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Mysterious Skin (2004)
An Amazing Portrait of the Effects of Molestation
Wonderfully edited, beautiful shoegazing soundscapes, intricate performances and a compelling story. Mysterious Skin is one of the most moving films ever made, and has transcended the novel to movie transfer. Having read the book and seen the film, I can confidently say that this picture not only does the novel justice but may even be better. Joseph Gordon Levitt is the obvious standout for his courageous portrayal of a young male prostitute who encountered some heavy scenes. And although he does overshadow Brady Corbett, he is not to be forgotten as he is perfect as well. The supporting cast is the only slight flaw of the film, as the roles of Neil's mother and friends are somewhat forced. Gregg Araki and Scott Heim have beautifully dealt with the rough subject matter of child molestation and surely deserve much acclaim for the control they show in the production of this film. From beginning to end you will be glued to your seat, in an emotional daze and although it may be a tough film to get through I would suggest it to anyone who is ready for something profound. Please see this picture.
Magnolia (1999)
P.T. Anderson is a genius in film
Magnolia is the follow up film to Boogie Nights, the Anderson film that was growing in popularity as he decided he better try and do another film right away. He wrote some of it and finally wrote the bulk of it while as William H. Macys cabin house. The reason he did was for a few days he just wrote and wrote because he was scared if he went outside a snake that had previously been seen would bite him. Magnolia is a stroke of genius that provides the question, "How do people think of stories like this?". Magnolia is a large story with about 9 main people involved in it and all connecting at the end. The quirky sometimes off beat John C. Reilly playing Officer Jim Kurring, a cop that wants to perform his duties as a law officer and find love at the same time. The drug infested emotional roller coaster Claudia Wilson Gator played by Melora Walters who wants nothing to do with her parents and does cocaine constantly. The strong yet vulnerable personality of Tom Cruise playing Frank T.J. Mackey, a motivational speaker who preaches his catch phrase about his method in getting women "Seduce and Destroy". The elderly man Earl Partridge played by the late Jason Robards, a stunning portrayal of a dying man with cancer who is struggling in and out of life. His depressed wife Linda Partridge played by the wonderful Julianne Moore who acts with such feeling and pain that its hard to believe she's actually acting as a woman who harbors the pain of death. The male nurse of Earl played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman who is named Earl Partridge, he sticks with Earl all the way never wanting to leave or not help him find his long lost son. The sick and struggling Jimmy Gator played by Phillip Baker Hall who once was a game show juggernaut and now has lost his steam and just wants to leave show business altogether. Stanley Spector played by Jeremy Blackman, a young genius who is pulling his teams weight on a game show and has a break down and decides two days away from beating a record for being on the game show to give up on trying. And the last main character is Quiz Kid Donnie Smith played by William H. Macy who wants to give love, but he doesn't know where to put it and is also struggling financially.
All of these characters intertwine into one story of love, despair, sadness and emotionally draining situations. P.T. Anderson really cares for his characters and it shines through this brilliant piece of film making which shows that not all holly wood marketed films are bad. Most of the actors in this movie were also in Boogie Nights and both films are basically equally great. Everyone can look forward to the masterpieces that Anderson will probably release and this film is not an exception. If your in the mood for great film making and acting, see Magnlia it disappoints no one.
"When the sunshine dont work, the good lord bring the rain in."
