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Jack Goes Boating (2010)
You'll like Philip Seymour Hoffman more after this movie!
Philip Seymour Hoffman WARNING: I realize that I clearly I have a thing for Mr. Hoffman, but my fan-girl gushing about this movie will not stand without firm fact to support it. In this review, I will center on him and branch out.
Oddly enough, I became a Philip Seymour Hoffman fan just one season before he passed away. Not that anyone really cares.. The people in my life are not into movies or actors or TV as much as I am and would likely not be able to remember his face or his name unless he was way more attractive or black or maybe a singer instead of an actor? As much as I wish I had someone who could enjoy his work with me, I true enjoy admiring his talent on my lonesome.
Though I am a fan, I haven't seen half of his movies. (But I can count them on 2 hands?) I just really like the ones I have seen. Jack Goes Boating is my favorite one so far. I rented it once, and then later down the line I tried to find it online. I gave up on that and brought a copy on amazon instead. And It was cheap
like $1.50 and soooo worth it for a movie that I just love. Now, I've seen it three times. For me, it was a feel good film for the socially awkward who want hope and perspective of where they can be, the emotionally unstable, abused, thoughtful, passionate, kindhearted and many other varieties of people.
The movie was released in 2010, but before that, the stage version of Jack Goes Boating was originally produced by LAByrinth Theater Company in New York City. Hoffman and co-star John Ortiz were co-artistic directors for over ten years. A brief synopsis from IMDb.com: A limo driver's blind date sparks a tale of love, betrayal, friendship, and grace centered around two working-class New York City couples.
What I love about this movie is the fact that it sheds light on a great guy who just happens to have a confidence issue. It's a romantic comedy/ drama, and I melt for romance. But its essentially an underdog story. Almost a Wizard of Oz kind-of story. Jack, played by Hoffman, is a very unique man living an average life but lacks a few keys to happiness. The viewers will soon realize that he's the man.
There was no acting that stuck out to me as being bad. I suppose that working for so long on the stage really refined them. On the other end of the spectrum, I think Jack's character took a lot of work because its so unusual so I appreciate the out-come. As Jack and Connie (picture above) begin a new relationship, Lucy and Clyde are more like enduring an old one. Daphne Rubin-Vega (who played Mimi in Rent) is Lucy and John Ortiz is Clyde. Vega and Ortiz take your emotions and twist them up, and throw them back at you. Their relationship is relatable for many, and their acting feels seamless. Amy Ryan is Connie. Connie has a pure spirit with speckles of strength and irresistible quirk. Ryan does a good job of portraying Connie as being beautifully delicate. All of the characters are very authentic. Ortiz and Vega were both nominated for "best supporting" awards but unfortunately lost to others in their category. The film it self and the screenplay writer were also nominated for awards the year it was released, but lost.
Jack Goes Boating is a slow paced film with dry humor. I realize for a lot of people, this is deal breaker. I didn't even notice until I the second time I watched it. There is a good deal of "open space" matched with explosions of action that both really draw you into the story and create such drama. No matter what, there are big laughs there, but it takes a sharp minded person to pick up on it. It was a joy noticing humor and foreshadowing and style as the movie progressed because it was a challenge to grasp at times. In the end, I just truly appreciated all of it. Also, the music was great. Its always nice to hear good songs that aren't force fed to you on the radio, and the selections had as much soul, captivity, and thought-provoking potential as the characters. There was even a few nice indie songs that I added to my own music play lists after the very first time I saw the film. Lastly, I give props to the production crew for showing parts of NY that are infamous.
The play got good reviews in a new York Times article The Zen Art of Life Maintenance (Pass the Bong, Please) in 2007: "This gentle portrait of pothead losers in love is a reminder of how engrossing uneventful existences can be in the hands of the right actors." I agree. For a story about average working class people in NY who smoke pot and live their lives while dreaming about a better time its very charming and surprisingly moving. This is a great film.
