Christopher-Peznola Reviews

5 American Kids - 5 American Handguns (1995 TV Movie)

Why!

[8/10 · 13 February 2009]

This very simple, truthful series of stories about kids and guns is chilling and drives home such a critical fact. Kids are 5 time more likely to commit violent crime, including suicide, if they live in a house with a gun. So WHY? Why do we have guns? Does the typical American home really need a gun? If for some reason it really does (as in a police officer's home), then it should be locked up and incapable of use by ANYONE but the owner. Why should a police officer's gun work for anyone who holds it in their hand? The answer is IT SHOULDN'T. Let the NRA keep their guns at the range, and they can shoot out as many paper targets as they like, but why, why on earth, should they be able to leave them around, with live loads nearby or in the gun. That should be illegal.

Only 3% of handgun fatalities are justified. 97% are ILLEGAL.

If you MUST play with guns, because you have a small penis, either buy some pills, bet a pump, get surgery or use your gun only at a firing range. Where in America is it prudent to have a gun for self defense? See the statistics about, only 3% turn out to be justified.

God help us from these NRA wackos. Why do they have so much power in the political system? Isn't it time to more closely interpret the 2nd amendment? How about re-writing it? If none of those options work, existing safety features can prevent accidents and other wrongful deaths, and they cost $0.75. I would contribute to a fund, to cover that cost for all of the Cadillac driving gun nuts.

A gun in the home is 43 times more likely to kill a family member or friend than it is to stop and intruder. Intruders really don't exist, and less than 1/10th of 1% of burglars / intruders are armed in any way, most typically with a baseball bat or other large heavy object.

OK, it's gone on long enough. Since this 1995 movie was released, no major legislation has been introduced to encourage or require safety devices.

This film will make you sick, and then you'll want to do something about it. What can we do? I will participate with my own time and money.

The Verdict (1982)

One of the best

[10/10 · 22 September 2008]

This film is not only one of my favorite films of all time, it's one that I find I can watch again, and again.

Robert Redford was to play the lead role, but worked with the writer, David Mamet, to change the character, to eliminate his being an alcoholic. As much as I admite Redford more than any other modern actor / director / producer, I think that he missed the point here. The fact that the lawyer was an alcoholic was essential to the character.

This was one of the best courtroom dramas ever produced. Filled with emotion, and real life experiences, I found the movie to be unparalleled in its realism, emotion and feeling.

I loved this film, and I cannot recommend it enough. If you want to see the real world, depicted with beautiful imagery, great acting, and realism not often evoked by Hollywood, watch this movie.

I can't say more than this: Please watch this movie.

The Boys from Baghdad High (2007)

Important!!!!!!!

[9/10 · 16 August 2008]

I am really just one of those spoiled North Americans who loves to sit and watch movies. This documentary definitely woke me up from my over-fed, happy life. The importance of documentaries like this cannot be calculated. These 4 terrific kids from Baghdad could just as easily have been one of my nephews. Complicated, smart, but incredibly sweet teenagers trying to get through High School, without being killed, or having someone they love killed.

This film helps more in allowing westerners to identify with people from Iraq than any other documentary I have seen so far. There is something about the honesty of kids that really drives home the ideal that we are all, pretty much, the same. We may pray to a different god, speak a different language, but we all are trying hard to get through life (graduate from high school), have a girlfriend, make our families happy, and generally laugh.

>>>>Potential Spoiler>>>>>>>>>>>> I thought Mohammad was amazing, what a great kid, honest, with a big smile, and a sincere love of film. The end where he apologizes for boring us, and complains that he won't be able to use the camera, nearly made me weep. I want to send this kid a camera.

Please watch this documentary. It's not complicated, nor is it a masterpiece, but it's incredibly important.

