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Reviews
The Life of David Gale (2003)
Underrated, riveting, and thought-provoking
A film centered on such a polarizing topic as capital punishment is bound to arouse emotional responses and a heated debate. Unfortunately, viewers' opinions on the subject seemed to dictate their opinion of the film's quality. If the viewer can maintain an open mind and merely watch and absorb the film for what it is, they will enjoy one of the most underrated films of the decade. Movies and the filmmakers who create them are allowed to express opinions; and even if you don't share those opinions, it shouldn't stop you from enjoying such a fascinating thriller.
David Gale (Kevin Spacey, in top form as usual), is a philosophy professor at the University of Austin, a devoted father to his young son, and an active member of Deathwatch, an anti-death penalty group. Constance Harroway (Laura Linney), is a close friend, colleague, and fellow Deathwatch member. Gale's life begins a downward spiral after he is falsely accused of raping a former student (Rhona Mitra), which ruins his academic reputation, his marriage, and relationship with his son. A number of years later, respected journalist Bitsey Bloom (Kate Winslet), travels to Texas to interview Gale on the last days of his life--he is now on death row, having been sentenced to death for the murder of Constance Harroway. As Gale relates the true story of Constance's death to Bitsey through flashbacks, Bitsey begins a frantic race against time to discover the truth and save Gale's life.
Many twists and turns in the narrative unfold up until the film's final frame. Many viewers have derided the film for an illogical and unrealistic storyline, and while that may be so, it is nevertheless fascinating and thought-provoking. By the end, the viewer is left with much to contemplate. This isn't a film that gives away all the answers, but rather leaves a number of plot points up to interpretation. Winslet is fiercely intelligent as Bloom, although her performance suffers from melodramatic over-acting that threaten to render the film's most emotionally powerful scenes unintentionally comic.
If "The Life of David Gale" at all intrigues you, just watch it. Try not to go into the film with pre-conceived notions of the film's message or what it stands for. Just enjoy a fascinating, disturbing, fictional story and decide for yourself what you believe "The Life of David Gale" is trying to say. I think you'll be rewarded.
New York, I Love You (2008)
An all-star cast and arty directors can't save this clumsy, pretentious, mess
Appealing to audiences with a "Love Actually"-style format of intersecting love stories, a range of movie stars, a glitzy metropolitan backdrop, and a handful of award-winning writer-directors, "New York, I Love You" fails on all of these accounts. Films with interlocking stories and characters are all the rage now (see "Babel", "Crash", "Valentine's Day", "He's Just Not That Into You", the aforementioned "Love Actually") but "New York I Love You" does a poor job of threading together its stories. Characters wander in and out of multiple stories pointlessly, without meaning or consequence.
The stories are not so much about love as they are about the filmmakers trying desperately to project an air of edgy sexuality, and having the characters spout pretentious drivel about the nature of love, life, and missed connections. As for the setting, many other reviewers have decried the lack of cultural/racial/ethnic/sexual orientation diversity, the use of stereotypes (Natalie Portman and Shia LaBeauf's accents are particularly overdrawn), and the representation of "New York" as middle/upper class white residents of Lower Manhattan.
The movie is crammed with too many stories in too short of a time frame (just 93 mins.) to truly grab the viewer. I also despaired to find a connecting theme. As the film opened, cab occupants Justin Bartha and Bradley Cooper argue over how to get to the Lower East Side. Later, Justin Bartha takes his long-suffering girlfriend Eva Amurri on vacation. As for Bradley Cooper, we learn through a painful inner monologue that he is traveling to the Lower East Side for a second date with a torrid one night stand (Drea de Matteo). Drea de Matteo buys birth control from nosy, meddling drugstore owner James Caan, who sets up his Method actress daughter Olivia Thirlby ("Juno") with high school senior Anton Yelchin ("Charlie Bartlett", "Star Trek"). Professional pickpocket Andy Garcia outwits Hayden Christensen but Christensen ends up getting the girl (Rachel Bilson, "The O.C."). Ethan Hawke makes creepy overtures to Maggie Q, Robin Wright Penn and Chris Cooper make flirtatiously cryptic conversation. Natalie Portman and Ifran Khan discuss their cultures; TV show composer Orlando Bloom gets some Dostoyevsky inspiration from his boss's assistant Christina Ricci; Shia LaBeauf dons an inexplicable Eastern European accent to portray opera singer Julia Christie's bellhop. Charming old couple Eli Wallach and Cloris Leachman take a stroll to Coney Island on their 67th wedding anniversary ("Don't walk so fast, you'll make me call an ambulance.") Professional moment capturer/video stalker Emilie Ohana captures it all on tape, and that's it.
