littlebrownmanfrommars Reviews

The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

The Wachowski Brothers really drop the ball with this one.

[1/10 · 25 January 2004]

We waited this long for this? A movie that not only does not make a heap of sense but is a major let down in the most profound sense of the word. Its seems to me that the Wachowski Brothers only concentrated on the special effects but forgot about writing a compelling plot to go with it. The mythology that made the first Matrix such a classic is thrown out for an incoherent cyber juke of a story that not only insults the legion of fans but makes them look stupid for waiting around for theses sequels.



The Wachowski Brothers should be a shame of themselves for ripping off the fans of the first movie.

Gangs of New York (2002)

Not Scorsese finest hour but its Daniel Day-Lewis finest performances as a actor

[7/10 · 25 January 2004]

Martin Scorsese rendering of Old New York is no where near as memorable or as classy as his other fantastic films but the great and memorable performance of Daniel Day-Lewis makes this film better than it really deserves. His performance is a classic, and you are just floored by him every time he is on the screen. He is only reason that the movie gets the respect it gets because with out him, this would have been Martin Scorsese fall from grace. It was a real crime that he did not win the Oscar, and if you see this film, you will know why. This is big come down of what Scorsese has done before but its Daniel Day-Lewis finest hour as an actor.

Your Friends and Neighbors (1998)

Decent effort made by Neil LaBute but its not his best work.

[6/10 · 25 January 2004]

Neil Labute look at relationships is as sharp and as poignant as it ever has been but it lacks the emotional punch and the ferocity of his first effort' In The Company of Men, and his latest' The Shape of Things'. None of the characters in this film is innocent, and they are to be quite honest not that interesting except for Jason Patric, who is playing the character who likes to put all things about the sexes in misogynistic perspective. Catherine Keener, and the great Aaron Eckhart are fine as well but the movie on the whole is not really interesting enough to make you invest your time with them.

See In The Company of Men, and The Shape of Things instead.

The Shape of Things (2003)

A thinking man's horror movie.

[8/10 · 5 January 2004]

Neil Labute's look at the way we let each other change ourselves to be the perfect mate is almost as good as his disturbing, and down right horrifying first movie 'In The Company Of Men.' Paul Rudd plays Adam, a dorky security guard that meets an outcast named Evelyn play by the beautiful and extremely talented Rachel Weisz. They begin to go out with each other, and Evelyn begin to change Adam a little at first in his appearance and demeanor. The change slowing gives Adam the confidence he always wanted and the people in his life begins to take notice in the sudden changes in him. Then the way Evelyn continues to change Adam becomes a bit extreme, even going as far as to have him go and get plastic surgery. In true Neil Labute fashion, nothing is what is meant to be, and the reasons for changes in Adam becomes horrifying clear in the end, and nothing will ever be the same again for him, and the people around him.

This is hands down best movie since in the company of Men. The only problem I have with the film is the fact that it can't shake off it's stage roots and some of the scenes feel too off key to be real but besides that, its as scary and as disturbing as it's predecessor. Paul Rudd is great as the low maintenance Adam, and he brings a sense of humanity to his role and a sense of mischief as well. Gretchen Mole and Fred Weller are good as well as his best friends, but the real star here is Rachel Weisz who blends a sense of danger, insecurity, and deadly smarts in her role of Evelyn. Weisz is down right riveting, and you can not take your eyes off of her. She is so good in fact that in a way, you sympathize with her character, and kind of root for her even when you know deep in your gut that she is up to no good. Her performance is worthy of an Academy Award, and in my mind will not forgotten anytime soon.

It's good to see Neil Labute back to his own self.

Possession (2002)

What was Neil Labute thinking when he made this?

[3/10 · 5 January 2004]

If you are a fan of Neil Labute, you know that he can be merciless in his views of people and the world, But why would he subject himself to a pointless and mind numbing film like this? I barely got though this film with out falling a sleep, and that was an feet all in itself. Aaron Eckhart is better when he is bad, and Gwyneth Paltrow' is fine but look like she would have rather been some where else.

Hopefully Labute will stick to what he knows and leave the stiff love stories to lesser directors.

Nurse Betty (2000)

No way is this Neil Labute's best work but thanks to the fine performances, it's a semi-hoot

[5/10 · 5 January 2004]

Nurse Betty is an enigma among Neil Labute's body of work but it's a fine movie because of the performances, especially the ones given by Renee Zellweger, Morgan Freeman, and Chris Rock. They make this weird and engrossing road movie into a strange and deprave look at obsession, and popular culture. Considering Labute past work, this is no way as profound or as powerful as In the Company of Men and The Shape of Things but it's miles better than his lackluster love epic Possession.

In the Company of Men (1997)

Horrifying

[10/10 · 5 January 2004]

Neil Labute's in the company of men is a misogynistic look at the way men has to conquer women in and out of the bedroom. Aaron Eckhart plays a womanizer who makes a bet with a fellow co-worker to seduce a young deaf woman, and dump her in order to feed their misogynistic egos. In their pursuit of this innocent woman, they wine and dine her, and ultimately humiliate her in such a way that can only be describes as inhuman. Neil Labute's psychological masterpiece is a very sobering look at the game both sexes play, and the cruelty that we can inflict on ourselves.

Prepare to be disturbed.