Playlist: Remember Me

OK...so I am talked into this film by my "partner". She of course loves romantic films and due to her (and mine) newly discovered love for "Twilight" and Team Edward...we watch Robert Pattinson and company.

There is a string of films that have been recently out that are romantic comedy/dramas that end badly..or at least the romantic couple either aren't right for each other, breakup or something tragic happens...sometimes these are done well (like The Puffy Chair, 500 Days of Summer, or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind).

Other times this could be done right but ultimately it's a mess...see The Break-Up..and now add Remember Me.

This film stars three leads (Pierce Brosnan, Rob Pattinson, and Emille de Ravin) who all are from England and Australia...and all play New Yorkers???!!??...Brosnan not only plays a New Yorker...he plays someone from Brooklyn...he even tries a Brooklyn accent???...Chris Cooper who I love also plays a New York detective...his accent is terrible...It throws the movie...but also there is a mess of a plot with multiple stories and family issues and family tragedies that should need like 4 hours to go through...but they don't...then an underlying SPOILER is alluded to sneakily throughout the film...in the back of my mind I see the SPOILER coming...and then this romantic Romeo and Juliet type film built on a heap of lies goes in a direction that staggers my mind...was this SPOILER there to mean something?...no...it just makes a tragic film the most over the top film of the year...I really want to spoil this film..but I want you to watch it and then throw your remote at the screen at the last big SPOILER shot...This got a 28% from Rotten Tomatoes by the way.

There is some good..I really like Robert Pattinson...if he makes good career decisions he could be a real good actor to watch...I think he would make a great criminal or organized crime (Irish) character...I want to see him as a bad ass.

SMC Extras

I've always enjoyed those couldabeen casting stories. You know the famous ones: Ronald Reagan in Casablanca, Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones. So, I'm reading an article about Caddyshack in Sports Illustrated (no free link) and was surprised to discover the perfect choices in that classic almost weren't.

Get this: they originally wanted Don Rickles for the Rodney Dangerfield part. Not a huge shock--Rickles did have more acting experience. But the reason Rodney nailed it so perfectly was that he didn't play the loudmouth jerk as an actual jerk. Despite his self-deprecating, sad dog schtick, he never failed to show an underlying charming kindness.

But wait, there's another one. Pay attention, Vin. The original choice for the role of nice guy caddie trying to get to college Danny Noonan (played by Michael O'Keefe) was...Mickey Rourke. I checked, yes, that Mickey Rourke. Keep in mind that at the time, Mickey was still a fresh-faced struggling actor. He didn't blow up until Diner two years later. And didn't blow up his career for another 10. O'Keefe went on to marry Bonnie Raitt (uh...) and then became a Zen priest, whatever that is. Mickey Rourke, as you all know, went on to become, well, Mickey Rourke.

Lifetime Movies: 1996

Winner: Swingers

I think I spent less time studying for my SAT than thinking about this year's winner. (In all honesty, I didn't really study for my SAT. Hindsight : Happiness :: Red Hot Poker : Ass.) I can't deny Swingers, though. Our very own Vin told me I had to see it and he couldn't have been more dead on right (thanks, pal). It's one of those movies you just fall in love with. Everything was so right about. Vince Vaughn giving one of the greatest performances of all time. The music. The greatest video game scene ever. And, of course, the most painful scene in movie history: the answering machine message. Makes me shiver thinking about it. Yes, it's money.

That said, I'm still not sure I shouldn't pick Trainspotting. I actually saw this in the theater with Vin while I was visiting him in college. I remember watching it and thinking that movies couldn't get any cooler. Sure, I couldn't understand a lot of it (really, Scotland, learn English). Good thing I went out and bought the screenplay. I did. That opening monologue still gets me. "Choose a starter home. Choose your friends...Choose D.I.Y. and wondering who the fuck you are on Sunday morning...Choose your future, choose life. But why would you want to do a thing like that? I chose not to choose life. I chose something else." Uh yeah. I chose Swingers.

Films of Note:

Fargo: My favorite thing about the best Coen Brothers films is that they have complete disregard for genre. For lesser filmmakers, this is attributable to a lack of focus and, more likely, a lack of competence. For the Coens, it's just the opposite. They have such a clear vision of what they want to achieve that the film itself, what you are seeing on the screen, is the only thing that matters.

Hard Eight / Bottle Rocket: Incredibly, the debut of both P.T. Anderson and Wes Anderson, respectively. Even more incredibly, both followed the promise showed here to become two of the leading directors today. For whatever reason, a lot of people still haven't seen Hard Eight. They really should.

