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Monthly Archives: July 2010
How to Save Gossip Girl
When Gossip Girl debuted three years ago it looked like it could be as good and interesting as that film Cruel Intentions with Sarah Michelle Gellar and Reese Witherspoon. It was sold as a peak into the “world of Manhattan’s elite” and all the twisted games they played. My favorite character quickly became the spoiled and tormented Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick). I also really liked how Chuck would torment Leighton Meester’s Blair and how she eventually succumbs to him.
As for the rest of the cast I found them way too “Melba Toast”. Blake Lively’s constant moaning, Penn Badgeley’s brooding and don’t get me started on Taylor Momsen. I thought Chace Crawford’s Nate could get more interesting if he was allowed to get sucked in with Chuck. I also liked the idea of an outsider in Jessica Szohr’s Vanessa.
The parental pairing of Matthew Settle (Rufus) and Kelly Rutherford (Lily) worked for me as well especially given their history. But the merging of the families was disastrous of the show.
SOLUTION: KILL OFF THE HUMPHREY KIDS
The show has too much Melba Toast-type boring characters. All the Humphreys are that way I think, Serena and Nate and Vanessa are that way. So by killing off Dan (Penn Badgley) and Jenny (Taylor Momsen) that would fix that problem. It would also bring the sort of dark edge to Rufus that he desperately needs. He’s so boring but has a very interesting and eclectic past that the writers aren’t allowed the play with. Kill off Jenny and Dan and then send Rufus back to his rockstar/songwriting roots. And after Dan and Jenny are buried bring in some fresh meat. Or expand some already delightful subordinate characters like Michelle Trachtenberg’s Georgina or Sebastian Stan’s Carter or Willa Holland’s Agnes. I mean these three characters alone are more interesting than either Dan or Jenny.
The show needs a major restructuring that will rip it down to it’s core. You just have way too many boring characters, you need characters who can play in this world and give Chuck a run for his money.
10 Actresses to Watch & Why 2010: Part Two
#5
Name: Emily Blunt
Born: 23 February 1983, Roehampton, London, England, UK
Credits: Devil Wears Prada, Sunshine Cleaning, Young Victoria
Interest: Emily Blunt seems to be one of those actresses who are always the bridesmaid never the bride. Take for example her break-out role in The Devil Wears Prada, she acts circles around plain Anne Hathaway but got none of the credit. She was rumored to get both the role of Black Widow and as Captain America’s love interest in the Marvel comics movie franchises but both parts went to other women. No one noticed her in the underrated period Young Victoria because Keira Knightley is the only Gen-X corset-wearer currently. And the list goes on. She is one of the best actresses working today but has zero luck!
Future projects: After Emily has The Adjustment Bureau with Matt Damon, then Gulliver’s Travels this Christmas with Jack Black. While both have her teamed with established stars in high profile films, both smell like dogs for the box office like what happened with turn in The Wolfman this spring. The pedigree was their just not the result.
What she needs to succeed: Emily does however have Salmon Fishing in Yemen. The romantic drama is directed by Lasse Hallstrom (Chocolat) based on the acclaimed novel. The film co-stars Ewen McGregor as Emily’s love interest. Emily needs a movie that lets her shine and needs to work with visionary directors. This could be a step in the right direction. Here’s hoping.
#4
Name: Amanda Seyfried
Born: 3 December 1985, Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA
Credits: Mamma Mia, Chloe, Dear John, Letters to Juliet
Interest: Amanda’s giant eyes, beautiful smile and innocent sex appeal is serving her very well so far in her career. I first noticed Amanda as part of the Plastics who torment Lindsay Lohan in Mean Girls. Amanda was the more innocent of the clique. She then jumped to television as the best friend of Veronica Mars who is murdered and who could forget her threeway in Alpha Dog.
But it was when Amanda won the part as the lead in the musical Mamma Mia that she rose to a different status. She squashed the hopes of Emmy Rossum, Amanda Bynes, Mandy Moore and fellow Mean Girl Rachel McAdams to win the role. Amanda is carving herself quite the little career as a stalker call girl in Chloe, an almost war bride in Dear John, a modern retelling of Romeo & Juliet in Letters to Juliet and well the very silly/awful Jennifer’s Body.
