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kellybob
Reviews
Secretary (2002)
The greatest pain there is...
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the sadomasochism in this film was not used for exploitation. It was fun, scary and heart-breaking. I expected to watch and be tantalized but never really get to the heart of why the characters are the way they are. If you go to see the film and expect to have a clean and clinical explanation, ala Psycho, you will be disappointed, and then you will most likely understand anyway. We are never told why the characters need to hurt themselves or hurt others, but it becomes clear that it is done out of love. Lee hurts herself because it gives her pain an outlet that she knows will heal, whereas social traumas are less tangible. When Spader does it, not only is it a way of scolding her that wreaks havoc on her body rather than her ego, but they are both turned on by it, showing, in a roundabout way, that he is doing something kind for her, because he cares and understands, but also, because he isn't comfortable or trusting enough to be kind in any other way.
Her relationship with Jeremy Davies contrasts nicely with the one at work because he wants to love her for what she settles to be and in a way that she "should" like. Spader understands her needs and tells her that she shouldn't be ashamed of the way she is and that it is possible to live without compromising herself. At times, the tension and fear of Spader and Lee wanting to act or wanting the other to act, and being so afraid of being turned down or disappointed, is so great that I surprised myself by wanting to scream out, "Just hit her already!"
During most of the film we have to settle for understanding Lee with only momentary expressions of shame or struggle in Spader (the worm scenes are brilliant!), when finally, as an appropriate climax, we actually feel for him. At least in my understanding, Spader is afraid of loving anyone because he is afraid they are just playing along with his games, aren't as into it as he is or are going to leave if he ever shows a softer side, though none of this is overtly stated. At the end of the film, it seems as though Lee is far more secure and self-knowing than Spader. He has helped her come into her own and finally, she helps him.
The film falters in the last twenty minutes. The climax is wonderful, but the media circus is a bit ridiculously surreal and unfitting with the rest of the movie, as is the addition of Lee stark naked. I understand that the filmmaker was most likely making a point of having all the S/M take place fully clothed and that they are free in the end. It is somewhat sweet, but it looked awfully soft-core to me. Nevertheless, see the film. I can't see anyone regretting spending their money on it. Even if you don't like the film, I guarantee you will be intrigued by Gyllenhaal and will have your faith in both young actors and independent film restored.
L'uomo puma (1980)
viva la pumaman!
Ah, this movie is a blast. What is Donald Pleasance doing here? And why does he keep mispronouncing "puma?" It is a one star movie, but I upped it a couple of points because it is so entertaining. The main character is more like Tiggerman than Pumaman, unless bouncing is what pumas do best. He is undeserving of superherodom. He whines incessantly and has to have his Aztec (yes, I said Aztec) Boy Wonder bail him out. Still, the cheesy special effects, music and bad acting elevate the film into kitsch and there are worse ways to spend a couple of hours.
The Giant Spider Invasion (1975)
this one should have ended mst3k
There is no need to continue searching. The experiment is finished. They have found the worst movie of all time. I watched the MST3K version and if I didn't have the commentary running, I think I would have blown something up. I always thought Alan Hale was just hamming it up on Gilligan - that he was in on the joke. He was not. That is the most painful aspect of Giant Spider Invasion. It occasionally gives humor a go and fails miserably. It pains me to feel so embarrassed for them. This is the sort of movie that is so bad it isn't even entertaining as the butt of a joke.
Movie Movie (1978)
why are this film's votes so low?
A quick glance at the user comments will tell you that this film is worth seeing. I'm neither a musical fanatic nor a boxing enthusiast, but the numbers, performances and nuances were entrancing.
Somehow, Donen found the perfect blend for the self-reflexive genre picture, a combination that is exceedingly difficult for modern filmmakers to get a handle on. The viewer is watching a spoof yet all of the elements are still real. We feel for the pitifully archetypal characters because it seems that they realize their fate as symbols. George C. Scott's glances of reaction, just askew of breaking the third wall, depict someone who is aware of his limited fate, but still experiences with all of his emotions every situation as if he doesn't know it's coming. In this way, the actors, as in the Brechtian mode of theater, are somewhat like audience members themselves. They know the story and the ending, but they can't help suspending their disbelief, just for fun.
The musical numbers work in the same way. They are spoofs, fulfilling specific purposes and making all the proper illusions, yet are thoroughly enjoyable as musical numbers.
"Movie Movie" isn't necessarily a great movie, but it gives the illusion of greatness in its sincerity. In a medium where the audience often feels that they are the butt of a joke only the director knows the setup to, "Movie Movie" puts across the feeling that the director genuinely enjoys movies and expects everyone involved to derive the same pleasure from them.
Dracula 2000 (2000)
What would I be spoiling?
Granted, the leeches in the film were an interesting addition to the vampire mythos, but someone should have put a match to this film until it exploded. What is Dracula doing wrecking planes, accosting news reporters and hanging out in high school gyms ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer" slowly rolls over in its grave at the bastardization of its original idea)?
There I am waiting for some Craven camp and characters with moxie who's endings are fitting, yet I grasped for hairs as (spoiler) every character becomes a vampire and I am left with no one to root for. All of the actors are semi-famous, so the smart bet would be on one of them lasting. Not only does that not happen, but the unknown protagonist blows. Christopher Plummer - why did you do it?
To all of you who liked this film, flip through a Teen Beat and watch a music video so that Hollywood's money can be spent on something worthwhile or at least on a cheesy horror that is fun and doesn't cost much.