Jerry Maguire: All the Cuba Gooding Jr. "Show Me the Money" sideshow aside, this is one of the sweetest, best written movies of the decade. Cameron Crowe is at the top of his game and Tom Cruise is at his most naturally charming (as in a jerk you can't help but like. That's not an insult.) But it's Renee Zellweger who takes this to the next level. The Great Paul himself once said her Dorothy Boyd was the most datable fictional character (I have since found a replacement). Too bad she rat poisoned her face.  

Mars Attacks!: I remember that at the time, this was hands down my favorite movie of the year. I saw this the day it opened and left the theater thinking it was going to be a huge hit. The audience was really into it and it felt like everyone was having as much fun as I was. And to think studios rely on small sample test screenings to make hundred million dollar decisions. Screw 'em all. I like this movie.

Slingblade: The film that launched a thousand impressions. Mmm, french fried potaters. A remarkable performance by Billy Bob Thornton. Another actor I wish would remember how talented he was. Also, featured one of my favorite kid actors ever: Lucas Black, always great as the go-to Southern boy.

Welcome to the Dollhouse: Wish this would get more play. This should be required viewing for all teenagers. This whole thing is as uncomfortable as a Favreau phone call. Heather Matarazzo should have won something for her work here.

Playlist: Rear Window

Watching this tells me a few things about film and life:


1. Old Movies have some things that pull today's generations out of the film experience like:


- rotary telephones


-no cell phones


- no tv's


-the term "rear window"...no one lives in an apartment like this one...I dont think so at least


2. Things though are also great about it of course


-alot more sex references then I thought


-alot of kissing...Jimmy Stewart is a great actor...but man him and Grace Kelly kiss and talk at the same time throughout..its pretty hot stuff


-suspense is suspense...I mean you know whats coming and Hitchcock is a master of this...and in most films today they drag this part out...they think they are one upping Hitchcock by having you witness something and you know "oh no he's behind the door moments"...but most directors will drag this on till its just unbearable and stupid...Hitchcock does this and its just perfect timing





Grace Kelly:

She is one of the most beautiful women I have every seen...and I havent really seen alot of her films..actually I think this one is it. Lets face it...today everywomen in film is superhot...but she truly is amazing...and its like I know in the back of my head...she is a princess and married a real prince and all...but here she is in this film taking charge at the end of the film obsessed with finding evidence of a possible killer and breaking into his apartment fearlessly...she was great to watch.

Jimmy Stewart is great as always..how can I watch him and not think of Mr Smith Goes to Washington...he's the Tom Hanks of his day (ha).

The set is great...the scenes of watching and voyeurism clearly is referenced in many films after this one...the best example I have is the scenes of listening in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Conversation".

This is a classic and I am glad I got to see it...by the way I had the idea to see this after listening to a David Lynch interview where he actually opens up to a question about his favorite films...he listed:

1. Rear Window

2. Sunset Blvd

3. M Hulots Holiday

So one down in the David Lynch experience

Lifetime Movies: 1996

Something changed in 1996. Maybe I was maturing, maybe it was the air, maybe it was the fact that I was supposed to graduate college and didn't...but that's just it...just when I was out...they pulled me back in. For me this starts the year that film was something to look forward to and to witness the start or the continuation of a screen writer or a director...the year I really started following this kind of stuff...and thanks to the Internet it was possible...no Nominees here...this was the year I saw SWINGERS

I guess watching all the great Indie films of the early 90's got me to be on the look out for others. This was the gem I found at the Tampa Theater before anyone knew these two above. Sure you saw them and cried in "RUDY" but you had no idea that these two would make SWINGERS...Guy film, Baby, Money, Boy Named Sue, Hockey, Double Down, you're like a bear, I mean this quote movie mayhem could go on forever. This film is funny, sad, at times Mike (Jon Favreau) is pathetic...at times he is the hero and Trent is pathetic...the crew these guys hang with...you just want to freeze time and live here with these guys, because their lives in the film as actors mimic whats happening to them as Jon and Vince..they were up and coming and now in 2010...Jon is fat/skinny/fat/skinny...director of Ironman Franchise...I mean what the heck? How?...Jon Favreau in my opinion wrote a great film and then followed it up with another great funny ass film "MADE"...but I guess that was it...and the beauty of those is his chemistry with Vince...they play up the Dean and Frank lifestyle in Swingers which is brilliant...but then Favreau fades out and just Directs...sometimes he's in films...but nothing has come close to the chemistry these two had...I look for it in things like "The Break up" and others...but its not the same.

Vince Vaughn on the other hand tried acting drama (FAIL)...and went back to doing his style of smart ass..(WORKED)..Old School, Dodge Ball etc...but now????

