itssosublime Reviews

Dexter: Turning Biminese (2008) Season 3, Episode 5

Friends and Family ***mild spoilers for unfamiliar viewers***

[10/10 · 27 October 2008]

Episode five of Dexter's third magnificent campaign was possibly the most important of the entire series. There isn't an overwhelming amount of suspense, nor is it particularly graphic, but this episode does tell you more about many of the characters, Dexter included, than you have ever seen from an emotional and human standpoint. Early on, Dexter is shown as a man who is clearly still reeling from the notions of fatherhood, friendship and marriage. Rita is introducing the idea of shopping for a home, the kid whom Dexter encountered when looking for Freebo is brought to the station for questioning and Miguel is making every effort to get closer to his new friend and confidant. Dex is feeling squeezed, but this time, rather than panicking and pushing away from these emotions, he takes a different route and confronts these issues, with just a little bit of help from Harry.

After the first four episodes of this season, I was beginning to wonder when the "breakthrough", so to speak, would finally come. Well, my question was certainly answered here. It appears that our protagonist may finally be ready to take some giant strides from the confines of his dark shell. After season one I couldn't have imagined a Dexter who would one day marry, have children and find true camaraderie. He may not be there quite yet, but our favorite TV vigilante definitely seems determined to change....to a certain extent of course.

Who knew "Dexter" could actually be inspiring? I'm continually amazed by it's brilliance. Enjoy!

Failure to Launch (2006)

More Bates and Bradshaw!!

[6/10 · 6 January 2008]

"Failure to Launch" didn't really make much sense to me. Matthew McConaughey plays Tripp, a 35 year old "man-boy" who simply refuses to leave his parents house because he has it so good. He's not unemployed, he certainly does not lack self-esteem and he definitely has quite the social life, so will somebody please must explain to me why he will not leave? I must admit, I wouldn't mind living with my parents if they were anything like his, but still, not at 35 years of age. A semi-explanation is offered about midway through the film, but I still wasn't buying it. At any rate, enter Paula, Sarah Jessica Parker, the "a little too old to be playing parts like this" interventionist who is employed by Tripp's parents for the purpose of coaxing him out of his comfortable nest and into independence. This is where they completely lose me, no other woman could do it, but this one will? But, she is a "professional" and I guess this is supposed to speak to his parents' desperation. Moving on...

Much more interesting are the peripheral characters. Tripp's parents are played by Kathy Bates and Terry Bradshaw, who are both extremely funny and enjoyable to watch as a couple. I would rather watch an entire film based on their two characters than to have to deal with the convoluted storyline involving Tripp and Paula. Bradley Cooper, the memorable, villainous boyfriend from "Wedding Crashers" and Justin Bartha play the role of sidekick to Tripp and are actually quite enjoyable as well. As is Zooey Deschanel, the quirky and effervescent roommate of Paula, who's character is probably the best reason to watch this film. Without giving too much away, watch for her scene at the sporting goods store, it's basically the highlight of the movie. You'll also have a good laugh at Bradshaw later on the film when he's in his "naked room". Hilarious.

Overall, this is a decent film to be enjoyed for what it is: A fairly light comedy with some solid character acting and a thin plot line. The ending is, in my opinion a little too cheesy. But If you don't expect too much, you won't be disappointed.

6/10...Just Barely.

The Comedians of Comedy (2005)

Nerds are funny too!

[9/10 · 22 October 2007]

Now granted, comedy is subjective and everyone has their own opinion of what is funny and what is not. Personally, I found this to be a terrifically funny and entertaining look at what life on the road is like for many modern-day comedians. Patton Oswalt has always been a favorite of mine, but I very much enjoy Brian Posehn, Maria Bamford and Zach Galifianikis as well. Maybe it's because I more closely identify with them and their "off-beat" personalities, this probably stems from the fact that I've been a proud "nerd" all my life. These are people who were brave enough to stand out by simply being themselves and not trying to fit into any category or alter their personalities in order to endear themselves to a wider audience. Brian and Patton are 40- year old comic book lovers, how could you not find that refreshing? Too many people take life much too seriously and spend most of it worrying about what everyone else thinks of them, these are INDIVIDUALS who could not care less about that. The comedy in this film is not always laugh-out-loud funny, but it is not forced. It's honest and unapologetic, which is what comedy is really all about.