The Hawk Is Dying (2006)

Very captivating

[9/10 · 18 July 2008]

I started out, before I saw Sideways, as a skeptic of Giamatti's talent. After that film, I had to make a 180 on my view. He was exceptional. I've liked him a lot in most everything he's been in, but a Hawk is Dying is a work that I am sure he will always remember. This was a perfect film for his unique, everyday man, with enormous depth and complexity (like most of us everyday people).

In this film, he and most of the other characters, give exceptional performances, in my opinion, because this was a small film. This film didn't have to conform to the Hollywood formula, so that millions of people can understand the plot, and get excited about the action or the comedy. This film was made for a smaller audience that likes to be treated like a thoughtful person, and enjoys escaping into another world. What this film did well was draw the audience into a world that it might never have seen, but it can identify with.

I would recommend this film. Watch it without distraction and let it take you into a very interesting and captivating story about love, compassion and the frustration that comes with giving of yourself and then facing those others that did not, and will never understand what you have done. The complex emotions come through, without hyperbole or obvious references, inserted to make sure we don't miss the point. This is true film, a window into life experience, from other humans, like us, who live and feel and hurt and struggle.

Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

Stupid, stupid, stupid

[1/10 · 6 July 2008]

I love most movies. I am often said to be in favor of even bad movies. This particular movie (not a film) was unbelievably horrible. Just plain stupid. It was a trite, contrived plot, with two super egos, with matching fantasy penthouse apartments, who have a grudge match which our character, Slevin, becomes involved with. Basically they used tried and true techniques for making a movie, so it seemed like a movie, but the story, the script, the plot was unbelievably stupid! Just drek, a waste of time, a total Hollywood mind F$#K.

This movie was meant to be important and deep and it was just plain idiotic. I rarely give negative reviews, in fact this might be my first, but I cannot recommend this film. As the Principal in Billy Madison said "everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to you." I hate to quote Adam Sandler, but that quote is the only one I can think of. You feel betrayed and dumber after watching this film. It takes part of your soul with it, as you watch, sucking out your intelligence.

This is a horrible waste of time of a movie. I strongly discourage watching it, unless you want to make sure you know what the worst movie you ever watched was. It will do that for you.

Christopher Peznola Boston

Sea of Fear (2006)

I don't know where to start

[2/10 · 18 February 2007]

I love film, even bad film, but this one was just too filled with technical mistakes, bad dialogue and, for a movie about a sailboat, contained more sailboat related inaccuracies than Wiley Coyote has relative to physics. There was one scene, in particular, where someone wrapped a line around a self tailing winch, in a way that would have jammed and taken a long time to fix.

Other major problems, a 50 foot boat is just too small for 7 people, let alone, an official captain and navigator. Captains of boat under 100 feet do not normally bark orders like "everyone on deck", and never have their own navigator. I am not sure where this is all supposed to have taken place, but the tropical fish that they showed could be found in an aquarium, or in India or Australia. They showed giant kelp beds, like you would find in California, and then stock footage of fish that could not be found anywhere near California.

Had the plot been interesting, maybe I would not have focused in on these details, but I can tell you that this master director/producer/writer must have very little experience with sailboats. Cute girls, nice boat, and lots of pretty backdrops, but crazy inane dialogue and a plot as thin as consume'.

I normally like to recommend bad movies, this one I cannot.

Down Periscope (1996)

Proof that the sum of the parts is often greater

[8/10 · 1 September 2006]

There was a recent documentary on making movies, that featured a long list of actors and directors talking about what its like to make movies. One common theme was you can have a great script, great cast, the best director and lots of money and still create a bad movie.

Down Periscope is proof of the corollary to that theory. Not an original or terribly well written screenplay. A few solid actors, but mostly unknowns, and this movie just makes you laugh out loud! It would be easy to just say that Kelsey Grammar carried this movie, but that isn't truly the case. Other character actors, like Rob Schneider, and the hilarious Harland Williams, added significantly to the enjoyability of the film.

