Change Your Image
Miryea
Reviews
K-PAX (2001)
Very, very nice
I don't comment on movies as often as I'd like, but I just had to do this one. Kevin Spacey is brilliant in this film, as someone else already mentioned, as expected. He could have carried the entire film by himself, and it's not the easiest story for some of our more level-headed peers to sit through. (mind you, I loved this movie) But Spacey also gets the role that has the most potential. What astounded me most (unfortunately for Spacey, nobody expects anything less than superb acting from him) was the the easy grace with which Jeff Bridges carried his role. It could have so easily become a standard character, and the script was good, but not exceptional. The interaction between the two actors is what lifted the film high above average, and it was an amazing experience to watch this.
3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)
Did I not get this movie?
I opted to watch this movie, because I didn't really know what it was about,and I vaguely remembered reading something about it at one point, and being intrigued. I don't know what the hell was wrong with me. Maybe I just didn't get it. I didn't even finish the movie, and usually I make myself sit through the whole thing in order to form an honest opinion. I just couldn't do it. I came to a point where I just didn't care anymore how sexy Kevin Costner looked, and how enjoyable his character was, the rest heavily outweighed that. I just couldn't get over the holes in the story-line, the overall bad performances, the un-likeliness of the whole story, and the dumb dialogue. I was impressed with Costner, first because of the leather pants, but second, because, although he doesn't give such a geat performance, he seems to be playing this roll on routine. And as I recall, he doesn't have much routine in the Bad Guy-department. So, maybe it isn't one of his finest performances, he plays it with an ease that is remarkable. And he is obviously enjoying his part. But, as I was nearing the end of the film, that just wasn't enough compensation. So I would recommend this movie. Unless, you'd like to see Kevin Costner in real sexy leather pants.
The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984)
What's not to love about this film?
This was a great film to watch. Finding it in the action-section of the videostore, and seeing the cover, I was kinda afraid it would be just another fast-firing action movie. It sure wasn't. Indeed, this film is a story of character, and it is done so well!!!
The story is well written, with great understanding of the characters, and I feel that the same goes for the actors. They seem to understand their characters, and really carry them out. With that I'd have to give just a little more praise to Eric Roberts, than to Mickey Rourke. Both have before and since then proven that they are capable enough, despite their disappointing careers, and, truth be told, some less performances. But the character of Charlie is really a likable guy. He is the voice of reason of the film, the one we would all like to think we recognize in ourselves. While Paulie, on the other hand, is a different story. Portrayed any differently, he could very well be an ass. I mean, if you knew anybody that set you up, cost you your job, didn't ever listen to you, rat you out, lied to you... Would you like that person? Probably not. But Charlie likes Paulie, and the only thing that makes that believable, is the fact that WE like Paulie. Roberts somehow accomplishes to create this totally unreliable character that you just can't help but adore, and sometimes feel sorry for. He's a moron, but he's sweet and he means well, kinda. He looks up to Charlie, who really hasn't accomplished much more in his life, he just carries it better.
And poor Paulie is so annoying that he is endearing. I almost felt his pain when he was being 'interrogated'. Hilarious hairdo, by the way. For Rourke, this was not any new territory, he played this type of character more often. That doesn't mean he didn't do it fabulously, though, he did. Nothing new, but still good. Indeed one of the best performances of his career. That shows you that award shows mean nothing.
Page is also very good, and rightly recognized for it, and Daryl Hannah can't act, but you can't really blame her for trying anyway, since she seems to be getting away with it. And the poor girl really tries.
The Specialist (1994)
overall fine performances, just a gawd-awful movie
I'm not particularly fond of Stallone or any of his movies, but I think it's not far off to say that he has done much better than this pile of crap. Stallone mumbles his way through the film, making me think 'thank God for subtitles'. And I hate subtitles. I won't even begin to comment on his acting skills, but then, nobody watches his movies for the acting. I find Stone usually worth checking out, but her performances, especially with earlier movies, differ tremendously in quality. I'd say, that, taking the role and the script (or lack thereof) into consideration, this performance was not bad. Overall the performances were not that bad, it's just the film and the story itself that make it entirely unwatchable. Seriously, have you ever heard such an unconvincing story? I've seen science fiction that was more believable than this thing. I'm really a fan of Eric Roberts, which was my reason for renting this movie, and I'd say that his performance was allright, but not above average. And way too short. We could've used more than one Bad Guy (not counting Steiger) in counter balance to Stallone. To even up the screen time, a bit. Woods was great, as usual, but it just doesn't make it worth it. I can enjoy Woods in mostly any movie, but this one adds nothing. It's all: 'been there, done that'-kinda stuff. Steiger made me laugh. He is a good actor, so I suppose his accent was meant as a joke. (I hope) Who cast this guy anyway?? He doesn't look Cuban, not even if you try very hard to believe it. So I didn't think the accent was misplaced. I think the movie was misplaced. It belongs on a scrap-heap.