Frasier (1993–2004)

Utterly brilliant!

[10/10 · 20 August 2007]

All hyperbole aside, "Frasier" should be revered as one of televisions all-time citcoms of any genre. The brilliance of this series could never be overstated, it truly was born of genius. Kelsey Grammar and David Hyde Pierce play off of each other as well as any comedic duo in the history of the medium, and along with the incredible talent of their supporting cast succeed in producing a timeless standard for what a quality TV program could, and should be. The writing is absolutely sublime, blending perfectly intelligence, wit, sarcasm, truth, honesty, positivity and just plain substance. The show itself comes off as if it were a superbly-acted play, in that the physicality and expressionism of it's performers are so true to life that they make you feel as if you were viewing them in real-time. There is no gratuitous, lowbrow humor. No sexual deviancy which seems to be so prevalent in much of what we see from today's reality-based drivel. And most importantly, no dumbing-down of the audience! That is what made "Frasier" so very important to me. I'm not going to say that everyone should love the show and if they do not that they simply lack the intellect required. That's not the case. What I mean is that I am so appreciative when I have the opportunity to enjoy a show such as this that will not stoop to the lowest common denominator in order to entertain "the masses". "Frasier" proved that you don't have to compromise in order to produce an award-winning, hit series. If the product is composed of quality ingredients it will always be consumed and appreciated by the proper patrons. Kudos to the entire group of wonderful people that helped create and keep "Frasier" going for an incredible 11 seasons, it was unbelievably special.

All In (2006)

An insult to the game of poker

[3/10 · 4 August 2007]

I feel awful for Louis Gossett Jr. and Micheal Madsen for having been involved in this farce. I have nothing against Dominique Swain or the rest of the young cast of characters that look like they belong in a late-night Cinemax flick rather than a movie about poker, but I am insulted at the way the movie was directed. "Ace" played cards like a novice, rather than someone who is supposed to be the daughter of a poker great. The scene in which she calls down a pair of fours to the river against trip queens, only to suck out and make her straight was absolutely grotesque. "Dead money" should have been her nickname.

I have to assume that this film was made by people who are either not very experienced at cards or were simply trying to cash in on the current popularity of the game. Not that I expected anything on par with the Stu Unger story or Rounders, but my god if you're going to make a movie about poker at least make sure you can do it justice. This film would likely be much more appealing to a woman's taste based on the storyline, but for true poker players and fans it's nothing but a waste of time. A fairly poor film all the way around. Very disappointing.

State Property 2 (2005)

Why musicians should stick to music

[4/10 · 8 July 2007]

I can't say there weren't a handful of somewhat enjoyable moments in this film, most of them simple, gratuitous comedic moments. But to be brutally honest, you would have to be very easily entertained to enjoy this flick. It's kind of like the producers just took small pieces of what worked in similar films and applied them with cut & paste. The plot line is extremely pedestrian and even less discernible. This worst thing about it though is that it's a blatant exploitation of the urban Black culture. Essentially every character is a drug-dealing, gun- toting, wanna-be mafioso. The characters and their lifestyles are of course part of American society, but is there anything positive or beneficial in exploiting this stereotype? I get that it's not supposed to be "Boyz n' the Hood", but there's simply nothing here of any redeeming quality. This has nothing to do with the color of the actors, simply the fact that the movie is a huge waste of time and completely intellectually devoid. It's a prime example of why most musicians should never think of crossing over into the realm of acting, unless of course they're simply making the movie for their own personal amusement. Otherwise, leave it to the professionals, please. 4/4

Criminal (2004)

