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diejohnny
Reviews
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
great movie, confusing marketing
I think the main reason people get turned off by this movie is that they go in thinking it's going to be a straight comedy. With some of the members of the cast (Stiller, Wilson, Murray...) and the wacky costumes on the poster, it's not hard to see why. I really wish they wouldn't have marketed this movie as such. If you see the trailer, all they show is the funny moments of the movie. They really don't give you any clues that it's sort of a drama, romance, tragedy, comedy hybrid. The first time I saw it in the theater that's what I expected, and thus I was a little disappointed. However, on the advice of almost everyone I talked to, I saw it again and absolutely loved it. It truly is a wonderful little movie, if you take it for what it is. I'm surprised there are so many negative reviews of the movie on here, but I understand that it probably didn't turn out to be what they thought it was going to be. Maybe try seeing it again; it worked for me. But for anyone who uses the cheesy line "I want two hours of my life back," that's probably not going to happen (if your time is that vital, why are you watching a movie, anyway?).
Bottle Rocket (1996)
truly a case of "you get it, or you don't"
A love it or leave it movie, I think. Most people I know either absolutely love it, or don't really care for it. The jokes are funny, but sometimes on the subtle side, and usually of the dead-pan flavor. I for one, fall on the "absolutely love it" side of the fence. It's a movie I can watch over and over again and still laugh like it's the first time. I agree with some that the overall "fun-factor" drops off a little during the romance portion in the middle, but I don't think James L. Brooks and the rest of the production staff would've given a bunch of first-timers that big of a shot without a little romance for those who aren't into the humor.
I gotta tell ya, I love Kumar. From his role as the inept safecracker in this one, to Mr. Littlejeans ("Best play ever, man") to Pagoda, he does it for me every time. And for all the Wes Anderson fanatics it's always fun to try and spot his old buddies in his movies (i.e. Dignan & Tenenbaum). For whatever reason, the Anderson/Wilson Bros humor does it for me. And what's best about it is that it never really seems to get old. They make their movies in such a way, that there really isn't a year or exact date or place that their movies take place in. They all have that whimsical, fable type feeling that makes them, for me at least, timeless.
*minor spoiler* - Futureman saying, "Bob, you were told to thoroughly clean the pool this morning" gets me every time.
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Ellen Burstyn is amazing.
Maybe the Academy Award voters saw something I didn't, but Ellen Burstyn's performance in "Requiem for a Dream" was far and away more impressive than Julia Roberts' in "Erin Brockovich." Now, don't get me wrong, Julia was good, but Ellen Burstyn is absolutely brilliant as Sara Goldfarb. It's one of the best performances I've ever seen.
This overwhelming film is supported by great visual/ audio techniques, an unbelievably powerful score and inspired acting from the entire cast. This is not "the feel-good movie of the summer," so be forewarned. If you're anything like me, you'll be left stunned after the gut-wrenching climax.
Director David Fincher said he's not as interested in movies that entertain than movies that scar. This is a movie that scars.
10+
Fargo (1996)
Real good, now. (how it didn't beat the "English Patient," I'll never know)
I really enjoyed this movie. The story and the plot are not all that crazy (compared to a lot of movies, I mean), but it's the actors and the very simple people they portray that make it so enjoyable. To these simple, Minnesota folk in the movie, the story and the premise is pretty crazy. Seeing how all of them react to the kidnapping and the ensuing mishaps is great fun.
The Coen brothers are so amazing for their ability to bring us into people's lives we aren't used to seeing in other movies. I greatly admire their work and their courage to tell stories they want to tell. They had to know that some people would be turned off by the movie (a notion supported by some of the angry reviewers on here), but they really don't seem to care. I'm glad that this movie garnered them critical claim. Despite the "English Patients" Oscar win, it was the best movie on 1996.
Playboy: Playmate Playoffs (1986)
wet t-shirts + skimpy bikinis + sports + mud + playmatesawesome
This is one of the greatest videos I've ever seen. It features 10 gorgeous playmates competing against each other in various athletic activities, all of which involve either skimpy, very revealing bikinis or wet t-shirts. There's watersliding, pie relays, hose downs, rodeo riding and of course an impromptu mud wrestling display at the end. Chuck Woolery does a decent job of hosting it and it's actually quite entertaining aside from the awesome chicks. I'm surpised they didn't make any more of these. Probably has something to do with the fact that two of the girls get injured during the contests. The gals seem a bit of a throwback to the days of the "all-natural" beauty. And seeing the well endowed Roberta Vasquez bouncing in the relay race is a thing of beauty. If you're into hot 80's chicks, I suggest you check this out.