I'm not going to talk about how much I hated this movie because everyone else has already done that for me. My problem with this "sequel" is that the main character talks about surviving an attack by Patrick Bateman (main character from American Psycho), but if you saw the original (or read the book) you would know that such an attack was not possible based on the outcome of Patrick Bateman. Think about it and see if you're as troubled with the first five minutes of American Psycho 2 as I was. 2/10 (it gets the 2 because it has that girl from That '70s Show)
Reviews
7 Reviews
The Many Lives of Jason Voorhees
(2002 Video)
A Reason to rent Jason X on DVD
8 October 2002
So I got dragged to the theaters to see "Jason X" and I felt ripped off (even though I didn't pay). Then I get stuck in bed after a car accident, and my girlfriend rents me "Jason X" on DVD. I decided that I was not going to watch the film for a second time, but I would check out the special features. This is where I discovered "The Many Lives of Jason Voorhees" documentary. Say what you want about the "Friday the 13th" series (they suck), but this documentary is very interesting. Realizing just how much money was spent, and how much was generated was something of amazement. You realize early on (hearing from crew members of the various movies) that no one ever took these movies seriously. They saw them as money-makers, nothing else, and it works. But to say this is just a documentary about the character of Jason Voorhees, but about the horror/slasher film genre itself. From the great aspects of the genre to the criticisms of that genre and its effect on society.
In addition to the various crew members, you hear from various critics and horror film people, from Joe Bob Briggs to Mark Borchardt, director of "Coven" (see "American Movie). Plus, as an added bonus, you get to see Kane Hodder (Jason himself) unmasked. After hearing what he had to go through to play the role of Jason on four times makes me respect Kane Hodder much, much more then I ever thought I would. Overall, this documentary is worth the five dollars you'll have to shell out to rent "Jason X" (just do it in disguise when no one else is around, or have your significant other rent it for you to avoid any embarrassment).
8/10
In addition to the various crew members, you hear from various critics and horror film people, from Joe Bob Briggs to Mark Borchardt, director of "Coven" (see "American Movie). Plus, as an added bonus, you get to see Kane Hodder (Jason himself) unmasked. After hearing what he had to go through to play the role of Jason on four times makes me respect Kane Hodder much, much more then I ever thought I would. Overall, this documentary is worth the five dollars you'll have to shell out to rent "Jason X" (just do it in disguise when no one else is around, or have your significant other rent it for you to avoid any embarrassment).
8/10
Dangerous Brothers Present: World of Danger
(1986 Video)
Silly, Rude & Fun
26 September 2002
Far be it for me to criticize another critic, but you should have known what you were getting into. Considering the level of difficulty involved in getting a copy of this tape, those interested in it would already have to be pretty big fans of Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson, in which case, they know what kind of humor is present.
This collection of sketches from the U.K.'s "Saturday Live" show include Richard (Mayall) and Sir Adrian (Edmondson) Dangerous setting fire to each other, babysitting, having a romantic night, teaching zebras to fly and so on.
Fans of Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson should check this out to see Rik acting as the aggressive, violent one and Adrian as the more passive character. Anyone who has seen any of the "Bottom Live" shows will see many of the jokes used in the shows in the early stages of development (yes, I believe it is not as simple as it looks). This is not for anyone looking for typical British wit, but for those in the mode for mindless, rude fun.
As far as comparing it to other Rik and Adrian works...you can't. Comparing this tape with "The Young Ones," "Bottom," or "Filthy Rich & Catflap" is not possible because this tape is filled with five to ten minute sketches, while the above shows were thirty minutes in length and had the benefit of plots (yes, I said plots) to help the story along. Remove the plot from a "Bottom" or "Young Ones" episode, and you would have "Dangerous Brothers Present: World of Danger."
8/10
This collection of sketches from the U.K.'s "Saturday Live" show include Richard (Mayall) and Sir Adrian (Edmondson) Dangerous setting fire to each other, babysitting, having a romantic night, teaching zebras to fly and so on.
