Four great actors are hampered by a script that heads towards hell but leads nowhere. Jack and Terry (Ruffalo and Dern) and Hank and Edith (Krause and Watts) are two estranged marriages. Jack and Hank are both struggling writers teaching at the local university. Terry is the ignored mother and Edith is the unappreciated youthful spouse. Jack and Edith begin a steamy affair, and Terry and Hank suspect. Hank, always a bit on edge, contemplating the worse, acts on his anger or competitiveness and Terry succumbs, half out of contempt and half as a way to dull the misery. The movie succeeds when it blends the mixed emotions of hurt and anger and love and lust and desire and bitterness. It lags when it tries to put too much meaning and dialog behind actions and emotions and moments that speak for themselves.
Reviews
10 Reviews
Office Space
(1999)
It's Better Than a Swingline
21 March 2006
Derided by some as a sore soft in Mike Judge's resume and hailed by others as genius, I side with genius. For anyone who has had a job in a cubicle or lived or worked in Silicon Valley, Office Space is the penultimate example of suburbia meets workplace lethargy. Ron Livingston is the zombie office worker Peter Gibbons, who works a meaningless job at Initech along with tech gurus Michael Bolton (Herman) cursed by THE Michael Bolton and Samir Nagheenanajar (Ajay Naidu). With bizarre coworkers Milton, a hermit who protects his Swingline Stapler like a city against siege, and Tom Smykowski, Peter, Michael, and Samir live in fiefdom ruled by Bill Lumbergh. Their only escape is late night kung fu movies and the cute waitress at the lunch diner, Joanna, who lives in her own version of hell. However, a solution arrives in the form of Bob and Bob, consultants who want to re-organization the organized and the result is a decision that could change the lives of Pete, Michael, and Samir forever.
Last Days
(2005)
Great Art for Gus Fans but Otherwise ...
31 August 2005
Gus Van Sant completes his trilogy of films revolving around the theme of death and friends (Gerry, Elephant, Last Days). However this is the weakest of the group as it, unfortunately, is tied to an event that is meaningful to many. As Lennon's death hit the generation of the 60's, Cobaine's death was a blow to those raised in the 80's and 90's. Many expect this film to be an interpretation of the last days of Kurt and the film is very loosely based on those facts. There is very little dialog as most of the film is music / sounds (sound design by Sonic Youth) and the film repeats events attempting to show the same moment from various viewpoints. Gus misses many opportunities and instead aims for an overall aesthetic (it was even shot in TV aspect ratio, 4:3, instead of film) rather than creating a typical storyline.
For Gus fans, the film is a welcome sight but for traditional movie goers, the talents of Michael Pitt and company are not challenged and the visual aesthetic disappoints an expectation of character development, storyline, and drama.
For Gus fans, the film is a welcome sight but for traditional movie goers, the talents of Michael Pitt and company are not challenged and the visual aesthetic disappoints an expectation of character development, storyline, and drama.
March of the Penguins
(2005)
Fantastic
8 August 2005
Warning: Spoilers
The trailer for March of the Penguins looked superb, and I was excited to see this film. While adapted from the original French versions (Morgan Freedman narrates rather than "voices" interpreting the actions/thoughts of the animals), the film is wonderful. Shot documentary style, the film follows the mating rituals of the Emperor Penguin in Antarctica as they travel long distances to meet and mate, gather food, and care for their young despite freezing temperatures, predators, hunger, and all of nature's obstacles. There are several scenes of nature taking its toll, and this elicited some emotions from people watching. Most children in the theater can handle it, but I suspect that like Bambi, there will be several people who are upset from the visuals (specifically several frozen penguins and child penguins, a penguin in a seal's mouth, and a winged predator killing a baby penguin). The music is typically good and sometimes great. All in all a wonderful film.
