OffYear Reviews

Stop Making Sense (1984)

Beautiful

[17 September 1999]

There is a moment during "Naive Melody" where Steven Scales and Alex Weir exchange a look and a gesture --it is the most beautiful moment during the most beautiful song in a beautiful film. They seem to be truly moved by the music--i look forward to that exchange each time I see it.

Blackadder (1982–1983)

The antithesis of Bean

[27 April 1999]

If you see these shows wanting more Mr. Bean you will be very surprised. Black Adder is a great show, but where Bean was basically silent Adder revels in language. The dialogue is sharp and fast and usually mean. Bean seems pretty gentle. Black Adder is a sonofabitch. Highest Rating.

Dark City (1998)

Dark

[6 April 1999]

A darker, more intelligent "Truman Show" You can't (and shouldn't) take your eyes off the screen. Jennifer Connely has amazing eyebrows. Kiefer Sutherland is badly miscast--the doctor could have been a much better character.

'Til There Was You (1997)

woeful

[3 March 1999]

One of the worst movies I have ever seen. Painfully bad. Watch at your own risk--you have been warned.

Forget Paris (1995)

Billy Crystal: The poor, stupid man's Woody Allen

[1/10 · 5 November 1998]

Crushingly bad. Crystal, having already ripped off 'Annie Hall' with the vastly overrated 'When Harry Met Sally' now rips off the lesser 'Broadway Danny Rose'.

As bad as the NBA players are as actors--they are much better than Crystal.

Ghost (1990)

Horrible

[1/10 · 13 October 1998]

Without a doubt, the worst Oscar-winning performance ever. Whoopie Goldberg is terrible in this not-very-good-movie. Watch the scene in the bank with un-sexy Patrick Swayze. If you were put in that situation would you act that way? No. You would do your best to remain calm--listening to him while paying attention to the banker. She is totally hamming it up and it doesn't work. Bad acting by a bad actress in a bad movie.

Zero Effect (1998)

Tax scene

[6 October 1998]

I love (love!) the scene where Zero does the woman's taxes and she asks about some obscure deduction. The painful pause before the last word ("malgoram") is the best acting of 1998.

Kids (1995)

stunning

[6 October 1998]

I read others' comments before posting mine. I don't think this movie gives the impression that all kids are like this anymore than Wizard of Oz gives the impression that all kids wear ruby slippers.

No movie has ever had the kind of effect Kids had on me. I was just stunned when it ended.

I was disappointed that the cable channel showing it followed up with a apologetic feature about how the producer/director/ studio/etc knew it was a controversial film and maybe parents ought to watch it with their kids. Weak. Show the movie and shut up.

My inclination is to think of what would make a good double bill with Kids. I came up with Showgirls. Any ideas?