Swingers is great

Others:

Fargo: Close to a perfect film...but didn't stand a chance to SWINGERS for me...that's too bad because this film is probably on my top 20 list of favorite films.

Bottle Rocket: Another close one...Owen Wilson is so odd and funny...saw this one because the Video cover looked like a cool indie flick..and it was a gem...Wes Anderson is brilliant and all his movies work...

Kingpin: Starts those new comedy type flicks using sports I guess...but Woody Harrelson is so brilliant in this...and Bill Murray has a great role

Waiting for Guffman: The "My Dinner for Andre Action Figures" cracks me up every time

Playlist: The Red Shoes (1948)

Why?

1. It's a Classic, Bitch

2. Really...Martin Scorsese just dumped a ton of money into its restoration and Criterion is putting out a primo set for it

3. I heard Scorsese say this is one of his favorite films

4. Francis Ford Coppola also has said it's one of his favorite films of all time...he also uses it as inspiration for his film TETRO...he takes parts of Red Shoes literally right out and has put recreations of it in Tetro...also the lovers triangle mimics the love story between Gallo, Father and a lady.

5. Ballet...anticipation for Darren Aronofsky's "The Black Swan" coming in December

SO WHAT?
It's tough to watch old films...most times I feel that it's all been done before so why should I watch an old film with the same stories that we get now...and today the camera work and acting is better anyway. Sometimes this is true...other times you get a surprise and see something that no one can duplicate...example you say?...Citizen Kane ...I say

The Red Shoes is also a good example of a story you have seen before...love, obsession, and tragedy...but that's like every film right? Here the music is great...the dancing is real fun and never boring...the 15 minute Red Shoes ballet/film within a film is mesmerizing..and the acting by the villain of the film, Anton Walbrook is spectacular. Old style acting...really anything before 1970 feels dated...even the greats...but then again acting today is getting dated...all the comedians feel like they want to do a retread of Will Ferrell or something...any way back to a good film and a great actor...Anton plays a French Ballet Producer...who is obsessed with these dancers and buries the ones who he can't have...he looks like DeNiro in some scenes and other times looks like famous Italian directors or a French New wave actor...he's got style damn it.

The Red Shoes lives up to the hype set up for me by Coppola and Scorsese...its tough because when you sit to watch a 2 1/2 hour film about Ballet you want to make sure it's good...this my be the best.

Playlist: Bronson

Why? I was impressed by Tom Hardy in Inception. Plus, it looked badass cool.

If I hadn't known this was the same actor going in, I would not have pieced it together. Seriously, take a look:

Pretty, ain't he? Hardy is the whole show here. He is completely taken over Raging Bull-style by the character, the real-life Charlie Bronson, aka "the most violent prisoner in Britain". Bronson is an absolute nutbag who has only been out of jail for four months since 1974. The movie is a very loose depiction of his life, choosing to brush over facts for visuals. Mainly, scenes of Hardy beating the snot out of people. A lot of which he is completely naked. We're talking full-frontal, ladies.

Director Nicolas Winding Refn does a lot of good things here, including framing the story around a stage monologue by Bronson. But the thing is that for all Bronson's nutbagery, he's basically just a thug. There's no character arc, no climax. And he's never actually killed anyone, which, yes, is a good thing, but lowers the stakes a bit. The DVD cover boasts that it's "A Clockwork Orange for the 21st Century" (a quote from some magazine called Zoo). It's not. It looks good and Hardy is excellent, but it ultimately comes up a little on the dull side. Disappointingly so.

Playlist : Double Feature

Real quick. I saw two real good comedies over the last 2 days.

1. 500 Days of Summer: Makes me want to like non-romantic comedies...and Joseph Gordon Levitt even more. Real funny and original style to this...not at all what I expected.

2. The Promotion: I have had this love fest with Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly ever since "Cop Out" and "Cyrus" respectively. Real underrated film here...very funny and almost "Office Space" quality about two nice guys turning bad and trying to go for the same promotion at a grocery store. Both actors really do a great acting job and not just for the laughs...also look out for a good Jenna Fisher, a great and subdued Fred Armisen and Randy from "The Wire". It really gets sad for our favorite slubby guy Jon C Reily especially all his weird tattoos

Playlist: COP OUT or A Couple of Dicks

Ok...Kevin Smith made this movie...he knew he had to do something and the world of film was just not going to make the films he had in his pipeline..I can forgive him for it...but damn I wanted him to stick to his guns and write/direct all his films...this is a cop action comedy with Bruce Willis...I mean that's pretty cool...but who are these writers?...and will K Smith put in his patented K Smith style...you know the cool pop references and nostalgia for being a Gen X'er...and blatant sexual content etc etc

THE GOOD1. Seann Willam Scott is really funny. Every time I see this guy recently he is MONEY. He is here as the Shit Burglar...a Parkour shit leaving criminal who will help the cops once caught

2. Guillermo Diaz as Poh-Boy..the baseball lovin bad guy

3. The Kevin Smith Touches...the pop references and bad language...at one point Tracy Morgan goes into an interrogation room and pretends to be a "crazy criminal"...he just lets loose on film quote after film quote...from Star Wars to Scarface to Mr. Tibbs to The Color Purple.