Future projects: Her eclectic career is continuing when she will star in the werewolf-fused Red Riding Hood, the scifi I’m.Mortal which has been offered to Justin Timberlake. She’ll then jump back in time and don a corset for Albert Nobbs and Woman of No Importance. She has a strong bunch of projects coming up which means someone is shepherding the one really well.
What she needs to succeed: The only thing Amanda is missing is a major box office smash. She had a hit with Mamma Mia but all the credit went to Meryl. She needs that one movie that will push her into the next chapter. The way she is playing, she is going to find sooner than later.
#3
Name: Vera Farmiga
Born: 6 August 1973, Passaic County, New Jersey, USA
Credits: The Departed, Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Orphan, Up in the Air
Interest: I continued to be impresser with Vera. She was #7 on my list last year but after breaking George Clooney’s heart in Up in the Air. I am starting to think Vera is here to stay especially after getting an Oscar nod for that flick.
Future projects: First up later this year she will star with Keanu Reeves in Henry’s Crime, take a taste of scifi with Jake Gyllenhaal in director Duncan Jones’s Source Code, make her directorial debut with Higher Ground and turn into a vengeful outlaw in Thousand Guns. Is there anything this woman can’t do.
What she needs to succeed: She needs to keep doing projects in the forefront while some of her upcoming projects are interesting and diverse she has had her most success starring opposite some of Hollywood’s hottest men.
She needs to stick to that path and eventually win that Oscar she is destined for. It will be interesting to see where Vera lands this time next year.
#2
Name: Olivia Wilde
Born: 10 March 1984, New York City, New York, USA
Credits: The Girl Next Door, The OC, Turistas, Year One, House.
Interest: This actress is white hot right now. When a top 10 network show like House decides to leave an open door for you while you finish two tent pole movies well you are sitting pretty darn well. I first noticed Olivia in the Fox aborted series SKIN where Ron Silver played a pornographer and Olivia was his daughter who was caught in a Romeo & Juliet love tryst with a district attorney’s son. It was one of the first TV series for Jerry Bruckheimer and lasted 6 episodes. Olivia then popped up on the pop hit “The OC” where she played a bisexual bartender. Olivia was electric in both these roles and she carried on that tradition to feature films like The Girl Next Door and Alpha Dog. Then there was the Black Donnellys and Turistas. She stole the show in a little seen indie movie FIX which I caught at a film festival then came HOUSE. I found it surprising that a girl who had relished in so many sexy and risky projects decided to slip on a lab coat until I found out the twist to her character. She’s been on House 57 episodes now and Hollywood is opening up for her.
Future projects: Olivia just finished promoting her new movie Tron: Legacy at Comic Con. That film looks and feels like its going to be the biggest of the summer. Coupled with the success of Tron, Olivia has also landed the female lead in Jon Favreau’s tentpole flick Cowboys & Aliens with Danie Craig and Harrison Ford. Oh and in the middle there she will star in the all-star comedy Butter with fellow listee Ashley Greene.
What she needs to succeed: Olivia just has to hang on. When Hollywood is bending this far over backwards to make you a star it can be a bumpy ride. Some make it other fall quicker than they ascended. I think Olivia has the acting chops to be big and she has a look unlike any actress in Hollywood. You know what I mean, Angelina has her distinct look no one else has but wants. Well, Olivia has something similar. If Tron and Cowboys are huge like planned, Olivia could be our number come 2011.
