charlb2002 Reviews

Sphere (1998)

Use your time wisely: read the book instead.

[11 July 2003]

I love Michael Chricton's "Sphere," I personally think it's his best novel. But what makes a Chricton novel so good is the intricacy of plot and character, both of which were not present in the film adaptation. Dustin Hoffman is whiny, Sharon Stone unmotivated, and Samuel Jackson indifferent. So many things were changed (i.e. a complete lack of physical presence of the giant squid, the entire storyline of the back half of the movie) that you might just as well skip renting this altogether and read the book instead. I say that because if you see the movie you might not want to read the book, so don't waste your time.

Far from Heaven (2002)

Scratches the Surface

[13 January 2003]

What many have failed to realize about this movie is that it is one

big extended metaphor. The plot is so seemingly simple, and

nothing ever really goes very deep in the minds of the characters,

but that's how it is! The racists in New England never go beneath

the surface to discover that the people they persecute are just like

them. The gossip reporter provides stories and photographs that

never delve into the Whitaker's secret life.

The movie was marvelously made, and Moore definitely deserves

any award she gets. However, I'm not sure the movie has Best

Picture potential, although it could be nominated. It will receive

other nominations though, such as costumes and editing, and

possibly screenplay. It's definitely worth the bucks to see it; the

more I think about it and discuss it, the better it gets. 8/10.

Noises Off... (1992)

Can't argue with brilliance...

[10/10 · 17 December 2002]

This is one of the funniest films I have ever seen. Given that I've

never seen it as a stage play, I can judge it for its real worth apart

from the play. Although the play is rumored to be better, this cast is

really phenomenal, and work together so amazingly well, in part

thanks to one of the funniest comedic actresses ever, Carol

Burnett. Her face is priceless when Garry dumps the sardines on

her! Nicolette Sheridan is so perfectly vacant as the ditsy Brooke

that I almost died laughing on my first viewing. Marilu Henner,

Christopher Reeves and John Ritter all make for splendid

additions to this cast. Do yourself a favor and rent this one, if you

can find it.10/10!

In the Bedroom (2001)

Wanted to like the movie... couldn't.

[5 October 2002]

I wanted to like this movie. But I didn't. That about sums it up. The movie follows a plot, and beats it to death by showing us several hundred shots of Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek in grievance. It's not that these two wonderful actors (although I liked Wilkinson, and not so much Spacek) don't have reason to be upset, but I wish I hadn't been forced to watch several hundred fragmented scenes that were all only about fifteen seconds long. After a certain number of shots of sad faces, I was not sorry for them anymore and became upset that the plot wasn't going anywhere. Then it did, spinning in a direction and ending in a climax that seemed totally unmotivated and unreal. (Note: When Matt Fowler comes into the bedroom the final time, I totally predicted Ruth's line to the word... because I had been thinking, "I would be so mad if she said this..." and then she did. Crazy.) There were maybe three really exciting scenes, one in which the wonderful but under-utilized Marisa Tomei (whose accent may or may not have been a bit unsettled... are you British or southern?) got to act really hard. The rest of the movie was virtually silent, with a lot of shots of wheat-colored New England. Besides being dull to look at and hear, it was dull to watch. With the exception of Wilkinson, whose acting was amazing but character suffered, the cast (for which I had had such high hopes -- hello! Sissy Spacek!) was weak. I'm glad I saw it, but I didn't like it. Too bad, I guess. Rent it if you want, you should always make your own judgments about movies... this could possibly be your favorite movie. Don't let me stop you. :)

Election (1999)

Reese Witherspoon at her absolute best

[10/10 · 4 July 2002]

This movie is great for so many subtle reasons. Reese Witherspoon is perky and perfect as the irritating and precise Tracey, a role that no one could have done better. Her pursed lips, big eyes and bouncing blond hair are enough to make one vomit (in a good way!) She's terrific in every sense of the word, and she deserved every award she received in this, the most complex and daring role of her career thus far. A pity that she hasn't had such a fun and simultaneously dark role since (somehow, although I loved Carrie-Anne Moss, I think Reese would have been great as the manipulating Natalie in "Memento"... do you agree?)

Onto the movie itself -- Alexander Payne does a fabulous job of pulling us in to his intricate camera work and witty cinematography (who can stifle laughter at Witherspoon's freeze-frames?), telling the satirical story of a high school election gone amuck. Matthew Broderick is pathetic and funny as Jim McAllister, and Chris Klein is hilarious as the absent Paul Metzler (you betzler!) All these characters are either corrupt, insane, or just dumb, confusing the viewer and making us wonder -- who should actually be caring about in this movie? The teacher? The obnoxious over-achiever? The football jock softy? The confused little sister? Or maybe it's the disgusting former teacher whose life was also "ruined" by Tracy... the confusion here brings out the satire all the more.

One of the parts about this movie I find most humorous is the fact that Jim McAllister's life really is ruined by the election, and Tracey's reaction as she learns her defeat would suggest that her life is ruined too. But in the end, the antagonist prevails, leaving you upset and gritting your teeth -- and that's exactly how Payne wants it. He achieves everything that he meant to in this movie, and for that it is one of my ten favorite movies of all time. Definitely worth your rental. 10/10.

American Beauty (1999)

The most original film I've ever seen.

[10/10 · 13 July 2000]

One of the best movies I've ever seen, "American Beauty" is a hauntingly dark comedy based in suburbia. Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), his wife Carolyn (Annette Bening), and their daughter Jane (Thora Birch) create an intricate weaving of relationships with each other and with people in their lives: the school slut Angela Hayes (Mena Suvari), the family next door, the Fitts' (Chris Cooper, Allison Janney and Wes Bentley), and the competing real estate agent Buddy Kaye (Peter Gallagher) among others. The cinematography by Conrad Hall is a step above every other film I've seen and the screenplay by Alan Ball is simply outstanding, not to mention incredible work by each actor in this relatively small ensemble. Very powerful film that I'd recommend to ANYONE of the proper age!