amykay Reviews

Crazy in Alabama (1999)

It's about living with, and responding to, violence.

[10/10 · 18 February 2003]

Crazy in Alabama pits violence against our attempts to understand, live with, and stop it.

* A woman, abused by her husband, responds by killing him and decapitating him so she can hold him prisoner and prove her worth to him.

* A community, abused by those in power, responds with civil disobedience.

* A boy, horrified by the violence, prejudice, and hypocrisy of his role models, calls on the law and the media to bring about justice.

And yet... it's funny! "All I know is, one minute she was married to Uncle Charlie; and the next, she was gone wid' his head." The instant I heard that one line I was hooked, and would not turn away until it was done.

Excellent filmmaking.

Spy Game (2001)

Beautiful Men Blowing Up Stuff - The Perfect Date Movie!

[8 December 2001]

Espionage. Accusations. Governments. Politics.

Friendship. Trust. Betrayal. Suspicion.

Youth. Idealism. Commitment. Rebellion.

The Code. The Job. The Goal. The Prize.

Sacrifice. Love. Decision. Beauty.

Go.

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

Fun and Offensive

[27 August 2001]

Imagine your rudest, crudest friend... wait, no... imagine your rudest, crudest acquaintance from High School. This guy (of course it's a guy) shows up on your doorstep with your graduation yearbook and invites himself in, then gives you a tour of the yearbook, pointing out familiar faces and names, telling raunchy stories that make you glad Mom's not home, and farting loudly and often. After two hours, hey, you had fun -- but you're happy to send him off to the next alum's house. You won't forget him or his visit, and you'll probably even invite him in again the next time he comes by, but only if certain people just aren't around... because his friendship is a guilty pleasure to define all guilty pleasures.

By the way -- your buddy LOVED Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back... but he still found it offensive.

High Society (1995–1996)

A nice try...

[21 August 2000]

AbFab was successful in England. In fact, it was successful in America! Americans LOVE AbFab. So of course it made sense to try try try to make an American AbFab. AmFab, perhaps? But it just couldn't work. It could never work. Americans like to see themselves in a certain light. Sure, we drink. But the people we want to WATCH drinking are either funny southern/mountain folk, or angry violent urban youth... not middle-aged wealthy moms. Middle-aged wealthy moms have a pretty wide berth here, of course, but it just doesn't go that far. High Society may have offered less of everything we didn't want, but how could you really have anything resembling AbFab if you couldn't construct a situation where, say, Patsy wakes up in a garbage barge, and it's COMPLETELY RIGHT!?!

Roswell (1999–2002)

Jonathan Frakes. Of Course.

[15 August 2000]

I'm nearly 33 years old and I'm glued to a tv show about teenagers? I have spurned 90210 and all the other Spelling spawn... easily steering past all those shows which are definitely NOT my demographic. So why Roswell? I'm not a speculator... not at all curious or interested in UFO's or whether or not there was a crash. But I watched an episode once when I was alone, indulging in curiosity, and have tremendous respect for the writing, characters, and acting. So, as I do with anything that interests me, I checked for the facts. Wouldn't you know it, Jonathan Frakes is the Executive Producer.

I have to say "Thanks!" Jon... You've done a great job with this. Wish they'd go ahead & market it to my demographic... poor lost wandering post-trek souls.

Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986)

becoming a favorite

[7/10 · 26 May 2000]

It's never going to be called great or a classic of any sort, cult or otherwise... It may not even be a star in Whoopie Goldberg's sizable crown, nor that of Penny Marshall who directed it. The cast is of course notable and contains the best of that year's top comics... but this is not why I have grown to love this film. I love coming home after a really frustrating day at work and, after chatting on the internet with sympathetic friends about the problems I've had, I throw some spaghetti on the stove & pop in this tape just to hear some of the lines

( "F***aduck!" "This has got some weird-ass lyrics!" "Mick! Mick! Mick! Speak English!"

"I'm down here on the docks at 1:30 in the morning. I should just pin a hundred dollar bill to my ass and scream 'victim here! victim here!'"

"How'dya like me to kick you in the nuts so hard they get lodged in your nostrils?" "My, that's a vivid image, isn't it?"

"I got moths. Big, junkie, mutant moths."

"You can't miss me! I'm a little black woman in a big silver box!"

"Earl, look at this face. This is the face of a woman on the edge." "I know, my wife has that same face."

"How are you?" "Oh, boy, well, y'know I hate my job, I hate this city, 'm a little bit lonely from time to time, I feel like I got my period every day but for the most part this spy stuff is... a big mistake... but other than that I'm great!."

"If I'd known this was the way to get a promotion I'd have blown up the place years ago.") ... lines that ease my pain and bring a smile to my face... to watch internet chat before the internet, before "chat" -- to laugh at the the suspension of disbelief required to believe the computer was talking to her in an english accent with her back turned to it... to actually enjoy The Rolling Stones, who I never listen to otherwise.

----- it's a gas!

Mission: Impossible II (2000)

M:I with Kick!

[8/10 · 24 May 2000]

Tom Cruise and John Woo deliver on their promise to bring you Mission Impossible with Kick (or, kicks, shootouts, sliding shootouts, sliding car chases, high cliffs, sweaty palms, and tight editing)! Like a gift to all us Gen X'ers and the Baby Boomers who grew up with the original Mission Impossible -- this is the way it was meant to be. The first one pales in comparison.