4. Side character Adam Brody as a secondary cop partner team ...he is the young cop partnered with Kevin Pollack...this guy is genuine and funny and not afraid to look stupid...he shines here.

5. The soundtrack: Opens with "No Sleep till Brooklyn"...continues with classic Run-DMC, and the score by Harold Faltermeyer who came out of retirement...he did Beverly Hills Cop, the Running Man, Fletch...etc...this score feels so good and so comforting for a 35 year old man who yearns for those action cop films of the 1980s

THE BAD

1. Sadly it's these two...not to be pun-ie...but Bruce Willis just phones it in..and Tracy Morgan is incomprehensible..I really have to watch the film with the subtitles on...Morgan just talks too fast and mumbles and actually spits all over the place...instead of saliva I think this guy secretes milk out of his mouth...thick gobs of mucus milk

2. The Plot: It makes no sense, it should not be hard to follow a comedy cop film...think back to Beverly Hills Cop..the plot of the crime was simple--an exporter put drugs, German counterfeit money, and I think drugs covered in coffee to throw off dogs into America..that's it...in this film there is a woman locked in a trunk, a baseball card, stolen phones or equipment, drugs, money, gangs..it's a mess.

3. The Editing: A lot needed to be cut or rearranged or something..it feels choppy and not paced well...well guess who edited it?..Kevin Smith..I mean if he directs it..fine...not write it..Ok..but why couldn't they get a real editor?

4. Jason Lee: As the new husband of Bruce Willis' wife...he is not funny anymore...plays a faggy jerk (thanks Louie C.K. for bringing back faggy)...Memphis Beat is a joke...Earl sucked at the end, his last big role was Almost Famous which was 10 years ago...I love him in Mall Rats and Chasing Amy..I guess that's enough

5. The Writers: The Cullen Brothers..what's up with Brothers..no one can follow in the Coen Bros footsteps..wait...except for the Duplass Bros..these guys are no Duplass Bros.

6. Kevin Smith: I feel bad and I don't...I was real upset about this not writing thing..now I don't..this film is sub-par with or without him..there are flashes of Smith's best work here...I take this as one of those thing that you see actors do..they will make a big dopey film to then pay for something better later on...with Red State in the works now I feel good about that one and can understand doing Cop Out..although Cop Out made very little money, made for 30 million, and made an OK 44 million)...Smith also has the hockey film "Hit Somebody" in the pipeline with a potential to team up with Seann William Scott.

The real BEST thing is the Blu-Ray Comedy Mode in the DVD...it's Kevin Smith using Blu-ray technology to dive into commentary, deleted scenes and bloopers..he's great at this..I just wish there was a straight up commentary with him and Seann William Scott.

Woo..that was in depth..I say check it out to complete your Kevin Smith films..but if you like extras, definitely check out the Blu-Ray

Playlist: Party Down (Season 1)

Why? Recommended by a few people, including our very own Vin

If you don't know (and you might not since this was on Starz, which you may also not know is a cable network), this comedy follows a small catering team to a different event each episode. It's L.A., so the charcaters are all trying to break into or back into the Industry. Fittingly, the show works because of the actors.

The thing about ensemble casts is that you need to start everyone off as a broad charcater type in order to ground the audience. Look at Kramer from "Seinfeld." he started as "the goofy neighbor." No one knew anything about him so they had to play it a little obvious at first. He was still funny, but he became funnier as he took on more layers. And, as is the case on "Party Down," those layers are exposed during interactions with the other characters. Good shows are self-feeding organisms: they make they're own jokes.

As for those actors, I didn't want to like Adam Scott--he has one of those punchable faces--but he centers the show with his low-key charm. I also didn't want to like Jane Lynch--for personal "Glee"-backlash reasons (man, I'm a jerk)--but she's undeniably naturally funny. PD's Kramer. And Ken Marino, as the team leader, is so sweetly desperate that you feel bad for laughing at him. Not that it stops you.

SMC Bonus Cool Point: Director Fred Savage is also a regular director on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." Who needs Winnie, right?

Favorite Episode: "Celebrate Ricky Sargulesh" (Guest-starring Steven Weber as an Eastern European gangster who just got off for murder. Most out loud laughs of the season.)