Fans of Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson should check this out to see Rik acting as the aggressive, violent one and Adrian as the more passive character. Anyone who has seen any of the "Bottom Live" shows will see many of the jokes used in the shows in the early stages of development (yes, I believe it is not as simple as it looks). This is not for anyone looking for typical British wit, but for those in the mode for mindless, rude fun.
As far as comparing it to other Rik and Adrian works...you can't. Comparing this tape with "The Young Ones," "Bottom," or "Filthy Rich & Catflap" is not possible because this tape is filled with five to ten minute sketches, while the above shows were thirty minutes in length and had the benefit of plots (yes, I said plots) to help the story along. Remove the plot from a "Bottom" or "Young Ones" episode, and you would have "Dangerous Brothers Present: World of Danger."
8/10
Blue in the Face
(1995)
Not Smoke II
26 September 2002
Whenever "Blue in the Face" comes up in conversation, nothing angers me more then hearing it compared to as a sequel to "Smoke." It is clearly not a sequel. When talking about "Goldeneye" you don't refer to it as just another sequel to "Dr. No" in the James Bond series. While "Smoke" was a drama, "Blue in the Face" takes a comical look at those who go in and out of a corner tobacco shop in the heart of Brooklyn. Besides, you can't compare a fully scripted film like "Smoke" to an almost completely improvised approach in "Blue in the Face."
Harvey Keitel plays Auggie Wren, the man behind the counter of the Brooklyn Cigar Store, who acts as a homing beacon for some of the most colorful characters in Brooklyn, including a mentally unstable girlfriend, a rapping watch dealer, an owner and his wife having marriage trouble, and so on. The cast also includes Jim Jarmusch, Malik Yoba, Victor Argo, Madonna, Lily Tomlin, Roseanne, Mel Gorham and Mira Sorvino to name a few.
The topics covered in this film include Brooklyn, the Dodgers, smoking, eye glasses, lack of communication, relationships, surveys and much more.
One of the unique elements of "Blue in the Face" is the use of both the film footage, and interview footage of the actual residents of Brooklyn all tying together. Add on to that little introductions to each section of the film by legendary musician Lou Reed, the film flows through each subject very smoothly.
If your in the mood for a great independent film, check out "Blue in the Face" at your local video store. Just be sure not to start comparing it to "Smoke" as you watch it, otherwise you will get less enjoyment out of the film.
9/10
Harvey Keitel plays Auggie Wren, the man behind the counter of the Brooklyn Cigar Store, who acts as a homing beacon for some of the most colorful characters in Brooklyn, including a mentally unstable girlfriend, a rapping watch dealer, an owner and his wife having marriage trouble, and so on. The cast also includes Jim Jarmusch, Malik Yoba, Victor Argo, Madonna, Lily Tomlin, Roseanne, Mel Gorham and Mira Sorvino to name a few.
The topics covered in this film include Brooklyn, the Dodgers, smoking, eye glasses, lack of communication, relationships, surveys and much more.
One of the unique elements of "Blue in the Face" is the use of both the film footage, and interview footage of the actual residents of Brooklyn all tying together. Add on to that little introductions to each section of the film by legendary musician Lou Reed, the film flows through each subject very smoothly.
If your in the mood for a great independent film, check out "Blue in the Face" at your local video store. Just be sure not to start comparing it to "Smoke" as you watch it, otherwise you will get less enjoyment out of the film.
9/10
Vanya on 42nd Street
(1994)
Wrong theater, right movie
25 September 2002
I might not have ever seen this terrific film if it had not been for walking into the wrong theater. I was supposed to see screening of "A Night on Earth" during a local film festival, but I ended up in the middle of a screening of "Vanya on 42nd Street." I decided to stay and watch, not just because I had already seen "A Night on Earth" several times, but because I was curious when I saw Wallace Shawn & Andre Gregory on screen together in a film other then "My Dinner with Andre."