Man on the Moon (1999)
Delightfully Hauting
I'm sure this review will be shorter than the last- or so I say now. I thought I'd do a review about this movie because its another film that I think has been really underrated. I've also seen this one three times and I loved it. So here I go! The first time I saw this, it was with someone that had already watched it so I remember feeling that I was pressured to catch all the details and to like it. You know that feeling? I usually just make sure its a movie that me and my company haven't seen. For this movie it actually turned out okay
First of all the storyline is just amazing. Wait
SN: I'm realizing that I may just run out of positive adjectives to use to explain how much I liked this movie, this story, these characters
I'm just so in awe that I may not be varied in my articulation. So just imagine a girl sitting at her computer bright eyed heart beating quickly, jaw dropped and mind so active that what comes onto this blog is merely the few snip bits of wonder that she is able to snatch and type. This is my new favorite movie. I have so much to say about it. You'll just have to trust that I know what I'm talking about.
OK i'm back. Its just so fresh. Yeah, FRESH, that a good way to describe it! Like the last review I did, I think this movie is another one that requires a sharp mind to appreciate it. But Man on the Moon is not just a movie. What I say will speak to this whole phenomenon as it were
There's tons of unorthodox and very smart things that take a open and patient lover of comedy to enjoy. There that's all i'll say for that.
Jim Carey stars as Andy: Now any level of "film buff" knows that Jim Carey is one of the most successful comedians in the business. I'm not the biggest Jim Carey fan so I haven't seen all of his work or know his story, but as someone who loves comedy and at least likes him, I was very satisfied with his acting in this film. In my opinion, Jim only solidifies his talent in this movie. The truth is this movie is not nearly as popular as his other films, and he plays a role that's on an entirely different scoring field. But the result is absolutely incredible. Also this movie rates pretty high on this site alongside his other movies: 7.5/10 compared to 6.8/10 for The Mask or 6/10 for The cable guy. I think that the reason for this is the storyline.
Danny DeVito's role in the film touched me because he was manager and mentor to this special guy. I found myself wishing I myself could have played this role. What a wonderful place to be.
Paul Giamatti took on a similar role. He instead, was like a side kick or understudy. Also a wonderful place to be.
There is also a lot of stars in this film but someone my age wouldn't really be able to speak on them.
This movie was just magical. If I wasn't cracking up, I was sitting on the edge of my seat with my mind constantly active and overwhelmingly entertained. You will NEVER see a movie like this, as you will NEVER hear a story quite like this. I've never been so happy after seeing a movie. It was so satisfying and fun and sad and
I just thought it was brilliant. What this character did was all so very groundbreaking and brilliant that he just makes such a strong impact.
Now in order to do this review, I had to do some research. Remember when I described Man on the Moon as a phenomenon? Here's why: I remember hearing that this was based on a true story, but today as I'm writing this review I was moved once again. First, I went to Google to search for Andy. And there it was. The first link : Andy Kaufman on Wikipedia. I skimmed the article and was surprised to see what things in his life were held true in the movie. What a treat! Its hard to believe that Andy really didn't consider himself to be a comedian. Then, I went to YouTube and watched a video of him in an interview on David Letterman. Again I was just amazed. I liked thinking of how the audiences must have been so affected by him. It would have been such a big thing to experience first hand. Lastly, I watched an interview with Danny DeVito about working with Andy Kaufman on Taxi. This interview just brought back for me all of the feelings I saw while watching the movie because he talks about a scene from the film as it happened in real life. Simply irresistible.
Andy Quotes: They say, "Oh wow, Andy Kaufman, he's a really funny guy." But I'm not trying to be funny. I just want to play with their heads.
I just want real reactions. I want people to laugh from the gut, be sad from the gut, or get angry from the gut.
Andy Kaufman is among the greats. He was the one who brought the people through every emotion at maximum intensity. He was the one who's brilliance is haunting. If you don't know of the man I suggest that you watch Man On the Moon. Then, learn about the true character that simply could not have been created for film.