#1
Name: Zoe Saldana
Born: 19 June 1978, New Jersey, USA
Credits: Center Stage, Crossroads, Guess Who, Avatar Star Trek
Interest: I first noticed Zoe Saldana ten years ago as a struggling ballerina in Center Stage where I thought that is was the film’s star Amanda Schull who I thought would have a huge career. Zoe wasn’t much to think about back then especially after she co-starred in the Britney Spears flick Crossroads. But between a cameo in the first Pirates film and the TV show Six Degrees. Zoe was lost. After Six Degrees was canceled after five episodes in 2007, Zoe’s career was in trouble. This is when James Cameron saw something in Zoe and knew casting her as a alien native in the biggest film of all time was right. He fought for her to be in the movie and built the gigantic film around complete unknowns Zoe and co-star Sam Worthington. Somewhere in that Zoe era of being lost, she developed an acting spirit not seen in a long time. She was every single inch of Neytiri and she took her new formed talent and sex appeal and not only embraced Cameron’s decision but also used it to become Uhura on the Star Trek reboot. Zoe is here to stay!
Future projects: Now with being the keystones of two giant film franchises, Zoe can make anything she wants. I mean she has got to have pull by now. She’s done five films this year and all look like “Losers”. But with the Star Trek and Avatar sequels, Zoe has an ace up her sleeve. Not to mention in her next flick she is going to try to walk in Angelina Jolie’s shoes when she turns assassin for Columbiana. She kicked ass in Avatar and The Losers so why not give it a whirl. The movie was written by Luc Besson who made Nikita a household name.
What she needs to succeed: Well she is doing it. Two major franchises are her safety net. Now she just have to stop being box office babe and expand into chunkier parts.
10 Actresses to Watch & Why 2010: Part One
#10
Name: Bridget Regan
Born: 3 February 1982, San Diego County, California, USA
Credits: Legend of the Seeker
Interest: Bridget first came to my attention as the strong heroine of the cult series “Legend of the Seeker.” She played Kahlen Amnell, a woman sworn to protect the hero known as the Seeker (Craig Horner). The forbidden love between Kahlen and Seeker was one of the most complicated, multi-dimensional and best relationships I have seen in genre television. Not since Buffy/Angel, Robin/Marian or The Doctor/Rose have I had seen a relationship that brought me to tears and left me so fulfilled. The crime was that Legend of the Seeker wasn’t allowed to last longer than 2 seasons.
Future projects: Bridget has moved on to the comedy The Best and the Brightest with Neil Patrick Harris and Bonnie Somerville. I really hope Hollywood doesn’t forget Bridget because I really think that Bridget Regan has the talent to be an A-List celebrity.
What she needs to succeed: I think since DC Comics is seriously in the hunt to cast a Wonder Woman movie I think Bridget would be perfect for this role. Her dazzling blue eyes, ever-glowing presence and ability to handle stunts and kick butt make her a perfect candidate. I also think Wonder Woman has to go to a relative unknown which makes Bridget perfect. Watch the video below and tell me Bridget shouldn’t be Wonder Woman!
#9
Name: Jessica Stroup
Born: 23 October 1986, Anderson, South Carolina, USA
Credits: Prom Night, 90210
Interest: Jessica is the first returnee on our list this year. She was ranked #5 last year. Jessica I still believe is the best part of The CW’s 90210. The problem is since she is too good for the show and her storylines are a waste of her talent it was so difficult to watch her this past season. C’mon the whole Teddy love story? Now with EW’s Ausiello revealing that one of three guys will turn out to be gay next season (Teddy, Liam, Navid), you just know it’s gonna be Teddy.
Future projects: Jessica will be moving into the fourth season this fall and the show is in desperate need of a creative resurgence. The third season was Gossip Girl bad. Here’s hoping Jessica gets more screen time this season.
What she needs to succeed: Jessica needs to seek out those independent roles she was looking for during the first and second season. She has become the target of paparazzi after clinging so close to co-star Anna-Lynne McCord. Jessica needs to pull back and refocus on finding some challenging parts.
#8
Name: Alice Eve
Born: 6 February 1982, London, England, UK
Credits: Crossing Over, She’s Out of My League, Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Interest: I first noticed Alice in the political border drama Crossing Over with Harrison Ford and Jim Sturges. Actually if you see the flick she is pretty hard to miss. After that flick you kind of wonder if she was going to be an interesting actress or disappear faster than Erika Christensen. This feisty Brit isn’t going away anytime soon. She just proved that hot girls can be cool too in the surprisingly funny and charming comedy She’s Out of My League with Jay Baruchel. In that movie she gave Jay a run for his money in some scenes. Her next movie was Sex & the City 2 where she had a memorable but small role.
