|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Movie
Reviews
From Scribe
& Quill
Movie
Reviews |
|
|
|
|
Secret Window (March 2004) As much as it pains me to admit, I figured the movie out within the first half hour when I remembered the story it was based upon. But having been a die-hard fan of Stephen King since the late 70s, that's really no surprise. After you've read a kazillion of King's stories, you tend to figure out where he's going. King has an undeniable modus operandi that flavors nearly everything he writes. The basic synopsis is this: best selling author, Mort Rainey (played by Depp), is separated from his wife and living in a cabin in upstate New York. At the isolated cabin, there's only the writer, his dog and a maid who visits occasionally to pick up his empty Dorito bags and Mountain Dew cans. Mort is suffering from a bout of writer's block. As the story opens, we see him doing more napping than writing because he can't seem to get the words out right at the moment. He stumbles around the cabin, half-lucid, wearing his wife's tattered bathrobe and his hair is constantly disheveled. This is a man for whom his thoughts are not only out of focus, but whose life is out of focus as well. Depp is a gem as the writer tortured not only by writer's block, but by flashbacks of his marriage and what went wrong. Some of the behavior Depp exhibits as Mort Rainey made me smile because, as a writer, it seemed all-too-familiar (such as talking to one's pets about the current piece of work and berating oneself over producing 'bad writing'). Depp makes the character believable and I won't hesitate to mention that without him in the lead roll, I would have given this movie a C. The acting is laudable and Depp is especially on the money with his off-hand humorous quips throughout the film. One day while engaging in yet another nap, Depp is awakened by a tall, black-hatted stranger at the door named John Shooter. The man claims Rainey "stole his story" despite Rainey's protestations to the latter. This is where the suspense begins and where Rainey's naps end. Amid threats and demands, Mort Rainey attempts to obtain proof that he did not steal Shooter's story, even though the rolled-up manuscript (entitled "Sowing Season") Shooter leaves on the doorstep of Rainey's cabin reads identical to his story, "Secret Window," Rainey published years before. There are disturbing scenes in the film that I won't mention here that could prove to be upsetting to viewers under age 13 (hence, the rating). The viewer is taken on a suspenseful journey that provides many twists and turns. If you're a King fan, you'll likely figure out the destination well before you get there. However, if you haven't read much King, perhaps you may be in for a surprise. When all is said and done, the conclusion is unique but somewhat unsatisfying. It's like going out to dinner and expecting filet mignon and getting a hamburger served to you instead. While the hamburger is cooked well and fills you up, you're still left yearning for more succulence and flavor to the meal. Secret Window is worth your dollars at the reduced matinee show, but I wouldn't pay full price to see it. While Secret Window entertains with suspense and bits of appropriate humor sprinkled here and there, in the end the movie falls prey to one of my strongest criticisms of Stephen King -- predictability. Granted, this movie is one of the better translations of his stories (most King stories end up becoming horrible B-movies viewed on late-night cable), but it still falls short of the mark in the end.
The Passion of the Christ (February 2004) Admittedly, I went into this movie with mixed emotions. The larger part of me was curious to see what all the hubbub was about after hearing all the anti-semitic charges leveled at Gibson and the movie. Not being a Christian myself, another part of me was wary about seeing the movie at all. However, at the core I believe there are universal truths in most, if not all religions, and like the Buddha said, if you turn away wisdom just because it doesn't have YOUR belief system's label on it, then you are not especially wise. That said, we arrived at the theater about 45 minutes before the show. We sat there as the rest of the crowd filed into the auditorium. We were told there was a sold-out crowd, so everyone had to move to the center of the aisles to make sure all empty seats were filled. Watching people arrive and search for seats reminded me of why I never cared for church. Invariably, I picked out countless people who were either carrying bibles with them or meeting up with others from their congregation and hugging or holding hands, etc. At one point, my son leaned over and remarked, "Do you get the feeling that we're the ONLY ones in here who don't already know others here?" He was right...it seemed like a convention of sorts. Discomfort set in even more as the minutes ticked by and I wondered had I made a mistake by being there. Thankfully, the previews eventually launched and the theater lights dimmed. Although the film has subtitles and is spoken in Aramaic and Latin, the subtitles didn't prove to be a distraction for me. In fact, after a short while I forgot there were subtitles because I was so engrossed in the movie. While it takes some films forever to set up back story and get to the meat of the action, in this film the plot is immediately set into motion. Within minutes, we see satan (played by a bald woman with a man's diabolical voice) taunting and questioning Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and Judas, with soldiers in tow, arriving to betray Jesus after having been paid 30 pieces of silver. Jesus is brought in front of the Jewish priests and questioned, then brought to Pontius Pilate in order to request that the "blasphemer" be crucified. Pilate isn't convinced Jesus has done anything worthy of death. He tells them to let Herod deal with Jesus. Herod makes light of the situation and calls Jesus no more than a silly man with foolish ideas, then sends Jesus back to Pilate. Mindful of a possible punishment from Caesar if there is another uprising, it isn't until the overwhelming pressure of the priests and the frenzied crowd that he reluctantly bows to their request for the crucifixion. As many of you have heard, the scourging of Jesus in the movie is especially brutal. It is bloody, gory and extensive. This segment made me wince over and over again. The sight of shredded flesh hanging off of a body and the repeated cruelty of the Roman tormentors as they gleefully slash and gash at his body with various instruments of torture is almost more than one can stand. I don't care if the tormentee is Jesus or some bum on the street -- I simply couldn't imagine how a human being could do this to another person, even if the person was his/her worst enemy. After the scourging, Jesus is taunted, beaten and brutalized by the