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Reviews
Chicago (2002)
Kander, Ebb, and Flow
After all the hype and all the raves, I went into this one expecting nothing but the best. In many ways, it didn't fail me. In some, it did. Visually, the piece is stunning - walking a fine line between its theatrical trappings and the celluloid world of film. Any strange idiosyncracies it showed were almost completely wiped out by the musical numbers. The staging and choreography of the musical numbers was brilliant, and are unmatched in the world of movie musicals, in my opinion.
"Both Reached For The Gun," in particular, features some of the most insightful, creative staging I've ever seen in a movie musical. Bob Fosse's movie take on another Kander and Ebb musical, "Cabaret," was wise enough to move the songs to the stage of the cabaret... nothing was done as a book song: only presentationally. "Chicago" followed the same sort of approach, only in addition to the songs done onstage, there are several songs which take place in Roxie's imagination, albeit mostly with a theatrical, "onstage" presentation. This proved very effective, as did the split stagings of action and counterpoint.
The "Cell Block Tango" was another fine number in the movie, albeit one that didn't maintain its energy throughout. By the time we got to Lipschitz, the number was tired and overdone.
Not that there weren't some odd bits... for example, cutting "Class" out of the movie was the wrong decision. And casting a female (even the wonderful, fabulous Christine Baranski) as Mary Sunshine, and completely omitting "Little Bit of Good"? Sinful.
Richard Gere proved to be a rather surprisingly good Billy Flynn, and Catherine Zeta-Jones was fabulous, as always, in the role of Velma Kelly. Roxie Hart could have been better cast than Renee Zellwegger... rather than a sultry, seductive vixen of the stage, Zellwegger portrays Roxie as a whiny bee-sting victim. And she lacks the charisma and moxie to pull off a role of this caliber.
All told, however, the movie does a fine job with what I consider to be a rather weak musical. Kudos.
The Month of August (2002)
One of the better Rom/Coms in a while
The amazing thing about this script, I learned while talking to the director after the showing at the 2003 Hollywood Underground Film Festival, was that it was the writer's first attempt. The story has a good pace and doesn't drag in the second act the way so many romantic comedies do... August is a well-drawn character, and the scene where they meet in the men's room is really a very strong example of solid comedic writing.
There are a few issues I had with the film, but they were not enough to deter the fact that it was solidly written, well acted, and competently directed. Very nicely done.
Final Destination (2000)
Accidental Surprise
I stumbled upon this movie recently when nothing else was on. Being an Ali Larter fan, I decided to try it out. It was amazing!! With such a young cast, I was worried about it becoming another teen slasher film, which it most certainly was not. What I liked best was the pace - not a second was wasted, from the film's first ten minutes until the shocking conclusion (just when you thought you were safe...)
In fact, I appreciated the fact that - just when you thought you had been cheated - the ending comes about and turns your expectations upside down. Thrilling cutaway shots throughout lead to suspense by hanging clues in front of us. And just when you think you've got it figured out, something else entirely happens... or does it? Great, GREAT movie. 8/10
Anna Karenina (1997)
Cliffs Notes were never better
I watched this movie after having just read the novel again, because I was told that it was "very faithful." After seeing it, I have to agree that it was very faithful to the original novel, even if certain parts were breezed over or even eliminated in the movie version. I was especially happy to see Levin, who I consider to be the character with the most complexity (perhaps because, as the film points out - and perhaps a little too heavy-handedly - he was based on Tolstoy himself,) to be the narrator. But I found the treatment of Levin in particular to be completely breezed over. Little more than a footnote in this production, Levin's book - which was one of the strongest forces behind the creation of "Anna Karenina" - was eliminated. But overall, this is possibly the most visually stunning movie I've seen in some time. Having watched "Eyes Wide Shut" just the day before I drew amazing parallels in the cinematography. Make no mistake about it, this is a great movie for anyone seeking an introduction to Russian literature.
The Inner Circle (1991)
Hulce Shines Again
As if we needed any further proof of Tom Hulce's wonderful ability and range as an actor, here he puts across one of his best performances. Larry Kroger (aka Mozart and Quasimodo) adds another dimension to his fine resume.
Wonder Boys (2000)
Small Wonder
This is Curtis Hanson's "second little movie." It doesn't have the comparisons to L.A. Confidential that one might expect. It isn't being hailed in the press as his triumphant return, or any such thing. In fact, it isn't being mentioned much at all. Which is one of the reasons I love it. Wonder Boys is one of those small treasures. You hear it advertised, and then it simply goes away quietly. Those who went to see it treasured the two hours spent in the dark and those who didn't will claim that they rushed out to see it a year from now when the awards start piling on. A beautifully crafted character review, Wonder Boys is definitely not a sequel to L.A. Confidential. In fact, I think that in many ways it surpasses its predecessor as far as direction goes. It's quite polished, and not a moment is wasted. Yet the viewer doesn't get the sense that he is being rushed. It's really quite a wonderful little movie, and I encourage you to go and see it before it slips quietly away. Be one of the ones who did see it, not who claimed to see it.
Orgy of the Dead (1965)
Not what it promises
"Orgy?? Undead?? This sounds like the coolest movie ever", we unwittingly say as we place the video in our proverbial baskets. Unfortunately, it turns out to be, quite possibly, the worst film ever made in the history of mankind. *sigh* No sex, no realistic zombies. Just a masturbating werewolf and distressingly un-beautiful women dancing.
When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
Wonderful. Simply wonderful.
This is one of the best. While being similar to the standard Meg Ryan fare, this one stands out above all the others. Easily Reiner's best script, superb detail-oriented action, excellent comic timing, and chemistry make Harry Burns and Sally Albright one of the best screen romantic couples in the 80's and 90's. Carrie Fisher gives easily her best performance ("You're right, you're right, I know you're right") and Bruno Kirby is strong in his supporting role - Harry's best friend and author. "I'm a writer, I know dialogue, and that's particularly harsh" and "Nobody's ever quoted me back to me" have become staples of the professional writer's repertoire.