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Reviews
Roomies (2004)
I've seen roomies a lot wilder than this
I saw this movie on video with a couple of friends as part of a teen comedy triple header, alongside Dorm Daze and Going Greek. Obviously we weren't going for quality, but for air-headed entertainment and gross-out gags. Generally we got what we came for, but Wild Roomies really stood out: For being awful.
First impression first, the cover: The Norwegian release cover showed breasts covered up and a bunch of seemingly "crazy" roomies in the background; Brings up pictures of drunken semi-naked teenagers doing bunches of funny stuff stuff doesn't it?- The "crazy" roomies on the cover were not even featured in the picture. And the funny stuff you assume they'll be doing?- Absent as well.
This movie was labeled comedy, which is a bit strange since it not even remotely funny. Relationship drama would be more accurate.
Put shortly the movie is about a young couple inheriting a swanky house in LA, and are forced to get some roomies to make ends meet. These roommates eventually put both the young couple's patience and relationship to the test because they're so "wild". Problem is, they're not. And here lies the problem of this movie: The protagonist couple are so anal-retentive and neurotic that they manage to generate zero sympathy. You'll find yourself rooting for the antagonist roomies halfway through the movie. Add mediocre acting, lame dialogue and boring direction and you got yourself a movie that is best left unseen.
See something else.
High Fidelity (2000)
Great fun.
Rob Gordon (Cusack) seems to has set his life to cruise control, spending all of his time talking music and nonsense with whoever`s around. When he`s dumped by his girlfriend, he gets something to really think about. And so, all his thoughts on commitment, relationships and things good and bad are brought to us in a pop culture wrapping; everything can be related to music, and music is always good conversation. And conversation is what this movie is all about. Great conversations on important and not-so-important matters.
"High Fidelity" can be compared to Wayne Wang`s "Smoke" and "Blue in the Face", since they are also of the rare breed of strictly dialog-driven movies. All are great movies, but "High Fidelity" gets a better score for it`s absolute perfect cast: John Cusack is brilliant in the lead role, his casual insecurity makes the role. Also a very wise choice to cast Iben Hjejle as the girlfriend; the character with the most debth. Jack Black is a natural born pain in the ass, and therefore an obvious choice, and Tim Robbins is absolutely hilarious as Ian (or was it Ray?). High Fidelity is just about the perfect all-round movie, it`s great fun with lots of laughs, while it at the same time gets a message through without pushing it in your face. One of those movies you can watch over and over again. Enjoy.
Teaching Mrs. Tingle (1999)
What took place?
The American film industry has excelled for more than half a century spewing out braindead entertainment. This genrè is where U.S. film has it`s finest hour, but also it`s lows. Teaching Mrs. Tingle is a classic example of the latter.
This high school kids-oriented thriller is technically just a showoff of worn-out storytelling and stupifying clichès. (E.g. The love scene; camera focuses on the couple up until the bra is about to come off, then switches to filming the newly lit fireplace. We`ve seen this before.) Katie Holmes is the go-getter heading for the best grades and a ticket out of small town America. She realizes her dream is crumbling after being caught cheating by the bitter Mrs. Tingle. (Played by Helen Mirren and the sole reason I sat through the entire film.)
The rest of the movie is simply to see how far this girl and her friends are willing to go to save her dream; it turns out to be quite a distance, but this still doesn`t help the movie.
The characters are incredibly dull, the story`s pathetic and the directing just plain uninteresting.
Three points for Marisa Coughlan`s The Exorcist imitation. It doesn`t fit the movie at all, but it`s truly good.