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MrLankyD
Reviews
Jorge (1998)
More charming a romance than found in features
I caught this gem on IFC (back when I had it) and fell in love with it, though I didn't get the name. It was later made into a full length feature with only the same male lead and a different actress playing Alicia. The feature remake is called "Jump Tomorrow", and it loses all the magical charm that this little treasure has here. This is a film about innocence and love, and I loved every second of it. I will buy Jump Tomorrow in all of its spectacular mediocrity if it has "Gorge" on the disc, because this little film is worth the twenty bucks.
Mulholland Dr. (2001)
Dark, Surreal, Erotic, and addictive.
No, it does not make sense. Yet somehow it does. The ending is not a giant slap in the face of random proportion. No, the end of this film, as confusing as it is, is circular. Its as if the clue that brings it all together must be found in our own minds. When I first heard that the film didn't make sense, I expected a big giant goldfish to show up on screen out of nowhere for a completely abstract ending. Instead, what we get is something that connects to earlier characters and plot, and its as if we're missing the special 3-D glasses to see the entire puzzle. But it doesn't matter, having been prepared, I was able to enjoy the film as a piece of dream cinema, and it was great. The two leads are amazing, and it was hilarious to see the audience in the theatre start to squirm and ask "WTF" as the relationship between them slides from friendship, to love, to dark jealousy and hatred. You can construct your own explanation for this film, but either way, its strangely hypnotic. If you like something different and challenging in your movie going, then Mulholland Drive is for you. Mystery buffs how need an ending and a villain in handcuffs need not apply. I can't wait to get this on DVD.
Ghost World (2001)
Don't Believe The Hype
This is a film that starts off well enough, with a sharp wit and interesting characters. The problem is that this flick doesn't know where the hell its going. It meanders on and on with a slow pace, losing our interest, especially in the characters. Buscemi again plays loser, but it begins to become a tad depressing as Enid continues to be difficult and cruel to him. This film is not that funny, far too long, and its message is cloudy. Don't believe the hype on this one, its a big disappointment.
Abre los ojos (1997)
Wow
I already had pieced the twists of this flick together halfway through after many hint-filled reviews, but I didn't care. This is great acting, great writing, and great directing. Forget Vanilla Sky, this is the one to watch. As Cesar goes from rich playboy to disfigured freak, Sofia goes from girl of Cesar's dreams to the unattainable figure of salvation, as the film twists and turns, you are mesmerized. This is a really solid, imaginative film, and Amnebar is an incredible talent. I've never been a Penelope Cruz fan, and I don't think she's as luminous as everyone says. In this film, however, Cruz is sultry, sweet, and angelic. Eduardo Noriega is charming then sympathetic, and Amnebar's music is wonderful. This is a beautiful and tragic love story, one that you actually care about, unlike most films where the question isn't whether or not they will get together, but how they will get together. In a film like this, we honestly don't know. I love this film, and you will at least find it entertaining/interesting. If you're considering watching Vanilla Sky, watch this first. Its better to see the low budget and superior version before the big-budget inferior one. Go rent it, its worth it.
p.s. I did like how in Vanilla Sky there was more character development and explanation of the subconscious' hallucinatory actions, which was nice. Aside from that explanation, Vanilla Sky is as I said before, inferior.
Clerks (1994)
Unfunny and Overrated
This flick may have been great in its day, but upon viewing it in 1998, I was very disappointed. Then again, when you start your Kevin Smith viewing at Chasing Amy and work your way down (then mallrats, then clerks) you are bound to be disappointed. Though the dialogue is at times witty, the acting is weak and amateur, and hey, I understand why, its no-budget cinema, but it still sucks. The flick isn't funny either, and the camera work is just awful. When people suggest to me we have a Kevin Smith festival at my house, I say great idea, but skip "Clerks", or else we'll all fall asleep......yes, its that dull a movie.
Thank you Silent Bob for saving a moment of the film with your tubby hip hop dance.
Brazil (1985)
Gilliam's a visual genius.
If anything else, you could just mute this film and stare at its beauty for two hours. Director Terry Gilliam knows film is a visual medium, and knows how to tell a story by painting a picture. This film is dark, satirical, funny, scary, and surreal. I'm saving up for the sixty-dollar Crterion DVD boxed set. This film deserves such treatment, as its an underrated masterpiece looking at bureaucratic hell, where a misspelled name on a piece of paper results in an innocent man's death. Where paperwork is God, and man is slave to the corporate cog wheel. Dilbert has nothing on Sam, whose only happiness lies in dreams. This is a very special and original film, and deserves to be watched in all of its colorful glory on dvd, where it can be done justice. Surprisingly for an eighties flick, it still looks great and holds up. Check it out, you'll be surprised at how incredible it is.