Favorite Guest Star: Kristen Bell, "Stennheiser-Pong Wedding Reception" (I'm not usually a fan of hers, but she was spot on as the anal-retentive team leader of a rival catering team)

Playlist: Pontypool

Why? One of the most buzzed about "zombie" movies in years

Damn it, this was so close. Helluva set-up: Grant Mazzy is a veteran radio personality stuck doing the morning show in a small, snowy Canadian town. What plays out next is pure Orson Welles as reports start to trickle in about strange occurrences in the area, including a gathering mob that soon turns violent. All the time, we see nothing but the inside of the studio as the tension builds through the reactions of Mazzy (character actor Stephen McHattie--think Lance Hendrikson mixed with Hugh Laurie) and his staff.

Which brings us to the crossroads. Go one way, director Bruce McDonald maintains the movie as a study of paranoia and the unknown, relying on his storytelling to escalate the terror. It's risky, but where else to take a narrative leap but in a low-budget genre film. The other way, which you probably guessed is the way we went, is to bring on the zombies. One choice isn't better than the other. It's what happens after the choice that counts.

To McDonald's credit, he has gone on record as stating that the infected people in this film are not zombies. He refers to them as "conversationalists" because the disease is language-based. Certain words--different for everybody--trigger a neurological lockdown where "you become so distraught at your condition that the only way out of the situation you feel, as an infected person, is to try and chew your way through the mouth of another person." It's always interesting to see a new twist, but there's no science here to back it up in the slightest. That's not even the real problem. There's not even any pseudo-science to back it up. The "why" is never fully revealed. Again, this is okay if you are confident to leave your story shrouded in mystery. Which leads us back to the choice to reveal the "zombies."

The radio station is soon overrun by infected townspeople as well as a doctor whose connection to the epidemic is never explained but who is presented as the key to solving the puzzle. The character (or the actor, or both) is a mess. He's goofy and babbling and kills the carefully-developed tone of the film. And adds nothing. At this point the whole concept breaks down and the resolution feels made up on the spot. It feels like no one had any idea what to do in the second half of the film. Still better than Dead Snow, though.

Playlist: American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein

Why? Interesting sounding documentary

And it was. Finkelstein is a professor and author who has made his career criticizing Israel's treatment of the Palestinians. Ok, more than criticizing. He compares them to the Nazis, his argument given a certain legitimacy by his being the son of Holocaust survivors. Surprisingly, some people disagree. This film does a good job of presenting both sides of the debate and not simply shooting the subject in a glowing light.

Unfortunately, it could have been about 25 minutes shorter. Like I said, Finkelstein is a complex personality and someone I didn't know anything about--the perfect docu mix. A tight hour would have done the job without all the filler that dragged this film down at times. It's a problem with a lot of documentarians. This may be a strange criticism, but I think they focus too much on "making a film" instead of simply tackling a subject as efficiently as possible. It's what gives good documentaries a bad name. So, no, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this film so much as I would suggest reading up on Finkelstein. Don't worry, online reading counts, too.

Playlist: Alice in Wonderland

Why? Because 15 years ago, this would have been brilliant

Now, however, well...in the last ten years, Tim Burton has made one original movie (Corpse Bride, 2005). His upcoming movies? Frankenweenie (based on his own 1984 short), Dark Shadows (based on the TV show), Maleficent (based on Sleeping Beauty), The Addams Family (based on another TV show and already made into a series of films), and Monsterocalypse (based on a game, so that's different). It's sad, and I'm sad, because another talented artist has apparently lost his way. (Check out his Web site for a reminder of his unique imagination.)

Alice is the culmination of this slide into corporate mediocrity. The film, based of course on one of the most fantastic stories of all time, is lifeless, and even worse, heartless. I had zero investment in the story--it's just a lot of CGI and not much else. Even the acting was a mixed bag. Mia Wasikowska showed a strong presence as Alice and Mrs. Burton, Helena Bonham Carter, was entertaining as the oddly big-headed Red Queen. Anne Hathaway, as the White Queen, came off as a stoned Goth witch. No idea what was going on there. And then there's Johnny Depp. Ouch. This may be the worst performance of his career. I feel like I must have blacked out at some point during this movie because I cannot understand what the point of his character was. He was a relatively sane Mad Hatter with a boring back story that was forced to the main storyline for no other reason than they had to justify Depp's salary. Again, imagine this casting 10-15 years ago. Imagine how insane Depp would have played the Hatter.

I genuinely felt my time was wasted.

(Though check out this picture of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. Tell me they don't look like Jonah Hill.)

Playlist: Exam

"Do you have any questions?", "What's the question?", "What's the answer?", I have more questions?", "Does this film have an ending?", Will we be in this room the whole time?"