The assemblage of credibly talented writer/directors (Anthony Minghella, "The Talented Mr. Ripley", Mira Nair, "Monsoon Wedding", Shekhar Kapur, "Elizabeth") are obviously trying to be arty and profound with their 10 min. snapshots of these characters' lives, but the stories run the gamut from confusing, pretentious, and boring to borderline offensive. The characters are shallow types without depth, and the acting is painfully bad.
Bottle Shock (2008)
A funny feel-good film
This charming comedy tells the true story of the Château Montelena winery in 1976 Calistoga, CA and how it helped American (specifically Californian) wine break into the sophisticated wine market previously dominated by France.
The financially struggling winery is run by perfectionist Jim Barrett (Bill Pullman), with assistance from Gustavo (Freddy Rodriguez, "Six Feet Under"), the son of a Mexican field hand who has aspirations of opening his own winery. Also along for the ride is Jim's hippie son, the long-haired, good-natured Bo (Chris Pine of "Star Trek") who has dropped out of college and is stuck in a stagnant existence. When the film opens young intern Sam (Rachael Taylor) has joined the winery to learn all she can about viniculture.
Meanwhile, British wine snob Steven Spurrier (a delightful Alan Rickman) has journeyed from his struggling wine shop in Paris to Napa Valley to see what all the fuss is about regarding California wine. Impressed by the quality of vino across the pond, Spurrier arranges the famous blind taste testing wine competition in Paris. Eliza Dushku ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Bring it On"), plays a local barmaid who helps Bo get Château Montelena's wine into the competition.
"Bottle Shock" is light and funny, with solid performances from the entire cast and a charming, genuinely interesting true story behind it. An enjoyable rental.
Carriers (2009)
Wrenching and thought-provoking, different than expected!
A darker companion to "Zombieland", this solid indie film imagines a world in which one of the pandemics dominating current headlines--avian flu, swine flu, etc. has caused widespread destruction and death.
"Carriers" features a group of four young people who have survived the virus outbreak so far, and are heading to a beach to live in an abandoned hotel. Brian (Chris Pine of "Star Trek") has been the most affected by the epidemic, having worked to bury the dozens of victims in a stadium. He has also created a set of rules (as in "Zombieland") to protect the group from catching the disease, which is always fatal. "The sick are already dead". He is accompanied by his girlfriend Bobby (Piper Perabo) and brother Danny (Lou Taylor Pucci). Danny has also brought along a friend Kate (Emily VanCamp), whose relationship to the group is never really explained.
As the group navigates their post-apocalyptic landscape, their morals, friendships, and "rules" are tested, especially when they encounter a man (Christopher Meloni, "Law and Order: SVU") who is desperate to find a cure for his diseased daughter.
This is not a typical teen slasher flick. There is little gore, suspense, or bloody thrills. It is a wrenching drama about the decisions we are faced with in desperate situations, and will likely provide much thought and discussion on what the viewer would do in a similar scenario. The characters are allowed to develop much more than the typical "Halloween" or "Final Destination" hottie, and as they navigate their increasingly dangerous journey, you will feel sympathetic, enraged, and genuinely moved by their horrifically difficult situations.
If you are looking for a fast-paced zombie thriller with lots of sex and guts, "Carriers" is not for you, despite its misleading posters and marketing. This is not a movie that makes light of a zombie apocalypse, and is all the better for it.