Magnolia (1999)
P.T. Anderson is a genius in film
Magnolia is the follow up film to Boogie Nights, the Anderson film that was growing in popularity as he decided he better try and do another film right away. He wrote some of it and finally wrote the bulk of it while as William H. Macys cabin house. The reason he did was for a few days he just wrote and wrote because he was scared if he went outside a snake that had previously been seen would bite him. Magnolia is a stroke of genius that provides the question, "How do people think of stories like this?". Magnolia is a large story with about 9 main people involved in it and all connecting at the end. The quirky sometimes off beat John C. Reilly playing Officer Jim Kurring, a cop that wants to perform his duties as a law officer and find love at the same time. The drug infested emotional roller coaster Claudia Wilson Gator played by Melora Walters who wants nothing to do with her parents and does cocaine constantly. The strong yet vulnerable personality of Tom Cruise playing Frank T.J. Mackey, a motivational speaker who preaches his catch phrase about his method in getting women "Seduce and Destroy". The elderly man Earl Partridge played by the late Jason Robards, a stunning portrayal of a dying man with cancer who is struggling in and out of life. His depressed wife Linda Partridge played by the wonderful Julianne Moore who acts with such feeling and pain that its hard to believe she's actually acting as a woman who harbors the pain of death. The male nurse of Earl played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman who is named Earl Partridge, he sticks with Earl all the way never wanting to leave or not help him find his long lost son. The sick and struggling Jimmy Gator played by Phillip Baker Hall who once was a game show juggernaut and now has lost his steam and just wants to leave show business altogether. Stanley Spector played by Jeremy Blackman, a young genius who is pulling his teams weight on a game show and has a break down and decides two days away from beating a record for being on the game show to give up on trying. And the last main character is Quiz Kid Donnie Smith played by William H. Macy who wants to give love, but he doesn't know where to put it and is also struggling financially.
All of these characters intertwine into one story of love, despair, sadness and emotionally draining situations. P.T. Anderson really cares for his characters and it shines through this brilliant piece of film making which shows that not all holly wood marketed films are bad. Most of the actors in this movie were also in Boogie Nights and both films are basically equally great. Everyone can look forward to the masterpieces that Anderson will probably release and this film is not an exception. If your in the mood for great film making and acting, see Magnlia it disappoints no one.
"When the sunshine dont work, the good lord bring the rain in."
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Brilliance to the apex
The Shawshank Redemption, I first viewed this film when i was maybe 8 or 9 and i didn't really understand then. When i saw it later in life my appreciation for the film grew and constantly does every time i view it. It is the first large film from Frank Darabont and he directs with such feeling it doesn't strike as a beginning for his career but, more as it was done by a professional at the art of film making.
The Shawshank Redemption is a story of courage, friendship and confinement in the setting of a large prison in New England, Shawshank. Andy Dufresne is a gifted banker who is convicted of murdering his wife because she was cheating on him with a golfer. He is sentenced to two life sentences to be served at the Shawshank Prison. Andy arrives, and is judged by his suit as a rich man who will crack on the first night, Andy does the contrary. He ends up showing his strength in silence, he doesn't make attempts to make friends until one day when he needs an item. Ellis Redding, he's the man in this particular prison who knows how to get things and does so for people willing to pay the extra 10% on the item. Andy introduces himself in the yard and asks for an item 'Red' isn't anxious to get it for him at first, but gives in at the end.
I wont reveal any more of the film for the reason that, you have to experience it yourself. All that i can convey across this review is be prepared to be affected in ways you never imagined. I would go as far to praise it as one of the most powerfully affecting stories ever conveyed through film. Don't presuppose anything just because it was overlooked at the Academy Awards, Superb acting, directing, cinematography and story telling will magnetize you.
9/10 "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies"
Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
The worst of the trio but not horrible
I just got home from viewing a sneak preview of "Austin Powers in Goldmember" and have mixed feelings. Although i found myself laughing at the usual comedy of the group it seemed that it was old jokes renewed. The shadows showing dirty things and Austin holding a gun yet never shooting anyone. This is much a family film so don't get me wrong, I don't want him to run around killing people. In this installment Scott wants to take over the evil thrown after his father and be as evil or more as him. A sudden but inevitable and obvious twist alters the film making it more a feel good comedy then the battle of good and evil. 6/10, I still like the first one most of the trilogy and although this isn't horrible, it isn't that good either.
