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Greed (2006)
someone tell Jason London his career is almost done
so bad it hurts I guess that people go in life assuming certain things, in this case I can clearly believe this was supposed to be a "serial killer" movie but then in turns out it has also a gang of ruthless bikers (on motocross bikes), a chick who could be a fat version of Denise Richards and how makes funny faces running in her underwear, some great lines like "reedem yourself" and I keep asking why in the hell is Jason London in the movie *hell* I will offer him a better project. This is the kind of movies that makes me wonder that this film is just a complete waste of at least my time, anyway at least I got paid
Malachance (2004)
El primo has done it (Don´t make waves) (spoilers inside)
Well I took the chance of seeing this movie yesterday in a festival in Mexico City, the whole thing was sponsor by a major theatrical cinema chain, The Theater was packed and the crowd gave Gerardo a very warm welcome. I have known him since probably six years go, in which he always promised himself and the rest of the friends a movie soon. The dream was over yesterday as the show started, I was more than happy to be part of his history.
Malachance is what I like to call "Author Cinema", his movie cannot be define by one genre only nor can easily be compare to anything that Mexican cinema used to produce, the movie has it's very own pace, it's characters and a sincere tribute to his dearly beloved influences. Between the original films by maverick film director Jim Jarmush (the movie clearly has some reference to the American icon), a little bit of Hal Hartley, and a road movie. The movie concerns 3 friends, their daily lives and worries. Minka, Sal and Ringo (the three of them in a very solid performance). The movie from my commercial view could use a little editing to keep its pace.
Minka wants a new life, give up his days a small dealer working for a character named "The Dutch". Sal constantly worries about his sister whereabouts and sleeps in school buses. Ringo has no job and no occupation, no life, he only dreams to get into the dealing with Minka. When a terrible accident crosses the path of the friends, friendships are torn out and the destiny of the 3 of them is sadly (??) united. Minka leaves the city in a particular quest that takes him to New York City. The cinematography is a greatly achieve, from the colors to the camera movements, Gerardo has work his way like a professional. This movie is poetry as some other friend pointed out, it's quite an intimate experience, and it deals with the tormented heart of a young man, searching for a peace of mind. To sum up see this movie, Gerardo truly has some skills, he will hear more from him the future I'm sure.
Irréversible (2002)
not another so called "french" film (spoilers Included)
What bothers me the most is not the violence at all, its the purpose in which the director (this noe gaspar character), uses it. I felt I was watching another 11 o clock news program. Is There a need actually to promote this kind of movies?? I mean let´s face it, without the violence this flick would be as boring as the next b-movie, this film only can relay in the violence to make people throw up or leave the movie theater, there is only perhaps two good scenes for me to consider SPOILERS the way it´s develop (Memento anyone?), towards the end.
I simply hate when movies feel important enough to use two old people to say some artsy quotes likes "time destroys everything" so what´s the big deal about it, do we have to watch another french movie to learn that; I guess not. For me a good movie you need a GOOD IDEA that´s the secret no CGI, no sex scenes, not really anything, I have seen movies from Iran more deeply and truly original that this one overrated flick. Of course the pseudo intellectual crowd needs something to talk about at dinners, coffee stores and bars, you have to feed them movies like this, make them look all smart and have them quote this and that.
In the end the characters felt somewhat flat, does this flick pretend to teach us some kind of lesson???? I guess that the average viewer not only would feel sick but shortage in a message. Revenge, regrets, craziness. It´s all in a human being that´s as old as the Old Testament, I don´t consider myself a critic, just a guy who happens to watch movies for free, to anyone else that felt that without the violence this movie is nothing to call home about. I think I have seen too many stupid flick using/promoting violence, that I will try to stay close to movies with more than your average two cent philosophy, well that´s just me anyway (and please I´m not religious or anything else do not think the wrong way)
The Wisher (2002)
Where is the Talent when is needed?
I work for this company, that carries low budget flicks for big bucks, when I came upon a new movie by the guy who directed "Christina´s House". I feel that it could be another disaster movie with no script, characters or enough coherence to stick the movie together.
I am not a director nor an editor put The Wisher lacks detail in some aspects, for example:
1) Two girls are running away from the bad guy, suddenly one leaves the wheels an watch the other girls face like 5 seconds, common she was supposed to be driving don't you remember that?