Future projects: She’s just been cast in Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class as the very sexy ice queen Emma Frost. Let’s just hope they cast a Cyclops that is worthy of Alice’s affections.
What she needs to succeed: If the reboot to X-Men works then Alice will be on her way.
#7
Name: Amber Heard
Born: 22 April 1986, Austin, Texas, USA
Credits: Never Back Down, Pineapple Express, Zombieland
Interest: Amber is the second returnee on the list. She was #6 last year. Amber went through a couple hairstyle changes this past year as she tried to avoid the cameras. After doing four films in 2009, Amber seemed to have gotten lost in the shuffle. She finished off 2009 with the very funny Zombieland, where she played well a zombie. Also she co-starred in the remake of The Stepfather with “most boring cast member on Gossip Girl” Penn Badgeley. (OK, that is my second Gossip Girl slam in a row. I smell an article coming.)
Future projects: Getting back to Amber, she has two movies from 2010 that seem to have stalled and could end up going straight to video (And Soon the Darkness & The River Why). However she does have John Carpenter’s The Ward coming in September. Not to mention she is front and centre in the 3D action flick, Drive Angry with Nicolas Cage.
What she needs to succeed: She is starring opposite Johnny Depp in The Rum Diary. If Rum Diary doesn’t put her over the edge then nothing will.
#6
Name: Ashley Greene
Born: 21 February 1987, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Credits: Skateland, The Twilight Saga
Interest: Forget the tabloid talent of the Twilight Saga, Ashley is the best part of the movies series. As Alice Cullen, Ashley is the brightest, wittiest, quirkiest and most beautiful of the pale vampire ladies. Not to mention she has been becoming a hot attraction in magazines and on the red carpet. This actress is white hot.
In every scene in the Twilight movies, she outshines everyone. It really is a pity that more people aren’t recognizng the talent of this young actress. This chick has all the wattage of becoming a mega-star!
Besides Twilight, Ashley is also broading her horizons with meatier roles like in her just released first non-Twilight movie where she has a starring role, Skateland. The dramedy looks like the kind of material Ashley should be clinging to post-Twilight. If she does do more movies like Skateland, she’ll have a long career.
Future projects: Ashley has the high-concept comedy Butter with fellow white-hot actress Olivia Wilde not to mention Hugh Jackman and Jennifer Garner. She also has the horror flick Appartiton and the comedy LOL with Miley Cyrus and Thomas Jane. Oh and of course there is the double-bill Twilight finale: Breaking Dawn. She is one busy girl.
What she needs to succeed: Well she is doing it: red carpet sightings, sexy photo spreads, a secure film franchise and meatier roles. Now if only Kristen Stewart would get out of her way. Time will tell with this one. Personally I think she’s gonna be around longer than Kristen. Go, Ashley Go!
20 Best Fringe Directors: Part Two
This Top 20 is presented by new writer and all round movie buff Grif O’ The Wisp.
11. Jason Reitman
Movies: Thank You for Smoking, Juno, Up in the Air.
Coming Up: Whispers in Bedlam. (just announced)
Why he makes the list: His father, Ivan Reitman, was a comedy director first and Jason has followed in these footsteps but is showing a real talent for character development as well. A skewed sense of humor has helped his movies become more than flash in the pan successes.
12. Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Movies: Amélie / The City of Lost Children / A Very Long Engagement / Micmacs.
Coming Up: TBA
Why he makes the list: Hailing from France Jeunet’s films are colorful masterpieces of the weird and the strange. Almost expressionist in his leaning Jeunet’s films are like paintings with a splash of color here and a dot of another there. Breathtaking to watch.
13. Julie Taymor
Movies: Across the Universe / Frida / Titus.
Coming Up: The Tempest
Why he makes the list: A second woman on the list Taymor has shown a taste for twisting the past into something new and fun. She plays with stage inspired scripts and music in a way that no other director working does all with a visual flair.