Julie & Julia (2009)
Streep hits all the right notes in a fun biopic
"Julie and Julia" intertwines the stories of two women across time and space and how they were both saved, in a way, by food. The story of Julia Child's years attending cooking school and writing her first cookbook is by far the superior one, propelled by Meryl Streep's astonishing performance of the cheery, boisterous, 6"2 Child. Streep captures the chef's voice and mannerisms remarkably; you are not watching Meryl Streep on screen, you are watching Julia Child. Streep's portrayal of her early years of marriage to American diplomat Paul (a delightful Stanley Tucci) in Paris and her struggle to "find something to do" in the confines of 1950's society is the reason to watch Nora Ephron's latest.
Although at times enjoyable, the film could've done without the parallel story of Julie Powell (Amy Adams). Powell is a 30 year old Amherst graduate who abandoned her dream of writing, works a dead-end cubicle job, lives above a pizzeria in Queens, and has a horribly unflattering haircut. With the encouragement of her husband Eric (the very likable Chris Messina) Powell decides to plough through Julia Child's opus "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", make 524 recipes in 365 days, and write a blog about it.
Powell is self-involved, arrogant, and unlikable (she stays up all night whining to her husband after she hears Julia Child doesn't care for her blog). During the Powell parts I was just waiting to get back to Child, whose classes at the predominantly male Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and her long struggle to get a cookbook published with two other female chefs is infinitely more interesting.
Although Julie is almost creepily obsessed with Julia and goes to great lengths to compare herself with her, the audience sees many notable differences between the two women. Julie is hopelessly neurotic and has a meltdown every time a recipe doesn't turn out right. Julia takes numerous moves across Europe, Paul's detainment in Washington by a government consumed with McCarthyist paranoia, the doubt of the Le Cordon Bleu's head chef, and rejection by publishers all in stride.
Jane Lynch ("Glee", "Role Models"), has a funny turn as Julia's sister Dorothy, who is equally tall and equally enamored with eating. Mary Lynn Rajskub also appears as Julie's friend.
A fun film that (despite a few sexual innuendos) can be enjoyed by the whole family. And be sure to have snacks on hand--the movie's constant shots of delectable French dishes will have your mouth watering!
All About Steve (2009)
Weird and a little silly, but has a quirky charm
Suspend disbelief, and some brain cells, to enjoy this odd, sometimes funny comedy. Sandra Bullock plays Mary Horowitz, a brainy crossword puzzle writer who spouts off trivia at every turn, lives with her parents, and possesses an unflattering haircut and color. When her parents set her up on a blind date, the sexually frustrated Mary is thrilled to see it is hunky news cameraman Steve (Bradley Cooper). Steve is immediately turned off by her constant chatter of factorial tidbits and escapes to allegedly cover a news story. Mary is enthralled and proceeds to write a crossword "All About Steve" (see what I did there, with the title?) Since apparently the Sacramento newspaper doesn't employ an editor to control what content goes into the newspaper, Mary's Steve-themed crossword is published and she promptly loses her job. Still elated by Steve, whom she believes is her true love, Mary chases Steve all over the Southwest as he covers news stories. Thomas Haden Church plays a one-note, self-involved news anchor and Ken Jeong plays Token Humorous Asian Man.
"All About Steve" has a third act that is unexpected and touching, and at its heart, this comedy isn't a romantic chick flick about finding a guy, but by staying true to yourself and embracing your own unique self. "Don't ever change, for anyone", Steve tells Mary. Bullock does the best she can with a lame script and a rather pathetic, dimwitted character, but despite her annoying qualities and complete ignorance of social graces, she carries the film with a heartfelt, charming performance.
An enjoyable rental if you're not looking for something too serious.
The Dead Girl (2006)
EXCELLENT ensemble drama!
"The Dead Girl" is an exceptional piece of film-making. The star-studded cast and their powerful performances give this mystery/thriller profundity and emotional depth that will leave an impression long after the closing credits. The story is told in 5 different segments, each focusing on a woman and their connection, whether deep or superficial, to the dead girl. Writer/director Karen Moncrieff manages to convey so much about her characters and their depth in each short segment. We feel as if we know this character already, and the film we see is just a peek into their lives.