Not bad for a remake

[8/10 · 5 July 2007]

This is a film adapted from the 2000 release of an Argentine film called "Nine Queens" or "Nueve Reinas". I won't go into too much detail about the plot of the film, because it's hard to do without spoiling it. What I will say is that if you enjoy films of this genre it's well worth devoting an hour and half to. This a well-paced film that wastes no time in delving right into the meat of it's plot line and doesn't let the viewer lose interest by cluttering things up with unnecessary characters or dialog. John C. Reilly plays the part of a con-man to perfection, though maybe not quite as endearing as Ricardo Darin in the original version, he more than compensates for his lack of likability in this film with his tremendous skill as a dramatic actor. Diego Luna, Reilly's younger, baby-faced accomplice in this film is also very enjoyable. His youthful appearance and polite demeanor were perfect for this role which made his performance as a con-man that much more impressive. The story sticks closely to that of the original, yet somehow lacks the intangible "it" that Nine Queens was able to convey. That in no way means that I didn't still enjoy this film. But, if you do like what you see here, make sure you also check out Nine Queens. 8/10

Nine Queens (2000)

Fantastic Film! Don't be afraid of the subtitles!

[9/10 · 5 July 2007]

I know some people out there who don't like to watch movies with subtitles. It either makes them feel that they are missing out on the essence of the film because they do not understand the language being spoken, or they simply don't want to be forced to read in order understand what's going on. For those who share that opinion, it's quite a shame because this is one fantastic film that you will be missing.

Being the son of an Argentine-born parent, I more or less understand a lot of the Spanish spoken by the characters in this film, though I am in no way fluent. As you watch this film though, you almost forget that the subtitles are there. You can miss a few lines of dialog and still have a good grasp of exactly what's going on. This is due mainly to the two starring actors in the film who were absolutely incredible. First, Ricardo Darin, is nothing short of brilliant. He's a well-known actor in Argentina and has such an incredibly natural on-screen presence that you can't help but be captivated by his performance. He plays the role of a professional con-man to perfection, combining his dramatic and comedic skills to form an equally villainous as well as sympathetic character. Secondly, his counterpart Gaston Pauls is equally brilliant as Darin's baby-faced accomplice in what is to be a "one in a million" opportunity to swindle a wealthy businessman out of a small fortune.

I've seen the American version "Criminal" - 2004, which is also good, but does not really do justice to the original. Nine Queens is a brilliant piece of international film-making that will not disappoint any fan of the genre. As mentioned by a reviewer, there is absolutely zero "down time" in this film. The dialog is crisp, the characters are very well cast and there is no time wasted with any unnecessary filler or elongated scenes. Every word and every scene builds a bridge to the next and culminates with a surprising and satisfying ending that you definitely will not be expecting. Please, don't let the language barrier prevent you from seeing this film. It's very easy to follow and well worth the small effort required. 10/10.

The Sopranos: Kennedy and Heidi (2007) Season 6, Episode 18

The beginning of the end

[9/10 · 20 May 2007]

With the clock running out and tensions rising within the Soprano family of organized crime, everyone knew something had to give. I won't spoil the plot line for anybody, but let's just say some people need to learn when to keep their eyes on the road. This was a very sad, yet revealing episode that shows us Tony's therapy sessions have done very little to lessen his anger and resentment towards his nephew. Just as Tony is beginning to feel relief, A.J. is sent reeling once again after his friends prove to be cut from the same cloth as many of his fathers gangster associates. While watching this episode one gets the feeling that there will be no more holding back. It appears the writers have saved their best for last and intend to go out with a bang, along with a maybe a good whack or two? I guess we'll see.