14. Kevin MacDonald
Movies: The Last King of Scotland / State of Play / Touching the Void.
Coming Up: The Eagle with Channing Tatum.
Why he makes the list: Plays with politics in his movies but in different genres. Thrillers and Dramas are fair game, metaphorical historical pieces coming up. McDonald definitely has something to say and says it well.
15. Martin McDonagh
Movies: In Bruges, Six Shooter.
Coming Up: TBA
Why he makes the list: Already having had a more than successful run writing and directing for the stage McDonagh has recently moved to film – with excellent results. A touch of excellent dialogue and a knowledge of show don’t tell helps his body of work rise above the pack.
16. Matthew Vaughn
Movies: Layer Cake, Stardust, Kick Ass
Coming Up: X-Men: First Class
Why he makes the list: A new recruit to the realm of geekdom Vaughn works in the fantasy and superhero genres. His films are fun, funny and slick. He knows when to show the violence and when to hold back and doesn’t really show any fear as to what he shows on screen.
17. Neil Marshall
Movies: The Descent / Dog Soldiers / Doomsday / Centurion
Coming Up: Sacrilege
Why he makes the list: He broke onto the scene with a wholly original horror film with strong female characters. His follow-up, Doomsday, failed to live up to the same levels but he has kept writing and a new period piece is in the works. High hopes.
18. Paul Thomas Anderson
Movies: There Will Be Blood / Magnolia / Boogie Nights
Coming Up: Untitled religious project with Reese Witherspoon, Jeremy Renner and Philip Seymour Hoffman
Why he makes the list: A critical darling Anderson has always walked the line between indy and Hollywood. He gets very good performances from the actors and has worked with some excellent actors as a result. Drama is his forte but he doesn’t shy away from the violence when the story calls for it.
19. Rian Johnson
Movies: Brick / The Brothers Bloom
Coming Up: Looper with Joseph Gordon Levitt and Bruce Willis
Why he makes the list: With two films to his name Rian has turned heads by toying with genres. He first placed a film noir in a high school and then made a con movie into a dramedy. Both films had impressively intricate plots. What’s next?
20. Terry Gilliam
Movies: Monty Python and the Holy Grail / Life of Brian / Brazil, etc, etc.
Coming Up: The Man Who Killed Don Quixote
Why he makes the list: Having started with the comedy troop “Monty Python” Gilliam’s career has spanned several decades and yet he still puts out some of the most original and mind bending films every year. Never achieving blockbuster type fame he has built a strong, loyal fanbase.
20 Best Fringe Directors: Part One
This Top 20 is presented by new writer and all round movie buff Grif O’ The Wisp.
Certain directors get all the attention – Welles, Kubrick and Spielberg dominate any talk of whom the best directors are. So how is a young director to make his name? My answer to this was to create a new list of my favorite directors with the added stipulation that they must meet certain criteria.
They could not have directed a movie that has made $100 Million dollars or more domestically. They could not have won an Oscar for Best Directing or, in the case of the few directors working in animation, a Best Animated Feature. They are not power players who can make whatever they want on good will. Finally, they must be working in directing consistently today. They are my 20 favorite Fringe and/or up and coming directors.
In alphabetical order:
1. Alejandro González Iñárritu
Movies: Babel, 21 Grams, Powder Keg
Coming Up: Biutiful with Javier Bardem.
Why he makes the list: Hailing from Mexico González Iñárritu is the least Big Hollywood of three amigos that are Guillermo Del Toro, Alfonso Cuaron and himself. His films have a simple beauty, a personal edge and a worldwide scope.
2. Andrea Arnold
Movies: Fish Tank, Red Road, Wasp
Coming Up: Remake of Wuthering Heights.
Why he makes the list: The first woman on the list Arnold brings women onto the silver screen. Her coming of age films are full of powerful yet troubled women and the growth of character that comes with growing up. A welcome voice in a male centric medium Andrea brings different vantage point.
3. Antoine Fuqua
Movies: Training Day, King Arthur, Tears of the Sun, The Replacement Killers
Coming Up: Consent to Kill with Gerard Butler and Colin Farrell plus the long gesturing Tupac Shakur bio-pic.
