMENDED
Three quarters of this unusual Farrelly Brothers comedy is perfect for romantics and sports fans alike.The ending gets a bit confused and silly but I forgive the filmmakers that because it didn’t erase my smile and good memories of a comedy with heart. Jimmy Fallon is a likeable teacher who happens to be a diehard Boston Red Sox fan. Drew Barrymore is a successful, intelligent businesswoman who happens to have bad luck with men. They meet and begin dating in the offseason. He’s tender and trustworthy. He’s also upfront about his interest in the Red Sox. The relationship blossoms, and they appear very well matched. When spring training and then the actual season comes around she has to come to terms with the depth of his passion. And when that passion overtakes his private life (yet again), both are left to ponder whether such a relationship can work.
I am shocked to say that the Farrelly Brothers tapped into a nice story here and found just the right cast. I’ve never particularly cared for Jimmy Fallon’s parts, nor many of Barrymore’s; here each shines in both comedic and dramatic moments. The supporting cast of his friends (male and quirky) and her friends (female and suspicious) portray stereotypes in a harmlessly amusing way. Many sports fan moments (and season ticket moments especially) draw laughs from their spot on depictions, but it’s the relationship that ultimately draws you in to Fever Pitch.
Kung Fu Hustle 4/22/05 * RECOMMENDED
It’s my lucky week: I’ve been blessed with two all around amusing movies in a row!
Kung Fu Hustle is an homage to all the corniness (intended or not) ever seen in Kung Fu and Matrix-style fighting movies. There’s lots of violence and swearing, some ridiculous plays on stereotypes, and true love. There is also, I was happily surprised to find out, a solid plot. Three groups intesect in various ways throughout the movie. The notorious--and rhythmic--Axe Gang has never bothered with places like Pig Sty Alley because they’re just too poor to take an inteest in. The nasty landlady there (and her henpecked husband) counts on a lack of involvement from the outside as she cajoles and controls everyone’s lives, including a gay tailor, harmony-seeking baker, and bucktoothed challenger to the landlady. When two ne’er-do-wells arrive and attempt to bribe the local barber (a boy whose pants never cover his bare butt), the landlady humiliates them and drives them out. And thus starts a truly silly tour-de-force recommended for humorable teens and adults everywhere.
Crash 5/23/05 * RECOMMENDED
After the above amusements, it was time to get serious. Crash certainly fit the bill. From its ponderous and confusing start to the anger, frustration, and despair of various intersecting events, this is one emotionally heavy film. Redemption and hope thankfully round out the characters’ lives as the 24 hour period encapsulated in the movie draws to a close, but there are many moments along the way when you worry something simply awful is going to happen. You root for all of these people to get it together and let go of some of the hatred and fear they don’t even realize they walk around with all day. The films ends physically in the same place it started but emotionally--we hope--a world away. It is a testament to the strength of the writing and character portrayal that it’s possible to care about so many different people in such a short period. I recommend this movie to mature audiences.
This is very much an ensemble piece, wherein the characters’ identities, ethnic especially, sit at the center of what happens and why. The plot--or plots--are secondary to character. Don Cheadle stars (and produces) as a black homicide detective involved with his Hispanic partner. A pair of white officers whose views on blacks put them at odds round out the LAPD portion of the cast. An upwardly mobile white couple has differing prejudices and clear political ambitions. A content television director and his wife--both black--find different reasons and ways to show their frustration. A pair of black car jackers fight the system in their own amusingly tragic way. A Hispanic locksmith works to protect himself and his family. And an Iranian family lashes out at the hate crimes that threaten to destroy their livelihood. These people’s lives all overlap in some way and the interaction brings out the best and worst in each of them. Don’t bother assuming there’s a hero here, everyone has something to learn. Much like in real life.
Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 6/10/05 * RECOMMENDED
There’s this group of teenage girls who are absolutely perfectly supportive and diverse (their moms met during aerobics-for-pregnant-women class). The girls represent a who’s who list of teen girl issues, such as loss, fear, repression, individuality, body issues, and self indulgence. And there’s this pair of jeans that inexplicably fits all of the girls’ bodies. And there’s a summer in which each goes her own way for the first time ever. Okay, if you can read all of that and not vomit at the thought then you will very much enjoy this movie. But be warned, watching may cause tears.