The Insider (1999)

A story of heroism

[16 February 2000]

THE INSIDER was amazing. If you're not a part of corporate culture and if your job and your life do not have anything to do with the decisions of those corporate "lords" then it makes sense that you wouldn't see the interest in such a film. However, it was wonderful at revealing the mindset, the motivations, and the fear that these corporate overlords can and do inspire in the people with true integrity who work for them. It is a story of heroism which is incredibly meaningful for its relevance to our modern day lives. If you haven't seen it you must, but if you're not in a position of authority where your decisions have an impact on anyone else, you may not get it.

However... if you DO know what that's like... if you know how hard it is to choose between the company line and the right thing sometimes, you'll love this film. You will want to worship Jeffrey Wigand and you'll start watching Frontline (at least a little) because you'll be p***ed off that you can't see the work of Lowell Bergman on 60 minutes any more.

Be aware. They can fire you for anything they want to if you're in management. All they have to call it is "poor communication skills." That's code for being a bug up somebody's a**.

Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers (1993)

A Comedy Miracle

[10/10 · 15 January 2000]

Nick Park's concepts for animated shorts may appear deceptively simple: A man and his dog visit the moon. A man takes in a boarder, who turns out to be a penguin. A man and his dog uncover a dastardly sheep rustling ring. One would expect animation which is cute -- but not nearly so clever as Nick Park's team have been in THE WRONG TROUSERS.

Using only their hands and tiny tools to mold and shape the clay from shot to shot, Wallace and Gromit's creators gave them life, personality, style, quirks, and sympathy. Gromit is eloquent without speech. Even the Penguin communicates deviousness and evil without facial expression or vocalization. In THE WRONG TROUSERS, this villainous Penguin is even frightening when he appears to have caught Gromit spying on him.

Of course the highlight of this half hour comedy miracle is a chase scene on a model train set which runs on a track through Wallace & Gromit's home. This unlikely transport forces improvisation to delight and amaze any viewer.

A complete 10!

Gone with the Wind (1939)

A Film of Archetypes

[10/10 · 15 January 2000]

Gone with the Wind is one of the most culturally important films ever made. In particular, Scarlett O'Hara (as portrayed by Vivien Leigh) embodies everything a woman is capable of being. It is tempting to call her the premiere incarnation of the Meridith Brooks hit song: I'm a bitch, I'm a lover I'm a child, I'm a mother I'm a sinner, I'm a saint I will not be ashamed There is no one short of Vivien Leigh who could have created Scarlett as such an archetype. (If a sequel HAD to be made it should have starred Delta Burke rather than Joanne Whalley-Kilmer.) For women searching to find themselves, they could do worse than to examine Scarlett for a role model.

Tuesdays with Morrie (1999 TV Movie)

A wonderful film to see with family, and without commercials.

[8/10 · 5 December 1999]

Tuesdays with Morrie was ideally suited for the format of a television movie. A series of vignettes with narration from Hank Azaria, a film based chiefly on dialogue and example, Tuesdays with Morrie is a heartwarming reminder to all of what is important in life--even for people who believe they have it all figured out. Hank Azaria delivers a rare and precise dramatic performance. Jack Lemmon, of course, is right on the money. If at all possible, view the movie without commercial interruption. Somehow corporate sponsorship doesn't fit.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Made for Tim Burton & Slasher Fans, no one else.

[21 November 1999]

I have seen nearly every Tim Burton movie, and in watching Sleepy Hollow I could have identified Tim Burton's fingerprints even if I hadn't seen and known the credits. Images from Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman, and Mars Attacks are everywhere. The glee with which he made Sleepy Hollow his own signature piece is clear! Those who love Tim Burton will love Sleepy Hollow. Granted, the head lopping delighted the slasher fans with whom I shared my theater. Each "Shwing!" of the Horseman's blade as he drew it from his scabbard delighted the crowd. The brief scenes of sexual bliss given to us to hint at the antagonists' motives drew cheers and sighs from the kids.

But the near-final scene of the villain's confession reminded me not of Tim Burton's Batman, but of the 60's camp TV series -- Here, let me tell you my entire plot, history, motive, goal, and obstacles before I have you killed! Not of course by my own hand now while I have you alone, but later, after the hero has arrived to save you! This villain has too much in common with Austin Powers' Dr. Evil.

The special effects, lighting, costumes, and set design are impeccable and deserve Oscar nominations of their own. You just won't see one for the screenplay or the acting (although I love Johnny Depp all the more when he faints!).

Dogma (1999)

DOGMA is to Kevin Smith what THE COLOR PURPLE is to Alice Walker.

[9/10 · 15 November 1999]

While organized religion takes its share of blows in this, the latest chapter in the World According to Kevin Smith, what you aren't expecting here is a potential source for the revitalization of faith in, of all things, God. DOGMA turns Catholicism upside down and shakes it by its ankles hoping for some loose change to fall out. Using imagery and symbolism from the Judaeo-Christian tradition, Kevin Smith asks the big questions -- who, where, and what is God, and what do we have to do with said God? He comes up with answers and, more importantly, ideas. As with all KS movies, VERY SERIOUSLY not for young children. Ben Affleck's preaching debut.