Cast dynamics, or that mysterious "movie magic" are really what happened here, creating a film that flows smoothly, has incredibly well executed transitions and line after line of well written and well performed dialog.

A preposterous premise, lots and lots of technical inaccuracies and just plan silly things that could not happen in the real world, or the real navy, but you just don't care. As a merchant marine myself, I found that the overall feel of the movie, while not plausible, was also not too far off the mark as far as life at sea goes.

This is a VERY funny movie, a good family film, and, particularly if your a fan, lots of Kelsey Grammar wit, sarcasm and just damn funniness.

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

Excellent Court Room Drama

[8/10 · 15 July 2006]

Joseph Welch, and actual Judge, who plays the role of Judge Weaver in the film, brought a level of realism and humor to the courtroom scenes that I have not seen in any other films. In the real world, Judges are in essence the police of the courtroom, there to make sure everyone follows the rules, leaving the decision of guilt or innocence to the jury. There is a reason why even court TV condenses the court coverage to short snippets, courtrooms are generally very boring, and overcome by process and rules. In this film, Welch brings enough of this process, some very dry wit, and balance to what would otherwise be material not suitable for a film.

On top of the excellent courtroom sequences, Jimmy Stewart, Ben Gazzara and the larger than life George C. Scott, combine to keep this film powerfully entertaining.

I highly recommend this film for the excellent acting, interesting dialogue, a precocious, young, sexy Lee Remick. Don't listen to the nay sayers, this one is a solid classic.

Virus (1999)

Better than evreyone makes it out to be

[7/10 · 13 July 2006]

A mediocre storyline (i.e. Titanic) can become a world class film with character development, believable dialogue, and, for lack of a better word, some Hollywood magic. This film could have been a blockbuster with less action, less noise, less effects and more humans being human. Look at 2001 A Space Odyssey, Jaws, Titanic and countless other films, and you'll see that the story was about as interesting as Virus, and the actors, equally talented. Virus failed to deliver characters that we could believe and identify with.

I still recommend this film highly, as its interesting, it contains Jamie Lee Curtis (a hottie) and Donald Sutherland (a 20th century legend), lots of effects and action. In a way its sort of fun to watch quality actors attempt to make the best of horrible dialogue.

A 7 out of 10 for storyline and casting

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

Very Good for the Time

[8/10 · 14 May 2006]

I have always been a big fan of the story of the Mutiny on the Bounty, and I've tried to read nearly every account and version of the story that I can find. When I watch a "Bounty" movie, however, I toss aside my own perspectives on which version of the story is correct, and instead settle in for what I hope is a wonderful, period piece, set on an 18th century vessel. This type of movie, if it succeeds, draws us into that world gone by for an hour or two, we come back at the end, refreshed, with a little salt on our face, and maybe a minor case of scurvy.

This version is my least favorite, and not because it isn't a pleasure to watch. The problem for a Bounty aficionado, is, that the next version includes Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard and Richard Harris (need I say more), and the last version of our time (so far), goes big, big budget, with gorgeous sets, Mel Gibson, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir Laurence Olivier (cameo).

Since this was the first, I will stay away from comparisons and stick to its strengths and weaknesses. By far, this earlier version is far more realistic in the crass, bitter nature of Captain Bligh. We learn, right from the start, that he is a tough, near ruthless, man driven to advancement, at the cost of his men's comfort, or possibly lives. The dashing Fletcher Christian (Clark Gable) is at times no match for the senior, hard nosed Bligh.

Repeated, to a large extent in the next big screen version, the dynamic between Christian, a rich playboy, at sea mostly because his parents want to "put some hair on his chest" versus the working man made good, through hard laborious study and drudgery, Captain Bligh (Trevor Howard). Trevor's character takes an immediate dislike to Gable's character, seeing him as a nearly worthless "woman of a man", to preoccupied with his fancy clothes and elevated societal station to be bothered with the day to day problems of the ship.