Films like this are great, they either are throwaway films, (see CUBE 2)...or great films..(see CUBE)

Movies this is like...Usual Suspects, Saw, Cube obviously, Primer (kinda without time machine stuff), puzzle solving films are fun if done right...maybe even memorable...but if done wrong...they just are terrible...this one is done right but is closer to Cube then say the greatness of Usual Suspects or MOON which uses a small space and limited actors to tell a puzzling story. It's terse, small, a good Saturday Night Thriller.

Stuart Hazeldine is a new British director that's been around. He is king of British Spec scripts...things like Blade Runner 2. Also he wrote Knowing and is pals with Dark City's Alex Proyas...which I love that film but Proyas' next few films were just ok.

EXAM is like that thing the substitute teacher did in your class when you were in middle school. Write a bunch of questions on the board and then make you feel stupid later for answering all the questions when the answer was at the start...believe me I looked for the answer and felt stupid I didn't get it the first time...but this film goes through all the rules and reminds you how the logic works...it's simple and easy.

The acting is good...it varies from REAL good to student film level..

The best acting is by Luke Mably...playing the role of "White"...he stereotypes everyone and calls them by how they look...like "Black", "Blonde"...kinda like a racist Reservoir Dogs...

My new favorite word is "INVIGILATOR"...which sounds awesome...but in British just means Exam Proctor...I always had an idea for a film called "PROCTOR"...and it wasn't as good as this film...maybe more like "One Hour Photo"...anyway that word is awesome and I will use it at least once a day now.
The film is now $5.99 on pay per view...it's worth a rent.

Lifetime Movies: 1995

Winner: The Usual Suspects

Movies with big trick endings run the risk of being forced to stand on their own once the novelty wears off. Whether they do or not is the difference between whether it was conceived gimmick first ("Hey, wouldn't it be cool to end a movie this way?") or if the ending is the organic conclusion to a well-crafted, character-rich story. Obviously, you know how I feel about this. Everything came together here, from the cast led by Oscar-winning Kevin Spacey, to Bryan Singer's direction to Christopher McQuarrie's still amazing Oscar-winning screenplay. It was one of the most rewarding movie watching experiences I can remember having.

Films of Note:

Vin nailed most of the contenders in his post. Heat, Se7en, and Twelve Monkeys are right there at the top this year's heap, which along with 1996 are my two favorite on the list.

Dead Man: Johnny Depp stars as a literal dead man walking in Jim Jarmusch's under seen existential western. Jarmusch is one of those directors "serious" film fans are supposed to like. I think I like him more than his movies, but this one seems to be an artist hitting all his thematic and stylistic marks.  

Dead Man Walking: I was so blown away by the acting that I went to see this twice in the theater. That's just not something I normally do. A powerful movie. And for those of you playing at home, this is my favorite Sean Penn role. Not to mention an incredible soundtrack.

Leaving Las Vegas: Cage and Shue challenged Penn and Sarandon for the tag team belts this year with a pair of career performances (they split the Oscars with Cage and Sarandon winning). It's almost as if Cage decided he had reached his peak because the next year saw him transform into an action star and an acting punch line. And did I mention Elisabeth Shue?

The Quick and the Dead: My friend Pete dragged me to see this since I had not yet fully come to appreciate the directorial wizardry of Sam Raimi. Sharon Stone's the "star" of this film about a quick-draw tournament (single-elimination, of course) but the rest of the cast steals the show: Gene Hackman, Leo DiCaprio, and some unknown as the male lead. I remember being disappointed that with all this talent on screen this guy I never heard of was getting so much face time. It was Russell Crowe.

Babe: Whatever. You don't like this? You're dead inside. 

Lifetime Movies: 1995

It was the year of Batman Forever and the year this genius guy got married...WELCOME TO 1995

As far as lists of films go, for me when I look at these last 36 years, the quality of films just shoots up dramatically in 1995. From here on it's an all out war for best films of the year, for action, great actors, amazing new directors making original and interesting films...this truly is the golden age...too bad 2010 had to come and be a pretty bad year for film...ah but the year is still young.

Nominees:

Toy Story, SE7EN, The Usual Suspects, Casino, Heat, Mallrats, 12 Monkeys

Yes it's a long list...I feel they all deserve it, but one rises to the top.




