Reviews
Never Been Kissed (1999)
Wonderful romantic comedy
I have read a lot comments about this movie, some being very favorable and others trashing it. I must say that this movie was a wonderful romantic comedy, the kind that I, a cynical moviegoer, loved wholehearted.
Sure the plot has holes (as a magazine editor, I had trouble believing that a copy editor would have two assistants) but they are easily forgotten because of the charm of the movie and its talented cast, mainly Drew and Michael Vartan.
Drew Barrymore was at her charming, engaging best. What other young actress of her fame and talent would allow herself to look so unattractive most of the film? To humiliate herself in front of millions by dancing like a dork? Certainly not that insipid Gwyneth Paltrow or any of the other hot young actresses. Drew is one of the few who is willing to go the extra distance. Her transformation from ugly duckling to beautiful swan is both exhilarating and painful to watch. Painful because we have all faced bouts of inadequacy and exhilarating because we can all overcome them.
Where do I begin with Michael Vartan? He is simply divine! Jaw-droppingly beautiful and talented. I have seen most of his other films and he gives his whole self to each role, whether it is as a lawyer, a murder-minded college student, or a tragic French soldier. He has more talent in his little finger than most other hot young actors. The only other actor that I feel has as much captivating screen presence and intelligence is Ewan McGregor. And they are drastically different actors.
Vartan brings such charm and earnestness to his role as Sam Coulson. His romance with Drew was touching and believable because of their on-screen chemistry. I know that if I had an English teacher that good looking when I was in high school ten years ago, I never would have gone to college.
Vartan is going to hit the stratosphere. I'm very happy to see him get such a pivotal role in a major studio pick. Drew deserves credit for pressuring the studio to hire him even though he doesn't have a big name. That will certainly change.
Urban Legend (1998)
A Mediocre Rip off of Scream & I Know What You Did Last Summer
It is a sad state of affairs when a film has to rip off not just one mediocre horror film, but two. Urban Legend does just that, taking a brilliant premise, casting a group of untalented 20-somethings, giving them hip one-liners and bland dialogue, thereby creating a carbon copy of last year's I Know What You Did Last Summer and 1996's Scream.
What could have been fresh and exciting just comes off as another glib horror movie that startles you, but never really scares. The killer goes around dressed as Nanook of the North, killing college coeds with apparent ease and strength. When the killer is finally revealed, the filmmakers expect us to believe that this person can, among other things, hang a larger person by a rope and throw another victim across the room.
The cast is just another bunch of television has-beens and soon-to-be-has -beens. Alicia Witt can't scream to save her life (no pun intended) and Rebecca Gayheart can't act to save her fledgling career.
If you want real horror, rent Hellraiser. If you want a great take on an urban legend (the baby sitter and the man upstairs), rent Halloween. But don't waste your hard earned money on Urban Legend.