Roman soldiers at every turn. Because he is a supposed "king," they fashion a crown of thorns and press it into his head, causing even more blood to flow down his already saturated and blood-soaked hair and body. The amount of blood in this film makes Texas Chainsaw Massacre look like child's play, in fact. Perhaps the person in the film I most identified with was Mary, the mother of Jesus (portrayed by Maia Morgenstern.) The pain and agony she goes through as she watches her son endure extreme humiliation, torture, and eventually death, is what tugged at my heart strings. Most likely this was because I am a mother and I cannot imagine what it would be like to see your son treated in such a way. What's more, there's nothing you can do about it except sit by and watch. Her strength and emotion grabbed me from her first scene and clutched me in its grip till the final scene. Even though Jesus was the central character in this story, it was Mary with whom I empathized the most. The crucifixion of Jesus in this film is the bloodiest, most heart-wrenching depiction I've ever seen. Former versions in other movies are clearly 'crucifixion lite' and are mere sanitized versions compared to the event portrayed here. There are graphic, close-up shots of the nails being driven into his hands and feet as well as the dislocation of one of his shoulders as a Roman soldier attempts to elongate his arm in order to reach the proper position before driving a nail into his right hand. One of the prisoners hanging next to Jesus also has the gruesome luck to have a crow land above his head and summarily pluck out his eyes before a soldier shoos the bird away. After all of this, and more, death looks to be a far better alternative. Too bad it didn't come sooner than it did for both Jesus and the audience caught in the grip of tension-filled moments. Several times I caught myself forgetting to breathe or noticed my fists were clenched tightly. The drama unfolding on screen wasn't just a Christian drama, but a drama any human being should react to if they have a heart and soul of any kind. After the movie, the entire sold-out auditorium was silent. A few people attempted to clap after a few seconds, but then they quickly stopped when no one else joined in. The credits began to roll and people stayed in their seats, very silent and contemplative. The silence was almost deafening. I can't remember the last time -- if ever -- I witnessed an audience so greatly affected by a film. Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell it most certainly isn't. In fact, there is nothing else to compare to this movie. Whether you are a Christian or a non-Christian, you will find something to admire in this film, even if it's strictly the mastery with which Gibson made this movie. This movie speaks volumes about humanity -- both the good and the bad segments of it -- but ultimately, it is a story of hope, love, compassion and the indomitable essence that resides in the human spirit (and beyond.)
The Last Samurai (December 2003) Simply put, "The Last Samurai" is an amazing movie on all levels. The cinematography for this well-crafted epic is fantastic, the action sequences are wonderful and the acting is Oscar-worthy, especially in the case of Ken Watanabe, who portrays Katsumoto (the last leader of the Samurai). Watanabe nearly steals the movie from Tom Cruise. Don't watch this movie on DVD or video, see it in the movie theater to get the full effect. One of the things I liked most about "The Last Samurai" is that although it honors the country and warriors/heroes it portrays with utmost reverence, it still allows for occasional moments of appropriate and fitting humor. In some scenes the action was so intense and involving, I nearly forgot to breathe! This film was worth every cent of the $120 million it cost to make. And then some.
Bad Santa (November 2003) Being naughty never felt so good (almost!) "Bad Santa" starring Billy Bob Thornton and a host of others -- including the late John Ritter -- is a wicked delight that should be reserved only for those who have had less-than-pure thoughts about the Christmas/Yuletide holiday season. Ever wondered how shopping mall Santas *really* feel when a kid pees on his red suit? Ever pondered what Santa does with himself in the off-season? Ever ruminated on the motivation behind someone working as a store Santa? If so, this movie may show you the darker side of the Jolly Old Man in the red suit. Billy Bob Thornton plays a foul-mouthed, slacker Santa who boozes it up constantly, gets laid in women's dressing rooms (wearing his Santa suit, of course!) and grudgingly listens to kids' Christmas gift requests. His sidekick, Marcus, is a dwarf who is also his partner in crime. The two work in tandem to knock off department stores using the guise of Santa and elf to help make their heists easier to manage. Bernie Mac plays a moderate role as a mall detective who has a few surprises up his sleeve, too (but I won't tell you what they are.) Ritter, in a role vaguely reminiscent of his role in "Sling Blade," makes an appearance as a store manager who is bothered by the newly hired Santa, but can't quite put a finger on why Thornton's red-suited cad irks him so much. For those who are cheerful by nature and who consider Christmas to be a sacred, untouchable holiday, "Bad Santa" isn't for you. But for those of us who have become rather cynical over the commercialization, stress and hassle of the holiday as the years gone by, this movie's a great way to let off that built-up resentment that's been simmering inside for decades. "Bad Santa" is crude, lewd and funny fare that's sure to offend a lot of people -- but that's what makes it so unique given the subject matter. If you're not offended by a bar maid who has a fetish for Santa and who screams, "F*ck me Santa!" as Billy Bob's character is giving her the "candy cane" treatment, there's not much else that will make you recoil even farther.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (October 2003) As gory, shocking and unsettling as the original, this remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre pays appropriate homage to Tobe Hooper's first cinematic tale of a psycho killer who has a fetish for masks made of his victims' faces, meat hooks and blazing chainsaws. The most horrible part of this tale, though, is the fact that it's based on true events that occurred in Travis County, Texas three decades ago. Jessica Biel heads a cast of young but respectable actors who succeed in transporting viewers back to the 70s when love was fun, sex was free and pot was ubiquitous (wait...it still is!) The dark, squeamish feel of this movie will keep you pinned to your seat and holding your breath as you clench your fists in hopes that the five kids will all escape the diabolical grasp of their torturers/killers. Will they or won't they? Only Leatherface knows for sure.