Don't be fooled and think that this film is simply a sequel to "My Dinner with Andre," because it is far from it. What you have here is a screen version of the stage play "Uncle Vanya" by Anton Chekhov, but with a twist. The cast is doing a rehearsal of "Uncle Vanya" in a rundown theater in the middle of NYC, to an audience of the director (Andre Gregory) and a few others. The film also includes breaks in the play for stage direction (acting as an intermission for the cast) as well as initial dialogue before and after the rehearsal. This also includes an amazing opening scene in which we see all the actors walking down 42nd Street in NYC heading toward the theater (literally appearing out of the crowdedness of NYC).
In addition to just seeing a fantastic version of "Uncle Vanya," you get some of the best acting performances in some time. Julianne Moore ("Boogie Nights") gets top billing being the best known cast member, but the film features some of the best performances by Wallace Shawn ("My Dinner with Andre"), Brooke Smith ("Series 7: The Contenders"), Larry Pine ("Dead Man Walking"), George Gaynes ("Police Academy" films), and stage actress Phoebe Brand. Even though I only mentioned a few, the entire cast is fantastic.
If you are in your local video store looking for something a bit unique, I highly recommend that you check out "Vanya on 42nd Street" for night of theater without leaving your house.
10/10
Don't be fooled and think that this film is simply a sequel to "My Dinner with Andre," because it is far from it. What you have here is a screen version of the stage play "Uncle Vanya" by Anton Chekhov, but with a twist. The cast is doing a rehearsal of "Uncle Vanya" in a rundown theater in the middle of NYC, to an audience of the director (Andre Gregory) and a few others. The film also includes breaks in the play for stage direction (acting as an intermission for the cast) as well as initial dialogue before and after the rehearsal. This also includes an amazing opening scene in which we see all the actors walking down 42nd Street in NYC heading toward the theater (literally appearing out of the crowdedness of NYC).
In addition to just seeing a fantastic version of "Uncle Vanya," you get some of the best acting performances in some time. Julianne Moore ("Boogie Nights") gets top billing being the best known cast member, but the film features some of the best performances by Wallace Shawn ("My Dinner with Andre"), Brooke Smith ("Series 7: The Contenders"), Larry Pine ("Dead Man Walking"), George Gaynes ("Police Academy" films), and stage actress Phoebe Brand. Even though I only mentioned a few, the entire cast is fantastic.
If you are in your local video store looking for something a bit unique, I highly recommend that you check out "Vanya on 42nd Street" for night of theater without leaving your house.
10/10
One Hour Photo
(2002)
Close to Modern Hitchcock!
22 September 2002
Before I begin, I should mention that I have been an Alfred Hitchcock fan since the age of five, and for me to even compare any film made in the last twenty years to even the worst Hitchcock film is totally unheard of. I view hitchcock as most film buffs view Orson Welles. With that being said, I left the movie theater after viewing One Hour Photo utterly spellbound. The same uneasy (not necessarily nervous) feeling that one experiences during a film like Notorious or North By Northwest can be experienced here. The audience isn't scared of Williams' character, they're uncomfortable around him, which is just how the other characters in the film view him. The other great element of the film is that it is easy to follow. While the trend in the mystery / thriller genre of today is to confuse and disorientate the audience as a means of creating tension, the director takes down a straight road that has several bumps along the way, which provides the same tension without all the confusion (See this film, then watch either Memento or Mulholland Drive). I can go on and on, but I will leave you with the this as a close to this review. This is the first film in some years that I left the movie theater feeling that I really got my money's worth ($8.00 per ticket).
Panic Room with Will Ferrell
(2002 TV Short)
Short But Sweet
17 September 2002
This short film (five minutes) was shown during the 2002 Mtv Movie Awards as a link between award presentations. Using both footage from the real "Panic Room" and placing Will Ferrell and Jack Black in the place of the robbers, it should not be considered just another way to make the Mtv Movie Awards a bit longer, but quite an entertaining spin on the great David Fincher work. If you did not get a chance to see it, look for Mtv to rerun the award show (usually shown a few times between now and the next one).
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