Reviews
Henry Fool (1997)
4 out of four stars
Henry Fool is a wonderful film, easily one of the year's best (so I decided to take on the name of one of the main characters). I went to the movie despite the fact that Hal Hartley's previous films have never done much for me, his style of storytelling never really appealed to me. I'm glad I went. Great performances all around, working with a literate script (that manages to remain so even during the film's much written about vomiting and defecation scenes), plus a great soundtrack, composed by Hartley himself.
Smoke Signals (1998)
3 out of four stars
A touching and funny film. I liked it, but a part of me has to say that it is not the great film that a lot of people claim it to be. I'd have no problem sitting down and watching it again (not much of a review, I know, but compared to what's already been said here, there's no point in going on).
Lovelife (1997)
0 out of four stars.
Lovelife has to be one of the worst movies I've seen in recent years. Jon Harmon Feldman's pathetic attempt at a Woody Allen-esque romantic comedy was painfully embarrassing. Granted, some of the cast is talented, just not in this film. Matthew Letscher's character Danny was especially annoying, with every "witty" remark, I really wanted to slap this film, if only I could. I sat through it, but you don't have to.
Buffalo '66 (1998)
3 out of four stars
Vincent Gallo, love him or hate him, you've got to admire him for his refreshing honesty. Early on, this film seems to be going nowhere, as the viewer watches Gallo's character Billy, just released from prison, trying desperately to find a toilet. When he does, in a rather unnecessary scene, he gets to display just how masculine he is (excuse me, "thinks" he is) and just how large his penis is. After that, he meets Christina Ricci's Layla, and the movie really gets rolling. I won't go on much about the plot, as you can easily read about it elsewhere on this page, so I'll praise the performances of Gallo and especially Ricci, who's easily one of the best working today. Great performaces from the supporting cast (yes, I am including Mickey Rourke and Jan Michael Vincent). The movie is bizarre, but mostly in a good way (the only problem being that it is at times arty just for the sake of being arty). I especially love the part when Ben Gazarra, as Billy's dad, sings an old song to Layla, and the part, where for no apparent reason, Layla starts tap dancing in a bowling alley. This film is recommended.