skip-25 Reviews

The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

russo radiant

[10/10 · 23 December 1999]

The film is fun entertainment. The music adds to the fun. While the film could be shorter, Renee Russo keeps the chemistry going. It would have been nice if cops Leary & his African-American colleague had been given a little more of a role. You get the feeling that it could have been done without distracting from the fabulous Russo.

Solo for Clarinet (1998)

brave performances

[10/10 · 12 May 1999]

Both the male & the female lead in this movie gave brave, nuanced performances.

Welcome to Woop Woop (1997)

over the top fun

[10/10 · 12 May 1999]

This movie isn't for everybody. But as weird as it is, it is fun, and acted with gusto, especially by Susie Porter.

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Elisabeth Shue is the reason to watch.

[6/10 · 12 May 1999]

Elizabeth Shue gives a brave, complex performance. While Nicholas Cage simply drinks, Shue must demonstrate a wide range of emotions as she struggles to deal with the situation. She faces a wider variety of danger (her situation as a prostitute is not sugarcoated) and shame (she apologizes to others for Cage's misbehavior). I do think the film gives short shrift to the decidedly unglamorous physical deterioration that comes with drinking. But I also think the film deserves credit for avoiding psychobabble!