Sisterhood is a worthy version of a pre-teen favorite book by the same name. It stars Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and two other blonde girls I know not (though each is good). The actresses are adorable and well matched to their characters. The movie’s events taken out of context may be cheesy and unbelievable but the script and direction provide a feel of genuine depth and emotion. The pants serve as plot device, unifying and moving along each character and her particular issues that summer. The issues: dealing with mom’s death by throwing self at boys; fuming over dad’s unexpected remarriage to a family seemingly opposite of all things self; holding back in a land where life is drama; and wallowing in bored self pity while people with real problems choose to move on and live life. These are worthy issues, and the friendship that carries the girls through to resolution is noteworthy in its empowering positivity. The movie is thus four storylines that separate and rejoin repeatedly throughout. It’s not a sophisticated film and not for everyone, but worthy of a viewing by the hopeful among us.
War of the Worlds 7/3/05 * RECOMMENDED FOR SUSPENSE FANS
Forget what you remember of the classic HG Wells story. This is a tale of redemption and survival for one father and his two estranged children. Tom Cruise plays Ray, a man who knows cars and union rules but not how to relate to either little girls or teenage boys (unfortunately, he is responsible for one of each). His ex-wife Mary Ann is married to a good dad type and although she seems to harbor a soft spot for Ray, she is clearly not happy with his parenting skills. Shortly after the kids arrive (and the son steals dad’s car), a freak storm hits the neighborhood. Ray realizes there’s something very bad about to happen and sets about getting the heck out of there. Naturally, he heads for his ex-wife’s.
He may not be a good father but he sure is lucky. Ray and kids get into and somehow out of increasingly horrible situations. The tension of this film is top notch, but too many moments pass when you say to yourself, “That wouldn’t happen”. Alas, the flaws mean this won’t be on the old Netflix queue to view extras--one viewing is enough. The character set is almost exclusively portrayed by Cruise, Dakota Fanning (daughter), and Justin Chatwin (son). Tim Robbins is perfectly creepy as a survivalist who takes Ray and his daughter in. Bit parts tend to be people who are blown to bits. There is a lot of death and destruction here; this is not a children’s movie. Tom Cruise is perfect as a blend of machismo and fallibility. Fanning is cute and scared and pefectly believable as a precocious little sister.
Broken Flowers 8/17/05 * RECOMMENDED FOR PATIENT VIEWERS
This is another movie that has grown on me. Bill Murray (whom I love) plays Don Johnston, one of those guys who made a lot of money in technology and then just kind of stopped working. He’s obviously been popular with women, although from start to finish you see he’s struggled to keep relationships going. From the start you see he doesn’t struggle all that hard, and yet you see he feels every departure. Most of the time he sits in a jogging suit and watches TV. Apart from an enduring friendship with his neighbor Winston (Jeffrey Wright), Don doesn’t have a whole lot going on in his life. It’s unclear whether he’s truly happy with that. A mysterious letter informing Don that his unknown son may be seeking him out creates some excitement--for Winston. The neighbor wants to resolve the mystery and sends Don on a manhunt, or womanhunt as it is, for the only hint Don has is that the letter was written by someone Don was involved with 20 years ago. That list, it turns out, comprises 5 names, and Don is sent off with a plan and no clue to find each woman in the hopes of discovering who wrote the letter. In the end there are no simple answers but it’s an enjoyable journey.
Broken Flowers, though slow, is accessible. It has a straightforward plot and a terrifically vibrant cast. Murray is dead pan at its best, funny, touching, a bit pathetic, generally likable. The women he faces are fascinating (they’re played by Sharon Stone, Frances Conroy, Jessica Lange, Tilda Swinton, and Julie Delpy). The movie won’t appeal to everyone--the pace can be excruciating if there is even an ounce of impatience in you--but for those who want grown up fare, it’s a decent bet.
Wedding Crashers 8/21/05 * RECOMMENDED FOR ADULTS ONLY
Often predictable and silly, this movie also has moments of unparalleled fun. Vince Vaughn dominates here as half of the starring duo (Owen Wilson is the other half). The movie is about two longtime buddies, Jeremy (Vaughn) and John (Wilson), who together reach their social apex each year during wedding season. They are veteran wedding crashers, and they are very good at it. There are rules, and backstories, and legacies to nurture. The big one this year is destined to close out the season with a bang: the Treasury secretary’s oldest daughter is getting married. John and Jeremy become involved with the secretary’s younger daughters quite easily. But soon, Jeremy’s urge for flight from his crazed paramour is squelched by John’s overwhelming desire to stay and fight for the object of his affection. Presumably friendship is what drives the story forward, but really it’s the laugh-out-loud humor that carries the film. Wedding Crashers has a strong R-rating, but the sex and nudity are actually rather mild. The language, on the other hand, is anything but mild. It’s also the one reason to see this movie.