Scary Movie 3 (October 2003) A far cry from tasteful fare or an exercise in intellectualism, Scary Movie 3 spoofs such recent horror movies as Signs, The Others and The Ring in a series of juvenile sketches that range from a cameo of Pamela Anderson referencing her now-famous sex video with rocker Tommy Lee to abuse of a corpse at a funeral. Literally, nothing is too sacred for David Zucker and crew in this third installment of the Scary Movie franchise. Despite the raunchy humor that often forces one to wince in either disgust or pain (from the bad jokes that make thunderous thuds), Scary Movie 3 manages to outdo the first two installments -- and I'm not sure that's a compliment, by the way. It's politically and morally incorrect humor at its finest, and not a bad way to escape for a few hours on a Friday night.
Kill Bill, Vol. 1 (October 2003) Quirky, stylish and pure Tarantino fare. Drags in some places for short moments, but the barely noticeable transgressions are easily forgiven. By the time you reach the end of this half of the Bill saga and discover a key belief is revealed as one thing when you were under the assumption it was another, you wish Volume II would arrive a lot sooner than February.
House of the Dead (October 2003) Simply the biggest, foulest, suckiest pile of steaming cinematic feces I have ever had the misfortune of viewing in my entire life. It was so bad, it makes the average cheesy horror film look like a masterpiece in comparison. When given the choice to see this film or commit hari-kari, succumb to the latter choice and keep your dignity. I wish I had!
Freddy vs. Jason (August 2003)
"Dude, that goalie was seriously pissed off about something!" I've been an aficionado of horror flicks since I was a wee one, and I'd been waiting for quite a while to see this movie. The theater was nearly sold out and the crowd was raucous -- and we all got what we came for: a gory slashfest tempered with humor and villainous action. As usual, I came in with low expectations based on the genre and what had come before, but I left more satisfied than expected. Horror is cheesy, you say? Yeah, maybe. But then again, I have wet dreams about Stephen King's tales. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool horror flick chick and proud of it. Mix horror with quirky comedy and you've got me sewn right into your little pocket. "Freddy vs. Jason" -- if you're a huge fan of horror and the "Nightmare on Elm Street/Friday the 13th" movies series, it's a sure bet you'll enjoy this sequel.
Bruce Almighty (May 2003) I love Jim Carrey, but this film left me unsatisfied. This film's main problem is that it doesn't know what it wants to be when it grows up -- first it's a comedy, then it segues into draggy sentimentality that slows down the momentum. Somehow, I just think the goal of the film could have been met in a better way. Comedy and teaching a lesson or having a message can coexist in a movie, but "Bruce Almighty" wasn't adept in marrying these two elements in a seamless way.
The Matrix - Reloaded (May 2003) What a kick butt movie...a steamy love scene that made me drool, tons of whoop *** in regular and slow motion, jaw-dropping special effects and a highway scene that had so many car crashes and explosions one could easily lose count. Yummy! It wasn't better than sex, but it got my rocks off after a hard week of brain drain. Now I'm counting the days till November when The Matrix: Revolutions is released. Please, Mr. Director, be sure you put a fully naked Keanu Reeves in there again...slurp, slurp, slurp! Shallow? Perhaps. But in all seriousness, this movies gets a two thumbs-up from me.
Gods and Generals (February 2003) I was one of the unfortunate souls who went to see this movie. BIG mistake! In my 38 years of life, this HAS to be the most tedious, self-important, drawn out BOREfests I've ever viewed in my life. By the time the intermission rolled around, the ushers were giving out rainchecks for a free movie to the ENTIRE theater audience because there had been so many complaints about this movie. How would I describe this movie? An unwieldy trainwreck on a long journey to absolutely NOTHING. And btw, Mr. Maxwell, the South LOST. Seeing this movie was comparable to having someone jab a sharp-tined instrument in your eye socket repeated over a four-hour period. Save yourself the trouble and the pain -- just say NO!
|
|
Copyright ©1997-2008 Scribe and Quill |
|