Dallas 362 (2003)

Originality is always refreshing

[8/10 · 20 May 2007]

If you're expecting a masterpiece in cinema you might be disappointed with Dallas 362. This film doesn't dazzle you with witty one-liners or gratuitous sexual or violent content, it simply tells a story by utilizing a solid script and the tremendous talent of it's cast. Caan and Hatosy are fantastic as a pair of "us against the world" buddies who drink too much, fight too much and aren't quite sure where life is taking them. Even more impressive however is the performance by Val Lauren. His immense talent as a stage actor really comes through in his portrayal of Christian, an overly-neurotic problem gambler who thinks that the world is conspiring against him. Some may find his character annoying, but to me he was absolutely the most enjoyable part of this film. Jeff Goldblum and Kelly Lynch help to round out this brilliant cast and make Dallas 362 a truly enjoyable story. With the proper amount of emotion and real-life dialogue, Scott Caan creates a very unique independent film that does not get the recognition it deserves. If you're a fan of the genre give this one a chance, you might be pleasantly surprised.

10th & Wolf (2006)

Worth watching for Ribisi's role if nothing else

[7/10 · 14 May 2007]

I gave this film an 8. Maybe it's just because I happen to think Giovanni Ribisi is an exceptional actor, but I really did find this to be a surprisingly good film. The one thing that didn't sit well with me was the idea that James Marsden is the star. That's simply a misnomer. He is a decent actor and does give a professional effort, but I just do not see him as the street-tough Philly kid he's supposed to be. Maybe this is a bit cynical, but there really wouldn't be much reason for a woman to watch this movie if not for somebody with good looks like Marsden playing the lead character and gracing the cover of the DVD. Hey, don't get me wrong, Piper Perabo has made me watch a movie or two that I regret, so it definitely goes both ways. Still, I could have done without the forced romance angle that they really tried to pull off between the two of them. But overall I definitely would recommend seeing this film for Ribisi's performance if nothing else. As he ages he's beginning to play some much darker, grittier characters which suits him very well. His versatility is astounding, especially his ability to maintain a level of sympathy no matter how many misdeeds he commits. Check this one out if you're a fan of the genre, it will hold your attention and may surprise you a bit as it's much more than just the former Marine forced to return home in order save his family from a couple of corrupt cops trying to extort him.

The Lost Room (2006)

Original, creative, consuming...Very well done piece of sci-fi (very partial spoiler)

[10/10 · 13 May 2007]

Going into "The Lost Room" I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Personally, it seems that since the inception of the special-effects revolution, sci-fi film writers have been relentlessly beating a dead horse by continually producing a litany of over-hyped and greatly under-whelming films consisting of poor acting, futuristic superheroes, latex-laden vixens and completely overboard computer-generated aliens/demons/mutants/hybrids, etc. etc. That being said, when I saw the trailer for "The Lost Room" I felt compelled to give it a chance because it seemed to be something that if not very feasible, looked to be at least a tangible story. To my great pleasure It turned out to be much more than I could have even hoped for. As a life-long fan of Rod Serling and The Twilight Zone I was completely floored by the parallels between this mini-series and the sort of intelligent, thought- provoking writing Serling and Matheson used to break barriers and revolutionize the genre in the late 50's and early 60's.

Every strong film is built with good casting and even better acting, both here are excellent. Peter Krause, after earning some well-deserved notoriety on Six Feet under and Kevin Pollak, a familiar face to anybody who watches TV or films both played their characters to perfection. Additionally, Peter Jacobson, Ewan Bremner and Roger Bart are also very good as is Julianna Margulies. Now as for the concept, it's nothing short of genius. A very select array of random, everyday items that are all used for a single, mundane purpose each have a very uniquely bizarre power which when utilized can do anything from pause time, to vaporize brass are scattered throughout the country and are actively being sought-after by dueling factions who each have a very different opinion of who, or what put them here and what their true purpose actually is. Detective Joe Miller unwittingly stumbles upon one of these items, resulting in the subsequent disappearance of his daughter, thus leaving him no choice but to journey into a bizarre subculture centered around one very special hotel room in Galup, New Mexico. This film was fantastic beginning to end with very few lulls, and that is an extremely impressive feat when filling nearly 6 hours of airtime.