Micheal Mann's EPIC crime saga HEAT, is my best film of 1995. The story is solid throughout...the watchability is phenomenal, the acting is the glory of film with these two titans of film for the first time going mono-a-mono (do not see Righteous Kill...see this about 1000 times first). Micheal Mann is the best at action, intensity, and music...the use of music to add the coolest vibe for a film. I love his later films and the use of the video quality of Collateral, Miami Vice and even Public Enemies. When Chris Nolan was writing The Dark Knight he kept watching Heat for his inspiration...and it obviously has an impact. Pacino's over the top performance and DeNiro's understated cool calm are perfect...that with the street LA shoot out and Ashley Judd just make me want to go watch it over and over again.

Others:

Toy Story: Pixar classic, watch it with or without kids around...after a while though you realize that TS2 is better.

SE7EN: Brought David Fincher to the scene...I really didn't know who the killer was..I mean I remember the early buzz on the young Internet was that it was a name star...I knew of Kevin Spacey from the TV show "Wiseguy"...and other things...little did I know he would be the key to the surprise ending of 2 films this year. Seven is brilliant, it is a great serial killer story...Brad Pitt rules and is funny as hell and to think they wanted a different ending...FUCK THAT says David Fincher and One hit Wonder Andrew Kevin Walker...the writer that has done nothing since.

The Usual Suspects: Fuck the haters (yeah, you Slashfilm)...you just can't re-watch a classic I guess...this film builds constantly...and maybe you just don't like great acting...the writing by McQuarrie is great and free...he says so in interviews that he didn't know the rules of writing and maybe he is a worse writer now then he was back then because he follows the rules...well Keyser Soze should get his own movie.

Casino: We all remember this greatly in our memory..I say it is not as good as we think. Wall to wall music...music is everywhere..I think the Deniro-Pesci thing is great...but the side characters are not...except Sharon Stone who is wonderful.

Mallrats: all these actors that are in this are doing nothing now...they could have been great but all except that Affleck guy are done for...the film I think is great for that time...but that time is past...I remember asking for small cups in malls and doing the Jedi mind trick and saying snoochy buchies...man that was a long time ago.

12 Monkeys: probably the second best Gilliam film ever...Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt took a risk here with Gilliam...I really thought this guy was golden after this...and then came his other disasters...but this film is one of the best time travel films going...Brad Pitt again is perfect and funny, and Bruce Willis just goes with the flow and is serious throughout.

Man...a lot to write...it's just a bunch of great films...most of these I return to a lot and think.."Wow that was 15 years ago"? These are big name directors also who were in the prime of their career.

Lifetime Movies: 1994

1994 belonged to Pulp Fiction. It may not be a better film then Shawshank Redemption, but it's a better watch. Pulp was a running hit this year, driving through the pop culture landscape...Shawshank fizzled and then found its way and earned respect on video rentals...which is how I watched it...I think the name alone and "men in prison" hurt it...but I am glad they never changed it. Pulp Fiction was a time-changing, fashion-twisting, phrase-making Juggernaut...and we in the film fan community are still feeling the effects....how many knock-offs were made after this..about a thousand...maybe more. It's my best film of 1994. Whoever thought I would put soooo much time into thinking about the following:

1. What book was Vincent Vega reading on the toilet when he got shot?
2. Did the devil take Marcellus Wallace's Soul through the back of the head?..is that why he has a band aid there?
3. What's really in the case?...the soul of Wallace stupid
4. Will there ever be a "Vega Brothers Film"?
5. What if Stallone really took the "Butch" role?
6. Those Banana Slug T-Shirts are awesome
7. So Quentin Tarantino's character married a black girl?
8. Wow Vincent Vega is Alive at the end?...oh no he just moves time around

Other flicks:

Clerks: One of the best documentaries is the Clerks 10 year DVD "The Snowball Effect"...very entertaining...I have been off the K. Smith bandwagon for awhile...I think he lost his way trying to be something he is not after Jersey Girl...thought he got it back with Clerks 2 which was awesome...I guess we shall see...but he has the first Star Wars geek references in film history I think...and does it better then All.

Natural Born Killers: I saw Oliver Stone give a talk at my College once...he was a jerk...but I love this film...the director's longer cut is great...and the script of course is by Tarantino...again I wish he would write more...this film was stalled because Stone wanted images of the OJ case in the film...his was the first to make that stuff to film...The movie is brilliant and still relevant in our pop culture reality TV bull shit lives. And I just find Juliette Lewis so hot.

Shawshank Redemption: Best film commentator in the world is Frank Darabont. IMDB lists this film as #2/#1 depending on traffic I guess...It's great...I actually like Tim in this...the prison mood and joy of the film is great...not much else...I gotta eat breakfast

Playlist: I Stand Alone

Gaspar Noe is the Vincent Gallo of French Directors. Uncompromising, controversial, has made too few films for his long time in film, and he presses your buttons.

