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scottythefield
Reviews
House of Games (1987)
Disappointing third act (possible spoiler alert)
The first 2/3 of "House of Games" is really enjoyable, as Lindsay Crouse's psychiatrist character is engulfed into the world of professional con artists. Dr. Ford's insights into human behaviour and motivations give her a giddy thrill in watching a "mark" succumb, and by giving us a peek behind the scenes, writer/director David Mamet allows us to get drawn in right along with her. In fact, our knowledge soon overtakes Dr. Ford's, when it becomes apparent that she herself has unknowingly become the patsy in a much bigger con-within-a-con. Nothing wrong with that, except that Mamet clearly expects us to be "surprised" by this revelation, long after it's blatantly obvious to everyone except the doc. At this point, she suddenly looks extremely gullible and slow-witted, our empathy with her is lost, and no amount of enjoyably hard-boiled Mamet dialogue can redeem the rest of the movie. (Incidentally, the strangely robotic performance from the usually compelling Lindsay Crouse, the former Mrs. Mamet, should be compared to the even-stiffer Rebecca Pigeon, the PRESENT Mrs. Mamet, in 1997's not-dissimilar "Spanish Prisoner". Maybe Mamet just can't direct women who are his wives?)
Of Unknown Origin (1983)
Bizarre or merely eccentric rat-out-of-hell film
Appropriately enough, this curious film begins on a curious note. First shot: some buildings. Then, superimposed over this shot appears the word "NOW" Now what? But before we can guess, other letters appear, then we realize that "NOW" was just part of the movie title which appears in full at this time. What's up with that? No matter,now...movie's starting. Peter Weller's eternally deadpan, low-key performance is just right, all the better to counteract every bizarre occurrence in this bizarre film, which is reminiscent of Nicholas Cage's "Vampire's Kiss" in that you're never sure whether it's meant to be funny, which it is. See, this huge rat is determined to eat him out of house & home while the wife & kid are out of town. Weller keeps trying to kill it without success, and he grows more obsessed everyday, forgets to shave & bathe for work, and reads all he can about rats at the library. This leads to the funniest scene, a business luncheon with the boss & clients. Weller ignores all the business talk, staring into space until they get his attention. Then, for no reason, he begins to talk & talk & TALK about rats, their history, terrible ratbites & so on & on until his fellow diners grow repulsed, quit eating & order more drinks, trying to block him out to no avail. Just one of many perverse laughs! Great fun!! SPOILER ALERT!...
...Well, I personally assume that this movie should be classified as a HORROR movie; if that's so, then this has to be history's ONLY horror movie in which NOBODY (human) dies, or even faces a life-threatening situation, for that matter...