Why he makes the list: A director who has yet to write his own films Fuqua still manages to leave his own mark on each film. He tends to show a gritty side of the story and doesn’t shy away from violence if the story needs it. Not mention he also directed Denzel Washington to his Best Oscar win.
4. Charlie Kaufman
Movies: Wrote Adaptation, Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Directed Synecdoche, New York with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener.
Coming Up: TBD
Why he makes the list: Known for Brilliant scripts Kaufman took a stab at directing in 2008. Still needs to prove himself he does show real promise as a filmmaker to watch for and possibly win multiple awards.
5. Darren Aronofsky
Movies: Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler.
Coming Up: Black Swan with Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis.
Why he makes the list:Is possibly the weirdest filmmaker since Terry Gilliam. Aronofsky makes original pieces that seem to come from nowhere. Each tells a wonderful story but frequently toys with timelines or realities.
6. David Cronenberg
Movies: The Fly, Existenez, History of Violence, Eastern Promises
Coming Up: A Dangerous Method with Viggo Mortensen and Keira Knightley.
Why he makes the list:Not only does he make the fringe list but he also makes movies about people who don’t fit in. This makes him fringe squared. His films are also rock solid storytelling with mood and suspense in spades.
7. Duncan Jones
Movies: Whistle, Moon.
Coming Up: Source Code with Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Monaghan
Why he makes the list: Another director with only one feature to his name Jones shows plenty of promise. He made a mind blowing and original science fiction debut to critical acclaim. We’ll see how his follow-ups do and see how he holds up.
8. Edgar Wright
Movies: Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim vs the World.
Coming Up: Remake of THEM and the Marvel Comics mini-hero Ant-Man.
Why he makes the list: A comedy director Wright plays with the conventions of different genres to great, and hilarious results. He does not sacrifice original story for spoof like many modern satire but does his own thing and wows us.
9. George Clooney
Movies: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Good Night Good Luck, Leatherheads.
Coming Up: The Boys of Belmont (as director).
Why he makes the list: His acting projects have been thoughtful and diverse and now his directing jobs are too. Solid work from one of the most intelligent people in Hollywood. None of his directing efforts have exactly ignited the box office but this cool cat has the power to pick the projects he wants to get behind.
10. Guillermo Del Toro
Movies: Cronos, Mimic, Blade 2, Hellboy, Hellboy 2, Pan’s Labyrinth.
Coming Up: The Haunted Mansion for Disney. (just announced)
Why he makes the list:He is the Ray Harryhausen of our times with his use of original creatures, bright colors and an earnest love for the creatures as well as the characters. He may be big budget of late but his more personal Spanish collection keeps him on the list.
Retro Review: Closer
The games we play and the things we say are explored in “Closer” the new film from director Mike Nichols and screenwriter Patrick Marber, based on his play.
We all have a lot to say when our hearts are involved. This has never been truer for four unique and inwardly tortured strangers.
Anna (Julia Roberts) gives into temptation a little when she photographs heavily-involved Dan (Jude Law) for his latest book jacket. The raw attraction between the two is undeniable but Dan is involved with Alice (Natalie Portman), a stripper with a heart of gold who is trying to hang up her degrading career.
Meanwhile a prominent doctor, Larry (Clive Owen) has a rather erotic chat online with a female stranger, who unbeknownst to Larry is actually Dan. Before Larry knows it he will come face to face with Anna, Alice and eventually Dan. His encounters will unhinge a web of deceit, lies and eventual heartbreak.
“Closer” has been dubbed an “adult film about adults for adults”. What exactly does that mean? And is that such a rare commodity in today’s multiplexes?
“Closer” brutally, honestly and emotionally corrupts and eventually dissects its characters right before your very eyes. But as a film goes we watch the journey and see some wonderful performances but that is about all. The film spends a lot of time on the characters and if you aren’t hooked in the first 10 minutes you are in for a long and drawn out ride.
“Closer” is about the characters and it studies them and breaks them down so we can see just how people can self-destruct and harm each other all in the name of love. Or is it love?
