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AcidQueen
Reviews
Jersey Girl (2004)
An Excellent Change in film Genre!
I had been anxious to see Kevin's newest film, "Jersey Girl" for over a year; I was extremely disappointed when Miramax held up the film's release for almost a year after it was completely done. Anyway, the release date did finally come and I went to see it the weekend it came out. I LOVE IT!!! I wondered just how Kevin would pull off this film, since it is completely different than any of his previous films and I have to admit, I wasn't surprised by what a GREAT JOB he did writing and directing his "Jersey Girl". Naturally, as with many films, there were a few places in the film that I thought seemed a little weak; for instance, the development of Afleck/Tyler's relationship, just didn't seem believable to me; however, the relationship which developed between Afleck and the 'jersey girl' was phenominal! As was the relationship between Ollie and his father. I gained a brand new and deserved respect for George Carlin after seeing him in "Jersey Girl". more so than in any of Kevin's other films that he appeared in. One thing that I worried about prior to seeing "Jersey Girl" was whether or not my familarity with the movie's setting and location would keep me from 'getting into the film and characters' like I should. I grew up in Atlantic Highlands,which is the neigboring community to Highlands; I spent as much time in Highlands and knew that community as well as I knew Atlantic Highlands. I went to St Agnes Parocial for grammar school, but transferred to the new regional school built for junior/senior high school students from both Atlantic Highlands and Highlands in 1962 as an 8th grader and graduated just before the famous, "Summer of Love" in June 1967, Henry Hudson Regional School, home of the Admirals. Anyway, my 'fears'about my familarity with the film's setting were non-existent as I watched and enjoyed "Jersey Girl". I found myself becoming 'emotionally involved' with what the characters were going through and any movie that can bring this out in the viewer is not just a 'good movie', it's a GREAT MOVIE! Thank You, Kevin; and yes, Ms Keeler definately would be PROUD!
ABC Afterschool Specials: Can a Guy Say No? (1986)
A Good Coming of Age Values Film
A production aimed at teens, "Can A Guy Say No?" is just one of the "DeGrassi High" film series from Canada, it touches, as all the shows in the series do, on issues that teenagers face as they 'come of age'. This particular show, starring Steve Antin and Brook Bundy, explores teenage sexuality; using the ideas of peer pressure to to do something, even though you don't feel comfortable about doing something is presented very nicely in the story line. Antin plays a good looking and popular high school boy (about 16-17 years old); he's a good student, has a steady girlfriend and a part time job, who is concerned and upset because he's still a virgin. As the film progresses you understand how much of his insecurities are not coming from within him, but are being planted in his mind by 'his buddies'; all of which are still virgins, also, I want to add. He begins to go through all these 'phases' to prove his masculinity--clothes that he wears, places he goes to, etc; this longing to 'do it' for the first time, leads to his meeting and eventually developing a friendship with the girl nextdoor, who he knows only from the rumors going around, that she's 'easy' and the school harlot.
In getting to know her for 'his' purposes, he ends of learning about her and why she behaves the way she does. As they become good friends, they both actually begin to realize that 'sex' is more than just proving your a man, on his part and not the way to get boys to like you, on her part.
It is a very well done show for teens, market which is sorely lacking on any valuable programming geared for them, on American television.
Murder in the First (1995)
Kevin Bacon's proformance is what MAKES THIS MOVIE!!!
Although, the performance of the other actors in "Murder In the First" were okay, anyone who's seen this movie will have to agree that Kevin Bacon's performance is what really makes this movie! Bacon portrays the character of 'Henri Young' so well that it becomes difficult to watch the film more than a couple of times, I found; and I love to watch 'good' films over and over. You are just so drawn to the feelings of and what this young man went through, most of which, weren't really his fault or responsibility. After watching this film just a couple of times I so deeply felt 'Henri's pain', I haven't been able to watch it again. It's a 'good' actor that can make you feel this way about the character they're protraying. I am not going to contend that I am much of an afficianado of Kevin Bacon's films; I've only seen a merely handful, but this by far is his best, as far as I'm concern. One of the other review comments suggests that Bacon is what makes this movie and 'holds it together' and I have to admit 'totally agreement' with that; he does! Without his portrayal of 'Henri Young', I don't think this film would of even made it to the video market!