In "The Stranger", Arden (the always wonderful Toni Collette), is a painfully shy young woman caring for her ill, abusive mother (Piper Laurie) and harboring painful memories of a young brother who died. After finding the dead girl in her backyard, a grocery store clerk (Giovanni Ribisi) recognizes her from the news and asks her on a date. This series of events leads her to break free of her mother's grasp and embark on a new, healthier life.
In "The Sister", Leah (Rose Byrne, FX's "Damages"), is a young student interning at the Medical Examiner's office who prepares the dead girl for her autopsy. Her family (Mary Steenburgen plays her mother) is grieving over and actively searching for her younger sister Jenny, who disappeared from a state park 15 years ago. Deeply lonely and depressed, Leah's notion that this dead girl could be her long-lost sister seems to give her the closure she needs and to move on with her life, accepting her colleague (James Franco)'s invitation to a party at his home, leading to a romantic relationship.
"The Wife" is the weakest segment, featuring the character the audience will have the least sympathy for. Ruth (Mary Beth Hurt) is a depressed woman in her mid-50's in a loveless, empty marriage to Carl (Nick Searcy). Carl leaves for days at a time, and Ruth suspects he is consorting with prostitutes and threatens to leave, but doesn't have the courage to do so. After hearing of a serial killer on the news and finding suspicious items in the garage, Ruth chooses to hide this evidence and continue looking the other way when it comes to her husband's actions, as she has always done.
"The Mother" features a heartbreakingly real performance by Marcia Gay Harden as the dead girl's mother, Melora. She comes to L.A. to identify the body of her daughter, whom she hasn't seen since she ran away at 16. Peeking at the detective's file, Melora sees her daughter's last-known address, a motel room. She meets her daughter's roommate (a dynamic Kerry Washington) and begins to piece together the heartwrenching details of her life and death, sliding the mystery into place for the final segment, "The Dead Girl".
Brittany Murphy is raw, gritty, compelling, and heartbreaking as the dead girl, Krista Kutcher. A drug addicted prostitute desperately trying to put her life back together, the audience watches achingly as the decisions that lead to her demise unfold. Josh Brolin appears briefly as her boyfriend/client. The ending is brilliantly devastating in its subtlety and simplicity. The audience knows what happens. This story is not about showing the gory details.
"The Dead Girl" is told masterfully, with each successive segment involving you deeply in each character's life while unfolding pieces of the larger puzzle. Absorbing and realistic; while certainly not a happy or uplifting story, "The Dead Girl" is a beautiful portrayal of women's lives and their struggles.
The Cell (2000)
Engaging serial killer drama with sci-fi twist
Jennifer Lopez stars in this futuristic thriller, a visually dynamic, inventive spin on "The Silence of the Lambs". Lopez is top child therapist Catherine Deane, whose sessions are held inside the client's brain using new technology. While helping her latest client, a young boy named Edward, has proved difficult, Catherine gets a new challenge when she's hired by the FBI to go into the mind of a schizophrenic serial killer (Vincent D'Onofrio, twice as creepy as he was in "Full Metal Jacket") to find out where he's hiding his latest victim. Vince Vaughn plays the hardened prosecutor-turned-FBI agent assigned to the case, Peter. The characters aren't fully developed, and some intriguing questions the film asks aren't properly addressed. We learn at the beginning of the film that Catherine has been having trouble sleeping and has nightmares, but nothing further in the story explains why this could be so. After her first trip inside his mind, Catherine learns that D'Onofrio's killer was physically and sexually abused as a child, and she and Peter discuss whether a childhood of abuse is an excuse for, or always leads to, abusing others in adulthood. "The Cell" brings up this question but doesn't sufficiently examine it. Beyond her strong compassion for others, we learn little about Catherine, and Peter, who ditched his career in the D.A.'s office after a dangerous child molester was allowed to walk, even less. While Peter's story is obviously an indictment of the U.S. judicial system, the film's themes of childhood abuse and trauma and its effects as well as schizophrenia could be more developed for a stronger film. Overall, dazzling imagery and a creative story help turn this ordinary procedural into an entertaining ride that is as enjoyable as it is creep-tastic.