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Reviews
Cirque du Cambodia (2020)
Flipping fantastic
This film shines a light down a pathway out of the darkness which has cast Cambodia in a shadow for far too long. The work ethic and artistry of two young men from the country's post-genocide generation is inspirational and moving. It shows what can be possible, especially when multiple countries work together and those with the means and platform support talent from around the world. I was honored to confer with the filmmaker throughout the many years this was filmed and edited. He took great care and time to get this story right and it was a delight to see how the narrative evolved in the final cut. Highly recommended.
Orange County (2002)
An offense to anyone who ever received financial aid
The values system promoted in this movie is the reason why millions around the world hate us as a society.
First, the entire cast is filled with white people. Even the requisite cop (normally a part reserved for African Americans in this type of movie) is white (Adam Sandler in a very unfunny cameo).
Second, it promotes the affluent lifestyle of Orange County as if living anywhere else is sacrifice.
Third, and most importantly, the story line is about a guy who's rich father won't buy his way into Stanford, thus making him a bad father. Then, when the father finally capitulates, the son turns it down believing instead that living in Orange County off of daddy's money will be better for his writing career.
Fourth, this is a waste of a good cast (except for the two nepotized leads) and a promising director.
Fifth and finally, this film requires us to accept the fact that people willingly want to go to Stanford, as opposed to the reality, in which Stanford is in fact a safety school for west coast snobs who couldn't get into an Ivy School.
DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE IF YOU EVER HAD TO STRUGGLE TO GO TO COLLEGE VIA FINANCIAL AID OR OTHER MEANS.
Pay It Forward (2000)
Inspiring Idea, Competent Execution
The concept is bold and the potential for failure is great. With any "you can change the world" movie, the result can be grand or grating, holy or hokey. Mimi Leder's effort (which at least proves she should be doing this type of film, as opposed to "The Peacemaker") is well shaped, thanks to an adapted script with heavy doses of realism, a key requirement for this story's success.
As expected from three recent Oscar favorites (Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment), the performances are tight, especially a bionic performance from Angie Dickinson. The soundtrack would have been hauntingly beautiful, if it wasn't so similar to the soundtrack for "American Beauty." Instead, it was distracting and overused. Some directorial moves are false, particularly the ending shot's "Field of Dreams" rip-off, but ultimately audiences will embrace this film thanks to everyone's effort.
20 Dates (1998)
It's good fun, which is enough
Subtly, I don't think this film purports to be a good film. Sure, Myles wants it to be his first big film and he wants to find true love, but I think he has his tongue on his cheek long enough for us to figure out that this whole movie, for the most part, is one big joke. Occasionally, I think the joke is on the critics who railed the film. Sure, this is a tough film to get through and we really don't care about the characters at all, but Myles shows some good comic promise with the running joke involving his "Producer." Ultimately, this film is worth checking out for curiosity's sake, but more notably, I will definitely check out his next film (if he gets to make one) to see if this film was an accident or if he really has what I think I saw in this film.
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
It stops for no one
Cheeky is the best description I've heard so far about this film. This is a movie that just pressed along, not worrying if it left anything or anyone behind. "Armegeddon" was kind of like this, but it was never substantive enough to fulfill its pace. This movie seethes of substance and reeks of riverly. Plus, don't pass up the chance to see two gorgeous lead characters in the most sensual love scenes and their birthday suits to boot. Don't be scared, much of this movie is spoken in prose (read: understandable). A great movie that makes Harvey Weinstein my hero.