This tension develops slowly, but clearly as the Bounty leaves England, bound for the West Indies. Fantastic character development, including the quick friendships established by Gable with the rough and tumble crew, in direct conflict with Bligh's management style of discipline in favor of praise.

Clearly neither is entirely correct, and the effective officer of that time would have been the one capable of equitably balancing the two. This is where Frank LLoyd does an excellent job of allowing these two disparate shipmates, bump into each other, lock horns, and enter into lengthy intellectual debates over dinner. All of which is fueling the powder keg that will soon erupt.

This excellently made and acted film, does not show its age, and stands up to its two descendants. Keep in mind that it was filmed in 1935, and was truly the first of its kind.

Heroism, Cowardess, Fear, Lust, Rage, Vengeance, Anguish and world class seamanship worthy of the Navy's highest award, combine in this maritime flick, surrounding a very long trip to the grocery store to but a large quantity of vegetables that nobody wants to eat.

For those who enjoy the "Bounty" series of films, I highly recommend you visit the Pitcarine Island website, to learn more about Fletcher Christian's descendants, as well as those of several of the other "mutineer".

http://www.nic.pn/ The Island currently has approximately 75 year round residents, most of which are direct descendants of the mutineers, Fletcher Christian, John Adams, Edward Young, William McCoy, and Matthew Quintal. You can get there, but its VERY, VERY hard. You'll need to come via New Zealand, and wait for a passing cargo ship, with plans to stop at Pitcairn Island. The vessel "Bounty" was burned at anchor in Bounty Bay on Pitcairn (to avoid detection), bits and pieces of charred wood remain as keepsakes.

The Caine Mutiny (1954)

Excellent Story, great actors, but not as good as it could have been

[8/10 · 14 May 2006]

Starting off with one of Herman Wouk best fiction books, Edward Dmyrtryk and Stanley Kramer, produced an excellent post world war II film. Better than the majority of its ilk, typically slathered in thank yous and references to the US Navy (the Navy helped make these movies, and were an absolutely necessary partner for boats, consultants, and even extras).

Managing to tell its very interesting and plausible story of the first "alleged" mutiny on a US Navy ship, I am certain there were lengthy conversations between Kramer, Wouk and the Navy. Having said that, the film does a fine job of capturing the book's story, right down to the complex character development necessary for it all to make sense.

The early 1950s, a time of exuberant recovery, both economically and socially, was just the right audience for a pro-American, pro-Navy fictional film, that also challenged authority, command, and many of the foundation elements of the post WW II military machine. Without translating the movie into an attack on any of these foundations to society, a more subtle, intellectual story of intrigue, loyalty, cowardess and the applications of the Navy's strict rules, is its main story.

As with many of Kramer's works, the characters are well developed, interesting, and each have their own flaw that will ultimately play a role in the story. This classical method of simultaneously developing the characters, as the plot takes its twist and turns, is artfully executed by Dymytryck.

The two stand-out actors, however, are Jose Ferrer, the less than enthusiastic legal defender to the mutineers, and that master of complex thoughts, Humphrey Bogart. With great supporting actors, all perfectly cast, this movie moves quickly and with virtually no room for error.

There will be moments when the somewhat saccharine or overly sarcastic nature of the time and place get to be too much, but this is quickly over shadowed by action, intrigue and a boat load of personalities, who keep you thinking.

I wish that movies today had as much uniqueness and complexity as this particular film has. Bogarts character, while maybe a little tired from too many years at sea, is actually an insecure, loving man, who fails to gain the loyalty of his crew. He tries, and in ways that would win over most men, but ultimately he fails, due to the already established lack of support the crew has taken on, triggered by an individual, with an agenda, and the fear created by a mis-informed mob.