Wedding Crashers
(2005)
Starts with a bang ... ends with a whimper
18 July 2005
In this unsurprising storyline (with a comedic twist), John (Wilson) and Jeremy (Vince) are, ironically, wedding counselors/mediators who look forward to weddings more than Christmas. Why? Because weddings give them a chance to take advantage of emotionally vulnerable women, feast on free food, dance all night, and take their libido to the next level. Both are stylish, smooth talking mid/late 30 somethings that have bedposts notched neck high. The film and editing are fast and furious until John has a moment of clarity and falls for Claire (played beautifully by the modest Rachel McAdams), the daughter of a powerful senator. Claire is in a relationship and this only heightens the chase. It's this moment, when we discover that John really is more than meets the eye that the film starts to turn a corner into "serious comedy" and all the gut-busting humor is left behind. Bit roles by Christopher Walken and Will Farrell can't save this movie from going stale. The ending is tied neatly in a bow, and with all the hype and potential, the morning after leaves a dull headache.
Hitch
(I) (2005)
Clichéd ... but Enjoyable
31 March 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Will Smith plays another egotistical man who has it all, lets the situation get out of hand, and ends up with girl.
The storyline is clichéd, pretty much everything you'd expect from the trailer, but Will Smith pulls off another above average performance as Hitch, the man that helps men get the girl (not just in bed) for for good. Kevin James (King of Queens) plays the nerdy, geeky, uncomfortable Albert, who has a crush on client Allegra Cole, wealthy socialite played fairly well by Amber Valletta (but then again, she doesn't have that many lines; she just has to look beautiful and vulnerable).
Michael Rapaport has a small but funny role as Alex Hitchens' brother-in-law and good friend.
Eva Mendes does a fine performance as the gossip columnist who falls for Hitch, is responsible for his fall, and, not surprisingly, ends up hand-in-hand with Hitch.
Most of the scenes and dialog are fairly standard, but the scenes of New York are great, especially the views from the East River. Soundtrack is good except for a couple of misplaced songs.
The storyline is clichéd, pretty much everything you'd expect from the trailer, but Will Smith pulls off another above average performance as Hitch, the man that helps men get the girl (not just in bed) for for good. Kevin James (King of Queens) plays the nerdy, geeky, uncomfortable Albert, who has a crush on client Allegra Cole, wealthy socialite played fairly well by Amber Valletta (but then again, she doesn't have that many lines; she just has to look beautiful and vulnerable).
Michael Rapaport has a small but funny role as Alex Hitchens' brother-in-law and good friend.
Eva Mendes does a fine performance as the gossip columnist who falls for Hitch, is responsible for his fall, and, not surprisingly, ends up hand-in-hand with Hitch.
Most of the scenes and dialog are fairly standard, but the scenes of New York are great, especially the views from the East River. Soundtrack is good except for a couple of misplaced songs.
Spider-Man
(2002)
The Amazing Movie
5 March 2005
I've watched both Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man, and it's only now that I can say how good of a film Spider-Man originally was. While I have little respect for the actor Tobey MacGuire, I am compelled to admit that he did a fantastic job in this role. Likewise, I had very little (positive or negative) to say about Kirsten Dunst since her performance in the Tom Cruise vampire flick eons ago, but Dunst does a terrible job as Spidey's love interest.
However, it really is the director's care in nurturing a very solid (and not so cheery) story that makes the film last behind its final frame. Like the first Batman (and if you've read any of the Dark Knigh/Frank Miller's work) it's the human-aspects of the superhero that make an intriguing tragic hero, much in the classic depictions of Jay Gatsby.
The second time around, after watching the disappointing SM-2, Spider-Man feels even richer. Kudos to James Franco as the tortured son, and while I'm a big fan of Defoe, he does just enough in the film. (I'd rather just see him again in Platoon or as a vampire, though)
However, it really is the director's care in nurturing a very solid (and not so cheery) story that makes the film last behind its final frame. Like the first Batman (and if you've read any of the Dark Knigh/Frank Miller's work) it's the human-aspects of the superhero that make an intriguing tragic hero, much in the classic depictions of Jay Gatsby.