Vanilla Sky (2001)
Once it gets inside you, it doesn't want to leave
I'm a dvd collector at my young age in my middle teens and i went to buy some and saw Vanilla Sky. The idea of the film intrigued me and the fact that it was a remake of a spanish film also interested me. I saw Cameron Crowe as the director and I liked some of his previous work and musical tastes so, I thought i might like it. I watched it confused, depressed, and all around melancholy. It got to the end and all the strings were pulled it together and it all made sense about his journey as a man and I still felt uneasy. I then watched the ending again to maybe see if I missed something but, I didnt. This film really made a mark on me that i don't know the signifigance of it. The whole feeling of the film is still in me and I feel somehow, inspired. Inspired in the sense that I felt refreshed and the need to go out and do something with my life. There is is something much larger then all of us out there and a reason for us to live our lives voluntarily. I heard some people just cast down the film as confusing and they didnt understand it but, the fact is this movie isn't for everyone. I feel you really have to appreciate the art of film making and stick with it until the end. Although i did see some flaws with the movie overall, I was pleased with the outcome.
Donnie Darko (2001)
One of the most unique and moving directorial debuts since Sam Mendes with American Beauty.
The first film for Richard Kelly this is a very original screenplay about a young man played by Jake Gyllenhall who although very intelligent also mentally unstable. At first glimpse of this movie you see the distraught and confused awakening of Donnie Darko. He is forced to visit with a psychiatrist by his parents. The mother has a little bit of her son in her, smart and not afraid to provide a sarcastic comment here or there. The father is basically normal, interested in his job and politics but snickers at most swear words said by his children. Sibling rivalry exists between Donnie and His sister (actual brother or sister), which doesn't seem all that realistic but it doesn't really hurt the film. One night after having arguments with the family Donnie is woken by a large bunny named Frank. He is engrossed by the rabbit to a golf course where he has a conversation with him and as the story progresses keeps coming to him. Frank starts to tell Donnie to commit crimes and Donnie does all of the things Frank Tells him.
What i thought the most interesting part of this movie was the real vision of the human mind and the thought of being happy. Although you walk away confused, happy, sad, mad or whatever you may feel it does change you. Some might speculate on the end for quite some time because, it doesn't really provide much closure of any kind and doesn't clearly show what Donnie wants. I gave it a 8/10 for its rare tenderness and vision of reality.
Kung Pow: Enter the Fist (2002)
One of the stupidest movies ive ever seen, which kept me laughing from begin to end
I'd have to admit this was not well done and probably something me and my buddies could make but i laughed the hardest i have laughed in a while. I was crying i was laughing so hard and i can't really explain why. It's not a movie for everyone, i hardly watch comedies but when i was dragged into this i thought i was gonna see brainless much. Boy was i right, probably a total of 10 minutes of the movie i wasn't laughing the hardest i have in my life. Sure some parts are really stupid but it sure makes up for it with moments of hilarity. If you like stupid comedy or shows like family guy and the simpsons, i recommend this movie.
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
You won't stop laughing even after you get out of your seat
I saw this on a sneak preview Saturday and I had seen all of the other Kevin Smith flicks (Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy and Dogma). In all Jay and Silent Bob kept me laughing through them all no matter how much of a small part they had in it. These two heterosexual life mates are called Jay Phat Buds (Jay) and Silent Bob, now the names pretty much speak for them selves. Two guys that just hang out in front of convenient stores smoke drugs, deal drugs, and try to pick up women. Now they have their own film which I knew without a doubt would have me laughing. The plot is a little dumb but fans of Jay and Silent Bob don't care about plots, and neither did I. This movie kept me laughing the entire time, the supporting cast really helps out in this classic comedy which will live on with the rest of his fine films. This one is a must see for ne one who isn't easily offended, and likes to laugh.
Rat Race (2001)
Worst movie i have ever seen!
I came into this film seeing some reviews which said "funniest movie of the summer" and praises like that. I mean the cast alone was worth admission, so i was pumped going into this film. I sat down and as the movie unraveled i was waiting for the funny parts, sure people were laughing at stupid gags. But those weren't things I hadn't seen before so then i walked out of the movie saying "Where were my laughs" i hated this film so much i gave it a 2 out of 10. there were about 2 actual funny parts the rest of the movies contained going to the bathroom out of windows, monster trucks, lucy convention freaks and a Hitler car. I urge you to never see this movie, if you already did and liked it, I pray for your soul.