See this film and try to put yourself in Bogarts shoes. Its an uncomfortable ride, I am not sure I would have done any better. Thanks

The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004)

Sean Penn just keeps getting better

[9/10 · 14 May 2006]

I grew up in the early 1980s really disliking Sean Penn as an actor and a person. After Colors, Dead Man Walking, The Game, The Pledge, and now The Assassination of Nixon, I cannot explain how very wrong I was about this national treasure. Penn's ability to evoke complex emotions, in subtle, but strong, almost primal male, ways, makes watching him an intense experience. His realism on screen goes beyond, in my opinion, any other modern actor, with the exception, possibly, of Anthony Perkins.

In this particular film, life has dealt Penn's character a great deal of hardship. All he can do, however, is hang on. Hang on to his vision of right and wrong, his love of his family and his desire to do something good with his life. Penn is either searching deep into himself in this film, or he simply possesses an amazing acting talent, a natural talent, comparable to that of Marlon Brando. While the two actors could not be more different, the similarity between the natural way that their abilities just seem to reach the screen, without any dishonesty, or dilution. It is as if these two actors are able to separate themselves from the busy sound stage, place their own persona on a shelf, and breath in the life of the fictitious or real character that they are playing.

While probably never a mainstream film, partly due to the subject matter, the performances by Penn, Jack Thompson (who played very well against Russell Crowe in the Sum of Us), and of course Don Chaedle were near to perfect.

Watching Penn expand into interesting roles like this one is very exciting for me. I am like a convert, who now expects the best. With Penn's intensity and drive, I am comfortable saying that we will see it.

See this and any other recent Sean Penn movies that you have missed, please! PS: I intentionally skipped Mystic River, as it was an enormously emotional film for me to watch, and diving into it would take away from the point of this review.

White Chicks (2004)

Had its moments, but could have been a 20 minute comedy skit

[6/10 · 14 May 2006]

The incredibly talented Wayans brothers, have once again delivered a VERY funny, cross culture comedy. While I am guessing nobody goes to a movie called "White Chicks" looking for the next "Gone with the Wind", but I do think that movie-goers deserve more than this, particularly given the high quality names involved.

There is enough funny material in the film to make a 2 part skit on a late night comedy show, but truly not enough for a feature length film. The dialog was very bad, although the overall story had some merit. There was a large cast of writers on this film, but unfortunately it was an incestuous group that had all written other similar Wayans comedies, like Scary Movie and the Wayans shows. the addition of one or two, established writers, would have really boosted the quality of the plot and dialog.

A formula works well for medical products, soups, aligning the Hubble telescope, but it tends to produce pretty mediocre films. I wish the Wayans had trusted one outsider on their writing/producing/directing team, the results could have been very different, I think much better.

Lots of great, funny scenes, and lines that you can use at parties for months to come. Please see the film and let me know if what I am saying makes sense as you view the film.

Ali G Indahouse (2002)

Sacha Cohen is a serious genius

[7/10 · 13 May 2006]

I have only given this film a 7 because I expect a lot more, and elements of the movie were simply too "silly".

Sacha Cohen, and the characters he has developed are singularly the most accurate view into many elements of UK and US post adolescent culture. The adoption of ethnic mannerisms, slang, clothing and essentially persona, by the late 20's early 30s character "Ali G" and his "posse" are nothing short of hilarious. The fact that they also mirror an element of our society, just makes it that much funnier.

The 15 year old male humor, including lots of potty and sex jokes, and for those who haven't watched Cohen in action, recreational drug references, could easily fall flat, if not delivered by this comic genius. His character, which also include a Eastern-block ?arab? from a fictitious spin off country, is absolutely hilarious in his lack of comprehension of other societies. Cohen depicts this "jew hating" vulgar character, as a victim of his own ignorance. As he travels across the US, he shows pictures of his naked sister, attempts to hit on nearly any woman he meets, and exposes his home country's misogynist perspectives on the proper roles of women in society. Any comic would attempt to pull of a character like this, but only Cohen does it in a way that we truly believe he is just an innocent buffoon.