The second time around, after watching the disappointing SM-2, Spider-Man feels even richer. Kudos to James Franco as the tortured son, and while I'm a big fan of Defoe, he does just enough in the film. (I'd rather just see him again in Platoon or as a vampire, though)
Planet of the Apes
(2001)
Not Great - But Certainly Enjoyable
5 March 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I've been following Mark W since The Corrupter, and I had low expectations about this film and his portrayal of a classic role and classic film ... even though this film has supposedly "star power" behind it.
At the end of the day, I was very pleasantly surprised in the director's take on the character. Mark W's character is developed as fairly short-sighted, selfish, and egotistical, and it's his faults the ultimately doom the people/Earth/etc.
Some might say that it was Mark W's lack of depth (in that Tom Cruise fashion) rather than true acting that gives the character his two dimensional feel (which works), but I think the actor and director sculpted the character in this fashion with intent.
While I don't care much for the other actors (including Heston's cameo, which was foolish, and the model who very Arnold/Terminator like had about 14 words), they didn't entirely detract from one's enjoyment of the film.
At the end of the day, I was very pleasantly surprised in the director's take on the character. Mark W's character is developed as fairly short-sighted, selfish, and egotistical, and it's his faults the ultimately doom the people/Earth/etc.
Some might say that it was Mark W's lack of depth (in that Tom Cruise fashion) rather than true acting that gives the character his two dimensional feel (which works), but I think the actor and director sculpted the character in this fashion with intent.
While I don't care much for the other actors (including Heston's cameo, which was foolish, and the model who very Arnold/Terminator like had about 14 words), they didn't entirely detract from one's enjoyment of the film.
Monsters, Inc.
(2001)
Close to Perfect
5 March 2005
While many of the 18-34 demographic may scoff at animations, Pixar has defined itself as the Disney for this generation. John Lassetter, from the early days of moving lamps, is a genius at telling compelling stories that reasonant with people of any age. Monster Inc. is a not-so-typical buddy story (think Maverick and Goose) with the evil antagonist trying to rule the world (think any 007 movie).
The facial expressions (if you can use that phrase with these creatures) and their interactions amongst themselves (jealousy) and coworkers (passive aggression) create a richness in character that is humanizing.
The film is filled with The Simpsons style of humor: Level 1 (visual gags); Level 2 (puns, the ho-hum jokes for adults); and Level 3 (the entire scene/movie is a joke/parody).
The film and score are an impressive feat for both adults and kids to enjoy (together).
The facial expressions (if you can use that phrase with these creatures) and their interactions amongst themselves (jealousy) and coworkers (passive aggression) create a richness in character that is humanizing.
The film is filled with The Simpsons style of humor: Level 1 (visual gags); Level 2 (puns, the ho-hum jokes for adults); and Level 3 (the entire scene/movie is a joke/parody).
The film and score are an impressive feat for both adults and kids to enjoy (together).
The Bourne Supremacy
(2004)
Even better than the first
5 March 2005
While I highly enjoyed the Bourne Identity, I felt the plot was too contrived. One might be fairly hesitant to see the Bourne Supremacy because the trailer seems to give it all away, but it doesn't. With a twist at the very beginning, this film gives us a more in-depth look at the man/boy/person who is Jason Bourne.
This film has absolutely no relation to the novel, which is unfortunately a waste of space. While the plot is interesting, the style of writing makes every page feel as if it's make of lead.
Luckily, the film's plot is much simpler and the director focuses instead on the motivations of the characters. While this sequel may not be as "stylish" as the previous, it's a great sequel that helps move the (?) trilogy (?) forward ... I'm looking forward to the next.
This film has absolutely no relation to the novel, which is unfortunately a waste of space. While the plot is interesting, the style of writing makes every page feel as if it's make of lead.
Luckily, the film's plot is much simpler and the director focuses instead on the motivations of the characters. While this sequel may not be as "stylish" as the previous, it's a great sequel that helps move the (?) trilogy (?) forward ... I'm looking forward to the next.
Tell Your Friends