hgni Reviews

Me, Myself & Irene (2000)

Not up to par with other Farrelly bros. films

[5/10 · 8 July 2000]

The movie's filled with great gags, but overall is a bit more shallow than other Farrelly bros. movies. The three kids are perhaps the gem of the film, geniuses with profanity-laced dialogue patterned after Richard Pryor standup routines -- as well as Carrey's routine when the two personalities are battling it out with each other. However, none of the characters are developed beyond a stick figure personality and the Dukes of Hazzard-esque narration is annoying. Carrey overall sleepwalks through the two roles.

Arena: Burroughs (1983) Season 8, Episode 14

Has choice segments but is edited together a bit poorly

[6 April 2000]

Although "Burroughs" unravels as if it was thrown together, you don't have many Burroughs documentaries to choose from. I rented this from Home Film Festival, the only place I've found it available. The film goes back to Burroughs childhood, does a fair job of stating the facts, has interviews with Allen Ginsberg and Herbert Huncke, some of the finer points being when Burroughs is hanging out with his pals, and one point where he is obviously drunk singing one of his songs. Also footage of his brother and son Bill, who wrote "Speed." The Bunker footage was a treat and -- I don't know what the summary writer is talking about with the dream sequences -- it has some footage of movies he made during his career, as well as readings he gave at punk clubs and universities? toward his end. Burroughs is refreshingly candid in many segments.

I also want to point out for Burroughs fans that I recently read "My Education," a diary of dream entries over his later years that was edited together in 1997, and found it amazing. It explains a lot of what went into his later books -- "The Western Lands," "Cities of the Red Night" -- most of which were his vivid interconnected dreams.

Pi (1998)

Add one Stephen Hawking and one Quentin Tarantino and set blender on warp

[26 October 1999]

Darren Aronofsky creates a sense-arresting movie using 16mm film and swinging the camera around at all angles. You can't turn away as the film unfolds (visually, it's similar to "Tetsuo: Iron Man"). The story concerns a young math genius, computer whiz who discovers a 120-some number formula that is the formula that may unlock the key to the universe, and is under the watch of Wall Street "mobsters" and extremist Jews. Until the film unravels with a Forrest Gump-esque ending, it's a rollercoaster ride through the whiz's personal hell. Actually, the end fits, as, once the Pi-guy discovers the key, he realizes there is nothing behind it, it's just a number after all. A must see film!

eXistenZ (1999)

Something of a disappointment

[23 October 1999]

I think Cronenberg has lost what little touch he had with how to get results from his brilliant ideas. "Crash" was a good example -- perhaps he tackled an unmakable movie in that case. Existenz has so much potential as an idea, but all it ends up doing is teasing the viewer along until a piffle ending. When you say it's all a dream, or is it? Duh! Don't get me wrong, the idea in theory is a very good one, but the movie turns out to be nothing more than "Nightmare on Elm Street." If you want to see Cronenberg in good form, check out "Naked Lunch" or "Videodrome."

Civilization II (1996 Video Game)

I can't stop playing this game

[9/10 · 8 October 1999]

If you got the first Civilization game for the PC, it's like playing the Atari console compared to this new version. Civ II has much better graphics, though if you're looking for great graphics, this is the wrong game for you -- this is a strategy game, not blood 'n' guts. You have option to speak with your advisors at any time for their suggestions (science, attitude, military ...); you have many worlds to choose from; you watch as your spaceship is built (if you get that far along); you have more wonders of the world and science advancements and there's an auto game save feature. These are just some of the new features; basically, it seems the game staff got a lot of criticisms on the first version and added all the good suggestions. I can't stop playing this even though I've won it over and over. I keep wanting to win at a higher difficulty, so I can end up with a higher civ rating.

Anima Mundi (1991)

Like nothing else

[10/10 · 8 October 1999]

It's quite sad that this video is out of print. I purchased a copy when it came out because it has music by Phillip Glass and he is one of my favorite composers. I wanted to purchase a copy for a friend, but found it impossible to do. This movie presents the most flawless marriage of music and video. The photography is impeccable, detailing scenes in nature you won't believe, and won't find anywhere else -- of note are the jellyfish (?) that look to be the size of redwoods. I have watched this video numerous times; I put it on sometimes while reading to relax. If you like "Baraka," another great film, it will be in your interest to try and find it. If I ever do, I will come back on here and post where I was able to get it. By the way, you'll notice in the user rating that no one has ever rated it lower than 6, quite impressive! Sadly, it will probably never make IMDB's top 250 because of the few total number of votes. If it was on the list, it would be #1!!!

The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)

Sense of humor needed to watch this

[7/10 · 7 October 1999]

This movie gets a bad rap -- viewers say Brando plain sucks and that it butchers a good Wells story. Perhaps the latter is true, but I consider Brando, as the mad doctor, a fine choice and, while he is rather subdued, he is still the candid, self-conscious actor we all know and love. He practically mumbles his lines as his mouth is lined with cotton and (probably) cheeseburgers. And, the scene where Brando plays piano along with his "pre Mini-Me" sidekick is a classic. Now, I know Brando refused to learn his lines for this movie and Kilmer is known for being a real ass to work with, but the in-production feuds add to the aura of this film. These characters aren't supposed to like each other and the tension fills the air. The special effects are top notch, albeit gruesome and a bit overdone. It all adds to the feel of the movie. I have this movie on tape and watch it again and again, alongside "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," "Taxi Driver," "Rear Window" and "Dr. Strangelove." If you thought you shouldn't see this based on other user's comments, put your expectations aside and just enjoy!

The Butcher Boy (1997)

Watch a boy go insane

[9/10 · 1 October 1999]

I found "Butcher Boy" at a mom & pop video store, had never heard of it before, but it is by Neil Jordan, the director of "The Crying Game." Found it hilarious that Sinead O'Connor was playing the Virgin Mary in the hallucinations of Francie Brady, the young Irish rogue who plays the lead role, especially after she must be hated by many Roman Catholics -- so I rented it. It's a great movie! You find yourself sympathizing with a boy who likely has insanity running in his family -- as his mother is mad (and his father is the town drunk). The movie takes place during the communist scare and cheesy sci-fi movie late 1950s, and Francie blends the two into his imaginary world. A wonderfully made film with a humorous edge that works as Francie gets madder and madder, and to himself, (as he narrates) goes about as if he is the only sane person in town. The only shortcoming is that it takes a while to understand the thick Irish accents of the characters. I put this up there with "City of Lost Children" and "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" as my favorites.

The Nightcomers (1971)

This is truly a one-of-a-kind film

[6/10 · 1 October 1999]

this is truly a one-of-a-kind film. I give it a 6 rating because it lags and Brando really isn't giving it his best. He's somewhat like his character in "The Island of Dr. Moreau," although it seems to work much better in the latter film. (I give that film a 7 -- I think the magic to that film, though most won't agree, is that all the actors hated each other during the making of it, the tension makes it work). Anyway, this film delves into animal cruelty, incest and comes close to child molestation. It could never be made today or, if it did, it would probably sell a lot of tickets. It follows Brando, who is the groundskeeper for a rich estate with two children who idolize him. He "rapes" the nanny repeatedly, and the kids watch without him knowing. They start role-playing with each other the things he does to the nanny. He has this skewed vision of life that he passes along to them, which leads to his demise. The arrow through the head and the frog smoking a cigar are classic movie moments in my view.