2) The idea is a decent one, I mean I love the whole scenario of a movie within the movie (The Anguish by Bigas Lunas), in this case the original Wisher had a lot more to offer, the whole thing gets boring when all the teenagers waste time and roll on stupid subjects
3) For a better disturbed girls watch May (quite similar to our girl named Mary)
4) Excessive use of stereotypes (I know you always have to put one or two, I learned from a film teacher, but in this case, the usual "slutty girl", "the nerd", "the shy-ugly no one cares about me", "the weird student who seems to have a crush on the shy girl" I mean even I can see that with this characters the movie is not going to work
I feel disappointed at the director cause he is basically ripping his own previous ideas on Christina's House again; he is far from achieving a good movie. We probably should attempt to direct drama or comedy better. I watch the alternative ending which I found have a lot more to offer that the usual I already knew who the killer was type.
.5 stars out of 5
Stealing Candy (2003)
Spoilers Inside (if anyone actually watches it)
Real B Movies always have a certain amount of fantasy and credibility within, that's why someone in a network or an indie studio decides to buy rights for TV or video. Actually a lot of folks seem to enjoy this type of flicks because we get millions everyday. Whenever they make profits all of them is a true Mystery that could be used as a Plot for another B Movie, but enough already. Stealing Candy is a movie that desperate needs help, maybe the cast itself could have been better, examples:
a) Daniel Baldwin (the fat one) plays a computer "geek" who has a family and a big money problem, his child is dying and needs hospital treatment and his wife is tired of his money schemes that do not deliver money in the end
B) The once upon a time rap artist turned actor Coolio (as a gansta type mob robber up to any new plan to make money fast, he is supposed to be the expert in getting into anywhere without being caught)
C) the Master mind of the Plan (an actor that probably is famous, who knows. I do not know his name (sorry no offense), who puts the three of them at work
The Plot Kidnap a movie star that also has some problems of her own and make her do a porn movie that will broadcast on the Internet for one night only, on a live transmission that is (remember a Turbulence movie that also does something like this) The result
A mix of comedy (common Coolio acting dramatically is asking too much), drama (the big house of the actress has no security cameras, funny, just a very simple alarm that could have been tempered by an eight year old, of course the *Team* knows how to switch it off just like that, I guess the actress was not really *Famous* after all. anyways what do I know.
I keep wondering who to consider this, perhaps comedy, drama, action.? Probably this is what the director understand about filming, mix genres, put a couple of *stars*, and have a good climax, folks will love it, I'm not so sure.
Give students more projects like this, probably at least they will learn more in the process and actually make a decent flick someday. This movie has some sense, but doesn't deliver the goods for anyone with a couple of brain cells.
The Piano Player (2002)
Hopper and Lambert together. What could ever go wrong?
Any chance of seen the fine acting of Mr. Hopper is what I called `a valuable experience'. After all, he is legend of it´s own, from timeless classics as: `Easy Rider' to `Blue Velvet' and the TV Series `24'. Mr. Hopper knows the drill. He starts along side another legendary actor called Christopher Lambert, from the hit `Mortal Kombat' and the sometimes gory `Resurrection' and `The Fortress', he could be called the perfect B-Movie detective, action hero. Both of them actually have mastered the Art of Traveling around the world in this somewhat enjoyable ficks about mobsters, monsters and other dramas. This time the plot revolves around a mercenary that is brought to protect a powerful business man from a mobster in Prison. He can see plenty of shots of South Africa and the landscape, a couple of car chases and a poorly written dialogue that remained me of Film 101, still this a enjoyable flick if you happened to like B-Movies and expect the usual Mobster-Bodyguard Plot that is, somehow the man you are supposed to protect not always is what you thought of it in the First Place. Both actors seemed to have enjoyed the travel expenses, and the funny fact of the film is seeing Mr. Hopper wearing a ridiculous toupee that make him look quite funny is good enough. The whole script is clearly not intended to be nominated for an Award, so if you are looking for a powerful movie, wait for Greenaway´s new project called `The Tulse Luper Suitcases', and please don´t be nagging all day because of this little project complete done over South Africa, to be seen along side others classics such as: Do not Disturb (Dick Maas) done in the marvelous city of Amsterdam and also Soul Assasin (Laurence Malkin) also done in that cool city. Have a nice afternoon watching the movie world go by in front of you cozy sofa. If you need to watch more, remember to see; `When Hollywood A Stars go Bad'.