:::::::::::::POSSIBLE SPOILER:::::::::::: P.S. Some say the ending is depressing, but I feel instead that it is the ultimate escape for our hero, evidenced by the last look of serenity on his face.
Dogma (1999)
Kevin's Dissapointment
I remember reading the screenplay before seeing the movie in unhealthy anticipation, and it was marvelous. Fresh, witty, original, different, it was great. The film on the otherhand, is not. Kevin Smith is not one for visual flair, which hurts an effects-laden epic scope film like this. If a movie is supposed to have an adventure/fantasy feel to it, you can't spend the whole movie talking about stuff and not actually showing it, at least not this way. ITS A FRIGGIN' ACTION SEQUENCE!!! YOU CAN'T DO THAT SHOESTRING STYLE YOU FOOL!! This film starts off funny enough but is unsuccessful in juxtaposing the humour and drama/violence, and without balance you have dead weight. The laughs exit quickly and are replaced by...boredom. Whats worse, Mr. Smith's cast is not quite up to snuff this time. Linda Fiorentino is one-note and unengaging. Chris Rock is as always a bad actor, and only looks comfortable when yelling or cussing. Smith himself overdoes it a bit. And the stygian triplets are in no way menacing. I'm sure it sounded funny on paper, but its cheap on screen. If Smith had the directing chops and the budget to make this work, it could have been great, but he doesn't. He is a writer first and a director second, and in a dialogue driven film like "Chasing Amy", thats all well and good, but not for Dogma. People really seem to like this film for its open mindedness. Well everyone is open minded to the extent that we're now close minded to actually having opinions about stuff....was that a rant? Never mind. Mark this down as a disappointment and a could have been classic spoiled by shoddy direction and budget.
Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)
The Best Fairy Tale In Years, The Best Film Of 2001
If you've gotten to my review at this point, you've either seen it or are considering seeing it. What more can I say about this cinematic-candy-store-shopping-spree that hasn't already been said? This is the definitive ROMANTIC-COMEDY. It is actually funny, as in hilarious, as in split-sides and slap-knees-humorous. It is indeed romantic, as in hold-them-close, heart-aflame, the world is a beautiful place-romance. This movie is magical, and if you need me to define magic, then you need to watch a movie like Amelie to have it restored in you. Welcome to the best fairy tale in years (sorry Shrek) and its for adults no less.
Warning, this film is not for everyone in that, lets face it, its a French flick, and some conservatives may find it a tad "risquee", but its more than that. Amelie is a beautiful gem that made me smile more in two hours than I have for 2 month stretches. My palms are sweaty in anticipation of this DVD, so I can invite my friends into the magical world that Jean-Pierre Jeunet has so masterfully created and handed us the keys to.
Once again, the best film of 2001 (sorry Memento.)
Chasing Amy (1997)
No matter what happens, I will always love Kevin Smith for this film...
Kevin Smith: some say he just sets up a camera in front of his actors and tells them how to say his words. Its probably true, but for a movie like Chasing Amy, I'd have to agree with him putting a basketball player in the film in a dramatic role (he doesn't, I'm just saying its that good.) This is my favorite film, because it covers so many areas, and goes deeper into the sexual mind and conscience than any film I've ever seen. These are real issues, and real people, and its funny, sweet, romantic, heartbreaking, honest, and brilliant. I saw this flick when I was like 15. It spoke to me then on a certain level, and as I've gotten older I've picked up more and more. Did I mention I love this film? Its SMART. Be warned, this is not a comedy, at least not for the second half its not. And don't ever let a conservative watch this, it does more with words than most "teen gross out" comedies can do with an hour and a half of bad sight gags.
This movie made me love Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, Joey Lauren Adams, and Kevin Smith, long before the aforementioned actors hit it BIG. This flick is great, now go buy it.
Before Sunrise (1995)
One of the most intelligent romances ever seen on screen
This is called smart cinema. Smart writing, smart acting, smart directing. I love this flick more than words can say. This is an intelligent film (intelligent audience: you know who you are) and should be viewed by those who want to see something different yet poignant. This isn't just romance, this is human connection, and Linklater, Hawke, and Delpy nail it on the head. Watch this with someone you love, and appreciate the fact that you have them for more than just a day.