I Stand Alone is tough to watch...not gory or little action. Noe has here a character study. Most American films do well outside of America because their is a lot of action, and therefore very little talking..and so foreign audiences don't have to read a lot...here the subtitles are rapid fire...the character's inner monologue never stops...his ideas about humanity and the loss he feels are never ending. This film is like Taxi Driver meets Up...and by Up I mean the Pixar Up....no there is no house or balloons..but there is a grumpy old man who is selfish and wants to bring an innocent child down with him.

At one point the film stops...a warning comes on the screen for any audience member to leave the film...and an actual countdown clock begins..it starts at 30 and that's all you see...literally the Director Noe is actively engaging us in the film and saying there is no turning back to what we will see as the film's ultimate horrors begin. It's nothing we haven't seen already...just done in a very jarring way. These Foreign directors like to manipulate us...Funny Games comes to mind where Micheal Haneke uses the manipulation of the audience and a remote control to let the audience know that we...the audience sitting and watching are as much to blame for the torture of the family in the movie as to two criminals in his film.

Noe uses these techniques...also very unnerving soundscapes (Lynchian) and a camera rush and special effects with loud sound to jolt us during high tension. Noe has made very few films.. I really liked the action and mood of Irreversible, and I am highly anticipating the US release of Enter the Void. I Stand Alone is the start of feature films for this 40 something director...he has many TV and short film releases...he is visually different and his direction is great, even though disturbing...and not in a gore way again...just unease...like I said, like a David Lynch met up with Martin Scorsese...even that comparison eliminates the great and subtle special effects he uses.

To anticipate Enter the Void, click the link.

Playlist: 35 Shots of Rum

Why? Trying to class this place up

Seriously, though, this film was on several "Best of 2009" lists and I did think it was good to expand my cinematic diet. A little French cuisine now and then to offset the usual American mac & cheese. Good intentions, right? What's French for "Oy"?

I should have known. The DVD came with an essay by Film Quarterly editor Rob White. I've read Film Quarterly. Rather, I've tried to read Film Quarterly. It's not written to be understood, but to be the print equivalent of self-fellating to the sound of your own pomposity. Film is art and art criticism has a vital role in society. But so does perspective. Not every foreign experimental arthouse film is a transcendental life experience. Just like not every summer blockbuster is deep-fried crap. You don't have to like or dislike anything until you actually like or dislike it. Novel concept. Maybe I'll start a School of Thought around it.

Right, the essay. White writes 35 Shots "lacks the menace of her (director Clair Denis's) recent work..." If only I had Babel Fished "Critic to English" I would have gotten the word "boring." I'm particularly dissatisfied that the late Vin just watched one of Denis's "menacing" movies, Trouble Every Day. It sounded tres wild.

Nothing happens. Not true. We get extended scenes of the characters driving a train, sitting on a couch, doing laundry, and in what may have been the climax, making an omelet. No one speaks in the way people only do in art films. Small talk, evidently, is so bourgeois.

Thought: could Denis have intended the title to serve as a supplemental instruction, an attempt to transform the medium to an alive, interactive experience, to blur the century-old chasm between creator and audience? Basically, should I have been drunk?

Playlist: The Book of Eli

Why? What's not to like about a dystopian wasteland?

It's in-your-face apparent that the Hughes Brothers decided to make an "important" film. It stars Denzel, after all. Denzel as a man of few words walking alone through the CGI desertscape of yet another Armageddon-ravaged world. Sounds like a kidless The Road, doesn't it? Although that actually was an important film (and book). That was an examination of humanity. This is a love letter to The Bible. With beheadings and eviscerations. Which come to think of it, are both very biblical. (The violence and the sex are what really make it "The Good Book".)

As in all of these end-of-the-world fests, there's something valuable that everyone wants. Usually, it's something literally relevant to survival. Water, perhaps, or food. Pig shit, of course, if you're Tina Turner. Not here, though. Here it's the last copy of The Bible on Earth (fact check, please). Denzel, as Eli, is carrying it to the West Coast for some sort of delusional Messianic reason. Gary Oldman, playing a post-apocalyptic Al Swearengen, is the small town overlord who wants that book so he can control the masses. See, the Word of God is the most magical force in the universe, but even it can be corrupted by an evil nutjob. Get it? (We first see Oldman reading a bio of Mussolini. Yeah, I get it, thanks.)

The fight scenes are well-choreographed and this would have been a fun, if inconsequential, movie if it weren't for them hand-feeding us their "theme." There's a "Big Twist" at the end that is pretty good, though I don't know how necessary it was to all the action before it.

Two more: Mila Kunis, who I normally like, is terrible as Eli's sidekick. And there's a major plot hole about gas that would have been easier to ignore if the film didn't point it out in the previous scene.

Eh. Could of used zombies.