The Aristocrats 8/30/05 * RECOMMENDED FOR VULGARITY-TOLERANT ADULTS ONLY
The March of the Penguins 7/05 * RECOMMENDED FOR ANY AGE
As strange as it may seem, I have combined the reviews for these two non-fiction films. This is done for practical reasons only. The movies are not similar, except maybe in length and contrived non-fictionness, and they would certainly not attract the same audiences. Well, except for me. I love penguins, and I love good old fashioned stand up comedy. In each case, a group decides to film a single subject and provide narrative continuity that is hit and miss.
March...: French filmmakers venture to Antarctica to show a typical year in the life of Emperor penguins. Morgan Freeman voices the penguins’ long and life-sustaining journey from feeding grounds to breeding grounds and back and forth several times. The penguins are shot at close up and long range, sometimes in focus, sometimes grainy. They are always cute, wonderfully, adorably, hug-em-to-near-death cute. That’s my projection onto them. The filmmakers also project. The penguins are anthropomorphised and talked about in such cutesy ways that I nearly gagged. So, close my ears and just watch. I can do that. March of the Penguins is harmless family time. The quality is not stellar but the scope is great. And the subject is about as unobjectionable as you can find.
Aristocrats: Did someone say objectionable? Two comedians set about exploring what might be the world’s foulest joke. The joke--an unbelievably objectionable family act is described to a talent agent; the punchline in response to what their name is: The Aristocrats--is apparently a classic among comedians. It goes back to vaudeville and is now the stuff of legend and lore. We’re shown how the joke evolves and what its most popular themes are. We are told the joke (too few times intact, IMHO). Comedians laugh at the funniness of the joke and telling the joke. A few tellings are gut-busting funny. The fact that such a joke exists and unites people is interesting.
After watching each movie I was left feeling like I’d watched a documentary. Don’t get me wrong, I love documentaries. But usually I am awed by them, left having been touched by the realness of it all. These movies were straight forward and only occasionally moving. The subject matter interested me, and I learned something. Why with subjects so clean and so dirty did I come out so nonplussed? Oh well, it was an amusing three hours total. Maybe I’m overanalyzing movies intended just to be enjoyed. Okay, each is recommended for its particular audience. You’ll enjoy being there.
Foreign and Highly Watchable Movies
Michelle’s Amazon list
Cinema Paradiso (Italy) Original version or new, this is a touchingly sophisticated, nostalgic movie.
Eat Drink Man Woman (Taiwan) Family drama expressed through elaborate meals. Moves mind and tastebuds.
Muriel's Wedding (Australia) Muriel is mixed up, alienated, loves Abba, and desperately wants to get married. Happy, sad, musical.
Tampopo (Japan) Widow and son receive life and ramen business advice from trucker. Another food movie with odd bits thrown in.
The Dinner Game (France) It's people being played. Fool unwittingly gets revenge while retaining his humanity.
All About My Mother (Spain) Almodovar's films all seem to consist of unusual events tied together by sympathetic characters. Very creative.
Run Lola Run (Germany) Frenetic pace and it's all about catching the details. Repeated viewing loses very little of twists and turns.
Amelie (France) Jumpy, arty, odd characters, events, and style. Made me smile beginning to end.
Rabbit-Proof Fence (Australia) Based on true story. Mixed-race children were forcedto relocate. Slow and absorbing tale of identity, freedom, and justice.
Wings of Desire (Germany) Mesmerizing (don't watch when you're sleepy) story of an angel and his obsession. Black-n-white. David’s favorite is another Wim Wenders film, Until the End of the World, which stars William Hurt, Solveig Donmartin, and Sam Neill in a futuristic love triangle/world chase.
Brazil (Honorary foreign--it's a Gilliam film) I love them all (the Gilliam films, I mean: Time Bandits, Baron Munchhausen) but this is my fave. Future is dark.
City of Lost Children (France) If you like Terry Gilliam movies, try this one. Fantastical, dark, twisted. Ditto on the no-sleepiness rule.
Life is Beautiful (Italy) Stunning. Man's love of his family in war-torn Italy takes him to darkest depths of life. Until then, oh so funny. No dubbing, please.
Monsoon Wedding (India) A feel good movie about love, family, and a bit of redemption.
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Australia) Flamboyant costumes clothe a sweet story of individuals finding true joy in life.
To Live (China) Gong Li and Zhang Yimou made several absorbing movies about love, hardship, and life in various periods of Chinese history.
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