Are really any of these characters actually in love? That surely is debatable. They seem too selfish and selfless to know what love is. I would have to say the only character that could have been in love was Clive Owen’s Larry. Because he seems to be the only one who actually falls apart. There is also some ounce of love in Natalie Portman’s Alice but that seems to prove false in the last 20 minutes.
I really loved both the performances of Clive Owen and Natalie Portman because I found them the most believable. Both Julia Roberts and Jude Law seem to be holding their cards so close to their chests that they almost come off as bored zombies. The last time I remember Julia Roberts being this withdrawn on screen was when she played the title role in “Mary Reilly”. As for Law he is just a really confused pretty face.
I liked that Owen’s Larry was a self-erupting volcano of raw emotion and he seemed to be the only thunderhead in this emotionless blue sky of a film. He is a brute but at least he is honest. There is so much range in his performance from his awkwardness in the aquarium scenes to his animalistic shows of emotion in mid to later portions of the film. He proves once more how utterly brilliant this underrated actor is.
Yes, “Closer” is an adult film but it is also a study in human emotion and interaction. What the film lacks is a sense of larger depth, fuller scope and deeper tension. Just because it is based on a play doesn’t mean it actually has to look and feel like one.
Because “Closer” feels so much like a play I think it loses its impact. If this were live and we were in the same room with these people it would be more shocking and revealing to us but because its celluloid it is almost like we are one of those guys who sits in the glass booths to watch strippers. We aren’t in the same room, yet we are. It’s odd and a lot of the emotion is lost in transition to celluloid or through a pane of glass.
“Closer” is an interesting character study and probably should be examined by university media courses but as for entertainment it is just really off putting.
(3 out of 5)
So Says the Soothsayer.
Retro Review: Rat Race
Written: September 2, 2001
A remake of “It’s a Mad Mad Mad World” with hi-jinxes galore.
“Rat Race” opens in a casino in Las Vegas as contestants are brought together through winning golden coins from casino slot machines. The golden coins bring the wide assortment of desperate contestants face-to-face with an eccentric millionaire (John Cleese). The millionaire and his assistant (Dave Thomas) give them each a key to a bus locker in Silver City, New Mexico. He tells them that in the locker is a bag containing $2 million dollars. Who will make it to the loot and what kind of goofy antics will these players do to get there?
In the spirit of “Gumball Rally”, “Cannonball Run” and “It’s a Mad Mad Mad World”, the director “Airplane!” Jerry Zucker creates a wide range of hilarity. There are some scenes that will burst your gut with laughter. They don’t hold back but don’t go insane with desperation with trying to make you laugh.
I loved the scene where Whoopi Goldberg and daughter steal the “jet-car”. Then there is the absolutely brilliant concept of the contestant cars smashing through wooden fences and ending up in hilarious situations. The best of fence scenes has to be the Jon Lovitz one where he addresses a sea of veterans. There are so many jokes to howl at.
The only 2 real slight problems with “Rat Race” are that there are some lulls between the giant laughs and it can make you feel a little impatient. Secondly, I found the ending to be a cop-out. I don’t want to spoil the ending but I thought it should have had a more interesting ending. Alas, maybe this ending is a sign of the times.
Like a lot of comedies today it’s hard to keep the momentum going and “Rat Race” is no exception. But this comedy does deliver the laughs a lot more than a lot of recent comedies. This film is a great stress reliever and you may just bust a gut.
(4 of 5) So Says the Soothsayer.
20 Hidden DVD Gems to Seek Out: Vol. 2: Part Five
Over the course of this week, we will uncover twenty titles you need to seek out at your local DVD store. Here is Part 5.
The list is laid out something like this. The title, year it was made, genre, synopsis and finally my rating. I hope to do more of these lists as I uncover some of the treasures hidden at the local videostore.
17. Murder 101 (1991-TV)
(Mystery): Pierce Brosnan stars as Charles Lattimore, an author and lecturer of the mystery novel.