His third primary character, a gay Austrian fashion reporter, gets himself into many high profile meetings and situations, only to blow the minds of his interviewees and guests.

Very little of the overall concept of extreme embarrassment based comedy is new (i.e. candid camera). Cohen, however, takes this to a new, highly intelligent, thoughtful and extremely effective level.

This guy is simply funny as heck and he gets across several major points of view about how ridiculous racism, hatred, homo-phobia, and much of back-ward America is simply so wrong that you can only laugh at it (or you'd have to cry).

Check it out - my main man Ali J is in da house!!

Extreme Measures (1996)

Great use of Hugh Grant

[9/10 · 13 May 2006]

I was really impressed by Hugh Grant's performance in this film! His "cheeky", I'm so cute, don't you just love me looks, actually translate very well with this film. He is obviously playing an intelligent, driven, charming doctor, who most of the single (and probably some of the married) staff must be lusting after. Well, that would be if this move were directed by Sharon Maguire. Here, Michael Apted draws out a deeper, more complex Grant, who really comes across more as a highly driven, but slightly nutty young, inexperienced ER doctor. Still charming and likable, but with an edge that Grant is truly gifted at delivering.

If you like Hugh Grant, or if you don't like Hugh Grant, you MUST see this film. It's got a fairly well paced excitement to it, that keeps you close to the edge of your seat, but without much intense action or gore. A truly well crafted suspense story.

Veteran (bad boy?) actor, Gene Hackman, play very well against Grant. Even character actor Marcia DeBonis helps create the mood of intrigue. Sarah Jessica Parker's performance was the only slight disappointment. I believe she may have been mis-cast, as she is an excellent actor, who failed to really deliver in this film.

I hope that this film is well received, and Hugh Grant's talents as more than a "cool, good looking actor with an accent". From what I can see, we have only seen the tip of the iceberg as to what he is capable of. He is incredibly subtle, so its hard to see at times, but his development of the character Guy Luthan, ranks (in my view) as his best so far.

I highly recommend this film, for anyone who appreciates an intellectual, mystery, chock full of real life intrigue that is highly accessible by the average bloke.

See it! And...be careful during your next visit to Hospital (I don't think that's a Spoiler)

The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)

Fantastic family movie with depth and great writing

[9/10 · 13 May 2006]

High Quality "big screen" translation of a TV concept! Ed Decter, and his writing colleagues have done it again! Their seriously intelligent writing, packed with lots of funny, interesting dialog, has transformed a popular TV icon into a great family film with lots of positive messages, and no preachy delivery. Decter and Strauss remind me of the "old school" style of collaborative comedy writers, the kind that results in virtually virtually "no holes" in the plot, story or the viewers enjoyment. I don't know the Hollywood lingo, but the movie moves smoothly and has a tight, clean feel to its dialog. In many ways, The Lizzie McGuire Movie is even better work than their insanely successful "Something About Mary", as it relies more on character development and depth, with insights into the younger generation that are uncanny (and less on Farrelly Brothers style slapstick).

Disney is lucky to have these guys working for them! Their work is in many ways the "un-Disney" Disney movie. No formulas, no saccharine, just a good, fun story with a positive message that is delivered with aplomb and style.

Hillary Duff's work is, in my humble opinion, her best yet in this film, and the highly effective use of the classic "nerd/adult" Robert Carridine, again brings out the best in these sometimes under rated, and often pigeon holed actors.

I am really looking forward to the next Santa Clause movie, as the first two simply blew me away with their quality of writing, production and acting.

I hope to see more work like this from the Decter/Strauss team.

