BrashFink Reviews

Ringu (1998)

Japan - The future of horror...

[14 June 2004]

This movie is out and out Brilliant. I am SOOOO glad I saw this BEFORE I saw the American remake, which was good at best. It in NO way shape or form matches the mood.

Japan is the one to watch with the rather hum-drum state of horror here in the U.S. Their films have a creepy mood that just seems to be unable to be produced for some reason here (Forewarning, they are remaking another Japanese great Dark Water).

Even if you have seen the U.S. version, rent this, it is much better.

One VERY interesting piece of information... The U.S. version of Ringu 2 (The Ring 2) is going to be done by the director of the original Japanese Films (as well as Dark Water).

Flypaper (1999)

Great title anyway...

[5/10 · 27 March 2002]

Started out interesting enough, but then the movie completely devolved into nothing.

The entire Lucy Liu storyline was dumb. It was trying real hard to be Pulp Fiction (like a LOT of stuff around this time) but fails. If you stop to think about Pulp Fiction, every segment tied in together. This one started out with a simple storyline, simple plot, then tried to add other stuff, that doesn't have anything to do with the main plot (like the before mentioned Lucy Liu part). It goes off into its own story.

Still, not awful and it was enjoyable. Worth a rent, I am glad I didn't pay $9 to see it (was this even in the theatre?).

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995)

Best of the "Pulp Fiction" Knock Offs

[7/10 · 27 March 2002]

Of all of the "Pulp Fiction" rip-offs that came out in the mid 90s, this one is the best. Unlike most of the others, this really only dealt with one main story instead of trying to intertwine several stories like "Pulp" and failing horribly. This one is like "Pulp" in flavor, not through story telling gymnastics. It is a good solid story about good solid characters.

Andy Garcia is great. Why is this guy not in more leading roles? Steve Buscemi is great as always. (Chris Walken... 'nuff said!)

Great ending for a character doomed by his bumbling idiot friends. I personally would have done something a bit different with the title. I like the idea, but it is too "clunky" (a line used in the movie). I think simply "Dead in Denver" or even "Denver When You're Dead" Anyway, my crappy little 2 cents. I really enjoy this film and would recommend it to anyone.

2 Days in the Valley (1996)

Fun, dark little joy ride

[8/10 · 14 March 2002]

The premise is very complex and seems to keep changing thought the film. A little confusing, but quite clever if you can keep up. I especially enjoyed the anti-protagonist played by Danny Aiello. The movie leaves you guessing who you should root for. James Spader is great as usual, Eric Stoltz has a nice small part. All in all I enjoyed it.

Lewis & Clark & George (1997)

TIRPE!

[3/10 · 14 March 2002]

This movie looked fun on the cover and I honestly thought 'how bad can this be?' Little did I know. Out of the gate the dialogue was UNBEARABLE. It was contrived, unrealistic and not even interesting. Dialogue on UPN syndicated television shows is more natural sounding. The story was implausible and had nearly zero play-off at the end. The end with the snake is almost confusing and seemed staged. The only remotely interesting character is Rose McGowen's, who is mute which prevents her from being ruined with cliche ridden garbage dialogue (well, at least until the end when even she has to speak). The only thing that even gives this a 3 over a 1 or 2 is Rose McGowen's nude scene. Truly awful. Save yourself the trouble and rent something more interesting like a Barney Video.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

A modern classic

[8/10 · 14 March 2002]

I could rant and rave about this film for pages, but that would be pointless. Just SEE IT, it is that simple. Brilliant nonlinear story-telling. The payoff is technically in the middle of the story, but at the end of the movie (robbery scene). Though in my opinion, not as clever as Reservoir Dogs, the story telling is genius and that it why it won Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary the academy award for best original screenplay.

Killing Zoe (1993)

2 movies in one -

[6/10 · 14 March 2002]

This movie can be basically divided into two parts, the opening part where Zed runs around Paris with drug crazed maniacs and the KILLER bank heist at the end. The first half drones on and on with these characters who are all losers and no one cares about them. These peoples personalities could have been summed up in 15 minutes, not the 40 or more spent on it. By contrast, the second half is great. Very Typical of the writer/director's work with Quentin Tarantino in the past. Clever ending

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Gritty noir classic

[9/10 · 14 March 2002]

My review of this film cannot be even objective I like it so much. The plot is simple, but not. The heist is only loosely described, it is not the point of the story nor the vehicle that moves it. Great performances all around by the cast. By far, in my opinion, an all around better movie than Pulp Fiction (though Pulp had an amazing script). Reservoir Dogs is a simple and small casted movie with a genius shoestring plot stronger than your average convoluted Hollywood drivel.