Lattimore begins the new school year at the same institution where his ex-wife (Dey Young) teaches. Lattimore’s life is turned upside down when a student of his is found dead and he becomes the prime suspect.
“Murder 101” is surprisingly a solid and involving mystery for a television film. It is probably the best television film Brosnan ever made.
The twists and turns are frequent and Brosnan is stoic as he always was before Bond finally lassoed him. I am a strong fan of the pre-Bond Brosnan.
What I liked is that the film starts off with a sort of “Dead Poet’s Society” styled movie then begins to fracture and evolve into a mystery with the death of a student. It is very solid and worth a look for mystery buffs.
(100 mins) (3.5 out of 5) So Says the Soothsayer.
18. Point of Origin (2002-TV)
(Crime-Drama): In this fact-based film, arsonist investigator John Orr (Ray Liotta) is forced to hunt down a serial arsonist on a fire-spree in 1980s Los Angeles. This will be the hardest case of Orr’s career.
Shortly after Liotta struck gold with his performance in “Narc”, Liotta took on the role of John Orr. The fireworks he delivered in “Narc” are amplified with his portrayal of Orr. This is Liotta at his finest.
This film is yet another great mystery with oodles of twists and turns. What is probably the most surprising about it is the film’s rookie director, cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel.
With every carefully placed shot you can really see there is a cinematographer directing the film. Sigel uses a lot of interesting and aspiring camera movements, editing and effects to make this drama addictive. This is probably the best movie of its kind since “Backdraft”. The fire in this film is more alive than ever before.
(89 mins) (4 out of 5) So Says the Soothsayer.
19. Restoration (1995)
(Historical Drama): Robert Downey Jr. stars as Robert Merivel, an aspiring doctor who finds himself in the service of King Charles II (Sam Neill) after he saves the life of a friend close to the King. Merivel joins the King’s court and lives the luxurious life. A twist in Merivel’s life occurs when he is ordered to marry his King’s mistress (Polly Walker).
The situation becomes worse when Merivel finds himself falling in love with his new wife. How will this controversial turn of events affect the young doctor and his status with the king?
“Restoration” is a brilliant look at England when she was in the grips of the Black Death. Downey and Neill are stalwart in their performances as the films main characters.
The cinematography and sets of this film are breathless as we do become enveloped in the noble world. We can see Merivel’s allure to it.
There is so much to cherish when Downey is at his finest. “Restoration” was lost in the shuffle but should still go down as a great film for both history buffs and Downey himself.
(117 mins) (4 out of 5) So Says the Soothsayer.
20. The Thirteenth Floor (1999)
(Sci-Fi Thriller): Computer genius Hannon Fuller (Armin Mueller-Stahl) has made the discovery of his career. While on his way to tell his friend and colleague Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko), Fuller is murdered. Douglas becomes the prime suspect and must piece together the legacy of his dead friend or find himself doomed. What he discovers is shocking and a twist most of us won’t see coming.
In the wake of 1999s “The Matrix”, “The Thirteenth Floor” got lost. While others were learning about Neo and his cyber-buddies a select few found “13th Floor” in a multiplex. It is a shame since “13th Floor” is a great little sci-fi movie that has found a lot of cult success on DVD.
The film itself is a hodge-podge of the “Twilight Zone”, “Outer Limits” and film noir with a computer edge. I really enjoyed Bierko as a leading man and it is too bad we haven’t seen more of him in the spotlight. I have also spoken highly of co-star Gretchen Mol (“Rounders”) and she is also quite intriguing here as well. This film is finely crafted and the ending is a great one.
(100 mins) (3.5 out of 5) So Says the Soothsayer.
Just in conclusion to my second Hidden Gems, two of my favorite guilty pleasure films are also on DVD. (still waiting for Blu-Ray though) “Young Sherlock Holmes” and “Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins” are some long forgotten films that a lot of people probably don’t remember. I have always had a soft spot for these two films when I was a teenager. I originally saw “Young Sherlock Holmes” under it’s international title “Pyramid of Fear”. If you are due for a guilty pleasure check out these titles, I know I will be. Cheers, the Soothsayer.