Elephant (2003)

I wish there were more movies like this

[9/10 · 7 November 2005]

I have to start by saying that I am one of those unconventional people who really appreciate Gus Van Sant and what he is trying to do. This film, is REAL, so real that most of the reviewers so far hated it. Why do we need enormous budgets, big name casts and boilerplate direction and production in order to appreciate a film? This small, simple film makes an "ELEPHANT" of a point, which is that the institutionalization of public education has created the lowest possible denominator of value. H.S. Students roaming the halls, notably none with books or book bags, seemingly lost in a maze of process that looks more like a prison than a place to learn.

Learning is about growing one's intellectual capacity, learning how to learn, to respect individuality, to become members of the real world. Van Sant accurately depicts today's larger public education "centers", including Mr. Luce who stares in disbelief that John is late, not caring enough to ask why, or learn that his alcoholic dad nearly wrecked the car on the way to school.

To say that Van Sant is making a statement about educational reform is to put words in his mouth that I have no right to do, but to observe that he is a true genius in creating realistic images of real America. The people that hate Van Sant's work really hate what he is exposing. Real films can have enormous impact, and small films can also make big changes. I hope that Elephant delivers on its promise of Bernard MacLaverty's quote: "Troubles were like having an elephant in your living room". There's an Elephant in the room guys, watch the film and you'll see what Gus evokes with gritty realism and simplicity.

I also think that variety truly is the spice of life. I love a well made, expensive feature films, with once in a lifetime imagery (as in Kubrick's Barry Lyndon), or chills and thrills (Spielberg's Jaws), but I also think that we all need to be open to film as more than entertainment. Occasionally it is art or an expression that simply needs to be made. Van Sant himself refers to the pre-renaissance concept of artistic anonymity, it would be interesting to see one of his films released by "anonymous" just so we can find out if its the work or just the anti-Van Sant'ers out there that like or dislike the work.

9/10 or 3.5/4 with a 10/10 for originality and purity.

The Brown Bunny (2003)

Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar

[2/10 · 7 October 2005]

As Freud once said, "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar", well sometimes a bad, boring movie is just a bad boring movie. I love independent film, and I consider myself capable of understanding depth, and artistic vision, but this movie was just plain BAD. I hate to agree with the fat man from TV, but I think watching his colonoscopy would have been more interesting, maybe we would have seen Lemmiwinks, who knows. Seeing that gerbil, would have still been more exciting than the Brown Bunny.

I know that Vince Gallo thinks he's deep, and profoundly interesting, but I think this film just failed to make any important points, other than just keeping a camera running while you go through your typical day, is only interesting if your Bill Clinton in a room full of interns. Watching a middle aged man drive, ride a motorcycle, get dome, take a shower, and drive some more, is just not that "arty". If we determine that it is, please send the film crew over to my house, I'll make the greatest art film ever.

I used to think that I was deep, open minded, intelligent and possible even a little arty, until I watched this "important film". Now I feel like Homer Simpson. Doh! Christopher

Dolores Claiborne (1995)

Taylor Hackford & Kathy Bates Terrific Combo

[10/10 · 2 October 2005]

Steven King is an American treasure.

Kathy Bates, one of the most talented actors ever to grace the silver screen, demonstrates the depth of emotion she is able to convey on screen, in Dolores Claiborne, as does Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Drawing its viewer deep into the world created by Steven King, and then crafted into a screenplay by Tony Gilroy, Dolores powerfully recreates a fictional world full of pain, anguish, contempt, revenge, and denial. Director Taylor Hackford, who's other accomplishments, An Officer and a Gentleman, Against All Odds, and most recently Ray, have established him as a Hollywood legend, creates a visually and emotionally stirring dark drama about evil, struggle and living a painful life with dignity.

Hackford's ability to create a visual image, through his actors, the photography, the colors, settings, and locations, is, in my humble opinion, no more better showcased than in this film.

If you are a fan of Steven King, Taylor Hackford, Bathy Bates, Jennifer Jason Leigh or dark family dramas, this is a MUST SEE film.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the exceptional performance by Judy Parfitt. Not a widely known name, but in this instance, an actor truly absorbed in her craft.

Watch it!