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Reviews
Middle Men (2009)
Definitely a For-Him movie
I downloaded this movie because at first glance it seemed to me as a comedy-robbery kinda flick à la Ocean's Eleven or something like that, except that... with more tee teehs.
While for us the girls, this may be an eye-feast with Luke Wilson, Gabriel Macht and Giovanni Ribisi. I doubt it any girl is interested on how the internet-porn industry began, and that's just the first 15 minutes. I didn't even bother watching the rest because it just doesn't strike me as an interesting movie for a girl, or for anyone who want to watch a serious movie.
If you're a guy and wanna see tee teehs in a porn-like movie with an actual story, then yeah, I guess it's for you.
Heaven (2002)
Heaven... on Earth
This movie is ironically entitled Heaven. Phillipa(Blanchett) goes through literally Hell, through the entire movie. Perhaps the only moments of hope she has, are those alongside to Filippo (Ribisi). And it's as if she "learns" to love him back for everything he does for her throughout the movie.
The movie is very slow paced. Not a lot happens, and even minutes after the first half the main plot hasn't resolved yet. This can work on either way... as a suspense-builder or make it a boring movie.
The soundtrack, the scenery and the directing are amazing. It's just fitting. Blanchett as usual is perfect, but for some reason, this just doesn't strike me as a role for her. Ribisi, who speaks flawless Italian, proves he can also be the leading man. Again, like most of his characters, there is a hidden, kind of obssessive force that gets him doing things, but that's the beauty of his character here. No one knows how or why, but he falls for Blanchett's character and goes to great pains to help her. An unusual love story.
Perfect Stranger (2007)
Miles is Sexy
I watched it solely for Giovanni Ribisi. After seeing a couple of his movies, I don't know if he consciously or unconsciously, decides to play the creepy character, but here, he plays a sexy creepy character. One by whom I wouldn't mind being stalked. I found myself fast-forwarding to the scenes where he was because everything else seemed so dull and slow-paced.
The characters and the story could've been worked on, because after all, it's kind of an original concept. The cinematography is okay. Beautiful people and beautiful scenery make up for the holes in the screenplay or performances as well as the suspense-building soundtrack.
Love's Brother (2004)
My Love's Brother
Okay. I have set myself to write a review on all of Giovanni Ribisi's movies, so here goes.
I don't think this is his best movie, nor his best acting. But the fact that he puts a lot into looking like a shy, not-that-good-looking-guy (even though he is), means he's committed to his roles. His accent and histrionics are just amazing, too.
The story is actually pretty original, but for some reason I perceive it as cliché or too corny. I don't know why. If I were to write this story again, I would have to think hard on what I'd change because like I said, the story is really nice and also, the characters are so cute that you care for each and every one of them as well as identify with them.
Flight of the Phoenix (2004)
Flight of the Phoenix Revisited
Okay. I have nothing against remakes and personally haven't watched the original in order to make a comparison. I have an issue with two main things, and I think it's what everyone has commented. First, the technical inaccuracies. Some of the action elements: the plane crash, the explosion of the fuel, the electrical storm
then the plot circumstances, the nomads/robbers, the fact they have a chick in the cast
all of these are considered unnecessary by most. I on the contrary, think that remakes are supposed to have a little somethin somethin to add. The elements are GOOD, except that they don't make the most out of them, or they use them in a non-logical way. I would have liked to see more of the internal-external conflict between the characters, and more hopelessness and despair, and that includes leaving the Hey Ya scene out. I would have wanted to see them physically strained too, or some more dying. I would have also loved to see the Phoenix's actual construction from scratch. I know, maybe building a plane out on the desert isn't that realistic but nevertheless, it's the main movie plot, so I guess we should have seen more of this. Having said that, Giovanni Ribisi totally aced this movie. Not only with changing his physical looks (showing commitment to the part), but also on his portrayal of a weird guy, who no one knows nothing about, who might as well turn out to be a serial killer, but who ultimately, ends up being the hero. Other than his looks and the fact that he's a model airplane designer, he's not German, and someone commented that it seems as if he's ashamed of his profession, unlike Krüger's character in the original, and seeing this as a bad thing. I beg to differ. You know that Ribisi's character is up to something, you just don't know what it is. This only adds an element of suspense. Plus, it makes sense. Had he told everyone he was a model plane designer sooner on, they would have never built the plane in the first place, probably. Of course, like the rest of the characters, a more substantial dialogue could've given more room for Ribisi to work on, but even with so little, Ribisi does a lot, and let's not forget
they could've invented something a little bit more revealing or fantastic about how he got to the oil rig in the first place. We see him a little arrogant, yet non-threatening in the beginning. Aloof and quiet while everyone else berates after the plane crash, and as a power hungry little nerd as they build the Phoenix. Then we see him lose it when it becomes apparent, he's the only person in the whole crew with common sense, and yes maybe, is a tad jealous that everyone prefers (to some degree) Towns, as their leader. The "Say Please" scene, is just genius. Beginning with a teary-eyed, snotty-faced Elliot, and ending with a "You-know-you-need-me" kind of glare, this is another moment in which he reassures himself not just as the gang's true leader, but the highlight of the movie.
As if the crew are not hating Ribisi's character enough (and for no reason at all if you look at the cold hard facts), the bomb is dropped when they find out he's a model airplane designer. Elliot pleading for his life and shedding a tear when he sees the plane lifting off in the sandstorm is a great moment as well.
Then, when Capt. Towns gives ALL OF THEM a "hopes and dreams speech", it seems as if Elliot himself has lost all hope. It is only during this moment I would daresay, we get to see the desolation that should've reigned all over. After barely making when pulling the plane, it is on this scene that we see Capt. Towns and Elliot reconcile and I love it. I don't know if that happens in the original, but I think it's just one of those "great movie moments" in which there's some sort of release. After the Phoenix miraculously takes off, we see him patting arms with Captain Towns, smiling, amazed, and excited. After all, it's his design; it's his creation flying. I always love it when they show the: "Where Are They Know" sequence in the movie, and I love the fact that Elliot at least gets the credit he deserves.
I think both with the cast and special effects, this movie is a really good way to introduce new people to a classic. But had the producers wanted this to be a great movie, a BETTER SCRIPT could've even led them to an Oscar
I give it a 7/10 for the special effects and Giovanni Ribisi