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roarkish
� Ayn Rand, Appendix to Atlas Shrugged
Sums me up completely.
I am an American.
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A Scanner Darkly (2006)
Breathtaking! Linklater Scores With A Gem.
I am not a huge Linklater fan. His films usually give me a good laugh(Slacker, Dazed and Confused) or they present interesting concepts that will stir up good conversation(Waking Life) or they are for children(School of Rock). I don't consider him a great filmmaker but I would consider him an interesting storyteller and probably a great guy to talk to.
A Scanner Darkly changes everything. Even though Phillip K. Dick wrote it, Richard adapted the screenplay perfectly. I found that the film ran like a combination of Tarantinoesque chronology(Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs) and a Nolanesque confusion(Memento). The rotoscoping animation was used perfectly to highlight the cinematography. I left the theater with a sort of David Lynchish feel(Lost Highway, Mullholland Drive) but the plot lines were actually sewn up more neatly.
Having seen the film only once, in no way am I saying that A Scanner Darkly compares with the films I've mentioned, but with multiple viewings I am guessing that I may rank it somewhere close.
I can certainly see how someone that has never taken any psychedelics or ingested any type of psychotropic substance might feel less enthusiastic about some of the themes but I can't see them denouncing the film for that reason.
If you have ever gone on a "trip" then you will be instantly able to relate to some of the particular scenes.
I thought that everyone acted brilliantly in their particular roles. Keanu's agent should win some sort of award. Mr. Reeves is not in any way a credit to Shakespeare but his agent always seems to find certain roles that suit Keanu's tendencies.
I think it is undoubtable that this film becomes a cult classic. I hope it fares well at the box office because I would like to believe that the world is starting to appreciate good film more than it has of late.
If you enjoy a good "mind-bender" of a film that doesn't stop resonating in your head until days after you have seen it, then A Scanner Darkly is for you. If you go to the theater simply for spoon-fed entertainment, see this film anyway and hopefully you will wake up and have an original thought some time soon.
Oxygen (1999)
So much potential
With a compelling cast and half decent screenplay this film had potential. The low budget didn't help. The cheezy cinematography didn't help. But it was the ending. The ending. Oh god, the ending. What a letdown. I give a lot of credit to Richard Shephard. He will make good films sometime soon. But what a crappy ending. As is the problem with most good thrillers, the villain is more likable than the hero. With everything so meticulously planned out, how could he not foresee the conclusion.
Garbage.
Again, I can only hope for better in the future from Mr. Shephard.
Especially better endings.
Runaway Jury (2003)
The sequel
In the sequel the gun manufacturer is so mad he wasted the money to buy the verdict he invents a gun called the "Easter Bunny". This gun is specifically designed to kill Nick Easter and Marley. The hit-man who does the job also goes and kills Marley's mom and then kills Fitch for being such a dumbass. Then he goes and kills the judge for letting this verdict stand and finally kills all the members of the jury for being so stupid. And then, just to make everything right, he kills the woman who frivolously sued the gun manufacturer.
That makes for such a better story than the original.
Gary Fleder showed such promise with "Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead" but has just chosen such bad screenplays since. I see some of his other films and my opinion of "Denver" goes down. But then I slap myself for thinking that way.