The Getaway (1994)
One Film, Two Different Periods In Time
The comments that I've read regarding the 2 films,"The Getaway", I feel, fail to take into consideration the differences in the time periods that each film was done. "The Getaway"(1972), starring Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw was remade in 1994 by then husband and wife Alec Baldwin and Kim Baseger. In remaking "The Getaway" the filmmaker(s) chose to use the same script, making only subtle changes so to fit in today's lifestyles, economically and socially. For instance, the amount of money they steal; in the original they rob a bank which nets them only 30-40 thousand dollars, which back than was a lot of money; however, today it wouldn't even be worth taking the risk for, so the script is modified, or modernized, so that they plan and carry out this huge heist of a racetrack, where they net a couple of million dollars, at least. There are even more subtle changes like this made in the 1994 movie, but everything else about the two is almost identical; even down to the dialogue, which I thought rather odd.
One of the comments I read, said that the second version was much better than the first; that they felt it more exciting and the first one had 'put them to sleep'. I can see this happening, if you're watching the two films the same way. These are two films that you just can't watch the same way. Of course something reflexing our world and lifestyles of 20+ years ago is going to bore you to sleep, because unless you were living back than, you can't relate to 'that world'. The only way you can watch these two films is with the desire to 'examine and study' them for this differences.; see how the filmmaker of one time period developed the story compared/contrasted with the other. If you're not interested in learning these differences, than don't look at both films because you're going to come up with the same conclusions everytime, I'm afraid.
The Accused (1988)
A Good Story Line, but done as well as it could of been done
"The Accused" a movie about a rape victim getting vindication rather than ridicule from our legal system and society, is PERFECT! However, even though the 'story line'was something worth expressing, the film, which gave Jodie Foster an Oscar, just didn't have the 'structure/direction' it should of had. There were a few really good lessons that could be learned from the various film characters, but for the most part, I feel the movie didn't and couldn't run under it's own steam; it had to be 'kick started'a few times throughout. There were just too many places that your attention would begin to ebb in the movie and it is the overall basic premise of the film (rape vindication)that seems to carry you through. One of the reviews commented on the placement of the 'actual rape scene, claiming it was only added at the end to 'tittilate'; I'm kind of in agreement with that; either it should of been done in the film's 'real time' sequencing, or not at all. Because it wasn't focused on at the beginning and just more or less alluded to, I don't feel the viewer is able to get the full impact of what rape really is; how it affects the woman in every aspect of their life nor does it give a clear picture of the rapist. Rape is a violent assault against another person, and has nothing to do with what having sex with your partner is suppose to be about. Instead of 'love' and 'sensual' feelings shared between two people, rape is completely opposite; it'rooted in and shows 'hatred' and 'a desire for only self-gradification'.
I think by placing the 'rape scene' in the film's 'real time' sequence, the viewer would of been able to get a much better understanding of what the film was saying and not just become 'tittilated' by it.
Making Love (1982)
AN EXCELLENT FILM: AHEAD OF IT'S TIME IN IT'S CONTENT!
Although the film "Making Love"(1982) was done over 20 years ago, I felt than and still feel today that it delivers one of the best and strongest messages about gays and lesbians in our society; a message that unfortunately more people need to 'get', even today. The film explores not only the idea of an individual coming to grips with his true sexuality, but provides the viewer with reasons why. It does an excellent job of depicting not only Zack's 'coming out', but the emotional stages both he and Claire go through before,during and afterwards.
There were a few weak mini-scenes, segue ways into bigger more important scenes that would of, or rather could of been done better; but when one sees this film today, one must take into account that this was still a rather taboo subject and not many people, including gays and lesbians were talking about. I strongly suggest seeing this film on video; it has an excellent message, not only about 'homosexual love', but about 'loving another person',period!